Jos Buttler praises batters' positivity as England bounce back from Oval drubbing

Captain pleased with adaptation to tricky Lord’s wicket as England square the series

Andrew Miller14-Jul-2022Jos Buttler admitted that England’s batting still isn’t quite firing on all cylinders, but insisted that the positivity they had shown on another complex Lord’s surface made a crucial difference in the final analysis, as they successfully defended a sub-par total of 246 thanks to a record-breaking six-for from Reece Topley.England’s 100-run victory came just 48 hours after they had, in Buttler’s words, “come third in a two-horse race” with a ten-wicket trouncing in Tuesday’s first ODI at the Kia Oval. And given the ominous power that India’s batting had displayed during their 2-1 series win in the preceding T20Is, England seemed destined for a similar result when they slid to 148 for 6 after once again being asked to bat first.This time, however, Moeen Ali and David Willey produced some meaningful resistance with 47 and 41 respectively to hoist the team just past the memorable total of 241 – the score with which England and New Zealand had tied the World Cup final, on this very ground three years to the day earlier.”We play at Lord’s quite a lot and it’s never a brilliant batting wicket, never completely straightforward,” Buttler said. “It’s always got that bit of a feel as well as a batsman. It felt a bit like the World Cup final wicket, not completely straightforward and that creates interesting games of cricket as well.”If you held a length, it was very tough to score. It felt like you could beat the bat and create wickets, so it was a different style of ODI cricket to that we have sometimes seen over the last few years in England, when we’ve played on excellent wickets and it’s been high-scoring.”Only a few weeks have passed since England posted their third consecutive 50-over world record by racking up 498 for 4 against the Netherlands at Amstelveen. The challenge of facing down an attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, the No.1-ranked ODI bowler, is completely different, of course, but having called for his team to be less “timid” after the T20I loss, Buttler was pleased with their response to a calamitous display at The Oval, where Bumrah’s career-best 6 for 19 had routed them for 110.Related

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Moeen Ali plays down panic after Oval rout, but England's ODI rust is plain to see

England search for answers at Lord's against high-flying India

“It wasn’t in my eyes really reckless batting [at The Oval], it was fantastic bowling that took the edges, and the catches were taken behind the wicket,” Buttler said. “Today wasn’t a completely straightforward wicket either. But that’s the challenge. We’ve all become accustomed to some very flat wickets in ODI cricket, and seeing batsmen dominate, and I think we’ve just seen two different styles of cricket due to the pitches we’ve played on.”Today the positivity we showed with the bat is actually what enabled us to get up to the score that we did,” he added. “I think we can bat better. Absolutely we can, but instead of playing it safe and allowing the bowlers to just settle in on a length, we actually were proactive and played some positive shots, which I think earned us a few extra runs than potentially we may have got.”That’s something we’ve tried to do as a team for a long time, play with a certain level of intensity and positivity when we bat. We could have got more, but we know that there’s a hell of a lot of experience in the batting line-up, and I have so much trust in whoever’s in the middle, to make the right call at the time, and the whole dressing room will always back those guys.”It’s always been a real strength of the team that we have a lot of allrounders, a lot of our bowlers are very capable batsman. So that’s been a theme for the team, it allows us to be more positive because we know we bat deep into our team.”We felt like we were a few short at the halfway stage, but very much in the game if we could take early wickets, and I thought we bowled outstandingly well, the guys set the tone at the top and we all followed.”

'The plan nearly worked' – Enzo Maresca defends Chelsea changes as Blues boss pleased with 'complete game' despite goalless draw against Brentford

Enzo Maresca insists leaving Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer out of Chelsea's starting XI at Brentford nearly worked, despite being held to a draw.

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Chelsea draw 0-0 at BrentfordMaresca left Jackson and Palmer outBlues boss defends changesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The pair were rested after playing Thursday's 1-0 victory over Tottenham, though both came on in the second half. Maresca was satisfied with how his team looked throughout the match.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT MARESCA SAID

Maresca said: "I think we shot more than 20 times, the only thing we missed was a goal but overall it's a good performance. We played Thursday night, so the idea was to start the game in one way and finish in another way. I think the plan nearly worked. We just missed the goal."

