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A report has shared what West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui has done to leave his players “surprised” behind-closed-doors, with pressure already on the Spaniard after a lacklustre start to the season.

Julen Lopetegui "definitely" at risk of West Ham sack

While it is still very early days, chairman David Sullivan and the Hammers hierarchy won’t be pleased at how West Ham have begun 2024/2025, having spent around £120 million on nine new signings in a statement of backing for their new head coach.

West Ham have "exciting kid" who could be Lopetegui's next Jarrod Bowen

He’s fearless and direct in the attacking areas.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 1, 2024

West Ham have won just once in the Premier League so far, and that came in late August with a 2-0 win away to struggling Crystal Palace. Since then, Lopetegui’s watched his side get put to the sword by Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool in all competitions, with Aston Villa also reigning victorious over West Ham on the league’s opening weekend.

It could’ve been worse as well, given it took a last-gasp Danny Ings strike to rescue a point away at Fulham, but West Ham did display fighting spirit to battle back from Bryan Mbeumo’s first-minute goal to salvage a draw away to Brentford on Saturday.

Match

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

#8

28/09/2024

Brentford (A)

Premier League

1-1 draw

#7

25/09/2024

Liverpool (A)

Carabao Cup

5-1 loss

#6

21/09/2024

Chelsea (H)

Premier League

3-0 loss

#5

14/09/2024

Fulham (A)

Premier League

1-1 draw

#4

31/08/2024

Man City (H)

Premier League

3-1 loss

#3

28/08/2024

Bournemouth (H)

Carabao Cup

1-0 win

#2

24/08/2024

Crystal Palace (A)

Premier League

2-0 win

#1

17/08/2024

Aston Villa (H)

Premier League

2-1 loss

Former West Ham recruitment chief Mick Brown, who left the club in June, told Football Insider this week that Lopetegui is “definitely” at risk of being sacked by the east Londoners if things don’t turn around quickly – especially considering the Spaniard has big shoes to fill in club hero David Moyes.

“I think there’s more pressure on him after what David Moyes managed to do,” said Brown.

“When 60,000 people are saying they don’t want this and they want a different type of football, the board have had to be careful with their decision. It’s always difficult trying to judge what the owners and directors will do. Their knowledge of the game is not great and they’ve made many mistakes in the past. They were warned to be careful what they wished for, but having made that decision [replacing Moyes with Lopetegui], they’re wary of making another mistake.

“I don’t know Lopetegui and I don’t know how he works, but if we’re looking at the results he’s had so far, which is what the game is about, he’s definitely at risk.”

There have also been murmurs of a dressing room altercation between Lopetegui and West Ham star Mohammed Kudus, but this has now been played down by sources.

West Ham players "surprised" by Lopetegui's last-minute team changes

According to GiveMeSport, what Lopetegui has done behind the scenes has baffled West Ham players too.

Indeed, it is believed the 58-year-old’s been making last-minute changes to his starting-line ups. Lopetegui’s decision to switch to a back-three against Chelsea “surprised” West Ham players in particular, with his late tactical calls taking members of the squad off guard.

It would seem as if the former Real Madrid and Spain manager is still working out the kinks of his new-look team and figuring out his best line-up, but it is no shock that players would have their heads turned by a sudden change of plans on matchday either.

To try and muster a rich vein of form, things do need to settle behind the scenes, and reports of player unrest certainly don’t help in that regard.

Chelsea have been tipped to unleash an unseen teenager and hand him his senior debut soon, with it only being a “matter of time” before he’s handed his debut by head coach Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea prepare for Liverpool after Nottingham Forest draw

Amidst the international break, Maresca and his staff are busy preparing for an all-important clash away to Liverpool, following their thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

"Dream" Chelsea player out until "November or December" through injury

He’ll have to wait until winter.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 8, 2024

The game had it all – a sending off, goals, miraculous saves, guilt-edged chances and plenty of drama. There is a serious case to be made that it was the most entertaining draw in the Premier League so far this season, and either side could’ve come away the victor.

