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The match was originally set to be held in Johannesburg but was moved out due to strict biobubble rules in the city

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2021India’s first Test assignment of 2022 will be held in Cape Town against South Africa, after CSA confirmed that the upcoming New Year’s Test between the two teams will be moved away from Johannesburg.The Wanderers was initially set to host two of the three Tests between South Africa and India, but ESPNcricinfo understands that strict biobubble rules in Johannesburg meant the second Test, scheduled between January 3 and 7, will now take place at Newlands in Cape Town.Related

South Africa to host Netherlands, India and Bangladesh during home summer

“CSA is excited to welcome India back to South Africa, which also significantly marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s first tour to India after re-entry into International Cricket in 1991,” Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket, said. “This tour affirms our unique relationship with the BCCI.”India’s scheduled tour of South Africa between December 2021 and January 2022 had been confirmed as the marquee international series in South Africa’s home calendar. India are due to play three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is between December 17 and January 26, with Netherlands and Bangladesh also due to visit South Africa later. All the Test matches are part of the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle.South Africa and India last met in a bilateral series in March 2020 in India, for three ODIs, but after the first fixture was washed out, the series had to be called off altogether because of the Covid-19 outbreak. India then confirmed a three-match T20I series with South Africa – initially scheduled for August last year and then in September-October this year. But it hasn’t taken place yet, initially because South Africa was experiencing its first wave of the pandemic and then because of the rescheduled IPL.

Manchester City made history on Wednesday night, breaking the record for the longest unbeaten run in the Champions League, previously held by cross-city rivals Manchester United.

It was a destructive win that sealed the deal for Pep Guardiola’s side, as they destroyed Czech side Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The record now stands at 26 games.

It was a superb showing from the 2022/23 winners, who had four different goalscorers on the night. Unsurprisingly, it was Erling Haaland who scored twice, with his first a particularly impressive acrobatic effort. The other City players to find the back of the net were Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes.

There were several standout performers from the Citizens last night, although Foden was in imperious form against the Czech side.

Foden’s stats vs. Sparta Prague

It has been a curious season for the 2023/24 PFA Player of the Year winner. After a spellbinding campaign last term, in which he helped win another Premier League title, Foden has struggled to break into the starting lineup under Guardiola this term.

He has played nine games in all competitions, with two goals and two assists to his name so far. However, the City number 47 has just 494 minutes, equating to just 5.4 full 90-minute games in total, with injury and illness a contributing factor.

Against the reigning Czech champions, Foden impressed. His goal was a classic finish, dancing between a few defenders before drilling his shot low and hard into the bottom left corner. Outside of that, he was superb, a real creative force for the hosts in the final third.

His Sofascore stats also reflect a superb performance. The England international had 78 touches, completing 92% of his passes and creating two chances. He completed both of his attempted dribbles and won four of seven attempted duels.

Foden’s enterprising performance won him a 7/10 rating from Goal journalist Richard Martin. He explained that the City attacker is finally “approaching his best form” after an indifferent start to the season, and called him a “constant headache” for the opposition.

The 24-year-old starred on Wednesday night, but another of his City teammates, Savinho, arguably outshone him.

Savinho’s stats vs. Sparta Prague

Since joining the Premier League champions this summer, Brazilian winger Savinho has shone. He has four assists in 11 games and has shown – notably on Wednesday night – that he could even be City’s answer to talented Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.

Not only are they both young, left-footed wingers, but the pair are similar statistically on FBref too. Amongst other stats, the City man averages 2.75 key passes per game and 10.5 progressive carries; comparatively, the Barcelona teenager averages 2.39 key passes and 5.57 progressive carries.

Key passes

2.75

2.39

Passes into final third

0.50

2.73

Passes into penalty box

4.50

3.07

Progressive carries

10.5

5.57

Carries into final third

3.0

3.18

Carries into penalty area

5.5

2.73

Take-ons completed

2.75

3.41

The wingers are two of the most exciting talents in world football, so for City to have a player so similar to Bracelona’s exciting young talent, both stylistically and statistically, is an exciting luxury for Guardiola.

Focussing on the performance against the Czech outfit, former Girona winger Savinho stood out for all the right reasons and received an 8/10 rating from Martin. The journalist was full of praise for the Brazil international, explaining that he “ran the visitors ragged”, praising him for the fact he was “destroying opponents” on the right wing.

The 20-year-old was spellbinding having created five key passes and two big chances, even managing to register an assist for Haaland’s first goal. He completed four of his eight attempted dribbles, and worked hard off the ball, winning six ground duels.

