Pakistan stumbled in a chase of 119 in the one-off Twenty20 International in Nelson to round-off a winless tour of New Zealand
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2016 ScorecardLea Tahuhu triggered Pakistan’s top-order slide•Getty ImagesPakistan stumbled in a chase of 119 in the one-off Twenty20 International, the first bilateral T20I between both sides, in Nelson to round off a winless tour of New Zealand.Lea Tahuhu, the medium pacer, was involved in four top-order wickets – she took three of them and then inflicted a run-out – as Pakistan slipped to 22 for 4 in the sixth over. Only two of the top six got into double digits.Amelia Kerr, the sixteen-year old debutant, picked up three wickets with her legspin to scythe through the lower order. Aliya Riyaz, the No. 10 batsman, top scored and remained unbeaten on 28, when the last wicket fell. Pakistan were bowled out for 104 off the last ball of their innings.After being blanked 5-0 in the ODIs, Pakistan made a strong start, dismissing opener Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest by the second over. New Zealad continued to lose wickets in clumps – Amy Sattherthwaite and Sophie Devine fell off consecutive deliveries to Sana Mir in the fifth over – to be reduced to 36 for 4.That they got to three figures was courtesy cameos from Liz Perry (26), Katie Perkins (17) and Tahuhu (16). Mir, the offspinner, took 2 for 18 off four overs, while Asmavia Iqbal, the medium pacer, took 2 for 30. Left-arm spinner Sadia Yousuf was the most economical bowler, giving away just 13 in four overs while taking a wicket.
Joe Root scored the first century by a batsman visiting India since Michael Clarke in February 2013 to help England score the first 300 against India in the last 20 Test innings in India
The Report by Sidharth Monga09-Nov-2016 Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:14
Ganguly: Kohli’s challenge to keep England under 550
AB de Villiers. Hashim Amla. Kane Williamson. Mighty fine batsmen who have been cut to size by a combination of India spinners and pitches since the start of the last season in India. In his first innings in India since this pitch revolution, the resurgence of R Ashwin and the emergence of Ravindra Jadeja, Joe Root scored the first century by a batsman visiting India since Michael Clarke in February 2013. Moeen Ali ended the day one short of another.The two added 179 – the longest and highest partnership by a visiting team since the start of the 2015-16 season – to restore England from a tricky 102 for 3 as they became the first visiting time to score 300 in the last 20 innings in India.England will hope Root has set the tone for yet another series. Since his recall in 2014, he has scored 200 not out, 154 not out, 83, 98, 134, 85, 24, 0, 48, 40, and now 124 in his first innings of the series. Moeen brought a touch of maturity to go with his usual grace. The duo hardly put a foot wrong after lunch, but the role of the toss cannot be overstated. This was the first time in Virat Kohli’s captaincy that India had lost a toss at home where the changing pitches have made the toss crucial. If watching at home, Williamson must be wondering why he didn’t have this luck. His England counterpart, Alastair Cook, went on to enjoy more luck before two overs were bowled than Williamson had in the whole series.Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli dropped Cook once each off the opening bowlers. Expecting low bounce the cordon had crept closer at the start of the match. The first one perhaps went too fast to Rahane at gully, the second reached Kohli on the full only because he was well in but it didn’t stick. To make it worse for India, M Vijay dropped a sitter at first slip, reprieving the 19-year-old debutant Haseeb Hameed, who otherwise looked like a solid old-fashioned opener who didn’t mind the new fashion of cutting in the air when the ball was short.Having missed three catches by the time England’s openers had reached 24, India had lost a chance to cancel out some of the toss disadvantage, but Cook and Hameed didn’t go on to hurt India too much. To the first ball after drinks, Cook fell to Jadeja. Hameed fell to Ashwin after a 29-run stand with Root. Both had used the ploy to get outside the line of off to face balls breaking back in. Cook fell to one that turned past the inside edge, and Hameed to a change of angle. From round the wicket, Ashwin trapped him with an offbreak that didn’t turn as much as expected. Ben Duckett chanced his arm, hit three boundaries and fell to what turned out to be the last ball before lunch.The non-striker’s