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Everton could finally be set to solve their long-held striking issues…

What's the latest on Joel Piroe to Everton?

That's according to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, who detail Sean Dyche's interest in Swansea City star Joel Piroe.

It is noted that the Toffees have the Dutchman on their wish list, and his affordability makes him a more attractive proposition for the cash-strapped Merseyside outfit.

With just one year left on his deal in Wales, all signs point towards an exit for the marksman who has dominated the Championship in recent years. Especially with a reported price tag of just £12m.

This would also mark a fine alternative to Viktor Gyokeres, who has also been a target of theirs. With his value at a far more lofty £25m, and many more suitors vying for his signature, it could be time to look elsewhere.

Is Joel Piroe as good as Viktor Gyokeres?

Both of these frontmen have starred in the English second division of late, yet a questionable price disparity has opened up between the two.

Especially when it could be argued that Piroe offers far greater value, given he is two years younger and has matched the scoring levels set by Sweden international despite featuring for a far weaker side.

Coventry City have finished above the Swans in the last two seasons, and yet the 23-year-old managed 19 league strikes most recently, and a further 22 with six assists the year before even that. It is no surprise to see his former boss Russell Martin having branded him "clinical" in the past.

Comparing these figures with Gyokeres, the gulf is not nearly wide enough to merit a £13m difference in prices. The 25-year-old would score 21 times and assist a further ten during last term's playoff push, building upon his 17-goal haul during the 2021/22 campaign.

The two share a frighteningly similar physical profile too, standing at 6 foot 2 and 6 foot 1 respectively, yet are both blessed with a blistering turn of pace.

It is these key characteristics that suggest they would take to the top flight with ease, and finally provide that focal point that Dyche was so sorely lacking last season.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin having missed the bulk of their recent campaign through injury, Everton were the division's second-lowest scorer with 34 goals in 38 league games. If they are to once again avoid the drop, as they have done with some fortune in recent years, they will need a reliable source of firepower.

Piroe would provide just that for a cut price, and despite Gyokeres being the preferred option for many, there would likely be little difference in opting for this former PSV Eindhoven youngster.

Twitter has reacted in brutal fashion to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty miss on Tuesday night against Scotland as he fired the ball well over the bar.

What happened in the game between Scotland and Georgia?

Scotland made it four wins from four in their quest to qualify for the 2024 European Championships on Tuesday, as they beat Georgia 2-0 at Hampden Park.

Goals from Callum McGregor and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay sealed the win for Steve Clarke’s side, but Napoli’s Kvaratskhelia had a glorious opportunity to pull one back for the visitors after they were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute.

Much had been made about the 22-year-old’s influence on the game and his threat, but after a pretty poor performance, things only got worse for the winger as he fired the spot kick well over the crossbar.

As you can imagine, those on social media had a field day with the miss. After all, the Napoli star – who netted 12 league goals and claimed 13 assists on the way to a Serie A title – was far from his best on the night and fans online made that clear.

Indeed, some of the responses on Twitter to the awful penalty were ruthless. Here are some of the best…

A couple of users compared the miss to Harry Kane’s penalty for England against France in the World Cup last year…

One fan even claimed Kvaratskhelia couldn’t perform away from Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen…

A couple of Scottish fans weren’t impressed with the winger after seeing him in the flesh for the first time…

A round-up of Group C matches in the 2016-17 Vijay Hazare on February 28, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Feb-2017At Chepauk, 17-year old medium pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti took the first-ever List A hat-trick for Rajasthan that helped them defend 183 for a 14-run win against Gujarat. Gujarat were 152 for 5 – just 32 short of the target – when Nagarkoti made his first strike. They were eventually bowled out for 169, with Nagarkoti having taken 3 for 30 in seven overs. Bhargav Merai (51) and Rujul Bhatt (49) made contributions for Gujarat and shared a fourth-wicket partnership on 90. Apart from Nagarkoti, captain Pankaj Singh took three wickets, while Nathu Singh finished with two scalps.Nagarkoti also came good with the bat as his unbeaten half-century lifted Rajasthan from 54 for 6. Along with Arijit Gupta (69), he helped add 86 for the seventh wicket and finished not out on 56.Manoj Tiwary’s unbeaten century steered Bengal to an eight-wicket win in a chase of 214 against Goa. Tiwary slammed 116 off 94 balls with 13 fours and three sixes as Bengal win with 85 balls to spare. Tiwary’s knock rescued Bengal from early losses, after they were reduced to 45 for 2. Tiwary dominated an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 169 with opening batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran to see his team through. Abhimanyu finished not out on 68.Bengal could have been chasing more had Goa’s batsmen converted their starts. Amogh Desai top-scored with 49, but his dismissal triggered a slide as Goa went from 150 for 2 to finish on 213 for 9. Kanshik Seth, the debutant medium pacer, took 3 for 50 in 10 overs.Seamer Chandrakant Sakure’s maiden List A five-for helped Madhya Pradesh dismiss Mumbai for 134 and canter to an 80-run win. Sakure took 5 for 25 in eight overs and was supported by Saransh Jain, who took 3 for 30 in nine overs. Ishwar Pandey and Ankit Sharma took one wicket each.MP’s innings was driven by Ankit Dane in the first half. Dane struck 46 off 76 balls and held up his end even as wickets fell around him. He was dismissed in the 28th over, after which Sohraab Dhaliwal propelled the score past 200 with his 41-ball 51. Dhaliwal was the last man dismissed as MP were bowled out for 214 in 45.1 overs. Mumbai’s bowlers shared the wickets around, with Shardul Thakur’s 3 for 27 the best figures.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is eyeing a move for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay as he seeks clarity over the side's newfound prominence.

