European hangover? No chance. Liverpool blistered through Bournemouth’s backline in a resounding first half of football to move to the top of the Premier League after five matches – for today, at least.

Title favourites Manchester City and Arsenal face off in a crunch clash tomorrow afternoon but Liverpool have applied the pressure and rectified last weekend’s shock Anfield defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Arne Slot has a blemish on his Reds record but it’s an early account that highlights the promise – such promise – of his smooth-running tactical approach, with AC Milan also beaten in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Fans will be delighted with Darwin Nunez’s curled strike from the edge of the box to seal the victory before the break, but it was Luis Diaz who stole the show with an emphatic quickfire double.

Luis Diaz is reborn under Slot's management

Diaz was an ever-present member of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team last year but he only scored 13 goals across all competitions – with just eight from 37 appearances in the Premier League.

This term, the Colombian winger has bagged five from five in the top flight, also claiming an assist, underscoring his prolific resurgence under Slot’s wing. The Athletic’s James Pearce hailed the “classy” performance, with a stream of goals now added to an electric skillset.

He could have had four on another day. It’s a bit of a hackneyed expression but one that carries a ring of truth. Diaz has gone from strength to strength in the summer and has arguably been Slot’s best player so far.

Of course, there are a few others who would stake a claim, Ryan Gravenberch chief among them.

Ryan Gravenberch's performance vs Bournemouth

When Liverpool finished the 2023/24 campaign, few probably imagined that Gravenberch would bloom into one of soon-to-arrive head coach Slot’s standout stars – and at number six too.

He’s played every single minute of Liverpool’s campaign thus far, both in the Premier League and on the continent, performing with such class and gusto that the summer’s frustrations around failed attempts to sign a deep-sitting midfielder have been forgotten.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle handed him an 8/10 score, writing: ‘Another impressive showing where his ability to maintain possession under pressure was to the fore. Composure helped Liverpool see game out.’

Ryan Gravenberch: Stats vs Bournemouth

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

90′

Touches

95

Shots (on target)

1 (1)

Accurate passes

74/84 (88%)

Key passes

1

Long balls (completed)

3 (2)

Dribbles (completed)

1 (1)

Tackles

2

Clearances

2

Total duels (won)

10 (7)

Stats via Sofascore

The Netherlands international – who notably racked up 95 touches and completed 100% of his dribbles – is a crisp and elegant passer with an ever-improving defensive game and an innate urge to push forward, seeking to influence play with creative distribution and line-stretching movements.

He won seven duels. To contextualise this, Gravenberch won only 2.8 duels per game in the Premier League last season.

The 22-year-old has so much potential and is starting to show that he can dominate from the hub of Liverpool’s engine room. He was just as good as the flashy Diaz this afternoon.

Related Liverpool star looked "like Coutinho" when he joined, then Slot sold him

Will the Reds come to rue this decision?

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 19, 2024

The Friedkin Group have reportedly held internal talks over the appointment of an “unbelievable” manager to replace Sean Dyche at Everton if they complete their takeover in the coming days and weeks.

Everton manager latest

Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Leicester City has done little to quieten the rumours surrounding Dyche’s future, following such a poor start to the season in the Premier League. The Blues have accumulated just one point from five matches, with a fourth relegation battle in a row increasingly looking on the cards.

Unsurprisingly, some names have been thrown into the hat when it comes to possible replacements for the Englishman, with a David Moyes reunion mooted in one report. The Scot spent 11 years at Goodison Park between 2002 and 2013 and could be a popular appointment among a chunk of the fanbase, given his history.

He was most recently in charge of West Ham, departing at the end of last season, and his knowledge of the Blues could make him a strong choice to come in and stave off the threat of relegation, taking the club into a new era at their Bramley Moore Dock stadium.

Moyes isn’t the only figure being linked with the potentially soon-to-be-vacant manager’s role at Everton, however, with ex-Borussia Dortmund boss also Edin Terzic backed to come in. He guided the Bundesliga giants into last season’s Champions League final against Real Madrid, losing 2-0 at Wembley.

Friedkin Group keen on "unbelievable" manager

Now, Give Me Sport report that Everton are interested in making Gareth Southgate their next manager, should they become the club’s new owners and decide to sack Dyche. On X, the reliable Paul Joyce has claimed that an agreement is in place to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% stake in the Blues, and the update on Southgate says Dan Friedkin has spoken internally about hiring Southgate once a deal goes through.

