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After winning the Premier League during the debut year under Arne Slot, very few Liverpool fans would have predicted the huge drop in form during the 2025/26 campaign.

The hierarchy handed the Dutchman around £440m worth of funds to help improve his first-team squad, but it’s safe to say none of the additions have yet to improve the situation.

His side have suffered a defeat in nine of the last 13 games across all competitions, which has resulted in their attempts to retain their league title all but coming to an end in November.

Ahead of tonight’s clash against Sunderland at Anfield, Slot’s men remain nine points off the summit, with a faultless run of form needed between now and the end of May to try and bridge the gap.

Such a feat could be achieved should the club make further additions during the January window, with numerous players already being linked with a move to Merseyside.

Liverpool’s hunt for new additions in the January window

With the window now rapidly approaching, Liverpool have been named as just one of the sides interested in a move to land Bournemouth sensation Antoine Semenyo next month.

It’s been reported that talks have already been held with the Cherries over a potential deal in the winter, leading to a £65m price being mooted for his signature.

However, they’re not alone in the hunt for his services, as fellow English side Tottenham Hotspur have also entered the mix and are seemingly in the lead in the race to land the 25-year-old.

Semenyo isn’t the only option currently being considered by the hierarchy at present, with Atalanta midfielder Ederson also firmly on their radar ahead of January.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Reds are battling Barcelona for his signature, with his current employers now demanding a fee in the region of £35m in the winter window.

They also state that Hansi Flick’s side are now trailing in the race to land the 26-year-old, as Slot’s men remain in pole position to complete a potential transfer.

Why Liverpool’s latest target would be Fabinho 2.0

Back in the summer of 2018, Liverpool completed the £39m transfer of midfielder Fabinho from French side Monaco, with very few supporters knowing much about his quality.

However, during his five-year stay at Anfield, it’s safe to say he made himself a fan-favourite with the supporters, whether that be on or off the pitch on Merseyside.

He racked up a total of 219 senior appearances for the Reds, helping them win a Premier League and Champions League title under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp.

Fabinho was mainly responsible for breaking up the play in his deep-lying position, but he also managed to find the back of the net in tremendous fashion – as seen with his thunderbolt against Manchester City.

However, he did leave the club back in the summer of 2023, leaving to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad for a reported £40m – subsequently making a profit on his services.

Despite the financial benefits, the side have massively lacked the Brazilian’s talents at the heart of the side, but that could be about to change with a move for Ederson.

His compatriot does possess serious quality, with the 26-year-old able to fill the void if he carries his performance levels from Serie A to the Premier League.

Ederson, who’s been labelled “out of this world” by former England boss Fabio Capello, has completed 1.4 progressive carries and 7.5 progressive passes per 90 to date.

Such numbers highlight his tremendous ball-playing ability from a deep-lying role, something which Fabinho became known for during his own spell at Anfield.

Ederson – stats for Atalanta in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

8

Minutes played

588

Progressive carries

1.4

Progressive passes

7.5

Pass accuracy

90%

Passes into final third

6.6

% of tackles won

53%

Interceptions made

1.6

Take-on success

50%

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed 90% of the passes he attempted, with 6.6 of his passes per 90 being into the final third – further showcasing his excellent ability in possession.

However, ball-winning is a needed component to any deep-lying midfielder, with Ederson able to match such expectations – as seen by his tally of 53% tackles won in 2025/26. Judging by that, it’s hardly a surprise he was labelled as a midfield “machine” by Italian pundit Carlo Garganese.

The 26-year-old has already made 1.6 interceptions per 90 in Italy, with the Atalanta star having all the qualities to match Fabinho’s levels should he move to Anfield.

£35m in today’s market would be an excellent piece of business for Slot’s side, especially given the levels produced by Ederson during the last couple of months in Italy.

However, he’s showcased he can be the next Brazilian star to capture the hearts of the Liverpool faithful and potentially lead them back to title glory in the process.

Related Liverpool now in advanced talks to sign "outstanding" attacker who's quicker than Salah

He’s a man in demand.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Dec 3, 2025

For the first time in nearly two years, Dustin May took the mound on Tuesday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

And May, who struck out the side to begin a start that saw him fan six in five shutout innings, felt a whole host of emotions as he toed the rubber for the first time since a life-threatening incident in July of 2024.

