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Liverpool should swallow up a point gained at St. James’ Park and move on. The Reds have seen better days, Arne Slot has seen better days.

But Liverpool are not going to win every Premier League match this season, and have done incredibly well to have claimed such a haul at this stage that victories for Arsenal and Chelsea on Wednesday evening have left them seven points adrift in joint-second place.

Truth be told, Newcastle United were well worth their draw, and that’s just the way it is. Oh, Liverpool had their chances: Mohamed Salah, you might know him, was particularly brilliant, posting two wonderful goals and an assist to extend his scoring streak to seven matches. If Liverpool win the league, he will be the herald of that glinted silver.

But after such awe-inspiring wins against Real Madrid and Manchester City last week, the Merseysiders lacked some of their usual synergy and snap against Eddie Howe’s outfit, invariably dangerous on Tyneside.

Regrettably, there were a few who flattered to deceive.

Liverpool's worst performers vs Newcastle

Caoimhin Kelleher authored the late blunder that cost Liverpool the win. It’s a shame. He’s been brilliant between the sticks this season, covering for the injury-prone Alisson Becker and producing performances that have left onlookers in awe.

But the Irishman came unstuck against the Magpies. Newcastle were impressive with their pressing and duel success but truthfully claimed something against the table-toppers due to a catalogue of mistakes, unusual in the grand scheme of the season.

Inexplicably drifting out in an attempt to claim Bruno Guimaraes’ hoofed set-piece in the dying embers, Fabian Schar’s acute finish restored parity and left the likes of Salah and twice-assisting Trent Alexander-Arnold in despair, whose attacking efforts were countered by shoddy defensive play.

Joe Gomez also struggled, a shadow of the dynamic self that silenced Erling Haaland and the rest on Sunday. Jarell Quansah, pinch-hitting at right-back with Trent not risked from the opening, proved that perhaps some work is needed before he nails down that moonlit role (that’s being generous).

What is there to say about Darwin Nunez? He made “a mess of it,” said The Athletic’s James Pearce. It being his opportunity up top, and it also being missing two more big chances to add to the trove.

He put in a masterful off-the-bench showing last season at St. James’ Park last year but failed to ignite even a flicker of that brace-netting success here.

And so on. Liverpool failed to live up to their staggering heights here, but that’s going to happen throughout the campaign. It’s paramount that the blip is cast into the background and kept there, with Everton up next.

This collection of stars will be frustrated with their efforts, but Ryan Gravenberch will be more annoyed still after putting in his worst display of the Slot era.

Ryan Gravenberch had an evening to forget

Gravenberch has been one of Liverpool’s best players this year. The 22-year-old completed a £34m transfer to Anfield in August 2023 to complete Jurgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild.

After up-and-down results at Bayern, he failed to nail down a spot last term, starting 13 Premier League matches and struggling to impose himself in a multi-functioning role.

Now, Slot has changed all that, moving him into the deep-sitting position after being arrested by his flair and style and press resistance. Gravenberch sits deep and recycles play, but also has a license to glide forward all swan-like. But like a swan, he also has a bite.

Not against Newcastle. It was an evening to forget. The Dutchman had played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns under Slot’s wing before being hooked on 67 minutes. He looked knackered, overworked, fizzled out.

Liverpool’s ability to promote existing talent and eclipse their rivals after missing out on their primary summer transfer target, Martin Zubimendi, makes for an interesting comment on FSG’s shrewdness, but with Wataru Endo not favoured, Gravenberch is now running on fumes.

The Netherlands ace was even singled out by The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle as the lowest-rated Redman on the evening, branding him with a lowly 4/10 score.

The journalist put it in no uncertain terms: ‘Lost the ball three times in dangerous midfield positions and appeared massively off the pace with little forward threat. Mild improvement after break but his least effective display for some time.’

Indeed. In fact, a cynical eye could conclude that Gravenberch suffered his worst performance under Slot’s management, having lacked bite going forward and been flimsy in combative sequences.

As you can see from the graphic, Gravenberch lost five of his seven contested duels and failed to register a single shot, key pass or successful dribble. Moreover, the rangy midfielder lacked his patent slickness, picking up a booking and being hooked before the closing stages, an indication of his depleted tank.

