The cricket world pays tribute to Lasith Malinga after his second four-in-four in internationals
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Sep-2019
#Unbelievable performance by boys..hats off to the Champion mali aiyya..so proud of you guys
— Kusal Mendis (@KusalMendis1) September 6, 2019
History maker #Malinga. Simply amazing
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) September 6, 2019
What a performance by @OfficialSLC
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) September 6, 2019
Just keeps getting better and better! Well done champ #slingamalinga #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/lS8ZaGNgqW
— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) September 6, 2019
Wow ! Malinga . 4 wickets in 4 balls for the second time in International cricket. Unbelievable #SLvNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 6, 2019
Lasith Malinga is still doing his thing….thing that only he’s capable of. 4 wickets in 4 balls. Has done it twice. 5 international hat-tricks in total. Age just a number??
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 6, 2019
Damn right @afidelf https://t.co/Ng5DnAUk0H
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) September 6, 2019
What a legend! Unbelievable! #Malinga pic.twitter.com/EhG21H4Rkc
— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) September 6, 2019
Mumbai posted a huge total but their 22-run victory against Punjab in the end was little more than a scant consolation
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2019Jharkhand v Tamil NaduWashington Sundar and M Siddharth helped Tamil Nadu book a semi-final berth by setting up an easy win against Jharkhand. The spin duo shared seven wickets between them, flattening Jharkhand’s batting line-up and helping bowl them out for 85, which Tamil Nadu’s top-order then mowed down in 13.5 overs. Washington also top-scored with a 22-ball 38.Jharkhand captain Saurabh Tiwary was the only batsman to reach 20, after he had opted to bat. Washington accounted for the first three wickets to fall, following which Tiwary and Sumit Kumar batted it out for 4.1 overs to put up a 17-run stand – the highest in Jharkhand’s innings – before M Ashwin dismissed the former. Left-arm spinner Siddharth then ran riot, picking up three wickets in the space of 12 balls, including a double-strike in the 12th over. R Sai Kishore, the tournament’s top wicket-taker, then made Sonu Singh his 19th victim of the season. Siddharth had Sumit pinned in front in the next over to bag his second four-for this season, to move to 11 wickets in just three games. Vivekanand Tiwari’s run-out in the 19th over ended Jharkhand’s innings, with Washington finishing with figures of 3 for 10 and Siddharth with 4 for 18.Tamil Nadu lost openers C Hari Nishant for 7 and M Shahrukh Khan for 24, before a steady 51-run stand between Washington and Dinesh Karthik ensured a comfortable victory. Tamil Nadu will face Rajasthan in their semi-final in Surat on Friday. R Ashwin will join the squad ahead of the semi-final.Mumbai v PunjabFifties from Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav fired Mumbai to a big total and had the team briefly dreaming of a semi-final spot, but their bowlers were unable to follow through and complete the job. This meant their 22-run victory over Punjab was little more than a consolation.Mumbai began their Group B game in third place, four points behind Karnataka and needing a massive victory to boost their net run rate (NRR) and stand any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.Their batsmen gave them that chance, as Mumbai compiled 243 for 3 from their 20 overs, thanks to Shaw’s rapid start (53 off 27 balls) and later a 140-run third-wicket stand between Iyer (80*) and the captain Yadav (80).Mumbai would have leapfrogged Karnataka had they kept Punjab to 150 or fewer, but those hopes quickly faded as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma began the chase by racing to 84 inside eight overs. By the time Gill was dismissed for a 38-ball 78, in the 16th over, Punjab had motored to 175, mathematically ending Mumbai’s pursuit of a semi-final spot.Shreyas Iyer bunts one away off the back foot•BCCIPunjab, however, failed to regain momentum after Gill’s wicket, as a double-strike from Tushar Deshpande hampered their chase. They were left needing 47 off the last two overs, and Anmolpreet Singh’s late cameo (20 off 8 balls) was not enough to stave off defeat.Rajasthan v DelhiRajasthan prevailed in a close finish against Delhi to gain the net run-rate advantage over Maharashtra and qualify for the semi-final. Rajasthan, Baroda and Maharashtra all finished with eight points in Super League Group B, but Rajasthan’s superior net run-rate of -0.254 was enough to send them through.Rajasthan rode on Deepak Chahar’s half-century, after being reduced to 50 for 5, to get to a competitive total. Chahar made 53 off 42 balls, slamming seven sixes to help his team post 133 for 7. In reply, Delhi collapsed around Rishabh Pant’s 27-ball 50, with Rahul Chahar and Arjit Gupta polishing off the middle order and reducing them to 61 for 6.A brief resistance between Lalit Singh and Varun Sood kept Delhi’s hopes alive but Khaleel Ahmed and Aniket Choudhary struck to dent them further, as Rajasthan held their nerve to win by two runs.Maharashtra v HaryanaMaharashtra held on for a two-run win against Haryana, but the small margin of victory wasn’t enough to book their passage into the semi-finals. Haryana will meet Karnataka in the 2nd semi-final on Friday.Batting first, Maharashtra made a bright start as their opener Ruturaj Gaikwad razed 27 off 15 balls. Haryana fought back with two quick wickets, but a 77-run stand between Vijay Zol and Rahul Tripathi rebuilt the Maharashtra innings. Tripathi top-scored with a 37-ball 61, as Maharashtra eventually made 167 from their 20 overs.Haryana were dealt an early blow in their chase as Chaitanya Bishnoi was bowled by Samad Fallah off the very first ball. Harshal Patel (22) and Shivam Rishipal Chauhan (33) then steadied the innings, before a 13-ball 28 from Rahul Tewatia left Haryana needing just 43 from the last 37 balls.However, Tewatia’s run-out in the 14th over swung the advantage Maharashtra’s way, as Haryana started to lose wickets at quick intervals. It left the eighth-wicket pair of Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav requiring 11 from the final over, but they could muster just eight runs.
