'The way they pull him!' – Erling Haaland should get a penalty at 'every cross' as Pep Guardiola defends star striker for wasted chances in narrow win against Southampton

Pep Guardiola launched a passionate defence of a wasteful Erling Haaland after Manchester City's 1-0 win against Southampton.

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  • Haaland fired City over the Saints
  • Could have scored a couple more in the second half
  • Guardiola defended striker despite wasting chances
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The talismanic striker took just five minutes to break his three-match Premier League goal drought to score his 11th of the campaign. Haaland tussled with Jan Bednarek and the physically imposing striker won the duel as he poked home from close range – which eventually proved to be the difference-maker between the two sides.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    City could have finished the match with a wider margin, but for Haaland's profligacy. The Norwegian got a couple of more gilt-edged opportunities to add to his ever-increasing goal tally but quite uncharacteristically fluffed his lines. The most glaring miss came in the 52nd minute when he almost had the entire goal at his mercy and yet tapped the ball wide, much to his disbelief.

  • WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

    Nonetheless, Guardiola remained unfazed by Haaland's form and instead argued to : "It is not easy for him because every cross is a penalty for Erling – the way they pull him. We create more but we could not score the second, but Erling is a guarantee for us."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    After scoring against Southampton, Haaland matched Sergio Aguero's 2017 record of scoring in seven successive starts against newly promoted teams. Moreover, his Premier League goal tally now reads 74, which is one more than Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, despite playing in 143 fewer games.

West Indies-Australia ODI suspended after positive Covid test emerges moments before play

Players, match officials and TV crew will now be isolated in the hotel and retested

Andrew McGlashan22-Jul-2021

Australian players leave the ground after the match was called off•AFP

The second ODI between West Indies and Australia was postponed moments before the first ball after a positive Covid test emerged from the West Indies camp to leave the remainder of this tour and upcoming series for both teams in doubt.The toss had taken place and teams named – with Riley Meredith handed a debut – when the test result came through sending both squads, match officials and TV crew into isolation at the hotel.”The second CG Insurance ODI between West Indies and Australia has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a non-playing member of the West Indies staff,” a CWI statement said. “This decision was taken after the toss at Kensington Oval once the result was known.”The established COVID-19 protocols stipulate that all members of both teams and match officials will return immediately to the team hotel and will be re-tested later today. They will remain in isolation in their hotel rooms until their PCR-Test results are returned.”A decision on when the match will be replayed will be made at a later date once all the test results are confirmed.”Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies CEO, said that it was hoped the results of the fresh round of tests would be known by Friday morning.A Cricket Australia spokesman added: “The Australian squad has returned to the team hotel and is in in-room isolation. No further comment will be made at this stage.”The status of the current game, given the toss had taken place, remains to be confirmed. The match carries World Cup Super League points.The events will put the remainder of this series in doubt with the final ODI scheduled to take place on Saturday and will also throw uncertainty over Australia heading to Bangladesh for the five-match T20I series which was confirmed yesterday.After this series West Indies are due to face Pakistan in a five-match T20I series followed by two Tests. Pakistan arrived in Barbados, where the first two T20Is are scheduled to be played, on Wednesday after their tour of England.West Indies have previously been impacted by Covid while playing with Hayden Walsh Jr testing positive on the tour of Bangladesh earlier in the year.It is the first time Australia have been directly involved during the pandemic since cricket resumed. They toured England last year before hosting India in their home summer and then visiting New Zealand for T20Is. Their Test tour to South Africa in February was postponed due to concerns around Covid-19.A number of players from both teams were involved in the IPL when it was suspended in May.

