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Vasconcelos makes fifty to set up emphatic 78-run win at Wantage Road

ECB Reporters Network18-Jun-2023Ben Sanderson took three wickets to help send Northamptonshire to a comprehensive 78-run victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws in this Vitality Blast match at Wantage Road.Sanderson started wickets tumbling by removing England T20 opener Alex Hales for 0 in the second over. It comes just two days after he accounted for England captain Jos Buttler, also without scoring, in the match against Lancashire Lightning on Friday night.With heavy rain circling the ground, the visitors were mindful of staying on top of the run rate as they chased a par score of 177 but lost regular wickets with David Willey (2 for 9) picking up two in two balls in the third over.The stage had been set by Ricardo Vasconcelos who hit 51 off just 44 balls (six fours) and shared a stand of 53 in 6.3 overs with Willey (22). The middle order all added useful runs, AJ Tye contributing 21 off just eight balls as the Steelbacks plundered 60 runs off the last four overs of their innings despite missing Australian big hitter Chris Lynn (unwell).Skipper Steven Mullaney (31) played a lone hand for the Outlaws in the run chase, but despite useful 20s from Joe Clarke and Samit Patel, they fell well short.The Steelbacks soon lost Emilio Gay when he clipped Shaheen Shahn Afridi straight to midwicket. Vasconcelos though continued his excellent run of form, but combining power hitting with deft stroke play. He hit Shaheen down the ground for four and crunched Jake Ball through the covers for another boundary as well as deploying the sweep and cut to good effect.Willey too attacked in the powerplay, cracking the ball through square leg for four when Ball dropped short, He came down the wicket to Matt Carter and deposited him over long-on for four and meted out the same treatment to Ball. His downfall came when he made room to attack Samit Patel but was deceived by one which knocked back his off-stump.Vasconcelos swept Samit Patel to bring up his fifty off just 40 balls but fell soon after when he cut Carter straight to backward point.After making his Steelbacks debut on Friday, Justin Broad again showed few nerves. sweeping and driving the ball to the ropes, but fell thanks to a sensational one-handed catch off his own bowling by Patel (2 for 23).Saif Zaib (26) and Rob Keogh (20*) then combined in an enterprising stand of 36 runs. Zaib latched onto a beamer from Shaheen dispatching it high over fine leg for six and hit another maximum before he holed out to long-off off Ball.Keogh gathered two boundaries of his own as the runs continued to fly. AJ Tye had fun in the closing overs, swinging with real intent, depositing Shaheen high over long-on for six and hitting three fours as the Steelbacks’ innings ended on a high.Clarke took the attack to Sanderson’s first over, picking up three consecutive boundaries. The evergreen Steelback seamer soon struck back, getting one to come back and remove Hales’ bails, before Willey struck twice in the next over. First Colin Munro chipped one up to mid-off before Matt Montgomery drove loosely and was caught at slip.Clarke ramped Willey for six and had powered four down the ground off Taylor (2 for 17) when he tried another big shot off the next ball, failed to connect and had his stumps flattened. That left the Outlaws on 48 for four at the end of the powerplay.Patel looked to regain the initiative. He powered Sanderson through the covers and disdainfully smashed Taylor over long on before collecting two streaky boundaries off Freddie Heldreich. The spinner got his man in the next over though when he holed out to Zaib on the deep midwicket boundary.Sanderson (3 for 29) returned to the attack and duly had Tom Moores caught behind off the first ball of his final over, finishing his stint by picking up Shaheen when Taylor held onto a steepling catch.Calvin Harrison skied a catch off Taylor with Willey doing the honours in the field before Carter holed out off Tye.Mullaney (31) hit a big six down the ground but was the final wicket to fall caught on the boundary to give Heldreich his second wicket.

Manchester United made two signings in the January transfer window, bringing in Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu.

The new Red Devils pair have caught the eye so far with Heaven costing Ruben Amorim’s side an undisclosed compensation fee, buying him out of his Arsenal contract six months early.

So far, the 18-year-old has made four appearances in the famous red shirt. That includes a 45-minute cameo against the Gunners in his first Premier League game, before making starts against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and Leicester City in the top flight.