Like the first two Tests, Australia’s batsmen dominated for five sessions. But there’s one difference this time: NZ still have ten wickets in hand
Andrew McGlashan in Sydney04-Jan-2020Rinse and repeat (almost).If anyone had the feeling they had been here before, they would not have been mistaken. Five sessions of batting have put Australia into a position from where they are almost unbeatable, leaving New Zealand trying to salvage a draw.It’s been almost uncanny how similar the early stages of the first three Tests have played out. Australia’s first innings in Perth and Sydney finishing at tea and just a little bit later in Melbourne. Even the way New Zealand gamely hung to their task in the field and gained late rewards followed a pattern: in the three Tests Australia have lost 4 for 53, 5 for 33 and 5 for 44 to close their innings.As previously, Neil Wagner added wickets he thoroughly deserved, while on this occasion Todd Astle’s perseverance – coupled with some nice flight and turn – brought two late scalps including the double-centurion Marnus Labuschagne. They were the fifth and sixth wickets of Astle’s Test career which began back in 2012 but has so far tallied just five matches. New Zealand have won the previous four games, but it would take something quite special for that to continue here.This time, though, there was something different to the opening two Tests. There was no early loss of wickets as Tom Latham and Tom Blundell – the latter the find of the tour for New Zealand – held on gamely in the final session. Luck may have gone their way, too, when replays appeared to show a small hotspot on Blundell’s outside edge after Australia had reviewed. “I think James Pattinson in the circle said there was a little spot, he spotted it,” Labuschagne said.Speaking on radio earlier in the day, Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts had it put to him that Australia’s dominance had not been great for the summer of cricket in terms of the one-sided nature of the contests. He carefully navigated the line he needed to and said that the team’s success had “exceeded expectations”, assessing that Pakistan would have been disappointed with their performances and offering sympathy for New Zealand’s plight in this final Test as they were hit by illness.New Zealand’s camp had continued to resemble a sick bay on the second morning when Jeet Raval succumbed to the virus that ruled out Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner, spending most of the first session lying on the physio bench, while Matt Henry was diagnosed with a broken thumb but was able to continue bowling. To have their best day of the series – restricting Australia to 7 for 171 and not losing a wicket – even if that judgement is made from a low base is a commendable effort.Tom Latham and William Somerville celebrate a wicket•Getty Images”For us it was an opportunity to say there’s nothing to lose,” Astle said after the day’s play. “There’s guys who’ve been ill and little injuries and niggles but it’s a chance to almost galvanise us and fight for each other. The pattern has been that they’ve batted well that first day and it’s about trying to hang in there and know our fight and our level of commitment to each other has been second to none so we needed to make sure we could believe that.”We had a really good day and we haven’t had a whole heap of that. They scored 170 for 7 and to have both openers in at the end of the day was a good win for us.”The truth, however, is that by quite some distance New Zealand have not lived up to their billing as the prime contest of the season. By not crossing 200 in their first three innings of the series they basically handed it to Australia on a plate. The bowling has always been honest, and at times unlucky – they have held Australia to 2.99 runs per over in the series – although they have lacked a cutting edge.In such situations – and they are far from the first touring side to find themselves in such chaos – all a team can do is to try and show their resolve. They set the tone with a wicket in the opening over when Will Somerville removed Matthew Wade and never shirked from their task as the temperature rose towards 40C degrees. Still, without Williamson and Nicholls, plus with Raval struggling – although he was ready to come in at No. 3 on the second evening – it remains a huge task for New Zealand to take anything on a pitch taking turn.”That’s the key, bat as long as possible this innings and make the Aussie bowlers come back,” Astle said. “They haven’t had to do that in this series so for us it’s about keeping them out there and make them ask questions for a long period of time. Hopefully we can cash in once they’ve bowled long spells.”New Zealand have three days left to stop Australia producing another repeat performance.