Forest remain unbeaten on the road, which is quite the feat for Nuno Espirito Santo, especially considering the tough trips they’ve had to face. Chris Wood gave Forest a shock lead just after the restart, with Noni Madueke’s brilliantly taken low effort soon levelling the score on 57 minutes.

Liverpool (away)

October 20

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

Arsenal (home)

November 10

Leicester City (home)

November 23

Both Matz Sels and Robert Sanchez pulled off phenomenal saves to keep the score level, but the moment of the match came from Sels, who denied superstar Cole Palmer with a stunning double save from close range.

Nicolas Jackson unfortunately put in a “5/10” performance against Forest, and Christopher Nkunku arguably really should’ve scored with a gaping free header from close range. However, Sels’ point-blank denial also needs to be praised, with the Forest keeper having a real blinder.

“I think first 45 minutes we didn’t concede nothing, we controlled the game, created the chances and the performance was very good because you can get frustrated against this kind of team,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Forest.

“But, as I said, compared to the Brighton game it’s a completely different kind of game so you need to learn how to play. I thought first half was top and then second half we concede the goal and become a little bit more up and down. After we score immediately and then again we were in control.

“Probably the red card we think most of the time that 11 vs 10 is more easy but probably today was even more difficult as they were a line of five with more players inside the box defending. Then you take the risk to lose some balls, and you concede counter-attacks or set-pieces that they are very strong. But overall, I thought the performance was very good, and I think we deserved to win the game.”

"Matter of time" before Shumaira Mheuka makes Chelsea debut

It’s been a very impressive start to the season for Maresca, who has now been tipped to hand exciting youngster Shumaira Mheuka his senior debut.

Taking to X, The Secret Scout has expressed his belief that it’s a matter of time before Mheuka gets minutes for Chelsea. He added that the 16-year-old is already a member of Chelsea’s Under-21s, playing years above his age group.

“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks,” said Mheuka on making his Under-21s debut.

“It’s been super busy! I’ve been away with England, but now I’m back at Cobham, feeling good, and ready to return to league action. As a 16-year-old stepping up to the Under-21s squad, it was a proud moment, and it can be tough at times. But I feel like I’ve handled the situation well and embraced every opportunity that’s come my way.

“Getting a taste of Under-21s football has been great and has definitely pushed my performance even further.”

Mikel Arteta's side moved back up to third in the European standings on a straightforward night at the Emirates

Arsenal all but guaranteed themselves a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase with a comfortable 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

A draw in their final game against Girona next week will be enough to secure passage straight through to the last 16 after goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard saw off the Croatian champions in north London.

Rice's crisp finish after just two minutes opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side and, after seeing a number of chances go begging, Havertz added a second when he headed home from Gabriel Martinelli's ball in before Odegaard turned in Leandro Trossard's cross in stoppage-time.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10):

A spectator for most of the night. Spent most of his time running around trying to keep warm.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Looked a bit tired at times, which is hardly surprising given the minutes he's played. Booked.

Jakub Kiwior (6/10):

Comfortable enough in the right centre-back role. Almost caught out once in the first half, but aside from that he was solid enough.

Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):

Missed a golden chance to make it 2-0 with a header from Odegaard's corner. Untroubled at the back.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):

Good showing on just his fourth start of the season. Saw plenty of the ball and used it well. Produced some lovely touches as well.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Jorginho (7/10):

Pulled the strings in the midfield. Played some lovely balls over the top that his team-mates should have done better with.

Declan Rice (7/10):

As clean a strike as you will see the score his first Champions League goal. Strong performance, excellent set-piece delivery as always.

Martin Odegaard (7/10):

Drifted in and out of the game. Not able to get on the ball enough in dangerous areas, but did get a goal late on after a nice late run into the box.

Getty Images SportAttack

Raheem Sterling (4/10):

His disappointing spell in an Arsenal shirt continued. Nothing he tried really paid off. Another tough night for the Chelsea loanee.

Kai Havertz (7/10):

Classic Havertz game. Good link-up play as the central striker, including his assist for Rice's goal. His finishing wasn't the best, but he did pop up with a nice header to make it 2-0.

Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):

Arsenal's biggest threat. Great early run to help set up the goal for Rice, and was always lively as he knew he had the beating of his full-back. Great ball in for Havertz to make it 2-0.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Brought on to give Timber a much needed rest.

Ethan Nwaneri (7/10):

His arrival certainly lifted the crowd, which was needed. Great ball in which Rice should have scored from.

Kieran Tierney (6/10):

Provided some energy for the final 15 minutes

Leandro Trossard (6/10):

Good ball in for Odegaard to score late on.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (N/A):

On in injury-time to make his senior debut.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Used his subs well. Will be delighted with an easy night's work.

Exciting Lancashire quick joins Alex Hales and Sam Billings under new Thunder head coach Trevor Bayliss

Alex Malcolm16-Sep-2021Sydney Thunder have snapped up England pace bowler Saqib Mahmood for the upcoming BBL with the Lancashire quick joining fellow Englishmen Alex Hales and Sam Billings under new Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss.Mahmood made his mark in England’s recent ODI series against Pakistan claiming Player-of-the-Series honours after taking nine wickets. He also took career-best T20I figures of 3 for 33 at Headingley having been called up as part of the entirely new squad when Covid-19 struck.Whether both Mahmood and Billings are available for the entire BBL remains to be seen as the size and shape of England’s Ashes Test squad is still in a state of flux. Both could be in the mix to be part of an extended and possibly weakened England squad as the ECB continues to manage player concern over travel and quarantine arrangements for the tour.Related

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Billings back with Bayliss and Hales at Sydney Thunder

Mahmood, 24, took 12 wickets in five games in the PSL earlier this year and said he was looking forward to testing himself in the BBL.”You see full houses. You see close games. The standard of cricket is high, and you get some really good overseas players,” he said. “It’s a high-class tournament. The main thing for me is to try and help Sydney Thunder win the Big Bash. I’ve had a look at the squad, it’s a really good side, and there’s a lot of class, a lot of match winners.”I’ll want to build a good relationship with my teammates and coaches, but the most important thing is to enjoy it and win that trophy.”Mahmood has never worked with Bayliss but the former England coach has a squad with a distinctly English flavour for his first season in charge of Sydney Thunder. Hales was full of praise for the signing of Mahmood.”He is a great signing, Saqib has really made his mark over the last year,” Hales said. “He can bowl very quick and has a good slower ball.”I think he’ll adapt well to the BBL. He’s a young lad, but he’s an international quality bowler. He’ll go well.”Mahmood has been part of the England Lions set up in 2018 and has had a very consistent County Championship season for Lancashire taking 28 wickets at 23.89 in 8 matches, including a career-best 5 for 47 against Yorkshire.Thunder have contingency plans if any of their overseas players are unavailable but there is also a hope that players could be released to play in the BBL if they are not picked in England’s Test XI. Although that is contingent on the nature of the bio-secure bubbles for the England squad and the ability to travel easily between state borders in Australia by December, with borders currently shut to NSW and Victoria due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Ipswich Town now finds themselves winless in eight in the Premier League, with displays starting to raise concerns amongst the Portman Road masses.

The Tractor Boys were arguably victims of their own downfall versus Everton last time out, as errors in defence allowed the Toffees to eventually breeze to a 2-0 win, but Kieran McKenna’s side did register 13 shots of their own in Suffolk to further frustrate the home faithful.

Liam Delap was arguably quiet against Sean Dyche’s men, with the former Manchester City wonderkid one that has to usually be playing to the top of his game for Ipswich to salvage something.

Delap's form this season

That has been the case this campaign in many games when Ipswich could have folded under the weight of playing a team placed higher up the division, with Delap firing home two strikes against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the start of the month to help his team pick up a hard fought 2-2 draw.

In total, the 21-year-old striker has four goals from eight league games donning Ipswich blue, but wasn’t at the races last time out as his team fell to a disappointing 2-0 loss.

