Tottenham Hotspur face PSG in the Champions League tonight, looking to inflict revenge on the French outfit after the UEFA Super Cup final back in August.

The Lilywhites boasted a two-goal lead in such a clash but ultimately conceded twice late on, resulting in a penalty shootout – with Luis Enrique’s side coming out victorious.

However, tonight’s meeting at the Parc des Princes presents Thomas Frank with the chance to make amends and help bolster their standing in the league table.

His men are unbeaten in their four outings in Europe to date, previously avoiding defeat against a Ligue 1 outfit, having drawn 0-0 against Monaco back in October.

However, if the Lilywhites are to claim all three points and defeat the reigning champions, the manager will desperately need to make changes after Sunday’s defeat to local rivals Arsenal.

Why Frank needs to revert to a 4-3-3 against PSG

In the clash with the Gunners on Sunday afternoon, Frank decided to swap to a 5-4-1 system, a decision that massively restricted their ability to create chances in the final third.

He started Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha together at the base of the midfield, but the pair were far too defensively minded and unable to progress the ball into dangerous areas.

The pair could only complete one pass into the final third during the clash at the Emirates, with the manager needing to drop the Uruguayan international and revert to his usual system.

Throughout the campaign, the Dane has most commonly utilised a 4-3-3 system, with Palhinha operating at the base with two box-to-box options ahead of the loanee.

Apart from Bentancur, the manager has numerous other high-profile youngsters in his ranks, with many deserving of the opportunity to star at the heart of the side again.

Alongside the former Juventus star, Kevin Danso should be sacrificed to allow two of the aforementioned youngsters to have the chance to impress once again.

The Spurs star who should start against PSG

Archie Gray has previously been utilised in midfield by Frank over recent times, with the Spurs star having huge expectations after his £40m move from Leeds United last summer.

He’s only made six appearances across all competitions, even being named on the bench against Arsenal, but unfortunately for him, there are two other impressive options ahead of him in the pecking order.

Pape Sarr has been a key first-team member in North London this season, as seen by his tally of 11 appearances out of a possible 12, but Frank made the decision to start him on the bench last weekend.

He came on with just 24 minutes remaining in the contest, subsequently registering 100% of the passes he attempted – even managing to have an impact despite the embarrassing defeat.

As a result, the Dane must start him ahead of Palhinha in Paris this evening, but he must also introduce Lucas Bergvall to the side to complete the three-man midfield.

The Swedish youngster joined the Lilywhites for just £8m last summer, with many supporters expecting the teenager to link up with the club’s academy system at first.

However, the injury-hit campaign in 2024/25 allowed the 19-year-old to stake his claim for a regular starting role – already racking up a total of 60 senior appearances for the club.

He’s been out with a concussion over the last few weeks, with Bergvall only making one appearance in November after being replaced after just seven minutes of the meeting with Chelsea.

The Swede was an unused substitute against the Gunners last weekend, but this evening should be the game in which the manager recalls him to his starting eleven.

Bergvall has already impressed in the Premier League this campaign, with his underlying stats showcasing he’s able to produce the goods on the big occasions.

The teenager, who’s been dubbed just “like Modric” by The Athletic’s JJ Bull, has completed 2.1 successful dribbles to date – with such a figure ranking him in the top 4% of all players in the division.

Lucas Bergvall – PL stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

9

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

83%

Dribble success

75%

Tackles won

2.8

Duels won

6.8

Recoveries made

3.8

Shots taken

1.2

Stats via FotMob

He’s also made 2.8 tackles and won 6.8 duels per 90, with both of the aforementioned tallies ranking him within the top 25% of all other midfielders in England’s top-flight.

Such numbers highlight why he’s the perfect box-to-box option, with Frank needing to utilise him alongside Sarr if the club are to be victorious later on tonight.

It’s evident that the 5-4-1 system failed to catch the eye against Arsenal on Sunday, which should see the Dane match up with Enrique’s men in the Champions League this evening.

A trio of Palhinha, Sarr and Bergvall is the best option at the manager’s disposal, with such a partnership potentially allowing the side to get back to winning ways.

