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The EFL Cup is seldom of interest to teams challenging for the title or threatened by relegation. Reserved for teams looking towards some early season silverware or clubs with little else to focus on in the season, it is a competition that can bring together some bizarre matchups with even odder results.

Manchester United and West Ham are two of this season’s greatest underachievers. Where the Red Devils believed this would be the season where they returned towards the very top of the league – as we all did – the Irons were expected to be bobbing along in the top half of the table, at the very least. Their eyes were probably on a late surge towards the European spots. In reality, Manchester United and West Ham are in mid-table and a relegation fight respectively. Both teams have has similar weaknesses too (the most prominent being an inability to finish chances).

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When they faced off on Sunday afternoon, expectation for Manchester United was high after another positive performance in the Europa League. But a curious team selection from Jose Mourinho yet again, with Anthony Martial completed excluded from the matchday squad, led to another disappointing couple of hours for the Old Trafford public. As a result, Manchester United are now closer to the relegation zone than they are to third-placed Manchester City. If they are not already in crisis, they are close.

West Ham, meanwhile, begun a challenging run of fixtures with a resolute performance, riding their luck along the way. Still in the sapping heat of the relegation battle, though, Slaven Bilic’s side have won just three of their opening 13 Premier League games – there’s still pressure on the Croatian’s shoulders, just as you would expect for any manager in his position.

So, where does this leave either club ahead of their rematch in the EFL Cup?

Manchester United host West Ham this week with the prospect of another home failure not worth considering for Mourinho. A positive performance on Sunday could have given room for rotation in the EFL Cup, but amplifies the potential consequences of any slip up. The inevitable comparisons to David Moyes are continuing and, whatever your view point, it is getting harder to justify Mourinho’s decision-making and the performances of this Manchester United team. So, for the home side, a positive result is now a necessity.

For the Hammers, victory would be a kind release from the poor start to the season, at least. Other than that, Bilic might see it as an opportunity to goad some form out of his underachieving summer signings. Having had their difficulties with injuries earlier this season, the Hammers will surely be wary of losing key players in a cup competition. And, despite only taking one point from the two games, the performances against Tottenham and against United at the weekend will give Bilic reason to believe that results will improve. Progression in the EFL Cup would be a bonus for West Ham, but they certainly have far less to lose.

Mourinho and Manchester United need a victory. Lifting some silverware, even if the rest of the season is a catastrophe, will at least buy Mourinho some time. West Ham’s performances, if not results, have taken an upwards turn that changes this game for them. As this is, perhaps, distraction from the woes of the Premier League, they are a danger to Manchester United’s entire season.

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Liverpool have approached the agent of Xabi Alonso to discuss the prospect of the Bayer Leverkusen boss replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer.

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• Liverpool looking for Klopp replacement
• Reds have made approach for Alonso
• Leverkusen expect coach to snub offer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Reds have made a request to Inaki Ibanez, Alonso's representative, according to The Spanish coach's current side have already been informed of the approach and the top figures at the BayArena are confident the former midfielder will turn down his ex-club in favour of staying at Leverkusen.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Alonso was appointed Leverkusen head coach in October 2022, when they were second-bottom of the table after eight matches, and guided them to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga. This season, they are the shock, unbeaten leaders in the Bundesliga, holding a eight-point advantage over reigning champions Bayern.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool are not the only contenders to lure Alonso away from Leverkusen this summer, as German rivals Bayern have also been linked with a move for their former player as Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the season. Leverkusen, however, will hope to hold onto Alonso until the end of his contract, which expires in 2026.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ALONSO?

  Before he considers a possible summer departure from Leverkusen, Alonso will hope his team can boost their hopes of winning their first ever Bundesliga title by beating Koln on Sunday. They will then turn their attention to their Europa League tie against Qarabag.

Chelsea may still hold a special place in the heart of Mateo Kovacic, with the Manchester City star appearing to celebrate a goal from Cole Palmer.