Heaven has made a real impression so far for United, and the same can certainly be said for Dorgu, in his short United career.

Why Patrick Dorgu has been a good signing for Man Utd

20-year-old Denmark international Dorgu has made a great start to life at Old Trafford. He made the move from Serie A strugglers Lecce in the winter transfer window for £25m up front, and a further £4.2m in add-ons.

Dorgu has made a big impression already with Football statistician Statman Dave stating the wing-back is a player who “brings balance and quality” to Amorim’s United side.

He has played six times so far, particularly impressing against Sociedad in the Europa League, where he made major contributions both in defence and attack, winning a penalty from which Bruno Fernandes scored.

One of the key features of Dorgu’s game is his speed. The 20-year-old is rapid and able to cover so much ground in a short amount of time. Of course, this is helpful to United in transitional situations, helping them get up the pitch and hurt teams on the counter very quickly.

The January arrival has been a revelation for the Red Devils, some might say the perfect addition at wing-back for Amorim’s system.

However, if things had gone differently years ago, perhaps the United boss could have had another flying wingback at his disposal.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Man United academy gem is now similar to Dorgu

United’s academy can take credit for producing several exciting talents in the Premier League, or at least contributing to their footballing education.

One player who certainly fits that latter category is Dwight McNeil.

He was in the Red Devils academy in his younger days, notably training alongside the likes of Brandon Williams and Angel Gomes but was released by the club. It was a decision that certainly left him heartbroken.

After making his way through the Burnley academy, he became a vital part of the Clarets first-team under Sean Dyche.

Now plying his trade at Everton, McNeil has also become a key player for the Toffees. Although he has played in a number of positions, the Englishman has excelled out wide on the left, where Amorim surely would have deployed him if given the chance. This term, he has three goals and three assists in 13 Premier League games but has been out for some time with a knee injury.

One of the key features of McNeil’s game is his threat from open play when crossing the ball. Described by Statman Dave as an “excellent crosser”, the 25-year-old can whip a deadly delivery into the box, as he showed in Everton’s 5-1 win against Brighton a few seasons ago, a game where he also scored two goals.

To get an idea of how McNeil might have suited this United system, a comparison via FBref between his and Dorgu’s stats can be drawn. The Everton ace completes more crosses than the Dane per 90 minutes, with 0.79 compared to 0.39, but does complete less progressive carries per 90, with 2.44 compared to Dorgu’s 3.45.

Progressive passes

4.72

2.62

Key passes

2.52

0.92

Crosses

0.79

0.39

Tackles and interceptions

1.18

3.19

Ball recoveries

4.96

4.85

Progressive carries

2.44

3.45

Succesful take-ons

1.51

0.61

Shot-creating actions

4.72

2.75

On reflection, McNeil could have been a fantastic option for United. Of course, he left the club at a young age, but seeing how his career has turned out, perhaps they wish they still had someone in the squad so suited to Amorim’s system.

He is statistically similar to Dorgu, and worth £25m according to Football Transfers, around the fee United paid for their new wing-back up front in January. He is surely a player Amoirm would have loved to have at his disposal.

