The Bangladesh captain is certain about “bouncing back” from the collapse in Durban

Mohammad Isam05-Apr-2022Surrendering to spin in overseas conditions didn’t sit well with Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque, who has taken the responsibility of the team to bounce back in the Port Elizabeth Test which begins on Friday. Chasing 274 on the last day in Durban, the visitors were bowled out for just 53, their second-lowest Test score, with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer sharing all ten wickets.Bangladesh lost three wickets late on the fourth evening but there was hope that Mushfiqur Rahim could lead some sort of recovery on the last day. But that was not to be. Mushfiqur was the first to go on the fifth morning, when he was trapped lbw by Maharaj, and the collapse followed.”I think it was a big crime on our part to give wickets to spinners on foreign soil,” Mominul said. “You simply cannot give wickets to spinners when you are on tour. You have to score runs against spinners. I think it is my fault. I couldn’t score in either innings. It is nothing but a total batting failure. I think we just couldn’t handle the pressure.”Related

Test failures a worry, but Tamim expects 'very, very good' Bangladesh ODI team if things go to plan

Allan Donald says Bangladesh's seamers have the skills to exploit Gqeberha conditions

Bangladesh to lodge formal complaint against umpiring

Stats – A rare triumph for spin in South Africa

At one stage, Bangladesh were threatening to break their record of lowest Test score of 43, but for a couple of big hits from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taskin Ahmed. South Africa’s spin duo bowled accurately, preying on the defensive mindset of the Bangladesh batters. It was a surprise to see a batting unit bred on spinning tracks to succumb to spin so easily on a good pitch.Mominul himself had an inauspicious 50th Test match, making only 0 and 2. He has scored just one fifty in the last ten innings, a rare downturn in his Test career. He wasn’t worried, though, and was already looking to turn the corner.”I don’t think the captaincy is weighing down my batting form. I am not worried about it. I don’t think I am in bad form. I will be back on track after a good innings. I am not too worried,” he said.Mominul was more concerned about convincing his team that they had only one bad day in Durban, and that shouldn’t bother them for the second Test.”We can certainly bounce back from this defeat,” he said. “We played well in four out of the five days. We batted poorly in the last few overs yesterday and on the fifth day. There are enough positives to take from this Test match, to suggest to me that we can bounce back easily in the next game.”[Mahmudul Hasan] Joy’s 137 was a really good innings. Litton [Das], Rabbi (Yasir Ali) and [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz also batted well. The fast bowlers did really well. Miraz was outstanding. We didn’t play badly for all five days. We just had a bad fifth day, but as everyone knows, it is difficult to get back from a Test after you slip once. I think we can come back into the series by being mentally strong.”

Pace bowler has only played six first-class games but has 26 Pakistan limited-overs caps

Matt Roller23-Jun-2022

Mohammad Hasnain is available for the last six games of the season•AFP/Getty Images

Worcestershire hope that Mohammad Hasnain will help them “blast teams out” after securing his services for the final six games of the County Championship season as their second overseas player.Hasnain, 22, has only played six first-class games in his career but has won 26 Pakistan caps in limited-overs internationals and was cleared to resume bowling earlier this month after being called for a suspect action at the BBL at the start of the year.Hasnain is due to make his debut against Middlesex on July 11 and will stay in the UK for the rest of the season. He was previously signed by Oval Invincibles as a ‘wildcard’ overseas player in the Hundred and will join his compatriot Azhar Ali in the Worcestershire side.”Azhar knows him very well and helped us do a bit of research,” Alex Gidman, Worcestershire’s coach, said. “He spoke very, very highly of him as a young man and as a character and his skill set as well. He is going to be exactly what the group needs, some real power and energy.”The longer the season goes on, the harder it becomes, so to have some fresh impetus when we really need it is going to be good for the guys. He bowls very quick, so a different skill set to what we have, and he will hopefully give us a chance of winning more games.”Worcestershire are fifth in the eight-team Division Two after two wins, four draws and a loss in their first seven games but are a point off third and are hopeful of a strong finish to the season.Paul Pridgeon, the chair of the club’s steering group, said: “We are going to have a real crack at the Championship. On fairly flat surfaces with Dukes balls, he might just help to blast teams out.”Hasnain said: “I’m really looking forward to my first taste of county cricket. I want to help Worcestershire win matches first and foremost, but I also want to play more first-class cricket, and this is an ideal opportunity.”It will also be part of my cricketing education playing in England on different pitches. Azhar has had nothing but good things to say about Worcestershire. I’m looking forward to joining up, and hopefully, I can make a similar impact to him.”Azhar will miss two Championship games due to his involvement in Pakistan’s Test series in Sri Lanka next month but is due to return later in the season.Worcestershire have also been boosted by the news that Jack Haynes, their leading run-scorer in the Championship, has only strained knee ligaments after fears he had torn them. He could return in time for their fixture against Glamorgan this weekend.