Not one to regularly involve himself in play, with Delap thriving more as a poacher alert to a sniff of a chance, the ex-Man City forward failed to register a single on-target effort on Jordan Pickford’s goal versus Everton, which made his lack of touches feel more obvious consequently.

Delap would only amass 29 touches of the ball and complete eight accurate passes, away from uncharacteristically fluffing his lines with shots on goal, as McKenna then hooked him off late on for returning attacker George Hirst to get a run-out.

Still, goals like this breakaway strike managed against Villa will keep him firmly in his manager’s good books for the time being.

Amazingly, despite Delap’s electric start to life in Suffolk minus his off-day versus Everton, there is an ex-Ipswich attacker actually bettering his numbers currently playing in the EFL.

The player outscoring Delap

That player is one-time Tractor Boys loanee Louie Barry, who many with connections to the Premier League underdogs will have forgotten was even on the Ipswich roster once upon a time.

The Aston Villa youngster would only go to make a forgettable six appearances on loan, with just one league start afforded to him during the 2021-22 season when Ipswich languished all the way down in League One.

Games played

10

Goals scored

6

Assists

0

Goals*

0.6

Shots*

3.1

Shots on target*

1.5

Scoring frequency

124 mins

It’s fair to say his loan stint with Stockport County this season – which is his second spell at the club after guiding the Hatters to promotion up to League One last campaign – is going far better than his unmemorable stay at Portman Road, with a stunning six goals tallied up from ten league clashes.

Constantly wanting to get himself involved in play as a daring attacking option down the wings, who can even lead the line as seen last match versus Charlton Athletic when he found the back of the net as a striker, Barry is now very much living up to his “incredible” label which was handed to him by Arsenal star Declan Rice back in 2021.

That was of course in reference to Barry netting for Villa in the FA Cup versus Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but that same unerring composure under pressure to finish off chances has been seen in the third tier, with the 21-year-old reaffirming his status as a major fan’s favourite at Edgeley Park this campaign to date.

He is even outscoring Delap based on his heroics in the lower reaches of the EFL, with Ipswich left to now contemplate whether they could have got more out of the tricky attacker when he was temporarily at the club.

McKenna must drop Ipswich man who made 12 passes

Ipswich Town struggled against Everton as their winless streak in the Premier League goes on.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 20, 2024

Lecce were adamant about holding on to Patrick Dorgu but a Manchester United ultimatum made it "unrealistic" to reject the "historic deal."

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Dorgu joined Man Utd from Lecce last weekThe Red Devils splashed almost £30 millionIt was "now or never" for the 20-year-old Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dorgu had been heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the January transfer window, with the Red Devils keen on bolstering their defensive options. After extensive negotiations, they finally reached an agreement to sign the 20-year-old Danish full-back for a base fee of £25 million ($31m/€30m), with an additional £4 million ($5m/€4.8m) in performance-related bonuses.

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However, completing the deal was far from straightforward. Lecce were reluctant to part ways with their prized young talent mid-season and attempted to delay the transfer until the summer window. But, United’s “now or never” approach made rejecting the deal impossible, according to Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani.

WHAT LECCE PRESIDENT SAID

Speaking to , Damiani explained: "We said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January, and now I will explain why the opposite happened. Then Manchester United arrived, who made themselves heard with us and with the lad’s entourage. We told them that we had no intention of letting Dorgu leave in January. We didn’t talk about figures, nor ask for increases. But instead of stopping United, this approach had the opposite effect."

Despite Lecce’s repeated appeals to delay the move, United refused to budge. They insisted that the transfer had to happen immediately, issuing a firm ultimatum.

"They insisted," Damiani revealed. "We asked several times to postpone everything until the summer, also promising the young man that he would not miss the opportunity. For us too it was a historic step, we just wanted to do it in July. The Premier League communicated to us their desire, the club and its coach, to make an immediate deal. There was an ultimatum, now or never. They also told the player the same.

“You cannot blame Dorgu. Imagine you’re 20 and Manchester United knocks on your door with such an offer. The combination of these factors led us to think that we would have gone from being consistent to being stupidly stubborn.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DORGU?