Look. Liverpool will drop more points before the end of the campaign. But so will Man City. So will Arsenal. And so on.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

What matters, however, is that Liverpool don’t lose points at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. It could cause the pendulum to swing. Liverpool suffered frustration on Tyneside but now must bounce back.

Gravenberch must bounce back. He is the linchpin, the all-consuming machine in the middle. With Alexis Mac Allister now suspended for the Goodison Park clash, his performance will be doubly important.

Imagine him & Salah: Liverpool keen on "one of the best CFs in the world"

Liverpool are still targeting reinforcements despite the superb start to life under Arne Slot.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Dec 4, 2024

GOAL selected the 50 best footballing talents from around the world born on or after January 1, 2005 – but are they living up to their potential?

Since NXGN's launch in 2016, GOAL has profiled the 50 best footballing wonderkids on the planet on an annual basis. Some of those recognised for their talent as teenagers are now household names, but others have not yet realised their potential.

So, after the NXGN 2025 list was revealed, check out where the stars of 2024 are now:

• Getty Images Sport
  

  50Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)

  2024: The young brother of Real Madrid star Jude, Bellingham was enjoying an eye-catching first season at Sunderland in the Championship having departed boyhood club Birmingham City the previous summer.

  2025: Having been moved back into midfield after playing much of last season as a forward, Bellingham has taken his game to new levels in 2024-25 as the Black Cats chase promotion to the Premier League. Top clubs in England and around Europe continue to keep tabs on his progress.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  49Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)

  2024: Having emerged as the top talent within Australia's A-League thanks to his powerful attacking play and rocket-launcher of a left foot, Irankunda had already agreed a record-breaking transfer to Bayern Munich and earned a first international call-up from the Socceroos.

  2025: Irankunda spent his first six months in Germany playing for Bayern's reserve side in the third tier before completing a loan move to FC Zurich in January as he looks to gain experience of top-flight European football.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  48Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami)

  2024: Cremaschi had emerged as one of the best young players in MLS after striking up a strong on-field relationship with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, with his form having earned him a first call-up to the senior United States squad.

  2025: The midfielder was a rotational member of the Miami squad in 2024 as they won the MLS Supporters Shield but is expected to take on an even bigger role under new coach Javier Mascherano.

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  47Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)

  2024: Having been dubbed 'the next Martin Odegaard' within Norway, Nypan was already a regular in the Rosenborg line-up, and was just beginning a campaign that would end with him providing 15 combined league goals and assists from midfield in just 28 appearances.

  2025: Arsenal and Manchester City were among the clubs who attempted to sign Nypan during the January transfer window but he has instead opted to stay with Rosenborg until the summer before considering his next move.

Stats preview of the Test series between West Indies and Australia

Bishen Jeswant02-Jun-20153 Number of times West Indies have beaten Australia in a Test match since 1998, all at home. In the same period, West Indies played 11 Tests in Australia, losing ten and drawing the other. West Indies were whitewashed in two of the three Test series in Australia (in 2000 and 2005) but did not suffer this fate a single time in four home series against their opponents.

47.9 Batting strike rate in Test matches played in the West Indies over the last 10 years, the lowest for any Test nation. The only other countries where batsmen scored at a strike rate of less than 50 in this period were Zimbabwe and UAE.31.6 Bowling average of spinners in the West Indies over the last five years, the best among Test nations. Spinners have taken almost 15 wickets per match in the West Indies in this period, the most in any country outside Asia. They have also taken 15 five-wicket hauls in the West Indies over this period, again the most outside Asia.

28.7 Batting average of West Indies’ players at home over the last five years, the poorest for any top-eight team at home. Their batsmen average 30.02 in away Tests over the same period. West Indies are the only team whose batsmen, over the last five years, have a better average and strike in away Tests.

3 West Indies batsmen who have scored 1500 Test runs over the last five years, the fewest for any top-eight nation. They are Shivnarine Chanderpaul (3198), Darren Bravo (2548) and Marlon Samuels (2068). Chanderpaul is not playing the first Test. Seven Australia batsmen have scored more than 1500 runs in this period, the second-best for any team after India (8).

Arsenal transfer chiefs are apparently ready to try offering around £80 million for an “absolute nightmare” of a forward compared to Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

Arsenal target new forward to ease pressure on Kai Havertz

The north Londoners are targeting a new forward next year to ease the pressure on makeshift star Kai Havertz, with the German well above out-of-form Gabriel Jesus in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.