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Tottenham Hotspur have massively struggled within the attacking third under Thomas Frank as of late.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 25, 2025

Micky Van de Ven’s addition back in the summer of 2023 raised eyebrows among many Tottenham Hotspur supporters, especially after the hierarchy forked out £40m for his signature.

Such a fee was a hefty one during the Daniel Levy era, but it may have come as more of a surprise given the Dutchman was largely an unknown quantity to many of the fans.

However, just over a couple of years on from his move, he’s cemented himself as a key member of Thomas Frank’s squad – arguably being one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Despite his defensive role, the 24-year-old has had a huge impact within attacking areas, netting three times in the Premier League this season – putting him joint top of the Lilywhites’ goalscoring charts.

It’s not all been plain sailing for the club within the defensive department, with numerous other big-money additions unable to live up to the hefty fees paid for their services.

Spurs’ issues at centre-back for Van de Ven’s arrival

Spending big on centre-backs hasn’t been alien to Spurs in recent years, as seen by their £42m addition of Davinson Sanchez back in the summer of 2017 – a then club-record transfer.

The Colombian racked up over 200 appearances for the Lilywhites over a six-year period, subsequently leaving in the summer of 2023 to join Turkish side Galatasaray.

He was a solid option under various managers in North London, but ultimately, the fanbase were left disappointed – especially after paying a club-record fee for his signature.

Joe Rodon was another youngster signed by the hierarchy to potentially grow into an elite-level centre back, subsequently paying Swansea City £11m back in the summer of 2020.

However, the Welshman would only make 15 Premier League appearances for the club, before being sold to Leeds United as part of the Archie Gray deal in 2024.

It’s safe to say with Van de Ven, times have changed in North London, but the club have already unearthed another top-level talent who could be a real hit with the fans in the years to come.

The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Van de Ven

Whilst he’s been battling with injuries over the last few months, Van de Ven’s importance to the Spurs side simply cannot be understated – with Frank’s men a much better side with the Dutchman at the back.

He’s already helped the Lilywhites keep seven clean sheets across all competitions, with the 24-year-old evidently having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.

The defender has also demonstrated his strength in another area, with the former Wolfsburg man registering the fastest speed of any player in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

At present, he’s currently partnered by Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline, but that could be about to change in the years ahead, given the emergence of Luka Vuskovic.

The Lilywhites forked out a reported fee in the region of £12m for the signature of teenage sensation from Hajduk Split, with real hope he can be a first team starter in the near future.

The Croatian has spent a couple of years out on loan, with his spell on loan at Westerlo catching the eye – but for his attacking quality rather than his talent at the back – just like Van de Ven.

He scored seven times and notched two assists in his 36 outings, a simply staggering feat for a young defender, which earned him another loan move – this time to Bundesliga side, Hamburg.

The prospect of top-flight German football may have seemed like a huge jump to many, but the 18-year-old has wasted no time in impressing the supporters of Die Rothosen.

Vuskovic, who’s been labelled “one of the most exciting teenage centre-backs” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already opened his account for the German side in 2025/26.

Games played

6

Goals scored

1

Pass accuracy

84%

Duels won

10.2

Aerial duels won

7.5

Aerial success rate

87%

Dribbles completed

100%

Touches

85.8

However, his defensive stats are just as impressive, with the youngster winning a staggering 10.2 duels per 90 – 7.5 of which have been in the air – subsequently achieving a success rate of 87%.

He’s also completed 100% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst completing a total of 84% of his passes – showcasing his incredible all-round game despite his tender age.

It’s very rare you come across such a dominant young centre-back, but it’s clear Vuskovic has all the tools needed to be a monster hit with the Lilywhites fanbase in the years to come.

Should he stay on his current path, there’s no reason why he can’t emulate Van de Ven’s success in North London and even surpass the Dutchman’s recent levels.

Frank's next Toney: Paratici leading Spurs move for "one of the best STs"

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a January move to land a new talisman for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 28, 2025

Since Pep Guardiola was appointed Manchester City manager in 2016, the club have spent around £1.276bn on more than 50 new recruits.

