Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca slammed the referees for missing a 'clear' handball in the Blues' 2-1 loss to Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Chelsea lose 2-1 to Brighton in the FA CupLamptey's handball missed before Mitoma's winnerMaresca criticises lack of VAR during round fourFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea lost 2-1 to Brighton, as goals from Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma cancelled out Bart Verbruggen's early own goal. However, questions have been raised over the legality of the Seagulls' winner in the 57th minute, as Tariq Lamptey looked to handle the ball after his shot was blocked and ricocheted off his hand in the build-up to Mitoma's winner. Maresca has now opened up about the match and criticised the lack of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT MARESCA SAID
Speaking to BBC Sport, Maresca said: "We controlled much better the first half. In the second half the only shots they had we conceded a goal from. I think the handball [before Brighton's second goal] is quite clear. In the last two or three days there were many different moments in different games. Without VAR it's complicated."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The FA Cup does not have VAR until the start of the fifth round due to a lack of necessary technology at smaller stadiums and the need for extra officials at every match. Maresca's words about the VAR absence affecting other matches come after Manchester United's 93rd-minute winner against Leicester City was not flagged offside despite Harry Maguire seemingly being behind the defensive line.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Maresca added that Chelsea can now focus on the Premier League and the Europa Conference League after being knocked out of the FA Cup. He also discussed the Blues' Premier League clash against Brighton on Friday, February 14.
The Italian said: "We tried to come here and play our football; we always aim to win matches, but at the same time, we must accept the consequences of the result. At 2-1, we had a few chances, but now we can focus on the Premier League and the Conference League. I don’t think this loss will affect our next match against Brighton on Friday in the Premier League—I’m sure it will be a completely different game with a different level of competition."
da betsson： Celtic continued their fantastic start to the Scottish Premiership season with a seventh straight win in the division against Ross County away from Glasgow on Sunday.
da bwin： The Hoops had to battle from 1-0 down, thanks to a penalty from Ronan Vale, to secure all three points in Dingwall, winning 2-1 after their second-half comeback.
Goals from Alistair Johnston, who deflected Callum McGregor’s shot into the back of the net, and Nicolas Kuhn, who cut inside and passed a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, completed the comeback for the Scottish giants.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have now won all seven of their games in the Premiership and that penalty from Vale on Sunday was the first goal that Kasper Schmeichel had conceded in a league game for the club, having kept six clean sheets in his first six outings.
The summer signing has enjoyed a terrific start to life in Glasgow, and Auston Trusty, Arne Engels, Alex Valle, Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah, and Luke McCowan also featured against Ross County after joining in the summer transfer window.
Rodgers could look to make further additions to his playing squad when the January transfer window opens for business midway through the campaign, and Daizen Maeda is one player who could be upgraded.
Daizen Maeda's mixed success in the Premiership
The Japan international had scored in three successive matches in all competitions ahead of the clash away at Ross County in the Premiership on Sunday.
In the 2-1 win at the weekend, Maeda endured a frustrating afternoon on the left flank for the Hoops. He had three shots and missed one ‘big chance’ and lost five of his six duels, as the winger ended the match with zero goals and zero assists.
The 26-year-old’s wasteful finishing has been a theme throughout his time under Rodgers since the start of last season, and has been evident in the Premiership this term.
24/25 Premiership
Daizen Maeda
Appearances
6
Goals
2
Big chances missed
6
Big chances created
1
Assists
2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, he has missed six ‘big chances’ and only scored two goals in six appearances, which shows that the winger has not made the most of the high-quality opportunities that his teammates have created for him so far.
In the 2023/24 campaign, Maeda only scored six goals in 28 league outings for the Scottish giants and spurned 12 ‘big chances’ in that time.
The Japanese forward also made just 0.5 key passes per game and ended that league campaign with three assists, which meant that the attacker failed to reach double figures for goals and assists combined.
Celtic's Daizen Maeda.
Since the start of last season, the Celtic winger has contributed with eight goals and five assists in 34 appearances, whilst missing 18 ‘big chances’.
