Manchester Originals never in contention during chase of 161
ECB Reporters Network08-Aug-2022Jordan Thompson produced the best Hundred bowling figures of the season as London Spirit trounced Manchester Originals by 52 runs to register a second successive win and go top of the table.Seamer Thompson, who took two wickets at The Oval last week, followed that up with a remarkable 4 for 21 from 20 balls to steamroller the Originals for just 108 at Lord’s. He was ably backed up by the rest of the Spirit attack to ensure a second successive defeat for the Manchester side as the home side’s total of 160 for 6, Zak Crawley top-scoring with 41 from 34, proved to be more than enough.The result continued a notable turnaround for Eoin Morgan’s team, who have already recorded more victories than they managed when finishing bottom in last year’s inaugural tournament.Having opted to bat, Spirit soon lost Adam Rossington to a first-ball duck, leg before to Sean Abbott, and they struggled for momentum despite some powerful blows to the boundary by Crawley. His partnership of 54 from 33 with Morgan raised the home side’s prospects of a sizeable score, with the skipper walloping both Tom Hartley and Matt Parkinson over the fence to reach 37 from 26.However, the batting side could make little of Paul Walter’s nagging line and changes of pace – the Originals’ left-armer finishing with miserly figures of 2 for 18 from his 20 deliveries.With Morgan eventually mistiming a drive off Walter that sailed into the hands of long-on, another two quick wickets left Spirit wobbling slightly at 120 for 5. They were revived by a belligerent cameo from Kieron Pollard, who smashed 34 from just 11 deliveries – including two brutal sixes off Fred Klaassen’s final set – to propel his side up to the 160 mark.Originals were counting on an explosive start from Jos Buttler – but England’s white-ball captain departed for just 6, skying Thompson as Mason Crane raced from short third to grab a difficult diving catch behind the keeper, Rossington.Spirit’s seamers ensured boundaries were few and far between in the early stages, with only three registered from the first 37 balls and the visitors continued to shed wickets at regular intervals. Thompson foxed Wayne Madsen with a slower delivery and then had Walter caught at point, while the most eye-catching dismissal was that of Andre Russell, run out at the bowler’s end by Liam Dawson’s direct hit from point.Viewing the carnage from the other end, Phil Salt (36 from 34) did his best to hold Originals’ innings together – but, when he was bowled by Dawson, any faint hopes of a recovery evaporated.
Harry Kane says Bayern Munich "gave everything" in their Champions League exit to Inter Milan but the two goals they let in were "criminal".
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Bayern draw 2-2 at Inter MilanKnocked out of Champions LeagueKane says they "gave everything"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After losing the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final 2-1, Bayern's hopes of a comeback were well and truly on when Kane scored shortly after half-time at the San Siro. But set-piece goals from Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard turned the tie back in the home team's favour, despite Eric Dier's equaliser. Following the dramatic 2-2 draw and the 4-3 aggregate loss, Kane reflected on his side's exit from the competition on Wednesday.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT HARRY KANE SAID
He said after the game: "We gave everything to win. We had enough chances over the two legs. Conceding two goals from set pieces today was criminal. It completely shifted the momentum. We came very close. Football is about moments, they took theirs more than us."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bayern put up a spirited display against Inter but it wasn't enough as Kane's wait for a first trophy went on. Now all his hopes lie in the German giants winning the Bundesliga, where they have a six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen with five games remaining.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Kane's Bayern will look to bounce back from this setback when they travel to Heidenheim on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
With Jhon Duran on his way to Al-Nassr, Aston Villa are now reportedly eyeing a late hijack to sign an England international in what would be a bargain deal for Unai Emery.
Aston Villa transfer news
The Villans have been among those at the centre of the transfer window since it swung open at the start of the month, welcoming both Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia whilst continuing their chase to sign a central defender.
Rather than an incoming, however, it’s exit news which has instantly dominated the headlines, with Duran reportedly on the verge of completing a shock €77m (ÂŁ64m) move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
It’s the type of big-money sale that should instantly hand Aston Villa the spending power they need to get deals of their own over the line, which could yet see one England international arrive.
Aston Villa make contact to sign "smart" star who Emery personally wants
He desperately needs a move…
ByTom Cunningham Jan 29, 2025
According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now keen to hijack West Ham United’s move to sign Angel Gomes who could be available for a bargain price late on in the window with his current contract coming to an end at LOSC Lille this summer.
The former Manchester United man has thrived since finding his feet in France and even earned his first England call-up turning Lee Carsley’s temporary spell in charge of the Three Lions. It was then that the midfielder seemingly re-emerged onto the radar of the Premier League.