United fans will be eager to see if the Danish full-back can make an immediate impact and help solidify a position that has been a troublesome area for the team when United take on Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford this Friday.

New Zealand seamer says “early wickets” will be the focus

Deivarayan Muthu30-Oct-2021Last Sunday, Shaheen Shah Afridi did the star turn in Dubai, his (in)swing and seam ripping out India’s top order. New Zealand’s left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult is now licking his lips at the prospect of doing an Afridi on India this Sunday in Dubai.Boult comes in armed with 71 wickets in 26 games against India across formats. In particular, he has a strong head-to-head against opening batter Rohit Sharma, having taken him out three times in seven T20 innings while giving up only 29 runs off 24 balls.Related

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Starman Shaheen Shah Afridi's night out in Dubai

“It depends when I get to bowl,” Boult said on the eve of the match against India. “Not too sure what the plan is with what overs certain bowlers are bowling, but yeah the way Shaheen bowled the other night was… from a left-armer watching on I thought it was amazing. But, yeah, there’s qualify batsmen in that Indian line-up. Early wickets are definitely the focus for us as a bowling group. But, here, we just need to be nice and clear and nice and accurate where we are trying to put the ball. But, hopefully from my point of view, it swings around a little bit and I can mirror what Shaheen did the other night (laughs).”Toss has been a significant factor in this T20 World Cup, with the teams chasing winning all but two games in the Super 12s so far in the UAE. Boult was wary of it, and the threat posed by dew, but backed New Zealand to find a way, if they are asked to defend a total in Dubai.Tearaway Lockie Ferguson has been sidelined from the rest of the tournament with a calf tear, but New Zealand have had a ready-made replacement in Adam Milne who has been upgraded from the reserves. Milne could well be one of New Zealand’s options to counter India in the middle and end overs.”Whatever we do first, we need to do it extremely well,” Bout said. “India brings a lot of challenges – quality batting line-up, but with the ball we just need to be clear about the options on how to shut these guys down and obviously give them a bigger chase as possible, but it’s going to be a good challenge. Our first game in Dubai, but the wicket looks pretty good there. Yeah, really look forward to taking them on.”It’s a hard one to understand how much dew is going to come in. But, from the one game we’ve experienced so far [in Sharjah], there hasn’t been too much of it. The overhead conditions have cooled down a lot nicely, so yeah just got to take your time and make sure you got a good grip on the ball and try to be as accurate as you can.”New Zealand have won seven of their ten World Cup matches against India and more recently they toppled them in the inaugural World Test Championship final in Southampton. Boult, however, denied that New Zealand had the wood over India in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash.”I wouldn’t say we have an extra edge,” Boult said. “Both sides are stacked with quality players. In terms of our team, we’re definitely excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for us. Few guys have been here in the UAE, playing the IPL, have relationships and have played with a lot of these Indian guys a lot. Here’s hoping we can put it all together tomorrow afternoon and get our ball rolling.”Boult was hopeful of New Zealand having a fit-again Martin Guptill at their disposal against India after Pakistan quick Haris Rauf smacked his toe with a near-150-kph yorker on Tuesday. Guptill’s left toe was badly bruised after that blow, but he has since returned to training.”Gup is pretty good,” Boult said. “He trained fully yesterday and didn’t see too many issues with him. So, he’s definitely a big piece of puzzle for us at the top of the innings. So, from what I know, he’s good to go.”

Tottenham have been tipped to sign a new striker this January, and have already identified the player they want to add to Ange Postecoglou’s ranks midway through the season, according to a fresh report.

Tottenham's injury news

It has been a mixed start to Postecoglou’s second season in charge of the Lilywhites, with Spurs having lost four of their opening ten Premier League games, but also having managed to pick up five wins on the way.

Tottenham chiefs now identify priority January signing for Ange Postecoglou

The Spurs boss has decided on where he needs to upgrade next.

ByBen Browning Nov 4, 2024

As well as impressively beating Manchester United 3-0, they also came from a goal down to thrash Aston Villa 4-1 in their most recent outing. But it was a game that handed them some injury headaches too.

