The impressive young allrounder took six wickets but Worcestershire’s batsmen struggled in turn

David Hopps at New Road04-Sep-20181:56

Burns piles on the runs after England snub

ScorecardIt’s September, the pitches are seaming and Worcestershire are bottom again, in obvious danger of relegation. Not much changes, you might assume. Except it does because this time nobody in county cricket is blithely assuming that it is Worcestershire plus one other for the drop. This time, a talented young side suggests it is as well-equipped as anybody to survive.But Worcestershire’s defeat against Lancashire at Southport last week felt like an opportunity wasted, as well as Dane Vilas and Josh Bohannon must have played to turn the game in Lancashire’s favour. It left Worcestershire and Hampshire in the bottom two, and encouraged the feeling that this is crunch time. With Hampshire dismissed for 191 and Worcestershire subsiding to 68 for 4 in return, both sides suffered some first-day bleeding.A first appearance at T20 Finals Day in the Vitality Blast is also looming and for Worcestershire if the glass half-empty interpretation is that it could be a diversion from the task ahead, the half-full conclusion sees it as a statement of the development of a young side which Kevin Sharp, as head coach, has inherited so calmly since the removal of Steve Rhodes in unfortunate circumstances last winter.Talking T20

Dan Norcross and Matt Roller start the build-up to the Vitality Blast Finals Day
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When Worcestershire lost their captain Joe Leach to injury in early season, they lost the heartbeat of the side, taker of 193 championship wickets in the past three seasons. It felt like a blow they could not withstand, but on the first day against Hampshire Leach could stroll around the outfield with Winnie, his Mum’s dog, with reason to hope that they can survive without him.By the time of Winnie’s perambulation, Hampshire had just been dismissed and Ed Barnard, an attacking allrounder with bat or ball, had returned the second six-for of his career, his 6 for 50 outdone only by his 6 for 37 against Somerset at Taunton earlier this season. Barnard epitomises the dash of this young Worcestershire side, relishing the fight and increasingly equipped to come out on top.He knew, nevertheless, that it had taken Worcestershire, hmself included, a session to settle to their task. “We probably had the best of the conditions and didn’t quite utilise them as we would have liked,” he said. “But we came back strongly in the second session and have managed not to lose too many wickets tonight because that was a real tough session for the batters to go out and face those 20 odd overs.”Ed Barnard celebrates a wicket•Getty ImagesHampshire were in reasonable order at lunch, at 81 for 2, Barnard having removed Joe Weatherley with one that bounced a bit, but they proceeded to lose their last eight wickets for 110 in the afternoon, grateful for Sam Northeast’s resistance before he was last out, driving at Wayne Parnell, for 48 as the last two wickets added 65, particularly tough for Worcestershire to take as they had coveted his signature so much in the winter.Barnard found movement from an attacking length, Hampshire drove ambitiously and by the end Ben Cox, the wicketkeeper, and Mitchell, at second slip, had seven catches between them and Barnard had a post-lunch spell of 5 for 21 in nine overs.Division One’s leading wicket-takers make interesting reading. Barnard now lies fourth, with 41 at 20.31, trailing the Essex offspinner Simon Harmer, who has 44 and who has sustained his Championship-winning return unlike many of his colleagues. Most eye-catchingly, the top two are Lancashire’s pair of Graham Onions and Tom Bailey.Hampshire’s afternoon collapse began with the loss of their Championship debutant, Oliver Soames, a 22-year-old student at Loughborough, who had grafted through the morning for 23, fancied letting his hair down against Barnard in the afternoon and immediately paid the price .James Vince fell in similar fashion to Barnard, a little refinement fell out of the day and perhaps, over in the cathedral, a chorister dropped a book of psalms as if to reveal God’s disappointment. Tom Alsop and Ian Holland nicked in turn and Liam Dawson, coming in at No 8, drove Barnard to cover. Five wickets in 12 overs, four to Barnard, had changed the complexion of the game.Worcestershire struggled in turn and would have been grateful when bad light cut 13.2 overs from the day – two overs too late, they might have thought, after Daryl Mitchell’s judicious 41 from 66 balls came to grief when he chipped a leading edge back to Fidel Edwards.

Last season, depth was not a word used when discussing Liverpool's midfield, at least not in a positive light.

Jurgen Klopp's side failed in their seasonal goals and finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League, with the sapped and stuttering midfield at the core of the issue.