Rajasthan’s fast bowler Pankaj Singh on the desperation to represent India, and the pain of being ignored by national selectors despite consistently strong performances

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Jan-2014With 39 scalps, Pankaj Singh is the leading wicket-taker in the top tiers of the Ranji Trophy this season•ESPNcricinfo LtdOn Wednesday, immediately after the day’s play, you walked into the box where Roger Binny, the national selector, was watching the match from. Why did you do that and, though Binny had already left, was it the first time you had done something like that?It was the first time I had wanted to go and talk directly to a selector. I knew this was Rajasthan’s last match of our Ranji season, and so I knew we would not be able to meet anywhere else. I wanted to know what are the things I should do (to get picked for the national squad), what is going wrong with me. That was because I wanted to get an answer as to what else I could do to get there because I want to be there (in the Indian team).How tough is it to keep performing and yet not get to know what exactly the selectors are thinking?Ultimately I want to play for the country, a dream, a goal virtually every domestic player aspires to at some point. Now steadily as my age is increasing, I have started to doubt whether I would be able to reach that dream. Also the criteria which are needed to make the India team, which I have been achieving in domestic cricket in the last four years, and still if the selection is not happening then I would obviously like to know what more I should do.The other option is to keep silent and continue playing which I have been doing. But my intention was to understand exactly why I am being sidelined or if they have given up on me. Then if that is the case I do not need to fight within myself or with people/things, then I can just calm down and plan my future. And if the selectors say that we have seen enough of you and we are not going to select you then I don’t need to put myself under pressure each time hoping my name would be included every time a selection meeting happens.I know that every year I cannot perform the way I have in the last four years. I am going to turn 29 so the age is going to soon turn against me. I know I can still play for four to five more years. And if I am just left to play domestic cricket, then my goals would not be that strong. And without goals I would not be able to put in this kind of effort, hard work and perform.But in 2010-11, when Rajasthan won their first Ranji Trophy I was 26. I had taken 53 wickets that first-class season. I had many expectations considering India were going to tour many places like West Indies and England. So many other fast bowlers were picked and replaced others who were injured or unfit. But I never was included. So now I have reached a stage where I have started to think: (if not now then maybe never). If it is (end) then maybe I could even leave playing cricket possibly in two years. So these were the questions I wanted to ask.Was it a mix of fear and anger that drove you to take that call to meet the selector?Possibly. The Indian selection system has predominantly never given chances to a bowler over 30. Since four years I have waited (My chance would come. It has not come). So even if I speak to someone it might not come and the selector might even get angry, or someone might inform me the areas I am falling short of. At least this way I could improve or at least I would tell myself that I did my best and only then I left.Were you optimistic about a call-up for the New Zealand tour?Definitely. Not just this time, but last year when we were playing in Kolkata against Bengal in our Ranji season opener, I picked nine wickets. A national selector, who was present, walked upto me and said I had bowled really well. I was expecting a call-up for the home Test series against England but I did not get included. Till now I have no idea where I fell short. Even the selector appreciated my performance. Then in Mohali, against Punjab, the same selector said I was doing well. Even this season I started slow but started to get wickets steadily. At the start of this season I did not believe my name would be discussed. I knew I was not being counted in the top 10 fast bowlers in the country considering I had not been called for any A tour or Emerging Trophy series or even a national camp for fast bowlers.But the selector might have just said that to encourage you?I know that is not bad. But if a selector is encouraging me, I am doing well, and I am (still) nowhere. These are the people who are going to pick you in the team, make your career. Even this season, in Chennai against Tamil Nadu I took a five-for, all top-order wickets. Sandeep Patil (national selection panel chairman) while taking a walk said, “very well bowled. Good bowling.” I did not say anything. As a player I can only perform and that I am doing from the last four years.