Southgate left his role in charge of the England after Euro 2024, feeling he had taken the team as far as he could, following their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final. He could be a divisive appointment at Everton, with the 54-year-old gaining plenty of admirers with England but also having a lot of detractors at the same time.

To some, he did a fantastic job in charge of the national team, guiding them to two major finals, but to others, he was a defence-minded manager who didn’t get the best out of the most talented group of English players in years. For that reason, Southgate would be a risk, especially as his only managerial experience at club level came at Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009, during which time he suffered relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

That being said, his record for England does speak for itself – only Sir Alf Ramsey had got them into a major final in the country’s history before him, but he did it twice – while Jude Bellingham has said of him: “It was a privilege being lead by someone who is so dedicated and passionate, not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team but also an unbelievable human being.”

Everton takeover "very close" and they're eyeing a "fantastic" new manager

He won at Goodison Park last season.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 23, 2024

Southgate has arguably done enough at international level to show that he deserves another crack at the Premier League, so despite the risk element, Friedkin should be trusted to go with his gut if his takeover goes through.

Glamorgan 52 for 2 trail Northamptonshire 215 (Zaib 50, Salter 4-18, van der Gugten 3-46) by 163 runsGlamorgan had a solid day two of their LV= Insurance County Championship with Northamptonshire but more Welsh rain cut into the time available to ensure a result. Figures of 4 for 18 from Andrew Salter helped Glamorgan dismiss Northamptonshire for 215 although the home county only needed to take nine wickets with Gareth Berg absent hurt.Glamorgan’s reply reached 52 for 2 when the second rain shower of the day delivered a fatal blow to the afternoon’s action.Rain meant only 44.5 overs were possible on day one and day two started half an hour late, but Northamptonshire saw Berg suffer an ankle injury warming up. It was a big blow to the visitors.Overnight batsman Charlie Thurston and Saif Zaib resumed with the score 128 for 4 and while both played and missed on occasion, the pair were relatively untroubled.Zaib went to 50 from 92 balls, but both batsmen were then dismissed in quick succession. First, Thurston was caught by Billy Root from the bowling of Michael Hogan. Then, Zaib drove Salter to Marnus Labuschagne at short cover for 50. Salter also dismissed Simon Kerrigan for a 22-ball duck, caught by Timm van der Gugten at mid-on.Ben Sanderson went lbw to Salter with Northamptonshire 197 for 8 at lunch and Salter’s fourth ended the innings nine down after the break. Jack White was caught by van der Gugten, with Berg unable to bat.Glamorgan opener Joe Cooke survived a run-out scare but was then caught at first slip by Northamptonshire captain Ricardo Vasconcelos as Sanderson got one to move away off the seam. Vasconcelos then grabbed David Lloyd too with Luke Procter the bowler this time.A sharp downpour forced the players from the field at half past three with Glamorgan 48 for 2 and an early tea was taken. Labuschagne and Root returned to the field but were able to add only four more runs before more wet weather intervened.The second shower of the day was far heavier than the first and play was abandoned at 5.05pm. Labuschagne and Root will restart on Tuesday morning, but Glamorgan will have to bypass their opponents quickly if they are to try and force a win. Australia star Labuschagne – who didn’t look totally convincing with a couple of boundaries to third man – will hold the key to their fortunes.

Sporting director Edu Gaspar and the Arsenal recruitment team were planning a "shock" late bid to sign a former £100 million player before the deadline at 11pm last night, according to a report.

Arsenal sign Raheem Sterling on loan in last-gasp deal

At the eleventh hour on Friday night, and just in time to submit their deal sheet before the cut-off, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal shook hands on a deal to sign Raheem Sterling on loan for the rest of the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal hit gold on amazing talent who’s worth way more than Sterling

Mikel Arteta has a player in his squad who could move on for a serious profit in the future

By
Ross Kilvington

Aug 31, 2024

There were reports that Arteta had a private conversation with Sterling over joining Arsenal yesterday, with the Gunners then racing to get an agreement over the line as Chelsea also looked to get his £325,000-per-week wages off the books, for this campaign at least.

GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs understands that Sterling has agreed to a pay cut as part of his temporary spell at Arsenal, with Arteta's men and Chelsea splitting the cost of his salary 50/50.

The 82-cap England international winger will don the number 10 shirt, which was left available by Emile Smith-Rowe after he completed his permanent switch to Fulham over the summer.

Unfortunately, the transfer came too late for Sterling to make his Premier League debut against Brighton today, as it wasn't done in time for him to be registered for the Emirates Stadium clash.

"Well to be fair, we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent. For different reasons," said Edu on the late signing of Sterling.

"But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel of course.

"I spoke to Tim [Lewis], our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense. Yes, it makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot [to] the squad.

"He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times. He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad."

Arsenal also planned "shock" late bid for Ivan Toney

With Sterling over the line, a report by Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey claims that Arsenal were also planning a late swoop for Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Indeed, before the 28-year-old sealed a marquee switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, it is believed Arsenal were readying a "shock" late bid to sign Toney – who was also on Chelsea's radar.

Other deadline day reports claimed Arsenal were on the lookout for opportunities in regard to a new striker, but perhaps the frantic last-minute nature of Sterling's deal meant that the north Londoners needed to pour all their energy into getting him over the line instead.

It means Arsenal go into the 24/25 season without signing a new prolific number nine, despite being tipped to do so all summer. However, it shouldn't be too much of a worry for Arteta, as the squad does have real attacking quality in a variety of attacking areas, especially with Sterling's late capture.

Toney, who Brentford valued at £100 million in January, is now gearing up for a new chapter in the Middle East.

New boss Julen Lopetegui wasted no time in putting his own stamp on the West Ham United squad during the summer transfer window, making seven new additions after his appointment.

The Spaniard invested in an array of youth and experience to give him the best possible chance of being a success during his maiden year in charge at the London Stadium.

Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug are just two examples of the quality of additions brought into the club during the off-season, with both players providing much-needed depth in the final third.

However, neither player has yet to make a huge impact for the Hammers, both failing to find the back of the net in any of the first five outings in league and cup during the 2024/25 campaign.

Despite the lack of form in front of goal, their signings are an indication of the ambition shown by Lopetegui and the hierarchy as they look to build after the departure of their former boss at the end of last season.

The player Moyes rejected the opportunity to sign

David Moyes will go down in West Ham history during his two separate spells in charge of the Hammers – helping the club achieve the unthinkable during his second tenure in East London.

The Scotsman secured the club the Europa Conference League title back in the 2022/23 campaign – ending their 58-year wait for a major European trophy.

However, he was unable to replicate such form during his final campaign last season, finishing in ninth place and missing out on any European competition – subsequently leaving at the end of the season, as the club targeted a fresh start under Lopetegui.

The fanbase will forever be indebted to the 61-year-old, with Moyes responsible for some of the best days in a generation for many supporters.

Despite his impressive stint at the London Stadium, he may have made a mistake in not purchasing one talent who has gone on to achieve bonkers things just a couple of years after missing out on the youngster.

Speaking on Steven Bartlett’s Diary Of A CEO Podcast, he confirmed that he rejected the opportunity to sign Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez from River Plate in 2021 despite recommendations from his scouting team.

Moyes stated he was a fan of the 24-year-old, but given Michail Antonio’s form at the start of the 2021/22 season, which saw him register four goals and three assists from his first three matches, no move ever materialised:

“I brought in a new scout who says ‘Look, you should go for Alvarez at River Plate’. I watched him and I thought he was a very good technician and done so many good things as a centre-forward.

“But I thought [he’s] maybe not quite the one we want, we had Micky Antonio who had been doing very well and I thought I don’t know.”

Three years on, it looks like a decision that has massively backfired, with Alvarez going on to have a successful career so far despite his tender age.

Julian Alvarez’s market value in 2024

The striker would move to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a fee in the region of £14m, going to make 103 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, scoring on 36 occasions.

The “incredible” 24-year-old, as described by his former boss Guardiola, was part of the club’s treble-winning side of 2022/23, but departed the Etihad during the recent transfer window in the hunt for more frequent first-team minutes.

Alvarez subsequently joined Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid for a staggering £82m including add-ons, a deal that saw City bank a remarkable £68m profit on the fee they paid for him just two years prior.