Now, those in the Midlands could swoop in and hand Gomes the chance to earn Premier League redemption this month.
"Smart" Gomes would increase Aston Villa control
If Aston Villa want to become an established Champions League side then adding more control to their game will be key. The Villans must break out of the habit of conceding leads as they did against West Ham last time out in a game that they ought to be winning in pursuit of a top four place, and Gomes would undoubtedly help them do exactly that.
The Lille midfielder, alongside Youri Tielemans, would turn Emery’s midfield into the epitome of control just when they need it most. Whether they strike a deal as early as this month or during the summer, Gomes should be high up on Villa’s wishlist.
Described as a “smart passer” by analyst Ben Mattinson, there’s no doubt that Gomes will be one to watch as his contract continues to tick down.
Maddy Green took charge of the chase before the visitors suffered a late wobble
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2022New Zealand secured their first ODI series win in West Indies with a two-wicket victory in Antigua where Eden Carson claimed three wickets on debut then Maddy Green anchored the chase.It became tighter than it should have done for New Zealand as they lost 4 for 3 late in the chase, but Hayley Jensen struck the winning boundary after Carson survived two balls from Karishma Ramharack who had taken three of those wickets.Carson, an offspinner, had a terrific debut as she claimed the key wicket of West Indies’ top-scorer Hayley Matthews as her first scalp – lbw on the back foot – followed by Chinelle Henry and Shakera Selman. She, Fran Jonas and Amelia Kerr combined to cause plenty of problems and their combined figures read: 28-3-65-5. Kerr and Jonas conceded just 17 each from their 10 overs.West Indies had slipped to 29 for 3 in the 11th over and were in further trouble when Lea Tahuhu had Stafanie Taylor well caught by Isabella Gaze and Kerr had Kyshona Knight taken in the covers off a leading edge.Matthews and Henry built a stand of 47 for the sixth wicket before Carson made her impact and the lower order was left trying to see out the 50 overs.West Indies fought back with the ball early in the chase as New Zealand’s slipped to 51 for 3 but their run rate was good which meant little scoreboard pressure. Green and Lauren Down added 66 for the fourth wicket to break the back of the target, then Green and Brooke Halliday got them with six runs before the late stutter that did not prove costly.
Ever since Ange Postecoglou arrived in north London, it’s been clear that his emphasis lies on attacking football that easy on the eye and overwhelming.
Tottenham Hotspur are an enigma – at their best, they are capable of giving top teams a hiding, but at their worst, are susceptible to the most ignominious of results or stuck on the wrong side of a basketball scoreline.
TottenhamHotspur manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match
Scour through social media and you’ll find rival supporters peddling false claims of Spurs whinging about their injury issues, but there is substantial truth in Postecoglou’s indignation on that front.
Tottenham’s season has been decimated by fitness blow after fitness blow after fitness blow. Oh, he’ll die on his tactical hill to be sure, but the Australian gaffer’s electric start to life down in N17 last season bespeaks his and Tottenham’s potential.
1
Liverpool
1st
56
2
Arsenal
2nd
49
=3
Man City
4th
48
=3
Tottenham
14th
48
5
Chelsea
5th
47
In fairness, Spurs were drained of colour and inspiration as Liverpool picked them apart in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday, but Arne Slot’s side are probably the best team in the world right now, steamrolling through the season.
Naturally, Tottenham didn’t reach the end of the match without another cruel injury blow.
Richarlison added to the injury list
Ever since Postecoglou arrived, Tottenham have wanted to attack. This has been both a blessing and a curse. Son Heung-min is one of the finest forwards of his generation, but aged 32, he has struggled to match the desired intensity this term and has floundered with the cogs crashing around him.
It doesn’t help that his teammates keep getting picked off, with Richarlison unable to complete the Merseyside clash after pulling up with an issue as he was withdrawn before the break.
Postecoglou resignedly said that it was “another one to add to the list” after the fixture, with Richarlison set to return to the medical room only a month after returning from a hamstring problem that had ruled him out for two months.
Mathys Tel arrived on loan last week to add relief, but Spurs need Dominic Solanke to return from the infirmary if their attacking fluency is to be restored.
Spurs have struck gold on Dominic Solanke
Last month, Tottenham’s injury crisis deepened when Solanke pulled up with a knee injury that will take six weeks to recover from. He’s unlikely to return before the end of February.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke
Solanke is Tottenham’s club-record signing, brought in from Bournemouth last summer in a deal rising to ÂŁ65m. Richarlison was the previous number one.
