اعترف الهولندي ماتياس دي ليخت بأن فريقه مانشستر يونايتد استغلّ ثنائي ليفربول باعتبارهما نقطة ضعف خلال مباراة الفريقين بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وحل مانشستر يونايتد ضيفًا على ليفربول بملعب “آنفيلد” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي “البريميرليج”.
وتغلب مانشستر يونايتد على ليفربول بهدفين مقابل هدف، وجاء هدف الفوز عن طريق هاري ماجواير في الدقائق الأخيرة للقاء.
وأشار دي ليخت إلى أن مانشستر يونايتد استغل عمدًا ميلوس كيركيز، إلى جانب الظهير الأيمن كونور برادلي، باعتبار مركزَي ظهيري ليفربول “نقطة ضعف”.
اقرأ أيضًا | ميكا ريتشاردز: محمد صلاح ليس أكبر من ليفربول ولم يعد كما كان سابقًا
وقال في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية: “كنا نعلم أن ليفربول لديه نقاط ضعف، وهي ظهيريه، كنا جميعًا متحمسين للغاية، وكان التركيز عاليًا جدًا، كانت مباراة اليوم تتطلب تركيزًا كبيرًا”.
وسجل برايان مبيومو هدفًا مبكرًا لمانشستر يونايتد، في الدقيقة الثانية، ثم نجح ليفربول في إدراك التعادل في الدقيقة 78 بفضل كودي جاكبو، لكن عاد يونايتد وسجل ماجواير رأسية حسمت الفوز لفريقه.
Olympics legend Usain Bolt slammed Manchester United's "joke" of a performance in their 3-1 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday. The celebrity fan criticised his beloved Red Devils in a match which saw him struggle to identify with "one good thing" as pressure continues to mount on under-fire head coach Ruben Amorim.
Thiago scores twice as Brentford down struggling United
After raising hopes of a revival in fortunes following the 2-1 victory over Chelsea last weekend, United slipped back into old habits against Brentford. Amorim’s men found themselves two goals down inside 20 minutes thanks to a brace from Bees striker Igor Thiago. United did respond when Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal for the club following his summer move from RB Leipzig, but a late effort from Mathias Jensen helped Brentford earn all three points in what was a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.
AdvertisementBolt could not hide frustration in series of social media posts
And football fans who were following the match live on social media would have been quick to notice Bolt’s anger throughout proceedings. After Thiago put Brentford two goals to the good at the Gtech Community Stadium, eight-time Olympic gold medalist Bolt was quick to write on X: "This must be a joke."
And after United’s fourth loss in all competitions this season was confirmed, Bolt then wrote in the aftermath: "Can’t Identify one good thing we good at.."
Getty Images SportUnited's loss at Brentford was their fourth defeat of the season
United’s loss at Brentford was yet another setback in what has been a troubling start to the 2025-26 campaign. Amorim’s side have won just two matches so far this term – against both Burnley and Chelsea in the Premier League – while they also drew with Fulham on August 24. United have suffered defeats against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford in the league, while they were also eliminated from the Carabao Cup in embarrassing fashion as they fell to a 12-11 penalty shootout loss to League Two outfit Grimsby Town on August 27.
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Amorim yet to win back-to-back league games as Man Utd boss
The defeat against Brentford has only intensified speculation surrounding Amorim’s future at United. The Portuguese, who replaced Erik ten Hag as manager in November 2024, has won just nine of his 33 league matches since arriving at Old Trafford, while he is also yet to lead his team to back-to-back league wins under his stewardship.
Arsenal have had a massive transfer window this summer, with the hierarchy backing Mikel Arteta to make the additions he craves to help his quest for Premier League glory.
The Gunners have already splashed over £200m on new additions, solving various issues within countless areas of the first-team squad at the Emirates.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres was signed in a £63m deal from Sporting CP, already making an immediate impact after meeting twice in the 5-0 victory over Leeds United in North London.
Martin Zubimendi has also been signed to help bolster the defensive midfield department, aiding Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to lock down starting roles in such an area.
However, the backline has now been the latest part of the side to be subject to investment, with a move now edging ever closer to landing another big-money addition.
Arsenal’s deal to land Piero Hincapie this summer
Over the last couple of days, Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie – with the defender edging closer to a move to join Arteta’s side.
The Gunners were battling North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for his signature, but it appears they have won the race – just as they did with Eberechi Eze.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
A deal for the 23-year-old to join the side on loan for the 2025/26 campaign has been agreed, with a package totalling £45m including a loan fee in place with the Bundesliga outfit.