It was a wonderful performance from City’s answer to Yamal, Savinho last night. He will no doubt be hoping to continue this form as the Premier League champions look to push for titles in all competitions.

10 managers who could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

The Spaniard’s time at the Etihad could soon be up.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 22, 2024

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that the Reds made 'the signing of the season' despite their lack of transfers through the summer window.

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Liverpool only made one signing this seasonCarragher claims Reds made 'signing of the season'Claims the signing of Arne Slot has been pivotalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool had been expected to be heavily involved in the summer transfer window after Jurgen Klopp's departure and Arne Slot's appointment as his successor over last summer. However, the Reds ended up staying quiet through the entire summer and only signed Federico Chiesa while their attempts to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad failed to bear fruit.

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However, Carragher has now claimed that Liverpool made the best signing of the season when they signed Slot to take over as the Dutchman has led the Reds into the lead of the Premier League and Champions League league stage standings. The former defender also opened up that if Liverpool were to win titles, the Dutchman would be at the end of all the praise, however, if they fail, the ownership would be the one's targeted by the fans for the lack of transfer activity.

Getty Images SportWHAT CARRAGHER SAID

In his column with The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: "Headhunting Slot was another masterstroke by FSG. Identifying the right successor for Klopp was a defining moment in Liverpool’s modern history, comparable to replacing Bill Shankly or Sir Kenny Dalglish, Manchester United moving on after the retirements of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal post-Arsene Wenger. We have seen many glorious eras grind to a halt when the figurehead left the building.

"Time will tell if Liverpool’s general inactivity in the transfer market across the past two windows is dangerous or clever. Given that small details make a big difference in sport, it could be both. If Liverpool win the title, Slot will be the hero. If it goes wrong from here, [Michael] Edwards, [Richard] Hughes and the rest of the FSG hierarchy will be cast by some as the villains.

"That’s how it works in football. Owners, executives and sporting directors are as unpopular as referees, thanked for nothing but blamed for everything.

"Many directors in the position of Edwards and Hughes could dine out for a while on making such a big call as replacing Klopp with Slot. Not at Liverpool.

"But whatever the outcome in the title run-in, Liverpool can claim they have already made the signing of the season: Slot himself."

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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

While last summer did not see much transfer activity, next summer will likely be filled with movements. The future of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker remain under question and their departures will make signings necessary.

West Ham had an extremely busy summer transfer window, spending around £120m on ten new signings, also making eight permanent sales, claiming back £37.5m.

One area the club identified was centre-forward, signing Niclas Füllkrug for a fee of around £27m from Borussia Dortmund, after being linked with Jhon Duran all summer.

This has backfired massively for the Hammers so far, with Duran netting six goals in ten appearances for Villa in all competitions, whilst Fullkrug has suffered from injuries, only making four appearances for the club so far, yet to score a goal.

So, it’s perhaps hardly surprising to see the Irons linked with another new forward.

West Ham interested in LaLiga striker

According to reports from the print edition of Tthe Sunday People, West Ham are interested in Norway and Atlético Madrid striker, Alexander Sorloth.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The 28-year-old only just signed for the Spanish outfit this summer for a fee of around £26.5m, following his impressive 2023/24 campaign for Villarreal, making 41 appearances, scoring 26 goals and providing six assists.

So far this season, the Norway international has played 11 times, only scoring just once but providing two assists in his 502 minutes played, finding his minutes rotated with other striking options, such as Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann.

Sorloth has played in the Premier League before, making 20 appearances for Crystal Palace, only scoring one goal and providing one assist, so if he was to come back, joining West Ham, it is likely the 28-year-old would want to prove people wrong in and show what he can do in the top-flight.

Sorloth vs Fullkrug comparison

To compare Fullkrug to Sorloth, we are best off looking at the 2023/24 season of the German striker when he was able to string some games together and gather some good metrics.

In the 23/24 campaign, Fullkrug made 46 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 16 goals and providing ten assists in 3,605 minutes played.

It is also worth comparing Sorloth to Duran, who was nearly signed by the Hammers this summer. The 20-year-old already has 14 goals in 59 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring those in just 1,553 minutes.

Goals

0.33

0.40

1.62

Assists

0.44

0.25

0.00

xG

0.38

0.48

0.81

Progressive Carries

1.07

0.76

1.11

Progressive Passes

1.43

2.28

2.22

Shots Total

3.19

2.34

5.41

Shots on Target

1.21

0.93

2.16

Goals/Shot

0.10

0.13

0.25

Key Passes

1.25

1.47

0.37

Shot-Creating Actions

2.32

2.52

1.85

Touches (Att Pen)

5.54

4.46

8.15

Aerials Won

5.54

3.49

4.81

Duran’s metrics are slightly skewed due to his minutes being off the bench, and the metrics being measured per 90 mins, but he clearly brings the most goal threat, generating the most xG, having an extremely high shot volume, and scoring the most goals per 90.

