Sunderland are yet to lose at home this season in the Premier League, with the Stadium of Light’s reputation as a fortress only being strengthened when an out-of-sorts Wolverhampton Wanderers travelled to Wearside on Saturday.

Indeed, the top-flight’s basement club did have a few half-chances here and there – particularly in an open second half – but it was Regis Le Bris’ men who picked up a third home success of the season when the scoreline read 2-0 in their favour come full-time.

It was very much a day to remember for new Sunderland recruit Nordi Mukiele, as the marauding number two was rewarded for one notable burst of energy when grabbing his first Black Cats’ goal during the comfortable victory.

Mukiele's standout performance for Sunderland

Heading into Saturday’s clash, Mukiele had only exclusively played as a commanding centre-back for his new employers.

That changed against Vitor Pereira’s challengers on Saturday, with Le Bris drafting his adaptable number 20 out to the right-back spot, in what was an inspired switch by the ex-Lorient boss.

The former RB Leipzig defender bombing forward and gambling on an opportunity opening up handed the Black Cats that decisive first goal in the contest, with Mukiele’s perseverance – and a slice of fortune that the Wolves goalkeeper fumbled it over the line – giving Le Bris and Co the platform to extend their unbeaten home record in league action.

It wasn’t just his attacking performance that put a smile on the face of everyone associated with the Wearside giants, though, with Mukiele still switched on defensively when winning a dominant 15 duels across the entire clash.

Statistician Statman Dave hailed the 27-year-old as “monstrous” when the dust had settled on the 2-0 win.

With Daniel Ballard also winning ten duels in the heart of defence, it could be that Mukiele gains more chances in the first-team ranks from this full-back spot moving forward.

Unfortunately, not every team selection decision from Le Bris paid off in the same manner, with one Black Cats star now in danger of being axed after amassing fewer touches throughout than Robin Roefs.

Sunderland's biggest underperformer vs Wolves

Sunderland did have a last-gasp own goal to thank for all three points being secured, as some attacking faces struggled to be potent in front of goal as the game dragged on.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Wilson Isidor couldn’t add to his three-goal tally for the Wearside outfit this season in league action despite his best efforts, with the offside flag denying him another strike at the Stadium of Light.

Away from any offside interventions, Chris Rigg struggled full stop to get going with zero shots at Sam Johnstone’s goal and a lacklustre 22 touches accumulated, making his first-team spot now look shaky.

Yet, it could be Mukiele’s partner for the day on the left-hand side, in Bertrand Traoré, that is most fearful, with the Burkina Faso international only lasting 63 minutes on the pitch during his first top-flight start for Le Bris’ men.

While Traoré did complete two successful dribbles to try and unlock Wolves, the 30-year-old attacker trudged off on the 63rd minute mark without firing a single shot at the Old Gold goal, despite getting into some promising positions, with the numbers when you dig even deeper not painting the number 25 in a positive light.

Minutes played

63

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

23

Shots

0

Accurate passes

11/16 (69%)

Successful dribbles

2/3

Possession lost

7x

Total duels won

3/9

Traore only amassing 23 touches of the ball meant Sunderland shot-stopper Roefs actually managed more across the duration of the match, with the Dutchman ending the game with a superior 42 touches.

He would also eclipse the Ajax loanee’s accurate pass count by seven, with Traoré also looking weak when challenging for duels compared to Mukiele, losing six of his contests.

To further pile on his personal misery, his replacement in Chemsdine Talbi played a key role in the match-winning strike, with a quick surge forward resulting in a Ladislav Krejčí own-goal.

Handed a 5/10 post-match rating by Roker Report’s Andy Tomlinson, too, it does appear now that Traoré is in danger of the chop, even if his high-flying team were ultimately victorious against Wolves.

Agent pushing "composed" star to join Sunderland after £2.6m salary offer

Sunderland could finally get their man…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 18, 2025

It is all change at Tottenham Hotspur at boardroom level.

Last month, it was announced that Daniel Levy was stepping down as the club’s executive chairman after a quarter of a century in the role.

Levy certainly divided opinion among Spurs supporters, but will, undeniably, forever be one of the most influential figures in the club’s history, overseeing the construction of the new training ground and stadium, catapulting the club into the ‘big six’, something that would have been fanciful a decade or so ago.