Arsenal preparing January move for £54m England ace with talks already held

He’d be a very popular addition.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 28, 2024

Jesus has scored just one goal in all competitions this season, despite making 16 appearances in that time, and this has led to doubts surrounding his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

Havertz is shouldered with the responsibility of leading Arsenal’s forward line right now, but it is believed that the club are keen to end their reliance on the former Chelsea star in 2025.

Arsenal failed to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in the summer window, having a proposal rejected for the Slovenia international, alongside both Chelsea and Man United (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal could go back in for Sesko in 2025, according to various reports, but there are numerous other transfer targets on interim sporting director Jason Ayto’s agenda ahead of next year.

One of them is Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, with Arsenal among many elite sides keeping an eye on the Swede as his talks over a new contract at St. James’ Park fail to get anywhere at the time of writing.

Their interest in the Premier League star is backed by reliable media sources like Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, but a lot will apparently depend on who succeeds ex-sporting director Edu Gaspar in the Arsenal boardroom.

The 25-year-old bagged 25 goals in all competitions last season, and is back to his best this campaign after a slow start with three goals in his last four league matches.

Arsenal ready to attempt £80 million offer for Newcastle star Alexander Isak

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are prepared to try an £80 million bid to sign Isak from Newcastle, but it could take closer to £100 million to strike a deal for one of the Premier League’s best strikers.

The outlet draws attention to his “Thierry Henry-esque” playing style, which is quite an enticing tag for Arsenal supporters, and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer is absolutely aware of Isak’s sheer quality.

“He is just a constant threat all the time. His finishing is excellent and his penalty taking is as good as they come,” said Shearer on Match of The Day last season.

“He is confident and cool and believes in everything he is doing. We know that once he gets away over the top, he is going to cause you an absolute nightmare. His ability to link up and his understanding [is brilliant].

“Everything about his game is of the highest quality. He has scored 19 goals in 23 games – that is a very, very good record.”

Rachin Ravindra has replaced Bracewell in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming ODIs against Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2023Michael Bracewell, the New Zealand spin-bowling allrounder, has been signed up by Royal Challengers Bangalore as replacement for Will Jacks, who has been forced to give IPL 2023 a miss after picking up an injury while on tour for England in Bangladesh.Jacks, one of Royal Challengers’ big buys at the last auction, had been acquired for a price of INR 3.2 crore (US$ 390,000 approx. at the time). Bracewell, though, will join Royal Challengers for his auction base price of INR 1 crore, the BCCI said in a press statement.Rachin Ravindra, meanwhile, has been called up as Bracewell’s replacement for New Zealand’s three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which will follow the ongoing Test series.Related

• South Africa players to join IPL after Netherlands ODIs

• Punjab Kings sweat on Bairstow's availability

• Jhye Richardson out of IPL 2023

• Warner to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023

“Michael’s been a key contributor to our white-ball teams since making his debut last year. It’s exciting he’ll get a chance to take up the learning opportunities the IPL provides – particularly as a spin bowling all-rounder,” Gary Stead, the New Zealand head coach, said in a statement. “With a World Cup in India this year it’s great to have players getting more experience in those conditions.”Bracewell, 32, is equally handy with bat and ball, and has played seven Tests, 19 ODIs and 16 T20Is for New Zealand. In a T20 career of 117 matches, he has 2284 runs at a strike rate of 133.48, and 40 wickets with an economy rate of 6.52. He joins captain Faf du Plessis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Reece Topley, David Willey and countrymate Finn Allen as the overseas players at Royal Challengers.Jacks, who, like Bracewell, has never played in the IPL, sustained a muscle injury while fielding in England’s victory in their second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka. After scans earlier this week and consultation with a specialist, he had to opt out of the IPL.The injury came as a significant blow for Jacks, who had hoped to use the IPL as an opportunity to familiarise himself with Indian conditions and push his case for selection in England’s squad for the 50-over World Cup later this year. He had tweeted “Gutted. I’ll be back,” after news of his exit from the IPL came out on March 15.Royal Challengers play their first game of the season against Mumbai Indians on April 2. It will be their first fixture at their home ground, Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, since May 2019, after which Covid-19 had forced IPL matches to be held in limited centres, even in the UAE.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed when he hopes construction on Manchester United's new £2 billion 'Wembley of the North' will be completed.