What's the latest on Newcastle's pursuit of Scott McTominay?

That's following a recent report from the Northern Echo, which states that the Scotland international is a 'viable' option for the Toon as they look to fortify the midfield after qualifying for the Champions League.

The long-term target is believed to be seeking an exit from Old Trafford after telling friends that he is disgruntled after falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag.

The 26-year-old is valued at around £30m by the Red Devils but Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth is cautious to part with such an exorbitant fee for a player so firmly on the periphery at the Theatre of Dreams.

Should Newcastle sign Scott McTominay?

The general consensus is that McTominay will be shipped on this summer after starting just ten times in the Premier League this term, though he did play 39 times across all competitions and missed 15 matches due to injury.

However, his recent exploits with the Scottish national team have exhibited his prowess and just how effective he can be when provided a central role, with the 38-cap international scoring four goals from two matches during the last international break, including a dominant performance against Spain that left him with a Sofascore rating of 8.0.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking box, the top 21% for tackles, the top 1% for clearances and the top 2% for aerials won per 90, and has also been hailed as "superb" by former MEN writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz.

The £60k-per-week ace could emulate former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye at St. James' Park, with the Frenchman forging 93 displays for the Toon, scoring 18 goals and 14 assists, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain for around £20m in 2014.

Cabaye was once lauded by former Magpies manager Alan Pardew for his "true character" and for having "that X-factor", with an analysis from James Eastham stating that his teammates were 'primed to expect penetrative, precise service whenever Cabaye is in possession'.

McTominay, who was dubbed a "real threat" by Roberto Martinez, could emulate that role and combine his aforementioned defensive aptitude with a knack for effectively contributing to the offensive transitions.

And with Cabaye boasting career defensive metrics of 2.6 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game, as per WhoScored, he too served as a rock that Mctominay could indeed emulate to contribute towards Newcastle's present endeavours, searching for success unseen at the club in a very long time.

A lot of drama unfolded in Coffs Harbour where Australia and South Africa played out only the fifth tie in the history of women’s ODIs

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by ball- detailsMasabata Klaas’ run-out on the last ball led to the tie•Getty Images