Stats – India break partnership records, post their highest-ever ODI total

All the stats highlights from India’s second ODI against Ireland, where they posted 370 for 5

Sampath Bandarupalli12-Jan-2025370 for 5 India’s total against Ireland in Rajkot is now their highest in women’s ODIs. Their previous highest total was 358 for 2 against Ireland in 2017 and 358 for 5 against West Indies last month.3 Number of 350-plus totals by India in women’s ODIs. Two have also come this season – 358 for 5 against West Indies in Vadodara and 370 for 5 on Sunday. Before India, only two teams have posted 350-plus totals multiple times in women’s ODIs in the same season.New Zealand had three 400-plus totals in the ODI series against Ireland in 2018, while England scored 350-plus in consecutive ODIs against Pakistan in the 2016 home series and had two such totals in the 2017 World Cup.Related

  • Rodrigues: 'Like the way I showed patience and switched gears'

  • Rodrigues' maiden international hundred seal series win for India

90 Number of balls Jemimah Rodrigues took to complete her maiden century, the joint-second fastest for India in women’s ODIs. It is the joint second-fastest hundred for India in the format, behind Harmanpreet Kaur’s 87-ball century against South Africa last year. Harmanpreet also posted a 90-ball ton against Australia in 2017.2 Previous instances of two 150-plus partnerships in a women’s ODI innings. Both were by Australia – against Pakistan in 1997 and England in 2022.3 Number of century partnerships for the first wicket between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal in five innings. Only three opening pairs before them had three or more century stands in a season in women’s ODIs.Anju Jain and Jaya Sharma in 2003-04 and Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy in 2021-22 had four partnerships of 100-plus runs each, while Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley also had three in 1999-00.Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana scored fifties each•BCCI8.21 Run rate at which Mandhana and Rawal scored for the opening stand. It is the fifth-highest for a 150-run partnership and the second-highest for the opening wicket (where data is available).44 Number of fours hit by India batters on Sunday are the most by them in a women’s ODI, surpassing the 43 they hit against West Indies last month in Vadodara. Only six times a team has hit more fours in a women’s ODI than India’s 44.7 Instances of the top four batters scoring 50-plus runs in an innings in women’s ODIs, including India’s performance in Rajkot. It is the second such instance for India, with the first coming against West Indies in Dhanbad in 2004.

The de Kock-Fakhar affair: MCC says 'up to the umpires to decide' if act was wilful

The debate is whether de Kock was trying to deceive the batsman or signalling to his team-mates

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-20212:23

Fakhar Zaman on his run-out: ‘Fault was mine as I was busy looking out for Haris Rauf’

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has weighed in on Fakhar Zaman’s contentious run-out on Sunday night in the second ODI against South Africa, saying it was “up to the umpires to decide” if Quinton de Kock had attempted to distract or deceive the batsman.The run-out, with Zaman on 193, took place in the final over of Pakistan’s chase of 342, when they needed 31 from six balls. The batsmen – Zaman and Haris Rauf – were trying to complete a second run, which seemed on, and wicketkeeper de Kock gestured towards the bowler’s end even as Zaman neared the batting end. Zaman appeared to slow down, and a direct hit from Aiden Markram at long-off caught him short.Later on, the MCC Twitter handle posted the law related to the dismissal – about a fielder wilfully attempting to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman – but without really saying if de Kock was guilty or not.

The debate around de Kock’s gesture was whether he was intentionally attempting to deceive Zaman into thinking that the throw was headed for the other end – which could have led to Zaman slowing down and turning around – or whether de Kock was instead signalling to the fielder or bowler.Under Law 41.5 of the MCC, about “deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batsman”, Law 41.5.1 says: “… it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball”, and Law 41.5.2 says, “it is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not”.Related

Quinton de Kock unlikely to face any sanction for Fakhar Zaman dismissal

From 2017: Why the 'fake fielding' law is relevant

Fakhar Zaman: 'Don't regret not getting the double, regret losing the match'

