Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian is being backed to emulate Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard by securing legend status at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian youngster considered to be “unbelievably good”. He has already been likened to iconic countryman Neymar, with big shoes to be filled there, while also earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ (Little Messi) in his homeland.
Meteoric rise: Estevao tipped to reach the top
That goes to show how far the teenager has come in a short space of time. He only made his professional debut at Palmeiras in December 2023 and, less than two years later, is now a senior Brazil international and a Premier League performer being tipped to reach the very top.
A transfer to English football was completed in the summer of 2025 after turning 18 and facing Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup. He admitted when arriving in west London that adjusting to life outside of his comfort zone would be difficult.
Estevao has, however, hit the ground running with Chelsea – opening his goal account in stunning style when netting a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic victory over defending champions Liverpool. He had already been catching the eye prior to that outing.
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Next Neymar: Estevao compared to fellow Brazilian
His quick feet and ability to drift beyond opponents have made him a fan favourite and earned the respect of those who are sat alongside him in the Chelsea dressing room. There is the promise of much more to come, with the hottest of prospects seemingly ready to become the next South American sensation.
Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has told : “Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for. I think he could be one of the best. It's a lot to ask of a kid who's 18, but he's got everything, everything you need. Next off the Brazilian production line like Neymar. It's a good solid start, but I'll tell you what underlines it. I was at the Chelsea v Liverpool game just the other week and the ball went out to him and the noise in the stadium is different from every single other player. That is wow, not many can do that. So nice solid start, but he's a kid that can go wherever he likes. He's unbelievably good.”
Chelsea greats: Estevao to follow in iconic footsteps
Nevin went on to say of Estevao following in some iconic footsteps: “Style-wise, Chelsea have got this long list from Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata was much much loved down there. It goes all the way back to Charlie Cooke. Chelsea have got a whole list of these little creative players that they absolutely love.
“Estevao will be one of them. If Chelsea treat him right, if they stick by him, if he doesn't get injured, he will be in that pantheon. There's a couple of ifs in there, but definitely capable. Which one of them is he more like? He's probably closer to Neymar. He's not really like them. But creative, small, playing for Chelsea and could be world class very soon. He's up there and he should be one of them because he's good enough.”
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Next for Estevao? Chelsea return to Premier League action
Another former Blues star, Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo, told GOAL recently when asked how god Estevao can become: “Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player! You can see that he is so advanced in his football development.
“I saw him before the international break and he looks like a 15-year-old! You look at him and think ‘you are playing already?’ Amazing skills, technically, he’s fast, unpredictable, can go outside and inside. Very good attitude. He’s quite advanced for his age. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil national team.
“He’s got a very good family around him as well, his parents have moved over with him. He’s got good management around him so I have no doubt that he’s going to grow and become a top player, a world top player.”
Chelsea have Estevao tied to a long term contract through to 2033, meaning that they stand to benefit from the unlocking of further potential. He was among the goals for Brazil during the international break, netting a brace against South Korea, and will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Blues take in a trip to Nottingham Forest.
In what would hand their promotion hopes a major boost, Southampton are now plotting a January move to sign a Premier League star who’s been told to leave his current club.
Will Still "delighted" after much-needed Sheffield United win
Prior to their 2-1 victory over a struggling Sheffield United side, Southampton had gone as many as six Championship games without a win. It’s a run that included frustrating draws against Watford and Portsmouth and one that could have quite easily led to several questions about Will Still’s position. But, at long last, it is now a run that has come to an end courtesy of Sheffield United.
In the end, it was Ross Stewart who was the hero of the hour as his brace secured the Saints’ 2-1 victory against Chris Wilder’s side in what Still described as the “ultimate Championship game”.
Asked if Southampton deserved all three points, the manager told reporters: “Overall, yes. I think we’ve been in control of large parts of it. We probably conceded another one of those annoying goals.
“You then miss a penalty and think, ‘Jesus, it’s going to happen again’, but we’ve not done that at all. We’ve made a few tweaks. We bought a bit of energy on the pitch and managed to turn it around. Getting back into the game is always tough when you’re away here.
“Then we’ve just kept at it and not felt sorry for ourselves. We’ve dug deep and got a brilliant win from Roscoe. It was the ultimate Championship game.”