Man Utd star was ahead of Mainoo, then Ten Hag sold him for just £850k

One Man Utd academy star failed to build on his early promise under Erik ten Hag

ByRobbie Walls Mar 22, 2025

Composed 94* lifts visitors to 295 for 7 on opening day at Edgbaston

ECB Reporters Network19-Jul-2023Lancashire 295 for 7 (Balderson 94*, Bailey 75*) vs WarwickshireGeorge Balderson bailed out Lancashire’s misfiring top order on his return to the team for the LV=Insurance County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.Back in the side in place of the departed Colin de Grandhomme, Balderson struck a correct and composed unbeaten 94 off 202 balls to lift his side to 295 for 7 on the opening day.The 22-year-old went in with Lancashire in deep trouble at 91 for 5 and showed the concentration and shot selection required on a slow pitch which was used for Vitality Blast Finals Day last Saturday.He received excellent support in the last session from Tom Bailey, with a career-best 75 not out from 134 balls, as the eighth-wicket pair added an unbroken 145 against an attack which lacked the sustained incision to press home their early advantage. It was a hard-fought cricket as a pitch which, four days earlier, had delivered 821 runs, 71 fours and 23 sixes, surrendered runs grudgingly as it aged.The sense of transition surrounding the Lancashire side at the moment was illustrated by five changes from the team beaten by Essex at Blackpool last week. Balderson, Daryl Mitchell, George Bell, Jack Morley and Danny Lamb came in for de Grandhomme Dane Vilas, Rob Jones, Tom Hartley and Jack Blatherwick. Lamb was called up late after Luke Wood and Blatherwick reported injuries in the warm up.Warwickshire chose to bowl first and soon broke through when Luke Wells feathered a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess off Chris Rushworth. Josh Bohannon’s fluent 33 off 43 balls, in a stand of 47 with Keaton Jennings, ended with an inside edge to the keeper off Ed Barnard before the pressure increased either side of lunch with the loss of three wickets for 16 runs in 27 balls. Phil Salt dragged on a loose drive at Olly Hannon-Dalby, Jennings edged debutant Mir Hamza to second slip and Bell edged Hannon-Dalby to third.Mitchell and Balderson added 58 in 19 overs, the former striking Danny Briggs and Rushworth for sixes, before another two wickets fell in eight balls. Mitchell (35) top-edged a sweep at Briggs and Lamb, drawn into playing away from his body, edged Barnard behind.With Lancashire 150 for 7, the home side looked well-placed to build on last week’s crushing of Kent, which has had some in the West Midlands talking of a surprise title push, but Balderson and Bailey dug in deep. The Red Rose know how to fight back against Warwickshire and the eighth-wicket pair invoked the spirit of Southport, 1982, when the Bears declared their first innings on 523 for 4… and lost by ten wickets.Balderson passed 1,000 first class runs and Bailey surpassed his previous career-best 68 as the new ball failed to inflict damage. Hamza’s first day as a Bear – with 1 for 89 – was one to forget but Balderson’s day was one to remember with pride, especially if he acquires the six runs he needs to complete his maiden century in the morning.

Nick Woltemade is not surprised by Chelsea's reported interest in him after the Stuttgart star's hat-trick in the Under 21 European Championship.

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Woltemade nets hat-trick in U21 Euro ChampionshipTop-flight European clubs interested in himGerman claims Chelsea interest is logicalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The forward made headlines at the U21 competition when he scored three goals to fire Germany to victory in their opening game against Slovenia. His heroics come amid reports that the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have all shown prominent interest in him.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar season with Stuttgart, scoring 17 goals and providing three assists in 33 matches in the 2024-25 campaign. Woltemade's five-goal contribution in the DFB-Pokal helped Stuttgart lift the cup for the first time in 28 years while making him the top scorer of the competition. After his hat-trick display this week, he feels it makes sense for the top teams to be monitoring him.

WHAT WOLTEMADE SAID

Woltemade said: "I think that's part of it. It wouldn't be optimal scouting if a club didn't have that on their radar right now."

When asked for his opinion on the recent interest from the Chelsea, the forward replied: "I'm not thinking about my future right now."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WOLTEMADE?

The German club are aware of the growing interest. The club's sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, shared his opinion on Woltemade's future, claiming that the player and the club share an extremely strong connection which he thinks has not yet run its course.

Woltemade, signed for free from Werder Bremen, has a contract with the club until 2028 and the lack of a release clause makes it more difficult for any team to pursue him on their terms.

Everything you need to know about Martin Odegaard's salary at Arsenal

Norwegian star Martin Odegaard joined Arsenal permanently in 2021 after a short loan spell from Real Madrid. Following an underwhelming stint with the Spanish giants, Odegaard rediscovered his form playing for the Premier League side.

The Norwegian quickly became a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s system, gradually establishing himself as one of the team’s best players.

In recognition of his consistent performances and leadership qualities, Odegaard was eventually handed the captain's armband by the Arsenal management.

