Hard-hitting Bouchier puts side on course for imposing victory

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2022Southern Vipers 155 for 5 (Bouchier 41) beat Lightning 124 for 8 (K Bryce 54, Bell 3-12) by 31 runsLauren Bell underlined her England credentials with a spell-binding three for 12 as Southern Vipers swatted Lightning aside by 31 runs in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.Towering right-arm swing bowler Bell is considered among the favourites to replace the internationally retired Anya Shrubsole and make her debut for Lisa Keightley’s team this summer. She put on a new-ball clinic to claim two for two from her first two overs, before she returned her career-best T20 bowling figures.Maia Bouchier continued her fine start to the season with a mighty 41 as Vipers garnered 155 for five, before Lightning spluttered to 124 for eight after Bell’s antics – with skipper Kathryn Bryce top-scoring with 54.Vipers are now two comprehensive victories from two in this year’s tournament, while Lightning are still yet to secure a point across two seasons.Bell has a metronomic run-up which springs into an explosion of a high front arm and high-to-low action which naturally brings prodigious in-swing. Marie Kelly attempted to negate this by walking down the pitch, but got cramped by a cross-seam delivery to sky to keeper Carla Rudd.Sarah Bryce tried the opposite and stayed still for as long as possible. The Scotland international got stuck on her crease as an in-ducker knocked over her off pole, via a deflection off the thigh pad.Bell’s sights were now on England opener Tammy Beaumont. She drew a leading-edge, only for it to fall agonisingly short of mid-on, but criminology student Bell got her high-profile victim in the following over when she yorked her. She should have pouched a four-for only for Rudd to spill Teresa Graves – who lived a charmed life with Nancy Harman also dropping her.Vipers simply kept it tight from then on, allowing the required rate to rocket. Kathryn Bryce’s battling 47-ball half-century aside, no Lightning batter past 17. Charlie Dean claimed three for 23 and Georgia Elwiss two for 18 to complete the simply triumph.Earlier, Vipers were stuck in and despite losing Georgia Adams to a simple deep square boundary catch, Danni Wyatt and Bouchier used their textbook power to contribute a quickfire 43 for the second wicket before the former was caught on the ring.Bouchier, who began the campaign with an unbeaten 48, found the middle of her bat for the sweetest of sixes over midwicket before advancing and pumping Lucy Higham back over her head for another maximum.Vipers, and Bouchier, were slowed by a brilliant 13th to 16th over fight back. Vipers appeared on course for a huge total at 100 for two but slumped to 110 for five – with a wicket falling in each over.First Elwiss top-edged straight up off Piepa Cleary, then Kirstie Gordon bowled Bouchier through the gate with a wonderful arm ball before Paige Scholfield advanced and hoicked to extra cover.Freya Kemp and Dean added 45 in the last five overs to swing the momentum back Vipers’ way, and the barometer never moved back after Bell dislodged the visitors’ top order.

West Ham United have been handed a boost in their possible pursuit of serial trophy-winning manager Sergio Conceicao, with the under-pressure Julen Lopetegui also on the brink of losing his job at the London Stadium.

West Ham set for internal talks over Julen Lopetegui's future today

According to multiple reports in the media, Hammers chiefs are set for crunch internal talks over Lopetegui’s immediate future today, after they were put to the sword by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City on Tuesday evening.

Serie A winner contending to replace Lopetegui at West Ham with Conceicao

FC Porto’s former manager isn’t their only illustrious candidate.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 3, 2024

It was West Ham’s second thumping on the bounce, having also lost 5-2 to Premier League title-chasing Arsenal on Saturday, with Lopetegui now facing serious backlash amid a disastrous start to the season.

West Ham’s last five Premier League results
Leicester City 3-1 West Ham
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal
Newcastle United 0-2 West Ham
West Ham 0-0 Everton
Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham

The east Londoners invested over £120 million on new signings in the summer transfer window, hoping to build upon David Moyes’ memorable four-season stay, but results really haven’t gone as planned – with many wondering whether Lopetegui was the right appointment after all.

