All posts by h716a5.icu

Antonio Conte clinched his first Premier League win in charge of Tottenham Hotspur as his side narrowly defeated Leeds United on Sunday evening.

Spurs were perhaps a little fortunate to walk away with all three points, having been largely dominated by the visitors in the first half and still, they did manage more of the ball and recorded more attempts at goal, too.

The victory sees the north Londoners leapfrog Manchester United, who sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier in the day, into seventh place and firmly back into the conversation for European qualification.

Rare second-half goals from midfield enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and left wing-back Sergio Reguilon sealed the come-from-behind win.

A passionate Conte was absolutely delighted at the full-time whistle, celebrating with all four sections of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as well as every member of the squad.

However, when he has time to reflect and watch back, he may be less than impressed by the performance of Emerson Royal at right wing-back as he struggled for large parts of the encounter.

The Brazilian, signed from Barcelona for £25m in the summer, was skinned and nutmegged by Jack Harrison for Leeds’ opener right before half-time as the former Man City dynamo was given acres of space and time to find Dan James at the back post.

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Press Association Sport journalist Jonathan Veal soon tweeted that “Harrison made a mug of Emerson” during that moment and truth be told, that was the story of his game.

Despite registering a whopping seven tackles, three more than any other player, the 22-year-old won just 50% of his 14 duels, both in the air and on the ground, and also lost possession 12 times from 53 touches – once every 4.4 times he had the ball, as per SofaScore.

Emerson received a yellow card for his troubles, too, which only goes to show how big a nightmare he had up against Marcelo Bielsa’s left flank.

Elsewhere, he struggled to contribute in the final third, providing just one accurate cross from four attempts (25%), no key passes or shots, and overall, managed just 19 passes – he usually manages around 32 per game this term.

The Evening Standard were pretty scathing in their review of his performance, claiming that he was ‘skinned by Jack Harrison for Leeds’ goal and failed to make a significant impact in the final third.’

All in all, the £22.5m-rated lightweight endured a tough, tough evening despite the encouraging result.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops huge Dele Alli claim at Spurs…

A number of West Ham supporters have hailed Said Benrahma’s superb solo effort in his side’s 2-2 draw with Genk in the Europa League.

David Moyes had a milestone evening to enjoy on Thursday night, taking charge of the 1000th game of his managerial career.

The Hammers failed to give their manager a win in Belgium, however, with Tomas Soucek’s last-gasp own goal giving the hosts a point.

It was still a positive night, however, as West Ham reached the knockout stages of the Europa League, continuing to go from strength to strength.

Benrahma was a star performer for the Hammers, scoring both of his side’s goals, with the club’s official Twitter account sharing a video of his brilliant solo strike that put the visitors 2-1 late on.

West Ham fans laud Benrahma footage

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to laud the attacker’s moment of magic in response to the club’s post.

“Oh Said you baller”

Credit: @CBearne17

“Said has really come into form this season! Expect even more of this as he’s only getting better”

Credit: @TheWestHamYank

“He was unbelievable tonight”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“The confidence of this team just rises when we have both Soucek and Rice in the midfield. What an unreal goal that was Benrahma”

Credit: @RockyWhu

“Benrahma oh my god”

Credit: @WHUFCallum_

“Said Benrahma is incredible”

Credit: @eligrphx

In other news, some West Ham fans have lambasted one player’s performance against Genk. Find out who it is here.

Virender Sehwag has maintained that there are discrepancies in the selection process at the lower level

Cricinfo staff26-Aug-2009A day after meeting Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley, Virender Sehwag has maintained that there are discrepancies in the selection process at the lower level but hopes that his suggestions to the Delhi administrators will be implemented soon.”If you look at the Indian team, I don’t think there is any need to give any suggestions because it’s the merit that matters,” Sehwag said. “Whoever performs, gets picked. There is never an instance where somebody has not performed and got picked.”It [unfair selections] happens at lower levels and I have given some suggestions to DDCA and I hope that my suggestions would be implemented soon and the results would be seen in near future.”Sehwag said Jaitley had assured him during the meeting that selectors with “ethics, integrity and spine” would be appointed. “I am happy to note that Jaitley has stressed on the need to have selectors with ethics, integrity and spine. Following this resolve, I am sure that those on the fringe and aspiring to play for the Delhi can now hope for a fair deal.”The Indian batsman had led a protest against the DDCA, accusing its sports committee of indulging in nepotism and corruption and his stand had been supported by Delhi team-mates like Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra.However, Sehwag said being a senior player he felt “morally bound” to set things in order as the malpractices were required to be addressed without delay. “I would like to reiterate that I would love to continue to serve Delhi cricket in the improved environment,” he said. “It has been a matter of great pride to be part of the cricketing legacy of the capital. That’s why, I felt most hurt unfair practices creep in the selection matters and the voices of deserving names were not heard.”Fair selection is what every sportsperson, whether promising or proven, hopes for. Having noticed an unacceptable trend that was setting in selection matters in Delhi, I thought it was time to raise the issue. I am glad it was taken in the spirit in which it was meant.”Sehwag also told selectors not to succumb to pressure and approach higher authorities in case somebody interfered in their job. “Serious cricketers have, for years, regretted the role played by the members of DDCA sports committee in selection matters. This continued interference or pressure in the sports committee on the selectors to influence the selection of some undeserving names at the expense of deserving ones must end at once. I request the selectors in all age groups to resist pressures. If they are subjected to any pressure, they should immediately bring it to the notice of the DDCA president.”Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh also supported Sehwag’s views on the selection process. “Sehwag has raised a voice and everybody is with him and we have the highest hope,” Yuvraj said. “There were instances where I performed but was not picked. Such unfair practices hurt the careers of young cricketers and shatter their dreams. So I think the selection should be done keeping every player’s performance in contention.”

