West Bromwich Albion fans will be counting down the days now until their side returns to Championship action, hoping for three league wins on the bounce when travelling to face Portsmouth on Sunday.

Carlos Corberan will know the gist of what his main starting XI looks like for this trip down to the South Coast, confident that Josh Maja can lead the line effectively once more after netting four goals from four league games so far, whilst also fully trusting the likes of Alex Palmer and Kyle Bartley at the back to provide another steely performance defensively.

Alongside those names, the Spanish boss in the Hawthorns dug-out will also know he can rely on both Alex Mowatt and Darnell Furlong in difficult times to come this campaign, past the test this weekend, as both continue to be everpresent under the former Huddersfield Town manager.

Furlong and Mowatt's performances this season

Both the Baggies number two and the Baggies number 27 find their spaces in Corberan's starting lineup as concrete as they can possibly be at this moment in time, with zero minutes missed this season so far in the league.

Both continue to be key parts of the West Brom puzzle for good reason too, with Furlong standing out in particular last time out during the narrow 1-0 win over Swansea City, notching up two key passes as an attacking presence whilst also performing his defensive duties valiantly with seven total duels won.

Furlong also completed this last-ditch tackle in the slim victory to ensure his side didn't leak an unwanted goal, whilst Mowatt also went about his business in a stylish manner to help clinch the three points.

Although his holding midfield partner on the day would steal the limelight, with Jayson Molumby's late second-half goal the deciding strike, the former Leeds United man also played his part in the win being secured with 100% of his duels won, but also with a calmness present in his game that saw only nine of his 45 passes be misplaced.

Going forward – even with the sprinkling of new additions to Corberan's camp this summer – both will continue to be some of the first names on their manager's team sheet, whilst others have fallen down the pecking order.

Jed Wallace would fit into the final category now, with injury issues meaning he's been a background figure for the Baggies so far this campaign, which hasn't really impacted West Brom yet on the pitch.

Wallace's future at West Brom

There were even rumours floating about at the Hawthorns this summer that Wallace was going to move on from the Baggies, with interest from the likes of Luton Town reported towards the end of the frantic window.

Wallace has stayed put, but he could well regret that decision, having found his minutes hard to come by so far this campaign as young hotshot Tom Fellows also continues to excel down the right wing, with three assists already picked up from four league games.

Player

Wage

1. Mason Holgate

£70k-per-week

2. Daryl Dike

£32k-per-week

3. Paddy McNair

£25k-per-week

4. Jed Wallace

£25k-per-week

5. John Swift

£22.5k-per-week

Alongside only featuring from off the substitutes bench so far this season from his three appearances, the former Millwall man's high wage will also be more of a pressing concern if he doesn't fight back and reclaim a starting spot soon, with Wallace coming in as the fourth highest earner currently in Corberan's camp.

Both Furlong and Mowatt surprisingly earn a lesser pay packet, at £18.4k-per-week and £20k-per-week respectively, despite proving why they are undroppable members of the Baggies first-team so far this season over their teammate.

Wallace does have moments of magic like this sublime strike up his sleeve, however, and could prove to be a useful squad member moving forward, especially if Fellows' electric form drops off.

Still, with that interesting emerging from the likes of Luton and Pompey this summer for the 30-year-old, West Brom might live to regret not cashing in on their "unbelievable" gem, as he was once labelled by ex-Sheffield United defender Jack O'Connell.

It also won't be viewed as a hindrance having him available moving forward when he gets back up to full fitness either, as West Brom now hunt down more Championship victories this month.

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Arsenal could be offered the chance to sign a marquee Brazil star for manager Mikel Arteta, as an elite European club hatches their own transfer plan for 2025.

Arsenal's rumoured transfer plans for 2025

While Arteta prepares his side to take on Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup tonight, sporting director Edu Gaspar and co are already planning for next year in terms of who they could bring in to bolster the Spaniard’s squad.

Arsenal planning move for £52m star as Arteta personally targets goalscorer

The north Londoners didn’t sign a striker this summer.

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The summer transfer window has only just closed, and it was a productive one of the Gunners – who spent around £100 million on five key signings in the form of David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Neto and Raheem Sterling – but weeks of planning goes into each window by Edu’s own admission.

“You can’t sign for the sake of signing. It has to be a process that takes weeks and weeks,” said Edu on Arsenal’s recruitment policy in an interview with Estadao earlier this year.

