Twelve years after he left South Africa wobbling at the World Cup, not much has changed with Sri Lanka’s pace-bowling sensation

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Sep-2019Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 3rd T20I, Pallekele, 20192.3 Malinga to Munro, OUT, there comes Malinga’s 100th T20I wicket and he has bowled Munro again! Little similar to how he got Munro in the first T20I but this wasn’t a yorker. It was swinging in, in pitched on middle stump and it found the gap between Munro’s bat and pad to rattle the leg stump. What a sight that is for a fast bowler
C Munro b Malinga 12 (12b 1×4 1×6) SR: 100.00
2.4 Malinga to Rutherford, OUT, loud, loud appeal first ball, it’s turned down and Malinga, the captain, has reviewed immediately. This one also to a left-hander, also swinging in, also missed by the batsman, and he’s hit right in front of leg stump after the ball pitched on middle. Ball-tracking says it’s hitting, the crowd erupts! It might have looked not out initially but seems like Rutherford took a tiny step towards middle stump which went in Malinga’s favour
HD Rutherford lbw b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
2.5 Malinga to de Grandhomme, OUT, he has done it, three in three, Malinga has taken a hat-trick when his team needs it the most! Dear o dear, they’re checking for the no-ball and this is so close! The foot is pitching on the line and it seems like, on impact, a fraction of a tiny part of the heel was behind in the crease. It couldn’t have been closer than that without being a no-ball. And how’s this for a hat-trick delivery: a searing yorker with late swing to an in-form Colin de Grandhomme who was squared up and the ball took the base of off and middle stumps. What a sight, what a bowler. He points to the number on his jersey in celebration. It says 99!
C de Grandhomme b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
2.6 Malinga to Taylor, OUT, FOUR IN FOUR! Is this the 2007 World Cup all over again?! Ross Taylor this time, and he gets the same treament – an unplayable yorker. He looked more still than de Grandhomme at the crease but it didn’t matter. This one is headed right for the foot, it swings late from around leg to middle stump and it sneaks under Taylor’s bat to get him plumb
LRPL Taylor lbw b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
ESPNcricinfo Ltd

****

Sri Lanka v South Africa, Super Eights, World Cup 2007, Providence44.5 Malinga to Pollock, OUT, BINGO! Finally Malinga strikes, that is a superb bit of bowling. It’s a slower ball on the stumps, Pollock just does not pick it, plays inside the line of the ball and loses his leg stump. Even with the game all but gone Sri Lanka are fighting. Pollock played a good hand but now he’s gone!
SM Pollock b Malinga 13 (23m 24b 1×4 0x6) SR: 54.16
44.6 Malinga to Hall, OUT, ANOTHER! Andrew Hall goes off the very first ball! It’s another speared-in yorker, Hall just about manages to dig it out, but he can’t keep the ball down … it bobs up into the air for the man at cover to pouch easily! Is there a twist left in this game
AJ Hall c Tharanga b Malinga 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
46.1 Malinga to Kallis, OUT, Would you believe it? Malinga has got the hat-trick! Full, furious, outside off stump, Kallis goes for a square-drive and nicks it behind. Loud appeal. Kallis stays rooted. Even louder appeal and Harper raises the fatal finger. SA eight down and choking real badly.
JH Kallis c †Sangakkara b Malinga 86 (187m 110b 4×4 0x6) SR: 78.18
46.2 Malinga to Ntini, OUT, And then they were one! Malinga gets four in four. Unbelievable! Screaming yorker and Ntini drives, plays all over it and ball crashes into the middle stump. Malinga is slinging down magic deliveries and SA are nine down.
M Ntini b Malinga 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

The opener’s brilliant century gave the visiting fans at the MCG something to cheer for

