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Everton are currently 11th in the league, and with the top half of the table in tight competition for the European football positions, Rafa needs to start looking for ways to inject creativity and goals into the side.

Anthony Gordon could be the answer to the lack of creativity in Everton’s final third this season, after a devastating injury blow to star player, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The 20-year-old put on an impressive display scoring a brace against the Czech Republic in a 2-1 victory for the England U21s.

Not only did the Everton youngster score two goals, but this fantastic performance also came during his debut for Lee Carsley’s side and it’s safe to say he made it one to remember.

The outstanding performance came after Gordon completed his first 90 minutes for the Toffees last weekend against Tottenham Hotspurs, in a goalless draw at home.

There is no doubt that Gordon has given Rafa Benitez something to think about after delivering an attacking masterclass last night, although the Spanish manager already speaks highly of the youngster.

Speaking in the pre-match conference before Gordon starred in the Spurs clash at Goodison Park, Rafa talked briefly about Gordon making an impact on the first team:

“I’m really pleased for him. He’s growing and getting better. He has to keep balancing his game. He will be an important player for Everton in the future.”

Meanwhile, ex-Preston teammate Greg Cunningham dubbed him “exciting” during a loan spell last campaign, with David Unsworth also waxing lyrical about the 20-year-old gem before.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “His balance sprinting with the ball and his balance going past people is something you don’t see every day. He’s got unbelievable pace and he’s a Scouser too, so he’s tough.”

Everton are struggling to dominate in attack and find consistency with winning goals recently, after losing to both Wolves and Watford most recently, and unable to find the back of the net against Spurs at home, there is definitely room for improvement in the attacking prowess the Toffees need to display to stay in the conversation for Europe.

One of the more shocking scorelines to be seen so far this season was Everton’s heavy defeat to Watford last month. The Toffees lost the game from being 2-1 up to conceding four goals in quick succession.

Rafa Benitez spoke in the post-match interview to share his thoughts on the unexpected defeat.

‘I feel difficult to explain. We were winning 2-1 and in a few minutes, we conceded so many. It’s complicated for me to understand,’ he said, ‘we lost the confidence and everything’.

Everton face Manchester City after the international break and Gordan can be the boost of energy and confidence that could enable the Toffees take some points for the Premier League Champions.

Calvert-Lewin is still looking unlikely to return in time to make an impact, so an opportunity is there to be taken by the young scouse forward, if Benitez trusts to utilises his current form and confidence in front of goal.

AND in other news, Signed for £12m, sold for peanuts: EFC endured transfer nightmare over “terrible flop”…

Durham rolled Hampshire over for 105 and then looked to take a good lead by finishing with on 84 for 2

Cricinfo staff07-Jun-2009Glen Chapple hit an important half-century to rescue Lancashire from a middle-order collapse against Somerset at Old Trafford. Paul Horton, who made 69, and Ashwell Prince carried the home side to 162 for 2 before six wickets fell for 55 after Prince was caught in the gully. However, Chapple put bat to ball in his 79-ball 55 and added 64 with Oliver Newby for the ninth wicket as Lancashire rallied to 281 for 9 at the close. David Stiff impressed with three wickets while Peter Trego claimed a useful brace in the middle, but it was the sight of another quick bowler that sparked plenty of interest. Andrew Flintoff was bowling on the outfield during lunch and sent down four overs at near full pace under the watchful eye of Peter Moores and his physio Dave Roberts.Gerard Brophy’s unbeaten 75 typified a day where Yorkshire fought hard to stay on an even keel with Sussex at Headingley. Brophy’s innings helped the home side reach 225 and claim a batting point as he added 96 with David Wainwright for the eighth wicket after the Sussex seamers had made inroads. Robin Martin-Jenkins claimed three wickets, including Joe Sayers for a turgid 134-ball 29, as Yorkshire slipped to 110 for 7 before Brophy provided some ballast. Dwayne Smith wrapped up the innings with two edges into the slips, but Sussex’s top order struggled in reply. Both openers fell leg before and Murray Goodwin was well caught at first slip as the surprise move to bring Anthony McGrath into the attack paid off. But from 43 for 3 Ed Joyce and Matt Prior held form through to the close.For a full report from the second day at Chester-le-Street between Durham and Hampshire, click here for John Ward’s bulletin.Middlesex took control of their match against Essex at Chelmsford, reaching 60 without loss at stumps on the second day, to give them an overall lead of 177. Essex were dismissed for 157 in their first innings as Steven Finn picked up career-best figures of 5 for 57, while Gareth Berg chipped in with 4 for 35. Danish Kaneria swung lustily at No.10 in a free-swinging 37 from just 30 balls. Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 35 before rain cut play short, with Middlesex in command on 60 without loss.Welsh rain curtailed the day’s play at Cardiff, but there was still sufficient time for Surrey’s Mark Ramprakash to notch another fifty against Glamorgan. James Harris, the promising Glamorgan seamer, broke through early when he trapped Scott Newman in front for a duck, but Michael Brown (40) and Ramprakash then put on 58 for the second wicket. Brown, in a hurry to increase their scoring rate, fell to Garnett Kruger but Ramprakash then joined forces with Mark Butcher who cracked 65 in his first game in more than a year. Butcher and Ramprakash put on 98 before Butcher became the third lbw victim of the day, this time to Adam Shantry. Surrey went to stumps on 159 for 3.Just 16.3 overs were possible at Chester-le-field, as Gloucestershire reached 58 for 1 against Derbyshire. Electing to bat, Gloucestershire lost Kadeer Ali for a sixth-ball duck but Grant Hodnett (28) and Hamish Marshall (30) ensured no further loss before the rain came hammering down.Rain has prevented Leicestershire’s match against Kent from getting underway at Grace Road.And there was also no play at Edgbaston in Warwickshire’s match against Nottinghamshire.