“Why would I like to continue to play if I am not going to play for India. I am not going to play just for money. I have earned enough and invested in the right places. Every player has a reason to continue playing”

Say if a selector calls up and informs you that you are not part of our plans. What will you do?I will play maximum of one or two years then. Simple. Why would I like to continue to play if I am not going to play for India. I am not going to play just for money. I have earned enough and invested in the right places. Every player has a reason to continue playing. A good player does not hang in just to earn money. The main thing is dedication towards the job. Say if I had been picked and not performed then I would be angry to prove myself and play for another four or five years.Can you talk about the challenges a player like you goes through when not part from the Indian set-up?The biggest challenge is you are unable to decide what you should. You doubt whether your state association is weaker and not promoting you. Then sometimes you doubt if selectors are backing a player(s) from a particular zone. No player wants to think such questions. When you are performing you do not want to raise such doubts in your head. But if the same questions keep repeating in my mind then I am bound to doubt the system.So how do you motivate yourself?It because of the meeting my dream, the (stubbornness). Having come from a small place, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, to this place where I am now, I do not want to give up.What are the things you have worked on in the interim?Many times I heard I was not quick, so I worked on my pace. But importantly started first by working on my fitness and strengthening to make sure I was bowling at lively pace. In the last two years even I felt I was bowling quick – consistently 135kph. Barring Umesh Yadav, show me one fast bowler in India who has bowled consistently over 140kph. I have tried to tick every checkbox a selector thinks with regard to a fast bowler.There is a feeling that your age was a factor, as you could not be picked for an A team where opportunities need to be given to youth primarily. But is it not unfair on you considering you are almost the same age as some players who have been on A tours in recent years?Yes. But right from when I was 26, I have never been considered or included. There are other players like Vinay Kumar and RP Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni who are around my age and still have played or been included in the squad. I am not nitpicking. Some of these guys have played more cricket than me, but my numbers show I am doing much better than many other fast bowlers.

Celtic’s faultless start to the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign continued on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 win over Hearts at Parkhead.

The Hoops have now won all five of their matches in the division, without conceding a single goal, after goals from new signings Arne Engels and Luke McCowan.

Despite the win, there were some underwhelming performers on the pitch for the Scottish giants and one of them was centre-forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who endured a difficult afternoon – losing 100% of his duels and leaving the pitch with no meaningful contributions.

FFC have urged Brendan Rodgers to finally ditch the Japan international from the starting XI and that would present Adam Idah with a chance to prove his worth.

Celtic splashed out a fee of £8.5m, which could rise to £9.5m with add-ons, to sign the Ireland international from Norwich City on a permanent deal, after his loan spell last term.

The Bhoys will be hoping that it turns out to be a profitable investment on the 23-year-old striker, as they have not always had the best of luck when spending big on new centre-forwards.

One number nine the club had a howler with initially was Patryk Klimala, who struggled at Parkhead before the club later hit the jackpot with him.

How much Celitc paid for Patryk Klimala

Back in January 2020, Celtic reportedly agreed a fee of around £3.5m to sign the 21-year-old marksman from Polish outfit Jagiellonia Białystok.

It was claimed at the time that Neil Lennon had identified the forward as a top target during the January transfer window, and that the Hoops had beaten Danish giants Copenhagen to his signature.

They activated a €4m release clause in his contract with the Polish side, which allowed them to secure his services for £3.5m, as Lennon viewed him as a strike partner for Odsonne Edouard.

He had come up through the youth ranks with Jagiellonia Białystok, where he scored a stunning 17 goals in nine U19 matches, before emerging as a first-team option.

Klimala scored 11 goals in 50 senior outings for the club, including seven goals in 17 league games during the first half of the 2019/20 campaign, and this shows that Celtic were buying him for his potential.

The 21-year-old striker did not arrive at Parkhead with a proven track record of scoring goals and that made the £3.5m spent on him a significant gamble by the Scottish giants.

Unfortunately, it was not a gamble that paid off for Celitc on the pitch as the Polish marksman went on to struggle throughout his time on the field for the Hoops.

