Chelsea legend Frank Lampard scripted history on Wednesday after guiding Coventry City to a record-breaking start to their Championship campaign. Under Lampard's tutelage this season, the Sky Blues have remained unbeaten in their first 11 matches, a feat that has been achieved for the first time in the club's history. Coventry now lead Middlesbrough by four points at the top of the table.
Coventry City's historic start in the 2025-26 campaign
Coventry kicked off the 2025-26 campaign with a draw against Hull City before going on to register back-to-back wins against Derby County and QPR as they scored a whopping 12 goals in those two matches. They then drew their next three matches, before their latest five-match streak began on September 27 against Birmingham City. On Wednesday, the club beat Portsmouth 2-1, riding on Brandon Thomas-Asante's brace. With seven wins and four draws, the Sky Blues have already secured 25 points from their first 11 league matches, the best start the club has ever experienced.
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Lampard clashed with opposition coach
While the Chelsea legend was thrilled after overseeing yet another victory over Portsmouth, he also lashed out at the opponent manager, John Mousinho for his on-field behaviour. The two coaches were spotted exchanging words and having to be separated in a heated touchline row following full-time.
Lampard later shared his take on the incident after the game, telling reporters, "I haven't seen it again. I didn't think it was one at the time. I think it is a stadium where the crowd can put pressure on the referee and I don't think added pressure on the fourth official was necessary."
Explaining the incident, Mousinho shared his statement as he added: "It looks a clear penalty to me. The ball strikes his arm way outside of the body. I spoke to the referee and he wasn't looking at the incident – he was looking at the box – but I still expect someone from the officiating team to pick it up. I was trying to speak to the fourth official about it but I couldn't do it. But there is no needle with Lampard. I just spoke to him there and my main problem is with the officiating team for not dealing with it differently. It is a disappointing result, but I think it was a fair result overall. We got ourselves back into the game too little, too late."
Lampard praised Coventry's performance
Overall, the former England midfielder was satisfied with the performance of his side as they continued to remain unbeaten in the Championship. Lampard told reporters, "I thought we played well. To come here and look as powerful and dangerous in front of goal, and we could have scored one or two more, was good. People will get excited, and that ramps up when you win games but our job is to stay on it and stay diligent. We are happy with the start to the season with the performances and results, but we know what this league does if you relax."
The manager also heaped praise on the star of the game, Thomas-Asante, as he added: "From day one of pre-season, he has been amazing. He's been fit, hungry and fresh. For us as staff to have someone who moves from left side to right side to number 10 to number nine, gives us everything. Then you add his talent and his confidence at the moment and he deserves a lot of credit. All he needs to do now is stay humble and keep doing it. We need the talent he is showing at the moment to continue."
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Coventry aim to extend their unbeaten streak
Lampard failed to secure a promotion to the Premier League last season, despite guiding the team to a fifth-place finish after taking charge of the club in November last year. However, Sky Blues were eliminated from the play-off after losing against Sunderland in the semi-final. This time, though, the 47-year-old is determined to finish at the top of the table and secure a direct promotion to the top-flight. For now, Coventry's immediate goal is to continue their unbeaten streak and they next face Watford in the Championship on Saturday.
Alexia Putellas is back to her best for Barcelona Femini after getting rid of her injury woes in the past few years. In the final few days of the transfer window, reports from Spain mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain were ready to make a record-breaking offer for the two-time Ballon d'Or winner. The Spaniard, however, stayed put and has now shed light on PSG's interest as well as her future at Barca.
Putellas back to her best
After spending the majority of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Putellas was back to her sizzling best in the 2024-25 season. An incredible individual campaign saw her notch 27 goals and 21 assists for club and country, even though she tasted heartbreak in the Champions League final with Barca and Euro final with Spain. Having won back-to-back Ballons d'Or Feminin in 2021 and 2022, she finished fourth in this year's ranking, with her midfield partner Aitana Bonmati bagging the award for the third-time in a row.
AdvertisementAFPPSG made record-breaking approach for Putellas over the summer
With Putellas' contract expiring in June 2026, PSG Feminines made a late approach for Putellas in September, just days before the deadline for women's transfer window in Europe. Per reports, they were ready to trigger the €1.1 million release clause in Putellas' contract. It would have been only the sixth instance of a transfer in football exceeding the million-euro figure. However, the 31-year-old, after conversations with both PSG and Barca's hierarchy, made it clear that her future lied in Catalunya.