Article continues below

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• United to build 'world's greatest football stadium'
• Ratcliffe reveals ideal completion date
• Announced official plans for new stadium on Tuesday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United confirmed their intention to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium on Tuesday as they released a promo video of the new ground. Per, the club will demolish Old Trafford and build the new venue on the land adjacent to their old stadium.

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• WHAT SIR JIM RATCLIFFE SAID

  reports that the Red Devils are planning to finish the construction of the new stadium by 2030. Club part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also suggested that the project could begin soon. "It depends how quickly the government gets going with the regeneration programme. I think they want to get going quite quickly; they want to see progress in this term," said the British billionaire.

  "Immense amount of work for people of Manchester. But modules mean we can build stadium much more quickly. There are yards in world that will build structures which are then shipped. Abu Dhabi, Indonesia, Thailand. Five-year project rather than ten."

  He added in the club's official press release on the new stadium: "Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford. Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.

  "By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home."

• Man Utd
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United's new ambitious project will stimulate the economic growth in the Greater Manchester area as it will generate close to 92,000 jobs and 17,000 new homes in the region. The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012. Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.

  "To me, that means a stadium that is true to the traditions of the club, affordable to all, with nobody priced out, and a stadium that sets new standards in the game globally. I believe this vision can be realised, and if so, the benefits for Greater Manchester, the north-west and the country will be huge."

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  While the ownership is working behind the scenes to come up with a new home for the Red Devils, on the field, Ruben Amorim's side will be back in action this Thursday as they take on Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 fixture at Old Trafford.

Sri Lanka need their bowlers to step up in their quest to level the three-match series

Hemant Brar11-Jan-20234:13

Do India need a bowling allrounder? Who replaces Madushanka if he misses out?

Big picture: Can Sri Lanka stage a comeback?

The last time India and Sri Lanka played an ODI at Eden Gardens, in 2014, Rohit Sharma smashed a world-record 264. He looked set for a big hundred in Tuesday’s ODI in Guwahati as well before getting out for a 67-ball 83. Still, it was a big positive for India as Rohit was playing his first game after his hand injury in Bangladesh.Related

• Silverwood: 'Our discipline in first ten overs was lacking at times'

• Kohli, Rohit, Gill and India's dew diligence

• Kohli: 'Desperation doesn't get you anywhere'

Rohit’s decisions regarding the playing XI too proved to be right. Before the opening ODI, he had announced that Shubman Gill was ahead of Ishan Kishan in the pecking order despite the latter scoring the fastest double-century in ODI cricket in his previous match. There was a reason behind that.Going into the first game, Gill had been the most prolific run-getter in the world in ODIs since his comeback in July last year, with 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57. He carried on in the same vein in Guwahati, scoring 70 off 60 balls.

Watch on ESPN Player in the UK

WATCH the second India vs Sri Lanka ODI LIVE

The other important decision was the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, who has been making heads turn with his T20I performances. India stuck with Shreyas Iyer, and he chipped in with a handy cameo as the team looked for quick runs to guard against dew in the second innings.One concern for India is, with Axar Patel slotted at No. 7 and followed by four bowlers, the tail is too long. They have Washington Sundar on the bench, but the question is, whom do they drop to fit him in?Even though Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first ODI, there were some encouraging signs. Pathum Nissanka scored 72 at the top of the order, Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a 40-ball 47, and Dasun Shanaka continued his good form with an unbeaten hundred.Dilshan Madushanka hurt his shoulder while trying to make a stop•BCCI

Having said that, their bowlers need to put in a much-improved performance if they are to keep the series alive. However, it may not be easy given the lack of experience in the bowling unit. It’s also not clear if Dilshan Madushanka will be available for Thursday’s match. The left-arm seamer dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during the first ODI. He was sent for an X-ray and MRI, and the reports are awaited.

