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She as been ruled out of the T20I series starting Friday against Sri Lanka after the re-occurrence of a groin injury

Liam Brickhill31-Jan-2019Allrounder Chloe Tryon has been ruled out of the T20I series starting Friday against Sri Lanka after the re-occurrence of a groin injury. It is hoped that Tryon, who is the vice-captain, will recover in time to return for the ODI series starting on 11 February in Potchefstroom.Tryon’s absence has given Suné Luus a lifeline who has been recalled to the team after she was dropped from the original squad. She rejoins a squad that is playing the three-match series as a televised double-header alongside the men’s games against Pakistan starting this Friday at Newlands.Tryon, 25, has played 52 T20Is for South Africa, in which she has struck the ball at 137.86. Captain Dane van Niekerk said that her team would miss Tryon’s big-hitting ability, but she hoped the youngsters being trialled in South Africa’s top order would step in to fill the gap.”It’s a massive blow,” van Niekerk said. “We know how explosive she’s been, and she can hit the ball as far as anyone in the world at the moment. It is a massive blow, but it’s also an opportunity for us, for people within the side to stick up their hands and put some pressure on Chloe as well – to say ‘hey, I can do this job’. We’ve got some powerful hitters – that’s one thing we pride ourselves on, that we’ve got some big hitters, some of the biggest in the world.”Faye Tunnicliffe, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk and Lara Goodall were drafted into the set-up for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka. Saarah Smith also makes a return after recovering from a fractured finger suffered during the World T20.”[Tryon’s absence] doesn’t change things a lot, because we have a lot of batting power within the side, and with the youngsters coming in I’m really excited to see what they do,” van Niekerk said.

The Red Devils will now have a chance to go one better at Wembley and lift a first major women's honour, having lost to the Blues in last year's final

Two weeks ago, a quadruple was still on the cards for Emma Hayes in her final season in charge of Chelsea. Now, only two trophies remain on the table, the Blues defeated in last month's Continental Cup final before being beaten 2-1 on Sunday in the FA Cup semi-finals by Manchester United, who have a real chance of a first major honour as they prepare to face Tottenham at Wembley next month.

The Red Devils were the underdogs against the holders and reigning English champions, but they got off to a flying start when Lucia Garcia broke the deadlock inside the first minute. It was terrific work by Leah Galton down the left, who capitalised on Eve Perisset's error and put in a perfect cross for her team-mate to shock the Blues. Before Chelsea could create a real chance to equalise, it was two, Ella Toone getting the better of Melanie Leupolz before catching the opposition out with another fantastic delivery, this one converted by surprise starter Rachel Williams.

From there, Chelsea started to put United under real pressure. Erin Cuthbert saw a shot deflect just wide, Mary Earps made a flying save to thwart Lauren James and then the net rippled, James powerfully converting Niamh Charles' cut-back in first-half stoppage-time. That momentum continued after the break, James again bringing the best out of England team-mate Earps before Chelsea were left feeling aggrieved by a couple of penalty shouts that went ignored, first for a Katie Zelem handball and then a foul by Williams on Charles.

However, just as we looked poised for a grand finale, the chances seemed to dry up. Hayes threw on all of her attacking assets – Catarina Macario, Fran Kirby and Aggie Beever-Jones were among the five names introduced – yet it was almost too much, the XI on the pitch almost getting in each other's way in a gung-ho, going-for-it formation.

And so United, who could've even added a third, saw it out and will be returning to Wembley next month, a year on from their narrow 1-0 loss to Chelsea in last season's final. Hayes' Blues, meanwhile, need to pick themselves up and target glory in the Women's Super League and Champions League, after another trophy went begging.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Leigh Sports Village…

Getty ImagesLOSER: Emma Hayes

Hayes' time in charge of Chelsea has been truly remarkable. She's transformed this club from one that had never won a major trophy to the most dominant in English women's football, winning six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups. For her final season with the Blues to end without another flurry of trophies would be cruel, then. And yet, it could well end without any.