كشف الدولي الفرنسي، كيليان مبابي، جناح فريق باريس سان جيرمان، عن ثلاثة لاعبين يرى أنهم الأحق بالتواجد في القائمة النهائية بجائزة الكرة الذهبية 2022.

وكانت مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الفرنسية، قد أعلنت أمس الجمعة، أسماء المرشحين للفوز بالكرة الذهبية 2022، وضمت القائمة 30 لاعبًا، بينهم مبابي، محمد صلاح، وكريستيانو رونالدو، فيما يغيب الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي.

وقال مبابي في تصريحات لمجلة فرانس فوتبول: “أرشح نفسي مع كريم بنزيما وساديو ماني للقائمة النهاية للكرة الذهبية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. صحف العالم عن عدم ترشيح ميسي للكرة الذهبية: صدمة ويدفع ثمن موسمه الأول مع باريس

وأضاف: “أود أن أقول إن هذا العام كان ناجحًا لبنزيما، عمره 34 وقد خاض للتو موسمه الأفضل في حياته”.

واختتم: “بنزيما فاز بدوري أبطال أوروبا مرة أخرى وكان حاسمًا في أغلب مبارياته، إذ كنت كريم ولم أفز بها هذا العام سأتوقف عن التفكير بالكرة الذهبية إلى الأبد”.

ومن المنتظر أن يتم الإعلان عن الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية 2022، خلال الحفل الذى سيقام يوم 17 أكتوبر المقبل فى العاصمة الفرنسية باريس.

أعلن اليوناني تاكيس جونياس المدير الفني لنادي بيراميدز عن تشكيل لاعبيه لمباراة الزمالك التي تجمع بينهما في إطار لقاءات الدوري المصري.

وتقام مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز على أرضية ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، في خضم منافسات الجولة 28 من عمر البطولة المحلية.

ويحل بيراميدز في المركز الثاني بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 59 نقطة، حصدها من الفوز في 18 مباراة والتعادل في 5 وتلقى الهزيمة في 4 مباريات.

مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز في الدوري

بينما يتواجد الزمالك في صدارة ترتيب الدوري برصيد 63 نقطة، جمعها من الفوز في 20 والتعادل في 3 والخسارة في 4 مواجهات.

وشهد تشكيل بيراميدز عودة أحمد توفيق للجبهة اليمنى، ومشاركة أسامة جلال في قلب الدفاع، كما يتواجد وليد الكرتي في وسط الملعب. تشكيل بيراميدز أمام الزمالك اليوم

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: علي جبر – أسامة جلال – أحمد توفيق – حسين السيد.

خط الوسط: إبراهيم توريه – عبد الله السعيد – فخر الدين بن يوسف – رمضان صبحي – وليد الكرتي.

خط الهجوم: فخري لاكاي. بدلاء بيراميدز أمام الزمالك

شريف إكرامي – عمر جابر – محمد حمدي – إيريك تراوري – إسلام عيسى – نبيل دونجا – أحمد سامي – محمود صابر – إبراهيم عادل.