Patryk Klimala's Celtic career

The young striker only made four appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys during the second half of the 2019/20 campaign, and failed to find the back of the net.

After his return of seven goals and three assists in 17 Extraklasa matches during the first half of the season, the forward did not record a single goal or assist in his two outings in the Scottish Premiership.

Klimala was then offered more opportunities to showcase his qualities in Glasgow during his first full season at the club, in the 2020/21 campaign.

The Poland U21 international played 24 matches in all competitions for the Hoops but only contributed with three and zero assists for the Bhoys.

20/21 Premiership	Patryk Klimala
Appearances	17
Goals	3
Big chances missed	5
Assists	0
Big chances created	0
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Klimala struggled at the top end of the pitch in the Premiership, with five ‘big chances’ missed and zero assists to go along with his three goals in 17 games.

The centre-forward only completed 68% of his attempted passes, completing 2.5 per game on average, as he struggled to handle the step up in quality in Scotland.

By April of that season, Celtic decided to part ways with the striker and, surprisingly, they were able to recoup all of the money they paid for him.

MLS side New York Red Bulls swooped in to sign the young attacker for a reported fee of $4.8m (£3.5m), per Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, and the Hoops hit the jackpot with that sale, based on his decline since then.

Where Patryk Klimala is now

At the time of writing (16/09/2024), Klimala is on loan at Sydney FC in Australia, having joined them earlier this month, after being allowed to leave on a temporary basis by Slask Wroclaw.

Transfermarkt currently has his market value at a staggeringly low €600k (£500k), which is a significant drop-off from the £3.5m Celtic sold him for, at the age of 26.

The Polish striker enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular, time in the Big Apple after his move from Glasgow, with a return of 14 goals and 11 assists in 63 matches in all competitions.

He then spent a year with Hapoel Beer Sheva, from January 2023 to January 2024, and only managed four goals in 23 appearances for the club before being allowed to join Slask Wroclaw on a free transfer at the start of this year.

23/24 Ekstraklasa	Patryk Klimala
Appearances	11
Starts	5
Goals	0
Big chances missed	4
Assists	0
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Klimala endured a frustrating time in the Polish top-flight for Wroclaw during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, with zero goals and four ‘big chances’ missed in 11 matches.

The 26-year-old former Celtic flop was then dropped down to the second team for the start of this season and scored four goals in four games in the fourth tier before being sent out on loan to Australia.

Overall, this shows that the Hoops hit the jackpot when they sold their big flop for a fee of £3.5m as his career has gone downhill since moving on from Glasgow, as shown by his faltering form and his plummeting market value.

Worse than Maeda: Rodgers must finally drop Celtic dud who lost 100% duels

The Hoops boss must take the centre-forward out of the starting line-up this coming week.

2

By
Dan Emery

Sep 15, 2024

Klimala should be in the prime years of his career, at 26, but is, instead, struggling and moving from club-to-club to find his form, which shows that Celtic struck gold by raking in £3.5m for him.

The downed catches are the cause of so much of their woe, but also, are a reflection of the confidence of a side, that has lost 12 out of 19 completed ODIs, plus two Tests, since mid-October

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch14-Feb-20151:28

Agarkar: SL will need big players to perform

No loss inspires as much regret as one conceived by spilled catches. No day feels so wasted as the one defined by a few sorry moments. For Sri Lanka, their time in New Zealand has been continually marred this heartbreak; a grim, empty eddy of “what ifs”.That a Brendon McCullum salvo might come off and that an off-colour new-ball pair would be crashed around is not so surprising, but couldn’t it have been so much better if Kane Williamson was snapped up for none? It was 57 runs that he scored today, after Kumar Sangakkara failed to cling to a sharp one, low to his right. It was 213 runs and a Test series, when Sri Lanka spurned the first of the four chances he gave them in Wellington, six weeks ago. Sri Lanka had a second shot at Williamson, on 27, but Angelo Mathews parried that one overhead.In the 37th over, Corey Anderson could probably have been held by substitute Dinesh Chandimal for 2. Instead, he made the chance seem tougher than it was and it flew over the rope. Those three at least were somewhat difficult opportunities. Jeevan Mendis circled under one, with Anderson on 43, and collected only fresh air as the ball descended, leather striking him somewhere near the groin on the way down, to add comical injury to insult.The downed catches are the cause of so much of their woe, but also, are a reflection of the confidence of a side, that has lost 12 out of 19 completed ODIs, plus two Tests, since mid-October. That there is quality in this squad is hard to deny. Eight of the 11 men who triumphed in last year’s World T20 final, were on the field on Saturday.’Happy opening the innings’ – Thirimanne