A fourth straight ODI fifty for Ellyse Perry, second consecutive for Nicole Bolton, a four-for from Suné Luus, and a match-changing all-round performance from Dane van Niekerk combined to a dramatic tie in the fourth ODI in Coffs Harbour. South Africa women needed eight off the last over and later five off two, when Masabata Klaas slapped a four but was run-out on the last ball as both teams were all out for 242 in only the fifth tie in women’s ODIs. South Africa have still not beaten Australia in any format.South Africa were reeling in their chase at the score of 40 for 4, rattled by the Australian quicks and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. After Jonassen broke the opening stand, Perry bowled Lara Goodall, Rene Farrell bowled Luus and debutant Amanda-Jade Wellington had Mignon du Preez stumped with her very first ball. Kapp and van Niekerk joined forces that only steadied them but also brought the chase on track with a massive partnership that lasted 30.3 overs. Wellington would have had her second wicket, of van Niekerk, in the 16th over but Meg Lanning could not hold on to a low chance at slip after the ball flicked the keeper’s glove on the way.Kapp and van Niekerk scored 144 runs together, the third-highest stand for the fifth wicket overall, and took South Africa towards 200. While Kapp was more circumspect in her sixth ODI half-century, van Niekerk scored at more than run a ball against Jonassen, Perry and Farrell.It took a run-out to break the stand when Kapp backed up too much at the non-striker’s end and walked back for a 104-ball 66, starting Australia’s fight back. South Africa needed 57 off eight overs and Van Niekerk’s fours during her third ODI fifty brought the asking rate under six before Jonassen bowled her for 81. Another run-out and nine runs later, the visitors needed eight from six but Elyse Villani, bowling for the first time in her international career, conceded seven. When they needed one to win, Klaas struck a full delivery to midwicket but could not reach the non-striker’s end on time.Australia had opted to bat and Bolton and Perry, who missed the last match with a groin injury, steered them for over 16 overs after Beth Mooney, who was promoted to open, and Lanning fell cheaply. Bolton and Perry’s partnership yielded 80 runs before Luus dismissed Bolton, for 63, and Jonassen in her consecutive overs.Alex Blackwell then allied with Perry with a quick 35 off 30 but van Niekerk disturbed their lower order. Perry helped them cross 200 and took them to the last five overs before Luus sent her back too and van Niekerk struck on consecutive balls with the wickets of Alyssa and Villani. The stutter meant Australia struck only 26 runs in their last five overs as debutants Wellington and Tahlia McGrath were dismissed off consecutive balls in the last over.Luus finished with 4 for 37 from her 7.5 overs and Van Niekerk returned figures of 3 for 52 from nine overs.

Commentator and football writer Derek Clark has reacted positively after hearing Rangers are linked with a summer transfer for Kieran Dowell.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

As we head towards the end of the Scottish Premiership season, it looks as though this won't be a title-winning campaign for the Ibrox outfit.

Indeed, Michael Beale and co sit 12 points off the pace in second place, but behind-the-scenes plans may well already be taking place in preparation for next season.

With that in mind, some rumours have emerged recently in the press suggesting Dowell could be on his way to Scotland.

As per Football Insider, Rangers are lining up a pre-contract offer for the Norwich City midfielder, with his current deal set to expire in the summer​​​​​​.

While talking about this on the latest edition of The Rangers Review, Clark offered his verdict on the player having seen him impress in the past.

He said: "The time he was on loan at Wigan from Everton, I was impressed every time I watched him. I know it was a few seasons ago now, but I think that would be good business if Rangers were to bring him in, especially for no transfer fee as well."

Why do Rangers want to sign Kieran Dowell from Norwich?

At the moment, Dowell currently earns a reported £7.5k per week in the Championship, and when you factor in that he won't cost a transfer fee, this could be an affordable deal for Rangers to pull off.

What's more, they seem to have a working relationship with Norwich already, having signed English midfielder Todd Cantwell in January.

Dowell has been in and out of the Canaries team this term, but having delivered five goals and three assists in just 1,115 minutes of Championship action this term (across 23 outings), Rangers could be landing a pretty good player.

He's also shown glimpses of his quality in the past, too. For example, during his loan spell at Wigan referenced by Clark, he once delivered a rare 10/10 Sofascore match rating, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in an 8-0 win over Hull City.

With that in mind, it's no wonder Clark with impressed by that loan spell. At 25 years of age, it feels as though we are still yet to see the best of the promising midfielder, and if Rangers can unlock Dowell's full potential at Ibrox, this could be a great deal.

Arsenal have the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table this evening as they take on Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium before Manchester City play on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta's side are one point behind their rivals in the division after losing 4-1 to Pep Guardiola's men in their last outing, thanks to brilliance from Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.

They now come up against a Chelsea team that has gone eight games without a win in all competitions with a chance to return to winning ways.

The Gunners will be without William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mohamed Elneny, who all remain out with injuries, but the head coach still has plenty of options to rotate his side with.

How will Arsenal line up against Chelsea?

Arteta could make as many as three alterations to his starting XI following the defeat to City, with Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, and Leandro Trossard coming in.

Firstly, the Spaniard could ditch Rob Holding after conceding 13 goals during his six-start stint in the team following on from Saliba's injury.

The poor defensive record since the Englishman's run of starts is a huge concern and that could allow Kiwior to come in for his first start in the Premier League alongside Gabriel.

At left-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko could be given a rest after being dribbled past four times and failing to record a Sofascore rating higher than 6.5 in his last three league matches.

Arteta could opt to bring Kieran Tierney in to replace the Ukraine international as the £25m "machine" – as dubbed by journalist Simon Collings – has been dribbled past once and achieved a Sofascore rating higher than 6.5 four times in his last five Premier League outings, proving to be more reliable at this moment in time.

They both go into a back four, also containing Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White, both of whom continue to shield Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.