Julian Alvarez

£82m

Raheem Sterling

£50m

Ferran Torres

£47m

Gabriel Jesus

£45m

Leroy Sane

£40m

His transfer is just one piece of excellent business that City have completed in recent times, a major factor in their success in the Premier League which has seen them win four of the last five league titles.

His goalscoring record in England is an example of the quality he could’ve brought to West Ham, with the club missing out on a potential gem.

The recent transfer fee also would’ve banked the Hammers a huge profit, allowing for added investment and breaking a trend of big-money signings who have departed the London Stadium for nothing.

Alvarez would’ve been a stellar addition for the club, however, he will unfortunately forever remain as another player who slipped through the club’s recruitment net.

West Ham thought they had Payet 2.0, now he's worth £1m & playing in Asia

West Ham’s heir to Payet is now playing in Korea

1 ByConnor Holden Sep 18, 2024

Neymar was back on the pitch and back among the goal as Al-Hilal faced Al-Fayha in a mid-season friendly.

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• Neymar scores in unofficial friendly
• First goal for Al-Hilal in 14 months
• Brazilian only just back from hamstring injury

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian superstar fired Al-Hilal into the lead, with the game against their fellow Saudi Pro League side finishing 2-0 after ex-Barcelona winger Malcom grabbed the second. Neymar had all the time in the world when converting a first-time shot from near the penalty spot. He was also heavily involved in the second, helping to win the ball back high up the pitch.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although only an unofficial friendly, it is Neymar's first Al-Hilal goal in over a year, since October 2023 in the AFC Champions League. He suffered an ACL injury soon after, but then played just twice following his long-awaited comeback in October of this year before a hamstring injury ruled him out for almost another two months.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

  Even after regaining fitness for a few weeks, Neymar wasn't able to play in the first half of the Saudi Pro League season due to Al-Hilal maxing out their quota of foreign players – no such rules exist in the AFC Champions League. But he will be hoping to get on the pitch domestically as soon as possible and make up for lost time, nearly 18 months after he quit Paris Saint-Germain for a eye-watering contract in the Middle East. Al-Hilal have a King's Cup match against Al-Ittihad on January 7, before league action resumes against Al-Orobah four days later.

Prospective new Everton owner Dan Friedkin is reportedly looking to act fast when he takes charge of the club, with a key update emerging over the futures of Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell.

Everton close to Friedkin Group takeover

It may have been a shocking start to the season in the Premier League for the Blues, with just one point on the board from five matches, but there now appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

On Monday, it emerged that The Friedkin Group have agreed a deal to buy Everton, purchasing 94.1% of Farhad Moshiri’s share in the process. It would bring an end to a grim period under the current ownership, during which time the Merseysiders have been plagued by financial issues, even leading to points deductions in the league.

Supporters have staged protests against Moshiri outside Goodison Park, such has been their level of displeasure at the situation, but that now finally looks to be coming to an end, ahead of the move to Bramley Moore Dock at the end of this season.

Friedkin will have a lot to sort out upon becoming Everton’s new owner, however, with the situation surrounding Dyche’s future as manager key, and Thelwell’s role as Director of Football. The former is under huge pressure, given the poor start to the campaign, and the likes of Gareth Southgate, David Moyes and Graham Potter have all been mentioned as potential options to come in and replace him.

Friedkin to act fast with Dyche and Thelwell

According to a fresh claim from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, Friedkin will “look to resolve the futures” of both Dyche and Thelwell as soon as he takes charge at Goodison, with the pair both out of contract next year.

The update states that he will “immediately need to make major decisions about the club’s future due to them sitting 19th in the Premier League table after the first five games.”

While this doesn’t specifically state what Friedkin’s decision will be regarding Dyche and Thelwell, it is encouraging to hear that he is going to be proactive, ensuring that things don’t drag on in the same manner.

It may be that he thinks Dyche is the right man to take Everton forward, having still done plenty of good despite the Blues’ current struggles, although a recent report claimed that this period leading up to the next international break in October is likely to prove pivotal for the current manager.

As for Thelwell, Friedkin will know the importance of having a strong relationship with the Director of Football, so he will have to weigh up whether he thinks he is still the right choice or can be improved upon. He has had to work under a tight budget, which has been tough, so he could thrive with more money to work with.