Sunday's defeat means only the WSL and the Champions League remain. Chelsea have never won the latter and will have to beat defending champions Barcelona to stand a chance of ending that wait – the Catalans arguably having the best team in women's football.

Even retaining the WSL looks extremely tricky. The Blues have been champions of England for four successive seasons, but are locked into a fierce battle with Manchester City to uphold that status, the Cityzens three points clear, having played a game more, with Chelsea having five matches remaining. It's going to be anything but easy to pick up one trophy then, never mind two, after United ensured their chances of a treble suffered the same fate as those quadruple hopes.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWINNER: Marc Skinner

In a week which has seen United fans express their frustration at reports of head coach Marc Skinner being offered a new deal, the 41-year-old ensured the Red Devils will return to Wembley for a second successive season and with a massive chance of lifting a trophy.

Eyebrows were raised when his team was revealed, with Williams offered a rare start in a massive game, but it paid off as United thrived in picking up the flick-ons she contributed, while her headed goal for United's second was classic, brilliant centre-forward play.

Sometimes it has felt like United have gone into these big games without playing to their strengths, instead trying to go toe-to-toe with the established 'big three' and coming up short. On Sunday, they accepted they wouldn't have a lot of the ball, made the most of it when they did, and were clinical in a fantastic first half.

They rode their luck, but Skinner's game plan produced a monumental result, a first win over Chelsea and an FA Cup final which brightens up a season that, to this point, had been very disappointing. And he deserves credit for that.

LOSER: Eve Perisset

Perisset has been one of Chelsea's most impressive performers this season. She has probably flown under the radar a little bit, but she shouldn't have. She's been a rock at full-back, offered a lot going forward and is a reliable performer on set pieces.

Football is a brutal sport though and it was the France star who was at fault for United's opening goal on Sunday, failing to get enough on her pass as Galton pounced and delivered a cross for Garcia to break the deadlock.

"Eve Perisset has been outstanding for us," Hayes noted afterwards, "and the game can turn quite quickly." It shouldn't be forgotten what an excellent player she has been this season, but Sunday was tough for her, up against a real nuisance in Galton.

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Getty ImagesWINNER: Rachel Williams

Williams might not have the star profile of some of United's players, but she was the match-winner on Sunday thanks to an excellent first-half header. Her aerial ability, tireless running and clever movement caused Chelsea plenty of problems in the opening stages, with her flick-on inside the first minute leading to the goal that broke the deadlock.

"If you were Chelsea and you were predicting our starting line-up, you wouldn't have put Rachel in from the start, right?" Skinner said. "We knew that would give us an edge from the off. Of course, it's an incredible moment to score so early and it settles the game, I get that. But what we wanted to do is give their back-four three real threats, and that's not just with the ball, it's without the ball. It's Rachel's flick, it's Leah being aggressive, and then Lucia crashing in the back zone."

Williams has been used very well as a super-sub during her time with the club, and here she was showing that she can play a role from the start in these huge matches too, the type of which she would rarely be in the XI for. She knows exactly what she is good at and she plays to maximise her abilities in an intelligent and effective way. It worked a treat in this game.

The allrounder has been ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour and faces up to four weeks on the sidelines, according to the physio