Goals

19

Assists

12

Yellow cards

13

Red cards

0

Minutes played

5,335

“On my desk, I have reports of over 180 pages on one player. It’s really detailed stuff. Physical, technical, mental profile, whether he has Premier League experience, whether he’ll be able to adapt. Everything. We analyse our deficiencies, where we can improve, where we can invest and then we go in search of that new name. We’ve been discussing what I’m going to do now since January. It’s not my decision or Mikel’s. It’s a group decision.”

After opting against bringing in a new number nine in the summer, it is believed that Arteta is targeting a prolific scorer for Arsenal ahead of 2025. The likes of Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres stand out as strikers linked with moves to Arsenal next year, while it is believed Arsenal are also planning a potential move for Dusan Vlahovic.

Now, while not necessarily a natural striker, another very interesting option has emerged in the form Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

Arsenal could be offered Rodrygo in William Saliba swap deal

According to Football Transfers, Real could offer Arsenal the chance to sign Rodrygo in a swap deal for star defender William Saliba, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side scour the market for world-class centre-backs.

However, it is believed that Arsenal have adopted a not-for-sale stance when it comes to Saliba, so it remains to be seen whether the Brazil international’s inclusion in talks would be enough to sway Arteta and Edu – given just how crucial their defender is to them.

Rodrygo commands a reported £136 million price tag, and he is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, so he would be a real statement signing – but potentially not at the cost of losing their best centre-half.

“He is a special striker, he can play in all positions,” said Ancelotti on Rodrygo. “He is fast, smart and effective one on one. The learning is over. He is a Real Madrid player for all purposes.”

كشف أمير عزمي مجاهد، المدرب العام السابق في نادي الزمالك، عن كواليس حديثه مع المدير الفني السويسري كريستيان جروس خلال فترته الأخيرة مع الفريق، مشددًا على أنه تعرض لخيانة داخل جدران القلعة البيضاء -حسبما عبر-.

وأكد عزمي في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “إم بي سي مصر2” أن هناك أشخاصًا داخل الجهاز الفني كانوا يسربون تشكيل الفريق قبل المباريات، مشيرًا إلى أنه على استعداد لتحمل مسؤولية كلامه.

وقال: “هناك خونة داخل الجهاز الفني، وقبل مباراة فاركو أخبروا اللاعبين بأن جروس سيرحل، لكني لم أخبر المدرب بذلك إلا بعد المباراة، فقال لي: لا أهتم، أفكر فقط في مباراة بتروجت وأريد مواجهة الأهلي”.

أمير عزمي يكشف كواليس مثيرة حول رحيل جروس عن الزمالك.. وحقيقة إصابته بـ”الزهايمر”

وكشف عزمي أنه كان أول من أبلغ جروس بقرار الإدارة بإقالته، موضحًا أنه تلقى اتصالًا صباح يوم القرار، مواصلًا: “حزنت عليه لأنه كان مشغولًا بتحضير مباراة بتروجت، لكن رغم ذلك تعامل مع الأمر باحترافية”.

وأوضح أن جروس اجتمع مع اللاعبين وأخبرهم أنه يركز على المباراة المقبلة، لكن الجميع كان يشعر بأن هناك شيئًا ما يحدث.

وأكد عزمي أن المدرب السويسري كان معجبًا باللاعب أحمد رضا، المنضم حديثًا لصفوف فريق النادي الأهلي لكنه لم ينزعج بعد توقيعه للقلعة الحمراء.

واستأنف: “جروس حاول التوصل إلى تسوية مع إدارة الزمالك بخصوص مستحقاته المالية، لكنه لم يصل إلى اتفاق وسافر إلى بلاده وإذا لم يتم التوصل لحل خلال الأيام القادمة، فمن المحتمل أن يصعّد الأمر رسميًا”. 

وأردف: “أخبرت جروس أن هناك انتقادات لمشاركته أحمد فتوح ومصطفى شلبي في وسط الملعب، فكان رده واضحًا إن فتوح عائد من الإصابة ولم يصل بعد إلى معدلاته البدنية المطلوبة، لذلك كان من الأفضل إشراكه في هذا المركز مؤقتًا، هل كان المطلوب مني أن أخرج للإعلام وأوضح هذا الأمر؟”.