Some have, of course, been a massive success, none more so than Erling Braut Håland, arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £51m in the summer of 2022, so far scoring 143 goals in 164 appearances for the Sky Blues, which isn’t bad.

However, others have not lived up to the expectations set upon their arrival, disappearing into the proverbial wilderness without a trace.

So, is one of Man City’s summer signings, not so long ago labelled one of the best players in the Premier League, in danger of becoming the latest man to follow this path?

Kalvin Phillips' Manchester City career

When Kalvin Phillips joined Manchester City from Leeds United for £42m in the summer of 2022, he was a first-choice starter for England and widely considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

However, to date, he has made just 32 appearances for the Sky Blues, totalling a miserly 921, accumulating only six starts, while 12 of his outings have lasted ten minutes or fewer.

After unsuccessful loan spells at both West Ham and then Ipswich, Phillips is back at Manchester City now, featuring in the Carabao Cup in September, entrusted with a seven-minute cameo towards the end of the victory over Huddersfield Town.

This was his first appearance for the Citizens for 645 days, his last before that coming against Urawa Red Diamonds in Jeddah in the Club World Cup semi-finals of 2023.

Having not represented England for over two years, fair to say this move has wrecked Phillips’ career, going from international star to complete obscurity, yet to even appear on a Man City bench in the Premier League or Champions League this season – including in Saturday’s 3-2 win over his former club.

So, which of Guardiola’s summer recruits is in danger of repeating this trajectory?

Manchester City's next Kalvin Phillips

For the majority of Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad, the left-back spot has been up for grabs.

First, Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko were deployed as midfielders in that role while, more recently, a rotating cast of centre-backs have filled the position, including Joško Gvardiol and Nathan Aké.

So, when Rayan Aït-Nouri arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £31.8m in June, supporters were delighted as the left-back conundrum appeared to have been solved.

The Algerian international joined Wolves from Angers in 2020, making 157 appearances for the club, and becoming one of their most outstanding players.

In the Premier League last season, the 24-year-old registered seven assists, a tally only bettered by 16 players and just one defender, namely Antonee Robinson.

As a result, Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley described him as “one of the Premier League’s best players” last season, while Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana praised his “quality” upon his arrival.

Having switched allegiance from France, Aït-Nouri will be looking forward to representing Algeria at both next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Desert Foxes among the favourites to triumph in Morocco, as well as the World Cup in the summer, but he may not be going into those competitions all guns blazing.

Despite earning rave reviews for his performances in old gold, the full-back has made very little impact in sky blue thus far, as the table below documents.

As the table documents, Aït-Nouri is yet to make his mark since joining Manchester City.

Since starting two of three Premier League matches in August, he has seen just one minute of action in the competition, partially as a result of an ankle injury.

He was handed his full Champions League debut against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, but was hooked at half-time as Guardiola made a triple substitution, with his team a goal down, ultimately beaten 2-0 by the Bundesliga side.

Aït-Nouri’s performance in that one did not earn rave reviews.

Richard Martin of Goal noted that he lacked ‘awareness defensively or creativity going forward’, awarding him a 4/10, while Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News believes he was at fault for die Werkself’s opening goal, criticising his ‘heavy touches and poor passes’.

The Algerian was replaced by Nico O’Reilly at the interval, and the form of the 20-year-old is also a problem for him.

The youngster has been outstanding this season, thereby starting both England World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania earlier this month, and will not be an easy man to displace at left-back, for club or country.

Thus, unlikely to be given regular starting opportunities any time soon, Aït-Nouri is in danger of slipping into the Phillips vortex of being forgotten and cast aside by Guardiola.