The Ecuadorian international can operate in a full-back or centre-back role, with such a move adding needed depth and quality, asJakub Kiwior looks set to join Porto as a result.
However, despite the latest big-money transfer from Arteta, it’s his previous business that has worked wonders – leading to one player’s price tag soaring over recent months.
The Arsenal player who’s worth more than Hincapie
Despite finishing as runners-up in the Premier League in each of the last three years, Arsenal have made phenomenal progress under the guidance of Arteta.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after the match
The Spaniard will mark six years in the role in December, taking charge when the side were lingering in mid-table and going nowhere under Unai Emery.
William Saliba and Gabriel have both nailed down starting roles at the heart of the defence, joining from Saint-Étienne and Lille respectively – helping the club boast an incredible defensive record.
The Gunners have now had the best defensive record in England’s top-flight in each of the last two seasons – with the duo undoubtedly a key reason to achieving such a remarkable feat.
However, Jurrien Timber is another player who has also helped the side reach the levels they have over recent seasons – impressing massively since his move from Ajax back in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal's JurrienTimbercelebrates after the match
He missed the vast majority of his debut campaign due to an ACL injury suffered on the opening day, but he’s worked his way back into the side – now being Arteta’s starting right-back.
The Dutchman, who’s been labelled “incredible” by boss Arteta, has since racked up 53 appearances for the side, having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.
The 24-year-old managed to score a double in the win over Arsenal last Saturday, taking his tally in the red shirt to four – an average of one goal every 13 matches.
As a result of his displays in North London, Timber is now valued at £47.6m by Transfermarkt – an increase of 40% of the £34m fee forked out for his signature two years ago.
Jurrien Timber’s stats for Arsenal in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
30
Goals & assists
4
Pass accuracy
88%
Dribble success
50%
Tackle success rate
66%
Duels won
4.9
Recoveries made
3.5
Dribbled past
0.2
Stats via FotMob
His subsequent value is also higher than the £45m fee forked out for Hincapie’s signature, with the club and pending new arrival hoping he can follow in a similar vein upon his switch to England.
The club have constantly conducted excellent business in the transfer market over recent seasons, with Timber one of the latest examples to thrive under the manager’s guidance.
If the hierarchy can keep producing similar profile additions going forward, there’s no reason why the club can’t finally end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title.
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Opener Shafali Verma has been dropped from India’s squad for the three ODIs on the tour of Australia due to a poor run of form, while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has returned to the side after missing the home ODIs against New Zealand due to her board exams.There were call-ups for batters Priya Punia, batting allrounder Harleen Deol, offspinner Minnu Mani, and fast bowler Titas Sadhu, who are all part of the 16-member squad for the three ODIs in Brisbane and Perth on December 5, 8 and 11.Shafali has not been able to crack ODIs for some time now – she has just 108 runs at an average of 18 in six games this year. The last time she was dropped in the 50-over format – after the first of the three-match series against Australia at home in December 2023 – Yastika Bhatia opened the batting with Smriti Mandhana, while Ghosh batted at No. 3. In Shafali’s absence, Yastika might open again, with Punia auditioning for the No. 3 spot.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Punia has played three ODIs since 2023, and made a comeback against South Africa in June this year on the back of impressive domestic performances. She featured only in the final ODI against South Africa, and was then part of the India A tour of Australia in August, when she didn’t find much success. However, Punia was dropped for the New Zealand series in Ahmedabad in October, where Yastika batted at No.3. Even D Hemalatha, who wasn’t picked for the Australia series, played three ODIs this year at Nos. 3 and 4, but failed to hold on to her spot.Apart from Hemalatha, also missing from the squad are offspinner Shreyanka Patil, uncapped seamer Sayali Satghare, and back-up wicketkeeper Uma Chetry.Deol is another familiar name back in the fold after almost a year. The middle-order batter has played only ten ODIs since her debut in 2019 and scored two fifties, but was never given a sustained run in the format. Her last ODI was also against Australia, at home last year.Meanwhile, Sadhu, who, like Mani, has featured in nine T20Is but is yet to play an ODI, will be the back-up fast bowler, with Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy leading the attack that also has seamer Saima Thakor, who had made her debut against New Zealand.Legspinner Asha Sobhana, who had missed the New Zealand series because of injury, continues to be unavailable, while allrounder Pooja Vastrakar, who was rested against New Zealand, is absent too. Meanwhile, middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis and legspinner Priya Mishra, who also made their debuts against New Zealand and had notable performances, have retained their spots to face Australia.The likes of Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika and Deepti Sharma are already in Australia, as they are playing in the WBBL.Harmanpreet Kaur and co will head into the ODIs against Australia on the back of a 2-1 victory against New Zealand, while Australia last played ODIs in March, and beat Bangladesh 3-0 in Mirpur. The ODIs against India will be part of the Championship, where Australia and England are the joint table-toppers. India, as hosts, qualify automatically for the 2025 World Cup.