Daniel Brettig in Melbourne29-Dec-2019Forget Bay 13. From this day onwards, the new home of the MCG’s most raucous and infectious cricket spectators should be bays M21 and M22, down at mid-off in the Great Southern Stand.This was where New Zealand’s travelling army of Boxing Day Test supporters put in a display that was, save for Tom Blundell’s wonderful second-innings 121, the most stirring by the visitors during the entire match. And, it was wholly undeserving of both the vast margin of defeat and the gratuitous presence of police and venue security on virtually every second step of the two bays they were occupying. This was, after all, one of those scenes that provides a reminder of why the game is so loved, and why moments of it will stick in the mind’s eye long after the contest is decided.ALSO READ: Report – Blundell stands tall but Pattinson, Lyon secure victoryBlundell added to the richness of the memory by donning a cap in the final stage of his innings, clouting the spin of Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne with some relish before he was the last man out to a combination of the two. He left the ground to the universal applause of 19,270 spectators, enough to take the splendid match total of 203,473 beyond the combined tally of attendances for the Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth Tests. Blundell had given them something to remember the week by, besides a shuddering Australian victory.”It’s pretty hard not to notice them,” Blundell said with all the understatement he could muster. “They were pretty loud and it’s fantastic to get that support away from home, so full credit to them, and it was pretty special hearing your name getting chanted out. I think they appreciated us coming over. The last few days they’ve been so loud and been fantastic. It’s the result we didn’t really want, but they kept on chanting and full appreciation to them.”For Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, the displays of Blundell, and Neil Wagner earlier in the Test, were emblematic of the kinds of the performance his side needed to show more of over the first two Tests of the series. Although they were trounced in both games, the visitors showcased a level of ebullience and fearlessness that took the game to the Australians and their industrial-strength bowling attack in particular.”Tom’s innings was magnificent,” Williamson said. “It was hard work out there and the task was immense, but you look at some small positives and that was a truly fantastic innings. He led the way and it’s important that we all take a little bit from that.”Also, Neil Wagner again; just the effort from the bowlers throughout was something that is inspiring to us as a team and that never give up attitude. But, at the same time, I think if we’re looking for areas to improve, there are a few of them, but we do need to try and put Australia under a little bit of pressure before the first-innings total gets past that point of control.”The crowd were truly incredible and to experience that. I think all the guys will never forget it. I guess the only thing you can compare to it would be some for the moments we had during World Cups where they were just so engaged, but this was even more unique because we were coming second for the most part of this match. They were incredible.”New Zealand fans soak up Test-match atmosphere•Getty Images and Cricket AustraliaBlundell’s efforts helped provide an example of the sort of connection between the New Zealand team and their travelling supporters, who did not necessarily come to the MCG expecting a major victory over such a mighty and better-resourced opponent. They, however, did want to see something more in terms of fight and entertainment – the occasional blow landed on Australia amidst the flurry coming the other way.”One of the points I was trying to make to Kane this morning was that there were 20,000-odd New Zealanders who have travelled from across the ditch to come and watch New Zealand,” former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had said. “And even though New Zealand was under an immense amount of pressure the New Zealand national anthem was being belted out from the stands. And it’s just how proud of this team that he’s built that New Zealand is and they don’t expect that the New Zealand side is going to win every game and they can understand that this is a tough place to tour.”But they want to see the team play with a smile on their face, that same positive attitude, and carry themselves in that confident manner and occasionally land a few blows back on the opposition, so they know that they’ve been in a contest. And I just tried to remind him to try and play for that young boy who fell in love with the game way back in the early days when he started playing cricket. Sometimes the pressure and the extremities that you get put under at this top level can take a little bit of that enjoyment away.”ALSO READ: McCullum counsels Williamson amid New Zealand strugglesThere was less for Williamson to enjoy in his post-mortem of a 247-run defeat at the MCG in the wake of a 296-run hiding in Perth. Looking back at the four days, he agreed that more precision had been needed from the bowlers on Boxing Day, when the ball moved extravagantly at times but not consistently enough to dislodge Steven Smith and Labuschagne, who cleared the way for Travis Head and Tim Paine to take the game beyond the visitors’ reach.”There was probably a missed trick there,” Williamson said. “If we’re being critical, we did need to be better; we needed to put the ball in the right area for longer periods to try and create a few more opportunities. We went past the bat a few times, but perhaps we were still a bit short on that front. Certainly nothing against the effort; the effort is always there, and then it did change, hardened up during that second session and Australia were brilliant again. Hats off to the way they’ve been playing.Mike Owen/Getty Images”When that does happen then you do need a big batting performance and without a doubt their bowlers certainly came in and hit the wicket hard and bowled exceptionally well and made life very difficult for us. That is the nature of playing cricket over here, so as a batting unit we do need to be a lot better.”How they perform better is a big question, for as Williamson conceded, Australia’s pacemen have been able to impose consistent pressure in ways that have left a usually patient New Zealand combination running short of forbearance and composure. “The plan isn’t to be conservative, but obviously the bowling has been of a high class, which is what you expect,” Williamson said. “They’ve got a number of assets to the way that they bowl, the pace and the bounce, but I think their accuracy is at the moment what is most challenging.”They’re putting the ball in a very demanding area and getting a little bit of movement out of the surface. Guys are committing to plans for long periods and at times finding scoring quite challenging. It’s trying to get your head around that, understand that that is what to expect for long periods, and then there’s a few ways to try and adjust your game around that as best you can, while considering that cricket is still cricket and you may get some good balls or you may get some things that doesn’t quite go your way and you have to accept and move on.”But committing to a plan as well as you can, much like what Tom did today, is a good start. I don’t think he’s opened too many times, but he’s certainly a very good keeper-batsman and been in a number of squads for a period of time, so to come into this Test match, a fantastic occasion, grab the opportunity opening. I know he’s done it a few times in white-ball cricket, but on this sort of stage and take it in his stride and go out and play his natural game, was brilliant to see.”Despite the defeat and its margin, there was some inspiration for New Zealand to take out of Melbourne, and on the final day of the Test it could at last be seen from both sides of the boundary. , come to think of it, would not be the worst name for a band.