A midfield trio of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard should resume their usual duties, as should Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on the flanks.

Finally, Gabriel Jesus could drop out of the side after blanking in his last two appearances. The skillful Brazilian is coming off the back of a long-term knee injury and Arteta could manage his fitness by ditching him in favour of Leandro Trossard, who picked up an assist off the bench against Manchester City, tonight.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

ScorecardScott Borthwick made his 13th first-class hundred•Getty Images

To die wondering might actually be rather pleasant, though it is not something that either Jack Burnham or Neil Wagner is likely to experience.Drifting away while contemplating pleasant paths, albeit that they have not been walked, may, at most rates, be preferable to mulling over one’s earthly demise and pondering what, if anything, is next on one’s dance card. However, as Wagner and Burnham went at it hammer and tongs in the first major duel of this game, it was most apparent that their labours were unsparing and that conserving energy had no place in them.The pair began their battle in the second hour of the morning. By that time both Keaton Jennings and Mark Stoneman had been dismissed, the Durham openers nicking catches off the excellent Tom Bailey; and towards the close, home supporters at a sun-embraced Riverside were applauding Scott Borthwick’s high-class 134 and Paul Collingwood’s 85 not out, fine innings which had given Lancashire’s attack one of its first pick, shovel and prop days at cricket’s coalface this season.Yet it was 19-year-old Burnham who helped take the battle to Lancashire’s bowlers, cover-driving Wagner easefully to the boundary in the 25th over and then attempting a rather wilder repeat off the next delivery, only to edge the ball over a leaping Liam Livingstone’s outstretched fingers at first slip. In response Wagner sent down a couple of precisely targeted bouncers, although he is not a bowler for whom that over-used tactic is a default position. The second bumper whacked Burnham somewhere in the vicinity of his helmet and it was followed by a discussion between the pair in which Wagner seemed to take the leading role.He is a curious fellow, Wagner. Off the field he is affable, peaceful, serene. Although he admitted a few weeks ago that he might have to “eliminate” Stuart Broad, he did so with the courteous regret of a James Bond villain. Out in the middle, mind, Wagner spits vengeance and bowls some of the most unsparingly aggressive spells one might see. The history of fast bowling has thrown up similar examples, of course, but rarely is the contrast between the Quaker and the Visigoth as sharp as it is with Mr. Wagner and “Waggy”, his on-field persona. Robert Louis Stevenson knew a thing or two.All the same, Burnham won their battle. At lunch he was 35 not out and had helped Borthwick revive Durham’s innings after their early losses. Wagner’s seven wicketless overs had cost 32 runs. For his part, Borthwick was batting with gentle ease and his glide though gully off Procter was as well-timed and graceful as anything we saw all day. Neither a cut nor a drive, it seems something of a signature shot for Borthwick and few batsmen play it as well. It will be a stroke for us to play once more when May is a memory.Having established himself at the wicket and properly gauged the pace of a pitch from which Bailey extracted most bounce, Borthwick unfurled an even greater variety of shots in the afternoon session. There was the precise cover drive which took him to his fifty off 81 balls and the calculated sweep off Simon Kerrigan, which took him into the nineties.Between those strokes, however, Borthwick lost Burnham, who was caught at slip by Livingstone off Bailey for 44, and Richardson, who edged Kyle Jarvis to the same fielder seven overs later. Both these dismissals bolstered the view that while this is a good batting wicket, it is also a pitch on which seamers can bowl with the hope that their efforts will receive recompense. Certainly home supporters seem likely to rue the absence of Chris Rushworth, whose hip injury prevented his playing in this match.Richardson was replaced by Collingwood, whose 123-run fifth-wicket stand with Borthwick was clearly the home side’s best period of the day. Durham’s skipper was confident and assertive against Wagner from the outset, cover-driving his fifth ball to the Lumley Castle boundary and swivel-pulling his next to square leg. A few overs later Collingwood came down the pitch to Kerrigan and hit him sweetly and straight for six, as if confirming home ascendancy. Borthwick responded with similarly assured strokeplay and reached his century off 158 balls with a cover drive off Wagner. Durham took tea on 213 for 4, emboldened in their belief that the next session would belong to them.So it more or less proved, despite Lancashire’s attack sticking to its disciplines and taking two wickets. Borthwick and Collingwood took the score to 274 before Borthwick, in one of his rare miscalculations, tried to hit Kerrigan over long-on but only found Alviro Petersen five yards inside the boundary. Ryan Pringle then batted well enough for his 25 before giving Bailey his fourth wicket when he gloved a pull to Livingstone who dived forward from slip to take the catch.But by then one’s attention was taken by Collingwood, who was batting with ever more circumspection as close of play approached. James Weighell whacked Wagner’s last ball of the day over square leg for six but Durham’s skipper ended play by patting back a maiden from Kerrigan. His forward defensive shots were as resolute and brimming with resistance as his boundaries had been. Late Collingwood: a cricketer phrased like a vintage.