role in both of the first two dismissals left a lot to be desired. Hameed discouraged Cook from reviewing when the ball was headed down leg, and Root made Hameed review a dead plumb lbw. That was perhaps the only absolute error Root made before he finally fell in dramatic circumstances in the final session. He was in silken touch, batting on a first-day pitch and without scoreboard pressure. In two balls, in the 23rd over, he displayed his mastery with two drives. Ashwin, who was not shy of asking the batsmen to drive, pitched the first ball up but not right up. At the last moment in that drive, Root used his wrists a little to open the face and beat cover slightly to his left. The next ball was a touch fuller, and he unfurled an orthodox cover drive to beat the same man to his right.2:21
Compton: Moeen played his most mature innings yet
That Root was even being asked to beat the man at cover was a sign of the challenge India were facing. During the series against New Zealand, Ashwin hardly availed the services of a cover fielder. He often had just three men on the off side, sometimes even two. Now he needed a fourth man. The pitch was not turning as much as it had for him against New Zealand, and because there were no runs on the board he couldn’t afford to be driven too often.Ashwin bowled 18 overs on the trot either side of lunch, but couldn’t draw half a false stroke from Root after his two early wickets. Early after lunch the ball kept low twice, but he found Root watching it like a hawk. Moeen played one false stroke, on nought, jabbing at one after stepping out. This one fell short of short leg.At the other end India tried the pace of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, looking to break through with reverse swing available, which should encourage England. Root and Moeen were equal to it, not committing to shots early, and waiting for balls that were overpitched. Root drove Yadav beautifully to celebrate reaching his fifty. Amit Mishra, the extra bowler India played, kept offering the odd full toss without making an impression with his legbreaks.Against New Zealand and South Africa, India could afford to bowl with in-and-out fields because hitting the ball to even mid-on could be risky at times, but now with spread-out fields the two could pick the ones and twos easily. With Ashwin having to bowl so much, England could now pick on three men in the field: Gautam Gambhir, Mishra and Ashwin. To make it worse for India, Shami struggled with what at first looked like a hamstring issue but may have been cramps because he kept coming back.Whenever India looked to plug the singles, Moeen would dance down and loft the spinners over the infield, even Ashwin and against the turn. Root did it once too, hitting Jadeja over long-off for a six. That was almost a celebration of his hundred, but just before that he had a close call. With Root on 92, Yadav reversed one into his pad, catching him in front of middle, but the reviews returned the slightest of umpire’s calls to keep it with the on-field call of not-out. When Root reached hundred, off the 154th ball he faced, England were 222 for 3. Moeen had himself reached 54 by then.England were now in the mod to dominate a tiring attack. Fifty-eight runs came in the next 12 overs. The new ball was available now, but India chose to continue with the old reversing ball. A contentious dismissal followed: a return catch in which Yadav seemed to have lost control while throwing the ball up in celebration. Real-time replays suggested he hadn’t controlled, but the slow-motion stayed with the soft signal of out.In the 12.1 overs that led into stumps, Moeen and Ben Stokes, who had scored three ducks in three innings against India before this, put their heads down and made sure they didn’t give India any opening on a day they had dominated.
Renowned football commentator Clive Tyldesley has decided to step down from TalkSport as he doesn’t feel comfortable helping advertise gambling live on air.
Why did Clive Tyldesley leave TalkSport?
The 68-year-old has one of the most recognisable voices in English sport and has talked fans through many big occasions for decades now.
However, it seems you won’t be hearing his superb commentary on one major radio station in the foreseeable future.
As per the Mirror, Tyldesley has opted to leave TalkSport as he doesn’t want to be used as a way of advertising to supporters from bookmakers.
Indeed, the article said: “Whilst not looking to preach to others, [he] felt uncomfortable at being expected to promote gambling companies and odds during live commentaries.”