Form guide

India WWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLLW

In the spotlight: Umran Malik and Wanindu Hasaranga

In the absence of Prasidh Krishna, Umran Malik has been tasked with being the enforcer in the middle overs. After impressing during the T20I series, he picked up 3 for 57 from eight overs in the first ODI. At one point, he had figures of 6-0-32-3 before Shanaka took him on at the death. Having already improved his control, perhaps it’s time to incorporate some variations.Wanindu Hasaranga hasn’t been at his best in ODIs•Associated Press

From Sri Lanka’s side, the focus will be on Wanindu Hasaranga. While he is among the best spinners in T20I cricket, his ODI record is a bit underwhelming. In 35 ODIs, he has 39 wickets at an average of 36.51. But he is the leading wicket-taker in the squad, and his team requires him to step up.

Team news: Will India go unchanged?

Before the series, Rohit said India were not looking to chop and change. So expect them to go with an unchanged XI, especially after a win in the first game.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Umran Malik, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalSri Lanka could bring in Lahiru Kumara if Madushanka is unavailable. No other changes are expected.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Chamika Karunaratne, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan Madushanka/Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and conditions: Haze at Eden Gardens?

Eden Gardens last hosted an ODI more than five years ago when India, batting first, were all out for 252. In response, Australia folded for just 202. There is no forecast of rain, but it could be hazy at times. During the daytime, the temperature will be around 25°C but could drop by more than 10° at night.

Stats and trivia

• Virat Kohli (12,584) needs 67 runs to go past Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI tally of 12650 and move to fifth position on the list of top run-getters in the format.
• Since the start of 2010, India have played 24 bilateral ODI series at home. Of those, they have lost only three – against Pakistan in 2012, South Africa in 2015 and Australia in 2019.
• Avishka Fernando is 31 short of 1000 runs in ODI cricket. If he reaches there on Thursday, in his 28th innings, he will be the joint second-fastest to the landmark from his country, along with Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis. Roy Dias holds the Sri Lankan record, getting there in 27 innings.

And a quiz on how best England’s performance in the West Indies can be described

Andy Zaltzman21-Apr-2015Welcome to the Confectionery Stall’s world-exclusive coverage of the 2015 cricket season. The World Cup has been consigned to the record books/memory banks/stuff of nightmares (delete as applicable), the IPL is in full, shiny swing, and Test cricket is back with more of a bang than most people were expecting from the least eagerly awaited England tour of the West Indies since way before Columbus set sail.As I write, England – now unbeaten in two international matches across multiple formats – prepare for the second Test in Grenada, buoyed by Jimmy Anderson breaking Ian Botham’s long-standing national Test wicket record, deflated by their failure to force victory in 130 overs, cheered by a good all-round performance in the Test arena after plumbing some extremely murky depths at the 50-over World Cup, disconcerted that even a good all-round performance fell considerably short on the final day, encouraged by the continuing progress of their young batsmen, and the return to batting form of Ben Stokes, disappointed by the continuing lack of progress of some of their older batsmen, and relieved that they now only have 16 Test matches to play in a stupidly compressed schedule, rather than 17.Was England’s performance in Antigua:(a) perfectly acceptable given the lack of preparation time and the moribund surface;(b) a good effort by an emerging team, continuing its strong rebound from the cataclysmic 2013-14 Ashes and an awful start to last summer;(c) what you would expect from a team that has good players but opted for conservatism in at least two selections, and lacks the bowlers to create mayhem in unpromising conditions;(d) nowhere near good enough to make either New Zealand or Australia even contemplate twitching in their boots, let alone quaking in them; or(e) all of the above?Write your answer down, lock it in a secure bank vault, and check back here at the end of August to see if you were right.

My mother always seemed blithely indifferent to the career-shaping dramas of, for example, the young Mike Atherton progressing towards three figures against New Zealand in 1990. “That’s nice, dear. Can you take the dog for a walk?”