Bangladesh earned just two wickets on opening day, both picked up by Taijul Islam
Firdose Moonda29-Oct-2024South Africa 307 for 2 (De Zorzi 141*, Stubbs 106, Bedingham 18*) vs Bangladesh It was a coming of age day for two of South Africa’s top three as Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs both scored their first Test centuries in Chattogram. De Zorzi and Stubbs, with eight and five Test caps to their names respectively, shared South Africa’s third-highest second-wicket stand in Asia of 201 to put South Africa in a strong position to push for a series sweep.They made the most of batter-friendly conditions with little seam movement, swing or steep bounce and only hints of turn to assist the home attack. Bangladesh’s bowlers had little to work with and the best they managed was to keep South Africa quiet in patches. Their tall seamer Nahid Rana was the most impressive of the five-man attack and reached speeds of up to 148kph but went wicketless. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam picked up from where he left off after a five-for in Mirpur and was the only bowler to take wickets, although Hasan Mahmud will feel hard done by. De Zorzi was dropped off him twice, on 6 and 69, on his way to an unbeaten 141.South Africa started the day strongly as stand-in captain Aiden Markram and de Zorzi motored at 4.6 runs an over in the first hour. They hit four fours and a six between them as South Africa reached morning drinks on 60 without loss. The only threat came from Hasan, who took de Zorzi’s edge with the first ball of his fourth over but debutant wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam could not hold on. Bangladesh turned to spin from both ends after that and it brought success for Taijul. Markram advanced down the track to a ball that was not as short as he anticipated and chipped it to Mominul Haque at mid-on.Related
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Markram’s dismissal allowed Bangladesh to pull the scoring rate back. They did not concede a boundary for 21 deliveries as Stubbs played himself in. He found his first four when he reverse-swept Mehidy Hasan Miraz behind point but then Bangladesh reapplied the squeeze. Another 28 balls were bowled for just 14 runs before de Zorzi brought up South Africa’s hundred with a sumptuous cover drive. De Zorzi went to lunch one away from a third Test fifty and got there in the over after the break.The opening exchanges of the afternoon session were difficult for South Africa and they went 91 deliveries between boundaries as they navigated Rana’s pace and small amounts of proper turn from Taijul. Nahid’s lengths were improved from the fuller ones he employed in the morning and he stuck to back-of-a-length balls which proved difficult to get away. But he did not come close to a wicket. Instead it was Mahmud who should have had something to show for his efforts. He drew de Zorzi forward again and took the edge but the chance slipped through the hands of Shadman Islam at first slip, de Zorzi and South Africa survived a period in which they scored only 34 runs in 13 overs after lunch and then things opened up a bit for them.The next eight overs brought 32 runs at a healthier scoring rate and Stubbs brought up his second Test fifty. Stubbs grew in confidence when he hit Mehidy over the sightscreen for six and de Zorzi followed suit by entering the nineties by sending Taijul over long-on. De Zorzi reached his hundred with a sweep shot off Mehidy through square leg and celebrated his achievement to warm applause from the dug out, which included injured captain Temba Bavuma. De Zorzi is only the second black African batter from South Africa to score a Test hundred, after Bavuma.2:12
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As de Zorzi struggled with cramps, Stubbs faced 25 of the first 30 deliveries after tea and showed good intent. He was particularly severe on Mehidy, charging him twice for six and reverse-sweeping him for four to near the nineties and knuckle down. De Zorzi struggled to run between the wickets so the pair quietened down and Stubbs spent 39 balls getting from 88 to 100. He did it with a single to deep point and a standing ovation from everyone in the South African camp.Stubbs was bowled in the next over by a ball that kept low from Taijul with about half an hour left of play in the day. South Africa saw that as a license to attack. De Zorzi and David Bedingham played with freedom and scored 34 runs in the six overs that followed as Bangladesh awaited the second new ball. They were also without their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for that period after he left the field with what seemed like illness. Taijul led in his absence and took the second new ball as soon as it became available. Mehidy bowled one over with it before the players came off for bad light, with the day’s accolades going to de Zorzi.South Africa went into this series with only two specialist batters in their squad with playing experience in the subcontinent and only one, Markram, with a century in Asia. The other, Bavuma, was ruled out of the series with injury, which left them further bereft of experience. A Test and a day into the series they have four batters in the playing XI who have scored centuries in the subcontinent.