He added in a press conference: "I think overall we played a good game. We prepared the game in the way the game was, in terms of starting one way and finishing the other way. We played Thursday night, demanding game, 24 hours less than them. Tricky stadium, tricky game. Sunny day, the pitch was dry. They tried to kill the tempo of the game, so for me it was a complete game. But overall, as I said, I think we did enough to win the game. We shot more than 20 times and probably the only thing we missed has been the goal, but overall happy with the performance."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The draw takes Chelsea up to fourth and on course to qualify for the Champions League, despite an extended patchy run of results. The Blues have won just four of their last nine Premier League games, while Palmer is without a goal since January.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea begin their Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warsaw on Thursday evening before hosting Ipswich at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.

Blackburn Rovers want to sign new 6 ft 1 defender for Eustace this month

Blackburn are now holding talks to sign a new defender for manager John Eustace as they look to continue their push for a spot in the Championship play-offs come the end of the campaign.

Blackburn hit bump in season

Though currently seventh in the Championship, Blackburn’s return of two points from their last five games (two draws and three defeats) is the worst form in the division across that time, and a remedy is needed fast.

Blackburn

2

Plymouth Argyle

3

Luton Town

3

Watford

3

Derby County

3

As it stands, they remain within touching distance of the top six in the division, but their gap to those below them has been cut to just two points, with three sides sitting on 37 points while Norwich City sit just a point further back, all with eyes on leapfrogging Rovers in their own pushes for a play-off place.

Despite Blackburn reportedly being keen to strike several deals this January transfer window, John Eustace admitted that nothing was close yet.

“Nothing at the moment,” he explained ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough when quizzed on transfers. “I know the club are working very hard to try and bring some players in, so hopefully we can continue doing that and see where it takes us. I am sure there won’t be anyone in before the weekend.”

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

However, he is keen for that to change, admitting that his side need “help” to sustain their play-off hopes: “We are doing the right things but we have to keep positive and we think we can be a top side in this league. But we need help. Hopefully, we can get that to stay in the push of where we want to be.”

Now, one of the men he is hoping to land has been revealed.

Blackburn in talks over loan move

That is according to The Lancashire Telegraph, who report that Blackburn are in talks with Coventry City over a move for defender Liam Kitching.

Any deal would likely be a loan move for the defender, they report, with Blackburn unlikely to offer anything close to the £4m Coventry shelled out to land him 18 months ago. It is added that “talks have been ongoing for the last week and at one stage, the deal looked likely”, but that his involvement in Coventry’s most recent game has left the move “in the balance”.

The defender hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last season, scoring two own goals in the same game, and he has been out of favour so far this campaign.

He has started just seven times in the Championship to date, with just one of those coming under new boss Frank Lampard. A left-footed centre-back who can also fill in at left-back, the 6 foot 1 defender is seen as an excellent option to provide cover for the injured Harry Pickering at Ewood Park.

One player who won’t be making the move, however, is Grant Hanley, with the report adding that a move for the defender is “not a deal that Rovers are pursuing at this time”. Could Kitching be the one to help sustain Blackburn’s play-off charge?

Repleto de novidades, Flamengo está escalado para enfrentar o Athletico; veja o time e onde assistir

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo vai enfrentar o Athletico-PR, neste sábado, mais especificamente às 16h30, na Arena da Baixada, com uma equipe consideravelmentemodificada em relação aos últimos dois jogos. A principal novidade fica por conta da estreia de Pablo, titular desde o início para a partida desta tarde, válida pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

RelacionadasFutebol LatinoConfira retrospecto do Flamengo contra times chilenos pela fase de grupos da LibertadoresFutebol Latino23/04/2022BrasileirãoQuatro titulares do Flamengo chegam para jogo com o Athletico, neste sábado, em sequência desgastanteBrasileirão22/04/2022BrasileirãoGabigol ‘confortável’ na Arena da Baixada é trunfo do Flamengo contra o AthleticoBrasileirão22/04/2022

Outro destaque fica por conta da escalação de Pedro entre os 11, além de Marinho e Léo Pereira, que não foram titulares recentemente. O Flamengo vai a campo com:Hugo Souza; Willian Arão, Pablo e Léo Pereira; Isla, João Gomes, Thiago Maia e Lázaro; Marinho, Arrascaeta e Pedro.

Já no banco, Paulo Sousa terá as seguintes opções:Diego Alves, Santos, Rodinei, Wesley, David Luiz, Filipe Luís, Andreas Pereira, Diego Ribas, Daniel Cabral, Everton Ribeiro e Gabigol.

> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

FICHA TÉCNICA
Athletico x Flamengo – 3ª rodada do Brasileirão
Estádio: Arena da Baixada, em Curitiba (PR)
Data e hora: 23 de abril de 2020, às 16h30
Árbitro: Raphael Claus (Fifa/SP)
Assistentes: Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (Fifa/SP) e Neuza Ines Back (FIFA/SP)
VAR: Rodrigo D Alonso Ferreira (SC)

Onde assistir: TV Globo e Twitch (Casimito)
Onde acompanhar: Tempo Real do LANCE!

'I hope I don't embarrass myself' – Mary Earps confession as England goalkeeper opens up on Lionesses career amid competition from Hannah Hampton ahead of Euro 2025

Mary Earps has revealed that she returned to England duty after a two-year break saying: “I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”

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  • No selections between 2019 and 2021
  • Earned recall when Wiegman took over
  • Now has 53 caps and major honours
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The two-time FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper made the Lionesses squad for Euro 2017 and the 2019 World Cup without getting onto the pitch. She was then left wandering in the international wilderness until being included in Sarina Wiegman’s first selection in September 2021.

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    WHAT MARY EARPS SAID

    Earps is a now a Euro 2022 winner with 53 caps to her name, but has told when asked when she felt comfortable in England camp and as though she had ‘made it’: "When I got brought back in by Sarina, I'd been out for such a long time and I remember thinking 'What if I don't have it?' I was out for what felt like an eternity, I could barely remember what an England camp felt like. I honestly went in thinking, 'I hope I don't embarrass myself'.

    "I got brought into some training camps with Team GB around that time and it probably took me a few camps [to settle back in]. I think conversations and games helped that, but I never felt like 'Oh, this is mine [the No 1 spot]'.

    "I'm not that type of person where I'm entitled like that. Anything can change at any time. I just wanted to play as many games and help the team as possible. I was always trying to make the most of every single moment.”

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Earps, who is now playing her club football in France for Paris Saint-Germain, added: "I think being out of it makes you appreciate it even more. It felt like a bonus because I made peace with my eight caps. That's not bad – it's better than one, it's better than zero. It's something to tell the kids, and you rationalise it in your own mind, then suddenly, I'm picking up caps and I'm playing more games than I probably ever thought.

    "You do lose a lot of confidence when that happens [being dropped from the team]. You think 'Well, I was just never very good'.

    "I actually thought at one point I was robbing a living so to then go on and have the level of success I've had – what a bonus, what a life. No complaints from me. It's beyond anything I could ever express in words, and I just hope that I have.

    "Whatever I do, I hope I've done something good with this privileged position I've been given. I don't see it as 'this is mine, I'm owed this' – not at all. Football is a crazy old game."

  • Getty/GOAL

    WHAT NEXT?

    Earps is in no position to rest on her laurels at present, despite all that she has achieved, with Hannah Hampton providing fierce competition for England’s No.1 spot as the Lionesses ready themselves for a European Championship title defence in Switzerland this summer.

فيديو | بمشاركة محمد صلاح.. تشيلسي يهزم ليفربول بثلاثية في الدوري الإنجليزي

سقط ليفربول في فخ الهزيمة بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، أمام مضيفه تشيلسي، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لموسم 2024/2025.

وواجه ليفربول نظيره تشيلسي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ35 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج”.

وحسم ليفربول لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم 2024/25، بعد أن فاز على توتنهام بنتيجة 5/1، في اللقاء الذي أقيم ضمن منافسات الجولة 34 من البريميرليج، الأحد الماضي.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي بعد هدف إيزاك أمام برايتون

في الشوط الأول ومع الدقيقة الثالثة، افتتح إنزو فيرنانديز التسجيل لصالح تشيلسي، مستغلاً تمريرة حاسمة من بيدرو نيتو.

ولم ينجح رفقاء محمد صلاح، في خلق فرص حقيقية على مرمى تشيلسي طوال الشوط الأول.

وكاد بيدرو نيتو أن يضيف الهدف الثاني لأصحاب الأرض قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، لكن تسديدته اصطدمت بالشباك الجانبية لحارس الريدز أليسون بيكر.

في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 56، أضاف تشيلسي الهدف الثاني عن طريق مدافع ليفربول جاريل كوانساه بالخطأ في مرماه، بعد أن اصطدمت تسديدة فان دايك بجسده، لتهز شباك الريدز معلناً ثاني أهداف أصحاب الأرض.

التهديد الأول لـ ليفربول على مرمى تشيلسي، جاء عبر رأسية فان دايك لكنها مرت بجوار مرمى سانشيز.