Friedkin could sack Dyche by hiring "genius" Moyes alternative at Everton

Sean Dyche faces a critical few weeks at Everton

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 23, 2024

It is certainly an exciting period at Goodison all of a sudden, which is badly needed for supporters who have had to suffer so much of late, with the hope being that this is a major turning point in the club’s recent history.

كشفت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، عن هوية رجل مباراة اليوم بين فريقي ليفربول وأستون فيلا اليوم.

واستضاف ملعب “فيلا بارك” مباراة الفريقين في منافسات الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حيث تعادل ليفربول مع خصمه أستون فيلا بهدفين لكل فريق.

وتم تبكير موعد مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا بعدما تأهل الريدز إلى نهائي كأس كاراباو، حيث سيخوض ذلك اللقاء ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد يوم 16 مارس القادم.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ليفربول إلى النقطة 61 في المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما ارتقى أستون فيلا عند النقطة 39 في المركز التاسع.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | محمد صلاح يصنع ويسجل في تعادل مخيب لـ ليفربول أمام أستون فيلا

وفتحت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي باب التصويت أمام الجماهير، لاختيار رجل مباراة اليوم بين ليفربول وأستون فيلا.

وحسبما نُشر، حصل محمد صلاح على لقب رجل مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا، بعدما نال أعلى نسبة تصويت بـ75.8%.

وجاء أولي واتكينز في المركز الثاني، من حيث نسبة التصويت 9.7 %، ثم ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد بـ9%.

وتمكن محمد صلاح من تسجيل هدف ليفربول الأول في مواجهة اليوم، بالإضافة إلى صناعة الهدف الثاني لـ أرنولد. ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول واستون فيلا بالدوري الانجليزي

Newcastle United are reportedly tracking an interesting Marc Guehi alternative, having held talks for both players during the summer transfer window.

Newcastle fail with Guehi pursuit

The Magpies spent most of the summer looking to snap up Guehi from Crystal Palace, with the 24-year-old’s reputation only growing after an impressive Euro 2024 campaign with England. Despite it looking likely that the centre-back would complete a big-money move to St James’ Park at some point in the window, a move failed to materialise as he remained at Selhurst Park, acting as a huge frustration for Eddie Howe, amid an injury crisis with the likes of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles missing for long periods of time.

The situation has played a part in a rumoured sour relationship between manager Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, with the latter having a dig at the club’s business this summer: “We didn’t have the sales window we thought we would have – and we have to look at that strategy as well, was that right, it was all aligned with the head coach. We have a lot to look at.

Meanwhile, Howe responded to those comments, failing to put out the fire: “I’m not going go in to every week in terms of our contact. But collaboration, as I said last week, is what we’re looking to do to take the club forward.”

It is an issue that needs to be addressed at Newcastle, in terms of the club running smoothly, and now a fresh transfer update has emerged regarding another failed target alongside Guehi from earlier this year.

Newcastle want to sign "exceptional" Joe Gomez

According to a new report from Football Insider, Newcastle remain interested in signing Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez, having failed to bring him in during the summer. The Magpies are said to be “keeping tabs” on the 27-year-old, who has struggled to be an important player since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Gomez always stood out as a strong alternative to Guehi in the summer, especially as his versatility allows him to thrive in both full-back roles, too, even though he is arguably at his happiest as a centre-back. As mentioned, the England international has been a fringe player this season, with Wednesday’s EFL Cup third round clash at home to West Ham likely to see him make his first start of the campaign.

For that reason, a move to Newcastle could appeal in January or next summer, and the Magpies would be getting a top-quality player who Klopp always admired during his time in charge of Liverpool.

“Joey deserves it, absolutely, what a season he played so far, he is absolutely exceptional. I said a lot of times, without the kids we are not where we are – and without Joey we would be definitely not where we are in the moment.”

Newcastle could now possibly axe 43 y/o who has tension with Eddie Howe

There has been tension with Eddie Howe.

1 ByHenry Jackson Sep 22, 2024

At 27, Gomez is still very much in his peak years, and it could be argued that he is wasting them being on the bench at Liverpool, meaning Newcastle could be a match made in heaven for all parties.