وأتم مجاهد: “المشاكل التي واجهها الجهاز الفني في الفترة الأخيرة لم تكن موجودة خلال ولاية جروس في 2019، والفارق الرئيسي كان في نزاهة الأفراد المحيطين بالمدرب حينها، لأن كل من كان في المنظومة حينذاك كانوا أمناء، ولم يكن بينهم خائن، لكن في الوقت الحالي، الأمور اختلفت بشكل كبير”.

وأشار أمير عزمي إلى أن جروس كان يدرك تمامًا أن هناك أشخاصًا داخل الجهاز الفني يسربون المعلومات، لكنه اختار التركيز على عمله داخل الملعب وعدم الانشغال بهذه الأمور الجانبية.

Fulham held talks to re-sign a £100,000-per-week player in a last-gasp transfer attempt on summer deadline day, but Marco Silva's side couldn't quite get a potential reunion over the line in time.

Ipswich Town 1-1 Fulham – match report

The Whites were thwarted in their attempts to seal a second Premier League win of the season on Saturday, despite their best efforts and Adama Traore's equaliser after Liam Delap's opening goal at Portman Road.

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In what seemed like a fairly even contest on paper, with both Fulham and Ipswich neck-for-neck in terms of shots, shots on target, possession and passes made, the numbers reflect what was a tough contest for Silva's side and perhaps a worthy draw for either side.

Fulham did spurn some glaring chances, though, with Rodrigo Muniz failing to convert what was a gaping free header inside the area from Traore's teasing cross. Raul Jimenez also tested Aro Muric with a stinging shot after a swift Fulham counter-attack, but Silva's men couldn't quite find a second breakthrough.

"The reaction from us was good, we scored a good equaliser and after that we took a step forward and were completely in control," said Silva on Fulham's 1-1 draw away to Ipswich.

"The second half was a lot more difficult for us, we were not able to control the game the way we liked. We were solid, we did not give many things but we did not create. We should create a lot more when we are on the ball, we have to be more effective in our build-up and have more chances to score."

Fulham vs West Ham

September 14

Fulham vs Newcastle

September 21

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham

September 28

Man City vs Fulham

October 5

Fulham vs Aston Villa

October 19

Silva also reserved special praise for Traore, who was a key part of the chances they did manage to create and, of course, notched their equaliser midway through the first period.

"He created some good moments for other players," said Silva on Traore's performance against Ipswich.

"He is in good shape, he is helping the team and the reason why he is playing is because he can be decisive for us if he can take the right decisions."

This immediately follows a fairly productive transfer window at Craven Cottage, with Fulham also attempting a late move for Lyon winger Ernet Nuamah, which came to no avail.

Fulham held late talks to re-sign defender Matt Targett

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Silva missed out on another player alongside Nuamah, having also made a late approach to ex-defender Matt Targett.

The £100,000-per-week left-back was apparently on their radar before the 11pm deadline, as Fulham held late deadline day talks with Targett, but current employers Newcastle United refused to green-light his exit – opting to keep the 28-year-old at St. James' Park.

Targett made 21 Championship appearances for Fulham during their promotion-winning campaign in 2017/18.

Manchester City were left frustrated in their efforts to break down Inter at The Etihad in the opening game of the Champions League season on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by the Serie A champions as they failed to breach Yann Sommer’s goal and did not create a single ‘big chance’ for Erling Haaland to test the Switzerland international.

Savinho and Jack Grealish were selected to start on the flanks and they both ended the game with zero shots on target and zero ‘big chances’ created for the team.

The Spanish head coach will surely want more from his wide players for the rest of the season, particularly after Jeremy Doku and Grealish combined for six Premier League goals last season.

Finding high-quality wingers to consistently provide quality in the final third has not always been an easy task for the Cityzens, as illustrated by their addition of Scott Sinclair in the 2012/13 campaign.

How much City paid for Scott Sinclair

Roberto Mancini wanted to add to his options in the wide areas ahead of the 2012/13 season and eventually opted to bring in the English attacker.

It was reported that the Premier League side splashed out a fee of £8m to sign the Team GB winger from fellow top-flight outfit Swansea in the summer of 2012.

The 23-year-old whiz took the number 11 shirt and was looking to step his game up a level after a return of eight goals and four assists in 38 Premier League games for the Swans in the 2011/12 campaign.

Unfortunately, however, Sinclair was unable to break into the City side on a regular basis and did not convince Mancini that he was good enough to start week-in-week-out.

The former Swansea star ended the season with zero goals and zero assists in 15 appearances in all competitions for the club, including 11 outings in the top-flight.