Already without Micky van de Ven due to a hamstring injury he picked up against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, Postecoglou lost his centre-back partner Cristian Romero too, with the World Cup winner picking up a foot injury when making a challenge in the second half, and needing to be substituted.

Then, in the closing stages, Richarlison was also forced off with an injury less than half an hour after he had returned from injury as a second half substitute. Though Spurs added Dominic Solanke to their ranks over the summer in a club record deal, there is concern over potential alternatives to the England international, with Richarlison having managed just 88 minutes of Premier League action in two months thus far.

Now, a fresh report has claimed that Tottenham are considering an audacious January move to provide emergency cover for Solanke.

Tottenham to move for "special" Real Madrid youngster

That comes as a report in Spain reveals that Tottenham are among the potential suitors to sign Real Madrid talent Endrick on loan in January.

The Brazilian teenager has struggled for game time at the Santiago Bernabéu following the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. He has yet to start a game for Los Blancos in La Liga and has managed just 40 minutes of action across seven league appearances, though he has managed a goal and an assist in that time.

Endrick’s tough season in Madrid

Appearances

9

Starts

1

Total minutes

107

Goals and assists

3

Unused substitute

6

That lack of opportunity in the Spanish capital has left Real Madrid “considering a loan move” for Endrick, and “the idea of ​​allowing the Brazilian striker to gain experience in a competitive environment has gained traction” recently.

And Tottenham are one of the sides showing an interest in potentially adding him to their ranks should he become available, even just short-term, while Real Madrid are open to the idea of sending him to north London because “Postecoglou has proven to be a manager who trusts young players”, something that would increase his chances of regular game time.

Should he leave Real Madrid, whoever lands him on loan would be getting one of Brazil’s best talents. Former Manchester City and Brazil midfielder Elano dubbed him “special” in September, likening him to the greats of the past including Ronaldinho, Neymar and Ronaldo Nazario.

“Endrick is special – he belongs to that group of super-talented players that Brazil has produced in the past: Neymar, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo”, he explained. “Endrick is the whole package: technical quality, combined with physical strength and great mental power.”

Could he be set to take those talents to north London?

The Sri Lankan spinners combined for all ten wickets in the innings to bowl West Indies out for 253