Kent dominated with bat and ball on day two at a cloudy St Lawrence to move within a point of securing the County Championship Division 2 title

The Bulletin by Mark Pennell at Canterbury16-Sep-2009
Scorecard
Kent dominated with bat and ball on day two at a cloudy St Lawrence to move within a point of securing the County Championship Division 2 title. Having lost the opening day to rain, Kent secured maximum bowling bonus points by skittling Leicestershire out for 148 in two sessions having won the toss and elected to field. Then, in the 39-over final session, the champions elect cantered along at 5.25 an over to reach 205 for 4 at stumps for their first batting bonus point and an overall lead of 57.After mopping up 10 wickets inside four hours the hosts were batting by 3.26pm but they soon lost captain Rob Key (12) to a sliced drive to cover and then alarm bells sounded when Sam Northeast (21) chopped on against Wayne White. But any last-gasp title nerves were settled when vice-captain Martin van Jaarsveld (63*) teamed up with Geraint Jones to add 78 in 11 overs for the third wicket.Jones clattered a 39-ball 50 with 11 fours and van Jaarsveld a slightly more sedate half-century from 46 balls as Leicestershire were put to the sword. Seamer James Benning leaked 55 runs from only five overs during the stand as Kent raced into the lead within 26 overs.The fun ended when Jones nicked an attempted run to counterpart Paul Nixon to fall 11 short of his sixth century of the season, but van Jaarsveld saw it through to the close and will go into day three looking for his seventh ton of the campaign.”With the overhead conditions this morning we managed to get the ball in the right areas but we also sensed that Leicestershire’s batters weren’t looking to take our bowlers on,” van Jaarsveld said. “They’d only reached 52 at lunch, had lost four wickets and were going nowhere so we knew if we got a couple of quick poles (wickets) after that then they’d be in big trouble.”Our bowlers bowled well after lunch and we went out to bat having told ourselves that if they offered us anything we would try and put it away. Jonesie played beautifully for his 89 and took the game away from them really quickly and I just fed off the back of him hitting those boundaries. He hit plenty of boundaries and that allowed me to play with all the freedom.”We only need a point to win the title now, we feel we’ve really toiled and that we deserve the title, massively so, it’ll be happy days when we do so.”Having inserted the visitors, Kent soon went on the attack in search of their ninth win of the summer. Amjad Khan removed both openers on his way to 4 for 46, but it was medium-pacer Simon Cook who proved the biggest threat in taking 5 for 44, his third fifth-wicket haul of the summer in which the ex-Middlesex right-armer has taken 33 wickets.Kent’s slip and keeper cordon were also on top of their games in accounting for six of the wickets to fall, an impressive return on a cold and blustery day.

Queensland staged a dramatic recovery to hold thoughts of an outright win after New South Wales finished a poor day at 6 for 175