Lahiru Thirimanne, who top-scored for Sri Lanka with 65 off 60, said he was comfortable with being moved around the batting order. Sri Lanka have been unsure with how to use him in the past 18 months, often asking him to plug holes in the batting order, when other batsmen begin underperforming.
The selectors had hoped to bat him at No. 6 throughout the World Cup, but as woes at the top of the order persisted, he has now been returned to the opening position, where he has sporadically batted before.
“I’m happy opening the innings because that gives me time to settle down and score big innings,” he said. “Unfortunately I couldn’t make that 60 into a hundred. I’m very disappointed about that, but I’m happy about my role. I’ve been batting everywhere from opener to No. 8, so I’m used to being moved around.”

How much worse do they seem now, than they did a mere eight months ago? When Sri Lanka are surging, their modest shards of talent are fused together into a menacing point. Not only are the catches held, but even their rarer celestial events begin to run together. Fours begin pouring off Nuwan Kulasekara’s blade. Tillakaratne Dilshan makes big breakthroughs. Boundary riders execute manoeuvres no coach has ever taught them.When Sri Lanka are flagging, all their foibles come into sharp focus. In pursuit of a ball, Lasith Malinga’s belly wobbles more than his deliveries do off the seam. Rangana Herath lumbers like he is dragging the remains of his own broken body around. Mahela Jayawardene is in a perpetual frump because even the young men who can move quickly, only flail at the ball as it whooshes past them.The fielding has been poor for so long that it has now become self-parody. “Their guys get to the ball much faster than ours”, was a warning Dilshan audibly issued to his opening partner early in Sri Lanka’s innings. All through the first roaring eight months of 2014, Mathews had spoken of Sri Lanka playing for each other, “like a family”. Now, when losses have stacked up, the frayed edges that are a perpetual presence in any Sri Lanka outfit, begin to unspool.The innings’ top-scorer, Lahiru Thirimanne, approximated the cost of those spills. “It was a good wicket, but 280-290 would have been really chaseable in this ground,” he said. “But I thought we didn’t field well, so that cost us. As a team we have to put that extra effort because sometimes crucial catches might cost end of the game. As a team we have to put our heads down and do the extra work.”The fielding lapses compounded, and the street-smarts that get Sri Lanka deep into big tournaments, deserted them. Mathews saved one Rangana Herath over, as if for a rainy day, only for Anderson to hit them like a flash flood. In contrast, Daniel Vettori was through his full quota in the 35th over. McCullum had a chasing team on the run, of course, so he was under no great stress. But Sri Lanka and Mathews – a team and captain that pride themselves on their cool heads under duress – allowed their best bowler to have one over unforgivably unused.Mendis’ two wickets for five runs from two overs also jars in comparison with Malinga and Kulasekara’s combined 1 for 162, from 18 overs. Mendis’ bowling form over the past month has not suggested he should be entrusted a long spell, but when frontliners are going for plenty, the bowling plan could do with a little massaging. Isn’t that the nimbleness that has defined them in past campaigns, when they have ridden on the coattails of unlikely performers? Even leaving that aside, isn’t that the flexibility they build into their attack when they stack the team with allrounders?In the past, Sri Lanka have arrived at world tournaments unfancied, then taken the events by the collar. This time, when they have the most experienced top order in the world, the finest contemporary death bowler, and arguably the best spinner in the tournament, they are waiting for the World Cup to come to them, and shake them to life.

The Spain stopper threatened to derail Chelsea's top-four bid further but Enzo Maresca's men fought well and ran out deserved winners

Chelsea ended a run of five Premier League games without a win by beating Wolves 3-1 on Monday night.