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Sean Markus Clifford

Nov 23, 2025

The England batter is confident that the lower order can knock off the remaining 35 runs to seal the series

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-20251:44

Sanjay Bangar: India could have bowled straighter to Root

Joe Root has no doubts about the hosts lifting the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on Monday, because he believes England have enough batters in the lower order that can get the remaining 35 runs and deny India the chance to draw the five-match series.”I’d like to think we have got what we need to get across the line tomorrow,” Root said after the day’s play on Sunday, having made a match-turning century, his third in the series where he is the second-highest run-maker. “It’s been one hell of a series, one hell of a journey and the confidence in our dressing room, clearly we feel we have got the players to get us across the line. But it’s just been one of those sort of five matches in six weeks where it’s swung both ways the whole time. And we are in for a great day tomorrow.”An hour into the final session, the light worsened, and the umpires duly stopped play. It wasn’t just the Indians – who had struck twice after the tea break – who were disappointed, but the fans as well. Their spirits were dampened further by rain, forcing the umpires to call off play about an hour before the cut-off time. The Oval booed the decision, but both Root and India’s assistant coach Morne Morkel had no qualms about play being aborted.Related

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“There’s pros and cons to both really,” Root said about the poor light which disrupted the drama-filled phase post tea, when Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna built pressure from both ends in unison, attacking the wickets and forcing batters to defend hard without giving any scoring opportunities. “Guys have bowled a lot, there’s overs in their legs. You get back out there and you get a couple of boundaries away and all of a sudden the game looks very different again. But then again you come back tomorrow, you get another (use of heavy) roller, (players) can rest up and it’s a completely new opportunity. You just sit and wait and do what you’re told. So from our point of view, you come back tomorrow and got an amazing spectacle to look forward to.”Morkel agreed with Root. “As we can see it’s pretty wet out there now. It’s going to take them a while to get the covers off. The ground staff has been incredible this whole sort of Test match with breaks and getting the surface ready to play. So end of the day that’s out of our control.”England will get the opportunity to have the heavy roller first thing in the morning which, as was the case on Sunday morning, could prove beneficial in run-making with the moisture bedded down in the first half-hour. Morkel, though, wasn’t concerned.”Tomorrow we can just focus on doing a good warm-up and get the boys ready to hopefully get the ball in the right area and yeah, create a little bit of excitement again.”Root said the heavy roller had been an “advantage” every time England have used it in the series. “In terms of the roller, we’ll see. I haven’t got a crystal ball unfortunately, but it has made an impact so far throughout this game. Whether that changes on day five, we’ll see, but hopefully it works well in our favor in flattening things out.”

MLB's Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tn., is going to be quite the spectacle.

When the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves take the field on Saturday, they'll be the first MLB teams to stage a game at a NASCAR track—and will also be setting a new attendance record for MLB, as the venue will seat an astonishing number of fans: over 85,000.

Naturally, one would expect to see some seats in quirky areas, given that most MLB stadiums don't exceed 50,000 fans—Dodger Stadium, at 56,000 fans, is the biggest stadium in MLB.

But some seats at the Speedway Classic are so far away from the action, you have to see them to believe them.

Here's one such section, courtesy of Joe Danneman of Fox 19.

There's something to be said for the mindset of Though that logic may not apply here, given that this is such an odd and unique angle to watch a baseball game from.

Can one even watch a baseball game from this angle? Nobody knows.

At a venue such as SeatGeek, for example, one could procure a seat in this section in the $90-$100 range, albeit with the label that the view is "limited."

The Reds and Braves will start their engines for the Speedway Classic at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Andre Cury, the agent of Chelsea wonderkid Willian Estevao, has hinted at a future transfer to Barcelona for the Brazilian forward less than 24 hours after the 18-year-old scored in a brilliant win over Hansi Flick's side in the Champions League. The Blues crushed the Catalan giants 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Estevao playing a starring role and outshining Lamine Yamal on the night.

• Estevao stars as Chelsea crush Barca

  Estevao has been loving life in the Champions League with Chelsea in his debut campaign in England. The teenager scored a brilliant goal to help crush Barcelona on Tuesday night, becoming the second-youngest player, after Kylian Mbappe, to score in each of his first three Champions League starts in the process. Speaking after the game, Estevao admitted it had been a special night. 

  He told the club's media: "I don’t really have the words to sum up how I’m feeling right now. It was the perfect night and I’m grateful to God for making everything happen for me. The goal was all very quick; it happened before I knew it. I saw the space, wiggled my way through and scored. It was definitely the most special moment in my career and I hope I keep scoring more in the years ahead. I’m so happy, also because my family were here watching as well.