وقدم محمد صلاح تمريرة عرضية حاسمة داخل منطقة جزاء تشيلسي، لكن رأسية داروين نونيز جاءت بعيدة عن مرمى تشيلسي.

وكاد محمد صلاح أن يقلص نتيجة المباراة بهدف أول لصالح الريدز بضربة رأسية بالدقيقة 77، لكنها مرت بجوار مرمى سانشيز.

فيما أهدر بيدرو نيتو فرصة ثمينة لإضافة الهدف الثالث بحلول الدقيقة 80 بعد تصدي مميز من أليسون بيكر، ووقف القائم بجوار ليفربول ومنع كول بالمر من تسجيل ثالث أهداف البلوز.

وبحلول الدقيقة 85، قلص فيرجيل فان دايك نتيجة المباراة بتوقيعه على أول أهداف ليفربول من ضربة رأسية بصناعة من أليكسيس ماك أليستر.

ووقع كول بالمر على ثالث أهداف تشيلسي من علامة الجزاء بحلول الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت المحتسب بدل من ضائع في نهاية المباراة.

وبهذه النتيجة، تجمد رصيد ليفربول عند النقطة 82 في المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي، بينما ارتفع رصيد تشيلسي إلى النقطة 63 في المركز الخامس. اهداف مباراة ليفربول وتشيلسي (3-1) الدوري الانجليزي

محمد صبحي يغادر مباراة الزمالك وسيراميكا كليوباترا مصابًا

تعرض محمد صبحي، حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك للإصابة خلال مواجهة سيراميكا كليوباترا الجارية الآن في الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتُلعب المباراة بين الزمالك ومنافسه سيراميكا كليوباترا على أرضية استاد المقاولون العرب، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الخامسة من عمر منافسات المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري.

وأصيب صبحي، بعد كرة مشتركة مع محمد رضا بوبو لاعب سيراميكا ليصاب حارس الأبيض في يده ويغادر ويحل محمد عواد بدلًا منه في الدقيقة 80.

وتشير النتيجة إلى تقدم الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف، حيث سجل ناصر منسي هدف الأبيض الأول في الدقيقة 14، مستغلا خطأ فادح من محمد بسام حارس سيراميكا كليوباترا الذي حاول مراوغة المهاجم ليخطف الأخير الكرة منه ويصوبها في الشباك.

طالع.. فيديو | بعد خطأ فادح.. ناصر منسي يسجل هدف الزمالك الأول أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا

وأحرز إسلام عيسى هدف تعادل سيراميكا كليوباترا أمام الزمالك في الدقيقة 64، بعدما تلقى تمريرة داخل منطقة جزاء الأبيض صوبها مباشرة في مرمى الأبيض.

وجاء هدف الزمالك الثاني عن طريق سيف الجزيري بالدقيقة 69، بعد مرواغة رائعة لمدافعي سيراميكا كليوباترا داخل منطقة الجزاء وصوبها بالمرمى.

Better than Louie Barry: Leeds could sign game-changing Gnonto replacement

The January transfer window has been a quiet month for Leeds United, with no deals yet to be completed after two weeks since it opened.

Daniel Farke has led his side to the top of the Championship table with just 20 matches to go, undoubtedly in pole position to return to the Premier League come the end of May.

Previous additions from the summer transfer window have helped the Whites maintain their current league standing, undoubtedly playing a key role in their recent success in England’s second tier.

Jayden Bogle and Ao Tanaka both moved to Elland Road ahead of the 2024/25 season, with both wasting no time on cementing their places as regular starters, featuring in 24 and 23 league games respectively.

However, despite the quiet start to the window, it could be about to ramp up with just a couple of weeks remaining – with endless names now in the hat over a potential move.

Leeds United’s transfer activity in January

Louie Barry is a player who has constantly been on the club’s radar in recent weeks after being recalled from his loan at Stockport County, where he managed to tear League One apart.

The 21-year-old managed to notch 15 goals in just 23 appearances for Dave Challinor’s side, with parent club Aston Villa wanting him to prove himself at a higher level.

Farke’s team have been joined in the race by Derby County and Celtic in recent weeks, but it’s unclear where the youngster will end up come the closure of the month.

However, current first-team star Wilfried Gnonto has once again become the centre of attention after interest in his services from numerous outfits over the last couple of days.