Spain and Barcelona star sheds light on PSG's interest
Speaking in an interview with , Putellas said: "What happened with that offer is that it was publicised in the media, but it wasn't the first one. The process was short and easy. When it arrived, as with the other offers, I spoke to the club: ‘What's going on? What do you want? Are you counting on me or not?’ And that was the end of the discussion: the present is the shirt I wear."
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Getty Images SportWill Putellas stay at Barca beyond 2026?
Although her contract expires at the end of this season, there's an option to renew for another year. However, Putellas neither confirmed nor declined whether her long-term future lies at Barca.
"My relationship with the club has always been one of trust and naturalness," she said. "Everyone knows what it means to me to play here: it's not a typical 'work for pay' relationship. It goes much further than that. I've spent almost half my life at Barca, I've played 95% of my career here. This will continue as long as, on the one hand, I continue to feel that motivation, energy and daily demand to perform at my best and meet my goals, and, on the other hand, the club feels the same way."
Tom Bailey’s superb opening salvo had home side struggling at 7 for 3
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Apr-2025
Max Holden carves the ball away•Getty Images
Middlesex 260 and 288 for 6 (Holden 135*, Geddes 74, Bailey 3-47) lead Lancashire 359 (Harris 138, Jennings 55, Jones 40) by 186 runsMax Holden’s sixth first-class hundred led a Middlesex fightback on day three at Lord’s to set up the prospect of an exciting finish against Division Two title favourites Lancashire.The Cambridge-born left-hander followed up his half-century of the first innings with an unbeaten 135 to rescue his side from the havoc of 7 for 3 in the wake of Tom Bailey’s superb three-wicket opening salvo.Holden shared stands of 106 with Ryan Higgins (43) and 163 with debutante Ben Geddes (74) as the hosts reached 288 for 6 at stumps.Bailey couldn’t add to his pre-lunch heroics, but late wickets with the second new ball gave the visitors the edge once more ahead of day four.All this unfolded after Lancashire added just six to their overnight first-innings score to be bowled out for 359, Saturday’s centurion Marcus Harris last to go for 138, Zafar Gohar finishing with 4 for 79.It was only two seasons ago Middlesex found themselves 4 for 4 in the first game of the season with the top four all dismissed without scoring and while this wasn’t quite as calamitous, Bailey’s new-ball spell still caused much scrambling on of pads in the home dressing-room.Nathan Fernandes looked nervous from the get-go and Bailey soon lured him into fencing at one he should have left alone, allowing wicketkeeper Matty Hurst to gobble up the chance.If Fernandes was culpable, then Sam Robson was undone by a super piece of bowling, Bailey squaring up the former England opener and rapping him on the pad. Any hope it would be considered too high was quickly dashed as umpire Surendiran Shanmugan sent him on his way.Two balls later, 7 for 2 became 7 for 3 as Leus du Ploy slashed wildly at a ball around fifth stump giving Hurst his second catch in a matter of minutes. Bailey had taken 3 for 2 in 15 balls, leaving the hosts staring at the prospect of defeat inside three days.Calm heads were required and for the second time in the match it was former England Lions batter Holden who was first to raise his hand, employing a mix of studious defence with drives caressed through the covers and savage square cuts.Six such boundaries carried him past 50 and there would be seven more on the way to three figures, reached in style with an on-drive back past the stumps to the pavilion rope.Fightbacks of course need co-conspirators and not for the first time, Ryan Higgins was first to come to the left-hander’s assistance. A classy pull shot in front of square got the allrounder moving and he then dispatched Luke Wells deliveries to the fence twice in the same over.Bailey returned immediately after lunch as a game of patience unfolded, the two batters resisting his second surge and a miserly spell from Will Williams to raise the 100 partnership.It required a jaffer from George Balderson to castle Higgins with the hosts 14 in front, but Geddes, a young player hailed this week by Richard Johnson as a player with a ‘high ceiling’, came in to take the baton and after a shaky start he too blossomed, an off-drive through midwicket the pick of his early boundaries.By tea the lead had swollen to 72 and the pair showed greater intent after the resumption to move the stand to 100 and beyond.Geddes reached his half-century with five fours, before falling to the second new ball, though replays suggested he hadn’t made contact with the delivery which found its way to Hurst’s gloves.Nightwatcher Blake Cullen also perished before stumps, but Holden remains to try and steer Middlesex to a defendable total on day four.