Even after getting back to winning ways, however, there’s still work to be done at St Mary’s and the January transfer window will present Southampton with the perfect opportunity to welcome one particular upgrade.
Southampton plotting Ward-Prowse return
As reported by GiveMeSport, Southampton are now plotting a move to sign James Ward-Prowse in the January transfer window. The West Ham United midfielder has been told that he’s not in new manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans and could now return to the Saints less than three years on from sealing a £30m exit.
It would be a sensational return for the Southampton academy graduate, who could certainly do with a return to where it all started. Already dropped by Nuno, Ward-Prowse arguably needs the Saints just as much as they need him.
Whilst it’s been a frustrating couple of years, Ward-Prowse is still capable of taking Southampton to promotion if he completes his return in January. The 30-year-old could instantly partner Shea Charles at the heart of Still’s midfield and suddenly take the Saints from play-off hopefuls into automatic promotion contenders.
There will, of course, be question marks over their ability to afford such a player but West Ham could yet set a cut-price amid Nuno’s desire to show the midfielder the door. If that proves to be the case, then Southampton should take full advantage.
Had Liverpool found another stoppage-time goal at the weekend, they would have beaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and extended their flawless streak in the Premier League, six wins from six, 18 points from 18.
But Arne Slot’s side cannot subsist on a diet of last-gasp joy across the span of the campaign, and they got a taste of their own medicine as Eddie Nketiah struck late to condemn the Reds to their first defeat of the year.
In some ways, Liverpool’s never-quit attitude has papered over a few cracks in Slot’s squad across the early weeks of the 2025/26 season, with tactical imbalances clear after a summer of significant spending and upheaval.
Florian Wirtz, for example, has flattered to deceive since his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen, but FSG are calm and confident, retaining full belief that the German playmaker, 22, will come good.
Liverpool have also added two of the most exciting strikers in the business to their ranks. Indeed, in Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, the Merseysiders have goalscoring options capable of firing the club toward more illustrious success after last year’s Premier League triumph.
Isak & Ekitike are Liverpool's future
Isak might be the record-breaking man, but the events of the summer transfer window have meant that the former Newcastle United striker has integrated late at Liverpool.
Ekitike, ostensibly the 26-year-old’s understudy, has started his Liverpool career with lightning speed, scoring five goals and registering one assist across eight matches, six of which were starts.
Much has been made of how Slot can appease the pair, who will both want to start regularly across the campaign, but he has hinted that they could play alongside against each other, and given the many shoots of Liverpool’s season, having a wealth of attacking options is hardly a bad thing.
One thing’s clear, FSG have landed a pair of elite attackers, with both having been likened to a former Premier League great in Thierry Henry.
TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves acknowledged in August that there is a likeness between Ekitike and his retired countryman, who also shifted between left-flanked and central striking berths.
And Isak has long been tagged as a similar sort of player to the Arsenal legend, with former footballer Nedum Onuoha saying the marksman is “vibes of Thierry Henry”, BBC pundit Alan Shearer also calling him “the complete striker”.
Isak vs Ekitike (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)
Isak
Ekitike
Goals
0.64
0.53
Assists
0.18
0.24
Shots taken
3.18
3.64
Shot-creating actions
3.04
3.06
Progressive passes
3.22
1.90
Progressive carries
2.72
2.74
Successful take-ons
1.43
1.66
Ball recoveries
1.97
2.40
Tackles + interceptions
0.54
0.87
Aerials won
0.82
1.92
All data via FBref
Two fantastic forwards, but Liverpool actually already had their own version of Henry, and they still do at that.
Liverpool's own version of Thierry Henry
Mohamed Salah started off poorly in the Premier League, arriving at Chelsea from Basel as a young and unpolished prospect with a clear quality on the ball and impressive athleticism besides. He didn’t manage to pull it all together, though, and left for Italy to forge his path.
And forge his path he has. The 33-year-old made an impression in the Serie A and joined Klopp’s Liverpool for £34m, now recognised globally as one of the greatest players of his generation, the poster boy of this illustrious modern era at Anfield and hailed as a “superstar” by Sky Sports’ Gary Neville.