Tahlia McGrath’s 22-ball 51* ensured Australia A made short work of India A’s modest total of 120 in the third and final T20 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash. Grace Parsons, Maitlan Brown and Nicola Hancock took two wickets apiece after Tayla Vlaeminck’s first-over strike to set up Australia A’s comfortable win.Vlaeminck, who was benched in the second T20, made instant impact on her return to the Australia A side. The 25-year-old fast bowler came away with remarkable figures of 4-0-6-1. She bowled Shubha Satheesh for a duck second ball of the match.The rest of India A’s top and middle order didn’t do much better. Priya Punia made 11 off 18, Shweta Sehrawat struggled for 15 off 28, while Tanuja Kanwar fell for a 10-ball 7.When Sajeevan Sajana fell for 10 – Parsons’ picking up two wickets in the 13th over – India A were in trouble on 47 for 5. But Kiran Navgire and captain Minnu Mani combined for a 57-run stand that helped the team get through the 20 overs.Navgire was the aggressor, smashing 38 off 20, while Mani made 22 off 23 before she was dismissed by Brown, who also returned to the playing XI after the first T20.Wilson got the chase underway with two boundaries in the first over from Meghna Singh, and after a couple of quiet overs, she took on Kanwar, hitting her for two fours and a six.Shabnam Shakil removed Katie Mack in the fifth over and Mannat Kashyap halted Wilson’s march in the eighth over but McGrath did not let Australia A lose any momentum. From the start of the tenth over, she kept hitting boundaries in clusters, targeting Kanwar, Meghna and Kashyap. Her aggressive knock meant that even Charli Knott’s wicket in the 13th over was not going to cause any hiccups for the hosts.McGrath hit three consecutive boundaries off Shabnam in the 14th over to finish the job and bring up a half-century, to follow up on her unbeaten 47 from the last game. McGrath hammered eight fours and two sixes.
Sunderland are looking to potentially hijack a move for an attacking star in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer claim.
Le Bris excited about Sunderland signing Sadiki
The Black Cats have completed the signing of Noah Sadiki, with the midfielder arriving at the Stadium of Light on a five-year deal from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Regis Le Bris is clearly in positive spirits about an exciting piece of business for Sunderland ahead of their imminent return to the Premier League next month, assessing the capture of the 20-year-old.
Union Saint-Gilloise'sNoahSadikiin action with Rangers' Nedim Bajrami
It’s now a case of Sunderland building on the signing of Sadiki and bringing in more signings before the current window slams shut at the end of August, and a promising new update has now emerged regarding their transfer situation.
Sunderland pushing to hijack £17.2m signing
According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland are in the mix to sign Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer, with the 24-year-old valued at more than €20m (£17.2m) by the French club.
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The Black Cats are joined by a host of top clubs in the tussle to snap him up, as they look to steal him from under the noses of the likes of Roma, Juventus and AC Milan.
Olympique de Marseille's Quentin Merlin in action with RC Lens' NeilElAynaoui
El Aynaoui could immediately improve Sunderland as a team if they managed to get a deal over the line, adding quality in the middle of the park, as highlighted by the calibre of clubs interested in him.
The midfielder is a one-cap Morocco Under-23 international, while journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter has described him as a “highly-talented” footballer, so he would be a signing of real intent.
It is clearly going to be tricky for Sunderland to sign El Aynaoui, given the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in Italy, but they are now back in the Premier League, which is a major attraction for so many players around the world.
Hopefully, Le Bris can sell him the idea of moving to the Stadium of Light, being a key starter instead of a potential cog in the machine elsewhere, as he looks to give his side the best possible chance of survival next season.
As Graham Potter looks to shape his West Ham United side ahead of his first full season in charge, the Hammers have reportedly made contact to sign an impressive Serie A midfielder who once pocketed Declan Rice.