Taskin Ahmed misses out due to a left Achilles tendon issue, while Litton Das has been granted NOC to play in the PSL
Mohammad Isam08-Apr-2025
Tanzim Hasan Sakib is yet to make his Test debut•BCB
Fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has earned a maiden Test call-up while Taskin Ahmed’s injury has forced him out of the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet from April 20. Taskin is rehabilitating for a left Achilles tendon issue, with Tanzim getting in as a like-for-like replacement.The BCB has also given a break to Litton Das to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He is part of Karachi Kings in the league which begins on April 11.Taskin and Litton were part of the two-Test series against West Indies, which was Bangladesh’s last Test assignment in late November 2024. Those returning to the side include regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Tests against West Indies due to injuries.Offspinner Nayeem Hasan is also in the 15-member squad, apart from fast bowlers Khaled Ahmed and Tanzim. There was, however, no place for Shahadat Hossain and Shoriful Islam, who featured in the West Indies Tests, as well as Hasan Murad.”We have formed the Test team with our best possible players,” chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said. “We are returning to Tests after four months. We have Tests against Sri Lanka in June and we haven’t really done that well in home Tests in the last 12 months. This is why we are refraining from experimenting in this Test series.”Taskin Ahmed is currently rehabilitating for a left Achilles tendon issue•Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladesh are also monitoring Ebadot Hossain’s progress, who has returned to competitive cricket this season after a long injury layoff.”Tanzim has shown promise in the white-ball sides,” Ashraf said. “He has shown hunger and ability to take wickets. He has earned his place in the side. We are still observing Ebadot Hossain. We have a lot of cricket coming up, so those who are missing out from the first Test, have no reason to worry.”The Bangladesh side will undertake a ten-day training camp in Sylhet ahead of the first Test. Zimbabwe are slated to arrive in the country on April 15.Bangladesh’s squad for first Test against ZimbabweNajmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan
Duckett and Stoinis also put in a show in chase of Renegades’ 168
Tristan Lavalette04-Jan-2025
Ben Duckett and Marcus Stoinis put on an 83-run stand•Getty Images
Melbourne Stars 171 for 5 (Duckett 67, Stoinis 48, Sandhu 3-29) beat Melbourne Renegades 168 for 7 (Bethell 49, Wells 45, Paris 2-23) by five wicketsHilton Cartwright stepped up with belligerent hitting in a tense final over after Ben Duckett and Marcus Stoinis had chased superbly on a tricky MCG surface as Stars claimed the bragging rights over Renegades in a gripping Melbourne derby.Chasing 169, Stars were in trouble at 41 for 3 before Duckett and Stoinis combined for an 83-run partnership. They appeared to be cruising needing 57 runs off 42 but lost Duckett and Stoinis quickly as Stars’ nerves set in.It came down to the final over with Stars needing ten runs and well positioned with Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell at the crease. But quick Tom Rogers executed two superb yorkers to start the over and suddenly Stars required eight off the final four balls.But Cartwright launched a massive six into the second tier over long on before swatting another boundary on the next delivery to ensure Stars kept their finals hopes alive with a second straight victory.Stars moved to a 17-10 overall record against a slumping Renegades (2-4) in the first match played on the ground since the Boxing Day Test.Duckett, Stoinis combine before Cartwright’s heroicsDuckett has been feast or famine during this BBL season. Two half-centuries were countered by two ducks and it was a relief when he got off the mark. The pressure was on Duckett who had been involved in a horrible mix-up that saw Sam Harper run-out following the early wicket of Thomas Rogers.He started to get on a roll towards the end of the powerplay as he pounced on short-pitched bowling and also executed the ramp shot several times to perfection.Duckett found a willing partner in Stoinis, who attacked legspinner Adam Zampa in the middle overs with several muscular blows that rattled the boundaries.They appeared to be doing it easily until the late twist. But Cartwright and Maxwell combined for four sixes to ice a hard earned victory.Snicko controversyOnce again this summer, snicko was in the eye of a storm after Dan Lawrence was adjudged caught behind down the legside. After Renegades reviewed the not out decision, it