The belated Harry Kane replacement, 27, has posted 11 goals and 6 assists across 29 matches in all competitions this season. This is a decent return, built on the excellent campaign that convinced Daniel Levy to pay the big bucks, with Solanke notching 19 top-flight goals for the Cherries last year.
Solanke isn’t the most relentless of goalscorers, only averaging 2.59 shots per Premier League match this season, as per FBref, which puts him in the bottom 45% of strikers in the division.
He suffered from similar defects in his early days at the Vitality Stadium, with former teammate Junior Stanislas highlighting the many other areas that make him a top forward: “His quality was evident in training. His hold-up play, skills and willingness to run in behind – he was someone you always wanted on your team. He brought so much more than goals.”
Tottenham's most expensive signings of all time
A detailed look at Spurs’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.
ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025
Spurs held off from signing a direct Kane successor last season, but Solanke is now proven as a well-thought-out option, bringing his own take on the No 9 role and not expected to bring the obscene strike record of his predecessor.
Moreover, five of his seven Premier League goals this season have come against teams in the top half of the table, with the other two bagged against Brentford and Manchester United (he also put two past the Red Devils as Spurs advanced to the Carabao Cup semis).
He’s a big-game player and a facilitator for teammates such as Son to find more space in the danger areas and wreak the kind of havoc that Postecoglou’s system, at full throttle, provides.
Described as a “pressing monster”, the England international will be a major player over the coming years and will be one of the biggest driving forces as Spurs push to escape from the rut that they are currently bogged in.
Before long, Spurs’ new striker might be worth more than the legendary Kane, whose ÂŁ54m release clause at Bayern Munich becomes active during the 2026 January transfer window.
Kane, who turns 32 this summer, has scored 72 goals from 73 matches since joining Bayern from Tottenham in 2023, adding 28 assists. The Three Lions captain’s teammate, Jamal Musiala, has described him as “an incredible player, one of the best in the world”.
Certain fans might be tempted to voice hopes of Kane re-joining next summer when his release clause becomes active, but in Solanke, Tottenham have a most industrious and energetic option.
Simply, ÂŁ54m would be too heavy a price for a player whose 33rd year would be encroaching. Tottenham have endured plenty of misery in the transfer market over the past few years, but in Solanke, they have a striker capable of offering a multi-faceted approach over the coming years.
Re-signing Kane for such a sum would set Levy back, and the fact that Solanke will soon be worth more than his predecessor bears testament to his importance in Ange’s side
He's worth far more than Tel: Spurs hit the jackpot with "world-class" star
The incredible international could become a legend at Spurs.
Joint head coach ‘not currently part of the business’, say club, as Kirtley takes over
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2022James Kirtley says that the turmoil behind the scenes at Sussex is “an obvious distraction” to the players, after it was revealed that Ian Salisbury, his fellow head coach, was “not currently part of the business” following a non-cricketing dispute with one of his players.Salisbury had been in charge of Sussex’s Championship and 50-over team since November 2020, with Kirtley taking over the T20 set-up in the same timeframe following the departure of their predecessor Jason Gillespie.However, with the club currently second-from-bottom in the County Championship and battling to avoid defeat in their final match of the season against Glamorgan, it is understood that Salisbury has been placed on gardening leave, due to his handling of the 21-year-old spinner, Jack Carson.Carson, who debuted as a teenager in the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020, was Sussex’s leading wicket-taker in both that competition and the 2021 County Championship. However, having missed the start of the 2022 season following knee surgery, all three of his appearances in the current campaign have come in the past fortnight, since Salisbury’s departure.That includes the ongoing contest against Glamorgan at Hove, but speaking to the BBC at the close of the second day’s play, Kirtley was coy about the circumstances at the club.”We can’t make any further comment on that. There’s a legal process that has to be followed,” Kirtley said. “But it’s an obvious distraction to the lads.”We talk a lot about distractions,” he added. “This is a time of year when contracts are negotiated, and for this young side, it’s very important they understand that this is part of the game, and their ability to rise above those situations is a real skill.”The prospect of losing Carson – a highly-rated offspinner who was born in Northern Ireland but is England-qualified – comes in the wake of several high-profile departures from Hove in recent seasons, most recently the England duo of Chris Jordan and Phil Salt, but before them the likes of Reece Topley, Luke Wells, Danny Briggs, Laurie Evans, Michael Burgess and Harry Finch.It is a talent drain that has come in for scathing criticism from the former Sussex and England wicketkeeper, Matt Prior, who renewed his attack on the club hierarchy – in particular the CEO Rob Andrew and director of cricket, Keith Greenfield – in a series of tweets on Tuesday evening.”Another one the @SussexCCC Chairman, Board, Cricket committee, CEO and Performance Director will want to disappear very quickly,” Prior wrote. “Not sure that’s happening this time. The circle is closing around these people who have done so much to destroy our club.”
