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No jogo de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, o América-MG saiu na frente do Corinthians. A equipe mineira fez valer o mando de campo e bateu o Timão por 1 a 0, na Arena Independência, na noite desta quarta-feira (5). Juninho, ainda no primeiro tempo, foi o autor do gol da vitória. Os corintianos empilharam chances para empatar, principalmente no segundo tempo, mas pararam em uma ótima atuação do goleiro Mateus Pasinato.

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Mesmo tendo feito uma boa segunda etapa, a derrota aumenta a pressão em cima do técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo, que chegou à nona derrota em 17 jogos, tendo um aproveitamento de 31,3% à frente da equipe alvinegra.

O confronto de volta acontecerá no próximo dia 15 de julho, um sábado, na Neo Química Arena. O América tera a vantagem do empate. Vitória por um gol de diferença levará a decisão para os pênaltis. Não existe critério de gol fora de casa.

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No entanto, as duas equipes têm a missão de fugir da zona do rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro. Ambos entram em campo neste sábado (8), pela competição nacional. O Coelho visita o Coritiba, no Paraná. Já o Timão, jogará novamente em Belo Horizonte, mas dessa vez contra o Atlético-MG. As duas partidas acontecerão às 18h30 (horário de Brasília).

+ Transforme qualquer TV em Smart e assista aos jogos do seu time do coração quando quiser!

CORINTHIANS COMEÇA MELHOR…

Com uma forte marcação e ganhando o meio-campo, o Corinthians começou melhor na Arena Independência, em Belo Horizonte. Foram sete desarmes, todos eles certos, no primeiro tempo, por exemplo. E a boa postura defensiva fez com que o Timão saísse para o jogo e criasse as melhores oportunidades nos primeiros 20 minutos de partida. Na primeira, Róger Guedes invadiu a área pelo lado direito, mas não finalizou com força. Ainda assim, obrigou o goleiro Mateus Pasinato a fazer grande defesa. Depois, o garoto Gabriel Moscardo, que caiu nas graças de Vanderlei Luxemburgo, aproveitou o rebote deixado pela zaga americana e, na entrada da área, encheu o pé e mandou com perigo, mas por cima do gol..

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…MAS O AMÉRICA SE ANIMA E ABRE O PLACAR

Aos poucos, o América-MG foi organizando e criando as oportunidades, sendo a maioria protagonizada com o capitão Juninho, que viria a ser muito importante para o Coelho ainda na etapa inicial. Na primeira chance criada pelo meia, ele aproveitou a bola rebatida por Moscardo, após uma tentativa de tabela, e na sequência finalizou para fora, mas com perigo. Depois, Benítez arriscou de fora da área e obrigou uma grande defesa do goleiro Cássio.

Foi na terceira que a equipe mineira abriu o placar, e com Juninho. Lucas Kal acionou o camisa 8, que saiu da marcação de Gil e bateu cruzado, vencendo Cássio. O goleiro corintiano pulou atrasado em uma bola que era defensável.

AVELAR PERDE GOL INCRÍVEL

Logo no início do segundo tempo, o América teve grande chance de ampliar o resultado em um lance que começaria e terminaria com ex-corintianos. Everaldo lançou Juninho, que saiu na cara de Cássio e rolou para a pequena área, encontrando Danilo Avelar que, mesmo com o gol vazio, mandou para fora.

!TRABALHA PASINATO!

Após abrir o placar, o América-MG ficou mais confortável até o fim do primeiro tempo. O Coelho se fechou e esperou o Corinthians, que naturalmente tem dificuldades com a bola no pé. Até o fim da etapa inicial, o Timão chegou apenas duas vezes ao ataque, ambas na individualidade do atacante Róger Guedes e que pararam em boas defesas do goleiro Mateus Pasinato.