Sinclair then spent the following season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, producing zero goals and one assist in eight Premier League games, before playing four times for Manchester City in the first half of the 2014/15 campaign.

The English winger was sent out on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of that season, racking up three goals in 12 games, before the Villans signed him permanently for a reported fee of £2.5m in the summer of 2015.

This shows that City had a howler with the £8m signing as he did not produce a single goal or assist for the club in the Premier League before moving on for a £5.5m loss three years later.

That particular deal was even more frustrating for the Cityzens when you consider that they had been interested in signing another forward before they signed Sinclair – Lille sensation Eden Hazard.

Manchester City's interest in Eden Hazard

In May of 2012, The BBC reported that Manchester City and Manchester United were both in talks with Lille over a deal to sign the 21-year-old star.

The Belgian wizard had claimed that he would be playing in Manchester in the 2012/13 campaign, before the end of the previous season, and that made it appear as though City and United were the only two clubs in the race for his signature.

Lille were willing to cash in on their star forward, for the right price, but did not want to sanction an exit for the attacker until their final Ligue 1 match, which meant that the Red Devils and the Cityzens had to bide their time and wait to secure a deal.

However, Chelsea then won the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the final, at the end of May and that convinced the Belgium international to sign for the Blues, seemingly turning down Manchester City and Manchester United in the process.

Hazard reportedly completed a £32m move from Lille to Stamford Bridge and revealed that the club’s success in the Champions League made him decide to sign for them, whilst adding that the youthful nature of the squad was appealing to him.

The 21-year-old star ended up being one that got away for City as he went from strength to strength in the Premier League for Chelsea, whilst Scott Sinclair struggled at The Etihad.

Eden Hazard's soaring value

The £32m that the Blues reportedly splashed out on the Lille phenomenon turned out to be a huge bargain because he was a star in England for the following seven years.

Hazard hit the ground running in London with a return of 13 goals and 21 assists in all competitions during his debut campaign with Chelsea, and he followed that up with 17 goals and eight assists in his second season.

The Belgian magician, who was hailed as a “wizard” by the late Ray Wilkins, went on to score 110 goals and assist a further 85 in 352 appearances for the club in all competitions before his exit in 2019.

His best return for goals and assists in a single Premier League campaign had to wait until his final season with the Blues in the 2018/19 term.

2018/19 Premier League

Eden Hazard

Appearances

37

Goals

16

Big chances created

18

Assists

15

Key passes per game

2.5

Dribbles completed per game

3.7

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hazard was a regular provider of both goals and assists in the top-flight, with 31 direct goal contributions in 37 appearances.

His incredible form that year convinced Spanish giants Real Madrid to swoop in and sign the Belgian sensation for a reported fee of up to £130m in the summer of 2019.

This meant that Chelsea got seven years of fantastic service, over 100 goals, and a profit of just shy of £100m out of their £32m deal to sign Hazard ahead of Manchester City in 2012.

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He was, therefore, one that got away for the Cityzens as they missed out on a hugely talented and valuable player before signing Sinclair, who struggled at The Etihad, as an alternative wide option.

Enzo Maresca revealed Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season as the Chelsea defender faces a fresh injury setback.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Fofana played for the last time on December 1
• Has been nursing a hamstring injury
• Badiashile will be out until February

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fofana, 24, has not played since December 1, when he was forced off during Chelsea's match against Aston Villa. Initially thought to be a minor issue, Maresca has now confirmed that the injury is far worse than anticipated.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT MARESCA SAID

  “Unfortunately, Wes (Fofana) will be out for a very long time. He (Fofana) could be out for the season. We don’t know exactly if it will be for the entire season, he could be out for part of the season," Maresca told reporters.

  “Every time you ask me about Wes, I have said many times that I am in love with Wes. Wes is that kind of defender who can give you the chance to press and be aggressive, to leave him one-v-one with Ollie Watkins on the pitch. It was the first update (after the Aston Villa game), the first information we had. On making the test we realised it (Fofana’s injury) was worse than what we thought at the beginning.”

  The Chelsea manager also revealed that tests indicated a severe tear in Fofana’s hamstring.

  “Yes (it is a bad tear). It is his hamstring and unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a while," he said.

  “I don’t think this injury can be compared with the rest. This one is muscular and I don’t think previously he had any muscular problem. It is a different kind of injury. He is a bit unlucky but he will be back, and he will be back hopefully the same as before his injury.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Adding to the club's concerns, fellow defender Benoit Badiashile is also nursing an injury and is not expected back until February.