In a Tweet later on, Tyldesley confirmed the news and further explained his decision, writing: “I’m not going to change anything alone but I just feel more comfortable not doing this now. Thank you to TalkSport for the opportunities and the friendships.”
Does football have a problem with gambling?
There certainly is an argument to potentially examine the current relationship football has with gambling. After all, Ivan Toney will now face a lengthy eight-month ban from football after his guilty plea to breaching betting rules 232 times.
Of course, the player deserves to be punished, but he obviously has a problem and this no doubt isn’t helped by how frequently gambling is promoted within football.
Barry Glendenning summed it up perfectly in his article for The Guardian, writing: “Toney plays for a football club that is owned by a man who made his money out of gambling, while wearing a shirt emblazoned with the logo of a betting firm, on pitches surrounded by advertising hoardings exhorting those who see them to bet on football.
“He made his name in a league sponsored by another gambling firm and his goals are broadcast on TV and radio stations who pocket millions from unscrupulous firms whose raison d’etre, despite their bland assurances to the contrary, is to relieve often vulnerable punters of as much of their income as possible.”
With this being the current state of play in England, it’s an honourable stance from Tyldesley to step away from his duties at TalkSport by way of making a stand. He will also now do some work with Big Step – a charity trying to end all gambling and bookmaker advertising in football.
Perhaps more decisions such as that from others within the sport could help address some of the issues the beautiful game has with betting right now.
Newcastle United are interested in raiding Southampton for their star right-back Kyle Walker-Peters following the south coast club's relegation from the Premier League.
What's the latest on Kyle Walker-Peters to Newcastle?
The Telegraph states that the Magpies are intrigued by the possibility of bolstering their ranks by signing the 26-year-old defender.
A previous report from the publication claims that Newcastle are interested in a full-back this term, and given the Englishman's aptitude across both flanks, he could be the optimal addition.
Valued at around £15m, Walker-Peters could address the defensive dilemma for an affordable fee and provide study cover and an opportunity to cement a regular starting role as Newcastle enter Champions League competition after two decades away.
Should Newcastle sign Kyle Walker-Peters?
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe does not boast a bottomless hoard of cash despite popular belief following the lucrative PIF takeover in 2021, and with several high-profile names being targeted, a shrewder route must be taken to reinforce the remainder of the squad.
Given Walker-Peters' supposed availability and proven top-flight experience, he would likely make a marked impact on the depth and dynamism of the Tyneside squad, who, despite an incredible 2022/23 campaign, will now know the pressure is on to emulate the success and perhaps even sniff out some silverware – all the while enduring the increase in competition that comes with European football.
Kieran Trippier was the recipient of the club's Player of the Season award and he will likely be at the forefront of the team's exploits once again, but at 32 years old, the imperial right-back will not be an ever-lasting presence in this new Toon dynasty – and signing an heir will be firmly in the mind of technical director Dan Ashworth.
kyle-walker-peters-southampton
Having signed for the Saints from Tottenham Hotspur for £12m in 2020 after impressing on loan, Walker-Peters has made 120 appearances, scored three goals and supplied seven assists – dubbed an "outstanding talent" by Danny Higginbotham.
Having also attracted attention from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United this term, the two-cap England international is clearly a top-class talent and was indeed one of the "star" performers in a woeful year for Southampton, as remarked by reporter Alfie House.
As per FBref, the £20k-per-week ace ranks among the top 10% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, the top 8% for successful take-ons and the top 9% for blocks per 90, which illustrates his first-rate driving presence that would only enhance the Magpies' prospects as they seek forward-thinking outlets across the park.
His skill set does differ from pass-master Trippier's, who ranks among the top 1% of full-backs for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for assists, the top 5% for passes attempted and the top 4% for progressive passes per 90, but this level of dynamism in the ranks would only add to the multi-dimensional squad at Howe's disposal.
Considering that Newcastle might make several lucrative additions over the coming months, Walker-Peters would be a brilliant signature to obtain, prudent and brimming with potential, while finally being able to demonstrate the full scale of his abilities in a thriving outfit.