With 188 goals scored in the Premier League, Salah is fourth in the all-time standings and looking to rise higher still. Last season, he put to bed any doubts that he is a divisional great, scoring 29 goals and supplying 18 assists as the Reds sealed their first Premier League title since 2019/20.
Time was last season when Salah almost appeared a shoo-in for the Ballon d’Or, so impressive was his start to the term. But he petered out across the second half of the campaign and was anonymous as Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
In this way, the iconic forward shares with Henry a certain grievance over having been snubbed for the award, coming in at fourth during last week’s ceremony in Paris, with the one-time Les Bleus star missing out to Pavel Nedvěd in 2003 despite an extraordinary campaign with the Gunners, scoring 32 goals and supplying 24 assists across all competitions in 2002/03.
Inarguably two of the greatest players in English football history, both could make a compelling case for the crown.
For Salah, he will have brushed off any frustration over being snubbed, having, after all, been the talisman in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph.
But it must still sting, and with Henry and the Egyptian being ranked against each other so many times, this is seemingly something they will share when Salah eventually joins the Frenchman in retirement.
Set to soon pass the torch, the veteran will no doubt feel that the 2024/25 campaign marked his best chance to win the Ballon d’Or. It wasn’t to be, with the Egyptian no doubt frustrated that he didn’t even reach the podium after what will go down as one of the greatest season-long efforts in English history.
Salah might be approaching the final stretch of his legendary Premier League career without a Ballon d’Or title to his name, but he will still go down as an all-timer, having played an instrumental role in putting Liverpool back on their perch over the past eight-and-a-half years.
Likewise, Henry never got his mitts on the pinnacle individual accolade, but fans of the two persuasions will be sure to agree that both were good enough to have claimed the prize.
Not Isak or Ekitike: Liverpool struck gold on star worth more than Salah
This unsung Liverpool hero continues to prove a fantastic signing for the club.
The break in the IPL witnessed the departure of two huge pillars of Indian Test cricket. It resumed with a 23-year-old and a 14-year-old taking T20 batting to new heights. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi put on a 76-run opening partnership where 74 runs had come in boundaries. But even with that head start, it was heartbreak for Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they lost by 10 runs. Punjab Kings (PBKS) are now up to 17 points. They were assured of a playoffs spot after Gujarat Titans (GT) beat Delhi Capitals (DC) later on Sunday evening.
Wadhera, the unsung hero
PBKS equalled an IPL record for most 200-plus totals in a season (6). They made 219 for 5. That it happened after they lost three wickets in the first 19 balls just added even more sheen to their achievement. The top-scorer Nehal Wadhera (70 off 37) attended a mid-innings interview where he said his captain Shreyas Iyer had told him to keep hitting despite wickets falling and that mentality was the reason why they made the most of beautiful batting conditions in Jaipur.Most of PBKS’ firepower has come from their openers. But on Sunday, both Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya couldn’t get going. That though allowed Wadhera all the time he needed to come into his own. He is a lovely spin-hitter (strike-rate 156, average 84 this IPL). Two of his best shots came off Wanindu Hasaranga on either side of Iyer’s wicket – one where he picked the googly and hit down the ground for six and the next where he picked the leg break and slog swept it for six.Wadhera could’ve been out on 48 had Hasaranga been able to hold onto a tough caught and bowled chance.Shashank Singh scored quickly and creatively•Getty Images
Shashank Singh nails the finisher role
Tushar Deshpande went into death overs mode in the 15th itself, using yorkers and bouncers of varying pace to save himself. Akash Madhwal, who was having a rough evening, might have thought he’d bought his team some relief when he dismissed Wadhera with four overs still left. Shashank Singh, at the time, was looking scratchy. He could’ve been dismissed for 11 off 10 if Dhruv Jurel had not misjudged where the boundary line was at long-off while trying to take a catch.Shashank made the most of the life he got and became a menace for an RR attack that had plans to deal with him. The wide yorker was a big part of that, but the finisher one-upped them by moving around in his crease, twice scooping off the wide line to find the fine leg boundary and once taking guard almost two feet outside his crease in order to meet the yorkers on the full. Shashank made 59 off 30 balls.
Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, Carnage
Nobody was ready for how the RR innings began. Jaiswal went 4, dot, 4, 4, 6, 4 in the very first over bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Suryavanshi wasn’t lagging behind. From his place deep in his crease, and with the kind of power that doesn’t really tally with his age, he found leverage to hit bowlers looking for his nose and his toes out of the park. RR were 51 for 0 in three overs. Fifty of those runs in fours and sixes. One run off a wide. The first scoring shot that wasn’t a boundary took 26 balls to arrive. On the back of this unreal partnership, RR put up their highest powerplay total (89 for 1) in IPL history.Harpreet Brar picked off both Rajasthan Royals openers•BCCI
Harpreet Brar turns it around
With the ball flying to all parts – and regular captain Shreyas Iyer subbed out to manage a finger injury – PBKS turned to Harpreet Brar (4-0-22-3) to see if pace off the ball would work. It did. Brar bowled one in the powerplay, got the benefit of a spread-out field after that, he still had to deal with a left-handed batter for most of his spell, nothing fazed him. Because he was clear with what he wanted to do. If he went full, he was not going to give RR the chance to get under the ball. He offered no room either. If he went short, he bowled it quick and kept the stumps in play to deny the batter time to swing. Riyan Parag found that out when the speed of his hands was no match for the skid of Brar’s arm ball. RR hit 19 boundaries in the powerplay. Brar came on to control the middle overs and they hit only four boundaries between overs 7 and 14.
The end
RR’s finishers have been under the scanner all season. Shimron Hetmyer has the fifth-lowest strike rate of all batters who have at least 50 runs in the death overs. Jurel has been found out by spin. Here too, he made only 15 off 13 against Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal, but he was able to get on top of the PBKS quicks. He had a season strike rate of 179 against pace coming into this game. He upped it to 211 on Sunday.A tense finish was on the cards, but Arshdeep came back for the 19th over, and nailed his lengths, whether he went yorker, or knuckle-ball into the pitch, and gave away only nine runs. That left RR with 22 runs to get off the last six balls. They managed to do that once in this game. Twice was asking for too much.
Switzerland and Como Women’s star Alisha Lehmann has been having some fun on the training ground with Johan Djourou while on international duty. The former Arsenal defender is currently working as the assistant coach of the Swiss women’s team and was taking part in some drills when a simple error saw Lehmann jokingly request some assistance from VAR.
Lehmann back with Switzerland team
Lehmann is back with the Swiss national team for October's international friendlies against Canada and Scotland. The Como star has been showing off her skills on the training ground but hit a problem after a pass to Djourou seemingly went astray. Lehmann was convinced that Djourou could have headed the ball and kept possession, but the assistant coach refused to accept the blame and revealed that "heading is not allowed." The footage was posted on social media, with Lehmann then asking fans to take on the role of the VAR and decide who was in the right and who was in the wrong.
AdvertisementWatch the clipLehmann wins the vote
Lehmann appears to have been given the benefit of the doubt, with a quick poll on social media going in the former Juventus and Aston Villa star's favour. The Swiss star boasts over 16 million followers on Instagram, making the decision no real surprise, and leaving Djorou feeling a little hard done by.
"But honest people, what is this?" he said. Lehmann then asked Djourou what he'd learned from the experience and was told: "I learned that people love you, because it's you. And I have no chance. I have no chance!"
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Getty Images SportLehmann feeling Swiss 'passion' after Euro 2025
Lehmann has spoken about her passion for the Swiss national team recently and feels there is room for growth for the Euro 2025 hosts. She told : "The Euros were unforgettable. It was emotional seeing how many people came out to support us. I really believe it changed how people see women’s football in Switzerland and beyond. The passion is there, the audience is real. Now it’s about turning that momentum into long-term growth.”
A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol divulgou, nesta terça-feira (5), a comunicação entre o árbitro de vídeo e Anderson Daronco na expulsão de Maycon após entrada em Endrick, durante o empate sem gols entre Corinthians e Palmeiras, no domingo (3), pela 22ª rodada do Brasileirão.
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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF
Na reta final do Dérbi, o camisa 9 palmeirense puxou contra-ataque e foi derrubado pelo meia corintiano. Daronco deu vantagem no lance e depois puniu Maycon com cartão amarelo. O lance passou pela análise da equipe de arbitragem de vídeo, que recomendou a expulsão. Veja abaixo o diálogo entre Anderson Daronco e Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral, árbitro de vídeo na Neo Química Arena.