Fabian Allen took an astonishing catch in the deep to halt Australia’s chase

Peter Della Penna16-Jul-2021

A fiery half-century from Evin Lewis laid the platform for a 200 target set by West Indies, which seemed well within reach for Australia until a slew of dynamic fielding efforts during the chase turned the tide back the way of the hosts as West Indies clinched a 16-run victory to complete a 4-1 series win at Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.Lewis attacked pace and spin in equal measure to blaze a 23-ball fifty and ultimately finished with 79 off 34 balls, including four fours and nine sixes, to pace West Indies through the first half of their innings after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The hosts looked on track for well in excess of 200 while Lewis was still at the crease but after his departure Australia’s medium pacers, highlighted by Andrew Tye in his first match of the tour, bowled superbly at the death to rein back the West Indies line-up and give themselves a chance at a consolation win.Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh put Australia well ahead of the required run rate in the Powerplay portion of the reply. But a trio of sensational fielding efforts, first by Russell off his own bowling in the fifth and then by Fabian Allen and stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran in the space of three balls in the 10th, sucked the air out of the Australia chase at a pivotal stage from which they never recovered.Lewis fireworksAfter a blazing 31 off 14-ball cameo in his previous knock two days earlier, Lewis stayed a bit longer at the crease on this occasion and enacted double the damage. His first victim of the night was Jason Behrendorff. After ending the first over by flicking the left-armer over square leg for six, Lewis seized on a free hit in the third to belt a full toss for another six over midwicket before ending the over with another over backward square. A switch of ends made little difference for Behrendorff in the sixth as Lewis clattered him for another pair of boundaries and sixes.The start of a four, six, six sequence in the eighth over against Tye helped Lewis to his ninth T20I half-century. At one stage, David Miller’s fastest T20I century off just 35 balls looked in peril when Lewis heaved Mitchell Swepson for back-to-back sixes over the leg side in the ninth to move to 75 off 28 balls. But the left-hander finally ran out of steam collecting four singles in the next two overs before holing out to Marsh at the end of the 11th.Fabian Allen celebrates his astonishing catch•AFP

West Indies Tye’d down at the death by slower ballsWith five overs remaining, West Indies were still sitting pretty at 169 for 4. But Tye’s wide array of knuckleballs and other off-speed deliveries kept the West Indies middle-order in check as they could only add 30 off the final 30 balls of the innings. Tye bowled three of the final five overs in the sequence and conceded 19 runs while claiming three wickets, not to mention two other dropped chances he created.He began his haul removing the dangerous Russell for 1, picking out Alex Carey at deep cover in the 16th. Two overs later, Pooran pulled to Carey again this time fielding at deep midwicket for the left-hander. His final wicket on the night was a sliced skier by Darren Bravo to Finch at short third man. The only boundary he conceded in the three death overs came off the final ball of the innings when Hayden Walsh Jr drove him over the rope at wide long-off, but that did little to spoil the marvelous work he did to keep West Indies a hair under 200.Fielding magicIn spite of the early loss of Josh Philippe to end the first over, Australia were humming in the Powerplay behind another brisk knock from Marsh at No. 3, who motored to 30 off 14 balls as Australia ended the fourth over at 46 for 1. Russell arrived in the fifth and struck first ball with a brilliant reaction catch as a half-volley was smoked straight back to the allrounder, who pocketed a hip height catch in his follow-through.But Russell’s catch was child’s play compared to what occurred in the 10th over. Player of the Series Walsh Jr claimed his series best 12th wicket off the second ball of the over, but it was Allen who made the moment possible through sheer effort and athleticism. A knee high full toss was slapped flat down the ground by Finch, but Allen reprised some of the boundary catching heroics from years gone by in the CPL, that put him on the map early in his career, by sprinting to his left at long-on before flinging his body to claim a stunner laid out full extension with his left hand.Two balls later, new batter Carey tried to tap and run into short midwicket to get a well set Moises Henriques back on strike. But Pooran continued his side’s merciless display in the field by hustling out from behind the stumps, picking up the ball and firing back into the striker’s end stumps from short range with Henriques still inches short of making his ground to be out for 21. From 95 for 2, Australia were suddenly 100 for 4.Despite being ahead of the required run rate, their thin middle-order depth meant the target became increasingly distant. Russell helped cement the win by dismissing Carey and Matthew Wade in consecutive overs. With 63 off 27 required for the tail, some late hitting made the final margin seem more flattering to the visitors than it was as the hosts completed yet another convincing win.