West Indies were their now-traditional mix of quite promising, fitfully brilliant, and quite awful, but finished rousingly with an excellent captain’s rearguard by Ramdin, and one of the more astonishing Test hundreds of recent years by Jason Holder. Quite how Holder had never scored more than 52 in his 26 previous first-class matches is one of the universe’s more impenetrable mysteries, alongside how the Big Bang kaboomed, where the lost city of Atlantis is, how, why or if economics works, and the authorship (human or otherwise) of Danny Morrison’s thesaurus.Holder’s innings, a rare combination of defiantly immovable and gloriously stylish, as Moeen Ali’s similar but ultimately unsuccessful hundred against Sri Lanka was last summer, was the fourth century by a player batting at eight or lower in the fourth innings of a Test. Of the previous three, two were in heavy defeats (Ajit Agarkar’s 109 v England in 2002, Daniel Vettori’s 140 v Sri Lanka in 2009), and the other was by Matt Prior in Auckland two winters ago, when he was batting a place lower than normal after a nightwatchman had been promoted.There is always excitement in seeing a player reach his maiden Test hundred, especially when that player is young and promises a new tranche of regular run-making, and even more especially when his team has recently lacked regular run-makers. (If cricket is your thing, that is. My mother, an admirable woman and high-class parent in most respects, has remained tragically uninfected with the cricketing virus, and in my formative years always seemed blithely indifferent to the career-shaping dramas of, for example, the young Mike Atherton progressing towards three figures against New Zealand in 1990. “That’s nice, dear,” she would offer in response to the news that English cricket could be witnessing the epoch-defining launch of a new batting standard-bearer. “Can you take the dog for a walk?” Walk the dog? While Graham Thorpe is on the verge of a historic debut ton? Against Australia? What kind of negligent parenting of an 18-year-old son is that?)Given the match situation, Holder’s is one of the greatest fourth innings by a lower-order batsman ever played, even allowing for the somnolent avocado of a pitch. Looking at the list, it might be trumped by Dave Nourse’s unbeaten 93 batting at eight for South Africa against England in January 1906. Nourse came in 105 for 6, chasing 284 in a match in which neither side had reached 200. Almost four hours later, and after a last-wicket stand of 48, South Africa had snuck home by one wicket and Nourse was 93 not out. But Nourse was essentially a frontline batsman in a team packed with allrounders, and did not have to deal with the added distraction of his nation’s cricket having been written off as mediocre, or people banging on about how he was probably only in the team because most of the first-choice players were playing in India for big bucks, even when those so-called first-choice players would actually have only been second or third or fourth choice.It might seem pointless comparing cricket from 2015 with cricket from the early 20th century, but since some of the media seems to have set itself the task of calculating whether the undeniably excellent and often mesmeric Anderson is better than the very dead SF Barnes, I am quite happy to compare Holder’s innings with Nourse’s, which I had not known about until searching the aforementioned fourth-innings tailender stat, but which seems nail-bitingly thrilling just by looking at the scorecoard.”Here, take this invisible token and go to the back of the queue”•Getty Images● According to some hopefully correct late-night communing with Statsguru, Jermaine Blackwood and Holder became only the third pair of team-mates aged under 24 to score debut centuries in the same Test – Mominul Haque and Sohag Gazi (both 22) did so for Bangladesh against New Zealand in October 2013, and Ali Naqvi (20) and Azhar Mahmood (22) both scored hundreds on their debut against South Africa in 1997.England have also been unusually replete with youthful Test centurions of late (perhaps oddly for a country that has just recalled one batsman who is about to turn 34, and whose newspapers and airwaves are stocked with chatter about the possibility of a recall for one who is almost 35). They have had four hundred-makers under the age of 25 in the past two years – Root, Stokes, Ballance and Robson. In the 27 years between David Gower’s maiden hundred in 1978 and Ian Bell’s in 2005-06, only five England players aged 24 or under had scored Test centuries. Three were specialist batsmen (Atherton, Thorpe and Crawley), and two allrounders (Chris Lewis and Flintoff), and they collectively managed a total of seven centuries before turning 25. Root already has five, and does not turn 25 until the end of December this year, in approximately 83 Test matches’ time.● This is the first Confectionery Stall since the death of Richie Benaud, who in 1981 uttered the line of commentary from which this blog took its title. Like for most cricket fans of the past five decades, Benaud’s commentary and television presence was woven into the sounds and conversations of my formative years, a conduit into the world of cricket that has entranced and entertained me since childhood. Not only was he one of the most influential people in the history of cricket, he was also, in effect, my surrogate fifth grandparent.I wonder what he would make of Adil Rashid’s situation in the West Indies, waiting for his Test debut at the age of 27, more than six years after he was first picked in an England touring squad. Benaud’s breakthrough series was in the Caribbean, in 1955. Before then, in his first 13 Tests, over three years, he had taken 23 wickets at almost 38, and averaged 14 as a batsman. Even after taking 18 wickets at 26, and scoring his maiden century, in the West Indies, he failed again in the 1956 Ashes, with just eight wickets in five Tests, and only one major innings, in victory at Lord’s.Thereafter, in his last 40 Tests, he took 199 wickets at 25 (including an extraordinary golden period of 131 wickets at 19 in 21 Tests), averaged almost 27 with the bat, took 42 catches, and captained his country to five series wins out of six, the exception being a drawn rubber with England that retained the Ashes for Australia. Even the finest legspinning allrounders have needed time and patience. England should pick Rashid and see what happens, rather than not pick him and assume what might happen.