A round-up of the Super Smash games held on December 29, 2016
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Dec-2016In his first match after undergoing surgery on his left eye last month, Ross Taylor struck an unbeaten 82 off 41 balls and added 111 off only 50 balls with Dane Cleaver to set up a 64-run win for Central Districts against Auckland in New Pylmouth.Central Districts were put in to bat and their in-form opener Mahela Jayawardene struck 31 off 19 after losing his partner George Worker in the first over. This took them off to a good start and allowed them to keep a healthy run rate. However, they were reduced to 95 for 4 in the 12th over, thanks to Hong Kong international Mark Chapman (2-36) who removed Will Young (30) and Tom Bruce (12) in consecutive overs. This brought Cleaver and Taylor together and the duo got stuck into Auckland’s bowling. Cleaver scored 47 off 26 balls with two fours and four sixes, while Taylor hit four fours and eight sixes to help Central Districts post 213.In response, Auckland were pegged back by medium-pacer Blair Tickner, who took two of the three wickets they lost within the Powerplay, before returning in the latter half of the innings to complete with figures of 5 for 19 – his best across formats. Only SM Solia (40 off 21) and Jeet Raval (31 off 18) offered any resistance for Auckland as they folded for 149, to lose by the biggest margin so far in this season’s Super Smash.Opener BJ Watling struck an unbeaten 52 to take Northern Districts to their third consecutive Super Smash win, against Canterbury in Mount Maunganui. His 48-ball innings followed a strong Northern Districts bowling performance that saw Canterbury finish with 127 for 6 in their innings.Chasing 128, Watling combined with opening partner Dean Brownlie (36 off 22) to put on a 62 before the latter was dismissed in the eighth over. Although a string of wickets – one each in the 11th, 12th and 13th overs – fell thereafter, Watling anchored Northern Districts’ batting, adding another 42 runs for the fifth wicket with Nick Kelly (23* off 19) to win the game with 13 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.Earlier, pacers Trent Lawford and Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets each, while Ish Sodhi and Jono Boult took a scalp each to restrict Canterbury to 127. Todd Astle remained unbeaten on 37 after coming in when Canterbury were struggling at 73 for 5.
Everton are interested in a move for Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa, according to reports in Italy.
What's the latest on Joaquin Correa to Everton?
According to reports in Italy (via FC Inter News), both the Toffees and West Ham United have made contact with Correa so far this summer, with the forward and the Inter Milan looking to part ways after an unsuccessful spell.
Correa's current valuation is as low as £17m, as per FootballTransfers, which is a significantly lower price than the €30m (£27m) that Inter paid Lazio for the forward back in July of 2022.
The drop in valuation should help the Argentine's exit this summer, who looks set to leave the club just one year after making his deal permanent.
Linked with a move to the Premier League, it will certainly be interesting to keep an eye on just where Correa ends up this summer.
Should Everton avoid Joaquin Correa?
Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa.
With their Premier League status hanging by a thread in the last two seasons, Everton can ill afford yet another transfer flop, particularly in attack.
Last season, the Toffees spent a staggering €78m (£67m) on reinforcements. And the season before that, they spent close to €40 million (£35m) on adding to supposed quality needed to comfortably survive.
Things were anything but comfortable though, as Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche were forced to keep their sides afloat on the final days of their respective seasons in charge, so the issue hasn't exactly been a lack of funding.
The problem therein lies with the recruitment in the transfer market.
In many ways, moving for Correa – a forward who scored just four goals all of last season – would be a classic Everton move of recent times.
In fact, it would almost mirror their £25.1m deal to sign Moise Kean back in 2019.
The Italian arrived with so much promise, before scoring just four goals in 39 appearances and eventually finding his way back to Juventus.
Those in Italy have not been impressed with the Juventus forward, either, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Italian newspapers labelled the 23-year-old 'lazy' and 'the worst' back in September as the Serie A side struggled domestically.