With this in mind, Rodgers could land an upgrade on Maeda by swooping for a left winger with the quality to offer more in the final third – Bazoumana Toure.
Celtic's interest in Bazoumana Toure
Last month, Swedish outlet FotbollDirekt reported that Celtic are one of a number of teams interested in signing Hammarby youngster Toure in the January transfer window.
The outlet claimed that Hoops chief scout Joe Lefevre has been left impressed by the 18-year-old star’s superb performances in Sweden, and that the Scottish giants have a serious interest in the forward.
It added, however, that they will face significant competition to land his signature if they decide to pursue a deal for his services. Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, and Eintracht Frankfurt are all also keen on the talented winger.
Amid heavy interest from teams across Europe, Hammarby are said to be hoping to rake in a fee of around €10m (£8.3m) for the teenage starlet.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not any of the reportedly interested sides – including Celtic – are prepared to spend that kind of money on the Ivorian maestro.
Rodgers should now look to move quickly and secure a deal for Toure before any of the other teams are able to swoop in ahead of the Hoops, as the Hammarby phenomenon has the potential to come in as an upgrade on Maeda on the left flank from January onwards.
Why Celtic should sign Bazoumana Toure
Despite only turning 18 in March, shortly before his move to Hammarby from ASEC Mimosas, the winger has already showcased his ability to make a big impact in the final third.
The teenage sensation has produced seven goals and three assists in all competitions for the Swedish outfit this year, which shows that the youngster has the maturity and ability to provide regular quality at first-team level already.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed him earlier this year, as shown in the post above, by describing the talented youngster as a “superb” player.
He backed his opinion up with the forward’s statistics in the Allsvenskan up to that point, which was in July, and the 18-year-old wizard has continued his fine form in recent months.
Statistics
Bazoumana Toure (2024 Allsvenskan)
Daizen Maeda (23/24 Premiership)
Appearances
19
28
Sofascore rating
7.31
6.99
Goals
6
6
Big chances missed
1
12
Big chances created
5
5
Dribbles completed per game
1.8
1.1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Toure has matched Maeda’s goal and assist return from the 2023/24 campaign in nine fewer appearances, whilst only missing one ‘big chance’.
The electric forward, who has also created 1.2 chances per game in the 2024 campaign, has been far more clinical in front of goal than the Japan international this year, which suggests that he could offer a greater goal threat for the Hoops.
His 1.2 key passes per game are also more than double Maeda’s 0.5 key passes per match in the 2023/24 Premiership campaign, and this suggests that the youngster could also provide more creativity for the Scottish giants on the left flank.
If Toure can translate those performances over to the Premiership, and develop further – given he is just 18, then the teenage winger could come in as an upgrade on Maeda for Rodgers in the second half of the season and beyond, thanks to his quality as a scorer and a creator.
Rodgers must drop Hatate for Celtic star who made a "massive difference"
The Hoops boss should finally unleash the summer signing from the start.
Seventeen-year-old Fran Jonas has been selected as part of the spin attack
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-2022Offspinner Leigh Kasperek, New Zealand’s leading ODI wicket-taker since the 2017 World Cup, has been left out of the squad for this year’s tournament.Fran Jonas, the 17-year-old left-arm spinner who has played two ODIs, has been preferred in the 15-player squad which will be captained by Sophie Devine as New Zealand look to replicate the title success they had when the World Cup was last held on their shores in 2000.Since the 2017 edition, Kasperek has taken 42 wickets at 21.26 from 26 matches – which also puts her inside the top 10 globally – including a career-best 6 for 46 against Australia earlier this year.”I really felt for Leigh, she’s a very fine bowler,” head coach Bob Carter said. “It was based around the balance of our team. We didn’t have any of the three spinners that have been selected for the World Cup in the UK, and it came down to a choice – would we take an extra spinner or would we take an extra batter, and that created a lot of debate.”I really feel for her because she’s been a great member of the White Ferns, and it’s at times like that, as a selector or coach, that I wish I could have had another place.”The rest of the squad has a familiar look with Amelia Kerr and Frankie Mackay completing the spin department. The experienced Lea Tahuhu will lead the pace attack alongside Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr.Maddy Green, Lauren Down and Brooke Halliday take the specialist batting spots while Hayley Jensen fills the seam-bowling allrounder role.”We feel we have a balanced squad providing multiple options