  "From the moment I arrived at Chelsea, I have felt a connection with the fans. I’m just so happy I can score for them and I hope there are many more. I am enjoying things very much because football is the thing I love to do the most. Playing football will never be a burden for me because it makes me happy."

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• AFP
  

  How Barcelona missed out on Estevao

  Estevao's agent has now spoken out about the youngster's fondness for Barca, revealing that his client held many rounds of talks with the Catalan giants about a move before he signed for Chelsea. Cury told : "We talked to Barca about Estevao in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. We went to the offices to offer the player because I believed that he would have a great future in world football. Barca is not financially healthy and of course it is not possible to carry out an operation. It's sad, but football is like that. The people in Barca's technical staff always approved the signing of Estevao, but Deco was tied up because the club's finances didn’t allow it."

  The Brazilian youngster has previously admitted that his biggest dream in football is to play for Barcelona after growing up watching the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in action. Cury went on to add that even though Estevao had missed out on his dream move to Barcelona, he is still very fond of the club: "Estevao has a five-year contract and is enjoying his time at Chelsea. But he has a special affection for Barcelona."

• Estevao and Yamal tipped to be the new Messi and Ronaldo

  Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had some huge praise for Estevao after the match. He told : "As Raphinha said, probably in the next 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal are probably going to be the next Messi and Ronaldo. But for both, they are 18. They need to enjoy, try to improve every day. This the most important thing for them.

  "The goal Estevao scored reminded me of the one he scored against us in the Club World Cup. It's very similar, the same action. He needs to relax. He needs to enjoy his football, he needs to play football. Him and Lamine [Yamal] are such young boys at 18, if you start to talk about Ronaldo and Messi, that's too much pressure for young boys like them. They need to arrive at the training ground happy for sessions, but when you start to compare them with those two, it's too much for them."

  Estevao's agent also feels that Estevao and Yamal could feature together in the same team, despite both players preferring to play off the right flank. He added: "Think about the duo Neymar and Messi, it's better than just having Messi or just having Neymar."

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  Chelsea face another huge clash next

  Chelsea now head into another huge clash as they face Arsenal in a top-of-the-table Premier League showdown on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will go into the game in great spirits after a thumping win over Flick's side and know that victory over the Gunners will cut the gap to the league leaders to just three points.

Having chosen to bowl in an away Test for the first time since 2014, they need to do better on the second day

Alagappan Muthu14-Dec-2024Ravindra Jadeja is looking at a pretty decent landmark when the rain clears in Brisbane. The 500th wicket by a spinner at the Gabba.The fact that he was out there though was a bit of a surprise. There’s a bit of history about choosing to bowl first at the Gabba. India have a bit of history with it as well. They haven’t chosen to bowl in an overseas Test since 2014.In the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the reason for India batting first was clear. In Perth, with the pitch breaking down as the game goes on, uneven bounce comes into play, and run-making in the final innings becomes hard. Pakistan were bowled out for 89 batting last in 2023. In Adelaide, with it being a day-night Test, batting first comes with the possibility of doing well and earning the chance to declare at twilight on day two.Related