Speaking to reporters after the game, May first joked that he was "pissed" to start the game after the Dodgers played the wrong walkout music. But a more serious May then admitted that "a lot of emotions" were released after he struck out the first batter he faced, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II.

"There was definitely a lot of emotions that got let out after the first hitter in the first inning," May said. "Definitely—like I said after my first outing in spring training—it was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

"It was just super, super great to be back out there."

May, in his second MLB season during the Dodgers' World Series win in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, emerged as a standout young pitcher in the club's rotation. But a torn ligament in his pitching elbow cut short a promising '21 season, and held him to just six starts the following year in '22. After a strong beginning to the '23 campaign, May's right elbow continued to cause him pain, and the Dodgers hurler in July '23 underwent season-ending surgery on his flexor tendon.

In July of last year, as May was continuing his rehab from the surgery, he went out to dinner with his wife. After taking a bite of the salad he had ordered, a piece of lettuce became stuck in his throat. He attempted to drink some water to clear the piece of salad but that was unsuccessful. The lettuce had become lodged in his throat in an unusual—and life-threatening—way. After heading to the emergency room, he received a CAT scan and later that night underwent emergency surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

May said in February that he "wouldn't have made it through the night" had he not had the procedure.

Now, he is back on the mound and couldn't be more grateful.

"Yeah, I mean, even if it would have went bad, I still would have been having a good time just being back on a big league mound," May said. "It literally meant the world to me just to be back out on the mound. About eight months ago, I didn't know if I would be."

Lionel Messi is being backed to emulate the achievements of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo by also reaching 1,000 career goals. Portuguese superstar CR7 is closing in on that figure while plying his club trade for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Argentine GOAT Messi is also being tipped to hit that notable milestone after signing a contract extension in MLS with Inter Miami.

Ronaldo closing in on four figures: Still going strong at 40

That is the opinion of former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder, who left Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 as Ronaldo became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu. He went on to hit 450 goals for Los Blancos, becoming their all-time leading scorer.

Having also represented Sporting, Manchester United and Juventus – while finding the target on 143 occasions for Portugal – Ronaldo has passed 950 total goals. He has made it clear, at 40 years of age, that he will not be retiring until four figures have been reached.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWill Messi & Ronaldo both reach 1,000 career goals?

There is no sign of Messi slowing down either, with another MVP-worthy season being enjoyed in the United States. He won MLS Golden Boot honours in 2025 and has helped to fire Inter Miami into a Conference semi-final in the MLS play-offs. He has 42 goals to his name this season and over 900 for club and country in a record-shattering career.

Messi will be staying in South Florida until at least 2028, meaning that he too could make 1,000. Sneijder expects the South American to join Ronaldo in that exclusive club. The Dutchman has told : “I think that's the next goal for both of them, 100%. Cristiano won’t stop before reaching the thousand goals. Messi has signed another two year deal. He will definitely reach one thousand goals as well.

“It's nice that we are still talking about this rivalry with one in MLS and the other in Saudi. They are two big stars and now they’re chasing a different goal of reaching 1,000 goals. Amazing. Maybe we see about counting their assists to find out who can get to 2,000 first.”

GOAT debate: Sneijder tired of 'stupid argument'

The Messi versus Ronaldo GOAT debate continues to rage, with that discussion dividing opinion among many, but Sneijder is reluctant to nail his colours to any individual mast. He said of two iconic figures with 13 Ballons d’Or between them: “For me it’s always been a stupid argument because they are two completely different players.

“Who is better, Johan Cruyff or Pele? Pele or Maradona? We shouldn't compare them. They are both amazing. You know what I always do? Since I’ve retired, I’ve been asked this question maybe 200 times so 100 times I vote for Messi and 100 times I vote for Ronaldo.”

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Getty/GOALArgentina vs Portugal: Can either win the 2026 World Cup?