The midfielder signed a five-year contract extension with the club in 2023, keeping him at the Emirates until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Unsurprisingly, Odegaard is also one of the top earners in the Arsenal squad, drawing a substantial income for his role at the club.

So, exactly how much does he earn?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

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Martin Odegaard's wages at Arsenal in numbers

Under his current salary terms with Arsenal, Odegaard earns an impressive weekly wage of £240,000 ($318,580), making him the third-highest earner in the Gunners squad. His annual salary amounts to £12.4 million ($16.5 million).

Player

Nationality

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Martin Odegaard

Norwegian

£240,000

$318,580

£12,480,000

$16,566,150

AdvertisementAFPTop earners at Arsenal

German forward Kai Havertz is the highest-paid player at Arsenal followed by the Brazilian Gabriel Jesus. Club captain Martin Odegaard is third while Declan Rice and Thomas Partey are fourth and fifth, respectively.

Player

Nationality

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Kai Havertz

German

£280,000

$371,176

£14,560,000

$19,327,176

Gabriel Jesus

Brazilian

£265,000

$351,765

£13,780,000

$19,291,791

Martin Odegaard

Norwegian

£240,000

$318,580

£12,480,000

$16,566,150

Declan Rice

English

£240,000

$318,580

£12,480,000

$16,566,150

Thomas Partey

Ghanaian

£200,000

$265,483

£10,400,000

$13,805,125

Top 5 earners in the Premier League

Erling Haaland is the Premier League's top-paid player, with a nine-year contract at Manchester City until 2034. Kevin De Bruyne is second, and Mohamed Salah is third.

Casemiro is Manchester United's only entry at fourth, and Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk is fifth.

Despite their substantially high earnings, none of the Arsenal players make it to the top five list of the highest-paid players across the league.

Player

Club

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Erling Haaland

Manchester City

£525,000

$703,974

£27,300,000

$36,606,644

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

£400,000

$536,361

£20,800,000

$27,890,776

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

£400,000

$536,361

£20,800,000

$27,890,776

Casemiro

Manchester United

£350,000

$469,316

£18,200,000

$24,404,429

Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool

£350,000

$469,316

£18,200,000

$24,404,429

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Getty Images SportHighest paid players in the world

Premier League salaries are high, but these players are not the top earners globally.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the leading scorer in Champions League history, is the highest earner at Al Nassr. His former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, follows him.

Riyad Mahrez, previously with Manchester City, ranks third, while Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly from Senegal are fourth and fifth.

Player

Club

Weekly wages GBP

Weekly wages USD

Annual wages GBP

Annual wages USD

Cristiano Ronaldo

Al Nassr

£3,270,519

$4,385,050

£170,066,890

$228,022,620

Karim Benzema

Al Ittihad

£1,635,259

$2,192,525

£85,033,490

$114,011,310

Riyad Mahrez

Al Ahli

£853,605

$1,144,498

£44,387,482

$59,513,904

Sadio Mane

Al Nassr

£654,104

$877,010

£34,013,396

$45,604,524

Kalidou Koulibaly

Al Hilal

£567,435

$760,806

£29,506,621

$39,561,925

Prasidh Krishna, Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh were also picked

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-20231:20

What could Samson’s selection for the T20Is in Ireland mean?

A fully-fit Jasprit Bumrah is finally back in the India squad – as captain as well – for the T20Is in Ireland in August. In another boost to India’s fast-bowling stocks, Prasidh Krishna was also picked in the squad for the three games in Dublin.Bumrah hasn’t played any cricket since the T20I series at home against Australia last September. He has been at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for the past two months where he has slowly increased his bowling workloads after undergoing surgery in New Zealand for a back injury. He had a few practice games and the NCA staff, led by VVS Laxman, is believed to be satisfied with Bumrah’s progress.ESPNcricinfo has learned there were deliberations over whether Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was named captain for the 2023 Asian Games, should lead in Ireland as well to reduce Bumrah’s workload, but it’s understood the fast bowler was keen to lead. Bumrah had previously captained India in the Birmingham Test against England last year.ESPNcricinfo LtdPrasidh, meanwhile, is returning after extensive rehabilitation for a lumbar stress fracture that had kept him out of all cricket since the tour of Zimbabwe in August 2022. He didn’t undergo surgery initially and had been working towards a full recovery prior to the Ranji Trophy, but was advised surgery in December after another assessment.At the time of his injury, Prasidh was emerging as an effective bowler in the middle overs in ODIs with his height, pace and hard lengths. Last week, the BCCI had said that Bumrah and Prasidh were “bowling with full intensity in the nets.”Related