seemed inconclusive on Snicko whether the ball brushed the bat or thigh pad.After several replays, third umpire Simon Lightbody overturned the decision which left Lawrence fuming as snicko was once again under the microscope.Joel Paris finished with figures of 4-0-23-2•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Paris extracts sharp bouncePlaying just his second BBL game of the season, left-arm quick Joel Paris was the standout with the ball for Stars and proved an inspired selection.He is deadly bowling with the red-ball, underlined by a staggering first-class bowling average of 19.47, but has proven less effective on the flatter surfaces used in T20 cricket.But Paris relished bowling on a pitch providing assistance for the quicks and he used his towering height to devastating effect with several of his deliveries lifting off a length.He was initially left frustrated after opener Josh Brown was dropped at mid-off by Peter Siddle, whose right hand received a stinging blow. He was promptly moved from the position and replaced by Maxwell, who on the next delivery clung onto a blow from Brown.Paris should have claimed Jacob Bethell on 2 only for Mark Steketee to drop a straightforward chance at short midwicket. He returned in the 16th over to finally dismiss Bethell with a back of a length delivery and finished with 2 for 23 from 4 overs.Fraser-McGurk’s woes continue, Bethell and Wells revive ‘GadesJake Fraser-McGurk has been in an extended form drought and his run of low scores continued after a sluggish 12 off 14 balls.With three single-digit scores in his last four matches, Fraser-McGurk entered under pressure but he wasn’t going to crawl into his shell. He was determined to back his fearless approach and charged Steketee in the powerplay.But he was totally unconvincing as Fraser-McGurk either couldn’t connect or picked out fielders when he did lay bat on ball. Fraser-McGurk made just 6 off 12 balls and something had to give. He finally found his timing and whacked Steketee down the ground for a huge six over the sightscreen.But it proved a tease with Fraser-McGurk nicking off on the next delivery as Renegades struggled in the first half of the innings. But they recovered through a 71-run stand between Bethell and Jonathan Wells in the highest partnership for Renegades this season.Bethell provided the power, while BBL veteran Wells kept calm and nudged the ball around to good effect on the ground’s vast expanses.They both fell short of deserved half-centuries before Laurie Evans stepped up at the death with an unbeaten 24 off 11 balls to lift the ‘Gades to a total that had appeared beyond them.
Arne Slot has spoken to the media ahead of Liverpool’s curtain-raising Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, and he has confirmed that he cannot rule out further summer signings.
The Anfield side won the Premier League at a canter last season, but who can claim that they have since rested on their laurels? Liverpool are intent on defending their throne and widening the scope of the Slot era, with further prizes certainly eyed.
Alexander Isak’s name has stolen the headlines for some time now, and understandably so. But there’s little question that the prow of the ship isn’t the only area in need of investment before the end of the transfer window.
Namely, Liverpool need a central defender, having shown their hand on that front way back in May, when they pushed to sign Bournemouth prodigy Dean Huijsen before the 20-year-old joined Real Madrid once his £50m release clause was activated.
Why Liverpool want a centre-back
Last month, Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m. The English talent is highly regarded, but it didn’t quite work out under Slot’s wing last season, and cashing in (with a buyback clause inserted) was probably a prudent move.
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah
Having said that, Joe Gomez has since sustained a minor Achilles injury; the blow won’t sideline the 28-year-old for an extended period, but it does highlight the fragility of Virgil van Dijk’s defensive line.
Van Dijk extended his Liverpool contract by two years before the end of last season, but the captain has now turned 34, and the inevitability of an athletic decline will begin to take a seat in Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes’ mind.
Liverpool's VirgilvanDijkapplauds fans before the match
Then there’s Ibrahima Konate, who marks a pressure point himself. The France defender is into the final year of his £70k-per-week contract at Anfield, and with Real Madrid lurking, there is a growing sense of dread that he will follow Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps and join the European nemeses on a Bosman.