This season, there is optimism anew with a fresh crop of players restoring the Anfield centre, but the younger stars remain beneath the new additions.

Harvey Elliott is one such player, with his recent performance for England U21s showing that he can perform in the role that £60m summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai plays so astoundingly in the midfield.

How good is Dominik Szoboszlai?

Not has there arguably been a more transformative signing at Liverpool since Virgil van Dijk joined from Southampton for £75m, transcending the defence's past performance.

The Hungary captain arrived from RB Leipzig having earned acclaim for his prowess as a “magician” by the likes of talent scout Jacek Kulig, posting ten goals and 13 assists and winning this second successive DFB Pokal.

Since arriving on Merseyside, the 22-year-old has been sensational, starting all eight of Liverpool's Premier League matches thus far, completing 87% of his passes, making 2.1 key passes, 1.6 tackles and 7.4 ball recoveries per game and, perhaps most importantly, bringing energy and intelligence to turbo-charge the engine.

Described as "a young Steven Gerrard" for his playing style by former England striker Natasha Dowie, the £120k-per-week gem currently ranks among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 10% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for successful carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 8% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.

He's simply untouchable in the starting squad, but given that he can't be expected to start every match, Klopp will be delighted with Elliott's stunning display against Serbia for his nation this week.

How good is Harvey Elliott?

It's easy to forget that Elliott is still only 20 years old, having been a member of Klopp's squad for several years now after joining from Fulham aged just 16 in 2019.

A Premier League champion, Elliott has already made 75 appearances for the Reds and been hailed as a "special" talent by Fabrizio Romano, and while Liverpool struggled last term, he was entrusted with a prominent role – playing 46 times.

The dynamic midfielder still has strides to make in his defensive game but will continue to improve and boasts the technical prowess to serve as Szoboszlai's understudy.

Indeed, he ranks among the top 8% of midfielders for total shots, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 3% for blocks per 90.

Such metrics evidence his creative skills and energy and enthusiasm on the pitch, and with a little bit more work he really could knock on Klopp's door for a regular starting berth.

The £40k-per-week ace was simply sensational for England U21s as they trounced Serbia 9-1, performing at the very heart of the game and excelling with his all-consuming performance.

Scoring two goals and registering an assist, the 5 foot 6 talent complemented his direct return with an 86% passing accuracy, five key passes, success in five of his eight duels, also taking 94 touches and winning both of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Such a display led Paul Dalglish to dub him an “incredible talent”, and while Elliott is undoubtedly not the finished article, his potential is boundless and he is edging closer and closer toward the level Klopp knows he can reach.

If the German coach is looking for a dream understudy to Szoboszlai, then the youngster is arguably that man.

Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has hailed one "outstanding" Tottenham Hotspur player and says he would "love to see" him in an important role.

Spurs form and results

The international break couldn't have come at a worse time for Spurs and manager Ange Postecoglou, as the Lilywhites were flying with six wins from their first eight Premier League matches. Remaining unbeaten over their best start to a season since 1960/1961, the north Londoners' appointment of Postecoglou from Celtic has, so far, proved one of their most popular manager hires in recent years.

They've been absolutely transformed by the Australian, with former Arsenal star and England international Ian Wright recently saying Postecoglou has completely taken him by surprise.

“It’s underrated,” said Wright to Premier League productions on October 2. “It’s an underrated effort he is doing, at the minute. Major Ange Postecoglou fans. I remember people saying at the start that ‘he needs to start well’. With the players he has got, you want them to do well and win some games and stuff. But I didn’t expect it to be in the grove it is now and so quickly.

“Not just physically, but mentally as well. They know what they are doing – we are looking at a team that we know that will improve simply because Bentancur is to come back.”

Members of the Spurs squad are also enjoying their best run of form for a long time under Postecoglou, with the likes of Yves Bissouma, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski finding a new lease of life. Indeed, summer signings like James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have gone on to flourish as well.

Tottenham – James Maddison news

Former midfielder Jermaine Jenas, speaking to TNT Sports recently, told the broadcaster that the "top-class talent" Maddison is "on the verge" of being world class.

"He’s transformed a team on his own,” Jenas said. “That’s the biggest fear for Spurs, his fitness and maintaining that all year. If you take him out of that team it’s totally different. He’s a top-class talent on the verge of being a world-class talent as soon as he gets on that stage.”