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has defended struggling goalkeeper Andre Onana amid the criticism for his many errors.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Onana struggling for form at Man UtdSchmeichel launches defence for OnanaClaims playingfor Man Utd requires 'toughness'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Onana's time has at United has not been great since his big-money move from Inter. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has been on the end of a number of mistakes with the Red Devils, and his recent mistakes against Lyon following criticism by former United star Nemanja Matic, who called Onana 'one of the worst goalkeepers in the club's history'.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Onana has conceded a total of 122 goals in 96 games for United in all competitions and the Red Devils are now considering their options for next season. However, Schmeichel, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, has now launched a defence for Onana and made a point showcasing the "mental toughness" he has shown so far at Old Trafford.
WHAT SCHMEICHEL SAID
Speaking to , Schmeichel said: "It’s been a difficult year, it’s been a difficult year for everyone, so singling out anyone, I think that would be very, very wrong. Just look where Manchester United are in the Premier League. The players are not having the greatest time. I try to explain this to people, why is it different playing for Manchester United as opposed to any other club?
"I showed this to my wife the other day. We have a broadsheet newspaper in Denmark that doesn’t have a sports section, but they still carry Manchester United’s results and not just a little line but in an article. If you’re any other club, or most other clubs, you don’t have that. You don’t have all the fringe, non-sporting papers reporting on your games and that is where the pressure is. Every single thing you do in a game of football will be reported everywhere in the world.
"For instance, as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, everybody in the world will be talking about that mistake. If you make a mistake for so many other clubs in the Premier League, they might just be in the newspaper the next day. But you’re not going to talk about it tomorrow or the day after. That is where the mental toughness of being a Manchester United player comes in."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?
United are rumoured to be looking at alternatives for Onana and have been connected to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kaua Santos and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier. However, the Cameroonian will be hoping to alter his future at the club with a strong showing before the end of the season.
Josh Philippe played a sparkling innings while Michael Neser claimed a five-wicket haul
AAP05-Nov-2022Josh Philippe gave the Australian selectors another reminder of his fine one-day form as unbeaten Western Australia overcame outstanding individual efforts from Matt Renshaw and Michael Neser to beat winless Queensland by five runs.Philippe (73 off 94 balls) struck six fours and two sixes as WA were dismissed for 236 having lost the toss at the WACA. Neser took a one-day career-best 5 for 28 off 9.2 overs and Renshaw (104 off 114) kept Queensland In the hunt after they crashed to 3 for 14 in the seventh over.Queensland, who ended on 231, needed seven off the final over bowled by Matt Kelly. Renshaw turned down a single off the first two balls, was unable to score off the third – a full delivery outside off stump – and was run out going for a second run off the fourth.Related
South Australia clinch thriller after stroke of luck cuts of Hughes century
“I thought Kells bowled beautifully at the end, it probably got a bit closer and tighter than we thought but I still had full faith that we would get the job done.” Philippe said.Ladder-leaders WA scored their fourth win from as many games while Queensland dropped to three defeats from three.Fluent right-hander Philippe has scored a century and two fifties in four innings in which he has amassed a competition-leading 291 runs at a strike rate of 101, with a lowest score of 37 not out.He made three ODI appearances against the West Indies last year, and with Aaron Finch recently retiring from the Australian team in that format, Philippe has staked his claim for a recall for the series against England later this month.WA included Josh Inglis, who was pulled out of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this month after he suffered a hand injury playing golf a few days before the tournament. He looked good in making 24 off 28 balls before being bowled.It took WA 20 overs to get their run rate significantly above three, with Neser and Mark Steketee and Gurinder Sandhu extracting some early movement. They accelerated to 3 for 130 in the 31st over, when Philippe was caught after striking a six from Sandhu’s previous delivery.A seventh-wicket stand of 56 between Hilton Cartwright and Kelly added some late innings momentum after WA slumped to 6 for 166. Neser earned lbw decisions with successive deliveries as WA lost 4 for 14 to be dismissed with 16 balls left.Kelly and Jason Behrendorff smashed through the Queensland top order, with the latter having Test batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne caught for 4 and 5 respectively.Renshaw stroked 12 boundaries in a well-paced innings, though he did not see a lot of the strike in the last few overs.”The last seven overs he didn’t get much strike and it proved costly for us,” Neser said.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has been handed a potential opportunity to recoup over ÂŁ40 million on an out-of-form player, amid reports that manager Ange Postecoglou could soon demote him.