أعلن ماتياس يايسله، مدرب الأهلي السعودي، تشكيل فريقه لمواجهة نظيره بيراميدز، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

ويلتقي الأهلي السعودي مع نظيره بيراميدز، في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة، ضمن منافسات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال وأيضًا المنافسة على لقب بطولة كأس القارات الثلاث.

طالع| تشكيل بيراميدز أمام الأهلي السعودي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال.. القوة الضاربة

ويشارك الأهلي السعودي في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، من الدور الثاني، بعد التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال آسيا الموسم الماضي.

وكان بيراميدز، قد تأهل لمواجهة الأهلي السعودي، بعدما حقق الفوز على أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة ضمن مواجهات الدور التمهيدي الأول لبطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

وشهد تشكيل الأهلي لمباراة بيراميدز، ظهور أتانجانا للمرة الأولى في تشكيل الفريق، بعد التعاقد معه خلال الفترة الأخيرة. تشكيل الأهلي السعودي أمام بيراميدز

حراسة المرمى: إدوارد ميندي

خط الدفاع: ماتيو دامس – ديميرال – روجر إيبانيز – محمد عبدالرحمن

خط الوسط: فرانك كيسيه – فالنتين أتانجانا – إنزو ميلوت.

في الهجوم: ويندرسون جالينو – رياض محرز – إيفان توني.

Director Andrea Berta has personally held talks over signing a high-earning player as one of his first actions at Arsenal, and it is believed the Gunners target could now be tempted to join Mikel Arteta’s side as a result.

Andrea Berta's list of forward targets at Arsenal

Rumours have surrounded the acquisition of a new striker for Arsenal this summer, with Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko all repeatedly linked.

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2 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 2, 2025

Following Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s long-term injuries, the need for another prolific option up top is made all the more prevalent, with midfielder Mikel Merino currently being used as an emergency makeshift striker.

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

TBD

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Arsenal are developing a strong interest in Gyokeres to fill the void from next season, according to David Ornstein, while fellow reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has tipped Berta to make an offer for Isak.

However, while a new striker is believed to be high on Berta’s agenda, the Italian also plans to upgrade Arteta’s wide options.