Reliable club insider ExWHUemployee says that talks will happen “today” over Lopetegui’s future, while GiveMeSport also report that same piece of information, except they shared news that technical director Tim Steidten is in favour of the Spaniard’s dismissal.

West Ham talks have already been held with Edin Terzic, led personally by Steidten, while other media sources in the build-up to their defeat at Leicester were heavily linking them with a move for free agent manager Conceicao.

The 50-year-old, who left Porto after many successful years in the summer, has won a grand total of 11 major honours over the course of his managerial career to date, often being “possession heavy” and playing with a “very high line”, according to content writer Rohit Rajeev.

West Ham have sounded out Conceicao previously, and his name is now gaining traction among many national media outlets as a key contender to replace Lopetegui.

Sergio Conceicao now keen on taking West Ham job

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, taking to X, Conceicao is believed to be keen on the West Ham job – which comes as a boost for Steidten and co if they do decide to go in that direction.

He adds that Lopetegui is “on the brink” of being sacked by West Ham, so it may not be long until supporters see a desired new man at the helm.

However, with the likes of Terzic and Massimiliano Allegri also linked this week, it remains to be seen whether that man is indeed Conceicao.

“He’s a coach capable of working with both important players and prospective players,” said Fabio Capello on Conceicao earlier this year.

“He brings out the best in everyone. He is used to building and doing it with a winning mentality. He made this with the philosophy of Porto, where historically, value is created by winning.”

Vinicius Junior has called for Brazil to "rethink everything" after their humiliating loss to Argentina, with one eye on the 2026 World Cup.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Vini Jr concerned one year out from World Cup
• Brazil lost 4-1 against Argentina
• Madrid star wants global crown

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Real Madrid star called for a change in Brazil's strategy after the Selecao suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to arch-rivals Argentina on Tuesday in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match. Vinicius was kept silent throughout the 90 minutes as the world champions dominated proceedings. After the match, the winger issued a World Cup rallying cry towards his colleagues.

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• WHAT VINICIUS JR SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Los Blancos forward said: "Today we arrive at the locker room and there is not much to say. We played very poorly and Argentina played a great match in front of their fans. We have to rethink everything we do. There is only a year left until the World Cup. I have already played in one World Cup, and I do not want to lose again.

  "We have to do a lot of different things to create a great team. Everyone knows the weight of this jersey, how difficult everything is. We have to improve, keep our heads up, and never give up. Let's qualify for the World Cup."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 24-year-old added: "I think Argentina has been working together for a long time, there are many players who have been playing together for a long time, they won the last World Cup. We're trying to find our own way of playing and building trust with the fans. It's a long process, and we have to keep improving."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR VINCIUS JR?

  Vinicius Jr will now focus on ending the 2024-25 campaign on a high with his club, who are still in contention to win the treble. He will be next seen in action for Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid side on Saturday as they face Leganes in La Liga.

وجه خافيير تيباس، رئيس رابطة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، انتقادات حادة إلى نادي ريال مدريد بسبب أزمة مباراة برشلونة المرتقبة غدًا، في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا.

ويستضيف ملعب “لا كارتوخا” مباراة الفريقين في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا، موسم 2024/25.

وأبدى ريال مدريد اعتراضه على ما قاله التحكيم الخاص بمباراة الكلاسيكو ضد برشلونة، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم، حيث طالب بتغيير الطاقم والتحقيق معه.

وقرر ريال مدريد، بناءً على ذلك، مقاطعة كافة الفعاليات الرسمية الخاصة بالاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، قبل إصداره بيان رسمي (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وكتب تيباس، عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس: “هذه ليست كرة قدم، بل هي استيلاء على السلطة:

إنه لا يحب تيباس، لأنه لا يفعل ما يريده.

إنه لا يحب تشيفيرين لأنه لا يفعل ما يريده.

إنه لا يحب لوزان لأنه لا يفعل ما يريده.

إنه لا يحب المعلقين التلفزيونيين لأنهم لا يقولون ما يريده.