Recalled in 2018 to transform the No.7 role, England’s wicketkeeper has lost his sense of purpose
Matt Roller22-Jan-2020Scrawled on the top of Jos Buttler’s bat handle is a small message that reads: “F*** IT”. It’s not simply another example of his potty mouth, but instead “something that reminds me of what my best mindset is – when I’m playing cricket, and probably in life as well”.”That is the thing I can always come back to, whether it is about committing to a shot or about getting out first ball,” he told in a 2018 interview. “I think it keeps cricket in a really good perspective for me, where it lands in the scheme of life. If you pick up a paper and start from the front, by the time you get to the sports pages you realise getting out for a duck is not the be-all and end-all.”When Buttler won a recall to the Test set-up in 2018, emerging from the rubble left by the disastrous 2017-18 Ashes tour thanks to his stellar run in the IPL, Ed Smith explained his selection by suggesting he would “bring a new flavour” to England’s order as a specialist batsman slotting in at No. 7.”Who could do that job in a way that was unique, in a way that really brought a different dimension to the whole batting order? The panel decided that Jos Buttler fitted that role perfectly,” Smith said. “The message to Jos from everyone around the table was to play his way, to play with the confidence and the flair that he’s capable of batting with, and the skill and the decision-making.”In other words, Buttler had the licence to ‘f*** it’.Initially, everything clicked. He scored freely in his second game back to make an unbeaten 80 off 101 balls against Pakistan at Headingley, following that with scores of 106 (his maiden Test ton), 69 and 89 in the four-match series against India and scoring fluently in Sri Lanka.In his first year back, Buttler was averaging 40.78 while scoring with a strike rate of 64.07. Without quite seeming to reach the ceiling his obvious talents hinted at, it was an impressive return for a batsman whose performances had come in relatively low-scoring series, emphasised by the fact no Englishman made more runs in that time.ESPNcricinfo LtdBut since the start of last summer’s Ashes series, Buttler’s returns have dipped markedly. In his last nine Tests, he averages just 22.17, with his 70 at The Oval his only half-century. In that time, his strike rate has dipped to 50.40.Analysing his dismissals paints something of a surprising picture, too. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball records, he has been out ‘defending’ four times, ‘leaving’ twice, and on three further occasions has been dismissed without looking to score: chipping Josh Hazlewood to short cover at Headingley, edging a back-of-a-length ball from Vernon Philander behind at Centurion, and chipping a return catch to Keshav Maharaj at Port Elizabeth.All told, that means that nine of his 17 dismissals have come without him looking to score. The indication is that rather than falling to reckless, overly-attacking shots, Buttler has found himself torn between aggression and defence.Consider, for example, his dismissal at Mount Maunganui in the second innings, when he shouldered arms to an off-stump yorker from Neil Wagner, delivered from round the wicket. In a one-day game, there is little doubt that Buttler would have squeezed the ball out towards cover point or look to muscle it through mid-on, but uncertainty over his defensive game resulted in him leaving a straight ball.Buttler was bowled without playing a shot in the second innings at Mount Maunganui•Getty ImagesLast week’s Port Elizabeth Test provided him with the perfect platform. Walking in at 351 for 5 – the highest first-innings total when he has arrived at the crease since his recall – Buttler should have been ideally suited to moving the game on, counterattacking after South Africa had put the squeeze on Ben Stokes’ scoring after lunch. Instead, he struggled to adjust to the pace of the wicket, and chipped a return catch to Maharaj playing a nothing shot on 1 from 15 balls. The innings played by Sam Curran (44 off 50 balls) and Mark Wood (42 off 23) coming in lower down the order served to highlight Buttler’s struggle.In isolation, there is an obvious pattern, which points to a player whose runs have dried up. But there is a further problem for Buttler: the lack of clarity he has been given over his role.Smith’s comments regarding his recall made clear that with England’s wealth of allrounders, he felt they could afford to create a totally new role, practically unheard of in recent Test history: a specialist No. 7 batsman, given freedom to attack.But since then, Buttler has moved up and down the order almost constantly; in 17 innings since the start of the Ashes, his batting position has changed ten times. In the last two years, he has been a wicketkeeping No. 6 and No. 7, a specialist batsman everywhere from No. 5 to No. 7 (and even No. 8, accounting for nightwatchmen), and having been vice-captain in the India series two years ago, his place appears to be one of the most vulnerable in the side.Part of that is down to the fact that England have been, by the admission of most senior figures at the ECB, a side in transition for the last two years. In Antigua last year, Buttler batted at No. 5, with Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes and Curran the men in next; this winter, he has regularly been at No. 7 with one allrounder and three bowlers below him.