Football Insider reported that there was concrete interest from Saudi Arabia over a potential move, which could see big money thrown their way as a result.

Undoubtedly, no Leeds fan would want to lose one of their star men, but given his return of just four goals and five assists – the club may be tempted to cash in.

The 21-year-old would be a huge loss, but they may be able to find a perfect replacement in the form of a talent who’s previously starred under Farke.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Leeds could seal a better move than Barry

The rumour of a potential move for Barry has undoubtedly ignited excitement amongst the fanbase – especially since his superb return in the lower division.

However, many would fear the fact of losing Italian winger Gnonto, especially given his tender age, possessing a lot of quality to potentially improve further down the line.

The club would be silly to turn down an irresistible offer from the Middle East, putting faith in the club’s recruitment – looking to replicate such business they conducted during the summer window.

As a result, they could turn to Aston Villa attacker Emiliano Buendia this month, with the Argentine potentially available on loan with Leeds previously interested in a deal for the forward after his long injury lay-off.

The 28-year-old has only made 16 appearances to date in 2024/25, with the vast majority coming off the substitutes bench, opening the door to a temporary exit.

Buendia previously featured under Farke at Norwich, playing a vital role in their promotion season back in 2020/21 – registering 15 goals and 16 assists in just 39 outings – subsequently winning the Player of the Year award.

His career has stuttered of late, but it could be resurrected with a return under his former manager, hopefully demonstrating his “game-changing” qualities as labelled by one-time boss Ruben de la Barrera.

Despite his lack of minutes, he’s still produced a plethora of impressive attacking stats, many of which blow youngster Barry out of the water – highlighting what a key addition he could be for the Whites.

Games played

10

23

Goals & assists

0

18

Progressive passes

6.3

3.2

Shots taken

5.1

3.6

Pass accuracy

82%

74%

Fouls won

5

1.3

Tackles won

6.2

0.5

His recent injury record could cause concern to many, but his stats when fully fit speak for themselves, undoubtedly handing the club a boost in their title ambitions.

Added quality wouldn’t harm anyone, especially Farke, potentially handing him a chance to forget about Gnonto should the Italian make the move away from Elland Road this window.

The next Dan James: Leeds strongly pushing to sign "sensational" PL talent

Daniel Farke is pushing to make reinforcements to his Leeds United squad.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 14, 2025

Após renovar contrato, Arthur Chamonge treina com elenco profissional no Avaí

MatériaMais Notícias

De contrato renovado até 2024, o atacante Arthur Chamonge participou dos treinos com o time profissional do Avaí nesta semana. Após assinar seu primeiro contrato profissional com a equipe no início do mês e fazer um gol na vitória do Sub-20 sobre o Metropol, o atacante foi acompanhado pela comissão técnica de Eduardo Barroca.

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>Listamos 16 camisas de clubes desenhadas por torcedores

– Treinar ao lado do elenco profissional é incrível. Trabalhar com jogadores que tenho como referência é muito bom para meu crescimento como jogador. Espero ter atendido às expectativas da comissão técnica para participar dos treinamentos com esse grupo mais vezes – declarou o atacante.

Essa não é a primeira vez que Arthur é integrado ao time principal. No ano passado, ele já chegou a ter a oportunidade de treinar com os profissionais do clube.

Agora, Arthur volta sua atenção para a disputa da Copa Santa Catarina sub-20. O Avaí enfrenta o Manchister no sábado (21), podendo virar líder de seu grupo em caso de vitória.

Americans Abroad: Pendulum swings up for Christian Pulisic and Milan, recovering Malik Tillman delivers in PSV blowout, Celtic's Cameron Carter-Vickers scores stunner

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including an up-turn by Pulisic and some scintillating goals

It's just been a weird season for U.S. internationals playing in Europe. There hasn't really been anything resembling consistency. Zoom out, and even with some impressive individual campaigns, team-wide success has been hard to come by. The Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah sit in fourth place in Serie A, perhaps the closest that any American at the highest level will end up.

But national teams don't work like that. It is possible to be a good player on a struggling team. Christian Pulsiic, once again, epitomized that. The American grabbed an assist again for Milan on Saturday, continuing what is, statistically, at least, his best season yet.

There was other good news to be found as Malik Tillman has recovered wonderfully from an ankle injury with a big comeback for PSV. Meanwhile, a duo of American center-backs neglected duties at one end, but sort of made up for it at the other by finding the net – including a stunner from the LEGO-obsessed Cameron Carter-Vickers.