Correa's stats are even more damming, however.
At least Kean showed signs of promise prior to his Goodison Park move. Correa, contrastingly, has never looked like bursting into life for Inter.
Statistically speaking, too, when comparing the Argentina international with the former Everton man during his time in England's top flight, it is Correa who comes out the worse player.
During the 2019/20 campaign, Kean had more goal involvements per 90, whilst also enjoying a better take-on success, as per FBref.
Perhaps a killer blow for Dyche, which should end all plans to sign the Inter flop, is his poor aerial duel success.
Last season, the reported transfer target won just 25% of his duels, something that would not bode well in an often scrappy, yet effective, Dyche setup.
The more that it's looked at, the more it seems as though Everton would be better off avoiding a Kean mistake in signing Correa, who writer Jerry Mancini claimed had been "awful this season" before the new campaign gets underway.
Steven Smith has been ruled out of Australia’s tour of New Zealand due to an ankle injury, with Matthew Wade set to act as stand-in captain
Daniel Brettig27-Jan-20172:20
Without McCullum, NZ lack ‘scary’ power – Maxwell
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will become Australia’s 24th one-day international captain after being appointed to replace the injured Steven Smith in next week’s Chappell-Hadlee matches in New Zealand. Smith has been ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury he suffered in the fifth ODI against Pakistan, and Queensland batsman Sam Heazlett has taken Smith’s place in the squad.Smith’s ankle problem forced a hurried discussion for the national selectors and Cricket Australia board directors over the team’s leadership, because the vice captain David Warner was already being rested from the tour to prepare more fully for the looming Test series in India. Wade, who is in his fourth summer as captain of Victoria, was confirmed as the stand-in ODI captain on Friday evening.Heazlett, 21, is one of the young crop of talented batsmen making their way in domestic cricket. Though he missed Queensland’s Matador Cup campaign this summer due to a thigh strain, Heazlett had impressed during a winter series for the National Performance Squad, during which he scored his maiden List A century against South Africa A. In that series Heazlett made his List A debut; he is yet to play a one-day match for Queensland.Steven Smith will not lead Australia in New Zealand•Cricket Australia”It was decided an hour ago that I’ve been ruled out of the New Zealand series,” Smith told reporters in Adelaide earlier on Friday. “I’ve got a medial ligament injury to my left ankle, they think it’s a 7-10 day injury and I wouldn’t be fit for the first game, I’d be very unlikely for the second game and a possible for the third game. We’ve got a lot coming up so they think it’s an opportunity to rest it and be right for India.”It’s a bit of a shock. I just landed really awkwardly on my foot and I felt something straight away. I was a little bit concerned, I’ve never really injured my ankle like that. I was in a bit of pain last night, I injured it and went off and got it strapped and looked at, and was in a reasonable amount of pain in the field.”Despite the painful nature of the injury, Smith was confident he would be fit to depart for Australia’s training camp in Dubai ahead of the India tour.”I was struggling a bit after the game last night, and it was about seeing how I woke up this morning and I woke up in a reasonable amount of pain again,” he said. “They think it’s just a medial ligament sprain but I’m having an MRI this afternoon to see if there’s any more damage. I’m confident I’ll be fine to train in Dubai after that and for the first Test in India.”The first match of the New Zealand ODI series is in Auckland on January 30.* 08:40 GMT – story updated to reflect the appointment of Wade as stand-in captain and Heazlett’s call-up
Cricket Ireland has appointed Peter Johnston to run its National Academy
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2017Cricket Ireland has appointed Peter Johnston to run its National Academy. Johnston’s promotion from within comes after two previous appointees – Chris Adams and Toby Radford – pulled out at short notice.Johnston was previously Ireland’s assistant coach and performance analyst. He has an ECB Level Four coaching qualification and has worked for Cricket Ireland for over a decade.Scott Irvine has been named as full-time performance analyst, succeeding Johnston. Ben Smith and former Ireland allrounder Andrew White will share assistant coach duties until the post is filled on a permanent basis.”Peter moved over from the men’s team to an acting manager role three months ago and has immersed himself in the Shapoorji Pallonji Academy,” Cricket