That means that since the start of the Ashes, he has only been involved in a partnership of ten or more overs on five occasions, and three of those have been with specialist bowlers (Craig Overton, and Jack Leach twice); of the two with batsmen, one was a 13.5-over stand with Jonny Bairstow trying to save the game in the fourth innings at Old Trafford. While that can partly be explained by Buttler’s own lack of staying power at the crease, it emphasises the point that he has rarely been afforded the sort of platform he was given at Port Elizabeth last week.He has also had the gloves thrust upon him again, and while it is tough to draw much from his raw averages with and without them – the samples are too small and over disparate parts of his career – it is worth revisiting a interview he gave in 2015 after the first time he was dropped following a tour of the UAE.”It was a relief to get dropped,” he said, “which is sad in a way because you never want to miss a game. But I was not performing and mentally I got to a stage where I was not concentrating and did not want to be there. I was not enjoying walking out there and feeling like I didn’t know where the next run was coming from.”I would also worry that I would miss a nick when keeping because I would be thinking about batting too much. Keeping wicket is the worst place to be when out of form: you can’t hide at fine leg where you might touch the ball once every 10 overs. Behind the wicket you are involved every ball.”Similarly, it is worth reflecting on how much last year’s schedule took out of him. He went almost straight from the Caribbean tour to the IPL, into the Pakistan white-ball games and then into the World Cup, in which the stress of the final was so great that he later admitted he “didn’t know how I’d play cricket again” if England had lost. He used his week off during the Ireland Test to move house, before heading into an Ashes series. For anyone who has watched the documentary , which laid bare the toxicity that resulted from the win-at-all-cost mentality of the Strauss/Flower dressing room, that run will seem worryingly familiar.It is easy to view Buttler’s apparently mild-mannered, schoolboy charm from afar and assume he does not suffer the same mental strains that other players do. In a newspaper advertorial last summer, he spoke openly about the “incredibly draining lifestyle” involved with playing professional cricket, and revealed that he has taken up meditation and playing the piano, to help him “gain a much healthier perspective”.
“When you’re batting with the tail, you try to sum up situations and work out how best you can score. You work out your risk management: what is too much risk? What is trying to push the game on?”Jos Buttler on his poor run
Ultimately, the fear with Buttler is that England will fail to get the most out of a batsman who is no longer a promising youngster, but instead a man who should be approaching his peak at 29. There remains a feeling that he could – should, even – be a once-in-a-generation talent; instead, he currently averages 32.29 after 40 Tests.”I feel like I’m not quite performing to the standards I need to,” was Buttler’s own verdict earlier in this series. “Since I’ve come back into Test cricket I’ve tried to trust my defence for longer periods of time. I’ve been able to do that on occasions, but [playing my natural game] is certainly something I’m trying to work out.”Moving forward I’ve got to play the situation, but I will try to be a bit more positive. When you’re batting with the tail, you try to sum up situations and work out how best you can score. You work out your risk management: what is too much risk? What is trying to push the game on? I want to look to be a bit busier and try to look a bit more on the positive side.”Buttler said during the New Zealand series that he was “‘trusting my defence,” following sessions with Marcus Trescothick, his former Somerset team-mate, “which has been a big part of trying to improve myself as a red-ball player”. Much as they were dismissed by the end of his era in charge of the Test side, Trevor Bayliss’ ideas regarding being positive in defence, and conviction in movements, seem relevant; they may not have worked as a top-order blueprint, but they seem perfect for a lower-middle order player.Ahead of the fourth Test against South Africa, it feels like Buttler’s time in the five-day side might be starting to run out. England’s next assignment is a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, in which the team’s management are willing to place emphasis on their short-term needs as much as their long-term goals with World Test Championship points on the line.Few will need reminding that Foakes – seen by plenty of England fans as a cure-all remedy to their problems – was player of the series on their last visit, and is an impressive player of spin. There is little question as to who is the superior gloveman, a point furthered by Buttler’s untidy showing behind the stumps at Port Elizabeth. Even if Buttler is persevered with as first-choice wicketkeeper, then Foakes will surely travel with the squad, and with the middle order finally settled – Joe Root, Stokes and Ollie Pope seem locked in from No. 4-6 – there are few vacancies he could fill.With a T20 World Cup at the end of the year, in which England will rely on him as a key player, the opportunity to take some time to refresh between the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour and the start of the IPL at the end of March could well be a better option than travelling to Sri Lanka.The upshot is that Buttler travels to Johannesburg needing runs, and against a team low on confidence and missing its best bowler, he may have few better opportunities. As for the best way to go about it? He could do much worse than to take a look at the top of his bat handle, for a start.
The Premier League is back, and it’s quite the fixture for Everton supporters to sink their teeth into.
Last month’s Merseyside derby still lies fresh in the memory, James Tarkowski having sent Goodison Park into ecstasy after firing a last-gasp equaliser past Alisson Becker. Moving to Bramley Moore this summer, it was a fitting finale for a historic fixture in English football.
Now, Anfield awaits David Moyes and his Toffees troops. The turnaround under the Scotsman’s wing has been startling, amazing, with Everton currently nine games unbeaten in the top flight.