Stats – Fakhar Zaman records the highest ever individual score in an ODI chase

In this case, the umpires did not take any action against de Kock, but if they had, Law 41.5.3 would have come into effect: “If either umpire considers that a fielder has caused or attempted to cause such a distraction, deception or obstruction, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.”South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said in the post-match press conference that de Kock’s act was “quite clever”, but “I don’t think he broke the rules in any kind of way”.Zaman, meanwhile, felt it was his “own fault”, and not de Kock’s. “The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf at the other end as I felt he’d started off a little late from his crease, so I thought he was in trouble,” Zaman said. “The rest is up to the match referee, but I don’t think it’s Quinton’s fault.”The “fake fielding” law pertaining to this sort of incident was incorporated into the ICC’s playing conditions in 2017. Fraser Stewart, MCC’s laws of cricket manager, had then explained why it had been introduced: “The reason for the introduction of this law was that fielders were deliberately pretending to have the ball as a means of fooling the batsmen, thereby preventing them from taking further runs. The batsmen would see a slide and a feigned throw and would decline, for example, a second run.”By the time they realised the ball had not been thrown, it would then be too late to take the second run. This was felt to be unfair. It was becoming an increasingly used practice at various levels of the game. It formed one of the questions in MCC’s global consultation and the response was overwhelmingly in favour of introducing a law to ban the practice.”

فيديو | بيراميدز يفوز على حرس الحدود بثلاثية نظيفة ويواصل تصدر الدوري المصري

حقق فريق بيراميدز فوزًا صعبًا على حرس الحدود، بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما في إطار لقاءات بطولة الدوري المصري.

وأقيمت المباراة بين بيراميدز وحرس الحدود، على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي، ضمن لقاءات الجولة 13 من الدوري المصري.

وسجل أحمد عاطف قطة هدف بيراميدز الأول في الدقيقة 8، بعدما تلقى تمريرة عرضية من زميله إبراهيم عادل، ليسددها من مرة واحدة لتسكن شباك حرس الحدود.

بينما أضاف مصطفى فتحي الهدف الثاني لصالح بيراميدز، بالدقيقة 83 بعد تلقيه عرضية أرضية من محمد الشامي داخل منطقة الجزاء سددها مباشرة في مرمى حرس الحدود.

واختتم يوسف أوباما الثلاثية بتسجيله الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة السابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع، بعد تحويله الكرة العرضية إلى الشباك. أهداف فوز بيراميدز أمام حرس الحدود في الدوري المصري

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد الفوز أمام حرس الحدود

بهذه النتيجة، واصل فريق بيراميدز تصدر جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 30 نقطة، بعد الفوز في 9 لقاءات والتعادل 3 مرات وتلقى هزيمة واحدة.

بينما تجمد رصيد حرس الحدود عند 18 نقطة، محتلًا المركز السابع في ترتيب الدوري المصري، حصدها من 5 انتصارات والتعادل 3 لقاءات وتلقى 5 هزائم.

Chelsea bid £62m to sign Nico Williams amid update on Athletic Club future

Chelsea have now submitted an opening bid for Athletic Club forward Nico Williams, amid a new update on his future at the La Liga club.

The Blues already have a plethora of attacking options, having invested heavily during the summer transfer window, with Jamie Gittens grabbing his first Premier League assist of the season in the 2-0 victory against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Gittens set up fellow winger Pedro Neto with a perfectly weighted ball from the left, before Enzo Fernandez sealed all three points with just minutes left to play, moving the Blues up to second in the Premier League in the process.

After the disappointing 2-1 defeat against Sunderland at the end of October, Enzo Maresca’s side look like they are starting to click, and there may be an outside chance they could even compete for the title, although BlueCo may need to strengthen the squad in January to make that dream a reality.

Chelsea submit opening offer for Nico Williams

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea have now submitted an opening offer of €70m (£62m) for Athletic Club star Williams, and they are willing to triple the winger’s salary in order to tempt him into a January move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have been working on a deal for weeks, and they are now confident they will be able to get it over the line soon, with the 23-year-old being identified as a key target, although there is set to be competition for his signature.