Now, speaking ahead of England's match against Italy, Sky's Micah Richards has told The Rest is Football podcast that he wants to see Maddison in his traditional Spurs number 10 role for the Three Lions – calling the former Leicester City star "outstanding".

Draws fouls

Likes to dribble

Cuts inside

Take shots from distance

Unselfish

“I’d love to see Maddison again,” Richards said. “I think he’s outstanding in that number 10 role. I don’t think he had his best game the other day. They could play him off the left though [if Bellingham starts at 10].”

The 26-year-old has netted two goals and assisted five others in just eight league starts this season, emphasising how he's proven to be one of the bargains of the summer window so far. Maddison cost just £40 million from Leicester, and if he carries on like this, that fee is going to look pretty laughable.

Pep Guardiola says everybody "loves" Bernardo Silva and urged him to stay at Manchester City after his brace against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

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Man City beat Newcastle 2-0Silva scores brace in FA Cup winGuardiola urges him to extend stayGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

FA Cup holders City advanced to the semi-finals of the competition following their 2-0 victory over Newcastle at the Etihad on Saturday. Two deflected goals from Silva secured their passage into the next round and with the 29-year-old likely to be linked with a summer transfer, manager Guardiola has called on the playmaker to stay put.

AdvertisementWHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

After the match, Guardiola said: "This team, this club, has something special, it's incredible. I know we play to win the finals, but to win it, you have to win the earlier rounds. We won four Carabao Cup finals in a row and now we're in six FA Cup semi-finals in a row. To run and play the way they did is incredible, congratulations to the team, no one has done that before. We played really well, we were so safe with the ball. Mateo (Kovacic), Rodri and Bernardo kept the ball so well. The game was really good. You see us when we come back every three days, three days, three days, three days."

On Silva, he added: "Everybody loves him and we want him. He's really important for him to stay with us."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola's City are aiming for back-to-back trebles after winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup last season – and they are in the running to secure that prestigious footballing triumvirate this term, too. If they want to continue to be successful, keeping Silva – whose City contract runs until 2026 – will be key. He has previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain.

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WHAT NEXT?

Next up for third-placed City is a huge clash with top of the table Arsenal – who are just a point ahead of them – at the Etihad on March 31. They will face their FA Cup semi-final opponent on either April 20 or 21 at Wembley.

Leeds United have salvaged a solid start to the Championship season after enduring relegation from the Premier League last year, with Daniel Farke's side a distance away from the top two but firmly in the mix for promotion at this stage.

Appointing Farke was a decision made to strengthen the Whites' prospects of returning to the top flight at the first time of asking, with the German manager having won the Championship on two occasions previously with Norwich City.

However, the task was never going to be easy despite the club's stature and the ostensible quality filling the ranks, with a mass exodus removing many former members during the summer.

Plenty of fresh faces have arrived, but pundit and former England midfielder Carlton Palmer has tipped "more to come" from the Whites in January, with sights set on closing the gap on frontrunners Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Leeds United transfer targets

According to journalist Diego Firmino – via Sport Witness – Leeds are following the situation of Joaquin Piquerez from Palmeiras, with the exciting full-back attracting attention from multiple European clubs following his performances in Brazil.

Numerous outfits are indeed supposedly interested, with Premier League sides Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur both receiving tentative links, but Leeds could offer the 25-year-old a starring role and a platform to build from in West Yorkshire.

The cost of a transfer has not yet been made apparent, but there is no denying that Piquerez boasts qualities that would slot right into Elland Road's starting squad and that Farke and 49ers Enterprises will pounce if given the chance.

The dynamo is currently valued at around £6m by Football Transfers' valuation model, and this ballpark fee would likely be required to prise him away from Palmeiras.

Why Leeds want Joaquin Piquerez

Leeds have been impressive in maintaining a charge on the top of the division despite a range of injury problems, and there may be optimism among supporters that a few well-placed winter acquisitions would work wonders in closing the gap on the front of the pack.

Piquerez would open up a range of possibilities with his thunderous shooting skills and his direct, barrelling approach, having recently starred at the centre of Palmeiras' 5-0 drubbing over Sao Paulo.