Now, Peter Charrington has succeeded him as non-executive chairman while Vinai Venkatesham, formerly of Arsenal, was appointed chief executive officer in April.

It will be interesting to see what these changes mean for Spurs going forward, while another noteworthy appointment, or should we say re-appointment, was made this week.

Fabio Paratici's Tottenham return

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Fabio Paratici has returned to Tottenham Hotspur as sporting director.

He previously held the role between June 2021 and April 2023, before serving a 30-month ban from all footballing activities handed to him by FIFA, one of 11 Juventus executives punished in this way following the plusvalenze scandal, also given a suspended 18-month sentence.

Despite this, Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport believes his re-appointment is a major coup, considering his excellent reputation, boasting ‘one of the most extensive contacts books in the game’.

Paratici will be joint sporting director alongside Johan Lange, stating “I’m convinced that working in partner­ship with Johan we can build a special future for the club and our supporters.”

The table below documents all the players signed when Paratici was in situ the first time.

Paratici’s signings at Tottenham

Players

Fee

Spurs apps

Bryan Gil

£21.6m

43

Pape Matar Sarr

£14.6m

113

Emerson Royal

£25.8m

101

Rodrigo Bentancur

£15.9m

123

Cristian Romero

£42m

133

Dejan Kuluševski

£30m

146

Pierluigi Gollini

Loan

10

Clément Lenglet

Loan

35

Pedro Porro

£40m

116

Arnaut Danjuma

Loan

12

Fraser Forster

Free

34

Ivan Perišić

Free

50

Yves Bissouma

£25m

100

Djed Spence

£19m

51

Richarlison

£60m

101

Destiny Udogie

£15m

74

All info via Transfermarkt

As the table documents, many of Paratici’s Spurs signings made little impact in North London; looking at you Bryan Gil!

Others though remain key figures in Thomas Frank’s team to this day, including Richarlison, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie and more.

However, one in particular was infamously not wanted by then-manager Antonio Conte, but Paratici can feel truly vindicated by his decision to sign him.

Paratici's greatest transfer market triumph

Back in July 2022, Djed Spence joined Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £19m.

The full-back had been an integral part of Nottingham Forest’s promotion-winning team during a very memorable loan spell from Middlesbrough, leading to Daniel Taylor of the Athletic describing him as the best loan player he’d ever seen at the City Ground.

Despite this, upon his arrival, manager Conte instantaneously labelled him an “investment of the club” and “not my signing”, which Spence later revealed “shattered my confidence”.

Thus, following loan stints at Stade Rennais, Leeds United and Genoa, he made his first start for Spurs away at Southampton last December, 881 days after signing for the club.

Well, since then, the 25-year-old has not looked back, starting 24 of Spurs’ last 30 Premier League fixtures, as well as both in the Champions League so far this season.

A hugely versatile asset, given that Spence has been deployed in both full-back positions, Ian Wright also describes him, at his best, as a “swashbuckling” presence. In the words of Harry Redknapp, he’s been a “revelation” in north London.

Meantime, current manager Frank asserted that Spence is “exceptionally good” is one-on-one defensive situations adding, “he’s a great type, can play both sides… big credit to Djed. He truly deserves it. It has been a tough”.

The Tottenham manager was referencing Spence’s international breakthrough, making his senior England debut against Serbia at Stadion Rajko Mitić last month, replacing Reece James for the final 20 minutes or so in Belgrade.

This month, Spence started both of England’s matches against Wales and Latvia, with Three Lions captain Harry Kane giving this emotional speech when presenting his team-mate with his maiden cap.

Given Thomas Tuchel’s dearth of left-back options, Myles Lewis-Skelly the other leading contender for that spot, it is far from inconceivable that Spence will be starting at the World Cup next year.

Back at Tottenham, his exponential improvement over the last 12 months is vindication for Paratici, who always believed in him, and proves that all it takes is the right environment for a player to thrive, one that clearly did not involve Conte.

Related Paratici already handed Frank the next Mbeumo in "incredible" Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur have hit the jackpot on one star who could be Thomas Frank’s next Bryan Mbeumo.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 17, 2025

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is arguably in dire need of a proven goalscorer to lead his forward line, amid doubts surrounding Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson.