with bat and ball to cover the range of conditions we’re likely to face around the country,” Carter said.”There’s a strong mix of youth and experience in this squad with several players having multiple World Cups under their belt. We also have a younger group coming through, six of which are yet to experience World Cup cricket – and it’s naturally a very exciting time for those players.”Talking about Jonas’ inclusion, captain Devine feels that she is going to be a “threat to other teams.” She revealed that the teenager was picked not only for her left-arm spin but also because she can be used as a floater in the XI.”It’s an exciting thing about New Zealand Cricket,” Devine said. “There is some real depth coming through. Frans does deserve an opportunity. She was outstanding through the winter camps that we had among the White Ferns and she has really grown as a player. She is only 17.”Jonas’ ability to bat anywhere from one to eleven – that’s a really key thing. That’s one thing we want in our group – for players to follow the role and do the job, whatever it looks like, whatever it takes, they want to do it.”Devine also said that having a variety in the spin department strengthens the squad and Jonas being a left-arm orthodox would have helped cement her place. New Zealand have a leg spinner in Kerr and Mackay as an offspin option apart from Jonas.”We are aware of how other teams have been successful in having a variety of spinners,” Devine said. “We have an offspinner, leg spinner and a left-arm orthodox. It provides me with some real options and flexibility. All play a different role, and we are obviously playing all around the country. So conditions are going to vary. To mix and match, to play three or play two or one or none really strengthens the squad.”The same 15-player squad will play the five-match ODI series against India in Queenstown.Squad Sophie Devine (capt), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
Chase, Hosein kept WI in the hunt before the visitors prevailed to take the series 2-1
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2022Ireland won its first bilateral ODI series against a Test-playing nation other than Zimbabwe and Afghanistan by beating West Indies in a thriller in Kingston to clinch the series 2-1. The star of the show was allrounder Andy McBrine whose 4 for 28 first restricted West Indies to 212. Then with the bat, he made a sturdy 59 to guide Ireland’s tense chase.There were contributions from Harry Tector, who hit 52, and stand-in captain Paul Stirling, who smashed a 38-ball 44 up top to set the tone for the chase.Ireland were cruising at 152 for 2 at one stage, but then slumped to 208 for 8, with medium pacer Odean Smith triggering the collapse, with spin twins Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein also chipping in with big strikes.Smith had McBrine caught behind to start the slump. Then Chase dismissed Neil Rock, Curtis Campher and Tector in three of his next four overs as the visitors suddenly encountered turbulence.Ireland were 190 for 5 at the stage, but would slip further when Hosein dismissed Gareth Delany for 10 off 5 deliveries when the batter danced down but ended up ballooning the ball to point. Then George Dockrell nicked to Jason Holder at slip.Although as many as seven overs remained to get the required five runs, Ireland had just two wickets in hand. But the pair of Mark Adair and Craig Young safely negotiated Chase’s final over before Young hit the winning boundary off Romario Shepherd.Earlier, Shai Hope dominated a 72-run opening stand for West Indies, cracking 53 from only 39 balls in an unusual display of hitting which was far removed from the sedate starts he is known to provide. But once Young had Hope hooking to fine leg, the hosts started losing their way with the bat: 72 without loss in the 11th over soon became 119 for 7 by the time of the 28th.McBrine got three of the seven wickets to fall after Young also sent back Hope’s opening partner Justin Greaves. He first had Nicholas Pooran leg before after it first seemed like Pooran got an inside edge on to his pads before being caught by slip, and followed that up by trapping Shamarh Brooks in front of the stumps. But the key wicket came in the 20th over, when Kieron Pollard inside-edge to leg slip.The seven quick wickets had left it to Holder and Hosein to rebuild, which they did by adding 63 for the eighth wicket before Delany ran Holder out. Smith then smacked a four and two sixes in an unbeaten 20 off 10 deliveries, but McBrine and Young – who finished with 3 for 43 – wrapped the West Indies tail up to limit them to 212.McBrine showed the way in the run chase, eventually being chosen the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series, having scored 128 runs and bagged ten wickets across the three matches. The win pushed Ireland up to No. 3 on the points table of the World Cup Super League, which is the pathway for direct qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Back at the end of last season, Erik ten Hag held the FA Cup trophy aloft, he smiled and batted away any concerns that he wouldn't be Manchester United's manager when the new campaign kicked off.