As per Sofascore, he has scored three goals and supplied four assists from 21 matches in the Brasileiro Série A this season, completing 85% of his passes, creating 0.9 key passes per outing and also making 6.7 ball recoveries, 1.8 tackles and 1.6 clearances per game, highlighting his impressive multi-functional ability.

Piquerez has also become a regular member of Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay squad, starting four of the last five matches since the beloved former Leeds boss took the reins earlier this year.

Given the stunning football that was pumped into the Leeds squad under the distinguished Argentinian boss, it's no wonder that the Whites are apparently intrigued by the possibility of signing a player that Bielsa has swiftly deemed an integral part of his national side's setup.

Sam Byram is the current host on the left side of the Whites backline, and while he has impressed since the summer, Farke is probably doing the right thing in searching for a successor to dominate for the foreseeable future.

Why Joaquin Piquerez is better than Sam Byram

Byram joined Leeds on a free transfer in the summer after his contract with Norwich expired, having previously kicked his career off at Elland Road after rising through the youth ranks.

The experienced defender, now aged 30, has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, with Sofascore recording his performances in the English second tier, having completed 79% of his passes, made 4.4 ball recoveries, 1.8 tackles, 1.7 clearances and 1.4 interceptions per game and scored a goal and an assist apiece.

He is an industrious part of the squad and one who has served well in the absence of Junior Firpo, with the former Barcelona player yet to feature this season due to injury – frankly, few expected he would have remained at the club following the summer.

As per FBref, Uruguayan star Piquerez ranks among the top 4% of full-backs across leagues similar to the Brasileiro Série A over the past year for goals, the top 16% for assists and the top 17% for pass completion per 90, illustrating his natural attacking prowess and his crispness in possession.

Content creator Nathan Joyes was among those to be impressed by United's reported interest, saying: "Would be great business. Tidy left-back, likes to press forward and can certainly pick a pass. Great coup for Leeds if it happens."

This high-octane approach is something that really would slot into Farke's system like a dovetail joint; the 46-year-old likes to implement a possession-based style with an emphasis on intelligent, quick transitions and an understanding of the desired patterns to electrify the opposition on the counter.

Given that Piquerez bombs forward like a machine, he could be the engine on the wing, playing a starring role to catapult the Elland Road side right back into the top flight, serving as the dream heir to Byram.

Byram is a solid and dependable member of Farke's team and offers a balanced skill set across both defensive flanks, ranking among the top 19% of full-backs across leagues similar to the Championship over the past year for shots taken, the top 9% for touches in the attacking penalty area and blocks, and the top 8% for aerial wins per 90.

The links attached to Leeds' interest are admittedly somewhat tenuous, but there is no question that prioritising the left-back position would be a prudent move in the long term.

Byram has been a good signing and has earned praise for his "important" role in the team by Farke, but age is not on his side and Piquerez could be the perfect addition to dominate the left channel for many years.

Firpo's situation is also somewhat indeterminate, and by landing a free-scoring, robust new star in Piquerez, Farke may yet acquire the tools to break back into the Premier League and then cement a position of prominence.

Everton brought in an abundance of attacking talent in the summer in their attempts to become more deadly in the final third as the likes of Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi, Ellis Simms, and Demarai Gray were all sold.

The Toffees used the funds recouped from that talent to bring in Chermiti, Beto, and Arnaut Danjuma, who may have been signed to make Sean Dyche's side more clinical up top.

With only nine goals scored in the league this season, a third of which came in an emphatic victory over Bournemouth, it is glaringly obvious that Everton are still in need of serious firepower in the final third, or perhaps some guile and creativity to help unlock their attacking potential.

In a bid to rectify this problem, Everton could use the January transfer window as an opportunity to bolster their attack by reigniting their interest in Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville.

Are Everton interested in signing Crysencio Summerville?

Everton showed a keen interest in luring Crysencio Summerville away from Leeds United this summer, however, the Dutch dynamo reportedly rejected a move to Goodison Park.

Whilst the door was slammed shut on the Toffees in the summer, his performances for the Whites this season have only heightened speculation linking him with an exit, and several Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old as the January window approaches, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Writing on X, he said: “Crysencio Summerville with a brace today vs Norwich — he rejected several clubs in the summer to stay at LUFC and feel key player there.

"Bournemouth, Everton and Burnley were all interested and more PL clubs are now monitoring Crysencio towards the January window."