Messi and Ronaldo may have one more on-field battle left in them, with both expected to grace next summer’s World Cup finals. Argentina head into that competition as defending champions, but Portugal have their sights set on a global crown that would allow their talismanic captain to complete his medal collection.

Sneijder said when asked who will be celebrating at the end of a major international tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico: “It is so hard to say! Portugal have a very strong team. For me they are one of the favourites so then I would say Cristiano Ronaldo has the stronger chance of winning the next World Cup compared to Lionel Messi.

“It was a great World Cup for Argentina in Qatar but they were a bit lucky as well. I think overall Portugal are a better team.”

Title holders Argentina have already secured their place at FIFA’s flagship event, with Messi expected to form part of their squad despite questions being asked of whether he is ready to slip into international retirement.

Portugal are on the brink of booking their qualification, heading into clashes with the Republic of Ireland and Armenia, with Ronaldo claiming that he does not need a World Cup triumph in order to cement his legacy.

India were 0 for 2 after England piled on 669, but KL Rahul and Shubman Gill batted out two sessions to give India hope of survival

Alagappan Muthu26-Jul-2025

Ben Stokes made 141 to take England to 669•PA Images via Getty Images

Stumps Music echoed around Old Trafford this morning. The trumpeter had chosen well. The things Ben Stokes was doing out there was beyond the realms of normal men. So they picked up their instrument, put it against their lips, and belted out the Superman theme. Paaaa-pa-pa-pa-paaaaaa…England ended day four with 137 runs and two Indian wickets in the bank and it’s largely because of their captain’s exertions. A century and a five-for in the same Test match. Leading his team to their fifth-highest total in the format ever. Gatecrashing a club of only two. The big two. The ultimate two. Before Saturday, only Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis could puff their chests out and say they had 7000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. Now they have to scooch over. Cricket’s rosy old past and its complicated present have clashed a lot over the past 48 hours thanks to Joe Root and his successor.Related

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A lead of 311 looked match-winning-well-ahead-of-time, particularly with Chris Woakes daring to be on a hat-trick in the very first over he bowled. India had spent 943 deliveries on the field. The fatigue that sets in as a result undid two of their top order in five. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul came together with the score 0 for 2 and strung up back-to-back wicketless sessions (which suggests the pitch has flattened out) to make sure their team could push the fight to the final day, when there’s rain expected in the morning. The forecast says it will clear up by the afternoon.So England remain in command, although there might be worry about how Stokes did not bring himself on to bowl any of the 63 overs in the day. He’d done a fair bit of leg work earlier, meeting even the slightest sign of the balance shifting with extreme prejudice. Mohammed Siraj thought India had run Stokes out in the first over of the day. Stokes punished his optimism by charging at him the next over. The four runs were incidental. The disdain was the point. Stokes spent a few nervy moments in the 90s, but as soon as he got one on his hips, he was able to deflect it off to the boundary behind him – which was the cue for the trumpeter in the crowd to make their mark on this game – and celebrate it with a look up to the heavens and a sign of tribute to his father, Ged.England’s ninth-wicket stand racked up 95 runs in 97 balls with Brydon Carse almost scoring back-to-back fifties. Their highest total at Old Trafford fell. Then highest total at Old Trafford fell. Eventually England finished with 669, their fifth-highest in Tests and their best since, oh, scoring 823 against Pakistan in October 2024. Stokes made the last 41 of his 141 runs in 34 balls including all three of his sixes. He hit one of them so hard – the deterrent at long-off be damned – his follow through had him spinning around and almost facing the wrong way on the pitch. He seemed emotional getting to his first hundred in 35 innings, and vengeful after it.Chris Woakes struck twice in the first over of the third innings•AFP via Getty ImagesIndia had 15 minutes to see off before lunch. England clearly wanted to make the most of them. Woakes went around the wicket straight away and that decision yielded great results. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t leave the ball alone. Not with the angle coming into him. He played for it, closing the face, and a peach of a delivery, nipping away off the seam, took the edge through to Root at first slip. He fumbled the first time but not the second. In walked B Sai Sudharsan to become an advert for what happens to a team when they spend 157.1 overs in the middle. He was undecided against a short and wide delivery and in the end got caught trying to leave it.Gill looked troubled at the start. His front pad was a big target. Thirty-seven per cent of his dismissals in Test cricket are lbw and bowled and England went after one more. Jofra Archer produced an inswinging yorker that nearly took Gill out only for DRS to reveal that the ball hit both the inside edge of his bat and the outside of his front pad almost at the same time. In the middle of this examination, Gill played a shot away from his body and immediately looked like he hated himself. Eventually, he looked up and realised it had raced away towards the cover boundary. And from there, he just decided to trust his game and play his shots. Not in the same way as throwing the bat around and hitting himself out of trouble, just backing himself to play to his strengths.Out came the drives, and when Gill went down the ground, he evoked the history of the bat he was holding. A couple of guys with MRF-sponsored equipment were good with that particular stroke. He cut the ball well, gaining a little payback over Archer, who had hit his hand, which had been bandaged up. There were also several drop-and-runs to rotate strike and share the pressure with his partner, Rahul. It was a good innings, which could easily have been cut short at 46 when Carse had him playing away from his body again only for Liam Dawson to drop a tough catch at gully.Shubman Gill and KL Rahul revived India from 0 for 2•AFP/Getty ImagesGill made the most of that generosity to continue his run-spree. He went past Virat Kohli’s 655 runs against England in 2016 and is chasing down Sunil Gavaskar’s record of most runs as an India captain in a Test series (732). Crucially, he became confident of his defence, too. From being 46 off 52 with eight fours, he went to stumps scoring a further 32 off 111 with two fours.Rahul was old-school, too, right from the start. He backed his technique even when the new ball drew plenty of life out of the pitch. This was a thrill for him. He shared smiles with Archer when an absolute seed snaked past his outside edge.Rahul’s judgment on what to play and what to leave was all the more impressive considering the time India were stuck in the field and how they were trailing the game. He was 20 off 71. Perfectly content, then bit by bit he accepted the rewards of his patience, scoring 67 off the next 139 balls and going past 500 runs in a series for the first time in his career. Rahul, too, had a little luck break his way when on 36, as an inside edge off Dawson skirted just wide of his leg stump.A day five with immense possibility awaits.