Pakistan have added batsman Sharjeel Khan and fast bowler Mohammad Sami to their squads for the Asia Cup and World T20, following injuries to batsman Babar Azam and Rumman Raees

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Feb-2016Pakistan have added batsman Sharjeel Khan and fast bowler Mohammad Sami to their squads for the Asia Cup and World T20, following injuries to Babar Azam and Rumman Raees. The selectors also made another change to the World T20 squad, bringing in batsman Khalid Latif in place of Iftikhar Ahmed.Azam has been ruled out for 3-4 weeks after suffering a fracture on his left forearm during a practice session in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. Raees has a Grade-1 hamstring strain and is “operating at 60% of his fitness currently”, the PCB stated in a release.Pakistan’s selection committee chairman Haroon Rashid said that PSL performances played a part in the selection. Sharjeel, Sami and Latif are with Islamabad United, who will face Quetta Gladiators in the final of the inaugural edition of the league on Tuesday.Sharjeel has hit the only century of the league till date, with his 62-ball 117 against Peshawar Zalmi booking Islamabad United’s place in the final. He is the third-highest run-scorer, with 287 runs in ten innings at a strike rate of 151.05. Sami has picked up 11 wickets in six matches, including a haul of 5 for 8 against Karachi Kings. Latif was included on the basis of his power-hitting, according to Rashid, who clarified that the batsman could not join the Asia Cup squad due to technical reasons. Latif has scored 190 runs in six innings, at a strike rate of 114.45.”After having looked at the performance of the players in the PSL competition, the selection committee along with Captain Shahid Afridi and Head Coach Waqar Younis have come to the conclusion that keeping in view the outstanding performances of Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Sami in PSL matches, they should be included as replacements for injured Babar Azam and Ruman Raees respectively for both Asia Cup and World Cup,” Rashid said.”Since we have the option available to bring in changes in our World Cup squad before the support period starting from March 8, 2016, it has also been decided to use this option and decided to include Khalid Latif, who showed tremendous display of power hitting in the PSL matches, which paved the way for his inclusion in the World Cup squad in place of Iftikhar Ahmed.”Sharjeel’s previous T20 international appearance was in December 2013, while Sami made his comeback into the Pakistan side after nearly three years during the home series against Zimbabwe in May 2015. Latif last played an international match for Pakistan in June 2012.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to sell Harry Kane over the summer and is keen to make the England captain the face of their project.

Who wants to sign Harry Kane?

The future of the 29-year-old does seem to be one of the major questions going into the summer transfer window with the striker only having one more year on his deal in north London.

There have been strong reports suggesting the likes of Manchester United are looking to make a strong push with Erik ten Hag keen on the player.

And it is also believed Kane will have options from further afield with the Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, still showing an interest in him.

However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has insisted the Lilywhites are determined to keep Kane and make him the main man with a new manager expected to be in place for the summer:

"What I heard is that, at the moment, on Tottenham's side, no matter what happens with the coach situation, they want to extend the contract of Harry Kane.

"So they will offer him a new contract, they will insist to keep the player, they will insist to make Harry Kane the face of the project also, for the future of Tottenham, and so they have no intention at this moment to let him go."

What is left at Spurs for Kane?

There will certainly be some question marks surrounding the notion of Kane remaining at Spurs when he has been with the club for his entire career and is still yet to lift any silverware.

However, the market for the striker may not be as big as some may expect given the huge transfer fee which could be slapped on him if he is to push for an exit.

The soon-to-be 30-year-old England captain is unlikely to leave for Chelsea, Arsenal is naturally off the cards, Liverpool have already invested heavily in their attack and Manchester City have Erling Haaland.

With this in mind, it only really leaves United as a feasible option.

Kane has previously spoken about not being keen on the idea of playing abroad so that could well eliminate the possibility of leaving for Germany – unless he has since changed his mind.

A move to Old Trafford could provide the striker with an increased chance of winning a trophy, but it is by no means a certainty.

And the Red Devils are also still well within the race to secure their spot in the top four with only two points separating them and Tottenham.

Kane is clearly settled at Spurs in terms of churning out consistent goal returns in the Premier League and at the age of 29, he may not be entirely convinced on the idea of moving to a different part of the country.