Cricinfo staff13-Dec-2009New South Wales 5 for 451 dec & 6 for 175 (Smith 58, Hopes 3-39) lead Queensland 468 (Hartley 125, Simpson 84, Harris 84, Cutting 57, Starc 5-74) by 158 runs
ScorecardDaniel Smith brightened New South Wales’ day with a half-century•Getty ImagesQueensland staged a dramatic recovery to hold thoughts of an outright win after New South Wales finished a poor day at 6 for 175, earning a lead of 158. The No.10 Ryan Harris blasted 84 off 62 balls to steal two first-innings points for the Bulls – a stunning comeback from 5 for 84 on Saturday – and in reply the Blues lost three of the main batsmen by 42.The former Australia openers Phillip Hughes (3) and Phil Jaques (17) were joined by Usman Khawaja (21) in their wobbly reply. Daniel Smith, the wicketkeeper, steadied the situation with 58 before he cut Ben Cutting to gully late in the day. James Hopes had also maintained the pressure on the visitors with 3 for 39 off 14 overs.In the Queensland innings Harris finished off the fine work of Chris Simpson (84) and Chris Hartley, but when the wicketkeeper departed for 125 they were 102 behind with two wickets remaining. With Harris playing the aggressor in his first Shield game after knee surgery, he and Ben Cutting smashed 90 before Cutting walked off with 57, his maiden first-class half-century.The points were secured for Queensland when Harris struck three fours in a row off the legspinner Steven Smith. Harris was dismissed after muscling 13 fours and two sixes, giving Mitchell Starc his fifth wicket. Starc had already picked up Hartley hooking and finished with 5 for 74 off 17.5 overs in a bowling bright spot for the Blues.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has not held back in criticising Tottenham’s players amid reports that some are unhappy with the managerial style of Nuno Espirito Santo.

The lowdown: Spurs players not happy with Nuno

A club source had told Football Insider last week that a few players in N17 were “unimpressed” and “unhappy” with how the 47-year-old is going about his job in north London, with apparent concerns over his training methods and communication with the squad gaining him “few allies” within the dressing room.

Nuno has had a difficult start to life at Spurs, suffering three consecutive heavy league defeats in September to fellow London clubs, including a comprehensive loss to arch-rivals Arsenal. There had even been reports of his job being under threat despite him only taking the reins in the summer.

The latest: Kenny blasts Tottenham players

However, Kenny has sympathy for Nuno and believes that Tottenham’s players need to take a hard look at themselves over the team’s woes in recent weeks and months, with the 2019 Champions League finalists finishing six and seventh in the last two campaigns.

The ex-Sheffield United goalkeeper told Football Insider: “We find this, don’t we? We find this at the clubs when you’re struggling.

“Listen, they had a great start, won three out of three 1-0 then lost three out of three 3-0. They won again the other weekend.

“You find that when you’re struggling, you hear these little stories coming out. Listen, the players need to man up, for me, and get on with their job.

“They’ve got a job to do at the end of day and if they moan about their manager all the time, they’re not doing their own jobs properly.

“At the end of the day, you’re the one that goes on the pitch. You’re the one that crosses that line and puts your foot in there. You need to take more responsibility.

“He’s the manager of that club, he should be in control. The players need to look at themselves and get on with their own jobs.”

The verdict: Kenny has a point

While Tottenham recovered from the concession of an early goal to win 3-2 at Newcastle on Sunday, a result which lifted them to fifth in the Premier League and puts them just four points behind leaders Chelsea, Kenny’s criticism of the players is somewhat justified.

Many of the squad which came within 90 minutes of being European champions two-and-a-half years ago are still at the club, with both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho being sacked in the meantime, which suggests that some players may have dropped their performance levels with the subconscious knowledge that their managers were going to be first in the firing line.

Players have a right to privately express constructive criticisms of a manager if they think it would enact a change on his part for the betterment of the team, but they too need to show with their performances on the pitch that they are not shirking responsibility and leaving their boss to worry about his future while they are locked into lucrative contracts.

In other news: Daniel Levy has come under fire following one recent development

Liam Kennedy has now revealed some promising insight from PCP Capital Partners on the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Ongoing CAT case

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) case between Mike Ashley and the Premier League over the stalled takeover deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium is currently ongoing, with the date for the separate arbitration hearing now set for January 3rd 2022.

All parties involved in the bid are keeping a close eye on the proceedings and what information comes out of it that may affect the deal.

The Latest: PCP insight

Writing in his latest piece for Newcastle World, Kennedy has now revealed that PCP, headed by Amanda Staveley and part of the consortium looking to take over at St. James’ Park, are looking at the CAT case with ‘interest and hope but ultimately helplessness’.

The journalist also shared that they ‘remain committed to the deal’, despite reserving judgement on what comes next after the case has finished.

The Verdict: Promising

It is certainly promising to hear that PCP remain committed to getting the proposed takeover back on track, and that they are keeping a close eye on what is happening in the CAT case.

There is still hope from the buying side that a deal can be done, despite the delays that they have faced, and its possibility could well come down to the arbitration process next year.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will no doubt be pleased to hear updates from the prospective buyers as their takeover dream remains alive, and if anything the fact they have been so hellbent in succeeding throughout all the chaos suggests they would be extremely ambitious if they ever do arrive.

In other news, find out which three clubs Allan Saint-Maximin now knows he could leave for here!