West Ham identify attacking targets for January

Only Nottingham Forest and bottom side Wolves have scored fewer Premier League goals than West Ham so far, with the Hammers alongside Aston Villa and Newcastle as the division’s second-lowest scorers so far.

Following an injury-ridden and all-round lacklustre career at the London Stadium since his move from Borussia Dortmund, despite flashes of occasional brilliance, West Ham brought another injury-prone striker in Callum Wilson to Rush Green on a free transfer to back up the German.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

The former Newcastle favourite, who had a habit of scoring against West Ham, is off the mark for his new club after bagging an injury-time goal in their 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest just prior to the September international break.

Since Nuno’s arrival, the Portuguese has elected to go with Fullkrug as the club’s starting number nine — perhaps hoping he can eventually inspire a Chris Wood-level resurgence from the 32-year-old, who racked up 16 goals in all competitions in his last season at Dortmund.

However, given both Wilson and Fullkrug’s torrid injury records, it is hardly prudent to rely on either of them ahead of what will be a long 2025/2026 campaign where the Hammers could be fighting relegation.

January represents an opportunity for West Ham to back Nuno with another centre-forward who can ease the burden on Fullkrug and Wilson, with the Irons believed to be interested in Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee as an option heading into the winter window.

Another very intriguing potential target is also beginning to resurface — Real Madrid starlet Endrick.

The 19-year-old is yet to play a single minute for Xabi Alonso this season, having missed the early part of 2025/2026 with thigh problems, and he’s been an unused substitute in all of their last five games.

Endrick, signed from Palmeiras for around £53 million, has reportedly been subject to an approach from West Ham who could look to sign the Brazil international on loan in January.

West Ham chances of signing Endrick alive for January

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with Hammers News, Endrick was open to joining the East Londoners on a temporary deal last January, and the possibility of this happening at the turn of the year still cannot be ruled out.

Endrick, who was once widely regarded as one of the brightest attacking talents in world football, made headlines with his electrifying performances at Palmeiras before his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid.

However, despite his evident skill and potential, breaking into Real’s star-studded first team is a daunting challenge for any teenager, especially in a squad packed with established global superstars.

A loan spell at West Ham would offer the striker a perfect platform to gain valuable experience in a competitive environment on the world’s biggest stage playing Premier League football.

For Nuno’s side, securing a prospect of Endrick’s caliber would bolster their attacking options and inject much-needed creativity into their squad at zero cost — making the move an attractive one for both parties.

Arsenal are now battling Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of a Real Madrid star, with both clubs conducting scouting missions.

Gunners battling Tottenham and Newcastle for new attacker

The Gunners made major improvements to their already fearsome attack during the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swedish striker making an impressive start to life in north London.

Having pushed Liverpool and Manchester City close over the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta’s side clearly have the quality to end their long wait for a Premier League title, and the manager’s tactics are arguably the main thing holding them back.

After the 1-1 draw against Manchester City, Gary Neville criticised Arteta for his cautious approach to the game, saying: “He could have been more attacking at Anfield and he wasn’t and certainly against City from the start he could have been more attacking.”

As such, Arteta adopting a more attacking mindset may be the key to the Gunners winning the league, but there has also now been a suggestion that the manager remains keen on improving his options in forward areas.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are now battling Tottenham and Newcastle for the signature of Real Madrid star Arda Guler, who has emerged as a crucial player since the arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager.

Consequently, the Spanish giants have no desire to cash in on Guler, but that hardline stance hasn’t halted the interest from elsewhere, with the Gunners sending scouts to watch the attacking midfielder in action in La Liga.

With Madrid expressing no interest in selling the 20-year-old, who is focused on his future at the club, it remains to be seen whether a deal is possible, but there is certainly interest on the north Londoners’ behalf.

Journalist shares "surprise" transfer news involving Arsenal and Man City

The Sky Blues and Gunners were some of the summer’s biggest spenders.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 27, 2025 "Exceptional" Guler finding his form in La Liga

After a solid, if not spectacular, first season in Spain, during which the youngster picked up eight La Liga goal contributions, he has really started to find his form this season, picking up three goals and three assists in the opening seven matches.