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch30-Dec-2018Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour, and will almost certainly miss Sri Lanka’s two Tests in Australia as well early next year, after scans revealed a grade two strain in his left hamstring.Mathews picked up the injury while completing a run late in the afternoon session of day four of the Christchurch Test, immediately pulling up lame, and having to hop between the wickets on his right leg for the remainder of the session. He then retired hurt at tea and did not take the field again.”Angelo had a scan last night, and it’s a grade two hamstring strain,” captain Dinesh Chandimal said after the match. “The physio said he’s out for four weeks.”The injury not only substantially weakened Sri Lanka’s chances of drawing the Christchurch Test – which they have since gone on to lose – it is also a major blow to their hopes in Australia in particular. Mathews was Sri Lanka’s best batsman in New Zealand, hitting 258 runs with only one dismissal against him in the series. His 120 not out in Wellington was especially outstanding, as he batted alongside Kusal Mendis through the entirety of day four to save that Test.And as Mathews having sustained multiple calf and hamstring injuries over the last two years, four weeks might even be a slightly optimistic timeframe for recovery. It has often been the case since 2017, that Mathews has required a few extra weeks to regain full fitness than the team had originally announced.The first Test in Australia begins on January 24, with the second Test due to start on February 1. A more realistic goal may be for Mathews to return in time for Sri Lanka’s first Test of the South Africa series, which starts on February 13.Looking further down the track, Mathews’ latest injury may also affect Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans. In limited-overs cricket, Mathews has generally been a reliable and effective bowler. But although he had just begun to return to the bowling in international cricket following the previous round of injuries, the Sri Lanka think-tank may now decide that Mathews should play purely as a batsman, in order to minimise the risk of a further injury.

The USMNT will have welcomed news that Josh Sargent is finally back to “normal” after receiving “proper treatment” on his injury issues.

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Ankle problems held forward backMissed out on Nations League gloryPositive fitness news for club & countryWHAT HAPPENED?

The 24-year-old forward sat out four months of action early in the 2023-24 campaign after being forced to undergo ankle surgery. He suffered another fitness setback during the March international break that prevented him from linking up with his country and savouring CONCACAF Nations League glory.

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That enforced rest did, however, work in Sargent’s favour as he was able to work his way back to peak physical condition. He has been in stunning form for club side Norwich of late, hitting a personal-best 14 goals for the season, and will be looking to net in a 10th successive home game when taking in a derby date with arch-rivals Ipswich on Saturday.

WHAT WAGNER SAID ABOUT SARGENT

Ahead of that contest, Canaries boss David Wagner has said when delivering an update on Sargent’s fitness: “Two full 90s in four days is a big step for him. He hasn't done this in recent months, to be fair, without any issues. Last week he was able to follow the full regime without any issues. Physically you will get fatigued as a player, but he recovered well and now we’d like to push him for the next game.

"Hopefully our season continues quite long; for the maximum it can be. And for this obviously his fitness will be crucial. To be fair in this (last) international break, we were not really able to work him. He had to rest and recover his ankle. But obviously it was possible to give him proper treatment. That was beneficial for his ankle because it looks like now is able to tolerate the normal workload and the normal routine, which he was not able to tolerate in recent months.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT?

While Norwich are hoping to see Sargent fire them into the Championship play-offs, earning a shot at promotion to the Premier League along the way, the USMNT will be pleased to hear that the in-form frontman is in top shape heading towards a Copa America tournament on home soil this summer.

Lancashire legspinner Parkinson has suffered a stress fracture of his back

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2018England fast bowler Liam Plunkett has been signed by Melbourne Stars as a replacement for legspinner Matt Parkinson who has been ruled out of the BBL with a back injury.Parkinson, who plays for Lancashire, had been withdrawn from the England Lions tour of the UAE after scans showed up a stress fracture and he has not recovered enough to take up his Stars deal.Plunkett is a key member of England’s white-ball sides and will share overseas duties with Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane. The Stars have also signed Dwayne Bravo for the duration of the tournament.Plunkett’s next international commitment is likely to be England’s one-day series against West Indies which starts on February 20. There is a warm-up match scheduled for February 18, the day after the BBL final, so depending on how far the Stars progress in the tournament his availability could be restricted in the closing stages.Melbourne Stars squad Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Liam Plunkett, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is reportedly not in the running to replace outgoing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.

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Bayern seeking Tuchel replacementTarget Alonso to stay at LeverkusenZidane no longer in the runningWHAT HAPPENED?

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Zidane won't replace Tuchel at Bayern and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann – who managed the Bavarians between 2021-23 – are among their top targets. This comes hours after frontrunner and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso said he was staying put at the Bundesliga outfit.

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Alonso's decision to stay at Leverkusen – who are top of the Bundesliga – has sent shockwaves around the footballing world. Both Bayern and Liverpool saw him as their number one target but his act of loyalty means the two European giants will have to look elsewhere.