Tottenham chase three straight Premier League wins against Ipswich
Spurs are aiming to secure three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season against Ipswich Town on Saturday, with Postecoglou’s side travelling to Portman Road on their best run of league form for months.
ÂŁ400k-per-week forward has privately refused to rule out joining Tottenham
Spurs appear to have been given a transfer boost.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 19, 2025
Wins over Brentford and Man United sealed back-to-back victories for the Lilywhites for the first time since September last year, but Kieran McKenna’s relegation-threatened hosts will be a tough task for Spurs as they look to solidify their Premier League status.
The returns of key squad members proved vital during their 1-0 win at home to United last Sunday, with James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert all playing a part after coming back from injury, while Destiny Udogie was fit enough for a place on the bench as an unused substitute.
Ipswich Town (away)
February 22nd
Man City (home)
February 26th
Bournemouth (home)
March 9th
Fulham (away)
March 16th
Chelsea (away)
April 2nd
However, there have been some concerns surrounding the form of Spurs captain Son Heung-min, who hasn’t delivered often enough during what has been a truly torrid last two months for the team at N17.
There are reports that Postecoglou could even drop Son from his Tottenham starting line-up, once Dominic Solanke returns from injury, as it would allow the Australian to deploy new signing Mathys Tel out wide in his stead.
Son has bagged just one goal and an assist in the top flight since late December, attracting some criticism for his displays as a result, with pundit Jamie O’Hara regularly questioning the 32-year-old’s suitability to captain the side.
“When you look at Tottenham’s two recent games, this was the moment to show that they could compete. Unfortunately, they’ve shown the complete opposite. There’s no fight, no heart, no desire, and certainly no leadership,” O’Hara said recently, via Tottenham News.
“For me, that lack of leadership comes from the manager and the captain. I hate to say it, but Son Heung-Min is not the right captain for this team anymore. A captain should be someone who can lead from the front, someone who can grab the team by the scruff of the neck and get the team out of a hole.
“Son isn’t that, it’s time to take the captaincy off him and give it to someone else.”
Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal prepared to pay £41 million for Son from Tottenham
According to CaughtOffside, after Levy and co elected to trigger the one-year extension clause in his contract, keeping him at the club until 2026, it is believed Tottenham now have a chance to recoup significant money on the South Korean star.
Indeed, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are now prepared to pay ÂŁ41 million to sign Son from Tottenham, which comes as a very tempting fee considering he has just another season on his deal at Hotspur Way, not to mention Son has now entered his twilight years.
However, as things stand, Spurs are actually in favour of keeping the former Bayer Leverkusen star, with both the club and player open to discussing a contract extension beyond next season.
That being said, with this Saudi interest emerging, ÂŁ41 million is surely a figure which will spark some debate within the Tottenham corridors at least.
Thierry Henry has set up a meeting with Lamine Yamal, as the 17-year-old and the Arsenal and Barcelona legend plan to swap shirts when they meet.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Yamal puts on stupendous show vs. InterHenry wants Yamal's shirt for his sonSpaniard plans a shirt swap with the legendFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Yamal has been setting the world alight since his emergence as a 16-year-old winger with Barcelona, however, his 2024-25 season has seen him rise up as a world-beater. Under Hansi Flick, as a part of their stupendous front three alongside Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, the 17-year-old has shown the understanding and brilliance of a veteran to complement his burst of pace and his overall skillset.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
On Wednesday evening, Yamal had one of his best games in a Barcelona shirt as the Catalan side drew 3-3 with Inter Milan, as he ran the Serie A side's defence ragged and also scored a spectacular goal after a solo run. After the game, Henry revealed to Yamal that he was going to watch Barcelona's La Liga Clasico against Real Madrid and wanted his jersey for his son, who is a big fan, which prompted the Spaniard to encourage a trade deal with the Arsenal legend that would see him get one of Henry's shirts.
WHAT YAMAL AND HENRY SAID
During Yamal's interview on CBS Sports, Henry said: "I am coming to see El Clasico [later this month]. I am coming to watch the game. Can I get your shirt for my son, please?
Yamal responded, "Then we have to do a swap, and you have to give me your shirt," which prompted Henry to ask him, "The Barca one is the one you want?"
Yamal then said he was okay with "Barca, Arsenal, whatever you want."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?
Barcelona's next game against La Liga bottom side Real Valladolid will likely see Yamal rested for the crucial second-leg away clash against Inter Milan before the Catalan side play in front of Henry in league action against Real Madrid.