إنه لا يريد المضي قدمًا في إصلاح التحكيم لأنه ليس ما يريده

والآن، بعد تصريحات الحكام -الذين سئموا من المضايقات المستمرة من تلفزيون ريال مدريد- يرد بالطريقة التي يعرفها:

يلغي المؤتمر الصحفي، يغيب عن التدريبات في لا كارتوخا، يقاطع الأحداث الرسمية لنهائي الكأس، تسريبات تؤكد عدم مشاركته في نهائي الكأس.

يا لها من حساسية مفرطة! إنه لا يحتج بل يضغط، لا يشكو بل يهدد، لا يختلف بل يعاقب، لا يريد تحسين كرة القدم بل يريد كرة القدم الخاصة به، والأسوأ من ذلك ليس أنه يحاول، ولكن الأمر الخطير هو أن كثيرين يسمحون بذلك، ويوافقون عليه ويساعدون عليه”.

Esto no es fútbol, es control de poder.

❌ No le gusta Tebas porque no le hace lo que él quiere.
❌ No le gusta Ceferin porque no hace lo que él quiere.
❌ No le gusta Louzán porque no hace lo que él quiere.
❌ No le gustan los comentaristas de TV porque no dicen lo que él… — Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) April 25, 2025

Arsenal have been rocked as it has emerged that one member of Mikel Arteta’s squad has asked his agents to find him a new club and wants to quit the Emirates Stadium, according to a fresh report.

Arsenal stumble to another draw

The Premier League title is beginning to slip away from Arsenal, as another draw left them in third place in the top flight. A dull 0-0 affair against Everton, in which the Gunners lacked any real invention despite dominating possession, saw them drop two points.

It proved a real missed opportunity for Arteta’s side, with Liverpool also drawing and Manchester City being beaten, leaving Chelsea the only side to gain from the weekend’s action as they moved four points clear of the Gunners with a 2-1 win over Brentford.

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It is clear that something is wrong in north London, despite Mikel Arteta’s insistence that his side deserved all three points.

“Very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game,” he told the BBC. “We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.”

The Gunners now face a favourable run of games in a bid to try and get their season back on track, including games against relegation candidates Crystal Palace and Ipswich, and they will be hoping that their form can pick up.

As it stands, they have drawn the joint second most games in the top flight (6), form which will not be good enough to see them made champions come the end of the campaign. But they could be set to play the second half of the campaign without a member of their squad.

Defender wants out and asks agents to plan exit

That is according to a shock report from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, which claims that Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has asked his agents to “find him a new team”. The Polish defender has appeared 13 times for the Gunners so far this season, and started in Gabriel’s absence during their win over Manchester United and their draw with Fulham.

Appearances

13

Starts

5

Total minutes played

644

Goals/Assists

0

Yellow Cards

0

Signed from Spezia in January 2023, he has been linked with a return to Italy on several occasions since and now is seemingly keen to make that move a reality. According to the report, he “now wants to leave Arsenal” and has “asked his agents to ‘find him a new team’”, with Napoli being the frontrunners for his signature.

Indeed, it is suggested that the “player’s entourage will be in Italy soon to have a meeting with Napoli”, though it is unclear whether it will be discussing a deal in January or in the summer transfer window.

Similarly, there is no mention of a fee for the 24-year-old, who still has almost four years left to run on his £3m a year deal in north London, while Arsenal shelled out £25m to sign him just two years ago, during which time his value is unlikely to have decreased.

Though he has struggled for gametime in north London, his potential was singled out by Polish icon and teammate Robert Lewandowski, who dubbed the defender “extraordinary”.

“Listen to me, this is a real player,” he said. “I noticed it during the warm-up before the match against the Netherlands. In training, it’s very difficult to see certain things. Then I saw him in the match, extraordinary. Really great potential.”

With Arsenal’s defence in something of an injury crisis, a sale would likely need a significant fee in January.

After Fraser Forster’s midweek mistakes left Tottenham Hotspur clinging onto a 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Ange Postecoglou has reportedly been given the green light to sign a £20m star in January.

Tottenham transfer news

A side capable of defeating Manchester City and Manchester United but also the first side that Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace took three points from in the current campaign, Spurs have become impossible to predict, and in no positive way. Postecoglou – sticking to his ways in what could be construed as honourable or far too stubborn – has a guessing game on his hands almost every week as to which version of his side will be on display.