According to GiveMeSport, Arsenal are targeting a left-winger this summer, and they’re even pondering the possibility of bringing in someone who can compete with Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side.

Last summer, under ex-director Edu, Arsenal displayed a real interest in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams for the role.

It was reported at the time that Williams was a top target for Arteta, off the back of an impressive 2023/2024 campaign where he bagged 19 assists in all competitions, but the Spain international opted to remain at Bilbao for this season.

The 22-year-old’s contract includes a £48 million release clause, and Arsenal’s interest hasn’t gone away. However, they face very stiff competition for his services, as Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also targeting Williams.

Andrea Berta holds Arsenal talks with Nico Williams targeted

That is according to The Guardian and journalist Ed Aarons, who states that Berta has personally held Arsenal transfer talks with Williams’ representatives in “one of his first acts” as director.

In his report for The Guardian, Aarons also reports Berta’s influence could tempt Williams to join Arsenal over elite clubs in the race for his signature – following two years of heavy scouting from the Gunners.

The £200,000-per-week forward is also expected to push for a summer exit, but while his £48m release clause will be enticing, the major obstacle will lie in his rumoured wage demands. Williams apparently wants as much as £300,000-per-week at his new club, which would make him Arsenal’s highest-paid player.

The question is, would he be worth it? Williams carries a reputation as one of La Liga’s most highly-rated young attacking stars, completing the fifth-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 in the entire division (WhoScored), and his exciting style would hand Arsenal another major weapon in the final third.

His return has lessened this season compared to last – scoring nine goals and assisting seven others in all competitions – but his form has picked up lately as we approach the summer window.

One of Celtic’s key figures could choose to leave the club in the summer, with former scout Mick Brown of the belief that he is “not entirely happy”.

Hoops' summer transfer plans taking shape

It has been another dominant season in the Scottish Premiership for the Hoops, who are on course to win the title for the fourth season on the spin, currently sitting 13 points clear of Rangers at the top of the table.

However, the reigning Scottish champions will be eager to maintain their grip on the title, which means some additional reinforcements may be needed this summer, and signing a new midfielder is deemed to be a priority.

Brendan Rodgers has identified FC Augsburg’s Elvis Rexhbecaj as a potential successor to Callum McGregor in the middle of the park, while there is also interest in Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, who has struggled for game time under Arne Slot.

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There may also be some departures in the summer window, with Greg Taylor now set to leave, while the Scottish side are also at risk of losing Daizen Maeda, who has been one of their star performers this season.

Losing Maeda could be a real blow for Celtic, and Mick Brown believes another key figure could seek to leave this summer, namely Rodgers, with the former scout indicating the Northern Irishman could be keen on a return to England.

“If Rodgers was offered a Premier League job, he would take it. He’d be interested in coming back to England and I think he’s not entirely happy at Celtic.

“At the moment, Celtic are dominant in Scotland, there’s nobody challenging them.

“But Rodgers wants more than that – he’s thinking about European football. Being dominant in Scotland is fine, but if they could strengthen enough to be competitive in Europe, then he would be happy to stay.

"Outstanding" Rodgers must stay at Parkhead

Of course, the 52-year-old has chosen to leave Celtic in the past, infamously moving to Leicester City, so it is not out of the question that he decides to move on again, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

However, the board should do everything they can to keep hold of the “outstanding” manager, as hailed by Ange Postecoglou, given that he is on course to win yet another treble this season.

Back in February, the Hoops boss confirmed he was “very happy” at Parkhead, but his contract situation will understandably raise concerns.

That said, Brown seems to suggest Rodgers could be tempted to stay if Celtic are willing to strengthen considerably in the summer, in order to make them more competitive in Europe, so that should be the aim when the season comes to a close.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to accept a loss and sell one of their players for £25m this summer, according to a new report.

Wolves close to Premier League safety after back-to-back wins

The Old Gold took another step to securing Premier League safety after a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Tuesday evening.

Wolves followed up the win after a 2-1 victory at Southampton prior to the international break, with Vitor Pereira’s side nine points clear of 17th with nine games remaining after Jorgen Strand Larsen’s winner against the Hammers.