Sachin Tendulkar, who has toured New Zealand six times, has said the toughest task for India will be to adjust to the harsh local conditions. Tendulkar was confident that the seniors in the squad would help the younger players adjust, but he has ruled himself out of contention for the two Twenty20 internationals in New Zealand.”It is a fairly new team and the challenge is definitely there. Playing in New Zealand, where the conditions are going to be tough, is a completely different experience,” Tendulkar said in Mumbai.Tendulkar said the wind plays an important role in venues like Wellington and one has to be wary of the changing conditions. “In places like Wellington from one end a bowler comes at with the breeze behind him and then suddenly you are facing someone else who is very slow and there is no wind. With the wind behind the bowler it affects the batsman as he can’t keep his eyes open long. So it becomes tough as one needs to change the bat swing, balance and the rest.”India’s tour of New Zealand was extended to include a third Test and a second Twenty20 international. The extra fixtures were included at the expense of the tour match which means India will have no practice games during their visit that includes two Twenty20 matches, five ODIs and three Tests. India will arrive in New Zealand on February 20, eight days earlier than originally scheduled, and will begin the tour with a Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25.Napier will host the additional Test, the second of the three-match series, from March 26 to 30. The reworked schedule resulted in the dates for the second Twenty20 game and the first three ODIs being brought forward. The three-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln between the ODIs and Tests has also been scrapped.The axed practice match drew flak from former players but Tendulkar played it down. “International calendar is such that we need to adjust to such situations but it should not be a worry,” he said.Tendulkar pointed out that even if there were many rookies on the New Zealand trip the seniors in the management could guide them. “It is going to be a learning experience for the first-timers,” he said. “We have a good balance of experience and youth and the seniors and coaches will guide the newcomers.”Asked if he would make himself available for the two Twenty20 clashes on February 25 and 27, Tendulkar said he did not want to “disturb” the balance of the Indian squad. Tendulkar hasn’t played a Twenty20 international after featuring in India’s maiden Twenty20 match, against South Africa in 2006, and said he had no intention to do so now.In 2007 he took his name out of contention for the Twenty20 World Cup, opting to take a break. “I was tired and wanted to take a break after the England trip in 2007,” said Tendulkar. “It was a conscious decision not to play then and I did not want to have feeling of not being able to give my best. I do not want to disturb the present winning combination. The team is doing well and I do not want to be part of the Twenty20 set-up.”India last toured New Zealand in 2002-03 and were beaten 0-2 in the Tests and 2-5 in the ODIs.

England’s former captain, Michael Vaughan, believes that the man who succeeded him, Kevin Pietersen, deserves another chance to captain his country

Cricinfo staff16-Jan-2009
Michael Vaughan: backing for Kevin Pietersen © Getty Images
England’s former captain, Michael Vaughan, believes that the man who succeeded him, Kevin Pietersen, deserves another chance to captain his country, having resigned last week in the wake of his row with the coach, Peter Moores.Pietersen quit his job before he was sacked, having forced the England & Wales Cricket Board into what the chairman, Giles Clarke, described as “an impossible situation” with his outspoken criticism of the coaching set-up.But Vaughan, whose omission from next week’s tour of the Caribbean had been another bone of contention between captain and coach, told BBC Sport. “He [Pietersen] was definitely the man for the job, I still think he could do a really good job.”In the wake of the resignation, reports began to surface of rifts within the England dressing-room. But Vaughan, who remains close to the team even though he has not played Test cricket since August, is sure that whatever differences exist can be overcome, and that Pietersen can be captain once again.”As England captain he was very forward thinking, very committed, obviously ruffled a few feathers,” said Vaughan. “But I don’t mind that – Nasser Hussain did that as captain and did a fantastic job. Graeme Smith has done that for South Africa.”Everyone has got to be themselves, and Kevin Pietersen tried to do it his way and he said last week in his column that he feels his captaincy days aren’t finished yet.”

Everton were reportedly competing with clubs in the UEFA Champions League to sign David Luiz on a free transfer.

The Lowdown: Luiz joins Flamengo

Flamengo confirmed last week that Luiz has signed for them as a free agent after his deal at Arsenal ran out in the summer.

The central defender played in 73 games in total over all competitions across two consecutive seasons for the Gunners, scoring four goals and making one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Everton interest

As per Globo Esporte, the Goodison Park faithful were among a whole host of teams interested in signing Luiz for free in the summer window.

West Ham United, Lazio, Marseille, Al-Rayyan, Benfica, Lille and Real Madrid were also all reportedly interested in his signature, with the latter three currently involved in the group stages of the Champions League.

Seemingly then, Rafael Benitez is wanting to add one more centre-back to his ranks, perhaps something to watch out for in the January transfer window.

The Verdict: Relief

Even though Luiz has had a luxurious career, including winning both the Premier League and Champions League with Chelsea, and would have been available for free, he is 34 years of age now, and so the Brazilian is certainly past his best.

The Merseyside club are also pretty well-equipped in the centre-back department at the moment, and so a move to bring Luiz in would not really have made much sense.