Despite a wave of criticism and a barrage of torment from pundits, he defied his critics. Well, sort of.
Ten Hag kept his position but nothing has been different about the Red Devils during their opening three matches of the season to date.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after winning the FA Cup.
They defeated Fulham but it took a last-gasp goal from debutant Joshua Zirkzee to do so. They then suffered a late defeat to Brighton and were swept aside, of course they were, by rivals Liverpool.
They face newly-promoted Southampton on Saturday lunchtime and it's a game where they should take all three points.
Latest Man United injury news
Heading into the game with the Saints, United will still be without the services of Mason Mount and long-term absentee Leny Yoro. It's also likely that Rasmus Hojlund will continue to sit out with the club cautiously managing his return to action.
The biggest blow to Ten Hag's preparation concerns Bruno Fernandes. This has been a dreaded international break and it's lived up to its name with Nathan Ake and Martin Odegaard receiving nasty-looking injuries while playing for their countries.
Well, Fernandes may have suffered the same feat. Playing for Portugal against Scotland, the attacking midfielder lasted the full 90 minutes and scored but was seen limping after a blow to his ankle.
Talking to the media after the game, he was quick to calm any fears over his fitness, saying: "It's just a little bump."
At the moment, his chances of making the game are said to be around 75% with assessments taking place.
It looks as though he'll be fit to play in some capacity but whether he starts remains to be seen.
How Bruno Fernandes could be replaced
If the United skipper is forced to sit out of Saturday's encounter it will be a huge blow to an already down-trodden side.
He is the heartbeat of the team and even if he hasn't scored yet this term, he has proven to be their main man over a number of years now.
Fernandes found the net on 15 occasions last season and also registered 13 assists. To put those numbers into context, only Hojlund scored more (16), while no other player at Old Trafford assisted more goals. So, he's pretty damn important then.
How can United replace him? With great difficulty. Mount is out so that rules out one option which could mean that Christian Eriksen is given his first start of the season in a no.10 role, the position he thrived in at Spurs.
Signing fee
£47m
Salary
£300k-p/w
Games played
237
Goals
79
Assists
67
Minutes played
20,077
Honours won
2
During his career in Manchester, the Dane has usually been restricted by playing in a deeper role but 55 of his 118 career goals have come as an attacking midfielder.
What his inclusion means, however, is that there's a strong likelihood that Casemiro is forced to start in the centre of the park.
Toby Collyer did replace the struggling Brazilian at half-time against Liverpool but with Fernandes out, it would be a gamble to remove so much experience from the side.
That said, anyone is better than Casemiro, right?
The veteran has been a dwindling force over the last year – that's putting it politely too – with the nadir of his time arguably that showing against Liverpool nearly a fortnight ago.
He made two costly errors that subsequently led to the two Luis Diaz goals in the first half of the game and was handed a rather harsh 1/10 match rating by MEN's Samuel Luckhurst.
So, Collyer could replace him or Manuel Ugarte could also be handed a debut but considering he's not played a single minute of club football in 2024/25, that's also unlikely.
If Fernandes does miss out then all rounds point towards another possible inclusion for Casemiro. Hold onto your hats, United fans.
Man Utd must regret selling £9m star who's now miles better than Casemiro
The star has been a real hit after departing Old Trafford.
The Herons have revealed a new slick black kit ahead of the 2025 campaign that will see them compete in the FIFA Club World Cup as well
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Miami releases new kit
Dubbed "Fortitude" shirt
in offseason, preparing for 2025
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami debuted their latest kit Thursday morning, releasing the "Fortitude" shirt ahead of their 2025 season. The slick shirt features two tones of Blacks and Grays, along with their iconic Miami pink on their crest, sponsor and sleeve.