Talking after the victory, Pereira said: “We deserve this result because we play 45 minutes with high quality. The result at half time must be 2-0 in my opinion. Second half we start to think about the result, they start to put more players on the pitch with different qualities to try to explore the crosses.

“In the end, after 80 minutes, we had to think about result and to get the three points. The team, we have true spirit as we showed today. In the moment we can play very good game with quality, but in other moments, especially this moment, we need to suffer together. We help each other and I feel this in my team.”

Those behind the scenes could soon start preparing for incoming transfer business, but there also be departures.

Contact made: Wolves in talks with attacking 4-3-3 boss to replace Pereira

Another change in the dugout could be on the cards.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 1, 2025

One player who could move on is Fabio Silva, who has been on loan at Las Palmas. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and provided two assists in 21 La Liga appearances.

Talking about his Wolves future after scoring for Portugal U21s against England at The Hawthorns last month, Silva said: “I cannot answer that because my focus now is to be in Las Palmas. We have so much there to maintain in the first division in Spain and that is my focus. Also to help Portugal with the Euros and after that we have time.”

Now, it looks as if Wolves are ready to sell the attacker following a new transfer update.

Wolves ready to sell Fabio Silva as Old Gold willing to take loss

According to a report from Spain, Wolves have named their price to part ways with Silva this summer. Signed for €40m (£33.4m), Wolves are now willing to cut their losses and sell Silva for €30m (£25m).

Villarreal and Real Betis are thought to be interested following Silva’s impressive campaign with Las Palmas, however, Wolves’ asking price could ‘hinder’ a permanent move to Spain.

Silva, called “interesting” by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, is under contract at Molineux until 2026, so this upcoming summer could be the last chance Wolves have to receive as much for the forward as possible.

Games

72

Goals

5

Assists

6

Whether or not they bring in £25m remains to be seen, but they are happy to take an £8m+ loss as per this update.

Wrexham are one of a host of EFL clubs interested in signing an “excellent” international player in the summer transfer window, according to a new claim.

Wrexham facing huge period in promotion battle

Phil Parkinson’s side find themselves right in the League One promotion mix heading into the final weeks of the season, as they look to make it an incredible three promotions in a row.

Wrexham have six games remaining in the league in 2024/25, and while they currently sit in second place behind runaway leaders Birmingham City, they only have a three-point advantage over third-place Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand.

Next up for Parkinson’s men is the visit of Burton Albion on Saturday lunchtime, with their opponents languishing in 21st place and desperately battling to remain in League One for another season. A home win is a must, with Wycombe facing a trickier trip to Reading.

New signings will be needed for Wrexham this summer regardless of what league they are playing in next term, and a proven top-level player has now been linked with a move to The Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham want "excellent" Wales and Rangers star Tom Lawrence

According to an update from The Daily Mail, Wrexham are interested in signing Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence on a free transfer this summer, with the 31-year-old born there before moving to Manchester United as an eight-year-old.

The League One outfit are far from alone in expressing a willingness to snap him up, however, with the likes of West Brom, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers all mentioned, among others.

Lawrence would be an ambitious addition for Wrexham this summer, especially if they can get him for free, with his current Rangers deal expiring at the end of this season. At 31, he isn’t getting any younger, but he is still at a good age to come in and make an impact, having been lauded by David McAllum for his influence on young players at Ibrox.

“Tom was excellent around the group, sharing his experience, and we spoke before the game about that. That’s what some of these games are going to be about, when we get the odd occasion where a player, or two, drops down from the first-team squad to get important minutes.”

Derby County

185

37

25

Rangers

66

12

7

Ipswich Town

36

11

11

Blackburn Rovers

23

2

3

Yeovil Town

19

2

2

Cardiff City

14

0

1

Carlisle United

11

3

2

Rotherham United

6

1

1

Leicester City

4

0

0

Manchester United

1

0

0

Lawrence is a 23-cap Wales international, scoring three times for his country, so his pedigree is undeniable, and his versatility allows him to shine in central midfield, out wide and also as a centre forward.