Related Tottenham hope potential £30m centre-back talks can replicate summer deal

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Dec 21, 2024

In midweek, it was a mix of the very vest version and the version which has become prone to switching off and making room for shock results as the Lilywhites defeated Manchester United 4-3 in the Carabao Cup. Having raced into an impressive 3-0 lead, Forster’s two mistakes followed to allow United back into the game, before Spurs found a fourth and the Red Devils could only net a late consolation.

The goalkeeper’s mistakes have seemingly forced the Lilywhites to turn their attention back towards the transfer market too. According to The Mirror, Postecoglou has now been given the green light to sign a goalkeeper from the EFL, with James Trafford, who Burnley value at £20m ahead of 2025, a target.

The England international stayed put at the Clarets despite several exit rumours last summer and could now earn a reward for his patience in the form of a January move to North London. More than capable with the ball at his feet, Trafford could be an instant upgrade on Forster in the role of number two behind Guglielmo Vicario.

"Athletic" Trafford could replace Forster

Whilst Vicario is the undisputed number one at Spurs, his recent injury suggests that Trafford would get ample opportunity to impress and offer Postecoglou an instant upgrade on the struggling Forster. At just 22 years old too, it’s not absurd to suggest that the England international could one day take over from 28-year-old Vicario and become a starting shot-stopper within a top-six side.

It’s a rise that Bolton goalkeeper coach Matt Gilks saw coming during Trafford’s loan spell at the club, telling Sky Sports in 2023: “When you’ve been in the game for 25 years, like I have, you come across hundreds of goalkeepers and there are very few that really stand out, but James is definitely one of them.

“His athletic profile, the power he produces when he takes off, his reflexes. All the little details we look at are up there.”

League stats P90 24/25 (via FBref)

James Trafford

Fraser Forster

Starts

20

4

Save Percentage

83.7%

84%

Saves

2.05

4.75

Passes Attempted

36.6

22.3

Crucially, Trafford has maintained an impressive save percentage similar to Forster but stands out when asked to play with the ball at his feet in a trait that Postecoglou desperately needs his goalkeepers to have in abundance.

Alsop reaches century, Orr falls agonisingly short in 204-run stand for second wicket

Valkerie Baynes05-May-2022

Tom Alsop celebrates reaching his century with batting partner Ali Orr•Getty Images

A century to Tom Alsop and a near-miss by Ali Orr gave Sussex the edge on an intriguing opening day against Middlesex at Hove.Things were looking up for Sussex as they sought their first win of the season after heavy defeats to Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire plus draws against Durham and Derbyshire left them seventh in Division Two, ahead of only Leicestershire.From the sight of Jofra Archer practising running and fielding drills during the lunch break amid news that he is targeting a return from elbow surgery at the start of their T20 Blast campaign later this month, to the return of England seamers Ollie Robinson and George Garton, both playing for the first time this season, the hosts were in clover.But it was Alsop and Orr who shone on the perfect spring day at Hove where bright sunshine occasionally gave way to innocuous cloud cover, staging a second-wicket partnership worth 204 after their captain, Tom Haines, won the toss and chose to bat on an accommodating pitch.All that said, Sussex have breached the 500-mark three times so far this season without winning a match as debate gurgles about whether the pitches for this edition of the Championship have been prepared too heavily in favour of the batters.And by the close, Orr had fallen one run shy of his century, Sussex’s two-time double-centurion Cheteshwar Pujara was back in the pavillion with just 16 to his name and Middlesex had snatched four wickets in the evening session to put the contest on a more even footing.Orr rode his luck, having been dropped on the second ball of the match, a Shaheen Shah Afridi delivery which he struck straight to square leg where Mark Stoneman put down a regulation chance.Afridi produced an impeccable opening spell in which he steamed down the hill from the Cromwell Road end and repeatedly beat Haines outside off. He was duly rewarded when he took the top of Haines’ off stump with a gem of a delivery to leave Sussex 21 for 1 inside nine overs.Orr was patient, punching Afridi through midwicket for four to bring up his fifty from 124 balls. He survived two more chances, on 57 and 58, before pulling Blake Cullen for six over deep midwicket.Alsop, meanwhile, was compact and showed off some excellent strokeplay in a chanceless innings, finding the boundary six times en route to his half-century, which came from 80 balls.Ali Orr rues falling for 99•Getty Images