  "Benoit (Badiashile) will be out at least until February. The only two big (injury) updates are on Wes Fofana and Benoit," Maresca informed.

  “We did exactly the same with Benoit Badiashile before his injury one-v-one with Dominic Solanke on the pitch and they can deal with that. It is very difficult to find that kind of defender. Unfortunately, both are injured and we are trying to find a solution. But for sure, Wes is a huge loss."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Fofana’s career has been plagued by injuries since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2022. Recurring setbacks, including an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in July 2023 ruled him out for the entire 2023/24 season.

  The French international's injury history dates back further, with a broken leg in August 2021 while playing for Leicester. This incident sidelined him for eight months, causing him to miss much of the 2021/22 season. Despite his potential and early promise, these injuries have limited him to just 32 appearances for Chelsea.

Dushmantha Chameera’s career-best 4 for 17 was the only bright spot for the visitors in the third T20I

George Dobell26-Jun-2021

Dawid Malan made a 48-ball 76•Getty Images

England completed a 3-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the T20I series with a crushing 89-run victory at the Ageas Bowl. It was the fourth-largest victory margin in terms of runs England have achieved in the format.Despite the loss of both regular openers to injury, England posted a century stand for the first wicket to grasp a firm hold on the match which they were never to relinquish. Dawid Malan was named Player of the Match for a fluent innings of 76 that belied the slow nature of the pitch. Jonny Bairstow made 51. Nobody in the rest of the match passed 20.England lost their way a little towards the end of their innings. An excellent spell of death bowling from Dushmantha Chameera, a bright spot amid the rubble of a bitterly disappointing Sri Lanka performance, saw England lose five wickets for 19 runs between the 16th and 19th overs. Chameera finished with career-best figures of 4 for 17.Chris Jordan, however, helped England plunder 17 from the final over of the innings to take them to a total that was always likely to prove beyond the reach of a side that had failed to reach 130 in either of the first two games in the series.So it proved as England’s seamers, gaining a degree of lateral movement that is unusual with the white kookaburra ball, combined to bowl Sri Lanka out for just 91. It was the fourth lowest score Sri Lanka have made from a completed T20I innings.Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Jordan took 4 for 36 from their 12 overs combined, while David Willey picked up three wickets.With Jason Roy suffering from a tight hamstring, Moeen Ali was recalled to the T20I side for the first time since September 2020. But he was consigned to a peripheral role by the dominance of England’s opening batters and the excellence of their seamers.Sri Lanka also made a couple of changes. But Oshada Fernando, who took 27 balls over his 19 runs and seemed preoccupied with trying to hit almost everything through the leg side, underwhelmed and Lakshan Sandakan was unable to make any inroads with his left-arm legspin. Avishka Fernando was absent through injury.Given that England went into this series without two first-choice players (in Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer) and lost Jos Buttler to a calf injury along the way, this result would seem to confirm their place among the favourites for the T20 World Cup in a few months. It is harder to find room for optimism for a Sri Lanka side that succumbed to their first clean-sweep defeat in any limited-overs series (of at least three matches) against England.Top heavy
Malan, who has been batting at No. 3 of late, and Bairstow, who has been at No. 4, put on 105 for the first wicket in 11.4 overs. After taking a couple of overs to size up the bowling and the conditions, they attacked with calm precision to define the rest of the game. Their stand was 14 more than the entire Sri Lanka side managed.It was England’s first century opening stand against Sri Lanka in T20Is and their fifth in total. Underlining that strength in depth is the observation that Alex Hales, another man who is currently deemed surplus to requirements, was involved in three of those five century stands and was busy scoring a century for Nottinghamshire while this game was being played. Realistically, Malan and Bairstow are likely to be shunted back down the order when Buttler and Roy return.Some cheer from Chameera
This has been, in many ways, a chastening series for Sri Lanka. But the performance of Chameera, at least, has been encouraging. With his pace, control and variations, he challenged the batters in each game. Over the series, he had an impressive economy rate of 6.26 per over.Chameera began by conceding just three from the first over of the match, demonstrating an ability to gain a little movement and a sharp short ball. But it was when he returned towards the death that he excelled: mixing his quicker deliveries – he can exceed 140kph – with some well-directed slower balls, he took four wickets for six runs in those two overs and dragged back a runaway England.Malan makes a statement
He batted both beautifully and at an impressive tempo. His first boundary, from his sixth delivery, was a clip for six off his legs that was timed to perfection and it was followed by a succession of reverse-sweeps, drives and slog-sweeps that provided a reminder of his range and class. One lofted drive over extra-cover might have been the stroke of the day. He beat Bairstow to fifty (30 and 41 balls respectively) and demonstrated his ability as a power hitter by heaving Wanindu Hasaranga for two vast sixes in an over.Don’t fret about his having ‘only’ scored 76 by the time he was dismissed in the 19th over: he had been starved of the strike. On another sluggish surface, his strike-rate – 158.33 – was significantly better than anyone else who faced 10 deliveries in the match.Sri Lanka Battered
With scores of 111 for 7, 129 for 7 and now 91 all out, Sri Lanka’s batters have looked strangely impotent. They were never able to register a total that threatened England and only one of them could get up to a score of 40 all series. With time running out ahead of the T20 World Cup, it’s an area that will have to improve if Sri Lanka are to challenge.Woakes’ happy return
It had been almost six years since Woakes had played a T20I before this series. But, in conceding just 3.28 runs per over in the two games he played, he must have earned himself a chance of a longer-term recall. His control, skills, and variations – which seems, on this evidence, to include a new slower ball which is delivered with no change of seam position and appears tough to pick-up – and his ability to contribute with the bat, would appear to render him an attractive option.