انتهت مباراة الأهلي والزمالك، اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري 2025 على ملعب هزاع بن زايد في الإمارات.

وخسر الزمالك، أمام الأهلي في مباراة اليوم بهدفين نظيفين، في نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر المصري 2025.

طالع.. بعد جراديشار.. لاعب جديد من الأهلي يغادر مباراة الزمالك مصابًا

وكان الزمالك قد تأهل إلى المباراة النهائية، بعد الفوز على بيراميدز بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 5-4 بعد التعادل سلبيًا في الوقت الأصلي في نصف النهائي.

وسجل هدفي الأهلي، في مباراة الزمالك اليوم، كل من أشرف بن شرقي ومروان عطية.

ويلتقي الزمالك في مباراته المقبلة مع زيسكو يونايتد في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة بعد الخسارة أمام الأهلي في السوبر المصري

وتقام مباراة الزمالك مع زيسكو يونايتد يوم الأحد 23 نوفمبر الجاري، ولكن لم يتم تحديد التوقيت حتى الآن.

MatériaMais Notícias

O desejo de registrar uma história vencedora fez quatro clubes se unirem para serem declarados campeões. Treze, Central, Inter de Limeira e Criciúma encaminharam o pedido para que sejam reconhecidos, em conjunto, como vencedores da Série B de 1986. O sonho de fazer com que o Torneio Paralelo ganhasse novo significado ficou mais acentuado há cerca de um mês.

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O reconhecimento de que o Torneio dos Campeões, vencido pelo Atlético-MG em 1937, é equivalente ao Brasileiro, deu mais fôlego para a união das equipes do Torneio Paralelo. Antes pleiteado com mais afinco pelo Galo da Borborema e a Patativa, o movimento teve a adesão do clube paulista e da equipe catarinense.