The pair upped the tempo after lunch and 10 minutes before tea were both in the 90s, Alsop having surged slightly ahead. On a season-long loan from Hampshire, Alsop brought up his first ton for Sussex – and fifth in first-class cricket overall – by driving Afridi down the ground, celebrating with a gleeful skip down the pitch and punch of the air.Orr, on the other hand, looked decidedly nervous as three figures approached and Middlesex captain Peter Handscomb forced him to call on the same sort of patience he had used earlier in his innings by crowding him with fielders who kept cutting off singles.Orr’s resolve wore out on the stroke of tea when he spooned Luke Hollman to Handscomb at first slip and was left to trudge off, fuming and with his hand covering his face having seen off 204 balls for his 99.His dismissal brought Pujara to the crease after the interval and the India batter struck Hollman for consecutive fours off his first two balls. Pujara’s six off Hollman in his subsequent over went missing out of the ground over the short boundary at deep square leg. But Pujara then chased a wide half-volley outside off stump from Ethan Bamber which went to Max Holden at backward point to make it 246 for 3.Sussex then lost two wickets in the space of four balls, Martin Andersson uprooting two of Tom Clark’s poles when the batter played on and Stoneman ending Alsop’s knock on 113, caught by Handscomb at square leg and the home side were suddenly 273 for 5.It fell to Mohammad Rizwan, who had shared a 154-run partnership with Pujara in the previous match, and Garton, playing his first first-class match since the corresponding fixture at Hove last September, to steady the Sussex innings against the second new ball.They did for a time with a 64-run stand, Rizwan’s six dropping to one knee as he lifted Stoneman over mid-on particularly eye-catching. But when Cullen had Rizwan caught by Handscomb leaping smartly at first slip for 31, all Sussex eyes were on Garton and Robinson to see out the day.Garton, who had shaken off the effects of long Covid sufficiently to win selection, looked solid in reaching 37 from 61 balls while Robinson, making his long-awaited return after back spasms which troubled him during the Ashes and England’s Caribbean tour and more recently a tooth infection, remained unbeaten on 11 at the close.