Mas foi no segundo tempo que o goleiro brilhou. Foram, pelo menos, cinco defesas muito difíceis, três delas na sequência. Entre os 28 e 30 minutos da etapa final, Pasinato brilhou em finalizações de Matheus Araújo, Biro e Róger Guedes. Antes, no início do segundo tempo, ele já havia parado Fausto Vera e Yuri Alberto. A trave também foi vilã do Corinthians, já que parou um grande chance de Róger Guedes, já próximo ao fim da partida.

AMÉRICA TEVE CHANCES DE AMPLIAR, MAS NÃO CONSEGUIU

Mas, embora o Corinthians tivesse jogado melhor no segundo tempo, o América também teve as suas chances de ampliar o marcador, ambas com Pedrinho. Nas duas, o goleiro Cássio defendeu.

LUXA PRESSIONADO

O Corinthians chegou ao seu 17º jogo comandado pelo técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo. E a derrota para o América foi a nona do treinador, que tem somente 31,3% de aproveitamento. A Copa do Brasil é uma das prioridades colocadas para o segundo semestre, junto com a fuga da zona do rebaixamento. Na boca do Z4 e com a possibilidade de ser eliminado na competição mata-mata deixa a situação do técnico próxima da insustentável.

FICHA TÉCNICA
AMÉRICA-MG 1 X 0 CORINTHIANS
COPA DO BRASIL – QUARTAS DE FINAL – JOGO DE IDA

Local:Arena Independência, Belo Horizonte (MG)
Data e hora:5 de julho de 2023, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Leandro Pedro Vuaden (RS)
Assistentes:Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correia (FIFA/RJ) e Kleber Lucio Gil (SC)
Árbitro de vídeo:Wagner Reway (VAR-FIFA/PB)
Público e renda:
Cartões amarelos:Marlon (América-MG); Gabriel Moscardo e Adson (Corinthians)
Cartões vermelhos:-

GOLS: 1-0 Juninho (31’/2T)

AMÉRICA-MG
Mateus Pasinato; Marlon, Iago Maidana, Éder e Danilo Avelar (Nicolas, 20’/2T); Lucas Kal, Juninho, Martínez (Wanderson, 32’/2T) e Benítez (Pedrinho, 12’/2T); Everaldo (Felipe Azevedo, 32’/2T) e Mastriani (Aloísio, 12’/2T). Técnico: Vagner Mancini.

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Murillo e Fábio Santos; Fausto Vera (Maycon, 32’/2T), Gabriel Moscardo e Ruan Oliveira (Matheus Araújo, 19’/2T); Adson (Biro, 19’/2T), Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes. Técnico: Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Liverpool had more salt rubbed into their wounds after a cheeky Crystal Palace supporter decided to troll them following his side's 2-1 Premier League victory on Saturday afternoon. The Reds' misery was compounded as their team bus was initially unable to drive away from Selhurst Park following their first defeat of the 2025-26 campaign.

Liverpool second-best in loss to Palace

In a match which saw goalkeeper Alisson make a number of brilliant saves, Liverpool were second best as they came unstuck against high-flying Palace. The Eagles took the lead from a corner when Ismaila Sarr – so often the scourge of Liverpool – converted from Ryan Gravenberch’s fluffed clearance. Arne Slot’s side have scored a number of late goals so far this season and they got another through substitute Federico Chiesa, but Palace snatched all three points late on when Eddie Nketiah, also a substitute, converted from a long throw in stoppage time.

AdvertisementWATCH: Cheeky Palace fan trolls Liverpool bus after the game

And in the aftermath of the affair, Liverpool were prevented from leaving Palace’s ground when one fan decided to hold up their team bus. In a video which has since been widely shared across social media, the supporter decided to kneel down in the middle of the road and tie his shoelaces, to the delight of his fellow Palace fans. Liverpool’s coach was eventually able to head down the road but only after a painful delay amidst a chorus of jeers from the home supporters.