Suryakumar, Samson and Tilak jostle to fit in India's Asia Cup jigsaw

Prasidh Krishna: 'As fast bowlers, you sign up for injuries and long days. It's part of our game'

Jasprit Bumrah 'bowling with full intensity'

Gaikwad to lead second-string India side in Asian Games

Many of the players picked for the T20 cricket competition in the Asian Games were also selected to tour Ireland. The ODI regulars were rested to prepare for the Asia Cup starting on August 30 in Sri Lanka, just a week after the final Ireland T20I on August 23. The team management is considering a conditioning camp in Bengaluru prior to their departure to Sri Lanka.Apart from Gaikwad, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube were also picked on the back of impressive IPL seasons. Gaikwad was Chennai Super Kings’ second highest run-getter with 590 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 147.50 in a victorious season.In all, seven members of India’s Caribbean-bound T20I squad, including seamers Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, feature in the side for the Ireland tour. Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed and Washington Sundar are among the spin-bowling options for India.

Tom Prest, Ben Brown score 70s as Hampshire beat defending champs despite Daniel Bell-Drummond 150

ECB Reporters Network22-Aug-2023Aneurin Donald produced his destructive best to score the first white-ball century of his career as Hampshire beat Kent Spitfires by three wickets in a nervy trip to the Isle of Wight.Entertaining Donald smashed 106 off 73 balls – which included six maximums – with Tom Prest and Ben Brown scoring classy 70s around him as Hampshire chased down 325 in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Daniel Bell-Drummond had totted up 150 in a brilliant innings, his best List A score for Kent, after sizeable stands with Harry Finch and Alex Blake but it wasn’t defended despite Matt Parkinson twice being on a hat-trick.Knockout fixtures

Quarter-finals: Gloucestershire vs Lancashire (August 25), Hampshire vs Worcestershire (August 27)
Semi-finals: Warwickshire vs Hampshire/Worcestershire (August 29), Leicestershire vs Gloucestershire/Lancashire (August 29)
The final (September 16)

Defending champions Kent was eliminated by Lancashire’s victory while Hampshire, who were already through, will play Worcestershire on Sunday in a quarter-final at the Ageas Bowl.Kent chose to bat and Joe Denly was dropped before chopping Ian Holland on in a short stay, with Jack Leaning bowled by returning Hundred man Mason Crane’s first ball of the day.But the Spitfires took control on a great batting pitch through Bell-Drummond and Finch, both were exceptional at milking the bowling and sapping the energy of fielders and bowlers alike in the heat.Bell-Drummond rolled through the gears bringing up his third half-century on the competition in 65, with Finch following in 60 deliveries. Finch was bowled by Eddie Jack to end a 134-ball stand, but that only kick-started a blitzkrieg between Bell-Drummond and Blake.Bell-Drummond reached his seventh List A century in 108 balls and Blake smashed 26 off a Dom Kelly over during a 98-run partnership in a little over 11 overs.Blake’s dismissal for 46, lbw attempting to reverse Crane, saw five wickets fall for 35 runs as the visitors slowed down – despite reaching their highest List A score versus Hampshire.Holland had Grant Stewart and Bell-Drummond caught swinging to return 3 for 45, with Hamidullah Qadri and Nathan Gilchrist also departing.Hampshire needed to chase the 325 down in approximately 32 overs to beat Leicestershire to top spot in Group A.Fletcha Middleton was caught and bowled by Jaydn Denly but Prest kicked the innings into gear with the adhesive Brown. Prest’s third score over 50 in the competition was full of gorgeous shot-making which included eight fours and a six which thumped into the bumper crowd of about 2,500.His 78 in 75 was merely the amuse-bouche to Donald’s main course. He tottered along at around a run-a-ball for his first 25 balls before exploding.He started by almost sending Qadri over his head and back to the mainland before turning to his trusted slog-sweep to take down Parkinson and Denly with five more sixes. The Welshman survived a missed stumping, a catch on the boundary when Gilchrist stepped on the rope and Denly spilling an easy catch at cover.Brown – after 73 off 77 – and Joe Eckland fell in successive balls to Parkinson before Donald reached a popular century in an astonishing 71 balls.He was bowled by Qadri to leave 37 still needed in seven overs. Holland and Keith Barker’s dismissals to Parkinson in back-to-back balls saw the game close back up. But Felix Organ’s 30 not out steadied things before Crane won it with a six and a bow.