The Turkey international is particularly adept at setting up chances for his teammates, while he is also an impressive passer of the ball, and strong at winning back possession.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Assists

0.37 (92nd percentile)

Passes attempted

64.58 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

86.3% (99th percentile)

Tackles

1.99 (93rd percentile)

Jose Mourinho has been left particularly impressed with the £87k-a-week starlet in the past, describing him as “exceptional”, and he clearly has the ability to succeed at the Emirates Stadium, having established himself as a key player for Real Madrid.

That said, it will not be too disappointing if Arsenal miss out, given that they are already blessed with options in attacking midfield, having signed Eze in the summer.

Grimsby Town have had another cheeky pop at Manchester United two months after their historic victory over the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup. The League Two side take on Brentford on Tuesday aiming to reach the quarter-finals and coach David Artell believes the Bees will make for much tougher opponents than United, who they knocked out in the second round back in August.

• (C)Getty Images
  

  Grimsby targeting more Carabao Cup glory

  Grimsby became the first ever team from the fourth division or lower to beat United when they edged out Ruben Amorim's side 12-11 in a marathon penalty shootout following a thrilling 2-2 draw at Blundell Park. The Mariners followed up that shock result with another upset by knocking out Sheffield Wednesday away from home although it was a less impressive feat given the Owls' deep financial issues which saw them go into administration last week and docked 12 points. 

  Coach Artell outlined Brentford's strengths ahead of Tuesday's fourth round tie and praised Keith Andrews' side, who are fresh from beating Liverpool 3-2 on Saturday and have also beaten United and Aston Villa this season. And he could not resist having a sly dig at United in the process.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  United 'finding their way' according to Grimsby coach

  Artell told a press conference: "I don’t want loads of letters from Manchester United fans from Kenya or Norway — or Stretford — but I think they’re still in that process of finding their way again. Brentford are fully in, fully understanding. That makes it so much more difficult. I think everyone agrees that Man United are still — maybe not in transition per se — but finding their way under a new manager that needs to be given time."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Brentford 'well established' – unlike United

  Artell contrasted Brentford's stability with the upheaval that has taken place at United, who are on their fourth coach in four years and changed their ownership structure in 2024. The Red Devils, however, have overcome their rocky start to the season by rising up to sixth in the Premier League table after beating Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton in their last three games. 

  He added: "I think you can see the fruits of the green shoots of progress from their side, but Brentford are not that team. Brentford are a well-established team. They’ve appointed from within to continue the work that the previous manager [Thomas Frank] did, and I think everyone would suggest that Keith Andrews is doing a brilliant job and he’s taking them on.

  "You don’t beat West Ham so comprehensively, you don’t beat the reigning [Premier League] champions [Liverpool] if you haven’t got those principles of play already ingrained. Whether it’s set pieces, whether it’s transitions, whether it’s in possession, whether they come and get you out of possession, all that is already really well implemented into the squad. I’m not sure that was the case with Man United."

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• AFP
  

  United reaping benefits of extra training sessions

  The shootout defeat by Grimsby meant Amorim became the first United coach since Louis van Gaal 11 years ago to exit the League Cup in the second round and suffered the ignominy of being the first manager to oversee a defeat to fourth-tier opposition. However, there has been an upside to that humiliating loss.

  United have had even more time to prepare for their Premier League games on the training ground, having not qualified for European football this season. Amorim admitted after beating Brighton – who had won their last three visits to Old Trafford – that his side were starting to benefit from that added preparation time. 

  He said: "I think you can sense that. The results now you can feel that but the team play so much better since we start this season compared to last season, we have different players more suited to this kind of style but it is a big difference, every team that plays in this league and in Europe, it is so much harder. It is a big advantage to have just one game a week and we have to take advantage of it."

  United have the chance to win a fourth consecutive league game for the first time since February 2024 when they take on Nottingham Forest next Saturday in Sean Dyche's first Premier League home match in charge of the Tricky Trees.

أقيمت قرعة دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية للموسم الحالي، 2025-2026، اليوم الإثنين، وأسفرت عن مواجهات قوية لممثلي مصر، الزمالك والمصري.

أسفرت القرعة عن تواجد الزمالك برفقة المصري، في مجموعة واحدة ببطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، نسخة 2025-2026.