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Croatian midfielder left London in the summerBack at the Bridge for Premier League thrillerOdd reaction to dramatic penalty levellerWHAT HAPPENED?

The Croatia international midfielder brought a five-year spell at Stamford Bridge to a close over the summer when he swapped west London for the North West of England. Kovacic had enjoyed considerable success in a different shade of blue, becoming a Champions League winner while taking in over 200 appearances.

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Kovacic’s colours are supposed to be firmly nailed to City’s mast now, with the 29-year-old looking to help Pep Guardiola’s side defend their Premier League title. He could, however, be seen reacting to a dramatic late goal during a return to the Bridge on Sunday in surprising fashion.

DID YOU KNOW?

City dropped two points at Chelsea as Palmer converted a stoppage-time penalty in a thrilling 4-4 draw and Kovacic – who was standing on the edge of the box as a nerveless spot-kick was crashed into the top corner – appeared to give a fist bump when seeing the ball hit the net.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

It is impossible to tell what was going through Kovacic’s mind at that point, unless the man himself speaks out, and it may be that he was merely geeing himself up for the time that remained on the clock. Chelsea fans are, however, taking his actions as an indicator that he will forever be one of them.

Here's where you can watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United in MLS on TV or live stream.

Nashville SC will aim to build on their strong start to the 2023 Major League Soccer season when they host Atlanta United on Saturday night.

The away team, on the other hand, travels to Geodis Park this weekend looking to rebound from a humiliating cup exit in midweek.

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Nashville advanced to the round of 32 in the US Open Cup with a 1-0 victory over lower-league opponent San Antonio on Thursday.

Prior to that, NSC drew 1-1 with Los Angeles FC and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, only a point ahead of the pursuing pack in the race for the final automatic playoff position.

Saturday's hosts, who have won seven of their past eight home games in all competitions, will be hoping for another positive outcome in front of their fans.

Unlike Nashville, Atlanta was unable to advance to the next round of the US Open Cup after a 2-1 loss to Memphis at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This came on the back of a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire, which moved the Five Stripes into third place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind division leaders New England Revolution.

After conceding nine goals in their last three away games, Saturday's visitors will need to strengthen their defence if they are to earn their first victory on the road since March 11.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about where to watch the game on TV and to stream it live online.

Nashville SC vs Atlanta United date & kick-off timeGame:Nashville SC vs Atlanta UnitedDate:April 29, 2023Kick-off time:1:30 pm ET / 6:30 pm BSTVenue:Geodis ParkAdvertisementWhere to watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United on TV & live stream online

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Check out GOAL's football on UK TV guideCheck out GOAL's soccer on U.S. TV guideTeam news & squadsNashville SC team news and squad

Nashville SC will once again be without Randall Leal and Nick DePuy who are both yet to feature for the Music this season.

Nashville SC possible XI: Panicco; Wyke, Maher, Bauer; Muyl, Haakenson, Gregus, Anunga, Washington; Zubak, Shaffelburg

Position Players

GoalkeepersWillis, PannicoDefendersZimmerman, Maher, Lovitz, Wyke, Bauer, Longmire, MooreMidfieldersGregus, Godoy, Shaffelburg, Picault, McCarty, Muyl, Perry, Washington, HaakensonForwardsMukhtar, Zubak, BanburyAtlanta United team news and squad

Atlanta United will once again be without Osvaldo Alonso due to injury. Their top scorer so far has been Thiago Almada. Giorgios Giakoumakis, who opened the scoring for Atlanta last week, may be doubtful having been substituted due to an injury. Captain Brad Guzan is out for 10-12 weeks after an MCL tear.

Atlanta United possible XI: Westberg; Gutman, Sanchez, Robinson, Lennon; Sosa, Rossetto; Araujo, Almada, Etienne; Giakoumakis

Position Players

GoalkeepersWestberg, DiopDefendersHernandez, Abram, Lennon, Robinson, Gutman, Purata, SanchezMidfieldersAraujo, Sejdic, Ibarra, Etienne, Sosa, Almada, Fortune, Wiley, WolffForwardsGiakoumakis, Berry, CholENJOYED THIS STORY?