Enzo Maresca's side were in serious need of restoring momentum to a flailing top-four charge having dropped out of the Champions League qualification spots recently, and were on song to pick up three valuable points and climb back above fifth-place Manchester City ahead of this weekend's trip to the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts dominated possession in the opening stages and had the ball in the net midway into the first half through Tosin after Reece James fired a shot through a crowd of bodies following a corner, with the centre-back swiftly swivelling and finishing past Jose Sa. The flag went up for offside, but after a VAR check, the decision was reversed and his goal was confirmed.

Chelsea appeared to be heading toward a half-time lead, only to concede in added time. A corner from Matheus Cunha flew towards the near post but was dropped by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, allowing Matt Doherty to prod in from close range.

On the hour mark, the Blues went back in front. Noni Madueke's deep cross was nodded on by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and into the box-crashing Marc Cucurella, who had time to adjust his feet and scramble the ball over the line.

Shortly after, Chelsea added their third. Cole Palmer's free-kick from towards the corner flag was headed back down by the returning Trevoh Chalobah and converted on the goal-line by Madueke.

Nicolas Jackson thought he had scored the Blues' fourth having met a threaded through ball from Palmer, only for a late offside flag to deny him, and VAR was not Chelsea's friend on this occasion with the goal ruled out.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Robert Sanchez (3/10):

  Chelsea have brought in many goalkeepers in the BlueCo era, yet it remains their number one problem position. Only Ipswich's Arijanet Muric (five) has committed more errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this season than Sanchez (four) after he dropped the ball at the feet of Doherty. Made some decent saves in the second half at least.

  Reece James (7/10):

  Made his first Premier League start since November's draw with Manchester United (Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was still in interim charge of the Red Devils, just to highlight how long ago that was). Did well to silence Cunha from open play and asserted his authority in every challenge. Came off for Disasi towards the end of the night.

  Tosin Adarabioyo (8/10):

  Who would have predicted such a scoring surge from Tosin? Now up to four goals in Chelsea colours and was solid in his defensive duties to boot.

  Trevoh Chalobah (8/10):

  Back from Crystal Palace and straight into the starting lineup – a move which caught the club's editorial team off guard. Formed a fine partnership with Tosin and was cruelly denied a goal when Madueke essentially stole it from him on the line. That chalked up an assist for his troubles, so, every cloud.

  Marc Cucurella (7/10):

  Threatened to meet several crosses even before popping up with his goal after an hour, with Wolves flummoxed at how to defend a left-back who was crashing their box. Ended the game playing in midfield.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Moises Caicedo (6/10):

  Far more comfortable back in midfield as opposed to right-back. Broke up play in a scrappy midfield battle.

  Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (7/10):

  Has had to wait until January to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea following his summer arrival from Leicester. Made a fine impression with an excellent range of passing before coming up with an assist for Cucurella. Subbed for Gusto.

  Cole Palmer (6/10):

  Strangely quiet in the first half but the game started to open up when he started registering more touches after the interval. It was his free-kick which led to Madueke's goal. Given a rest towards the end when taken off for Felix.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Noni Madueke (7/10):

  Tormented Wolves (plus the citizens of Wolverhampton) back in August, and though he wasn't quite as successful with all his endeavours on his occasion, he still gave the visitors plenty of headaches. Would estimate his header to stoop in Chalobah's came in at 0.99 expected goals. Replaced by George for the last few minutes.

  Nicolas Jackson (5/10):

  For the most part wasn't on the same wavelength as his team-mates and brought frustration from both them and the home supporters. Won the free-kick leading to Madueke's goal with some neat trickery out of the corner, but that was as positive as his contribution got.

  Pedro Neto (5/10):

  Lacked adventure and seemingly confidence, often cutting inside and passing the ball back. Booed by the Wolves fans who used to sing his name. Replaced by Sancho immediately after Cucurella's goal.

• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Jadon Sancho (6/10):

  Came on for Neto. Showed flashes of flair but the game had died down by the time he entered the pitch.

  Malo Gusto (6/10):

  Replaced Dewsbury-Hall for the final 15 minutes.

  Axel Disasi (6/10):

  There were a few murmurs of discontent when he was brought on for James.

  Joao Felix (N/A):

  On for Palmer though didn't have time to get too involved.

  Tyrique George (N/A):

  Made his Premier League debut in place of Madueke.

  Enzo Maresca (8/10):

  Chelsea responded brilliantly to the surprise setback heading into the break with a strong second-half display.