But this is sure to be a tough one. The title-chasing Reds were knocked out of kilter before the international break, but will be looking to return to form and move closer toward the title.
Everton, of course, will do everything in their power to prevent that.
23/24
Premier League
2-0 loss
22/23
Premier League
2-0 loss
21/22
Premier League
2-0 loss
20/21
Premier League
2-0 win
19/20
FA Cup
1-0 loss
Everton team news
Merseyside’s red patch has not been a happy place for Everton in a long time; barring one euphoric result, Everton have been consigned to defeat with deflating regularity.
Everton manager David Moyes
However, Moyes’ men outplayed their neighbours for sizeable chunks of February’s 2-2 draw and there’s every chance they capitalise on Liverpool’s injuries and recent loss of form.
The Blues do have issues of their own, though, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still sidelined.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Key attacking outlets Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil have reached the end of their rehabilitation, but this one may come a smidge too soon for them.
Thus, Abdoulaye Doucoure is bound to reprise his industrious role at the attacking point of midfield, while James Garner and Idrissa Gueye should continue their solid partnership in the basal area.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure
But what of the flanks? Everton need to prepare to absorb waves of artillery but equally must strike when they can. Well, with options slim out wide, Jack Harrison may return to the right, leaving a newly welcomed talent with room to leap forward and take his own starting berth.
Everton's answer to Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai is one of Liverpool’s most important parts, bringing his own brand of football to the number ten spot. With just seven goals and six assists across 40 matches this season, he’s not the most prolific, but his firebrand energy makes for a difficult foe.
He’s a real handful, but Everton could have their answer in Charly Alcaraz, who joined on loan from Flamengo in January and needs to complete five appearances from nine available to settle at Everton as a permanent feature.
Alcaraz, 22, has played six times and started thrice in the Premier League since joining, bagging a goal and an assist each on his first game from the opening, during a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Everton midfielder Charly Alcaraz
Technically gifted, versatile and tenacious, the Argentina talent has the trappings of a high-level star in the future, with journalist Antonio Mango hailing him as a “special talent.”
Likely to feature off the left of Doucoure, should he start, Alcaraz has averaged 1.6 key passes and 3.6 successful duels per PL game this season, as per Sofascore, also completing 60% of his dribbles.
It’s a skill set that aligns somewhat with Szoboszlai’s, among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as noted by FBref – more on that below.
Goals scored
0.17
0.18
Assists
0.17
0.18
Shots taken
3.40
2.41
Shot-creating actions
3.06
4.29
Pass completion
84.6%
83.4%
Progressive passes
5.43
5.07
Progressive carries
2.04
2.57
Successful take-ons
1.19
0.91
Ball recoveries
5.09
5.31
Tackles + interceptions
3.06
1.78
Clearances
1.19
0.54
One of Liverpool’s staple attributes is their ability to keep the energy levels up, overwhelming opponents when legs begin to tire. Szoboszlai is fundamental in that regard, his indefatigable running, his drive, his doggedness.
Everton could do with such a player to strike back at Anfield, showing Slot’s squad once again that they are capable of expansive dynamism.
No longer is this a desolate unit lacking the means and confidence to. Avoiding defeat against Liverpool would lead to a ten-match unbeaten streak, and Alcaraz’s performance will be crucial toward achieving this.
Everton will rely on their defensive strengths for sure, but they will also need to meet fire with fire in some phases and Alcaraz’s involvement from the outset could be the perfect way to combat the energy and dynamism Szoboszlai will bring to the table.
Classic Moshiri: Everton rejected global star for £3m, now he's worth £233m
Everton really fumbled the bag with this Champions League superstar.
Aston Villa moved up to seventh in the Premier League table by beating the team that were ahead of them – Brighton & Hove Albion – 3-0 away from home on Wednesday night.
The Villans, in a match that lasted over 100 minutes, secured all three points in emphatic fashion, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Donyel Malen, who all joined the claret and blue army in the January transfer window.
There were many impressive performers for Unai Emery’s side throughout the match at the AMEX, including the player who scored the opening goal on the night – Rashford.
Why Marcus Rashford's performance was vital for Aston Villa
The England international, who is on loan from Macnhester United until the end of the season, was the player to make it 1-0 for Villa with his terrific run in behind the Brighton defence.
He made a great movement off the shoulder of the last defender to race clear through on goal and the finish matched the run as the speedster brilliantly lifted the ball into the back of the net to give Villa the lead.
The 27-year-old attacker’s goal broke the deadlock and allowed the away side to play with more freedom, having taken the lead, which teed up the rest of the performance for Villa to go on and win with ease, which is why his display and goal were so vital for Emery’s team.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
There was a Villans star, however, who was even more important to the result, as Morgan Rogers proved that he is the main man for Villa with another sublime showing.
Why Morgan Rogers is the main man for Aston Villa
Emery has a host of brilliant attacking talents at his disposal, including the likes of Rashford, Asensio, and Ollie Watkins, but it is the former Manchester City man who runs the team with his performances.