Ireland’s performance director, Richard Holdsworth, said.”He’s been instrumental in setting up a new senior and emerging player programme with Ryan Eagleson. He is Ireland-based, has great knowledge of our fringe players and young talent coming through, and with 10 years’ experience with the senior team, understands what it takes to become an Irish international cricketer.”He is not only one of a few Level Four coaches in Ireland, but has great knowledge of talent development and the pressures which a player can undergo trying to make it to the top, and with this understanding is well placed to help develop our young players into Test players of the future.”Johnston’s role as National Academy and Performance manager will include coaching the Ireland Wolves – the joint academy and A side.”Working with the academy players, coaches and specialists such as Ed Joyce and Andrew White over the last few months has been very enjoyable and rewarding,” Johnston said. “I’ve been encouraged by the work-rate, drive and ambition of the players and coaching staff, and it is a delight to take on this pivotal role in a full-time capacity.”It is our vision to continually challenge the best emerging players so that they are robust and ready to perform at the highest level. Already this winter we have seen academy players Josh Little and Lorcan Tucker touring with the senior squad.”The opportunity for our next ‘cabs off the rank’ to play for the Ireland Wolves in the summer will no doubt help more players to gain senior honours and graduate from the academy to become full-time professionals with Cricket Ireland.”Former Glamorgan coach Radford took over at the National Academy last year, only to leave after a month in the role. Adams, the former Surrey coach, had been appointed in May but withdrew his acceptance almost immediately due to family reasons.
Brendan Rodgers will soon make the second signing of his return to Celtic as Melbourne City's Marco Tilio prepares for a move to Glasgow, according to Dean Jones.
What's the latest Celtic transfer news?
Having captured their first signing of the summer window, bringing in 20-year-old Odin Thiago Holm from Valerenga, Celtic are working towards a second deal under Rodgers.
Australian forward Tilio is expected to arrive at Parkhead soon enough, and is perhaps a signing influenced by previous manager Ange Postecoglou's knowledge of the A-League.
Having won the domestic treble last season under now Tottenham boss Postecoglou, expectations are high for Rodgers' return to the Scottish Premiership, and the Bhoys will be expected to repeat the levels of success they enjoyed during the 2022/23 campaign.
According to Dean Jones, Tilio could be one of the men to help them do that, arriving in Scotland with an already impressive record.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: "His Melbourne City team at the moment have got an understanding that they're not going to be able to hold on to him that much longer. So I think this would be a good route to go down for him, he's got a wand of a left foot and I think it'd be really exciting for the Celtic fans."
Positive news for Celtic fans, Tilio is not the only man that has been linked with Parkhead. A trio of K-League names have been mooted with Gangwon's Yang Hyun-jun and Gwanju's Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon on the club's radar.
Celtic have been very successful in utilising the Asian transfer market, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Hyeon-gyu Oh all arriving in recent windows. The first on that impressive list even managed to pick up the Player of the Year award in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Who is Marco Tilio?
A 21-year-old attacker born in Sydney, Tilio is already a three-time Australian champion, winning two with Melbourne City and one with his hometown Sydney FC.
A left-footed winger who is comfortable on both flanks, albeit favouring the right, Tilio has scored 15 goals and registered 18 assists in 70 A-League appearances.
The youngster also went to the 2022 World Cup with Australia, replacing the injured Martin Boyle at the tournament, but was an unused substitute in all four of the Socceroos' matches. He has, however, still featured seven times for his nation, three of which were in qualification for the Qatar World Cup.
A-League expert Sacha Pisani described Tilio as a "really exciting player" who made a significant impact at Melbourne City last season, taking his game to a new level.
The Premier League fixtures have been released, and Sheffield United will kick off their return to the top flight with a visit from Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane.
The two will meet for the first time in over two years and the occasion will mark the Blades' return to the Premier League after their promotion from the Championship last season.