In a release, the club declared the new kit to be a "symbol of armor."
Shop Inter Miami kits at the MLS storeBuy now
Advertisement
CF Inter Miami
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The kits name, Fortitude, is derived from the Latin word "Fortis," which means strength and the Spansish word "Fortaleza" which represents resilience and determination. Per the club's press release, the two words come together to represent the heart of the club, the fans and the Inter Miami community.
2025 will be the club's final season in Fort Lauderdale before they move to Miami Freedom Park in Miami. The Fortitude jersey is an ode to the city's lasting impact on the club; a place where they broke through as an organization in MLS.
DID YOU KNOW?
Miami recently announced the hiring of Javier Mascherano as their next head coach — with the former Barcelona ace joining the club as head coach. He played with Messi, Jordi Alba, Luiz Suarez and Sergio Busquets while at the Catalan club.
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?
The are in offseason mode, preparing for the 2025 campaign. They recently announced their end-of-year roster decisions, and will now look to the transfer market, free agency or other options to bolster their squad this winter.
While acknowledging areas of improvement still needed after the India series win, coach Boucher also said the players are “growing as cricketers and human beings”
Firdose Moonda24-Jan-2022
Temba Bavuma: ‘For me, the biggest thing is trying to keep cricket the main focus amongst the guys’•ICC via Getty
South Africa were playing more than just the opposition over the last few summers with matters coming to a head this season after their coach, Mark Boucher, was charged with gross misconduct by Cricket South Africa (CSA). Boucher received his charge sheet – which confirmed CSA will seek his dismissal – on Monday, two days ahead of the ODI series against India that South Africa swept 3-nil.Boucher’s charges relate to historic and current handlings of race issues, which have always been part of South African cricket’s narrative but became even more topical since the Black Lives Matter movement’s resurgence in sport in 2020. Since then, South Africa have appointed their first black African ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, who now outlined the difficulties of being in charge of a team that continues to face issues off the field.Related
Temba Bavuma: 'I understand I have a voice, and the influence to make things better around me'
The Test hundreds may not be there, but Bavuma is close to being SA's best batter right now
Covid-19 puts Keegan Petersen out of South Africa's Test tour of New Zealand
de Kock and Phehlukwayo signal South Africa's rise back to the top
CSA will argue in favour of dismissing Boucher at disciplinary hearing
“I don’t think it’s easy (captaining the team). There are a lot of dynamics that you need to manage. For me, the biggest thing is trying to keep cricket the main focus amongst the guys,” Bavuma said. “I hate to bring this up but it’s been a challenging period for the team, for the players, for particular members of management. There’s been a lot of scrutiny surrounding the team and surrounding the organisation, so to manage the conversations happening around the change-room and to ensure our energy is 100% geared towards performing out there, for me, has been the biggest challenge. It has been a big responsibility but has also been a privilege. But it’s not easy.”Bavuma did not name Boucher specifically and when the man himself was asked about the difficulties of coaching a team that is constantly facing off-field pressures, Boucher said: “I can’t answer that. Not now in any case.”ESPNcricinfo understands that Boucher has been advised not to discuss matters related to his disciplinary hearing as it is part of the ongoing investigation. Boucher and his legal team will meet with CSA on Wednesday to outline a timeframe for the hearing, but it is unlikely to begin before South Africa return from their two-Test tour of New Zealand, which starts on February 17. Afrikaans newspaper reported on Sunday that Boucher’s defence will be bankrolled by a group of wealthy businessmen, and though it did not name any of them, billionaire Johann Rupert, an entrepreneur, issued a tweet in support of Boucher earlier in the week.Despite what could be a rocky few months ahead for Boucher personally, he was positive about the development the team has made under his watch to beat India in both the Test and ODI series this season. “The progression has been great,” Boucher said. “We turned the corner a while ago, from a team perspective. We tried a few things in Covid times when we had to get a deeper squad and we gave a lot of opportunities to a lot of players. We are starting to reap the rewards now. It’s all falling into place, which is nice.”While acknowledging areas for improvement, such as the fielding in particular, Boucher said the ingredients in the squad could make a recipe for future success, especially because internally there’s a sense of harmony. “There are always places we can improve. I don’t think our fielding was great. But I like the look of this batting team. I like the balance. We are getting hundreds, and that’s with one or two of those guys out of form. I believe we’ve got a classy top six,” Boucher said. “And now with allrounders, we’ve got a couple that we can look at. We have an environment which is very good. The change-room is a happy change-room and the players are growing as cricketers and human beings.”South Africa will celebrate their twin successes against India, but Boucher said their feet remain “firmly on the ground”, and Bavuma, speaking from both a captaincy and batting perspective, echoed that. “It means a lot as a player. Knowing I contributed to the winning cause makes it better,” he said. “You will always be judged on your record and to convincingly beat an Indian side speaks a lot to my captaincy. But things are still early from a leadership point of view. I will take the positives but I will try very hard not to get ahead of myself.”