ويتواجد  الزمالك والمصري في المجموعة الرابعة بجانب أندية كايزر تشيفز الجنوب أفريقي وزيسكو يونايتد الزامبي.

طالع | نتائج قرعة كأس الكونفدرالية 2025-2026.. مجموعة نارية لـ الزمالك والمصري

وكان نادي الزمالك قد حجز مقعده في مرحلة المجموعات عقب فوزه الكبير على ديكاداها الصومالي بنتيجة (7-0) في مجموع المباراتين، ليعلن عن عودته القوية إلى الساحة الإفريقية.

في المقابل، حجز المصري البورسعيدي بطاقة التأهل بعد فوزه على الاتحاد الليبي بنتيجة (2-1) في مجموع اللقاءين، عقب تعادلهما سلبيًا في مباراة الذهاب، ليؤكد استعداده للمنافسة بقوة هذا الموسم.

ومن المقرر أن تكون مواجهة الزمالك ضد المصري في الجولتين الثالثة والرابعة من منافسات المجموعة الرابعة لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية. مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في مجموعات كأس الكونفدرالية

الجولة الأولى: الزمالك أمام زيسكو يونايتد الزامبي يوم 23 نوفمبر 2025 في مصر.

الجولة الثانية: كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي أمام الزمالك يوم 30 نوفمبر 2025 في جنوب إفريقيا.

الجولة الثالثة: الزمالك أمام المصري البورسعيدي يوم 25 يناير 2026 (مباراة الزمالك).

الجولة الرابعة: المصري البورسعيدي أمام الزمالك يوم 1 فبراير 2026 (مباراة المصري).

الجولة الخامسة: زيسكو يونايتد الزامبي أمام الزمالك يوم 8 فبراير 2026 في زامبيا.

الجولة السادسة: الزمالك أمام كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي يوم 15 فبراير 2026 في مصر.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta quinta-feira (28), o Palmeiras entra em campo para enfrentar o Boca Juniors, na Bombonera, pela primeira partida da semifinal da Libertadores. Além de ser um dos adversários mais temidos da competição, o clube argentino tem dois elementos que fazem a diferença na mística do futebol: o “carrasco” Benedetto e a “lei do ex” com Merentiel. E o Verdão também precisará superar ambos nessa decisão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel Ferreira recebe visita de velho conhecido durante treino do Palmeiras em Buenos AiresPalmeiras27/09/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras encerra a preparação para pegar o Boca Juniors; veja provável timePalmeiras27/09/2023PalmeirasBoca Juniors x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao vivo, escalações e horário do jogo da semifinal da LibertadoresPalmeiras28/09/2023

+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!

Em 2018, na semifinal da Libertadores, o Alviverde também teve o Boca pela frente e acabou eliminado depois de uma derrota fora de casa e um empate no Allianz Parque.

+ Fé no maestro! Na Lance! Betting, a odd é de 6.25 para Veiga marcar e o Palmeiras vencer na Argentina. Sua aposta de R$10 retorna R$62,50!

No jogo da Bombonera, os mandantes venceram por 2 a 0 com dois gols de Benedetto, que precisou de aproximadamente 15 minutos levar o resultado positivo. Até a entrada do atacante e a primeira bola na rede, o duelo caminhava para um empate em 0 a 0.

continua após a publicidade

+ Se você acredita em Cavani e companhia, a Lance! Betting te ajuda a lucrar com isso! A vitória do Boca Juniors em casa paga 3.00, ou seja, sua aposta de R$10 retorna R$30!

Já na volta, o Palmeiras precisava de um resultado elástico para se classificar à final. Com muita dificuldade, conseguiu fazer 2 a 1 e colocava pressão para fazer o terceiro. Mas Benedetto novamente saiu do banco e acabou fazendo 2 a 2 para jogar um balde de água fria nos alviverdes.

continua após a publicidade

+ Abel Ferreira recebe visita de velho conhecido durante treino do Palmeiras em Buenos Aires

Foram dois jogos de Benedetto contra o Palmeiras, três gols marcados e menos de 45 minutos em campo. Atualmente, ele segue como reserva, mas permanece por lá para fazer valer essa mística do carrasco.