As the attacking midfielder tasked with carrying the ball through the thirds, Rogers is crucial to everything that Villa do in possession and is now closing in on 20 goal contributions for the season, with 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
The 22-year-old dynamo, who was handed a player rating of 8/10 by BirminghamLive, added another two assists to his tally in the win over Brighton, playing a phenomenal long-range ball to Rashford for the opener, and racing down the flank to provide a perfect cut-back for Asensio to make it 2-0.
Minutes
88
65
Goals
0
1
Big chances created
2
0
Assists
2
0
Duels won
6/12
0/2
Tackles + interceptions
7
1
As you can see in the table above, the English whiz outperformed Rashford with his contributions to the side in and out of possession throughout the game, which shows that he offered more to the team overall.
Rogers, who was compared to Jude Bellingham on Sky Sports earlier this season, has proven himself to the main man time and time again for the Villans, as he has started all 29 of his appearances in the Premier League, whilst Watkins has been a substitute on five occasions.
Illustrating his all-round quality, Rogers is the only player in the squad who ranks within the top five for shots, dribbles, key passes, and fouls won per game, which speaks to how much of an influence he has on matches on the ball.
The Villa star can impact games with his energy out of possession, by winning tackles and duels, whilst also providing a threat as a scorer and a creator of goals, which makes him the full package for Emery and the manager’s main man on the pitch in the top-flight.
Monchi sends scouts as Aston Villa race to sign "special" Galatasaray star
Everton are believed to have made contact with a “very dangerous” player’s representatives, as they eye a move for him in the summer transfer window.
Everton contact defender and eye further signings
The Blues know the importance of a big summer, as they prepare for life in their new stadium and hopefully an exciting second spell under David Moyes.
Everton have reportedly already made contact with Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko over a switch to the club at the end of the season, amid doubts over Jarrad Branthwaite’s long-term future. The 27-year-old has averaged 3.3 clearances per game for the Dutch side this season, also completing 90.4% of his passes, outlining his all-round quality.
Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres in action with Slovakia'sDavidHanckoand Milan Skriniar Jakob Akersten Brode
Hancko isn’t the only central defender being looked at by the Blues, however, with Burnley key man Maxime Esteve also seen as an option. He has played a huge role in the Clarets remarkably only conceding 12 goals in the Championship this season, and at 22, he is still early in his career.
Elsewhere, Everton have been backed to sign Liverpool winger Ben Doak this summer, which would cause plenty of controversy. The 19-year-old has been out on loan at Middlesbrough in 2024/25 and there is no guarantee that he has a long-term future at Anfield.
Everton make contact with versatile ace's agents
According to a fresh update from Kicker [via Sport Witness], Everton have contacted Merlin Rohl’s representatives over a move to Merseyside, as they look to get a summer deal over the line.
The SC Freiburg star has been linked with a move to the Blues in the past and Moyes knows him well, having come up against him four times during his spell in charge of West Ham. The 22-year-old only signed a new deal last year, but his current club are aware of the interest in him.
Rohl is a young player with plenty of long-term potential, with Christian Streich calling him a “difference-maker” and Antonio Di Salo saying of him: “He fought his way into [Freiburg’s] team. That’s not easy. He focused on defensive work and also came into his own offensively. He’s very quick and determined. He’s very dangerous.”
In truth, Rohl’s 2024/25 season hasn’t been his most productive, with only 11 starts coming his way in the Bundesliga due to injury problems, and no goals and one assist recorded.
That doesn’t change the fact that he could be a real asset for Everton, however, not least because of the versatility that he possesses in his game. The German is predominantly a central midfielder, but he can also thrive in more of an attacking midfield role, on the right wing and even as a second striker. This would immediately give Moyes more options.
Everton struck gold on “constant threat” who’s worth more than Longstaff
Everton made a good investment with the signing
ByJoe Nuttall Apr 7, 2025
The fact that the Blues manager has seen him up close as many as four times also means he knows his qualities as a footballer well, so the positives easily outweigh the negatives when it comes to Everton signing him.
Whilst they may have fallen out of the automatic promotion places over the weekend, Leeds United’s attackers have caught the eye throughout 2024/25.
Joel Piroe still sits as the Whites’ top scorer, registering 15 goals in the Championship, playing a key role in Daniel Farke’s ambitions of securing a return to the Premier League.
Daniel James is another talent who’s thrived over the last couple of months, notching 20 combined goals and assists throughout the league campaign – the joint-best season of his professional career.
The pair have contributed to their impressive tally of 79 league goals in their 40 outings, currently boasting the best-attacking record of any side in the division.
Regardless of which division they find themselves in next season, they could be about to land a star who’d add to their already impressive record in attacking areas.
Leeds targeting move for EFL attacking star
According to Alan Nixon, Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in a move to land West Brom’s forward Grady Diangana ahead of the summer window.