تحدث جيمس تاركوفسكي لاعب إيفرتون عن تدخله القوي على لاعب ليفربول أليكسيس ماك أليستر في ديربي ميرسيسايد الليلة الماضية.
والتقى الفريقان أمس الأربعاء في إطار مباريات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وحقق ليفربول الفوز بهدف دون مقابل سجله ديوجو جوتا.
واستنكر تاركوفسكي احتساب هدف ليفربول، باعتبار أن لويس دياز كان متسللاً أثناء تمريرته الحاسمة لجوتا.
وخلال اللقاء تدخل تاركوفسكي بقوة على ماك أليستر، وتحصل على بطاقة صفراء وأشارت تقنية الفيديو إلى أن التدخل لا يستوجب حصوله على بطاقة حمراء.
فيما أقرت رابطة الحكام المحترفين الإنجليزية لاحقًا بأنه كان ينبغي إلغاء البطاقة الصفراء وطرد تاركوفسكي.
اقرأ أيضًا | تغيير موعد مباراة ليفربول وآرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي
ونشرت “ليفربول إيكو” تصريحات تاركوفسكي وقال: “تحدثتُ إليه (ماك أليستر) واعتذرت له لأنه لم يكن تدخلًا جيدًا”.
وأضاف: “عندما سقطت الكرة بيننا، ظننتُ أنه سيُهاجم بسهولة، وكنت أتوقع تدخلًا قويًا، تقليديًا، لكنه قام بالتدخل، وبينما كنت أندفع نحوه، تابعته وأمسكت به عاليًا، لذا اعتذرت له وتقبل اعتذاري، نعم، لم يكن تدخلًا جيدًا مني”.
وواصل بشأن المباراة: “لم نكن جيدين في التعامل مع الكرة، ولم نحركها بشكل جيد بما فيه الكفاية، لقد ضغطوا علينا بشكل جيد، وأعطيناها لهم في كثير من الأحيان”.
وأفاد: “لكننا صنعنا فرصتين جيدتين، إحداهما لبيتو، ورأيت الهدف وكان تسللًا، هذا ما حسم المباراة، وما كان يجب احتسابه”.
وأوضح: “لم أكن أعلم أنه (دياز) متسلل، لذا كان عليّ أن ألعب الكرة كما لو كان متسللًا، انتهى بي الأمر بالاندفاع نحو الكرة لأنني أعتقد أنه قد يتقدم للأمام، لذا فهو يؤثر على قراري باللعب، لذا إذا كان متسللًا، فهذا بالتأكيد عامل حاسم”.
وأتم تصريحاته: “لسبب ما قرروا أن يحتسبوا الهدف، وهو أمر غريب”.
ويتصدر ليفربول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بفارق 12 نقطة عن آرسنال أقرب ملاحقيه.