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At the Gabba, India completed a hat-trick of successful tosses in this series, and bowled first. That’s how teams had won five of the last six Tests here. The only exception was Australia’s day-night fixture against West Indies earlier this year when Shamar Joseph turned himself into a household name. The Gabba pitch doesn’t deteriorate so badly, so on a day like Saturday when it was overcast and the pitch had a bit of a green tinge, there was every reason for India to trust their bowlers to get assistance, and also perhaps enough reason to suspect their batters might have had it tough.India have been concerned about their batting on this tour, about the pace and bounce on offer and the need to have insurance against it. That’s why they began the series by giving debuts to Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. That meant they had people until No. 9 capable of scoring some runs if it was needed and two weeks ago they certainly thought it was needed.Then Reddy came good and gave India the option to play around a bit more with their bowlers, specifically their spinners. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said they chose R Ashwin for the Adelaide Test because he was the better bowler. They weren’t so worried about his batting because they were comfortable with Reddy’s output at No. 7.Jadeja being brought in for Brisbane might suggest they’re back to considering their batting depth. He is certainly the best source for runs of all their three spinners, and he averages 21.78 with the ball in Australia.Rain was a party-pooper on the first day at the Gabba•AFP/Getty ImagesNow that India have made their decision, they need to be enforced. In what seemed like an attempt to correct what happened in the first innings of the pink-ball Test, when Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labsuchagne were allowed to leave the ball fairly easily, India seemed to stray down leg a little bit with the new ball in Brisbane. The first runs came through four leg-byes to fine leg.Since that uproarious first day in Perth, India have not been able to make the most of the new ball and that is a problem. The Kookaburra, while its hard and shiny, reacts off the pitch. It stops doing that once it gets older and softer.Shubman Gill said the key to batting here is surviving the initial 30 overs. After that, it doesn’t matter how well you bowl, the ball doesn’t react off the pitch that much. It becomes easier to line it up. India allowed Australia to skip away to 19 for 0 in 5.3 overs. Then the first spell of rain came. There was a chance to regroup.Between overs 6 and 13.2, India gave away only nine runs and within that period they strung together three successive maidens. Akash Deep, who was brought into this game instead of Rana, looked sharp.The weather is still suspect for tomorrow but whatever play is possible might take place under overcast conditions. India will want to keep up the rhythm they settled on after the rain break on Saturday. The new ball is crucial, especially for a team that’s won the toss and chosen to bowl.

There are a few contenders for the other opener’s spot going into the Ashes

Greg Chappell13-Oct-2025In the grand theatre of Ashes cricket, as ever, a good start still tells the oldest story: lay the foundations and the fortress will stand.Cricket’s oldest and most storied rivalry remains a cauldron of pressure, expectation and tactical nuance, evolving since 1877 into a cultural event steeped in national pride and sporting legacy. While the public spotlight often tends to be on dominant bowlers, middle-order centuries, or dramatic collapses, an enduring truth confirmed by historical data is that victory in Ashes Test matches is often founded on a strong start – particularly resilient and productive opening batting partnerships. Over the past 35 years, data for Australian and English Test sides indicates that a solid foundation at the top of the order is not just advantageous but decisive.In a series where the margin for error is often razor-thin, a strong opening partnership transcends mere statistics; it sets the psychological tone. Such a partnership absorbs the pressure of the new ball, effectively drains the early aggression from opposition bowlers, and provides a crucial platform for the middle order, whether for stability or acceleration. In the Ashes, given the heightened intensity, this pattern is magnified more than in many other bilateral contests. Multiple analyses and match data over recent decades affirm the correlation between robust opening stands and positive match outcomes.Related