To get you ready for the start of the new Premier League season, here is Football FanCast's official preview for the game, answering several key questions below.
When is the match and is it on UK TV?
The match will take place on Saturday, 12 August at 15:00pm BST, but due to the national Saturday 3pm blackout, it won't be televised on UK TV.
Every Premier League Opening Day fixture in full
Who is Sheffield United's key player?
Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye.
As Paul Heckingbottom's side aim to avoid relegation this season, Iliman Ndiaye will undoubtedly play a massive role in their campaign. The 23-year-old attacker was a revelation for United last season, with his 27 goal contributions dwarfing anyone else in the side as they finished second and sealed their return to the Premier League.
With an average WhoScored rating of 7.23, only Oliver Norwood's 7.24 was better, but with the midfielder turning 33 in April, it's likely his impact in the side will only lessen going forward, whereas Ndiaye's should only get stronger.
Who is Crystal Palace's key player?
Crystal Palace'sEberechiEzecelebrates scoring
After Roy Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park towards the tail end of last season, Eberechi Eze came alive and started to display the level of talent that encouraged the Eagles to sign him in the first place.
The former Queens Park Rangers gem was in blistering form to end the campaign, scoring six goals and creating one assist in the 10 games after Hodgson replaced Patrick Viera in the dugout.
Although the former England manager likely won't be in charge of the club come the start of the season, don't expect Eze to drop off.
With the club talisman Wilfried Zaha looking likely to leave Palace this summer, they'll need someone to step up in his absence and the 24-year-old is more than ready to do so and his average WhoScored rating of 7.02, a number higher than everyone else in the squad only solidifies that.
How will Sheffield United line up?
Soccer Football – Championship – Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield United – Loftus Road, London, Britain – January 2, 2023 Sheffield United’s John Egan celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Paul Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account represen
One thing Sheffield United showed last season, is their ability to switch things up tactically and deploy a number of different formations to adapt against any opponent.
The one they used most predominantly, though, was the 3-5-2, so expect them to return to that particular shape as they return to the Premier League.
With legendary striker Billy Sharp leaving the club, and Ndiaye linked with a potential move away, the Blades' lineup could look very different to last year.
The club is reportedly interested in Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, but with AC Milan now also looking at the 20-year-old, it remains to be seen whether he'll join the club.
So, going off what we know here's how United will likely line up in the opening game of the season.
Crystal Palace players James Tomkins and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
With a new manager coming in, and whoever will take the hot seat still up in the air, it's hard to gauge how Palace will line up in the first game of the season.
Any manager wants to implement their own unique style when they arrive, but for argument's sake, let's imagine they'll rely on the formation Hodgson used so effectively towards the end of the season.
Following the 75-year-old's appointment, the Eagles went unbeaten in eight of their final 10 league games, and it was largely using a 4-3-3 formation. Without a new manager in charge, it's also difficult to predict the transfer business the club will make, but with the club recently linked to Arsenal man Folarin Balogun, you can still expect them to be active in the window.
Taking into account Zaha's likely departure, here's our predicted lineup for Palace on the first game of the season.
How did the last five league meetings between the sides go?
The last five league meetings between the two sides have been fairly evenly split, with Palace coming out on top on three occasions, while United were victorious twice.
The two sides haven't drawn a game since 2009, so expect a fiery contest, with both teams giving it their all for maximum points.
May 2021: Sheffield United 0-2 Crystal Palace January 2021: Crystal Palace 2-0 Sheffield United February 2020: Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United August 2019: Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace February 2011: Crystal Palace 1-0 Sheffield United Who is going to win?
Sheffield United looked fantastic under Heckingbottom last season, and with Palace still unsure of who will be in charge of the club when the season kicks off, things may take an interesting turn.
Don't be too surprised with the Blades return to the Premier League with a bang and upset the apple cart a little, similar to their return in 2019.
On that note, United will mark their return to the top flight with a victory against a Palace side still trying to find their footing under whoever their new manager will be.