If Benitez is desperate to add a new face there, a young player who could perhaps partner Ben Godfrey for years to come would be a better investment.

In other news, find out what Rafa Benitez comments have Toffees buzzing here!

A number of Liverpool supporters have been lauding Trent Alexander-Arnold after a statistic summed up his attacking brilliance this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side won 3-0 at Leeds United on Sunday, producing a superb performance throughout. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for a dominant Reds side before Fabinho and Sadio Mane added further efforts in a second half marred by Harvey Elliott’s injury.

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On a day when numerous Liverpool players shone, Alexander-Arnold was a standout figure, assisting Salah’s goal and exuding class all afternoon.

After the game, an incredible statistic posted by Squawka on Twitter summed up the right-back’s brilliance, with no player in the Premier League creating more chances than his tally of 20 so far this season.

Salah and Jack Grealish are next on the list with 13, which only further highlights the incredible level at which Alexander-Arnold is playing at the moment, having conjured five key passes in Sunday’s win at Elland Road.

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Liverpool fans wowed by Alexander-Arnold stat

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to hail the 22-year-old after hearing of his performance-leading standards, with one dreaming of him linking up with reported Reds transfer target Erling Haaland, the hugely prolific Borussia Dortmund striker.

“Generational”

Credit: @BleedGreenHive

“Give this guy Haaland and he breaks all the assist records”

Credit: @LFCjus_

“There are a lot of elite fullbacks in the PL but if you can’t admit he’s the best by now you’re simply biased and going against all facts”

Credit: @moeforlfc

“Our De Bruyne at right back”

Credit: @Stef_Khan

“JUST MIND THE GAP”

Credit: @AsotweKwame

“In a league of his own”

Credit: @HamourAimad

In other news, some Liverpool fans love one intriguing fact that has emerged. Read more here.

Five Sri Lankan women’s cricketers have claimed that their refusal to give up their pursuit of the game has cost them their jobs

Cricinfo staff29-Oct-2008
Shashikala Siriwardene: “Money is not the main concern. We are currently focused on winning against international teams and developing ourselves” © International Cricket Council
Five Sri Lankan women’s cricketers, including captain Shashikala Siriwardene, have claimed that their refusal to give up their pursuit of the game has cost them their jobs.Siriwardene, a human resources assistant for clothing firm Slimline, told the BBC: “They told me to choose either cricket or the job.” Chamari Polgampola, Shiromala Weerakkody, Chamika Bandara and Dilani Manodara were among the other members of the team who were employed by Slimline.”For over two and a half years, the company helped me – offering duty leave, transport, medicine and sports facilities,” Siriwardene said. The Sri Lankan women’s team, unlike the men’s team, does not get any assistance from the Sri Lankan board or sponsors. Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lanka Cricket chairman, though, has offered to find employment opportunities for the out-of-job players she said.An HR director at Slimline, Shanaz Freena, said the players had given in their resignations voluntarily. “They submitted their resignations saying they got some other job offers and the team wanted to stay together,” he said. We just accepted their resignations.”Sri Lanka are preparing for five ODIs against West Indies women at home to be played from November 5 to 12. “Money is not the main concern,” Siriwardene said. “We are currently focused on winning against international teams and developing ourselves. We would like to see Sri Lankan fans come out to support us against West Indies.”

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed that left-back Enda Stevens will be missing for a prolonged spell through injury.

The Lowdown: Stevens a key man for Blades

Stevens has been an excellent performer for the Blades, making 165 appearances to date and proving to be a hugely consistent player.

He was even hailed as arguably the Republic of Ireland’s best player at one point last year, with former defender Danny Higginbotham claiming as much.

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The Latest: Left-back set for spell out injured

Unfortunately, Stevens missed last weekend’s Championship opener against Birmingham and Jokanovic has now delivered a worrying update on the 31-year-old.

Before Saturday’s clash with Swansea City, the Blades boss has confirmed that the Irishman may not return until after next month’s international break because of an ongoing knee issue, revealing they may even opt for surgery depending on scan results.

“Enda will be still a few weeks out. We are thinking too about some surgery at the moment we’re still waiting for his scan to come back.”

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The Verdict: Big blow for United

Stevens is such an influential player for United, so this acts as a massive early setback in their quest to return to the Premier League.

Not only does the former Portsmouth man contribute good work defensive work – he averaged two tackles per game in the league last season – but he has also chipped in with seven goals and 16 assists as a Blade.

The sooner Stevens is back the better, but for now, Ben Osborn will need to perform well and fill the void left by his Blades teammate.

In other news, talks regarding one Sheffield United piece of transfer business have reportedly broken down. Read more here.