Summerville's brace against Norwich City on Saturday completed a dramatic comeback and took his tally to four goals and two assists for the campaign, establishing himself as a key figure under Daniel Farke.

How does Summerville compare to Dwight McNeil?

Summerville's outstanding individual display against the Canaries has only accentuated why several top-flight clubs are interested in prising him away from Elland Road.

Possessing an abundance of guile and creativity combined with his searing pace and exceptional ball-carrying skills, the 21-year-old has become one of the best players in the Championship and this is backed up by his sublime attacking metrics.

When compared against his positional peers in the second tier this season, Summerville ranks in the top 10% for successful take-ons, top 9% for progressive carries, top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty box, and top 1% for non-penalty xG and shot creating actions, as per FBref.

Lauded by Michael Owen as "exceptional" for his individual performances in the Premier League last term, the 5 foot 6 magician could add the pace and quality that Everton desire in the final third, perhaps replacing Dwight McNeil on the left flank.

Although Everton are restricted by the style that Sean Dyche deploys, compromising fluidity in the final third for a strong defensive base, the Englishman has still flattered to deceive when given the opportunity to drive his side up the field.

Whilst Summerville – who had one of his finishes last season lauded as "incredible" by pundit Nedum Onuoha – is known for unleashing his wonderful flair and trickery that can make a difference in a tight contest, McNeil is unable to provide that same level of threat.

He ranks in the bottom 11% across Europe's top five leagues in the past year for touches in the attacking penalty box, bottom 19% for non-penalty xG, and bottom 29% for carries into the final third.

When comparing that to Summerville's performances in the top flight last term, he recorded more progressive carries (3.22/3.16), touches in the attacking penalty box (4.42/2.24), non-penalty goals (0.25/0.19), and progressive passes (2.84/2.20) per 90.

Dyche must, therefore, reignite his interest in the talented whiz as the statistics suggest that he could provide the Toffees with a much-needed attacking boost.

Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City. It's one of the most notable, and arguably important, results in Premier League history. These two were the title challengers back in 2011/12 after all, and yet one of them thrashed the other on their own patch.

And in hindsight, this was City announcing that they were firmly at the top table. They'd go on to win the Premier League title on the final day in the most dramatic fashion, of course, and the three points here proved decisive.

United would win what is, to date, their most recent Premier League title the following season. But this result signified a shift in the power not just within Manchester, but all of English football. City were ready to take over – and haven't they just?

Unsurprisingly, given this game was well over a decade ago, none of the players in City's squad that day remain with the club. In fact, most have retired from the game.

So how did their careers pan out after this fixture? Football FanCast takes a look at what happened to the members of that famous City XI.

Joe Hart

Rewind back to 2011 and Joe Hart was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Not only that, but many assumed he'd kick on and become the outright best – he was only 24, after all.

Hart was in the PFA Team of the Year for 2010 and would make it again at the end of 2011/12. He'd win three consecutive Golden Gloves in this span, too, but things quickly went downhill.

Pep Guardiola's arrival in 2016 saw Hart immediately moved on. He found himself loaned out to Torino and later, West Ham United – neither spell worked out. A stint with Burnley saw him fail to depose Nick Pope, while he couldn't break in at Tottenham Hotspur, either.

Hart is now at Celtic, where he's won back-to-back Premiership titles, but it's been far from the career many expected back in 2011.

Micah Richards

Micah Richards was, like Hart, considered one of the brightest prospects in English football. He was only 23 in this game – and was expected to become a star. The defender showed that wonderfully in this one by setting up two of City's six goals.

Injuries, however, were a massive concern. They'd hampered Richards in the previous campaign, limiting him to just 18 Premier League appearances. As it turned out, the 2011/12 season would be the last with the defender as a top player.

He'd play only 19 more games for City after this, before going to Fiorentina on loan in 2015. A move to Aston Villa later that year saw the last 'regular' spell of football Richards enjoyed – and that was still only 24 games. Villa were relegated that season, too, and he'd play just three more career games before retiring in 2018.

Vincent Kompany

City named Vincent Kompany club captain at the start of this season – and didn't that go well? He'd lead them to the title (eventually) while also lifting the trophy in 2014, 2018 and 2019 before leaving the club.

Kompany was considered by some to be the best defender in England back in 2011 and he held onto that position for many years. He was Premier League Player of the Season in 2012 and included in the PFA Team of the Year for 2011, 2012 and 2014.