Punjab Kings completed the double over Chennai Super Kings, closing out a tight game for a fourth win that moves them back to within touching distance of the top four. Shikhar Dhawan scored a stately, unbeaten 88 from 59 balls to anchor Kings’ rethought approach to setting a target, and although Ambati Rayudu kept Super Kings in the hunt until the closing overs, his 39-ball 78 was not enough to avert a sixth defeat from eight games.On the same pitch that Lucknow Super Giants had successfully defended 168 against Mumbai Indians the previous evening, Kings’ total of 187 for 4 always looked too much of an ask. Each of the three previous results at the Wankhede had gone the way of the team batting first, and although Ravindra Jadeja and Super Kings’ preference was to chase, a lack of contributions at the top of the order again undermined their chances.Super Kings had looked to be heading for a much heavier defeat, only for Rayudu’s innings, which included 13 boundaries, to repeatedly jangle the nerves of Mayank Agarwal and his men. Sandeep Sharma was collared for 23 in the 15th over, and with MS Dhoni waiting in the wings, and coming off the back of a vintage display of finishing in his previous outing, Super Kings could not be ruled out going into the final stretch.But Rayudu was visibly tiring and when he was cleaned up by Kagiso Rabada in the 18th, CSK were left needing 35 off 13 – an equation which became 27 off the last over, to be bowled by Rishi Dhawan. Dhoni smashed the first one into the crowd to threaten a reprise, and a wide from the next ball left Rishi feeling the heat. But a well-executed yorker was followed up by Dhoni holing out to deep midwicket and Punjab fans could breathe again.Kings change gears
The Kings’ approach to the first half of the tournament was to try and batter the opposition senseless from the off. They attacked throughout, but were bedeviled by wickets falling at an equal rate. Those tactics resulted in a few eye-catching wins and several costly implosions – none more so than in their last outing, when they were dismissed for 115 and lost to Delhi Capitals by nine wickets with 57 balls to spare.Here, after being inserted for the seventh time in a row, they took a more traditional approach, throttling back at the top and then opening up with wickets in hand. A score of 37 for 1 at the end of the powerplay gave Kings their slowest start to an innings this season, but Shikhar and the recalled Bhanuka Rajapaksa – the Sri Lankan back in the side for the first time since victory over Super Kings at the Brabourne three weeks ago – settled into a steady stand that provided the foundation for an imposing total.Rajapaksa needed some luck, dropped twice before reaching double-figures, but he made good on it to help Kings register their first century partnership of the campaign. The pair hit just six boundaries – one of which should have resulted Rajapaksa being caught at deep midwicket – in the first half of the innings, as Kings reached 72 for 1. But just as Super Giants did from an identical score in Sunday night’s game at the Wankhede, they effectively raised the tempo through the second ten.Shikhar lights the way
A tickled single in the second over of the match made Shikhar, playing his 200th IPL match, only the second man after Virat Kohli to score 6000 runs in the competition. By the time he had moved into the 60s, smashing back-to-back boundaries down the ground off Dwayne Bravo in the 16th over, Shikhar had notched more than 1000 of them against Super Kings alone. This was his ninth 50-plus score, and eventually enough to sink the Yellow Submarine.Shikhar’s approach set the template for his side, as he ticked along at just above a run-a-ball for the first half of the innings. A slog-swept six against Maheesh Theekshana and a driven four off Dwaine Pretorius were his only boundaries until he tucked into Mukesh Choudhary in the 12th, rattling off a pair of cuts that beat the cover sweeper on both sides, and then flicking four more off the pads through the ring with fine leg up. A 37-ball fifty kept Kings on course and, when Rajapaksa fell in the 18th over, Shikhar handed over the strike to Liam Livingstone, whose seven-ball cameo included taking Pretorius for 4-6-6.Ambati Rayudu’s valiant half-century could not save Super Kings from yet another defeat•PTI

Super Kings’ lack-of-powerplay
Super Kings have had problems getting their innings off to good starts all season, and once again they shipped early wickets in the chase. Sandeep was one of three changes to the Kings XI, as they sought greater batting depth at the expense of two genuine bowlers – Vaibhav Arora and Nathan Ellis; Sandeep had gone wicketless in his only previous appearance, the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, but he struck with his fifth ball on this occasion, Robin Uthappa splicing a pull to midwicket.Mitchell Santner was again asked to perform the Moeen Ali role at No. 3, but he struggled along to 9 off 15 balls – four of which came via thick outside edge past the keeper – and was the second wicket to fall, in the sixth over, as Arshdeep Singh plucked out his leg stump. That dismissal meant Super Kings’ batting average in the powerplay for this season had dipped to 20.50 – the lowest of the ten teams. Their position in the match then got worse in the following over, as Rishi Dhawan, making his first IPL appearance since 2016, found a way through Shivam Dube to leave them three down and off the pace.Rayudu resurrects chase
With the fall of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Super Kings were 89 for 4 in the 13th over and seemingly well out of contention, only for Rayudu to unleash a display of clean hitting on the way to his first fifty of the season. Six times he launched the ball into the stands, including a brutal sequence of three in a row off Sandeep during an over that brought Super Kings back to within range. But with the asking rate down to 47 off the last four, Arshdeep delivered an excellent over of wide yorkers that cost just six runs, and Rabada’s dismissal of Rayudu meant there was too much to do – even for Dhoni.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com dois gols de Germán Cano, o Fluminense largou na frente na decisão do Campeonato Carioca 2022. A vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Flamengo, nesta quarta-feira, deu ao Tricolor a chance de perder por até um gol de diferença no próximo sábado para ficar com o título. E o retrospecto recente dá ao torcedor das Laranjeiras um otimismo extra: o time venceu os últimos quatro Fla-Flus, igualando a sua maior série na história.