In any case, Liverpool need to sign a centre-back this month.
Liverpool lining up new defender
According to Football Insider, Liverpool have learned that a bid in the region of £40m should be enough to convince Crystal Palace to sell Marc Guehi this summer.
Crystal Palace'sMarcGuehilooks dejected after Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes scores their third goal
Liverpool believe Guehi would be a fantastic addition to a backline looking rather thin, but since the 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract, Hughes is unwilling to pay over the odds.
However, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur both interested too, the Reds might want to bite the bullet and lodge a first formal offer, lest Guehi end up elsewhere.
Why Liverpool want Marc Guehi
Guehi has been a pillar of strength and solidity for Crystal Palace over the past four years, joining the club from Chelsea for an £18m fee after graduating from their famed academy, though failing to get his foot through the first-team door.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts
He’s a “monster in defence”, as has been noted by Eagles reporter Bobby Manzi, but Guehi is also a fiercely underrated technician, with the passing game to make a real difference for Liverpool over the coming years.
As per FBref, he ranked among the top 9% of centre-halves across Europe’s top five leagues last term for goal contributions, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for through balls, and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.
His completeness even suggests that he would be the perfect partner for Van Dijk over the next few years, bringing energy and mobility to the backline, and a forward-thinking approach besides.
Matches (starts)
34 (34)
37 (37)
31 (30)
Goals
3
3
1
Assists
2
1
2
Clean sheets
11
14
11
Touches*
64.9
90.4
71.6
Pass completion
84%
92%
90%
Key passes*
0.5
0.3
0.3
Ball recoveries*
4.3
3.1
3.2
Dribbles*
0.4
0.1
0.1
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
2.5
1.7
Clearances*
4.6
5.1
4.0
Duels (won)*
4.9 (59%)
4.7 (69%)
4.4 (66%)
Errors made
2
4
3
As you can see from the table, Guehi hardly looks out of place when his data is ranked alongside Van Dijk and Konate’s efforts last season, and that’s having starred for Crystal Palace, instead of title-winning Liverpool.
Curiously, the Three Lions star made fewer mistakes than both of his world-class positional peers, something that Slot and Liverpool’s data analysts have no doubt picked up.
It’s hardly surprising that journalist and scout Ben Mattinson had hailed Guehi as “England’s best player” following their EURO 2024 campaign, so commanding in defence and cultured on the ball.
England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal withMarcGuehi
Though Van Dijk is more precise in the duel (Konate is too), Guehi has the kind of multi-faceted defensive skill set that is so important for top-challenging teams in the modern age.
He captained Oliver Glasner’s side toward the FA Cup title last season, beating Manchester City in the final at Wembley, did he not?
By adding this profile to the mix, Slot would rest assured that Van Dijk has the perfect partner to continue plying his craft so superlatively, leading the team and organising, timing crunching challenges and steely headers when the situation demands it.
In an ideal world, Konate renews his contract and Liverpool attack the upcoming campaign with three of the Premier League’s finest centre-backs in their ranks.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The club’s Netherlands superstar remains the cream of the crop, but he’s not a spring chicken anymore, and bringing in another athletic and dynamic profile could prove the perfect recipe for Slot to achieve his lofty ambitions.
He's like Gerrard: Liverpool preparing formal offer for £120k-p/w "wizard"
Liverpool are looking to close several more transfer deals this summer.
This week, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe finally signed a new right-sided forward after several transfer windows of fruitless efforts.
Anthony Elanga’s much-covered £55m switch from Nottingham Forest to Tyneside has provided Newcastle with genuine quality and athleticism to challenge in the Premier League and abroad, Champions League-bound as they are.
But there are still gaps in the Magpies squad which demand attention. Namely, Howe has been searching for a striker to challenge and complement Alexander Isak.
A range of names have been mooted, but there’s one man above all else who would send shockwaves through English football and beyond, should he wind up on Tyneside this summer.
The latest on Newcastle's search for a striker
Newcastle have been knocked back once or twice this summer, but then Howe has instilled a winning mentality and a togetherness at St. James’ Park, which allows the club to bounce back from adversity.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro was the top target to add some depth and dynamism up front, but he’s signed for Chelsea in a deal worth £60m.