Wolves have also been credited with a keen interest in landing the 26-year-old talent, who’s registered four goals and two assists in the Championship throughout 2024/25.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international joined the Baggies for £18m back in the summer of 2022 but could be available as a free agent this summer with his deal set to expire in June.
The report from Nixon states that the former West Ham youngster is hoping Farke’s side show concrete interest this summer, potentially favouring a move to Elland Road.
Whilst it’s unclear if a deal will be completed this summer, he would be a superb addition – potentially allowing the hierarchy to forget about a permanent move for one player.
Why Diangana would be a superb Solomon alternative
Manor Solomon joined Leeds on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, looking to kickstart his career after a stop-start period with injuries and lack of first-team action.
The Israeli international made an immediate impact in Yorkshire, notching 14 combined goals and assists up until the start of February – including a goal and two assists in the 4-0 win over Oxford United.
Leeds United'sManorSolomoncelebrates scoring their first goal
However, he’s now gone eight games with a single contribution, leading to doubts among the fanbase over a permanent transfer for the 25-year-old this summer.
Such concerns could see the hierarchy target a move for Diangana as a result, with the West Brom star a safe option given his potential move on a free transfer.
When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the Championship this campaign, the West Brom winger has managed to match or better Solomon in numerous key areas, highlighting how impressive a deal to land him this summer would be.
Diangana, who’s previously been labelled “unbelievable” by teammate Jed Wallace, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered a higher pass accuracy and completed more through balls – showcasing his talent in attacking areas.
Games played
30
33
Goals & assists
6
14
Progressive passes
4.3
3.7
Pass accuracy
80%
79%
Aerials won
0.9
0.3
Fouls won
2.3
1.6
Through balls
0.9
0.2
He’s also won more aerials and been fouled more per 90, highlighting his all-round nature with and without the ball, making him a threat at either end of the pitch if required.
Solomon could still be a viable option for the club this summer regardless of promotion, but after his recent lack of form, it’s understandable that there are doubts over his future.
As for transfer target Diangana, he’s proved that he’s an impressive talent, with any deal to land him this summer incredible business, especially considering the fee paid for his signature a couple of years ago.
Meslier included: Leeds must axe £150k-p/w quartet if they go up
Daniel Farke will tempted by a slight clear-out at Leeds United if Premier League football returns to Elland Road.
Glasgow Rangers return to action on the European stage this evening as they prepare to welcome Spanish side Athletic Bilbao to Ibrox in the Europa League.
The Light Blues are looking to take an advantage over to Spain for the second leg next Thursday, as they aim to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Barry Ferguson is hoping to be the first manager since Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in the 2021/22 campaign, to lead the Gers to a European final this season.
The Scottish boss has already won a knockout tie in Europe during his short tenure as the interim head coach, beating Fenerbache on penalties.
Multiple Rangers players got big moves off the back of the Europa League run under van Bronckhorst, which ended in a defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the final, and one of those stars was versatile defender Calvin Bassey.
Why Calvin Bassey was important for Rangers in Europe
The Nigeria international, who currently plays for Fulham in the Premier League, made 65 appearances in two seasons with the Scottish giants, but his best form came in the 2021/22 campaign under the Dutch head coach.
50 of his appearances came in that second season and he started 24 matches as a centre-back and 23 games as a left-back, showcasing his impressive versatility across the backline.
Former Rangers centre-back Calvin Bassey.
The left-footed star’s versatility allowed for plenty of tactical flexibility for van Bronckhorst, as he could step forward from centre-back to start attacks – due to being used to playing as a left-back – and he could sit deep and tuck in from left-back to provide extra cover for the two centre-backs when needed – due to being used to playing as a central defender.
His out-and-out defending as a left-back made him an important cog in the Europa League run, because of the defensive insurance he could provide on the left flank in comparison to a natural left-back who is not used to playing at centre-back.
Appearances (starts)
14 (12)
Big chances created
2
Assists
0
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.0
Clearances per game
1.6
Dribbled past per game
0.2x
Duel success rate
60%
As you can see in the table above, Bassey did not offer a great deal of threat as an attacking force from left-back, but was a rock defensively, winning the majority of his duels and rarely being dribbled past by opposition forwards.
These statistics show why having a centre-back who can play at left-back was so important for van Bronckhorst in Europe, because it added another layer of defensive strength to the backline.
Calvin Bassey
It also allowed James Tavernier to push even further up – recording seven goals and two assists in Europe that term – to make an impact in the final third, because it meant that Rangers then had Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun or John Lundstram, and Bassey essentially forming a back three out of possession to defend against transitions.
Bassey also played as a traditional centre-back during that run, with Borna Barisic to his left, which showed that van Bronckhorst trusted him in both positions.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
His performances for Rangers that season led to interest from elsewhere and a £19.6m transfer to Dutch giants Ajax in the summer transfer window, which was a significant profit on the £230k that they had paid Leicester City for his services.