Sorloth and Fullkrug are different types of striker, who aren’t centered around their pace or running in behind, but instead, their intelligence, box movement, aerial prowess, and link-up play. Sorloth wins more aerial duels, takes more penalty area touches, provides more shot volume, and more assists/creation for others.

Fullkrug could prove many wrong at West Ham when he can get a sustained amount of minutes on the pitch to show his value. However, the longer he remains on the sidelines, and the more Duran continues to smash it, Hammers fans will want the striker situation addressed at some point. Sorloth could just be the remedy.

West Ham thought they had the new Patrick Vieira, now he's a free agent

The Hammers believed they were onto a winner with one former star…

1 ByConnor Holden Oct 11, 2024

Kate Cross half-century, two-for in vain as Thunder bow out of contention

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-2021Seamers Tara Norris and Paige Scholfield shared seven wickets as defending champions Southern Vipers took a significant step towards the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final by beating Thunder by three wickets at Sale.In bowling Thunder out for 110 inside 33 overs, left-armer Norris and Scholfield returned career best List A figures of 4 for 14 and 3 for 16 respectively, with England star Kate Cross the hosts’ lone hand with a fluent 57.The Vipers reply stumbled to 68 for 5, but Emily Windsor’s unbeaten 26 was crucial in securing the bonus point victory following Sunday’s disappointing Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 semi-final defeat.A fourth win from five games consolidates top spot in the table with two rounds remaining. If they finish there, they will advance directly to the September 25 final at Northampton.After electing to bowl on an unsettled morning, Vipers were quickly in and amongst the home top order in front of a 250 capacity crowd following the cancellation of Old Trafford’s Test just a couple of miles down the Chester Road.Lauren Bell bowled Georgie Boyce and Seren Smale with successive deliveries to leave Thunder 12 for 2 in the third over. Smale, aged 16, was the victim of a devastating yorker for a golden duck on debut before a number of her team-mates miscued shots.Emma Lamb, fresh from England T20 duty, top-edged a pull at Scholfield to long-leg for 17 as the score fell to 47 for 4 in the 11th.Aside from Cross, Lamb was the only other Thunder batter to reach double figures on a good pitch in front of a crowd including a fancy dress dinosaur, cavemen and wizards.Cross drove particularly well and reached her sixth career List A fifty off 75 balls with a six over long-on. By that time, Thunder were 96 for 7 in the 29th over, and she was later last out when she clothed Norris to mid-off.Cross, an almost certain selection in England’s ODI squad for the forthcoming New Zealand series, continued her excellent day by getting Georgias Adams and Elwiss caught behind as the chasing Vipers fell to 46 for 3 in the 11th over.That became 68 for 5, including the loss of opener Ella McCaughan for a busy 41 to Alex Hartley. Hartley and fellow left-arm spinner Hannah Jones struck again, reducing Vipers to 106 for 7, but calm Windsor drove the winning runs down the ground in the 34th over.Thunder’s third defeat means they are all but out of knockout contention.

Joao Felix will play no part as Chelsea take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

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Felix absent from Chelsea squadPlayer granted compassionate leaveLinked with transfer in final week of windowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Felix was reported around five hours before the game in Manchester to have not travelled with the squad. It sparked some speculation given that the Portuguese's future at Stamford Bridge has been far from certain amid a lack of regular playing time.

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Journalist Matt Law offered clarification as to why Felix is absent and it is nothing to do with any transfer activity. The player has been granted compassionate leave by the club due to a family bereavement and has flown home to Portugal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Felix joined Chelsea on a permanent transfer last summer, following a previous loan spell in the latter half of 2022-23. But he's started only three Premier League games – and just nine across all competitions. The 25-year-old has been linked with AC Milan and, surprisingly, even Manchester United in recent days.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

It remains to be seen how long Felix will spend back home with his family. But if there is to be any movement on the transfer front, there is only just over a week until the winter window closes on February 3.

Wrexham are set to miss out on Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, as he is set to join Hull City instead.

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Gelhardt having medical at HullLinked with move to WrexhamRyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney miss outFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham had been linked with a move to sign Leeds striker Gelhardt but the 22-year-old is now closing in on a move to Hull City instead, per TalkSPORT's Alex Crook. The forward is undergoing a medical ahead of a loan move, with the Championship club having seemingly beaten the Welsh side to the punch.