West Ham keen on attacking additions
It’s a big few months ahead for Potter and his side following a tough start to life at the London Stadium for the former Chelsea manager. After arriving to replace the struggling Julen Lopetegui, many expected Potter to make his mark from the off and ensure that any Stamford Bridge failure became an afterthought. That new manager bounce never truly came, however, and the pressure is now on.
Games
20
Wins
6
Draws
5
Defeats
9
Following just six wins in his first 20 games and a frustrating 14th-place finish in the Premier League, Potter and West Ham must ensure that they get off to a quick start next season.
What should help that is their potential work in the summer transfer window. Already, they’ve reportedly set their sights on attacking additions such as Adama Bojang and AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham.
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The latter would be a particularly wise addition given his past Premier League experience and the Hammers could yet land a relatively routine deal following his struggles on loan at AC Milan last season.
Abraham, like West Ham, endured a season to forget last time out and could certainly do with a return to the Premier League if he is to rediscover his best form in the next campaign.
It’s not just their frontline that West Ham must improve, however. Amid previous reports that David Moyes’ Everton side are interested in signing Tomas Soucek this summer, those at the London Stadium could be forced to find a replacement. And what better way to replace the towering midfielder than by signing a player who “shut down” former star Rice?
West Ham make contact to sign Musah
According to TeamTalk, West Ham have now made initial contact to sign Yunus Musah from AC Milan this summer. The American international initially looked on his way to Serie A champions Napoli in a deal worth €25m (£21m) before Milan changed their stance and demanded that price as well as add-ons. Now, the Hammers have a chance to sneak in ahead of Napoli.
Whether West Ham are willing to do what Napoli are not will be the big question, but their interest in Musah should come as no surprise. At 22 years old, the midfielder already has some impressive experience under his belt at the top level, including at the 2022 World Cup.
It was in Qatar that the Milan man caught the eye for the USA, especially against England as he helped his side earn a 0-0 draw against the Three Lions. Earning the praise of Jacek Kulig as a result, the scout claimed that both Musah and Tyler Adams “shut down” an England midfield which included Rice and Jude Bellingham.
Regardless of how Tottenham Hotspur fare in the Europa League Final later this month, this summer has to be one of significant change at the club.
To ensure next season isn’t as much of a disaster as this one has been, Daniel Levy and Co need to dig deep and bring in some genuine quality to improve the first team.
However, signing a load of talented players won’t be enough on its own.
On top of adding to the first team and squad, the North Londoners need to get rid of several players, including one who is being eyed up by one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The players Spurs should sell
Unfortunately, due to the nature of their campaign this season, there are several players Spurs should probably be looking to move on in the summer, such as Richarlison and Yves Bissouma.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has never got even close to justifying the £60m fee he cost the club in 2022, and while there have been the odd moments he’s looked good this year, a return of five goals and two assists just isn’t good enough.
Likewise, Bissouma might occasionally put in a performance that reminds fans why the club signed him in the first place.
Tottenham Hotspur's YvesBissoumareacts after being substituted
Still, there have been far too many games this season in which he’s looked entirely out of his depth, like away to Fulham, when he was hooked at half-time and given a 3/10 match rating by Alasdair Gold.
However, there is another player, one who is actually incredibly talented, who is being eyed by a major European force that the North Londoners should cash in on: Cristian Romero.
Yes, according to a recent report from the Sun, Real Madrid are now sniffing around the World Cup winner once again.
The report has revealed that incoming manager Xabi Alonso is a big fan of the Argentine, and with their defence considered to be their weakest area, the Spanish giants could make a move to sign the former Juventus ace.
The report does not mention a potential price, but according to stories from earlier this month, Spurs value their defender at £60m, a fee think they should accept for him.
Why Spurs should sell Romero
Okay, so the first thing to say is that we do not think Romero is a bad defender, far from it.
TottenhamHotspur's CristianRomeroreacts
However, there are a few genuine reasons as to why it might be smart for Spurs to sell the World Cup winner this summer, with chief among them being his desire.
While there can be no doubt about his intense need to win when it comes to the big games – just look at his performance against Bodo/Glimt – there have been questions over his commitment to the club for some time now.
For example, only last week, a new report from GIVEMESPORT revealed that he is planning to push for a move to La Liga this summer regardless of what happens in the Europa League, and then last month, other reports claimed he had already held discussions with Diego Simeone over a potential move to Atlético Madrid.