The likes of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, valued at £50m, have since been touted as an alternative, but Newcastle appear to have their eyes on a bigger prize.
And now, the Telegraph have corroborated news from Fabrizio Romano that Newcastle are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, in spite of the French forward’s £86m release clause.
Newcastle are looking to beat Liverpool to Ekitike’s signature, with the 23-year-old having previously been on the radar in 2022, when a £33m deal was agreed with Reims before Paris Saint-Germain hijacked the transfer.
The Telegraph reveal that Newcastle have already held talks with the player’s reps, making them aware of their desire to sign him and now hope they can agree a fee with the Bundesliga club.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Newcastle want Hugo Ekitike
You might think that Newcastle’s interest in Ekitike speaks of the looming sale of Isak, but this isn’t the case. United need another high-level goalscorer, and this would be a significant statement of intent.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike, while young, proved his worth in Germany last season, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across all competitions. His complete attacking performances and high-speed running even led journalist Graeme Bailey to describe him as “the next Mbappe”, a comparison unlikely to be lost on this ambitious Toon side.
He has the physicality and sharpness to succeed in the Premier League, no doubt, especially when considering he would be playing with wide men like Anthony Gordon and new recruit Elanga.
Matches (starts)
33 (31)
Goals
15
Assists
7
Shots (on target)*
3.5 (1.5)
Big chances missed
16
Pass completion
76%
Big chances created
12
Key passes*
1.3
Dribbles*
1.6
Duels won*
4.2
Across his two campaigns with Forest, Elanga, 23, has racked up 20 assists in the Premier League, very much the “electric” presence, as he has been described by Statman Dave, needed to add a new dimension to Howe’s project.
Elanga’s pace and focus on creativity could play to Ekitike’s strengths. The Frankfurt star might be multi-faceted, with eye-catching link-up and athletic qualities, but at his core he’s a goalscorer, having ranked among the top 7% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for shots taken (3.74) per 90, as per FBref.
And, in turn, Ekitike’s natural bent for playmaking and team fluency will allow Elanga to approach his craft with more versatility, using overlapping runs to find space to shoot on goal himself, for example.
Ultimately, Ekitike’s will be a signing that proves incredibly difficult to pull off, but if Newcastle manage to beat off the competition and bring him over, there’s every chance that he, Elanga and the rest will lead the club toward new-found heights, beyond even the elation of the 2024/25 campaign.
A new Tonali: Newcastle likely to see £34m bid accepted for "monster" CM
Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign a former Premier League star this summer
Nottinghamshire have thrashed Kent by ten wickets in the Vitality County Championship at Canterbury, condemning the hosts to relegation and boosting their own survival hopes into the bargain.Jacob Duffy took 4 for 60 and Robert Lord 3 for 42 as Kent were dismissed for 230 in their second innings.Joey Evison scored 42 to make Nottinghamshire bat again, but the target was a mere 23 and the visitors needed just 3.3 overs to chase it down, Ben Slater finishing on 22 not out with Haseeb Hameed unbeaten on 6.The result ends Kent’s wafer-thin chances of staying in the top flight, while Notts will stay up provided they avoid defeat in the final round of fixtures next week.Kent began day three on 85 for 0, still 123 behind, but even their most pessimistic of fans, a title for which there is some fairly stiff competition this season, would have struggled to imagine a start as grim as this one.Batting conditions were arguably the best they’d been, but they lost Tawanda Muyeye for 60 to the sixth ball of the morning, when he hit Duffy almost vertically and was caught by Dane Schadendorf.Fellow opener Ben Compton was lbw to Lyndon James for 32 and Jack Leaning then swished at a short-pitched ball from Duffy and was caught behind for a third-ball duck.Lord replaced James at the Nackington Road end and had Joe Denly caught by Freddie McCann in the slips for 8 with his third delivery before Duffy sent Daniel Bell-Drummond’s off stump flying for 21. In the next over, the 31st, Lord got Harry Finch for a second-ball duck, the victim of a superb one-handed grab by Schadendorf.Matt Parkinson made 9 before Farhan Ahmed had him caught by McCann at leg slip but when Akeem Jordan then hit a boundary, a lone voice on the Old Dover Road sang: “We will make you bat again,” to the tune of “Bread of Heaven.” His faith, at least, was rewarded.Having begun the day with an over rate of minus four, Notts bowled spin from both ends to get themselves back level before lunch, at which point Kent had eroded the deficit to just 12.Jordan creamed Duffy for six to bring up the 50 partnership and Evison swept Ahmed to bring the scores level, but Ahmed got Jordan lbw with the next ball for 32 and Duffy bowled Nathan Gilchrist for a third-ball duck.A sterile passage of play followed as the fielders stayed on the boundary when Evison had the strike, but as soon as Lord returned from the Pavilion end he had him caught at point.The only question remaining was how long it would take Notts to tick off the runs and Slater did it some style, pulling Jordan for six.Notts take 23 points and Kent three.