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day of the second Test at Headingley
George Dobell and Firdose Moonda at Headingley02-Aug-2012Decision of the day
The decision to replace Graeme Swann with Steven Finn meant England went into a Test without a specialist spinner for the first time since 2003. That game was also against South Africa at Leeds; a game that South Africa won by 191 runs. This was also the first time in 43 Tests that Swann has been omitted. Despite a game at The Oval, Swann’s record in 2012 is pretty good: in nine Tests this year he has claimed 35 wickets at an average of 31.82. But England have a habit of taking gambles at Headingley: this was the ground where Darren Pattinson in 2008 and Mike Smith in 1997 enjoyed their only Test caps (both games ended in heavy losses for England) and where England also omitted a specialist spinner in 1989 against Australia when they lost by 210 runs.Drop of the day
Perhaps Swann’s absence was felt most keenly in the field. Alviro Petersen was on 29 when James Anderson found his outside edge. The ball flew at a comfortable height to Alastair Cook at second slip but the fielder was unable to hold on to a relatively easy chance. Had Swann been included, he would almost certainly have been at second slip. It is hard to believe he would have squandered such a simple chance. Petersen went on to close 124 not out.Dead ball of day
Graeme Smith was on just 6 when he edged one angled across him from Steven Finn and Andrew Strauss held the catch at first slip. But Smith was reprieved as the umpire, Steve Davis, called dead ball on the grounds that Finn may have distracted the batsmen by knocking off the bails with his right knee as he ran into bowl. While Davis’s decision was not popular with a partisan crowd, it was justified by Law 23.4 section B VI which states: “Either umpire shall call and signal dead ball when the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while he is preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the game or outside it.”Low point of the day
The selection of James Taylor might have marked a new low in English cricket. While he is probably not the shortest man to represent England in Test cricket, he may well be in the top – or should that be bottom? – half-dozen. Walter Cornford, who was imaginatively nicknamed “Tich”, played four Tests for England in 1930, was thought to be about 5’1″, while Billy Quaife, who played the last of his seven Tests in 1902, was said by his son Bernard to measure “somewhere between 5’1″ and 5’3″.” “Tich” Freeman, the prolific spinner who played the last of his 12 Tests in 1929, was said to 5’2″. Taylor’s official height is given as 5’4″ though some believe that it stretching credulity.Stat of the day
When the wicket of Graeme Smith fell 50 minutes after lunch, it ended what seemed like a lifetime of wicketless overs for them. It was, in fact, 139.3 overs – 102.1 at the Oval and 37.1 at Headingley – since they had taken their last wicket, also the scalp of Smith. Ten hours and three minutes of time on the field had passed between Smith being bowled by Bresnan for 131 and Smith feeding a full delivery to Ian Bell at backward square leg, also off Bresnan. In that time, South Africa’s batsmen had scored 497 runs, meaning that England’s last five wickets in Test cricket cost them 900 runs, dating back to when Tino Best was at the crease at Edgbaston.Job-done of the day
Despite suggestions to the contrary, Alviro Petersen’s place in the starting XI was never in doubt but he made extra certain of that with his pull shot off Stuart Broad in the last hour of play. The four runs completed his hard-fought century, which took 215 balls to reach. Petersen first fifty came in quick time but the second was a laboured effort but after being dropped on 29 and with conditions becoming more bowler friendly, he may have wanted to make absolutely sure he got to the milestone. His celebration was not lavish, the usual raising of arms and acknowledgment of a standing ovation but he did take one, long hard look at the badge on his helmet. It could simply have been him figuring how to put it back on but it could also have been a poignant moment of realisation that he belongs in this South African side.