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– O Treze e o Central tomaram a iniciativa, cada um em sua federação. A gente escreveu ao Criciúma e à Inter de Limeira e, assim, a campanha conjunta foi ganhando forma – detalhou ao Lance! o presidente do Treze, Artur Bolinha, acrescentando:

– Procuramos a Federação (Paraibana) com uma argumentação para que pudéssemos solicitar o pedido à CBF. Nosso objetivo é mostrar que os quatro tiveram condições de estar em 1986 na elite do futebol. Caso houvesse uma disputa, todos teriam condições de subir como campeões da Série B. E agora, com esse precedente do Atlético, podemos mostrar que houve essa questão de não terminar a Série B – explicou.

Vice-presidente do Central, Sivaldo Oliveira frisou que uma eventual homologação servirá como registro.

– Os quatro clubes se classificaram para jogar a Série A no mesmo ano! É o campeão de cada grupo reivindicando um título, e isso não vai afetar o ranking da CBF. Cada um tinha o seu grupo e venceu. Esperamos que a entidade concorde – declarou.

Presidente do Conselho da Inter de Limeira, Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior apontou que a esperança da equipe paulista é por uma justiça histórica.

– Algum tempo atrás fomos convidados e pleiteamos esse título. Após o reconhecimento do Atlético-MG, ganhou corpo a situação. Por mais que haja quatro campeões na Série B, esse reconhecimento apagará um erro que foi não deixarem a Inter de Limeira disputar a Primeira Divisão de 1986. A equipe foi campeã paulista, mas logo depois teve de disputar o que era equivalente a uma Segundona. A única vantagem que tinha era a possibilidade de se classificar para a segunda fase, na qual poderia jogar com times da elite. A Inter mostrou sua força, foi campeã do grupo e isso deve ser reconhecido. Seria importante esse título, mesmo dividindo com três agremiações – afirmou.

Em pronunciamento oficial, o diretor de relações internacionais do Criciúma, Rodolfo Moretti, justificou o fato do clube se juntar aos demais.

– Seria um registro histórico de um feito considerável à época. Com isso, também resgatamos a história vencedora daquele time de 1986, campeão catarinense daquele ano e que também ascendeu à elite do futebol brasileiro – disse.

QUANTA HISTÓRIA: 1986, O ANO QUE AINDA DÁ O QUE FALAR

Originalmente, o regulamento da Copa Brasil (nome do Campeonato Brasileiro de 1986) não previa a disputa de uma Série B. Os quatro clubes que pleiteiam o título disputaram o Torneio Paralelo (veja os detalhes abaixo).

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AS ‘MARCAS’ DA COMPETIÇÃO

O Torneio Paralelo não deixou ps feitos das equipes que se classificaram para as fases finais do Brasileirão apenas na memória. Na fachada do Estádio Presidente Vargas, em Campina Grande, o Treze expõe a frase “Campeão brasileiro de 1986 – Série B”.

Em Caruaru, o Central também passou a estampar no concreto de seu estádio o posto de campeão da Série B do ano de 1986. Em 2019, ano no qual a Patativa comemorou seu centenário, um outro episódio em torno das memórias da competição chamou atenção.

Um torcedor entregou à diretoria da época uma réplica do troféu da Série B como presente, que tinha na base o escudo do Central e a inscrição de “campeão da Série B de 1986”. Mesmo com a CBF não declarando campeões naquela edição, dirigentes ergueram a “taça” no Estádio Lacerdão.

GALO DA BORBOREMA: SONHO ACALENTADO HÁ DÉCADAS

O Treze tenta há anos colocar no papel seu título de campeão da Série B de 1986. O mandatário Artur Bolinha vê a nova investida com otimismo.

– O reconhecimento trará apenas uma questão de justiça para os clubes que tiveram campanhas merecedoras de estar na Série A. Foram disputas muito difíceis. Isso vai coroar grandes times – afirmou.

Destaque do Galo da Borborema na época, Fernando Baiano vê com expectativa a possibilidade de se tornar campeão da Série B com décadas de atraso.

– Esse título deveria vir há mais tempo. Estávamos numa fase muito boa, fizemos uma campanha forte e devíamos ser congratulados. Éramos treinados pelo Waldemar Carabina e contávamos com jogadores de peso como Rinaldo, Cláudio Mineiro, Bill… Não é à toa que o (jornalista e ex-ténico da Seleção Brasileira) João Saldanha dizia que crescíamos quando jogávamos em Campina Grande – afirmou.