يستعد منتخب ألمانيا، بقيادة المدرب يوليان ناجيلسمان، لخوض مباراة في إطار تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم نسخة 2026، مساء الأحد ضد نظيره أيرلندا الشمالية.
ويستضيف ملعب “راين إنرجي” مباراة ألمانيا وأيرلندا الشمالية، في خضم تصفيات القارة العجوز المؤهلة إلى المونديال، الجولة الثانية من المجموعة الأولى.
وتعرض منتخب ألمانيا لصدمة كبرى بعدما بدأ التصفيات بخسارة مفاجئة أمام سلوفاكيا بهدفين دون رد، في حين أن أيرلندا الشمالية فازت على لوكسمبورج بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف. موعد مباراة ألمانيا وأيرلندا الشمالية اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 9:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ألمانيا وأيرلندا الشمالية اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 2. معلق مباراة ألمانيا وأيرلندا الشمالية اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
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Celtic players are slowly starting to filter back in for pre-season, and they could be joined by yet another new addition sooner rather than later, according to reports.
Celtic's transfer state of play with pre-season already underway
Several Celtic stars were spotted being put through their paces at Lennoxtown earlier this week, and it is anticipated that the bulk of the main group will join before long, but who could accompany them from elsewhere over the coming weeks?
Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan and Benjamin Nygren have already been announced. Fulham youngster Callum Osmand is set to follow the trio to Celtic and has already been spotted at their training base before being officially confirmed as a new asset.
With Greg Taylor out of contract and set to depart, Djurgarden left-back Keita Kosugi is the latest name on the Bhoys’ radar as they plot a replacement for the Scotland international.
Despite some swift moves to bolster their pool of talent, Chris Sutton believes Celtic should be doing more in the transfer market with the Champions League qualifiers around the corner.
He explained: “Unless Celtic are going to start paying silly money, I’d imagine they may have to wait, perhaps even until the end of the window, for some of the key targets.
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“But it still feels a little lacking to me at this precise point of proceedings and, at the very least, Rodgers will surely want the majority in his squad for the start of the domestic season.”
Managers will never be content with that they’ve got, there will always be an appetite for as many useful options as possible to offer cover across the pitch.
Either way, Sutton’s wish could now have been granted as Celtic are now on the brink of bringing in a talented central defender.
Celtic set to land Hayato Inamura with medical scheduled
According to Sponichi, Celtic are set to land defender Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata, and he will travel to Europe to undergo a medical before signing on the dotted line at Parkhead.
The 23-year-old took on his final fixture in current club colours against Machida Zelvia this weekend, and is set to become the ninth Japanese player to join the Hoops once his move is ratified.
Hayato Inamura’s record at Albirex Niigata
Appearances
35
Goals
1
Assists
2
Predominantly a central defender, Inamura is also capable of featuring at left-back and has two years left on his current deal at the Denka Big Swan Stadium. He is considered an impressive talent back home, evidenced by the fact he shares an agent with two of Japan’s top stars in Europe – £20m Arsenal man Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mainz star Kaishū Sano.
Enjoying a productive J League campaign, the Tokyo-born man has won 63 duels and 75% of his tackles and would likely arrive in Glasgow for a nominal fee, although the specifics on that front haven’t yet been confirmed.
Either way, Celtic appear primed to venture back into a market that has been a happy hunting ground in recent years, so there is every chance Inamura will become a shrewd addition with plenty of potential to develop.