He left City in 2019 to be player-manager at Anderlecht, achieving mixed results. A move to Burnley, where Kompany remains as manager, has proven very successful, though – they won the Championship in 2022/23.

Joleon Lescott

Joleon Lescott is the first name here that showed off the new-found spending power City had back in 2011. He'd joined in 2009 from Everton as one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Premier League. City flexed their financial muscle to sign him – and is far from the last in this XI that you can say that about.

This was Lescott's best season for City and the one in which he played the most games (42 in all competitions). But they actually started replacing him in the summer of 2012 and his playing time diminished quite drastically over the forthcoming seasons.

After just 10 Premier League appearances in 2013/14, Lescott left for West Bromwich Albion, impressing enough in a single season there to join Aston Villa a year later. That move, however, was a disaster – Villa were relegated in what proved to be the final full season of Lescott's career.

Gael Clichy

Gael Clichy was a serious signing for City ahead of this season. They'd essentially gone out and grabbed Arsenal's first-choice left-back for themselves and he slotted right into their XI.

The Frenchman would stay with City for six seasons, winning two Premier League titles as a reasonably regular inclusion in the starting XI. Clichy never actually managed 30 league appearances in a single campaign for the club, though.

After a very successful time with City, he left for Istanbul Basaksehir in 2017, winning the Turkish Super Lig in 2020. Clichy then left for Swiss side Servette later that year before retiring in 2021.

Yaya Touré

City signed a very promising player in Yaya Touré but he was far from the star he'd become. Arriving in 2010, the Ivorian had been just below the elite level at Barcelona, albeit with a Champions League title already under his belt. At City, however, he'd kick on to become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Now, Touré wasn't quite that in 2011/12 (he'd score six goals this season but 20 two years later), though he was still a midfield powerhouse that the Premier League hadn't seen for quite some time.

Touré would go on to play out the rest of his peak years with City, becoming one of the most important and best players in their history. His post-Manchester career was odd, though. After not quite clicking with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, Touré left for Olympiacos in 2018 – but had his contract terminated after just three months.

Half a year in the Chinese Super League followed before retirement in 2020.

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry was a star with Aston Villa but made the move to City in 2009 as he sought to compete for trophies. That decision was proven right in 2012, of course, as he won the Premier League.

Barry would only spend four seasons with City before moving to Everton. Another four seasons of regular seasons followed before the midfielder capped his career with a couple of years at West Brom.

All that football certainly added up. Barry retired as the player with the most Premier League appearances in history (635) and only had one season where he played in fewer than 30 top-flight matches between 1998/99 and 2016/17.

James Milner

James Milner was in a similar spot to Barry when he arrived at City. He'd been a regular at Villa alongside the midfielder, in fact, and had a reputation as one of the best midfielders outside of the Champions League clubs.

City snapped him up and he'd play five seasons of consistent football with the club, winning two Premier League titles as the ultimate utility man. However, Milner would leave the club in 2015 to join Liverpool on a free transfer.

That would eventually see Milner compete directly against City for trophies as the two sides dominated English football. His eight years at Liverpool saw multiple title challenges – including a triumph for the Reds in 2020.

Milner is now the only player from this squad who still plays at the top level. He's currently with Brighton & Hove Albion, having moved there from Liverpool in 2023. It makes him the sole active Premier League player with over 500 appearances – a fact that has actually been true for five years now.

David Silva

David Silva was named Man of the Match in this fixture, scoring in the 91st minute to make it 5-1. He'd arrived in 2010 as one of the most sought-after playmakers on the planet – and fully lived up to that billing across ten seasons with Manchester City.

In fact, there's a very good case that Silva is the greatest player in City's history. He was integral across four title wins and made the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions.

He eventually left City at the end of 2020 to play three seasons at Real Sociedad. Unfortunately, his career was ended in July 2023 after an ACL tear forced him into retirement.

Mario Balotelli

No idea where you start with this one. Mario Balotelli is one of the most enigmatic players to ever grace the Premier League. He arrived as one of Europe's top talents but didn't live up to that billing – not that he was at all quiet.

In fact, this is the most famous game of Balotelli's career. He scored twice, and celebrated his first by revealing a T-shirt that read 'Why Always Me?'. Just an all-time Premier League moment.