DARONCO – Dei cartão amarelo para o número 7, por temeridade.
VAR – Tem as travas da chuteira que pega de raspão, tá?
DARONCO – Ele atingiu de lado.
VAR – Pega de raspão… A ponta da chuteira toca na outra panturrilha
DARONCO – Ele atinge de lado, Guarizo.
VAR – Quando toca, ele recolhe a perna, tá?. Intensidade dele é alta, ele não toca a bola. Eu vou chamar ele, ok?
VAR – Daronco, recomendo revisão para possível cartão vermelho, tá? Intensidade alta, ele tem a fase aérea, só vai no jogador, não disputa a bola, tá bom?
+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão
Após ir ao monitor, Daronco mudou sua decisão e expulsou Maycon do Dérbi. O camisa 7 não poderá enfrentar o Fortaleza, na quinta-feira (14), pelo Brasileirão, na Arena Fonte Nova.
One thing that the current Leeds United squad seems to be lacking is the next great academy product. Centre-back Pascal Struijk is a graduate of their academy, but at 26 years of age, he is firmly established in the first team.
18-year-old Scottish attacker Sam Chambers has played for the senior team, but has not even been on the bench this season,
Of course, over the last few years, some excellent players have come through the Leeds academy system and made it to the first team. Kalvin Phillips is one name who springs to mind, becoming a key player in the midfield at Elland Road before moving to Manchester City.
The other player who fits the bill was Archie Gray.
Archie Gray’s career at Leeds
The 19-year-old is arguably one of the most successful academy graduates at Elland Road in recent years. He has deep family ties to Leeds, and came through their academy before breaking into the first team.
In total, the versatile midfielder, who was born in Durham, played 52 games for the club. All those appearances came in the 2023/24 campaign, a season in which he chipped in with two assists.
After a successful debut season in professional football for Gray, the youngster, who can also play at right-back and did so 30 times for the Whites, secured a big transfer. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2024 for a fee of around £30m.
Since moving down to North London, the 19-year-old has played 48 games for the Lilywhites. He’s once again shown great versatility, playing full-back on both sides, at centre-back and in his natural midfield role. Of course, Gray was also a Europa League winner last term.
Since Gray, Leeds haven’t had a top academy prospect break into the first-team squad and establish themselves. Well, perhaps the next big thing is waiting in the wings.
Leeds’ best academy talent since Gray
Certainly, if Gray is able to break through under Daniel Farke and become an established first-team player, the same door could be open for future academy talents on the books at Elland Road.
Well, perhaps sooner or later, that player will be Scotland youth attacker Lewis Pirie. The versatile forward joined Leeds back in 2023 from Scottish outfit Aberdeen. After starting out in the under-18s side, he’s broken into the under-21s this season.
In his first two full seasons as a Leeds academy player, his record shows why he is considered such an “exciting” prospect. At least, that is a word that former Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin used to describe him.
Indeed, Pirie has played 29 games for the club over the past couple of years. In that time, he’s found the back of the net on seven occasions, and assisted one goal, too.
Having played 1701 minutes, he has a minutes per goal and assist record of 213 minutes.
The 18-year-old is has already built up a strong reputation for himself. He can operate on both flanks and up front, and has even played deeper as a number 10 for the Leeds academy.
As we saw with Gray, Farke loves versatility, which could be a key difference to helping him reach the first-team.
Centre forward
8
2
Right wing
4
2
Right midfield
3
0
Left wing
2
2
Attacking midfield
1
0
With the versatility he offers and the clear goal threat he can bring to the table, Pirie could be the perfect option if Farke wishes to bring another academy star into the first team at Elland Road.
It will be fascinating to see if the Whites boss will look to bring through another young talent into the frame. If so, that player could very well be Pirie.
Their next Raphinha: Leeds star could soon steal the number 10 from Piroe
Leeds United may have their next Raphinha in the making at Elland Road.