Amid their worst patch of form under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention towards the transfer market and a La Liga duo who would hand their midfield a much-needed boost.

Man City transfer news

Losing four games in a row for the first time in his managerial career, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted waters at the Etihad and five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table. The international break, for once, was perfectly timed for the Citizens, who have been given the chance to gather their thoughts and perhaps finally begin to welcome a plethora of players back from the sidelines.

It’s a period of form that City cannot afford to dwell on after the international break, with the visit of bogey team Tottenham Hotspur to come before Feyenoord make the same trip, with Guardiola’s side making what is currently an ominous journey to Anfield a few days later. Three crucial games, it could be a make-or-break week for all involved.

Man City scouts impressed by versatile £2.5m gem who could replace Walker

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Increasingly in need of reinforcements, meanwhile, the Premier League champions have seemingly turned their attention towards La Liga. According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now monitoring both Williot Swedberg and Alberto Moleiro ahead of potentially joining the race to sign the midfield duo alongside Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Swedberg – Celta Vigo’s talented 21-year-old – can play at left-wing and in central midfield, in what would be crucial added depth for Guardiola’s injury-struck side. Meanwhile, Moleiro is an attacking midfielder who is continuing to play a vital part for Las Palmas at just 21 years old.

City could certainly do with a midfield boost amid Rodri’s season-ending injury and Kevin De Bruyne’s own fitness struggles in the middle of the park.

Man City need midfield refresh

Man City’s main focus in the January transfer window should centre around replacing Rodri. Without their defensive midfielder and recent Ballon d’Or winner, Guardiola’s side have been more vulnerable than ever before. Mateo Kovacic has attempted to fill that gap, but it’s been to no avail. Once the Citizens tick that task off their list, however, they should shift their focus towards replacing De Bruyne, whose contract comes to an end next summer.

That’s when Moleiro should come in. The Las Palmas star has impressed in the current campaign – scoring four goals in 13 appearances – and has been earning praise for some time in La Liga. In 2023, Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig dubbed the midfielder’s touch as “silky”.

Replacing De Bruyne is a near-impossible task, but at 21 years old, Moleiro has plenty of time to grow into the player that City may desperately need next summer.

The club's passionate 3252 fan base and actor Will Ferrell paid tribute to the heroes who helped victims of California wildfires

• LAFC's supporter group, The 3252, unveils a striking tifo
• Display honors firefighters and affected communities
• Hollywood star Ferrell also paid tribute before the game

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• WHAT HAPPENED

  Los Angeles Football Club's dedicated supporter group, The 3252, unveiled a striking tifo display in solidarity with victims of the recent California wildfires. The large-scale tifo, revealed during the club’s first home game of the 2025 MLS season, honored both the firefighters battling the blazes and the communities affected by the devastation. The 3252 weren’t alone in their tribute — star actor and LAFC part-owner Will Ferrell also showed his support before the match. The Hollywood star was seen alongside the Honorary Falconers, a youth team from Pacific Palisades still recovering from the recent LA fires.

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• THE TIFO

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This act of solidarity through art is not just about supporting a cause — it's a testament to the strong community spirit fostered by LAFC and its supporters. The club has a history of engaging with local issues, and this tifo continues that tradition.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  LAFC kicked off their 2025 MLS season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC at BMO Stadium. Jeremy Ebobisse, a new signing, scored the winning goal in the 78th minute with a stunning left-footed strike. This victory extended LAFC's streak of winning season openers to eight consecutive years. Steve Cherundolo’s side faces Colorado Rapids in the second leg of their Round 1 CONCACAF Champions Cup next, going into the game behind 2-1 on aggregate.