Madushka Balasuriya01-Dec-2021On the first full, rain-absent, day’s play of the Test, Sri Lanka and West Indies set up what promises to be the quintessential Galle classic. At stumps, the hosts in their second innings trail by three runs with eight wickets in hand, on a pitch that has produced 21 wickets over the past two days – though the last two will have the Dimuth Karunaratne’s side kicking themselves, both being entirely avoidable run outs.The first came as a result of an outstanding direct hit from Kyle Mayers to dismiss the captain himself, while the second was rather more self-inflicted, with Oshada Fernando hesitating in the middle of the pitch and failing to return to his crease in time.That has left Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka at the crease, on 21 and 4 respectively, with the former also nursing a knee injury that he had received treatment for on the field.Therefore going into the final two days, with rain also expected in bursts, the game is poised to go down to the wire. While West Indies will be wary of having to bat last – only two teams have chased a score higher than double-digits to win in Galle – they will be quietly confident of the ability of their batters in chasing what could end up being a modest target.Indeed, despite losing their last seven wickets for just 87 runs earlier in day, Kraigg Brathwaite would have been buoyed by how well the top order coped with Sri Lanka’s spin threat for the most part. He himself was the top scorer, hitting 72 off 185, while Jermaine Blackwood (44), Nkrumah Bonner (35) and Kyle Mayers (36) all chipped in with handy knocks to secure a 49-run lead. That could have been considerably more had it not been for the Sri Lankan spinners who, after a sub-par showing in the morning, imparted a vice grip on the visitors after lunch.Ramesh Mendis was the undoubted star for the hosts, ending with career-best figures of 6 for 70 – his first five-wicket haul in Tests – while Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama picked up two apiece. Mayers’ unbeaten 36 off 64 late on had briefly threatened to balloon the lead, but he eventually ran out of partners.Kraigg Brathwaite brought up his half-century on the third morning•AFP/Getty ImagesMendis, Embuldeniya and Jayawickrama all found better lengths after lunch and in the process dried up the scoring. They were also perhaps aided by the extra bounce afforded by the new ball, with five of the six wickets to fall in the session coming after they opted for it – the last two wickets fell swiftly after tea.That said, the most important breakthrough came at the start of second session, when Embuldeniya worked over a set Brathwaite in brilliant fashion. Having shifted to over the wicket against the right-hander, Embuldeniya peppered a leg-stump line – replete with leg slip and short leg – for the first couple of deliveries, before getting one to spin sharply past Brathwaite’s, oddly lax, forward defence. The ball proceeded to hit the top of middle stump, a dream dismissal for the left-arm spinner but one which Brathwaite could have avoided by simply padding away.That brought to an end an 85-ball 25-run stand between Brathwaite and Shai Hope, the last one of any significance. Mendis took charge of proceedings from thereon, getting rid of Roston Chase, Hope, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva in the span of a few overs, before returning after tea to close out the innings with the wicket of Jomel Warrican.This turn of events had seemed far from likely in the morning. Indeed, such was the level of West Indies’ control that, aside from the wicket of Bonner, the only real moment of peril occurred courtesy Suranga Lakmal, Sri Lanka’s lone seamer, who got a fuller one to jag back into Bonner’s pads, only for a subsequent review to show a faint inside edge. There was also a potential catch down the leg side, also off Lakmal, that Chandimal seemed to have grassed, only for replays to show that there was no bat or glove involved.Dimuth Karunaratne is caught short of the crease•AFP/Getty ImagesThose instances typified a luckless morning for the home side with Brathwaite and Bonner resolute. The Sri Lankan spinners did themselves little favours in any case, unable to extract the same turn and bounce West Indians were able to do so consistently the previous day.Much of this was down to an inability to find the right lengths, with Jayawickrama and Embuldeniya particularly culpable, far too often straying full and making it easy to smother any turn on offer. On the few occasions that they did hit a good length, both Brathwaite and Bonner were able to get bat in the way and deal with it safely. And it wasn’t long before the home side’s frustration began to show, as they began to offer more scoring opportunities, ones the West Indians were ruthless in dispatching.Brathwaite, who was quite comfortable staying back and navigating the spin late in most circumstances, was the biggest beneficiary on this front – he would end his innings with nine boundaries, and was all too happy to put away anything short, square of the wicket on either side. The pick of his shots, though, were two front-foot efforts either side of mid-on – for the first, he showed exquisite wrist work to take one that was a little fuller and steer it to the left of a straight-ish mid-on, while the second was a delightful clip to the midwicket fence.It was only following Bonner’s dismissal that Sri Lanka’s spinners rediscovered some sort of rhythm, which in the end they managed to carry over in spades for the rest of the innings.

Pep Guardiola has explained how his "contacts in Germany" helped Manchester City complete a £59m ($74m) transfer for hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush.

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Egyptian starred in the BundesligaFormer Bayern boss asked questionsCity pushed through big-money dealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Egypt international forward became another big-money addition for the reigning Premier League champions during the winter window. Having been monitored by several teams in England, the 26-year-old ended up at the Etihad Stadium.

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Marmoush had become a man in demand courtesy of the 37 goals that he registered across a productive 18-month spell at Eintracht Frankfurt. Former Bayern Munich boss Guardiola sounded out some professional acquaintances once it became clear that City were in need of further firepower.

WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

He has said of discussions with director of football Txiki Begiristain that resulted in Marmoush being brought to Manchester: "When Txiki came to me I said, because of the season we had, the more players you bring the better. I called some contacts in Germany because I have friends there. I asked a few things and there was a high opinion in many things; behaviour, in training sessions, goals. He's young and comes here to make his career. That is why the club decides. They always have the last word."

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Marmoush has looked lively through his five appearances for City to date. His goal account for the Blues was opened in style when netting a hat-trick in an impressive 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle – with the Egyptian hoping that will be the first of many Premier League match balls that he adds to his collection.