+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Outro fator que o Verdão vai enfrentar na Bombonera é a “lei do ex”, aquela que raramente falha. E olha que se trata de um ex bastante recente, que é Merentiel, atleta que até outro dia fazia parte do elenco palmeirense.

O uruguaio foi emprestado para o Boca neste ano, e como os argentinos pagam o salário do jogador na totalidade, ele pode enfrentar o Alviverde sem a necessidade de uma multa.

+ Boca Juniors x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao vivo, escalações e horário do jogo da semifinal da Libertadores

Assim, além de carregar essa famosa “lei” do futebol, Merentiel é um agente importante para contar os segredos do trabalho de Abel Ferreira e de seus antigos companheiros.

Para chegar a mais uma final de Libertadores, a terceira nos últimos quatro anos, o Palmeiras terá de superar um adversário e um estádio altamente temidos, a mística do carrasco e praticamente infalível “lei do ex”. A missão do Verdão não é fácil, mas para esse grupo tão vencedor de Abel Ferreira, as coisas podem ser encaradas de outra forma.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

Australia international smites rapid fifty before taking key wickets to undermine Hampshire chase

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Jun-2025

Grace Harris smashed a half-century on Surrey debut•Surrey CCC/Getty Images

Grace Harris announced herself on the 2025 Vitality Blast with a blistering half-century and three wickets as Surrey made it two from two with a 32-run win over Hampshire at the Kia Oval.Hot off the plane the Australia international smashed 63 in 35 balls with four sixes and five fours. Harris shared half-century stands with Danni Wyatt-Hodge (62 from 41) and Paige Scholfield (49 from 18) – all this after Wyatt-Hodge and skipper Bryony Smith (33) posted 73 for the opening wicket.The fearsome onslaught carried Surrey to 213 for 4, Freya Davies taking 2 for 36 for the visitors, who rued four dropped catches and a bungled run-out attempt of Harris when she’d made just 1.Hampshire’s chase was heroic, led by Ella McCaughan’s classy 81, and supported by 29 from skipper Georgia Adams, but Harris (3-18) dismissed both in the space of three balls to cap a stunning debut as the Hawks finished on 181 for 8.After a sedate start, Smith blasted three sixes in quick succession, while Wyatt-Hodge, following a shaky series against West Indies for England, also cleared the ropes.Wyatt-Hodge was dropped twice on 30 and 35 before Smith holed out at midwicket off opposing skipper Adams. Harris should have gone soon afterwards when confusion left both batters at the same end, but a poor throw was fumbled by wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby and Harris was reprieved.She duly cashed in, raising Surrey’s hundred with six over mid-on, while Wyatt-Hodge was missed for a third time by Mary Taylor – a tough caught and bowled – before reaching 50 from 35 balls. The England opener eventually fell to a catch off Davies, but Harris forged on, two more maximums taking her to 50 from 27 balls.And while her innings ended tamely from a paddle to short fine leg, Schofield took up the baton with three sixes of her own, the last from the final ball of the innings to finish one short of 50.In-form Maia Bouchier began the chase with a straight six before holing out to a catch on the fence before the first over was done. Charlie Knott, too, flickered briefly and although she cut Tilly Corteen-Coleman into the hands of Wyatt-Hodge at cover, the visitors were 64 for 2 after six.Freya Kemp nicked one from Stonehouse through to wicketkeeper Kira Chathli and a maiden from Phoebe Franklin further cranked up the pressure. But McCaughan kept up the breathless chase, crisp driving and sweeping taking her to a polished fifty complete with 10 fours and Franklin spilt a skier to reprieve Adams as the tension mounted.With rain falling the 50-partnership came up in 33 balls and 85 were needed from the last seven.Smith failed to cling on to a tough chance at mid-off with McCaughan on 65, but Harris had her caught and bowled for 81 and when Adams perished two balls later to a stunning catch by Schofield, Hampshire were destined to fall short.