Tottenham Hotspur have now matched the west Londoners’ offer for the Spain international, with it being revealed his future at Athletic Club is ‘more open than ever’, amid interest from two of the Premier League’s top sides.

There are question marks over whether the Athletic Club star would be a necessary signing, given that Maresca already has a wide array of attacking options, as Chelsea have been obsessed with signing young forwards with high potential.

However, the Pamplona-born forward has certainly impressed in both Spain and Europe over the past three seasons, indicating he could be capable of displacing Gittens in the starting XI at left-wing.

Nico Williams’ performance by season

Appearances (all comps)

Goal contributions

2023-24

37

26

2024-25

45

18

2025-26

10

4

The Spaniard was also one of the stars of Euro 2024, scoring two goals and picking up one assist as his side went on to defeat England 2-1 in the final, while Statman Dave was left particularly impressed by his performance against Georgia in the round of 16.

As such, Williams, who is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, could be a solid signing for Chelsea, as they look to mount an outside push for the Premier League title.

Chelsea plotting fresh talks to sign another winger alongside Williams Chelsea plot fresh talks with forward after failed £62m bid and 'very exciting proposal'

He’d be a stellar addition to Enzo Maresca’s side.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 20, 2025

Chelsea now one to watch in Elliot Anderson race with new price tag revealed

Chelsea are now one to watch in the race for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who is being targeted by a whole host of Premier League clubs.

The Blues are already blessed with options in the middle of the park, with Moises Caicedo receiving high praise from Enzo Maresca for his performance in the 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Maresca said: “He’s top. We judge him inside the pitch, but I have said many times, the best thing from Moi for sure, is he’s so humble, he’s such a good guy. He’s always there to help everyone.

“For me, in this moment, him and Rodri are the two best defending midfielders in the world.”

The Ecuadorian has formed a partnership with Enzo Fernandez in the engine room, while Reece James is also capable of slotting into midfield when required, putting in a solid performance against Tottenham, which resulted in a 7.6 SofaScore match rating, the second-highest of any Chelsea player.

However, BlueCo remain keen on strengthening Maresca’s midfield options even further, having emerged as potential suitors for a Premier League star…

Chelsea one to watch in Elliot Anderson race

According to a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are now one to watch in the race for Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson, with the England international starting to attract interest from a number of top Premier League clubs.

Newcastle United, Manchester United and Manchester City are also keen on the central midfielder, with it being revealed he is now valued at the £70m mark, rather than the £120m that was previously reported.

However, with Ruben Amorim personally keen and Man United planning to step up their efforts to sign the 22-year-old in January, the Blues may have to move swiftly.

It is no surprise that interest in the Nottingham Forest star is growing, given that he has put in some eye-catching performances for both club and country this season.

The Englishman was particularly impressive in the Three Lions’ 5-0 victory against Serbia, completing 75 passes, the second-highest number of any player, while also winning seven duels against Manchester United on Saturday.

The former Newcastle United man, who is represented by the same agent as Liam Delap, is clearly a well-rounded midfielder, which is showcased by his performance across several key metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

2.89 (88th percentile)

Aerials won

1.62 (83rd percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.22 (91st percentile)

Assists

0.14 (75th percentile)

Hailed as “incredible” by journalist Miles Starforth, the Whitley Bay-born midfielder clearly has the quality to succeed at Stamford Bridge, but he would arguably be an unnecessary signing, given the options Maresca already has available.

Fernandez and Caicedo have formed a solid partnership at the base of midfield, so it could be difficult for Anderson to force his way into the side, considering he also most often plays in a deeper midfield role.