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With the Blancos poised to get rid of €31.5 million flop Danilo, Goal looks back at other players who failed dismally at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid have never been afraid to splash the cash. This, after all, is a club responsible for half of the eight most expensive transfers of all time.

However, the capital club haven't always spent their money wisely. Indeed, for every Cristiano Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos, there's a Kaka or Jonathan Woodgate.

Below, Goal runs through the worst transfers that Real have ever made…

Getty ImagesNICOLAS ANELKA | From Arsenal | €34.5m | 2009

Real took a massive gamble when they signed a talented but temperamental French striker who had already earned himself the nickname ' Le Sulk ' in the English press. It did not pay off. Nicolas Anelka lasted just one season in Spain – but it was an eventful campaign.

His first goal came in the Clasico, while he netted twice in the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich. However, there were just seven goals altogether, not least due to the fact that the forward was suspended for 45 days at one point for refusing to train, with Anelka accusing his Spanish employers of treating him "like a dog".

"Something does not turn around properly in his head," Real president Lorenzo Sanz countered, shortly before selling his  to PSG.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesELVIR BALJIC | From Fenerbahce | €26m | 1999

Real have John Toshack to blame for the waste of money that was Elvir Baljic, as it was the Welshman had been impressed by the Bosnian during his time working in Turkey and, consequently, persuaded Real president to pay a shockingly large fee for the forward.

Baljic's hopes of making an impact in Spain were hardly helped by a knee injury shortly after his arrival but even when fit, he did not look like he belonged at the highest level and he was loaned back to Fenerbahce after just one season, and one goal, in La Liga. He later mused: "It doesn't hurt me to see media listing me among Real's biggest flops; I don't see myself that way." Unfortunately, Real's fans do.

Getty ImagesANTONIO CASSANO | From Roma | €5m | 2006

The fee may have been small but Antonio Cassano was a colossal waste of money. His goal return was dismal (just one in seven appearances), his attitude dreadful and his diet even worse.

"In Madrid, I had a friend who was a hotel waiter," the enigmatic Italian later revealed. "His job was to bring me three or four pastries after I had sex. He would bring the pastries up the stairs, I would escort the woman to him and we would make an exchange: he would take the girl and I would take the pastries. Sex and then food, a perfect night."

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Getty ImagesDANILO | From Porto | €31.5m | 2015

Danilo has openly admitted that it is difficult to deal with the amount of scrutiny players are subjected to by the media in Madrid. "An error, no matter how small, goes viral," he lamented. "A mistake becomes very great even if it is small. But, of course, when you do something good, it is also very great."

Unfortunately, the Brazilian has rarely done anything good since joining from Porto two years ago – he played every minute of every defeat Real suffered during the 2015-16 campaign – and is now set to be sold, with both Chelsea and Juventus inexplicably interested in signing Dani Carvajal's understudy.

Bottom-placed Tasmania added considerable tension to the race for the final by making a storming start to their match against the competition leaders Victoria at Bellerive Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Andrew Fekete took the key wickets of Travis Dean and Peter Handscomb•Getty Images

Bottom-placed Tasmania added considerable tension to the race for the Sheffield Shield final by making a storming start to their match against the competition leaders Victoria at Bellerive Oval.Sent in to bat, the Bushrangers were rolled for 165 on a pitch that offered some assistance to the seam bowlers, before Ben Dunk led the Tigers to a comfortable 2 for 115 at the close.With three rounds remaining, Victoria had been in comfortable possession of the first spot on the table, but the loss of regular wickets in Hobart offered hope for their pursuers.No Victoria batsman passed 30, with the sometime Australian pace prospect Andrew Fekete claiming the key wickets of Travis Dean and Peter Handscomb.Tasmania shared the spoils, including a three-wicket burst for the part-time off breaks of Beau Webster and another trio of wickets for the seamers of Hamish Kingston.Chris Tremain found a way past Tim Paine and Webster when Tasmania batted, before Dunk played sweetly with sound support from Alex Doolan to take the hosts within 50 runs of a first innings lead.