Sri Lanka are only two wickets down but are 43 runs ahead at the SSC. Another 150-ish runs will help them dominate the match, says Kusal Mendis. He is yet to bat, and in fact three further wickets likely have to fall before he is required to.But having kept wickets for 79.3 overs, and having played plenty of his cricket at the SSC, Mendis has some idea of how the pitch is behaving. The plan, he said, is to go big in the second innings, and put as little pressure on their batting in the second dig as possible.”What we’re trying to do is to bat long enough now that we don’t have to bat in a fourth innings, and to give them a good target from here,” Kusal said. “Tomorrow we are trying to bat as long as possible and put 150-200 runs on the scoreboard.”Related

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The aversion for batting last is down to the expectation that this pitch will dry substantially from here. On day two, there was some turn for the spinners, but that turn is expected to get faster and more pronounced if the pitch continues to dry out through the course of the Test.”We think it’s going to turn on day four and five, so we need to make the most of this batting opportunity,” Kusal said. “Even the grass that was quite green is dry now, so we expect it will get better for spin. If we can get to those runs quickly, that will give us options.”Driving Sri Lanka forward again is Pathum Nissanka, who is not out on 146 off 238 balls overnight. This was his fourth Test hundred, having also made 187 in the first innings of the last match.”Pathum’s been among the runs for a while,” Kusal said. “He missed his 200 in the last match, but I think he’ll get there in the next innings. In recent times he’s the only opener who has been scoring runs. He’s scoring across formats. He puts a lot of effort in.”

MINY stretched the game out with quick wickets in the middle overs but Chapman took Freedom home with his unbeaten 45

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2025An exhibition of exhilarating powerplay hitting was followed by a long stutter, but the good work done by Mitchell Owen up top was enough to carry Washington Freedom through to victory over MI New York in their MLC 2025 game in Dallas on Saturday.Chasing 189 for their third win, Freedom ended the powerplay on 74 for 2. Owen had hit 48 of those from 21 balls, with four fours and four sixes, young medium-pacer Rushil Ugarkar the worst hit, conceding 22 in the second over of the innings, when Owen hit three sixes.But Owen fell in the eighth over, Freedom having lost Rachin Ravindra and Andries Gous already by that stage. Worse for Freedom was that Mark Chapman just didn’t seem to be able to get a move on, and his 41-run stand with Jack Edwards for the fourth wicket took 5.5 overs. But, importantly for Freedom, Chapman didn’t throw his wicket away even as wickets fell in a rush at the other end, Sunny Patel and Naveen-ul-Haq doing most of the damage.Then the death overs started, and overs 17 and 18 combined for 3 for 2 – Trent Boult conceded just one run, picked up one wicket, and looked like he would get a wicket with each of the other deliveries in the 18th.Unfortunately for MINY, they had been forced to bowl out all their premier bowlers, and had to turn to Ugarkar for the 19th, and that was the release Freedom and Chapman needed to finish the job in the last over, bowled by Kieron Pollard.Sunny Patel got wickets in back-to-back overs to trigger a collapse•Sportzpics for MLCAfter they were asked to bat, MINY rode on Quinton de Kock and Monank Patel’s big hitting to get to an imposing 70 in the powerplay. The turnaround began off the first ball after the phase, Owen the man doing it with the ball on this occasion, though the full delivery on the pads didn’t deserve a wicket, perhaps. Another day, Monank would have flicked it for six. Here, he sent it to Mark Adair at deep fine leg.With all the firepower MINY have in their ranks, 70 for 1 in 6.1 overs shouldn’t have been much of a bother, but Nicholas Pooran hasn’t been the Nicholas Pooran we know. After a blazing start to the IPL, his form had tapered off, and he hadn’t gotten into double-digits at MLC 2025 before this game. He did here, but his 33 took 30 balls, slowing the innings down, and MINY also lost de Kock for a 34-ball 55 in that period, compounding their woes.It was only Michael Bracewell’s 24-ball 42 not out, studded with five fours and six – one of only four in the entire innings – that gave them a total to bowl with. It almost proved enough.As a comparison, Freedom scored 74 and 95 in the powerplay and middle overs, respectively, much more than MINY’s 70 and 78 in their innings. It’s not like MINY really stepped it up at the death, scoring just 40 more, but Freedom had lost five wickets by the time the death overs started, and two more within eight balls of the death phase for the addition of just three more runs. It almost cost them two points but, thanks to Owen and Chapman, they squeaked through.The win took Freedom to six points from four matches, the same as Texas Super Kings, but Freedom are third on the table because of an inferior net run-rate to Super Kings. MINY, meanwhile, are fourth with one win from four games.