The Italian would wrap up the season by assisting the goal that won the title – his only assist for the club. Balotelli then followed this campaign by starring at Euro 2012, but was sold by City the following January. His career since then has seen him at eight different clubs with wildly varying success.

We can't possibly explain it all here.

Sergio Agüero

City signed Sergio Agüero ahead of this season, hoping he would be the missing piece that put them on top of the Premier League. He very much was that.

Not only did the Argentine bag in this game, but he'd also score arguably the most famous goal in Premier League history to end the campaign – winning the title with the last kick.

Agüero would remain with the club from 2010 until 2021, winning five titles and going down as one of the best players to play in English football. He is, like Silva, up there as one of the best players in City's history.

He left the club for Barcelona, but a heart condition ended his career prematurely after just five games there.

Edin Džeko (sub)

Okay, so Edin Džeko didn't start in this game, but he came on and scored twice – well worth a mention. He'd joined City in 2010 but had a slow start before kicking into life in 2011/12.

50 Premier League goals followed before a move to Italy and AS Roma. There, Džeko had a 29-goal season that saw him finish as top scorer. His post-City career has been very good, with a trophy-laden two years at Inter coming after his time in the capital.

He's still playing as of October 2023, too, and started life with Fenerbahçe by scoring seven times in his opening nine games.

England have honed a reputation as one of the most big-hitting ODI sides around, but they are prepared to play a more measured game in Sri Lanka if conditions dictate

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2018England have honed a reputation over recent years as one of the most big-hitting ODI sides around, but they are prepared to play a more measured game in Sri Lanka if conditions dictate, according to opener Jonny Bairstow.The five-match ODI series, which pits top-ranked England against No. 8 Sri Lanka, starts next week, with pressure on the hosts after a failed Asia Cup campaign that led to the controversial dropping of captain Angelo Mathews. It is a far cry from four years ago, when England went to Sri Lanka to fine tune for the World Cup, were beaten 5-2 and sacked Alastair Cook.SL XI to play England

Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Kamidu Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Shehan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Nishan Peiris

Since that 2014 encounter, Sri Lanka have only won two bilateral ODI series – against West Indies and Ireland. Their last outing at home, against South Africa in July, resulted in a 3-2 defeat, although the series was lost by the time Sri Lanka managed to win a game.England, by contrast, have won eight series in a row (excluding a one-off defeat to Scotland), and broke their own record for the highest ODI team score in the summer, racking up 481 for 6 against Australia at Trent Bridge. However, Bairstow said England are ready to “grit it out” against Sri Lanka if the surfaces don’t prove so friendly.”If you look at the pitches for South Africa they looked like good cricket pitches,” Bairstow told reporters in Colombo. “Whether they change their tactics and produce pitches that are slightly different for us… so be it.”We’ve got to prepare like that’s the case. Yes, we’d like to play on good pitches and yes, we’d like to have high-scoring games but we’re prepared to guts it out and grit it out if needed.”Both teams have to bat and bowl on them, whether it’s batting first or bowling first, under lights or through the day. We’ve experienced these challenges before in India and Bangladesh and come out on top, so we’re confident going into the series. We like to think the majority of our players have experienced conditions around the world.”Jonny Bairstow bats in the nets•Getty ImagesWhile England have developed an attacking outlook rivalled by few other one-day sides, they have been prone to occasional spectacular collapses, and Bairstow’s comments reflect a recognition that they must be prepared for a variety of challenges ahead of next year’s World Cup on home soil.They will begin their tour proper on Friday, when they take on a Sri Lankan XI in Colombo with a largely settled side. Bairstow has become a default pick at opener – Jason Roy and Alex Hales are the options to partner him – scoring all six of his ODI hundreds over the last 18 months, but he was not even part of the squad four years ago.”It’s great that it’s gone so well but you want to keep it going in the right direction,” Bairstow said. “I’m happy with my game, but you want to keep improving, moving forward, pushing yourself. This is a great opportunity to do that.”

Aston Villa are in the race to sign a new central player in January, but they aren’t the only club hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

Aston Villa transfer news

Ahead of 2024, NSWE, Monchi and Unai Emery will be assessing their options in the market and have most recently been linked with moves for Palmeiras defender Joaquin Piquerez and Sporting CP forward Pedro Goncalves, but they are also looking to bolster their ranks in the centre of the park.

The Midlands outfit already have Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Tim Iroegbunam as their options in central midfield, but that hasn’t stopped the boss from wanting to increase his numbers in that position during the upcoming window.