كشف مصدر خاص بنادي الزمالكن النقاب عن خضوع لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول، أحمد سيد زيزو، لفحوصات طبية خلال الساعات المقبلة في أنجولا.

وتتواجد بعثة فريق نادي الزمالك، في أنجولا، تمهيدًا لمواجهة ساجرادا الأنجولي بمنافسات دور المجموعات لبطولة الكونفدرالية.

وعلم “بطولات” أن زيزو سيخضع لاختبار طبي في أنجولا، من أجل متابعة حالته عن قرب بعد إصابته بكدمة في وجه القدم.

وكان زيزو قد حصل على راحة من التدريبات الجماعية أمس، بسبب شكواه من الإصابة المحددة سلفًا.

قائمة الزمالك لمباراة ساجرادا في الكونفدرالية.. استمرار استبعاد الثلاثي المعاقب

وأشار الجهاز الطبي إلى أن تلك الإصابة لن تعيقه عن اللحاق بمباراة ساجرادا، خاصة وأن هناك فترة زمنية بين الوصول إلى أنجولا واللقاء.

ويحل الزمالك ضيفًا على ساجرادا في رابع جولات دور المجموعات، وذلك يوم الأربعاء المقبل.

وكان الزمالك قد تمكن من تحقيق الفوز على ساجرادا بهدف دون رد، في ثالث جولات دور المجموعات من كأس الكونفدرالية.

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Enquanto para a imensa maioria dos torcedores do Internacional após a decisão da Copa do Brasil, o sentimento foi de resignação para retornar às suas casas, um pequeno grupo foi capaz de dar bastante trabalho para a força policial nos arredores do Beira-Rio.

Logo depois da saída dos jogadores do Colorado no gramado, um protesto foi formado em frente ao Portão 7 do Beira-Rio, que tentou ser dispersado pelos policiais com jatos de água. Foi aí que as coisas ficaram, na verdade, ainda mais tensas.

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Garrafas e até mesmo grades de proteção chegaram a ser atiradas contra as autoridades em meio a confusão onde outros torcedores que ainda se movimentavam para sair do estádio e acabaram sendo uma espécie de “efeito colateral”. Em meio ao tumulto, um incêndio chegou a se formar e foi rapidamente contido ainda na região do Portão 7.

Um posto de gasolina que fica justamente em frente ao estádio do Internacional também foi palco de um embate entre torcedores e policiais do agrupamento do Choque fazendo uso de bombas que geraram bastante correria e desespero na dispersão.

Participation levels in recreational cricket across England and Wales have fallen over the last year according to figures released by the ECB. The number of players aged between 14 and 65 dropped from 908,000 in 2013 to 844,000 this year, with more than 5% of games conceded because at least one of the clubs was unable to field a side.The figures were obtained through 37,500 responses from recreational cricketers to this year’s National Playing Survey together with detailed analysis of more than 1.2 million scorecards.While there is some mitigation – 70% of amateur cricket is played on Saturdays and only 15 Saturdays were rated “dry” in 2014 compared with 20 in 2013; there was also a football World Cup in 2014 – the figures will fuel the suspicion that the game is losing relevance and popularity in England and Wales.The results come weeks after it emerged that the average attendance for the relaunched NatWest T20 Blast had fallen despite a marketing drive designed to double spectator numbers. Crowd figures at the Royal London One-Day Cup were hardly overwhelming, either.These new figures may also increase pressure on the ECB and Sky to review the current broadcast arrangements for professional cricket. The ECB’s strategy over recent years has been to compensate for the lack of cricket on free-to-air TV by investing heavily in grassroots scheme and development programmes. The survey results would suggest that method is not working as planned.The last broadcast deal covered the period up to the end of 2017 and provided Sky an option for a further two years. As part of current discussions, the possibility of some cricket being shown on free-to-air TV or free of charge on the internet is believed to be gaining traction. It is probably relevant that, during the last Ashes series in 2013-14, Sky showed some coverage on their free-to-air Pick channel, which has traditionally been used to promote new shows.While several counties believe the TV issue is crucial to the declining participation numbers, there are probably many factors involved.The relative lack of success of the England team – the significance of a winning England side was at the centre of many of the reforms at the ECB in the era of Lord MacLaurin – could be an issue, along with anecdotal evidence suggesting further disillusionment as a result of the Kevin Pietersen debacle, as well as high ticket prices and an international schedule that prioritises quantity over quality. In short, the period in which the benefit of short-term decisions can be felt has now expired.Equally, the demands of time made on club cricketers may be incompatible with modern society, where men are expected to take a more active role in family life and where working patterns more often encroach on weekends.Further analysis of the survey’s findings revealed that:

• 247,000 were “core” players who play at least twelve weeks of a 26 week summer season.
• 405,000 were “occasional” players who play between three and eleven weeks of a 26 week summer season.
• 192,000 were “cameo” players who play one or two weeks of a 26 week summer season.

Males represented 93% of the participation base, with 7% female – the same gender breakdown as in 2013. The survey also revealed that 30% of grassroots cricketers are drawn from ethnic minorities and 53% of cricketers would like to play the game more often.”The ECB recognised the participation challenges that have been facing all team sports and we were determined to gain a greater insight into those issues and find long-term solutions,” the ECB’s chief operating officer, Gordon Hollins, said. “To do that the ECB changed the way in which it measured participation last year and introduced the new National Cricket Playing Survey as part of our wider efforts to gain a greater understanding of what drives grassroots cricket participation.”Thanks to an excellent response, the ECB now has a much clearer picture than ever before of who plays recreational cricket, what type of cricket they prefer to play, when they want to play it and we are now setting about finding ways in which we can best address their needs going forward.”

Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya has said the five-match ODI series in India would help Sri Lanka to try out the fringe players before the World Cup

Sa'adi Thawfeeq19-Oct-2014Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya has said the five-match ODI series in India would help Sri Lanka to try out their fringe players before the World Cup. The series was confirmed by the BCCI and SLC the day West Indies players decided to pull out of their tour to India.”This is an ideal opportunity for some of the bowlers who have been around to grab their chance by performing against a top team like India,” Jayasuriya said. “These players have been in the system for some time and thrown into the deep end we can see how they cope with the pressures.”Three of Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have been recuperating from injuries. Lasith Malinga is recovering from surgery on his ankle, Suranga Lakmal has just begun rehabilitation work after a stress fracture to his ankle sustained during the South Africa series in July and Thisara Perera is recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during the Champions League T20 last month, when he represented Kings XI Punjab.”Malinga has already begun rehabilitation work, and with 16 weeks left for the World Cup, we are hopeful he will be fit. Perera is not training at present,” Jayasuriya said.Jayasuriya added the series would also benefit batsmen like Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella, who have been performing well for Sri Lanka A in the ongoing unofficial Test series at home against West Indies A.”It is high time these batsmen took on the responsibilities and performed without leaving everything to the experienced players,” he said. “At the moment apart from the players involved in the Sri Lanka A series with West Indies A, the rest of the players are undergoing physical training. They will need at least 5-6 strenuous batting sessions to be prepared for the Indian series.”However, a tweet from Kumar Sangakkara suggested that the sudden decision to hold the tour may not have gone down well with some players. “Our 6 weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a months requirement of skill work before India. Planning ahead anyone?” Sangakkara tweeted.Sri Lanka finished their last international series in August, against Pakistan at home, and did not have any international cricket till mid-November when England are due to play seven ODIs.

Our 6 weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a months requirement of skill work before India. Planning ahead anyone?

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) October 18, 2014