PATATIVA: BUSCA POR HOMOLOGAR SEU PRIMEIRO TÍTULO NACIONAL

Em Limeira, o clima é de que a homologação da Série B de 1986 fará jus a uma equipe histórica. A cidade não digeriu situações que rondaram o time que foi campeão paulista meses antes, ao derrotar o Palmeiras por 2 a 1 no Morumbi.

– O nosso incômodo não é ter de dividir título hoje. Incômodo foi um time campeão paulista não disputar a Taça de Ouro (nome dado na época à Série A). Nos deram essa consolação de disputar o Torneio Paralelo. A classificação veio, felizmente, e só mostraram a força da nossa equipe – disse o conselheiro Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior.

Meia do Leão de Limeira, Tato contou que, na época, a situação pegou a equipe de surpresa.

– Fomos campeões paulistas e não subimos para a primeira! Alguém pegou nossa vaga, pareceu muito estranho – declarou.

O ex-jogador destacou o empenho da equipe paulista no Grupo G.

– Tínhamos perdido muitos jogadores. O Kita foi para o Flamengo, Juarez para o Palmeiras. Mesmo assim, ficou uma base forte e fomos lutando até o final – contou.

Aos seus olhos, a equipe tem motivos para almejar o título na CBF.

– O Atlético-MG foi contemplado recentemente. A Inter de Limeira é um time grandioso. Seria bacana para nós – afirmou.

Presidente do Conselho, Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior acrescentou.

– Para a Inter de Limeira, um reconhecimento vai ser uma “reparação histórica”. Serão quatro campeões? Paciência! Mas a equipe mostrou que poderia chegar até a final se a Série B continuasse. Vamos ficar tão orgulhosos quanto no título de 1988 (a equipe de Limeira tem uma Série B no currículo). Caso ocorra, a homologação da Série B de 1986 pagará uma dívida eterna – disse.

TIGRE: ESPERANÇA NA DIRETORIA. MAS…

O Criciúma também se manifestou pelo quarteto se juntar em busca do reconhecimento do Torneio Paralelo como título da Série B de 1986. No entanto, nem todos apoiam a atitude de pleitear a conquista.

Lateral que mais tarde venceu a Copa do Brasil de 1991, Sarandi ressaltou.

– Sou de acordo com o que estabelecia o regulamento, que não especificava o Torneio Paralelo como título. Ele era um passo para disputar a sequência da Série A. Permitia que a gente fosse avançando, até que terminou no meio do caminho – disse, acrescentando:

– Naquele ano, fomos campeões estaduais. Depois, enfrentamos clubes do Sul. Conquistamos a vaga e fomos “guindados” ao Brasileirão – justificou.

Sarandi valorizou a maneira como o Tigre se consolidou para garantir a vaga à fase seguinte.

– Ficou a lembrança do início de uma instituição. Fomos campeões estaduais, fomos bem no Paralelo, bem treinados. Anos depois, veio a conquista da Copa do Brasil – afirmou.

Em compasso de espera, quatro clubes aguardam um aceno da CBF para saber se podem acrescentar uma estrela no peito.

Following a seventh defeat in nine games in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming traced their struggles back to the auction.”It is hard to say we got it completely right with the performances that we have had,” he said after CSK’s batting struggled once again to put up a decent total against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They were bowled out for 154 and lost by five wickets. “So we have been looking over that in detail just around our style of play. Also looking at how the game is evolving.Related

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• Dhoni on CSK's collapse against SRH: 'Not a justifiable score'

“And it is not easy. And that is why we are proud of our record today. We have been able to be consistent for so long and it doesn’t take much for it to go another way. Other teams have got better and that is the point of the auction. But we just haven’t been able to get it right.”CSK had tried to compensate for that by using players outside of their usual roles, having Ravindra Jadeja bat up the order, using Shivam Dube as a finisher, trying R Ashwin in the powerplay and asking MS Dhoni to bat a lot longer than he is able to given he is 43 years old and his knees aren’t perfectly right.”So you take responsibility from the top down and then you just ask a little more of the players,” Fleming said. “But yeah, that has to be an area where we need to reflect and say it wasn’t as good as what it could have been or it hasn’t worked out how we wanted.”Stephen Fleming felt Dewald Brevis was ‘excellent’ on his CSK debut•PTI