It was quiet elsewhere, with Josh Sargent benched, only coming on late for Norwich. Folarin Balogun is still being worked back into the fray at Monaco. Gio Reyna proved once again why he should really leave Dortmund this summer, watching from the sidelines. And Sergino Dest was given a night off as he continued his build back from an ACL tear.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.

  • Getty Images Sport

    Christian Pulisic's confusing campaign continues

    Christian Pulisic is just puzzling at this point. Let's be honest: It's been a fantastic season for the American – at times. He has reached double-digit assists, leads Milan in scoring, and is a far more confident player than he was just 18 months ago.

    But somehow, this still feels a bit underwhelming, like potential untapped. Part of it is certainly inconsistency. Pulisic picked up a knock in the winter, and endured a rough spot after the ill-advised signing of Joao Felix. But now Sergio Conceicao's affair with Felix is over, it's Pulisic's time again.

    At least, it looked like it this week. The American provided his 10th assist of the season – from a corner – to double Milan's lead over Udinese. They would go on to win 4-0. Pulisic's numbers were otherwise mixed: four chances created, zero completed dribbles. He also lost the most duels of any player in the match.

    Still, decisive moments are the ones that live in the memory, and he notched another one. If only Milan weren't ninth.

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    Malik Tillman and the art of the timely return

    Malik Tillman, done for the season. At least those were the whispers in the Dutch media after the U.S. international needed ankle surgery in January. It was all a bit doom and gloom around an attacking midfielder who had really found his mojo for PSV (arguably as much as fellow American Ricardo Pepi.)

    And while Pepi is still recovering from a knee injury, Tillman is busy making his case for USMNT anager Mauricio Pochettino. The PSV man scored in his side's 5-0 demolition of Almere City Saturday afternoon. It wasn't a pretty one: a simple tap in off a parried shot. But there is something to be said for being in the right spot to react to these things.

    What it means for PSV is tough to say. They are nine points off Ajax atop the table with five games to go. It would take an immense collapse for them to repeat as champions. For Tillman, then, it's a period to work his way back to full fitness and impress the USMNT manager.

    The Gold Cup looks rather important. The U.S. could really do with winning this thing, which would suggest Tillman will be in the fray. A good end to the campaign, and he will be among that squad – presumably positioning himself for a run in the side long-term.

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    Cameron Carter-Vickers strikes, Chris Richards can score

    OK then. Center-back goals feel a bit naughty sometimes. Really, this guy? The 6-3 lumbering bloke? He's allowed to score? They tend to be tap ins or headers, set pieces or not much beyond that.

    No one seemed to tell Carter-Vickers about that vague platitude. Instead, the Celtic man carried the ball 15 yards, looked up, shrugged, and whipped the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Totally normal behavior. Nothing to see here.

    It was, of course, one of the best goals of the season, not only for the quality of the strike but also for the sheer absurdity of it all. Even Malcolm Johnston – Celtic's right-back and a CONCACAF rival – had his hands on his head in disbelief after the strike from Carter-Vickers.

    That was just the 11th goal in club soccer for Carter-Vickers. Ever. Not a bad one whatsoever. Celtic won 5-1, but a late Rangers goal in another fixture denied them of the title. It's a matter of time, but this was fine entertainment while they chug along.

    Crystal Palace's Chris Richards' goal was far more conventional. He ghosted into the box from a corner and nodded home from close range. It put Palace 2-0 up against Manchester City.

    What happened at the other end was less flattering for the American, though, City coming from behind with a five-goal retort to batter Oliver Glasner's side, 5-2.

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    What you might have missed

    + Folarin Balogun's return isn't exactly going to plan. The striker has struggled since making a comeback from shoulder surgery, and settled for minutes off the bench again this weekend. However, Monaco's 3-0 win bolster's his chance of playing Champions League football next year.

    + McKennie started in Juventus' 2-1 win over Lecce on Saturday. Igor Tudor has had a fine impact so far, and McKennie and Co. are well-positioned to make the Champions League next year.

    + Josh Sargent left his shooting boots at home in Norwich's 2-1 loss to Burnley. The American failed to make an impact off the bench.

    + Gianluca Busio's Venezia beat 20th-placed Monza, 1-0, and are (somehow) in with a shout of avoiding relegation – with 17th-placed Lecce just two points away with six games remaining.

    + Reyna watched from the bench as Dortmund managed a 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Bayern Munich.

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