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Wrexham, per reports, are willing to spend this month as they look to secure promotion to the Championship. Phil Parkinson's side are currently third in League One, two points behind leaders Birmingham City. They have somewhat struggled to find a truly prolific centre-forward, however, with their top scorer being Elliott Lee, with six goals.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manager Parkinson has likely been underwhelmed by the performances of both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer. The players combined for 34 goals in League Two last season, with Mullin scoring 26. This term, Mullin has scored twice and Palmer has scored three goals.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Wrexham may aim to enter the transfer market before the end of January as they seek extra firepower. In the meantime, they face Shrewsbury Town on Thursday.

Dom Bess fifty could prove priceless as visitors dominate at the Ageas Bowl

ECB Reporters' Network31-Aug-2021Yorkshire 243 (Bess 54, Abbott 3-47, Wheal 3-47) and 34 for 1 (Kohler-Cadmore 16*, Hill 10*, Wheal 1-16) lead Hampshire 163 (Vince 49, Coad 3-29, Thompson 3-35) by 114 runsYorkshire’s bowlers put their side in full control of the LV = County Championship clash against Hampshire on a day of White Rose dominance at the Ageas Bowl.Victory for either team would greatly enhance a push to be in the title mix, but it was the visitors who seized the initiative as Hampshire were bowled out for 163 having earlier dismissed the visitors for 243 before lunch.Yorkshire closed the day on 34 for 1 in their second innings – an imposing-looking lead of 114 – despite losing Adam Lyth for seven before the close.The visitors added 46 to their overnight total of 197 for 6, missing out on a second batting point by just seven runs, as Mason Crane mopped up the tail.Dom Bess top scored with a potentially priceless 54 before playing on to Keith Barker after Jordan Thompson had departed to the second ball of the morning from Brad Wheal.Crane then trapped Matthew Fisher and Ben Coad lbw to wrap up the innings and leave Hampshire’s batsmen with a tricky 35 minutes to negotiate before lunch.It was a task they failed miserably as the fired-up Yorkshire bowlers ripped through the top order with Ian Holland falling for a first-ball duck to Coad before Joe Weatherley edged Fisher behind to leave Hampshire reeling at 1 for 2.Nick Gubbins looked in decent touch as he unfurled three boundaries only for Coad to find the edge of his bat and Harry Brook pouched the catch at slip as Hampshire limped to lunch on 29 for 3.When play restarted the murky skies that had enveloped the ground since day one lifted as sun briefly broke through the clouds to create the best batting conditions of the match.In an encounter where run-scoring has been at a premium, James Vince showed his class with two boundaries from the first two balls he faced to raise hopes of a Hampshire rebuild.Yorkshire were convinced they had their man on 35 when Vince was struck on the pad by opposite skipper Steve Patterson with a ball that looked destined for middle and off-stumps. But umpire Nigel Llong kept his finger down, much to the dismay of the fielders, who then saw the elegant right-hander crunch the ball to the boundary two deliveries later.Yorkshire finally got the vital breakthrough when Vince, who had played a relatively risk-free innings, changed tack when on 49 only for his attempt to lift a short ball from Fisher over the rope finding the hands of George Hill.Vince’s exit sparked a collapse of 6 for 37 as Tom Alsop, who soaked up 96 balls for 12 runs, saw his torturous vigil ended by a peach of a delivery from Bess that clipped his off-stump.The impressive Thompson picked up the wickets of Liam Dawson, Barker and Crane either side of tea with Bess grabbing his second victim when Lewis McManus was smartly caught off his boot by Harry Duke.Wheal and Kyle Abbott added some valuable runs in a last-wicket stand of 40 before Coad wrapped up the innings to finish with 3 for 29.

A “brilliant” Everton player could now miss his side’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United through injury, having seemingly picked up an issue in training.

Everton juggling injuries ahead of Newcastle clash

The Blues are back in action on Saturday evening, taking on the Magpies at Goodison Park in what should be an entertaining contest. Last weekend, Sean Dyche’s side secured a priceless 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, as they got their first victory of the season.

Everton may fancy their chances of two wins in succession, even though Newcastle drew at home to Manchester City in their last league outing, with Eddie Howe’s men actually flattering to deceive in plenty of performances in 2024/25 to date and much poorer on their travels.

Injuries are giving Dyche a headache, however, not least to Jarrad Branthwaite, with the 22-year-old suffering a quad issue, as confirmed by journalist Lewis Steele this week: “Believe Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered a fresh injury concern and is facing a battle to be fit for Everton’s clash against Newcastle on Saturday. Quad injury.”