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Australia’s sustained Ashes dominance during the period between 1990 and now was largely anchored by three exceptional opening pairs. These batters were revered not just for statistical consistency but for their critical contributions in pivotal Ashes campaigns.The partnership of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer (1999-2007) stands out. They were arguably Australia’s most celebrated opening pair in the modern era, forming the bedrock of a dominant Test side. They opened together in 113 innings, accumulating 5655 runs at an imposing average of 51.88. Crucially, they registered 14 century and 24 half-century partnerships. Their performances in the Ashes were formidable, particularly in the comprehensive home victories in the 2002-03 and 2006-07 series. They consistently blunted the England attack, often negating the new-ball threat within the opening hour. Their ability to score at a measured rate while preserving wickets perfectly complemented Australia’s aggressive middle order, demonstrating a durable, muscular method.Following them, David Warner and Chris Rogers (2013-2015) offered a blend of dynamism and discipline. Despite being a relatively short partnership of just 41 innings, they amassed 2053 runs at an average of 51.32. Rogers’ stoic technique was the ideal balance to Warner’s explosiveness. Their adaptability was pivotal in helping Australia regain the Ashes during the 2013-14 home series, laying down crucial early platforms. This pair recorded nine century and seven half-century stands in their Tests together.Sam Konstas has not been in the best form, but he’s well worth giving a longer rope to•Associated PressPreceding these modern pairs were Mark Taylor and Michael Slater (1993-1999). Opening in 78 innings, they accumulated 3887 runs at an average of 51.14, with ten century and 16 fifty stands. While Slater usually attacked from the outset, Taylor’s calm and balancing presence ensured Australia rarely found themselves under undue pressure in the first session. Their synergy and balance were instrumental in Australia’s sustained dominance during the mid-1990s.The success of these pairs is borne out by statistics. The win percentage of teams when there is a 50-run opening stand is about 39%, which rises to 44% when the opening partnership scores 100 or more. Opening stands of under 50 runs are accompanied by a win rate of about 31%. You can imagine this trend holds particularly true in Ashes Tests, where early wickets can trigger pressure-induced collapses due to the consistently high quality of seam bowling on both sides.A 2013 statistical study published in the , titled “An Investigation of Synergy Between Batsmen in Opening Partnerships” explores this aspect. It affirmed that in Ashes Tests, opening partnerships significantly affected match outcomes, especially when the batters displayed effective synergy – complementing each other’s strengths and mitigating weaknesses. It was found that “opening partnerships with synergy – even with moderate averages – had a statistically significant positive influence on the probability of team victory in Ashes Tests”. The study concluded that the ability of pairs to function as cohesive units was a stronger predictor of winning outcomes than standalone brilliance or individual averages.In matches where the Australian pairs posted partnerships of 50-plus runs, Hayden and Langer’s sides achieved victories 65.7% of the time, those of Warner and Rogers 56.3%, and Taylor and Slater’s, 65.3%.England’s current opening pair, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, embody a stark tactical departure from the Australian pairs. Their approach is aligned with the “Bazball” philosophy, which prioritises tempo and aggression. Between 2022 and 2025, they have opened in 73 innings, scoring 2281 runs at a moderate average of 32.12. Their strike rate of 72.38 is nearly double that of traditional openers like Taylor and Langer. They have three century and 14 half-century stands.While England’s modern approach is exhilarating to watch, their win rate in matches with stands of 50-plus runs is just 47.3%, significantly lower than all three noted Australian pairs above. This contrast underscores a vital nuance: while the English pair might have the edge in being incendiary, scoring quickly does not always correlate with consistent match-winning outcomes. History shows that durable, synergistic and consistent big opening partnerships are most likely to decide the outcome in close and hard-fought contests.As Australia look ahead, the selectors face a crucial decision at the top of the order, one heavily influenced by the historical mandate. Ideally, they will want to show faith in the promising youth of Sam Konstas for the first Test. His treatment by the selectors since his debut has been quixotic. Considering that it takes an individual ten Tests, at least, to work out if he fits at this level, and how to succeed, Konstas not being picked in Sri Lanka was unfathomable. So much so that he is now on the outside looking in when he could have been lining up for his first Ashes Test and perhaps a long and distinguished career.The fact that Queensland’s Matt Renshaw has begun the domestic season in imperious form means that the selectors might be swayed towards the safe hands of the two Queenslanders – Usman Khawaja being the other.Renshaw is a specialist opener with a connection to Khawaja. The two are domestic opening partners, and the established synergy between them is of the sort that has historically been a hallmark of the best Ashes opening pairs. This weighs heavily in Renshaw’s favour. Despite the potential imbalance of having two left-handers, they complement each other well: Khawaja prefers to play off the back foot, while Renshaw can hurt the opposition down the ground if bowlers fail to adjust their length from one player to the other.Mitchell Marsh might be a left-field choice to open, but it wouldn’t be the worst call if he did•AFP via Getty ImagesThe selectors are unlikely to want to experiment with their opening combination, as they have with Steven Smith and Travis Head recently, in such an important series, and Marnus Labuschagne’s rich form may entice them to bat him in his normal spot at No. 3 and slide the bowling-fit Cameron Green to the more suitable No. 6 spot and use him as the allrounder. That means Beau Webster will be the unlucky one to miss out on the final XI which already looks more definitive than it did as little as two weeks ago.A left-field choice that might tempt the panel, if they want to fight fire with fire, would be to consider Mitchell Marsh, the current T20 captain. Marsh is in good form and possesses the ability to counterattack with the best of them. He is regarded as one of the best players of pace in the country and comes from a long line of openers, his father and older brother having opened. However, the move would be a risk the selectors might not be prepared to take unless Marsh has changed his mind about taking on the family business.Renshaw’s timing has been impeccable – he has made runs at the right time; and in batting, as is well known, timing is everything. The fact that he has been included in the ODI squad for the series against India suggests that he is in mind as Khawaja’s partner for Perth. As a former selector, I would support that decision.Opening partnerships matter profoundly in Ashes Test cricket. While attacking starts, such as those offered by the Duckett and Crawley partnership, are exhilarating, durable and synergistic partnerships provide the strategic control and psychological upper hand necessary in the longest and most intense format. From Hayden and Langer’s muscular method to Taylor and Slater’s balance, Australia’s most successful openers over the past 35 years have served reliably as both shield and spear. England’s current pair offer a compelling modern model, but one that must still prove it can consistently deliver wins at the elite Ashes level.Ultimately, the selection of Khawaja’s partner must prioritise that crucial foundation, ensuring that the necessary shield is built before the fireworks can truly begin, thereby guaranteeing that the fortress will stand.