Chelsea send exciting offer to Juventus star Kenan Yildiz Chelsea send 'exciting' offer to Kenan Yildiz as Maresca hatches new Cole Palmer plan

They’re already favourites for his signature.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 31, 2025

Zak Foulkes gears up for 'really special' homecoming at Hagley Oval

New Zealand allrounder Zak Foulkes is set to his play first home Test, in front of family and friends, in Christchurch

Deivarayan Muthu01-Dec-2025

Zak Foulkes claimed the best-ever figures for a New Zealand bowler on Test debut•Zimbabwe Cricket

New Zealand allrounder Zak Foulkes has had a whirlwind few months. The 23-year-old bagged 9 for 75, the best figures by a New Zealand bowler on Test debut, in Bulawayo in August and then in his first ODI bowling innings, made Joe Root look silly with his inswinger in Mount Maunganui in October. He is set to close out the year with his first Test, against West Indies, at Hagley Oval, his home ground for Canterbury in domestic cricket.Foulkes’ family has made plans to come down to Hagley Oval and savour the occasion. “Yeah, a few friends and family coming down tomorrow, which will be cool,” Foulkes said. “Yeah, obviously first Test match out in front of them, which will be really cool. A really special moment for me and my family.”Obviously watched a lot of Test cricket out on this venue. Yeah, being on the other side of the road this time would be very cool, very rewarding.”Related

NZ start their WTC cycle as favourites against WI

'Boult-ish' Foulkes is adding breadth to NZ's pace depth

Foulkes hails from a cricketing family – his father Glen and his brothers Liam and Robbie have all represented Canterbury Country. Robbie, a top-order batter, also played for New Zealand in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Liam now works for Cricket Ireland as their national game development manager.Zak was also a top-order batter before bowling, more specifically swing bowling, became his primary skill. He opened the batting for Canterbury on first-class debut, but that didn’t go down too well. He has since climbed up the ranks in domestic cricket and emerged as a genuine swing bowler in international cricket.”There’s a running joke at the moment that Jacob Duffy is actually developing a wee inswing,” Foulkes laughed. “So yeah, just trying to tell him to stay in his lane a little bit. Yeah, definitely a little bit of a point of difference between the other guys [with my ability to swing the ball].”That swing has brought him success for Canterbury at Hagley Oval and he’s now preparing to harness it for New Zealand in Test cricket. “I think Test cricket is probably my No. 1 goal,” Foulkes said. “It has been for a while. I think there’s just nothing more rewarding than a red-ball win. All the toil, all the hard work that goes into it. Yeah, it’s very rewarding when you get a win.””Obviously when everyone is available there’s not too many spots up for grabs,” Zak Foulkes says of the future•Getty Images

No Kyle Jamieson. No Will O’Rourke. No Ben Sears. No Matt Fisher. No problem for New Zealand. Foulkes and Duffy, who also made his Test debut in Zimbabwe, have made a fairly seamless transition from domestic to international cricket while Central Districts fast bowler Blair Tickner has made a remarkable comeback after being out in the wilderness.”Yeah, I think we’re in a great space,” Foulkes said. “Obviously when everyone is available there’s not too many spots up for grabs. It sort of fits itself, almost. Yeah, but I guess being fast bowlers, we know there’s going to be injuries. So we have to build that depth and I think we’re in a good spot at the moment as New Zealand cricket.”Does the rise to the top feel like a blur for Foulkes? “It’s all happened pretty quickly really,” he said. “I had a big winter, had a few A tours and ended up in the UK. And then Zimbabwe obviously, where I debuted, which was cool. And then we’ve been on a little bit of a white-ball diet from then. Yeah, it’s now going to be nice to strap on the whites and bowl with the red ball for a change.”Foulkes suggested that he wasn’t expecting to play this home Test, but a surfeit of injuries has opened up another opportunity for him. He’s ready for it, with support from a cricket-mad family.

برناردو سيلفا قبل مباراة ريال مدريد: مانشستر سيتي لديه هدف محدد.. ولا جدوى من متابعة آرسنال

ظهر برناردو سيلفا، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، في مؤتمر صحفي منذ قليل للحديث عن مباراة ريال مدريد المرتقبة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، مساء يوم الأربعاء.

ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي، في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، موسم 2025/26.