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The Welshman has huge experience in the EFL too, as well as making a total of 66 appearances for one of Britain’s biggest clubs in Rangers, so the idea of Wrexham signing him is hugely exciting.

Everton were a day late and a dollar short once again at Anfield, though most of a Toffees persuasion will have spilled out Liverpool’s turnstiles with a sense of grievance and perhaps frustration that parity wasn’t restored.

Diogo Jota’s neat footwork preceded a tidy finish to wrong-foot Jordan Pickford and send Liverpool deeper into their seat at the summit of the Premier League.

For Everton, their Anfield purgatory continues. David Moyes’ pre-match comments bespoke a chasmic gap between the neighbours: “We might be further away from Liverpool than we ever have been at the moment.”

However, the two contests over the past two months have shed some new light on Everton’s startlingly sharp development with the Scotsman at the helm once again.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore.

This is a new Everton team revived and confident and hungry for new levels of success. Much has changed in short time, but the derby itself hasn’t, insofar as hackles were raised and jaws were bared from both sides of the sphere.

A fiery Merseyside derby

Everton versus Liverpool hasn’t been without its fracas-laden moments over the years, and while Wednesday’s Anfield clash won’t fall into the most tempestuous of meetings in modern history, it wasn’t that far away.

Moyes, certainly, was left feeling aggrieved after one or two controversial moments. In particular, Jota’s goal carried a hint of contention that left the 61-year-old frustrated post-game, for Luis Diaz was in an offside position during the build-up. Albeit the Colombian didn’t touch the ball while walking back into legality, not seeking to interfere with play.

However, that wasn’t the only, or indeed more scrutinised, point of controversy on the evening. Beto had actually put Everton ahead in an impressive first half but saw his goal chalked off for a marginal offside, but the biggest issue came on the Toffees’ defensive side.

James Tarkowski’s first-half challenge on Alexis Mac Allister sent Anfield into a maddened frenzy. It was, colloquially, a ‘leg-breaker.’

However, Liverpool’s midfielder walked off fine and so too did Everton’s veteran defender, who accepted a booking for his reckless sliding clearance – which he technically won – after VAR official Paul Tierney failed to recognise the gravity of the incident. Even Moyes suggested the 32-year-old was “lucky” not to have received his marching orders.

Everton's new Gareth Barry

The Merseyside derby has often been a game of brinkmanship on both sides, but Tarkowski pushed his chances to the limits on the disciplinary front, with former Premier League referee Mike Dean branding the incident a “horrible challenge and 100% a red card.”

It’s the kind of combativeness, though, that harkens wistful thoughts of a former era, one many fans resonate with as being more real and nostalgic, for better or worse.

Standing in for the rarely-seen Seamus Coleman as Everton captain, Tarkowski evoked the spirit of that era, evoked the spirit of Gareth Barry, combining leadership with, frankly, a whole lot of yellows.

He may have been the Blues’ hero in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park, but – the VAR drama aside – he suffered a few shaky moments. Namely, it was his half-cleared swipe that sparked Jota’s goal.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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Although given that the £100k-per-week Tarkowski incredibly made 12 clearances in total, as per Sofascore, it’s understandable that at least one might not travel the length of the field.

The acting skipper also won six duels, blocked three shots and made three interceptions, highlighting his gritty, no-nonsense nature.

For the most part, he leads by example, indeed showing that he has become a “really strong leader,” recognised as such nearly three years ago by former boss Frank Lampard.

Barry used to be that man for the Merseysiders. The all-time leading appearance maker in the Premier League – having played 653 games – the 44-year-old featured 153 times for the Toffees, scoring five goals and placing 11 assists across a four-year period, instrumental in driving Everton through the halcyon, pre-Moshiri days.

Of course, the retired England international was strong in the challenge himself, facing card-brandishing referees on more than a few occasions throughout his long Premier League career.

Most Yellow Cards in Premier League History

Player

Bookings

1.

Gareth Barry

123

2.

Wayne Rooney

102

3.