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith heaped high praise on a Nottingham Forest player during their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night, even comparing him to the great Lionel Messi. The Reds had to wait all weekend to get back underway after the international break, but it was worth the wait as they claimed all three points at home to Palace.

Nottingham Forest eyeing £50m Champions League player wanted by Arsenal

This would be a sensational coup…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 20, 2024 Nottingham Forest back to winning ways

Forest have made an excellent start to the Premier League season, and that continued as Chris Wood’s goal was enough to see the Reds climb to eighth place and just two points adrift of fifth-place Brighton. Wood has been Forest’s standout performer so far this season, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo was full of praise for his striker, not for his goals but for his all-round play: “Amazing, we are delighted with not only his goals.

“All his actions in the game, how he leads the team, his set pieces, and more than all that is the impact he has in the dressing room. His leadership, he is a very experienced player for the young lads. We cannot thank him enough.”

On the result, Nuno was “delighted” that his side secured the win in front of their home supporters: “I saw it was difficult, but so I’m happy we can finally give this moment to our fans, who are always helping and supporting us, so I’m especially delighted for them.”

Wood will obviously take a lot of the plaudits, as he scored the only goal of the game, but there was another Forest player that came in for high praise as well.

Alan Smith compares Elliot Anderson to Lionel Messi

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith was left impressed by the dribbling of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and compared him to the great Lionel Messi. The midfielder went past three or four players in the first 20 minutes of the match, and it left Smith impressed by what he had just seen.

Anderson, who was labelled “excellent” by Eddie Howe last season, joined the Reds during the summer transfer window and has already become a key player, starting seven of their eight Premier League games and recording one assist, which came against Wolves back in August.

The 21-year-old, who is on a weekly wage of £40,000 at the City Ground, received high praise from Smith during Monday’s commentary: “It was like Lionel Messi there in the box. Not once but twice, happy feet. Wonderful play from Elliot Anderson.”

Minutes played

78

Expected goals

0.27

Expected assists

0.58

Touches

67

Passes

36/38 (95%)

Key passes

5

Big chances created

2

Shots on target

2

Dribbles attempted (Succ.)

6 (6)

Ground duels (won)

14 (8)

Aerial duels (won)

4 (3)

Anderson is obviously a long way from being a player like Messi, but the midfielder will be pleased with his performance on Monday night, as he arguably put in one of his most impressive displays since joining the club.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has sounded a heartwarming message to his son Jose Jr on his 25th birthday, with a throwback photo of the pair posted.

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Mourinho sends birthday wishes to sonJose Jr turns 25 years old this SundayFormer goalkeeper could become coach soonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mourinho has been enjoying life in Turkey – aside from the odd referee rant – with Fenerbahce as they currently sit second in the Super Lig standings behind Galatasaray. The Portuguese manager has been in Turkey without his family and will likely be unable to see Jose Jr for his 25th birthday, with the Super Lig side in action later on Sunday.

AdvertisementWHAT MOURINHO SAID

On Instagram, Mourinho shared a heartfelt message to his son with a photo of the two from the Portuguese coach's Real Madrid days. The message read: "Happy 25. My pride, my man but always my little kid."

THE GOSSIP

Jose Jr. followed his father's footsteps into the footballing world as he began his career as a goalkeeper on Fulham's books. He stayed with the Cottagers for three years but has now retired and is likely to head into the coaching scene soon. If Jose Sr.'s words are to be taken at face value, the birthday boy may become a 'better coach' than the two-time Champions League winner.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

The Portuguese coach will be hoping to take home a win on his son's birthday when Fenerbahce take on Rizespor on Sunday, February 2 at Ulker Stadium.