Combine this desire to leave with the fact he’s got just two years left on his £165k-per-week deal, and it seems like cashing in on him now before he can drive the price down further seems smart.
Romero’s Spurs career
Appearances
123
Goals
7
Assists
3
Yellow Cards
33
Second Yellows
3
Red Cards
1
Points per Game
1.68
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Moreover, due to injury, the 27-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Charlie Eccleshare, hasn’t featured that much this season anyway, making just 25 appearances across all competitions and averaging just 1.56 points per game when he has played.
Finally, it looks as if the club would be able to replace him anyway, as they could either go back in for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi or even hand a considerable amount of game time to the incredibly exciting Luka Vušković, who respected analyst Ben Mattinson described as a “crazy” talent and a “monster of a CB.”
Ultimately, it’s not an ideal situation – far from it – but to make sure they aren’t left burned next year and to give themselves ample time to replace him, Spurs should look to sell Romero this summer.
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Spurs could sign a striker who’s nearly on par with Harry Kane this season.
Three thrilling Tests, three wild finishes – have your pick
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2025Update: This poll has ended. The IND-AUS 2001 Kolkata Test moves into the final.Australia fall at the final frontier – Kolkata, 2001A Test hat-trick against the world’s top side at the age of 20. A follow-on. A historic partnership to turn the tables. A record individual score by an Indian. And a thrilling end in front of packed stands to level the series and end Australia’s streak of 16 wins. All that in one Test!After Harbhajan Singh hurt Australia with a hat-trick on the first day, Steve Waugh scored his maiden Test century on Indian soil to lead his team to a strong 445. In reply, India were bundled for 171 and asked to follow-on.They were then 232 for 4 – still 42 behind – when VVS Laxman was joined by Rahul Dravid and the two of them played out the entire fourth day with strips of iced towels around their necks to beat the heat and humidity; they still needed attention from the physio from time to time.The two ended up seeing off nine bowlers in a partnership that was instantly stamped in the game’s history. Laxman’s 281 lasted ten-and-a-half hours, and Dravid’s 180 nearly seven-and-a-half. They set Australia a target of 384. Australia succumbed on the last day against India’s spinners as Harbhajan finished with a tally of 13 for 196.Harbhajan too good for Australia – Chennai, 2001It was fitting that the series that had kept everyone on the edge of their seats ended in a thrilling last-day finish.After Matthew Hayden’s 203 had taken Australia to 391, India responded by racking up 501. Like he had in the first innings, Harbhajan Singh ripped through the Australia middle order in the second innings, as they ended the fourth day on 241 for 7, a lead of 131.On the fifth morning, Harbhajan wasted little time in picking up the last three Australia wickets, bundling them for 264. He returned second-innings figures of 8 for 84 and match figures of 15 for 127, finishing with 32 wickets for the series.But he wasn’t done.Chasing 155, India lost Shiv Sunder Das early, but Sadagoppan Ramesh and VVS Laxman added 58 to give India the advantage. But a middle-order collapse followed, and it was game on. But wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe, on Test debut, held his cool as he took India closer. India lost Zaheer Khan just four runs shy of a win, but Harbhajan sliced a Glenn McGrath delivery past point to give India a famous Test and series win.The two runs that brought the Ashes alive – Edgbaston 2005The drama began before the toss. Glenn McGrath hurt his ankle on the first morning of the match, and the man who replaced him nearly did it for Australia… with the bat. On the fourth day, Australia were 137 for 7 in their pursuit of 282. Michael Clarke was their only hope, and it took an ahead-of-the-time slower ball from Steve Harmison to dismiss him and make it 175 for 8. With Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz, who took McGrath’s place in the side, remaining, England were favourites.But minute by minute, Warne’s runs hurt England after bagging ten wickets with the ball. His stoic stand with Lee, who also looked unmoved, was fanning belief. But then, with Australia 62 runs away and the pair having added 45, a little flicker of a sound broke the silence of the stadium. Everyone searched for it. Warne found it. He had trod back onto his stumps. He was hit-wicket.Most of us would have forgotten by then that it was the Australia of their pomp. On their day, even a No. 11 could raise the ceiling with the bat and Kasprowicz did exactly that. Michael Vaughan looked frustrated with every run Lee and Kasprowicz scored. Until, with three to get, Harmison’s short ball saw Kasprowicz fending, and nudging behind to a diving Geraint Jones. Billy Bowden’s crooked finger was up, Edgbaston erupted, and Andrew Flintoff consoling Lee became an iconic image.