Lee Bowyer

99

3=

Kevin Davies

99

5.

Paul Scholes

97

Stats via Premier League

Barry, who captained the Three Lions at one point, was an understated midfielder, a man of industry and intelligence as he controlled games plum in the centre of the pitch.

His defensive quality and positional understanding were virtues that could also be attributed to Tarkowski at Everton right now, the centre-back upholding Sean Dyche and now Moyes’ values and adding an almost foundational element to the team, which allows others to flourish.

Barry – who now plays in England’s 12th tier with village club Hurstpierpoint F.C., four years on from retirement – was once hailed as “one of England’s best players ever” by his one-time gaffer Roberto Martinez, so industrious and an expert at the rudiments of football.

Tarkowski might not boast the same degree of wider acclaim, but he’s certainly made his mark at Goodison Park since leaving Burnley on a free transfer in 2022, playing in every single Premier League fixture since moving to Merseyside.

Thankfully, that record won’t be snapped by a VAR intervention. Regardless of the Englishman’s over-zealous challenge, his tough, protective approach has borne dividends for Everton over the past few years, and he’s not done yet.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has had to think somewhat outside of the box in recent weeks in the absence of first-choice centre-forward Nicolas Jackson.

The 23-year-old Senegal international has been out injured with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last five Premier League games.

Although the Chelsea boss confirmed he will be available for selection against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night, it remains to be seen if he will start. Replacing him has not been easy; the 23-year-old has nine goals and five assists in 23 Premier League games this term.

One of the players tasked with stepping up in the absence of Jackson was Christopher Nkunku.

The latest on Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea future

Nkunku’s numbers this season across competitions are more than reasonable. The Frenchman, who is a graduate of Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, has scored 14 times and grabbed five assists in 38 games.

However, just three of those strikes and two assists have come in the Premier League in 25 games. In the run of five games without Jackson, the former RB Leipzig star has scored and assisted just two goals, both of which came against Southampton.

However, his form across the season could well be a concern for the Blues. This could lead to Nkunku’s departure in the summer transfer window. A report from GiveMeSport at the end of March suggests the Frenchman will leave Stamford Bridge.

He was close to leaving the club in January for a fee reported to be £60m. A return to the Bundesliga was on the cards, with Bayern Munich supposedly interested. Now, it seems a departure is inevitable.

If he is to leave the club in the summer, perhaps Chelsea already have their dream replacement waiting in the wings, in the form of a young talent who is currently out on loan.

Chelsea’s in-house Nkunku replacement

Chelsea have infamously become known for buying lots of elite young talent over the past few summers and keeping them on the backburner until they are ready to make an impact at first-team level.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Well, one of the best examples of this is perhaps 19-year-old striker Deivid Washington. The Brazilian is currently on loan at Santos, the club from which he was originally bought from by the Blues back in August 2023.

He has only played two games and 28 minutes in his second spell at the Brazilian giants, and is yet to find the back of the net. However, he did score two goals during his initial stint at the club, after breaking through the esteemed academy that produced the legendary Neymar, now a teammate of Washington.

The attacker, who can play as a centre-forward, out wide on the left or just behind the striker, has made a real impression for the Blues’ youth team so far.

Across two seasons, he has scored ten goals and grabbed an assist in 18 games.

Premier League 2 (2023/24)

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Premier League 2 playoffs (2023/24)

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EFL Trophy (2024/25)

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He has also shown goal-scoring nous for Brazil’s under-20s. He has been handed eight caps at that level of international football, scoring three goals, including a fantastic diving header against Ecuador.

The Santos academy graduate was once described as a “highly talented” star by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and this certainly rings true when looking at what he has achieved in academy football so far.

With more exposure to senior football as a Santos player and, in the longer term, in a Chelsea shirt, the Blues could have an excellent player on their hands. He has already played three times for the West Londoners, and will surely hope to be given even more of an opportunity.

He is certainly a player Chelsea fans can get excited about, and if Nkunku does depart this summer, then Maresca might have a ready-made replacement waiting for his chance in 2026.

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