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Apesar de ter goleado do Santos ter goleado o Guarani por 4 a 1, na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, um lance gerou muita polêmica na partida. Na ocasião, o gol anulado de Gil, quando o placar ainda estava 2 a 0.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Santos

Na opinião do filho do presidente do Santos, Marcelo Teixeira Filho, o dirigente desceu a arquibancada para perto do gramado e protestou contra a arbitragem. Confira no player acima.

O cara do Guarani tocou a bola. Você está cego? Que vergonha, cara. Que vergonha. Vergonha. É uma vergonha isso

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criticou o dirgente do Santos

O gol de Gil não fez falta ao Santos, que garantiu a vitória com tranquilidade na Vila Belmiro. Com o resultado, o Peixe se manteve na liderança na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Liverpool legend Michael Owen has slammed Mohamed Salah after his scathing post-match interview on Saturday night. Liverpool played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road as the Reds' title defence continues to falter. Salah, meanwhile, started his third successive league match on the bench and was an unused sub by under pressure head coach Arne Slot.

Getty Images SportSpoils shared as Leeds and Liverpool play out six-goal thriller

Hugo Ekitike scored a quickfire second-half double at Leeds on Saturday as the Reds looked to claim just their eighth league win of the campaign. However, Leeds were level for the final 15 minutes courtesy of goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach.

Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool's advantage with 10 minutes to play, only for Ao Tanaka to bag a late equaliser to ensure the shares were spoiled in a six-goal thriller in Yorkshire. And as the Reds pushed to secure victory, Slot opted to call upon the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak rather than Salah, who after the draw claimed he'd been "thrown under the bus" as he watched the action unfold at Elland Road.

Advertisement'The club has thrown me under the bus'

"I can’t believe it, I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," Salah said after the entertaining stalemate. "Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

"I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

"This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much, I will always do. I called my mum yesterday — you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew.

"Yesterday I said to [my parents], ‘Come to the Brighton game.’ I don’t know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there."

Getty Images Sport'Bite your lip!' claims Owen

Michael Owen, though, has blasted Salah for his comments and believes the Reds star should have kept quiet until after the Africa Cup of Nations. "Oh @mosalah I can imagine how you feel," the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United striker posted on his official X account.

"You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win. But this is a team game and you simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said. You’re going to afcon in a week.

"Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your country and see how the land lies when you get back?"

Salah will be available for Liverpool's upcoming meetings with Inter and Brighton before he joins up with the Egypt squad for AFCON later this month.

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When does AFCON start?

The Africa Cup of Nations takes place in Morocco this year and the tournament starts on Sunday 21 December and runs until Sunday 18 January. Salah isn't the only Premier League player who'll link up with Egypt this month, with Manchester City's Omar Marmoush set to join the Reds star with the Pharaohs.

Salah could miss up to six games for Liverpool should Egypt, who are one of the pre-tournament favourites, go the distance in Morocco. After next week's game against Brighton, Liverpool face Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham and Arsenal, as well as their FA Cup third round clash, before the welcome of Burnley, which could be Salah's first game back.