David Sales will miss the remainder of the season after agreeing to undergo reconstructive surgery on his long-standing knee injury

Cricinfo staff12-Jun-2009Northamptonshire’s David Sales will miss the remainder of the season after agreeing to undergo reconstructive surgery on his long-standing knee injury.Sales, 31, has not played this summer and decided to go under the knife now in a bid to be fully fit for the 2010 campaign.”Although I could possibly have played this year the longer-term view was that it could flare up again,” he told the BBC. “That would mean missing yet more cricket and even possibly jeopardising my whole career.”Sales, who in the first season of a four-year deal, had a similar operation in 2001 after sustaining an injury while in the Caribbean with England A.

Uganda and Sierra Leone booked their places in the Under-19 World Cup qualifying tournament later this year after finishing first and second in the Africa Under-19 Championship

Cricinfo staff05-May-2009Uganda and Sierra Leone booked their places in the Under-19 World Cup qualifying tournament later this year after finishing first and second in the Africa Under-19 Championship in Zambia. They will join Afghanistan, Hong Kong and the top two teams from the Americas, East Asia-Pacific and Europe regions in a play-off, from which the top five teams from that tournament will join the ten ICC Full Members and hosts Kenya in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup.Uganda and Sierra Leone met in the final round of matches, and it was Uganda who won a rain-affected game despite being bowled out for 91. Chasing a revised target of 83 in 20 overs, Sierra Leone lost too many wickets too quickly and only managed 35 for 8, Geofrey Nyero returning remarkable figures of 6 for 7.That result meant that Namibia could have overtaken Sierra Leone with an emphatic win over the hugely disappointing Kenyans, but after they had posted 158 for 7, the match was abandoned six overs into Kenya’s reply. The one point Namibia earned was not enough.Hosts Zambia finished fourth thanks to a 63-run win over Tanzania, but again the weather meant the game was decided by Duckworth-Lewis calculations. Zambia made 133 and Tanzania struggled to 42 for 7 before the rain returned.Nigeria showed why they finished bottom without a win as they were dismissed for 68 by Botswana, who went on to amble to a six-wicket win.

               P   W  NR   L   Pts      NRR Uganda         7   6   0   1    12     -0.31Sierra Leone   7   5   0   2    10      1.18Namibia        7   4   1   2     9      0.83Zambia         7   4   0   3     8      0.10Kenya          7   3   1   3     7     -0.22Botswana       7   3   0   4     6     -0.44Tanzania       7   2   0   5     4     -0.43Nigeria        7   0   0   7     0     -1.36

Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will have to wait until the first two tour games to secure their spots in the bowling pecking order for the Ashes

Peter English26-May-2009Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will have to wait until the first two tour gamesto secure their spots in the bowling pecking order for the Ashes. Both menare coming back after lengthy injuries and must leapfrog a couple of theincumbents to win places in the opening Test of the series in Cardiff on July8.Mitchell Johnson grew into the attack leader in Lee’s absence and was backedup by Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who are both expected to suit Englishconditions, during the strong 2-1 victory in South Africa. “Where Stuart andBrett are in the pecking order, we don’t know at the moment,” the captainRicky Ponting said. “Lee is a bit of an unknown [after ankle surgery]. Thefirst two games before the first Test will tell us.”Australia are already talking about playing more than 11 in the lead-upmatches in Hove and Worcester to give all five of their frontline weapons achance to impress, as well as testing the fitness of the allrounder ShaneWatson. In 2005 there was only one first-class affair after the one-dayseries and the lack of lead-up time led to Jason Gillespie and MichaelKasprowicz struggling without the extra work.Another factor both Ponting and Michael Clarke spoke of during the team campon the Sunshine Coast was the time it takes for visiting players to get usedto the Duke balls used in England. “Our guys will get a great opportunity touse their [England’s] cricket ball for a few weeks leading into the firstTest,” Ponting said. “That was probably what brought us undone last time,their ability to use their ball well and we were a little off the boil withit.”Reverse-swing was one of England’s major strengths when they endedAustralia’s 16-year hold on the urn, but Clarke was confident the currentbatsmen would be able to negotiate the tricks this time. “Our knowledge,certainly of the guys who have been there before, is a little bit moreeducated than what it was four years ago,” he said. “Generally the differencewith the English ball and the Kookaburra [which is used in Australia] is ourball swings from the start.”It doesn’t swing as early in England, then it starts to swing a bit later.Reverse-swing is as big a part as natural swing over there. It sounds likethey are having a pretty good summer with weather, that being the case itwill probably be pretty dry and we’ll have to combat reverse-swing as well.”Australia could not get the ball moving as easily as England’s bowlers andthat trend was repeated in India last year despite the acquisition of TroyCooley, the bowling coach behind the 2005 success. Tim Nielsen, the currentcoach, believes he has a complementary attack that can be relied on in allconditions.