Nottinghamshire 448 (Patterson-White 101, Clarke 59, Fletcher 51) beat Somerset 107 (Fletcher 4-21) and 181 (Paterson 4-46) by an innings and 160 runsNot enough character, not enough discipline. Tom Abell was distraught over Somerset’s first-innings collapse. If he was that blunt to the media, what did he say in the dressing room? The message was abundantly clear: it was time to regain some respect, to show some discipline, to dig in.The temptation to imagine Somerset’s young thrusters looking in bewilderment at Abell’s instructions was irresistible.”Well, I’ve got this shot where I swivel yards outside off stump and slam it behind square leg for six,” Tom Lammonby might have ventured.”That’s nothing,” Tom Banton might have answered in turn. “I can slog-sweep the quicks over midwicket as well as anyone, if you like.””That’s just too high risk,” says Abell. “I want percentage shots.””Maybe I could swivel, but not so far?” offers Lammonby.”I never really understood percentages,” mutters Banton.More seasoned professionals, who have seen it all before, nod in acquiescence at such moments and privately tell themselves they will bat with serious intent. But while the older players will merely recalibrate slightly for the matches to follow, or just accept it as one of those things, Somerset’s younger pros have a greater challenge to find a workable Championship tempo.Banton and Lammonby have two half-centuries in 28 Championship starts. Banton averages around 21, Lammonby around 15. Banton’s Championship approach looks a bit shot; in fact, even in the shorter formats, the daring with which he burst on to the scene is now tinged with doubt. Lammonby just looks strokeless. Lewis Goldsworthy, too – a third talented young buck, although as yet not so highly feted – has a similar return.Banton and Lammonby are quite rightly regarded as two of the most thrilling white-ball batters to come out of Somerset for many a year. But you could feel their growing pains. Take chances, push the boundaries and make mistakes is the creed that has carried them so far, but bowlers are learning more about their games and, anyway, in the Championship there are deeper truths and they have yet to find them. Certainly, both need more get-out shots, workaday solutions that keep risk to a minimum. But when four-day cricket is not their first love – and no matter how much they keep up appearances it probably isn’t – finding solutions is psychologically even harder. They literally have run before they can walk.It was shortly after 5 o’clock when Somerset were beaten by an innings and 160 runs, dismissed second time around for 181 to follow up their 107 in the first innings. Everybody tried to dig in, nobody succeeded. They lasted 28 overs longer, but the irony was inescapable that their two highest-scoring batters, Jack Leach and Marchant de Lange, got there by accepting the inevitability of defeat and having a bit of a swing after tea.”We could have done that,” one could fancy that Banton and Lammonby mused in unison.For Nottinghamshire, the first phase in this four-game Division One climax could not have been more fruitful. Their first win at Taunton since 1985 was also their biggest victory margin in history against Somerset. Luke Fletcher and Dane Paterson bowled splendidly throughout, both taking seven wickets in the match as they outdid their Somerset counterparts. They began the season without a Championship win for nearly three years and are now very much in the title shake-up.For Somerset, the manner of defeat questioned their Championship credentials in the absence of two key seam-bowling allrounders, Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory. Leach needs a pitch offering some turn, but he is unlikely to get that against Yorkshire at Scarborough next week and when Lancashire come to Taunton the week after they will carry the legspin threat of Matt Parkinson in return.Somerset’s first three wickets fell to excellent deliveries – Steve Davies, edging one from Fletcher that seamed away; Abell, after 11 in 56 balls, edging one from Paterson that this time did not swing in but held its line; James Hildreth leaving Fletcher’s inswinger, his off stump rattled.For a long period on either side of lunch, Paterson to Lammonby was on repeat. Paterson, sensing that Lammonby had eschewed all temptation, repeatedly offered up deliveries wide outside off stump and Lammonby, a tall man crouching forward, let them pass. When Paterson took a breather, he had figures of 9-6-4-1 and Lammonby had failed to score off 23 balls from him, or the same ball, 23 times.Lammonby found some release when Notts skipper, Steven Mullaney, filled in with a few overs of medium pace – he swung it, too – and he also hooked Brett Hutton down to long leg. But on 34, from 95 balls, he pushed at a good ball from Hutton and was caught at first slip.Banton’s demise came when Paterson squared him up to be lbw. It put him out of his misery and that misery must not be allowed to fester. By the end of the over, only a single from Leach had prevented Paterson taking a triple-wicket maiden. Roelof van der Merwe clipped his first ball to square leg and Goldsworthy, another figure of undying responsibility, lost his off stump.Somerset were 86 for 7 after 48.5 overs, a penitent innings that had achieved nothing.Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, was left to reflect upon it all. “We were in game on the first day, but Liam Patterson-White’s century took it away from us and since then we have been totally outplayed,” he said. “We came into the game with high expectations, but respect to Notts for how they went about things and we can certainly learn a few lessons from that. There were no redeeming features in our performance. We expect better individually and collectively from Somerset players.”