DID YOU KNOW?

Zidane, who managed Real Madrid between 2016-18 and 2019-21, won La Liga on two occasions and the Champions League three times as Los Blancos' manager but it seems his time away from the dugout is set to continue.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

While speculation continues to mount over who will replace Tuchel this summer, his second-placed Bayern side host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening, with Alonso's Leverkusen entertaining Hoffenheim earlier on in the afternoon.

Brazil boss Dorival Junior has come in for criticism for praising Robinho after the former forward was jailed for rape.

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Robinho jailed for nine years in Brazil for rapeDorival Junior calls Robinho 'fantastic person'Brazil coach criticised for his commentsWHAT HAPPENED?

Former Real Madrid and Manchester City forward Robinho has been jailed for nine years after being ordered to serve the prison sentence in Brazil, having been found guilty in an Italian court in 2017. Brazil coach Dorival Junior, who is currently in England preparing for a friendly at Wembley, has spoken out about the situation and attracted criticism for his comments about the former forward.

AdvertisementRafael Ribeiro / CBFWHAT DORIVAL JUNIOR SAID

He said: "As the coach of the national team, I have an obligation to speak out. First, I think it's a very delicate situation. Robinho was my player [at Santos in 2010], a fantastic person, such a professional … I didn't have the opportunity to work with Daniel [Alves], but we all know his story within football. It's a difficult time for us to express any and all situations.

"First, I think about the families of the people involved. Especially the victims involved in these episodes, which happen in our country and around the world and which, suddenly, are not addressed. They are hushed up because people don't have a voice. If there was a type of crime that was proven, it must be penalized.

"As much as it hurts my heart to talk about this, about a person with whom I had an exceptional relationship, I care much more for the victims, for the families, as well as for their families too. I know how painful it must have been for each of them to go through a moment like this.

"I don't wish this on anyone, I feel for everything they will go through from then on in their lives, everyone who is involved, what I can do is help them with prayers, nothing more."

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT DORIVAL JUNIOR

Brazil midfielder Ary Borges responds to the coach's words on social media: “This is unbelievable, it really is."

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has also spoken out about how the media has handled the rape convictions of Robinho and Dani Alves. She told UOL: "Nobody says anything, but I, as a woman here at the head of the delegation, have to take a stand on the cases of Robinho and Daniel Alves. It's a slap in the face for all of us women, especially the case of Daniel Alves, who paid for (his) freedom. It is important for me to position myself. Each case of impunity is the seed of the next crime."

Commentator Natalia Lara applauded Pereira's speech and also criticised Dorival's words in an interview with Sport TV. She said: "Dorival Junior’s speech hurts my heart. Because there is no 'if'. Robinho was sentenced to 9 years in prison. There is no 'if', Dorival. He was convicted. Brazilian football needs to stop being lax and talking about rape. Because it hurts the victim's skin. It doesn't hurt for you, Dorival. It hurts for us, it's a slap in the face, as Leila Pereira so rightly said. Yes, she has the courage to speak, something you didn’t have.”

Brazil midfielder Kerolin also spoke out in a post on X: "How long will women continue to suffer these and other types of crimes and the people who commit them go unharmed?!?!"

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Robinho's rape conviction follows that of former Brazil international Dani Alves. The ex-Barcelona star was sentenced to four years and six months in jail in February 2024 after being found guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub. Alves has appealed the conviction and will be released if he can pay bail of €1m (£853,000/$108m) and give up his passports.

It’s been a truly bizarre campaign for Tottenham Hotspur this year.

The fans will only remember this season for the club’s historic triumph in the Europa League – and rightly so – but the powers that be cannot ignore just how disastrous the team’s Premier League performances were, injury crisis or not.

While there are likely plenty of things the club can and should address behind the scenes, one of the best ways Daniel Levy and Co can ensure next year is more successful is by signing the right players this summer.