Overseas star makes decisive contribution as Hampshire claim 31-run victory on DLS
ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-2025
Hampshire batters Maia Bouchier and Charli Knott made important contributions to the victory•Hampshire County Cricket Club
Hampshire 213 (Knott 64, Southby 46) beat Somerset 182 (Luff 74, Adams 3-36) by 31 runs (DLS)Overseas star Charli Knott undermined Somerset with bat and ball as Hampshire won an absorbing Metro Bank women’s One-Day Cup contest by 31 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern Method at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton.The Australian all-rounder top-scored with 64 from 102 balls and staged stands of 46, 40 and 42 with Maia Bouchier, Georgia Adams and Rhianna Southby for the second, third and fourth wickets respectively after Hampshire had won the toss. Southby contributed a useful 46 from 64 balls and Bouchier made 39 as the visitors were dismissed for 213 in 50 overs, Alex Griffiths taking 2 for 24 and weighing in with a catch and two run-outs.Knott then took 2 for 25 with her offbreaks as Somerset were reduced to 109 for 8 inside 33 overs. Skipper Sophie Luff threatened a remarkable fightback, scoring a defiant 74 and sharing in a stand of 69 for the ninth wicket with Ellie Anderson to briefly put the outcome in doubt, but Adams removed her to finish with 3 for 36 as the home side were dismissed for 182 in 46 overs. Hampshire’s spinners took eight wickets between them as the visitors extended their lead over The Blaze at the top of the table to five points.No doubt with a point to prove following a below-par performance against Surrey last time out, Somerset produced a disciplined performance with the ball on a worn pitch to successfully restrict their opponents on this occasion. Anderson bowled Ella McCaughan with new ball and Mollie Robbins hit her straps at the other end as Hampshire’s top-order batters struggled to find the boundary in a 10-over powerplay that saw them post 44 for 1.Spin is undoubtedly Somerset’s strong suite and pace off proved effective in frustrating the visitors during the middle overs, Bouchier chipping a delivery from Amanda-Jade Wellington to Griffiths at short mid-wicket and departing for a 43-ball 39 with the score on 69 just as she was threatening to cut loose.Having played second fiddle in a partnership of 46 with Bouchier, Knott took centre stage, grafting her way to 50 via 79 balls in the face of accurate spin bowling from Wellington and Charlie Dean as Hampshire reached 107 for 2 at the halfway stage. With the game finely balanced, Somerset enjoyed a moment of outrageous good fortune, the stooping Griffiths deflecting a straight drive from Knott onto the stumps to run out the unfortunate Adams for 14.Change spinners Chloe Skelton and Heather Knight continued to build pressure and Knott, frustrated by a lack of progress, skied the former to Luff at mid-on to afford Somerset a crucial breakthrough. The Australian had registered her highest score of the summer, but with her went Hampshire’s best chance of posting a truly challenging total. From a position of strength at 151 for 3 in the 37th over, the visitors fell away badly, their last seven wickets falling for the addition of just 62 runs.Abi Norgrove was run out for 11, Skelton produced sharp turn to bowl Nancy Harman for six, Lynsey Smith was held by Anderson at mid-wicket off the bowling of Griffiths and Southby, having moved to within four runs of a half century, lost her off stump to Dean as Somerset turned the screw. Griffiths then removed Freya Davies and Bex Tyson was run out off the final ball to reinforce the feeling that the visitors had fallen short.But that all changed when Somerset’s inability to construct substantial partnerships was laid bare. Eager to impress against former team-mates, Davies bowled Emma Corney for 15 with the score on 24 and Somerset’s chase was further undermined when Knight, having made 23 and advanced the total to 51, dabbed a ball from Tyson to point, set off in pursuit of a notional single and was comprehensively run out by Bouchier’s pick up and throw as she attempted to return to the crease.Desperately in need of a partnership to calm their nerves, the home side plunged ever deeper into trouble, Smith inducing the experienced Fran Wilson to hit tamely to Bouchier at cover point in the sixteenth. Attempting to break the shackles, Dean then pulled a short delivery from Tyson straight down the throat of Daisy Gibb at deep backward square as Somerset lurched to 63 for 4.Having forced their opponents onto the back foot, Hampshire’s spinners then kept up the pressure by bowling a disciplined line, in the process pushing the required rate up to nearly six an over. Introduced at the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end, Knott struck in her first over, pinning Katie Jones lbw for nine as the slide continued unchecked.There appeared to be no coming back from the wreckage of 80 for 5 at the halfway stage of the innings and it was 87 for 6 when Griffiths offered Adams a straightforward return catch. Knott had fellow Australian Wellington caught at deep mid-wicket via a leading edge before rain forced the players off with the score on 10 for 7.When play resumed, Somerset required a further 112 to win and had one over fewer in which to chase an unchanged target. Adams had Skelton held at silly mid-on immediately following the resumption, but there was hope for Somerset while the indomitable Luff continued to offer stiff resistance. Somerset’s captain went to a dogged 50 from 83 balls and finally found a reliable ally in the form of Anderson, who scored at nearly a run a ball as the ninth wicket alliance realised 50 from 54 balls to make Hampshire think again.The stand was worth 69 and Somerset were within 36 runs of pulling off an astonishing against-the-odds victory when Tyson persuaded Anderson to hit straight to mid-wicket, Bouchier taking her third catch of the innings to reduce the home side to 178 for 9 in the 45th over. Hampshire breathed a collective sigh of relief when Adams ended Luff’s 108-ball innings in the next over.