Jesus continued his torrid run at the Club World Cup, helping his side record a massive Club World Cup upset

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Jesus scores another crucial goal for BotafogoPSG's high-flying attack silencedBotafogo now lead Group B
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowTELL ME MORE

In a battle of the most recent winners of the UEFA Champions League and the CONMEBOL Libertadores, it was South America which shone brightest, as Botafogo stunned Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in front of a packed Rose Bowl on Thursday night in Pasadena, California.

PSG largely dominated proceedings, but without their injured star striker Ousmane Dembélé, they couldn't finish chances – when they had them. hounded the French side throughout the match, staying composed in the back and limiting spaces toward the opposition.

While dominated with 75 percent possession in the first half, it didn't amount to much in actual chances, with PSG only taking five shots in that span – one of the lowest shot totals of the season by Luis Enrique's side.

Botafogo would make PSG pay, as Igor Jesus punished them in the 36th minute. The Brazil international striker charged past two defenders on a break and launched a shot that had a slight deflection and went past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Jesus couldn't hide his emotion after the strike, running towards the stands to celebrate.

In the second half, Botafogo continued to cede possession in favor of structure and largely quieted PSG's attack. In the 79th minute, it seemed as if PSG would fight back as Bradley Barcola broke past the opposition's high line and scored on John Victor. Fortunately for the Brazilian side, the play was called back due to offside, and with it, PSG's best chance to equalize evaporated.

This was a massive result for Renato Paiva's side from both a pride perspective and their chances in the Club World Cup. If the Brazilian Serie A club beats or draws Atletico Madrid on Monday, they will win Group B. That would set them up to face the runner-up of Group A, which includes Inter Miami, Porto, Al Ahly, and Brazilian top-flight rivals Palmeiras.

AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?

The last time a UCL winner lost to a South American side came in 2012 as Corinthians stunned Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. The win also keeps the Seattle Sounders alive in the Club World Cup.

AFPTHE MVP

Igor Jesus: The Brazilian striker wasn't a household name prior to the Club World Cup, but he is delivering game after game for He's now scored against both Seattle and PSG, both wins, and defenses are struggling with his pace, athleticism, and ability to seamlessly weave past backlines. There was a tinge of luck in his finish to put Botafogo ahead, but Paiva will take it.

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Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER

PSG's attack: Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Gonçalo Ramos – it didn't matter who put against Botafogo's defense, they could not threaten. Perhaps it was fatigue or missing their lead star, Dembélé, but the team looked out of sync in the final third. They had just two shots on target.

Ollie Price posts century for Gloucestershire as visitors turn to Leus du Plooy in pursuit

ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2023Anuj Dal completed career-best figures of 6 for 69 to launch a determined Derbyshire fightback on the second day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.The 27-year-old seamer doubled his tally of three first-day victims to help restrict the hosts to 377 all out, from an overnight 333 for 6, including a superb catch off his own bowling to dismiss Ollie Price for 132, also a career-best.Derbyshire openers Harry Came (68) and Luis Reece (77) then built on the momentum with an opening partnership of 132 before their side closed on 260 for six, skipper Leus du Plooy unbeaten on 44.Gloucestershire began the day hopeful of a 400-plus total, but had added only eight to their overnight total when Dal dived full length to his right to cling one-handed onto a low return catch offered by Price, who had faced 194 balls and hit 18 fours.It was 366 for 8 when Josh Shaw was also caught and bowled for 18, Sam Conners capitalising on a sharp chance, and 376 for 9 when debutant Ed Middleton, on nine, fell leg before to Dal. Play was then interrupted by a shower and 12 overs of the 104 due to be bowled in the day were lost.On the resumption at 12.10pm, Dal had Dom Goodman caught behind to end the innings and left the pitch holding the ball aloft. It was the second time in as many games that he had claimed five wickets or more in an innings.By lunch, Came and Reece had put 20 on the board from five overs and it looked like being a tough afternoon for Gloucestershire’s injury-hit bowling attack on a dry pitch offering little assistance to seam or spin.So it proved, although the home side’s fortunes would have been lifted had they had they not spilled three catches, the first a straightforward chance to wicketkeeper James Bracey, moving to his right, offered by Came on 39.Luke Charlesworth was the unlucky bowler and he suffered again soon afterwards when Miles Hammond failed to cling onto a high chance at point, Reece this time profiting with his score on 22. Came was later given another life on 64, Price unable to grasp a fast edge into his midriff at slip off Zafar Gohar.Those scares apart, the two openers looked comfortable, Somerset-born Reece bringing up the century stand and his own fifty with a three off Goodman in the 29th over.A two off the same bowler took Came to his half-century and by tea the visitors were sitting pretty at 128 without loss. The third ball after the interval saw Charlesworth’s luck change as, with four runs added, he earned an lbw verdict against Came.Reece’s 142-ball innings ended with the total on 169 in the 49th over as he skied a pull shot off the tall Goodman to Zafar Gohar at fine leg.Then Hammond atoned for his earlier error with a direct hit at the wicketkeeper’s end to brilliantly run out Brooke Guest for 15, attempting a single after Wayne Madsen had played a delivery from Goodman to point.When Madsen surprisingly surrendered his wicket, lbw for 11 trying to reverse sweep Gohar, Derbyshire were 203 for 4, still 174 behind.But du Plooy had arrived at the crease with more than 1,000 Championship runs already behind him this season and the 28-year-old South African managed to steady the ship, ably assisted by Matt Lamb in bright early evening sunshine.Lamb produced one of the shots of the day with a swashbuckling back-foot stroke though backward point for four off Charlesworth before clinching Derbyshire’s first batting point with a boundary off Gohar. But with the score still on 251, he carelessly pulled a short ball from Gohar straight to Chris Dent at midwicket and departed for 24.The fifth-wicket stand had been worth 49, but Conners’ promotion in the order quickly backfired when he edged a catch to Bracey to give Gohar a third wicket and du Plooy now holds the key to his side at least gaining first-innings parity.

Wrexham have been told to use Brentford as inspiration to reach the Premier League ahead of their return to the second tier of English football.

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Wrexham told to follow Brentford exampleBees now established Premier League sideRed Dragons plotting another promotionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Chelsea and France winger Florent Malouda has told Wrexham to follow Brentford's example as they target a historic promotion to the Premier League. The Red Dragons are preparing for their return to the second tier of English football after three successive promotions and have been linked with players with Premier League experience in the transfer window.

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Brentford were promoted to the Premier League in 2021 and have remained in the division ever since, with former manager Thomas Frank a pivotal part of their consistency in the top flight. Now, Malouda has claimed the Bees are the perfect example for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side to follow.

WHAT MALOUDA SAID

Malouda, speaking on behalf of bet365 and their launch of the free-to-play Club World Championship Tournament Predictor game, said: “It's a wonderful success story, especially when you consider people coming from Hollywood, getting involved in football, and being so successful so quickly. There is something happening there.

“I hope the story continues and that they get promoted to the Premier League. Of course, it's more challenging now to step up from Championship to Premier League, but it has been done in the past.

“Look at teams like Brentford, they got promoted and have managed to stay in the Premier League. I hope that happens for Wrexham, they have a glamourised story around the club and I hope they make a movie one day.

“They’ll shoot a movie based on the true story of Wrexham.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham discovered their fixture list for the 2025-26 Championship season on Thursday, with Phil Parkinson's side taking on Southampton on the opening weekend of the campaign.