Sam Robson put on a rare showcase of his T20 skills as Middlesex beat Essex Eagles by nine runs in the Vitality Blast at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.Test-capped Robson, known for his red-ball talents, was only playing his seventh T20 match but showed off his repertoire with 60, as Middlesex struck 169 for five in blistering heat.Afghanistan international Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s cheap two-for put the stoppers on a promising start to the chase before Steven Finn (3 for 25) and Blake Cullen’s (2 for 26) late wickets made sure of the victory. It meant Middlesex avoided the South Group wooden spoon by claiming their fourth victory of the Blast, while condemning Essex to an eighth defeat – although this fixture was already a dead rubber with both out.Robson had previously only played four games in 2011 and twice this season, scoring just 69 runs, but his inexperience in the format didn’t show. His opening partner Max Holden nicked off first ball but Robson and Joe Cracknell kickstarted the innings with a stand of 59 for the second wicket.Cracknell pulled to deep midwicket as Robson glided past his highest score of 28 and to his maiden format half-century. He reached fifty in 40 deliveries, with a six straight back over Simon Harmer’s head before following it up two balls later by dispatching over wide long-on.Robson fell for 60 when she holed out to long-on, to give Aron Nijjar a wicket to go alongside the miserly four overs going for 20. John Simpson and Daryl Mitchell totted the score along, adding 24 and 43 before being stumped and paddling to short fine leg respectively.The Eagles were on top of the chase at the halfway mark having reached 88 for 2. Adam Wheater slogged to deep midwicket but Tom Westley and Dan Lawrence confidently and comfortably struck a 50 partnership from 29 balls.But wickets, and a slowdown in the 11th and 12th overs, tilted the balance towards the visitors – as Westley was bowled by Luke Hollman and the impeccable Mujeeb castled Michael Pepper.Debutant Josh Rymell showed some decent skills before being bowled by Mujeeb for 21 and then the bottom fell out.Neesham was caught at deep midwicket, Paul Walter was caught and bowled and Simon Harmer skied to put Finn on a hat-trick – although Nijjar thwarted the attempt with a six. The former England bowler got the last laugh when he was caught at long-on, and the loss of five wickets in 17 balls killed off the hosts.

Sands extended his NYCFC contract through 2028, joining the German club on a six-month deal

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James Sands loaned to FC St. PauliU.S. international on deal through June 2025Will be second loan stint to EuropeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

New York City FC have loaned U.S. international James Sands to Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli through June 30, 2025 with an option to extend through the 2025-26 season. The 24-year-old has extended his contract with the MLS side through 2028, as well.

The loan will begin immediately, and Sands will miss the beginning of the 2025 MLS season as a result.

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Sands was NYCFC's first Homegrown signing back in 2017, eventually helping the club to secure it's first trophy in MLS Cup 2021. The midfielder was loaned to Scottish powerhouse Rangers during the 2022-23 season, where he made 41 appearances, winning the 2022 Scottish Cup and featuring in the Europa League final.

He returned to NYCFC in 2023, where he's made 67 appearances across all competitions.