وقال برناردو سيلفا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سيتي إكسترا” الإنجليزية: “اتخذ النادي قرارًا بتغيير العديد من اللاعبين، مما منح الفريق ديناميكية جديدة، ليصبح فريقًا مختلفًا مليئًا بالإمكانات والحيوية، نحن نتطلع إلى مباراة الغد، إنها مباراة صعبة”.

وأضاف: “لكن الشعور والحيوية في غرفة الملابس هذا الموسم كانا رائعين، حتى عندما لم تكن النتائج بنفس جودة الأداء، لذلك نحن متحمسون للغاية، إنه اختبار جيد لنا، ستكون مباراة ممتعة غدًا ضد ريال مدريد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تشواميني: ألونسو ليس سبب الخسارة أمام سيلتا فيجو.. ونستطيع إيقاف هالاند

وواصل: “أعتقد حقًا أن الفريق مستعد لتقديم أداء جيد والحصول على النقاط الثلاث أمام ريال مدريد، هذا هو الهدف الرئيسي بالنسبة لنا، نحن نتطلع بكل تأكيد للوصول إلى المراحل الأخيرة من الموسم بفريق أفضل بكثير مما كان عليه في أغسطس الماضي، على سبيل المثال، أو مما هو عليه الآن”.

وشدد: “لقد لمسنا تحسنًا ملحوظًا، نحن نلعب ونؤدي بشكل أفضل بكثير مما كنا عليه، لنقل في الشهر الأول قبل فترة التوقف الدولي، آرسنال؟ كلا الفريقين سيُهدران نقاطًا كثيرة حتى نهاية الموسم! لن يكون الأمر مفاجئًا، لذا لا جدوى من متابعة ما يقدمه آرسنال”.

واسترسل: “هدفنا الرئيسي هو تقديم أفضل أداء ممكن وإعداد الفريق لتقديم أفضل ما لديه، وإذا فعلنا ذلك، فنحن على يقين بأن لدينا فرصة كبيرة للمنافسة على البطولات”.

واستكمل: “لا أستطيع القول إن ريال مدريد يمتلك بعض لاعبين سيئين، لذا إذا لم يلعب كيليان مبابي (شكوك حول مشاركته غدًا)، فبدلاً من إشراك فينيسيوس ومبابي، هناك فينيسيوس ورودريجو، لن أقول إن هؤلاء اللاعبين سيئون”.

وأوضح: “لذلك بغض النظر عمن يلعب، ستكون مباراة صعبة للغاية، ونحن نعرف مدى قوتهم، شخصيتهم وأسلوب لعبهم، وستكون مباراة رائعة غدًا، سنشاهد بعض مقاطع الفيديو لفريقهم لنكون أكثر استعدادًا ونعرف ما يفعلونه في معظم المباريات”.

واستدرك: “منذ انضمامي إلى مانشستر سيتي، أعتقد أنني لعبت ضد ريال مدريد خمس أو ست مرات في البرنابيو”.

Jacob Young Is Undeniably the Best Juggler in MLB After Circus Catch

Nationals center fielder Jacob Young is finding a routine of making incredible catches in the outfield.

He continued that trend Monday evening when he came up with a wild grab against the Braves where he bobbled a liner off the bat of Atlanta shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. Young dove for the ball and got in front of it, but the ball popped out of his glove and he miraculously made the catch with his bare hand.

He made an eerily similar catch just a day ago against the Mets in New York where he tracked down a ball on the warning track that fell out of his glove, but he kicked it back up off his foot and brought it in for a wild out.

In an MLB talent show, Young may take the cake with his impressive juggling and hacky sack skills. The catch off his foot Sunday is one you rarely ever see, and then he follows it up with a similar play the next day. Incredible.

The Nationals' season will come to a close Sunday against the White Sox as they sit at the bottom of the NL East. Maybe we'll see some more new skills from Young with just five games to go.

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