The good news is that recent reports seem to indicate that they’re targetting at least one bonafide star who’d be an incredible addition to the squad, but it could be bad news for James Maddison as the target in question would likely be an upgrade on him.

Tottenham transfer news

Given how poorly the team fared on the domestic front this season, it’s not been a surprise to see Spurs linked with a host of talented stars in recent weeks, like Xavi Simons and Angel Gomes.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could cost the club around £65m, but with a tally of 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 appearances for a lacklustre RB Leipzig side this season, that’s a fee that feels pretty reasonable.

Gomes, on the other hand, wouldn’t cost a penny in transfer fees, as his contract with LOSC Lille expires this month, although for all the experience and quality he’d bring with him, he couldn’t be described as an upgrade for Maddison, unlike Eberechi Eze.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Transfers, Spurs have maintained their intense interest in the Crystal Palace star.

In fact, the report goes a step further, proclaiming the Englishman as the North Londoners ‘top target’ for the window.

The story does not reveal how much the 26-year-old dynamo might cost the Lilywhites, but it has been pretty widely reported in recent weeks and months that he has a release clause in his current contract worth around £68m.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s incredible ability, it would be more than worth it, even if his arrival would be bad news for Maddison.

How Eze compares to Maddison

Now, while Eze is a positionally versatile player and has spent plenty of his career playing out wide on the left, his most played position, and where he’s spent most of this season, is attacking midfield.

Therefore, his main rival for game time at Spurs would be Maddison, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, when it comes to their pure output, it’s the Eagles ace who comes out on top, as in 43 appearances for the South London side, he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.72 games.

In comparison, the former Leicester City star scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in 45 appearances for the Lilywhites this year, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.95 games.

What about their underlying numbers, then? Who comes out victorious when we take a look under the hood?

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.52

0.50

Progressive Passes

3.37

8.16

Progressive Passes Received

5.31

4.73

Progressive Carries

2.36

2.24

Shots

3.48

1.94

Shots on Target

0.94

0.85

Key Passes

2.01

2.04

Shot-Creating Actions

4.69

4.73

Tackles

1.35

1.54

Blocks

0.94

0.74

Successful Take-Ons

2.33

1.64

Ball Recoveries

5.07

3.78

Well, things are once again somewhat close here, but overall, it’s the FA Cup-winning “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, who comes out on top.

For example, he comes out ahead in more relevant metrics than his compatriot, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Maddison is a brilliant player, Eze is two years his junior and performing at a higher level in a side that most would have predicted to finish lower than the North Londoners this time last year.

Therefore, Levy and Co should be doing all they can to sign the versatile star this summer before someone else beats them to him.

Shades of Dembele: Spurs make "generational" £60m star a priority signing

The sensational gem could develop into something truly special at Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 4, 2025

Under Eoin Morgan, the two spinners have thrived: Rashid as the lead and Moeen as his foil

Alan Gardner28-May-2019There have been many unlikely aspects to England’s reinvention as a one-day powerhouse – the unfettered batting, the sense of enjoyment, the surprising lack of selection bloopers – but among them must rank the team’s reliance on a pair of spinners, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Both have thrived under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan, giving England options and balance as their quest for that elusive first World Cup reaches its defining moment.”Mo’n’Rash”. That’s how they are known in the dressing room, a portmanteau that confirms their status as a twosome by default. A couple of British Asians completely at home in England colours, they are quiet, humble men by nature, and central to the team’s fortunes – to the extent that debate about who should be the squad’s back-up spinner (Liam Dawson edged out Joe Denly) occupied the selectors almost as much as the Jofra Archer question.The feats of England’s batsmen tend to dominate discussions about their charge to the No. 1 ODI ranking, but while the bowling has proved more erratic, there is no doubting the effectiveness of Rashid in particular. First capped as a diffident 21-year-old, he made his comeback after five and a half years out of the ODI team in Dublin (technically under the captaincy of James Taylor) following the 2015 World Cup; last summer, as Morgan’s England set about dismantling reigning world champions Australia 5-0, Rashid moved past Graeme Swann to become his country’s most prolific spinner in the format.