CSK are at the bottom of the table on run-rates and boundaries hit and are near the top of the table on dot-ball percentage. They came into this game having used 20 of 27 players and here they handed Dewald Brevis a debut and pushed their youngest ever player, Ayush Mhatre, up to open the batting. Unlike in past seasons, when CSK assembled numerous champion teams filled with players with clearly defined roles, they have been unable to settle on a combination this season.”It is also not perfect science,” Fleming said. “The auction is a very fluid beast. It’s like buying [for] 25 hours and see it come away at the end of it mentally and sometimes physically exhausted. And to be fair, I still think we have got a good squad. We are not far away.”A couple of key injuries, just a bit of a lack of form. And we have just struggled really to nail a gameplan. We’ve chopped and changed too much. I think it was trying to look for something that perhaps we felt wasn’t there. So yeah, there is a lot of responsibility and soul-searching and it certainly starts with me at the top, 100%”There is a feeling that CSK are too set in their ways – preferring experienced players, structuring their innings to start slow and finish strong – and this season might be pushing them towards new ways of thinking.”I’m a believer that the game hasn’t evolved that much,” Fleming said. “So just trying to be smart and trying to be positive and give evidence that percentages still work. But all around there is a bit of chaos, isn’t there, with teams playing well [by targeting boundaries and playing high-risk shots]. And I think I said it in a grumpy interview a few weeks ago that we’ll see towards the end of the tournament which team will come through.’When they come to play for Chennai, one of the things they look forward to is being yellow in front of a yellow crowd’•AFP/Getty Images

“And it’s an intriguing watch to see settled sides and teams with younger sort of flair battling it out and watching the cream rise. And I will watch with interest to see towards the end what the highest run-scorers are and what teams are doing well, because that’s part of the reflection as you move forward.”Some of that has already begun. “We’ve tried to bolt things on all the time,” Fleming said. “I thought Brevis was excellent today [making 42 off 25]. Mhatre has been refreshing. We’ve given guys opportunities and that’s something that often doesn’t come along in an IPL. You don’t want it to come along. It’s an unwanted bonus. So we’ll work very hard on every game to try and find some more answers for next year.”A strong crowd turned up in Chennai once again, just as they have all around the country to watch CSK play even though they have been struggling this season.”Well, we are aware of the support and it is not just at home, it extends throughout India,” Fleming said “We understand the effect that MS Dhoni has with our support, but when we see the amount of yellow that turns up game after game, certainly here at Chepauk, but when we are around the country experiencing that, there is a responsibility that we feel and it is a heavy one. And to not reward that with performances weighs very heavy on the group.”When they come to play for Chennai, one of the things they look forward to is being yellow in front of a yellow crowd and to not perform up to our expectations, but more importantly the fans’ expectations, leaves us very empty.”

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É bem verdade que o resultado do Athletico-PR no último fim de semana, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, esteve longe de ser satisfatório ao ser derrotado pelo Fortaleza, por 1 a 0, na Arena Castelão.

Entretanto, além do ponto a ser relevado do uso de equipe mista, pensando na Copa do Brasil, a comissão técnica do Furacão deu um ‘gostinho’ de ascensão ao meia Dudu por ter relacionado o jogador de 17 anos de idade, pela primeira vez, para um duelo da equipe principal.

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Cria do CT do Caju, ele não escondeu a felicidade com o que ele classificou como a ‘realização de um sonho’. Além do agradecimento, ele frisou que seguirpa buscando mostrar o seu melhor futebol para receber cada vez mais oportunidades semelhantes no Athletico:

– É um momento muito especial para mim, é a realização de um sonho. Vejo isso como reconhecimento do meu trabalho e como uma oportunidade de mostrar que estou pronto para ajudar o Athletico. Pois esse é o meu objetivo, ajudar esse clube que tanto fez por mim.