Sussex are facing an uphill task to avoid defeat following a spectacular collapse on the second day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Derbyshire.After the home side racked up 505 for 8 declared, Sussex imploded, losing 6 for 63, to be bowled out in the final over for 174, a daunting 331 behind.Fast bowler Sam Conners claimed 3 for 47 and 19-year-old seamer Nick Potts marked his first-class debut by taking 3 for 43, including the wicket of captain Tom Haines, who top-scored with 41.Haines had been the pick of his team’s attack with 1 for 35 from 18 overs, ending the third-wicket stand of 292 between Shan Masood and Wayne Madsen, a Derbyshire record for any wicket against Sussex.Masood scored a magnificent 239 from 340 balls and Madsen 111, his 32nd first-class hundred for Derbyshire, before all-rounder Alex Thomson struck a 49-ball 50.Masood and Madsen had begun the second day as they ended the first, moving remorselessly on to eclipse Derbyshire’s previous highest stand against Sussex of 274 between Billy Godleman and Luis Reece at Derby in 2019.Madsen reached his century, surprisingly his first in the Championship at Derby for six years, when he turned Jamie Atkins off his hip for his seventh four.He drove Haines down the ground for another but the Sussex skipper got his reward for a probing spell from the Racecourse End by beating Madsen’s drive in the 16th over of the morning.It was Sussex’s first success since before lunch on day one but they did not have to wait long for the next as four wickets fell for 27.Leus du Plooy never looked comfortable and his attempt to drive James Coles over the top ended in the hands of Haines at mid off.Reece was caught behind as he tried to carve Atkins and Masood’s superb innings finally ended in the next over. His seven-and-a-half-hour masterclass in timing and placement was ended by a reverse sweep which looped into the gloves of Pakistan team mate Mohammed Rizwan.Masood left to applause from the Sussex players and a standing ovation but if Sussex hoped his departure would signal a quick end to the innings they were disappointed.Thomson pressed hard on the accelerator and, with Anuj Dal, added 76 before the declaration left Sussex needing 356 to avoid the follow-on.When Haines was dropped on eight at second slip by Madsen in the second over, it threatened to prove costly as the openers scored freely, but the dismissal of the captain sparked a collapse.Haines was trapped half forward by Potts and after Tom Alsop was caught behind down the leg side, Conners brought one back to pin Ali Orr lbw.Cheteshwar Pujara dabbed at a wide ball and Rizwan also edged one he did not need to play before Tom Clark charged Thomson and edged to slip.Coles and Oli Carter showed more application but Potts brought one back to remove Coles and Steve Finn fell to Dal before Potts claimed his third victim.A miserable day for Sussex ended when du Plooy struck with his third ball to leave Sussex with the prospect of following on in the morning.

Rangers aren’t without injury problems at the moment, and a worrying update has emerged to counter the good news that Ridvan Yilmaz and Danilo are nearing their returns to action.

Rangers injury updates

The Gers’ start to the season has been an adequate one, rather than overly impressive, with Philippe Clement finding himself under pressure after some bad moments. His side were dumped out of the Champions League qualifying rounds by Dynamo Kiev, while in the Europa League, they were thrashed 4-1 at home to Lyon last week.

Meanwhile, Rangers are five points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership heading into the October international break, sitting third in the table and the same number of points adrift of Aberdeen. For now, the Belgian appears to be safe in his job, but it may not take many more bad results for a big decision to be made by the Ibrox board.

Clement could do with having more key players fit to help his current plight, with Danilo an influential attacking player who is yet to start a single league game this season, appearing just once in the competition. Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz are two other important individuals who Rangers are currently having to make do without, as well as Oscar Cortes, who is in his second season on loan at Ibrox from Lens.

And while Yilmaz and Danilo are expected to return to training in some form over the next two weeks, the news is not so good on Cortes.

"Long term" Rangers injury blow emerges

Writing on X on Sunday evening, Four Lads Had A Dream confirmed that they had spoken to Clement after the 2-0 win over St Johnstone, who said that Cortes is a “long term” injury concern for Rangers, and was unable to specify a real timeframe.

This is such a disappointing update, with Cortes’ Rangers career failing to ignite yet, having been described as a “very promising” player by The Rangers Journal upon his first arrival at the club at the beginning of the year. Last season, the 20-year-old only made six appearances in the Scottish Premiership, of which just three were starts, with injuries stunting his progress and keeping him out of the team for large periods.

Sadly, it has been similar this time around, too, with only 95 minutes coming his way in the league and his last appearance in the competition coming away to Dundee United in the middle of September.

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The training ground injury that was expected to keep Cortes out for “weeks” looks as though it is threatening to be more serious, but Clement will be desperate to have a key attacking option back in his plans as soon as possible. It is a cruel piece of luck for the player, who must be so keen to prove himself in a Rangers shirt, potentially leading to a permanent transfer further down the line.