“New York City is home, I would like to thank everyone at the club for welcoming me back and aiding my progression,” Sands said. “After two years in New York, I feel like it’s the right time to make a move back to Europe, and very much looking forward to testing myself and experiencing a new league. I wish my teammates and the club all the best of luck in the upcoming season.”

Internationally, Sands has represented the U.S. 13 times and was a part of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning roster.

WHAT NYCFC SAID

“We are really pleased for James that he has earned this opportunity to play for a fantastic club in the Bundesliga,” Sporting Director David Lee said in a statement. “When James returned from his loan at Rangers in 2023, he was always clear that in the future he wanted the opportunity to return to Europe and we agreed that we would be supportive of those ambitions at the right time. This is an incredible opportunity for James to play in one of the top five European leagues.

“James has been an incredible professional since he first signed with the club in 2017, and his development and career so far should be an inspiration to all the players in our academy. James had a huge impact in helping the team return to the playoffs in 2024, in addition to reaching his milestone 100th appearance and deservedly winning the club’s Defensive MVP award. While we will miss James on-and-off the field during the loan period, we are excited to closely follow his career in Europe and wish him all the best for the remainder of the Bundesliga season.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SANDS?

Sands loan begins immediately, and the German side report back to the pitch on Jan. 11 against Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

Aston Villa’s first Champions League game since 1982/83 ended in an emphatic 3-0 victory away to Swiss side Young Boys.

The Villans were superb after initially struggling to adapt to the plastic pitch used at the Wankdorf Stadium, an unfamiliar surface given they play on the carpets of the Premier League week in, week out.

After negating a tough first 25 minutes or so, Unai Emery’s side grew into the game, eventually opening the scoring through a well-worked set piece. The Midlands club outsmarted the Swiss champions, with Youri Tielemans finding space from a John McGinn cross to volley home from inside the penalty box.

Moments later, Jacob Ramsey doubled his side’s lead, pouncing on a scrappy piece of defending to slot home in composed fashion. Ollie Watkins thought he added a third but his goal was disallowed due to handball.

Villa dominated the second half, too. Jhon Duran, who has been in superb form this season, had a goal of his own ruled out after a handball from Amadou Onana in the build-up. Onana did add the third, however, with a well-struck effort from outside the area which nestled in the corner.

It was a dominant win for the Villans, with some standout performances along the way.

Villa’s attacking threat vs. Young Boys

The away side were certainly destructive in their attacking play against their Swiss opposition on Tuesday night. According to Sofascore, they had 20 shots on Young Boys’ goal, hitting the target seven times and forcing five saves out of goalkeeper David von Ballmoos.

Their performance was so impressive that the Villans actually exceeded their expected goals tally. Emery’s side had an expected goals total of 2.18, but, of course, scored three times thanks to strikes from Tielemans, Ramsey and Onana.

It was certainly a clinical evening for the Villans, who can be pleased with their night’s work. They tested the goalkeeper plenty of times and managed to score their only big chance of the game. It no doubt made for pleasant viewing for Emery.

Among all of the good performances from the Premier League side, there was one player who stood out compared to all of the rest. That player is Villa academy graduate Ramsey.

Ramsey’s stats against Young Boys

Making his second consecutive start for the Villans after playing from the off against Everton in last weekend’s 3-2 win, Ramsey was able to score his first goal in the Champions League for his boyhood club and immediately looked at home on the biggest stage.

It was a chaotic finish after he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area, which he brought out from under Watkins’ body, who was languishing on the ground after being tripped up. The Villa number 41 showed great composure as he slotted the ball into the far corner to double his side’s advantage.

Indeed, it was such an impressive performance from the 23-year-old midfielder that he earned an 8/10 rating from Goal journalist Richard Mills. He pointed out Ramsey “looked a threat down the left wing”, calling him a “nuisance all night” for the Swiss Champions.

The stats via Sofascore certainly back up that claim. The Villa academy graduate had 56 touches, completed 95% of his passes from which he created three chances, and succeeded with 100% of his dribbles. Off the ball, he worked hard too, winning four from five ground duels.

Stat

Number

Pass accuracy

95%

Touches

56

Passes completed

40/42

Ground duels won

4/5

Key passes

3

Fouls won

3

Goals

1

Ramsey’s performance is certainly one that will please Emery and the Villa fans alike. If he and his teammates can keep up that form on the European stage, there is no limits to how far they can go in the Champions League this season.

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