Over in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios has firmly established himself as Xabi Alonso’s second best-performing defensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Bayer Leverkusen statistics), and the 25-year-old’s impressive form seems to have caught the eye of the hierarchy at Villa Park.

Aston Villa interested in Exequiel Palacios

According to TEAMtalk, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is of interest to Aston Villa in January, and his club are "fearing" possible bids from England's top flight.

“Bayer Leverkusen are fearing bids in January for their midfield star Exequiel Palacios, with a host of Premier League clubs checking on the Argentina international, according to TEAMtalk sources.

"Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are amongst the sides looking at the 25-year-old, but TEAMtalk can reveal there is also interest from England. We understand that Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all watched him in recent months and have been hugely impressed.

"Bayer, though, are insistent that they don’t want to lose any of their star men in January as they are making a real push for the Bundesliga title.”

Whilst Palacios is naturally a central midfielder, Bayer’s star is much stronger in the defensive aspect of his game where he currently ranks in the 97th percentile for interceptions and the 96th percentile for tackles, highlighting his desire to get stuck in and win back possession for his team (FBRef – Palacios statistics).

When Argentina’s international does retain the ball, he’s extremely calm and composed, recording a 91.9% pass success rate (WhoScored – Palacios statistics), form which has seen him described as a “fantastic” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Likes to tackle

Likes to play short passes

Gets fouled often (Data via WhoScored)

The BayArena’s £28k-per-week earner (Bayer Leverkusen salaries), is also capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having posted 28 contributions in the final third, 20 goals and 18 assists, in 184 appearances since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Palacios statistics).

Palacios already knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured seven trophies throughout his professional career, the most notable being winning last year’s World Cup with Argentina, so he would be able to match and even improve the winning mentality of the current squad who are already at Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on an "exciting" new £52 million target, and he could leave his club "immediately".

Spurs transfer targets for January

Ange Postecoglou's sensational beginning to 2023/2024 has seen him make the best start ever by a new manager in the Premier League, with Spurs tasting victory in seven out of their last nine top-flight encounters. Unbeaten in that period, it's the club's best early-season run since they clinched a domestic double in 1961, but that hasn't stopped rumours of potential transfer activity in January.

The north Londoners have been linked with signing a new defender as an alternative to both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who've proved pivotal at the heart of Postecoglou's backline. Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, Bayer Leverkusen ace Edmond Tapsoba, Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah and Club America stalwart Sebastien Caceres have all been mooted as Spurs transfer targets for the role.

Elsewhere in the team, Tottenham could sign a striker to replace Harry Kane next year, with the likes of Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) mentioned most recently. One of Postecoglou's transfer priorities, though, is signing an alternative to left-winger Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede has been in rip-roaring form alongside the likes of Son Heung-min and James Maddison going forward, but Spurs must consider the lack of depth behind him.

As a result, it has been reported in recent weeks that Tottenham are considering both Al-Ittihad winger Jota and Athletic Club starlet Nico Williams. The wide position could be one to watch heading into the winter window, with a report from Italy now sharing some news on a new player Spurs could target.

Tottenham want Chiesa "very much"

According to information from Calciomercato.it this week, Postecoglou's side "very much" want Juventus star Federico Chiesa. The Italy international, who's scored four goals in eight Serie A appearances under Massimiliano Allegri so far this season, is really admired by Spurs amid doubts surrounding his future in Turin.

Both Chiesa and striker Dusan Vlahovic are candidates for the Juve exit door. The former in particular could "immediately say goodbye" as January approaches, with both Tottenham and Newcastle named as contenders to sign him. It is believed both sides have the "right budget at their disposal" to "snatch" Chiesa away from Juve.

Sporting director Cristiano Guintoli, if faced with a figure of £52 million, would apparently sell for that amount. The 26-year-old has been called an "exciting" player by journalist Dean Jones, who commented on his summer links to Arsenal.

Holding on to the ball

Passing

Through balls

Dribbling

Long shots

"I love Chiesa and I've always hoped he would one day land in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see how this summer window pans out for him," Jones told GiveMeSport.

"He's obviously had some injury problems in the not too distant past. He's such an exciting player. You can imagine he would be awesome in that Arsenal attack too. I'm not convinced it'll be that easy to sign him though, I'm really not."