Ferguson could, now, unearth his own version of Bassey during the current Europa League run by boldly unleashing Clinton Nsiala for his European debut against Athletic Bilbao this evening.
Why Rangers should unleash Clinton Nsiala
The Spanish side offer a huge threat on the flanks with the Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, and that was evident in their 3-1 win over Roma in the second leg of their last 16 tie, as Nico scored twice.
Inaki Williams typically plays on the right flank, up against a left-back, and has produced five goals, five ‘big chances’ created, and one assist in nine starts in the Europa League this term.
Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliamscelebrates scoring their third goal
Nico Williams, meanwhile, usually lines up on the left and has scored four goals, created two ‘big chances’, and recorded two assists in his nine starts.
This suggests that the 30-year-old, elder, brother could be the biggest threat for Rangers to deal with, rather than the 22-year-old European Championship-winning Spain international.
Therefore, Ferguson must boldly unleash Nsiala in a hybrid left-back role that would see him form a back three with John Souttar and Dujon Sterling in possession, allowing Tavernier to push on from right-back.
The French defender, who was described as “tall and powerful” by scout Ruairi Criscuolo, is a centre-back by trade but has played at left-back earlier in his career, which suggests that he could follow in Bassey’s footsteps by offering versatility in both positions for the Light Blues.
His natural centre-back qualities could help him to deal with the threat of Inaki Williams, who has been on fire in the Europa League, as a left-back.
Nsiala has yet to make an appearance in Europe but was on the bench for the games against Fenerbahce last month, and has had some experience in the Premiership in recent months – playing as a centre-back.
Appearances
9
Starts
8
Pass accuracy
90%
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.0
Dribbled past per game
0.4x
Ground duel success rate
52%
Aerial duel success rate
50%
As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old defender has held his own in physical duels and made more defensive interventions than times dribbled past in the top-flight.
He has also provided a reliable presence in possession of the ball, completing 90% of his attempted passes, which suggests that Ferguson can rely on him to be solid on the ball at left-back.
The Rangers boss must, now, boldly bring Nsiala into the team, in place of natural left-back Jefte, to make a tactical tweak to the system in order to defend against the Williams brothers in transition with three centre-backs, without sacrificing any of the midfielders or attackers.
Rangers must finally cash in on Ibrox flop who earns more than Raskin
Rangers must ruthlessly part ways with the forward who earns more than Nicolas Raskin.
ByDan Emery Apr 9, 2025
Nsiala could, then, become the next version of Bassey at Ibrox if he can prove his quality at both left-back and centre-back for the Gers on the European stage.
Manchester United are now open to selling a first-team star, in order to fund a move for a “world-class” striker this summer, according to a report.
Man Utd set for summer rebuild
Man United are on course for their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League, currently sitting in 13th place after the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last time out, which indicates Ruben Amorim may have to oversee a major rebuild in the summer.
The Red Devils have looked particularly toothless in attack this season, with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee bagging just three goals in the Premier League, while Rasmus Hojlund has also failed to deliver.
As such, a new striker is being pursued, with talks being held over a deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who was on the scoresheet in his side’s 2-1 victory at AFC Bournemouth this week, while United are also in the race for Hugo Ekitike and Lorenzo Lucca.
Man Utd battling to sign "magnificent" 19y/o after scouts sent rave reviews
He’s a future star.
ByTom Cunningham Apr 2, 2025
However, given the scale of the financial issues at Old Trafford, as outlined by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last month, INEOS may have to sell before they can buy, and that could mean cashing in on an academy graduate.
That is according to a report from GiveMeSport, which states Man United are now open to selling Alejandro Garnacho this summer, in order to fund a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The Red Devils are expected to step up their interest in Osimhen, and the Nigerian could arrive in a swap deal involving Garnacho, with Napoli interested in signing the winger.
Alejandro Garnacho
If Amorim’s side fail to qualify for the Champions League, they may be in a difficult financial position, so a big sale could be needed if they are to bring in a top striker.
Amorim defends Garnacho after Forest horror show
It was a difficult night for United at the City Ground, with Garnacho’s performance being described as a horror show, although Amorim was quick to defend the Argentine, saying: “The most important thing for me is when he needs to run back, he’s running back.
“Of course we want a player who gets into one vs one situations. Sometimes he’s trying too much to make a movement but I think he wants to help the team and he’s doing his best.”
In an ideal world, the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League via a Europa League triumph, but that seems unlikely, given the level of their performances this season, so it could make sense to cash-in on Garnacho this summer.
Osimhen is set to be available for £62m, and there is every indication the “world-class” striker could be the antidote to United’s attacking problems, given his goal record on loan at Galatasaray this season.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Turkish Süper Lig
23
20
Europa League
7
6
Turkish Cup
2
2
It would be a shame to see Garnacho exit Old Trafford, given his progression through the youth system, but if the 20-year-old’s departure is the only way to seal a deal for Osimhen, it may be a necessary evil.