>Transforme qualquer TV em Smart e assista aos jogos do seu time do coração quando quiser!

– Foi uma honra estar com os meus companheiros e comissão. Agradeço ao clube pela confiança e vou continuar trabalhando forte para ir conquistando meu espaço. Como disse, estou aqui para ajudar no que for preciso e mostrar minha gratidãoaoAthletico – completou o jogador que, no último mês de abril, foi titular da Seleção Brasileira no título do Sul-Americano Sub-17, realizado no Equador.

After his latest controversial decision, one Sky Sports pundit has admitted that he’d be “absolutely fuming” at Russell Martin if he was in the current Rangers squad.

Martin: Some fans didn't want me in the first place

Five league games, zero wins and sat in 10th place. That’s how dire things have been for Rangers under Martin. Their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Club Brugge could almost be excused – put down to simply being outmatched by better opposition – but that same excuse cannot be applied in the Scottish Premiership.

The Gers have endured a historically poor start and the writing is arguably already on the wall for Martin, who admitted that some fans didn’t even want him at Ibrox in the first place after defeat against Hearts.

Up next for Rangers is the visit of Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final. As things stand, it looks as though Martin will be in charge for that game and maintains the support of the 49ers. Whether another defeat would change that is the question that everyone will be pondering.

What certainly hasn’t helped the manager’s case is the latest decision that he’s made, resulting in criticism from Jamie O’Hara.

O'Hara: "I'd be fuming" with Loch Lomond trip

When backs are up against the wall, managers often get creative with their approach and Martin is no different. In the middle of a dreadful run, the Rangers boss took his side to Loch Lomond for a team bonding trip, which featured wild swimming and a hike up a mountain. O’Hara, like many, has shared his opinion on the strangely-timed trip, taking aim at Martin.

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The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder told Sky Sports: “If I was a player, I’d be absolutely fuming. Why would I wanna go swimming in Loch Lomond as a team bonding session?

“Give me some golf clubs and we’ll go play Loch Lomond or get the fishing rods out and go out on the boat for the day, then fair enough. What are you talking about, go swimming in Loch Lomond?”

Only time will tell whether Rangers’ quite literal uphill climb results in an upturn in form, but for now it is the latest in a growing list of Martin’s decisions to come under fire.

Everton striker Beto has paid tribute to his compatriot Diogo Jota, revealing the late Liverpool and Portugal forward was the first person to text him following his move to Merseyside. The footballing world was left devastated after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, tragically died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July.

Beto presented floral tribute to Jota in the wake of the tragedy

In the wake of the tragedy, Beto – alongside then-Everton player and fellow Portuguese Youssef Chermiti – joined Toffees ambassador Ian Snodin as they presented a floral tribute outside Anfield in memory of both Diogo and Andre.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBeto pays tribute to Jota ahead of Merseyside derby on Saturday

And ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the 2025-26 season between Liverpool and Everton on Saturday afternoon, Beto has opened up about how Jota went out of his way to welcome him to the city after he joined the Blues from Udinese in 2023.

Beto reveals heartwarming Jota gesture after joining Everton

In quotes carried by the Liverpool Echo, Beto reflected on Jota's death, saying: “That day, the day that thing happened, I was at home in Portugal. That day I would travel to Manchester to come here for the pre-season.

“I was shocked. I was shocked because Diogo was a really good guy. We were not friends, but you know, when you play against Portuguese players and everything, we normally stop, we speak a little bit. You have Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, these guys, but when I signed for Everton, he was the first guy who texted me.

“He just texted me and said: ‘I'm happy for you. I'm happy for you. If you need anything on the city, everything, I can help you, just give me a shout'.

“After every game that we play against Liverpool, we’d talk a little bit. We were not best friends, you know, but we talk a little bit, he was a really, really good guy. I’d ask: ‘how is everything?’ 

“It was sad. It was really sad.”

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Jota scored final goal for Liverpool against Everton in 2025

Jota scored his final goal for Liverpool in last season's Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2. The striker netted the only goal of the game as the Reds secured a crucial three points en route to claiming the 2024-25 Premier League title.