Arsenal have been dealt with a fresh injury blow with star players William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli ruled out of action for their upcoming game with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. The duo, along with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, picked up problems in their last Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace, which the Gunners won 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Fresh injury blows for Arsenal
Arsenal are off to a dream start to the 2025-26 campaign as they have won seven out of their first nine matches and are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table. After two months of action in the English top flight, the Gunners are being labelled as favourites to finally bag the league title after years of heartbreak.
However, their journey has been rocked with injuries to several of the first-team stars. Forwards Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are currently sidelined with injuries alongside captain Martin Odegaard. On top of that, Arsenal were dealt with fresh blows as five new players have been carrying knocks.
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Saliba and Martinelli ruled out of Carabao Cup clash
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has now provided an update on all of his players' conditions ahead of the Brighton clash, claiming Saliba and Martinelli have no chance of playing in the cup game. Speaking to reporters, the Spanish coach said: "[Saliba] is out. We are assessing him, but he won’t be involved this match. [Martinelli] looks as well that he is going to be out. We have to, again, do some more tests and see the extent of the injury. But this game is going to be too early for him."
However, Arteta also confirmed that the trio of Saka, Calafiori and Rice are all fit and ready to take the field against the Seagulls on Wednesday night.
Arteta could make wholesale changes to starting lineup
With a hectic schedule either side of the November international break, Arteta is likely to make several changes in the starting lineup and hand game time to other squad members. In defence, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly could feature, while Piero Hincapie could be handed his first start. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could make his second appearance for the Gunners after making his debut against Port Vale last month.
Youth sensation Max Dowman, who has started training with the senior first team, could also be included in the matchday squad after the teenager impressed for Arsenal U19s in Europe and the English youth leagues. Arteta could also consider pushing Mikel Merino to the No.9 role once again, if he plans to rest star forward Viktor Gyokeres.
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Arsenal backed to win trophies this season
Manchester United legend and pundit Gary Neville backed the Gunners as favourites to win the league title this year and even revealed the points tally they have to achieve to lift their 14th top-flight title. He said on the Gary Neville Podcast: "This has got to be them, hasn't it? This has got to be their year. This is the fourth season on the bounce that I've had them to win the league, but they're not necessarily miles better, they're repeating their levels of consistency, and that's all they're going to have to do this year to win the league. They're not going to have to go and get 100 points, they're not going to have to get even 90 or 95 points to win the league, mid-80s, high 80s will win them this title, and they can do that. I mentioned before about the other teams [being] inconsistent and unreliable, that's not this Arsenal team. They're very reliable. You can trust them. The way in which they defend is fantastic. They're all around each other. They don't concede goals. They've got a threat up front in multiple areas. They've not got a sensational centre-forward, but they've got a battering ram up there as honest as a day's long, and that can work for them. They've got [Eberechi] Eze, they've got so they've got Madueke, Martinelli, [Leandro] Trossard, lots of players who can contribute goals. They've got Rice who can obviously deliver in set-pieces. They've got four fantastic full-backs and three excellent centre-backs."