Elsewhere, Seamus Coleman and Armando Broja are definitely absent from the weekend action, so Everton are without some talented and experienced heads. Now, another setback has emerged, with a key man facing a race against time to be fit.

Everton hit with injury blow to "brilliant" defender

Taking to X, injury expert Ben Dinnery shared the news that Everton left-back Vitalii Mykolenko has likely picked up a calf injury in training on Friday after Dyche’s press conference, making him a huge doubt for the Newcastle game.

Not having Mykolenko fit for Saturday’s match would be a tough one to take for Everton supporters, with the Ukrainian becoming such a consistent performer from his left-back role, making the position his own.

This season, the 25-year-old has started five Premier League games, averaging 3.4 clearances per game, and Blues captain James Tarkowski has lauded him in the past: “He’s been brilliant, he’s come against some really good players. He deserves a goal.”

It remains to be seen if Mykolenko will be passed fit by the time kickoff arrives, but to see him pick up an injury on the eve of the Newcastle game is cruel luck for Dyche, who needs as much good fortune as possible currently, as he looks to take more pressure off his shoulders.

Blow for Everton as £35k-a-week "monster" suffers "fresh injury concern"

This is not what Sean Dyche wanted to hear.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 4, 2024

If the £58,000-a-week Ukraine international is ruled out, it may be that Ashley Young needs to switch to left-back, but potentially having the 39-year-old up against Anthony Gordon is a worrying prospect, should the former Everton man start on the right wing with Harvey Barnes on the left.

Sunderland got their early Championship season back on track with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last time out after surprisingly coming unstuck against Plymouth Argyle the match before.

That now means Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats have picked up five league wins from a possible six, with a trip to face Tom Cleverley’s Watford up next for the Wearside outfit in the second tier.

The popular Frenchman now occupying the Stadium of Light dug-out will continue to keep picking Romaine Mundle and Eliezer Mayenda in the games to come, having managed to get a tune out of the raw attacking pair since his arrival to England, when other Black Cats bosses hadn’t.

Mundle & Mayenda's form this season

Both Mundle and Mayenda weren’t exactly first-team figures for Sunderland last season, with Mayenda failing to score a single goal across the full campaign as a reserve option up top, whilst Mundle only managed five league starts after joining in January from Standard Liege.

Now, however, they are both taking the Championship by storm, with a combined seven goals and assists managed between them, which included Mundle powering home a strike against Portsmouth last month after being played into space by his attacking teammate.

Both standout performers took a backseat last match against Michael Carrick’s Boro, however, as 17-year-old Chris Rigg basked in the limelight with a clever finish to win the even clash by a solitary goal.

But, it’s very unlikely that either will be dropped for the trip to Vicarage Road this coming weekend with the players in question yet to be absent from a league clash so far this campaign.

Whilst Le Bris will be delighted with the continued efforts of his exciting duo up top, Sunderland are currently being kept off the top spot in the division courtesy of a former youth product’s exploits for West Bromwich Albion.

Maja's form for West Brom

Josh Maja will be remembered fondly at the Stadium of Light as a promising youngster who showed off his ability to be an ice-cold finisher when chucked into the first team.

When Sunderland were swamped in League One, the former Black Cats man was a bright spark that managed to break through the doom and gloom.

He netted a stunning 15 goals from 24 third tier contests during the 2018/19 campaign, before a bumper £3.5m move to French side Bordeaux then materialised.

Games played

6

Goals scored

6

Assists

1

Shots per game

2.8

Scoring frequency

81 mins

Goal conversion %

35%

Big chances missed

4

Sunderland must rue losing the now 25-year-old during the infancy of his playing days even more when you take into account his blistering form for West Brom so far this campaign, with a ridiculous six strikes coming his way from as many games as Corberan’s main man up top.

The 5 foot 11 menace is outscoring both Mundle and Mayenda in the league as a result – who have amassed five league strikes between them – with the former Bordeaux man looking to be an absolute steal for the promotion-chasing Baggies now, who managed to get him in on a free transfer last year.

Of course, strikers are bound to experience a barren patch of form across a full league season, with Le Bris hopeful that Maja’s rich vein of form will dry up soon alongside West Brom then dropping off the top of the table.

At the moment, however, it looks as if everything Maja touches turns to gold, as Sunderland and West Brom continue to battle it out to be the early Championship top dogs.

Sunderland dud who left in 2022 outscored every player at the club in 23/24

This past Sunderland flop has been enjoying life away from the Stadium of Light.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 16, 2024