A última derrota aconteceu exatamente na decisão do Estadual do ano passado, quando o Rubro-Negro venceu por 3 a 1 e conquistou a taça. De lá pra cá, porém, foram duas vitórias do Flu no Brasileirão 2021 – 1 a 0 e 3 a 1 – e duas no Cariocão 2022 – 1 a 0 e 2 a 0.

A única vez que o Fluminense havia vencido o rival tantas vezes em sequência havia sido em 1938, quando ganhou os dois duelos pelo Torneio Municipal – 1 a 0 e 3 a 0 -, um pelo Torneio Início – 1 a 0 – e outro no Estadual – 2 a 0. Na ocasião, terminou o Carioca como campeão.

Aliás, historicamente as séries de vitórias do Fluminense no clássico costumam resultar em taças. Foi assim também em 1951, 1971, 1973 e 1995. Em todos estes anos o Tricolor venceu o Flamengo em três oportunidades consecutivas e se sagrou campeão estadual.

SÉRIE DE VITÓRIAS DO FLUMINENSE SOBRE O FLAMENGO

– 04/07/2021 – Flamengo 0x1 Fluminense
– 23/10/2021 – Fluminense 3×1 Flamengo
– 06/02/2022 – Flamengo 0x1 Fluminense
– 30/03/2022 – Flamengo 0x2 Fluminense

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One club’s mainstay international centre-half is allegedly in talks to join Tottenham Hotspur when the January transfer window opens, with the under-pressure Ange Postecoglou set to be without star defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Ange Postecoglou confirms Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero injuries

Both Romero and van de Ven made a welcome, albeit brief, return to the starting eleven in Spurs’ 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday – but now Postecoglou’s pivotal centre-backs have returned to the sidelines with new injuries.

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Romero was hauled off against Chelsea after 15 minutes, while van de Ven was taken off closer to the full-time whistle with tightness in his hamstring. The former picked up an issue with his quadriceps, and reports in South America suggest that Romero could be out for six weeks (Gaston Edul).

Postecoglou, meanwhile, refuses to rule out the possibility that van de Ven has suffered recurrence of the hamstring problem which kept him sidelined for over a month – with the Dutchman picking up an injury on the same side (football.london).

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Tottenham’s manager has called their current injury crisis the worst he’s ever faced by a “fair stretch” in the build up to Spurs’ clash with Rangers in the Europa League, with van de Ven and Romero joining Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies and Mikey Moore on the treatment table.

“I never think it’s just bad luck. Some of it. I’ve never lost a goalkeeper for this period of time,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s injury problems.

“Some of the other issues that we’ve had… But some of it is recurring, particularly this year in terms of guys coming back and re-injuring. It’s something we’re looking at. We’re always trying to explore whether we can do things better. Last year was different to this year. Last year it hit us across the board. This year it’s more guys that are coming back who are affected. Knock on wood, we’ve got a core group who are playing a lot and are getting through it ok. But it is something we are trying to address.”

Postecoglou now only has one senior centre-back at his disposal in Radu Dragusin, with the January transfer window looking more and more important for Johan Lange as the technical director is tasked with reinforcing Spurs’ options.

Omar Alderete in talks to join Tottenham from Getafe in January

According to D10 in his native Paraguay, mainstay Getafe centre-back Omar Alderete is emerging as a potential solution to Tottenham’s centre-back woes.

The South American media outlet boldly claims that Alderete is in talks to join Tottenham next month, following a great year for the 27-year-old international, where he has become an undisputed starter for his club and impressed for his country.

Alderete bagged a goal against Romero’s Argentina in their 2026 World Cup qualifier, and right now, he’s Getafe’s best-performing player by average match rating per 90 according to WhoScored.

He’s also made more clearances per 90 than any other Getafe defender, averaging a solid 4.3, whilst also making more blocks on average than any of his teammates in that time.

However, he’s also managed a pass accuracy of just 68.9 per cent out from the back, so it is unclear whether he’s the style of defender to help Spurs transition from defence to attack.