Palace last unbeaten side in Premier League after downing Liverpool

Palace fans are understandably in great spirits at the moment following their side’s excellent start to the season. Oliver Glasner’s men are now the only unbeaten side in the top flight having won three and drawn three from their opening six league fixtures. Palace also defeated rivals Millwall in the third round of the Carabao Cup earlier this month and they are due to get their Conference League campaign under way against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday. The south London club qualified for the competition after defeating Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad 1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged qualifier.

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Liverpool have still made an excellent start despite Palace loss

Despite suffering their first defeat of the season against Palace, Liverpool have also made a terrific start to the season. The Merseysiders have won five of their six league games contested, against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley and Everton, while they also defeated Atletico Madrid and Southampton in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.

Elisabeth Terland was at her clinical best on Thursday night to fire Manchester United into the Women's Champions League proper for the first time, her hat-trick haunting former side Brann and giving the Red Devils a 3-0 win which rendered last week's 1-0 loss in Bergen meaningless.

A lack of ruthlessness condemned Marc Skinner's side to defeat in Norway but there was no such concern in the home leg, with Terland scoring twice inside the first 13 minutes to ease the nerves and put United in total control early on. The first was a gift from Ingrid Stevenik, the Brann defender who scored the only goal in Bergen, but the second was all about Terland's quality header – and the equally brilliant corner delivery by Julia Zigiotti Olme.

It looked like a hat-trick was going to elude Terland, though. She hit the base of the post just before half time and then had a goal ruled out shortly after the resumption, though the call of a foul against her certainly looked harsh. No matter, as the Norwegian certainly wasn't going to give up and she got her reward just past the hour mark, when another excellent finish made it 3-0 and ensured United will be in Friday's league phase draw, ready to make their debut in the Women's Champions League proper for the first time next month.

GOAL rates Man Utd's players from Leigh Sports Village…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):

  Had very little to do for the most part, but was assured on the ball and in collecting crosses.

  Jayde Riviere (7/10):

  Did plenty of good work at both ends of the pitch.

  Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

  Great on the ball and made one of the most crucial interventions any United defender needed to on the night, intercepting a good pass from Gaupset just before it put Eikeland through on goal.

  Dominique Janssen (7/10):

  Good in possession and positioned herself well to be relatively untroubled defensively.

  Anna Sandberg (7/10):

  Got forward plenty to be a real asset in attack. Covered well when needed, too.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Julia Zigiotti Olme (8/10):

  Ran the show in midfield with a classy display.

  Hinata Miyazawa (7/10):

  Did a lot of work off the ball that can go under-appreciated but is so important.

  Ella Toone (6/10):

  Sometimes hesitated with her final decision but most of United's best attacking moves went through her in the first half.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Jess Park (6/10):

  Had some lively moments in another encouraging performance.

  Elisabeth Terland (9/10):

  Deadly in front of goal and fully deserving of her hat-trick.

  Melvine Malard (6/10):

  Quieter than most would've expected her to be, given her excellent form, but did cause Brann some problems still.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Gabby George (6/10):

  Slotted in at left-back solidly as she builds her minutes back up after a knock.

  Fridolina Rolfo (7/10):

  A really lively introduction, with her nearly creating one goal and scoring another just minutes after being introduced.

  Lisa Naalsund (N/A):

  Injected energy into the game and filled in admirably at right-back as United saw the game out.

  Rachel Williams (N/A):

  Made her injury return in the final minutes, replacing Terland to allow the Norwegian to have the ovation she deserved, too.

  Marc Skinner (7/10):

  Didn't change much after what was actually a good performance in the first leg and his XI delivered the result he trusted them to. Subs injected new life into the game to squash any momentum for Brann.

Travis Head made a positive 89 but the home side’s hopes were forlorn from the start and it was over shortly after tea

Tristan Lavalette25-Nov-2024Completing a remarkable turnaround, India wrapped up a famous Test victory at Optus Stadium with a 295-run victory over Australia in a one-sided result set to cause aftershocks in the latest tussle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The result was essentially a formality throughout the fourth day despite counterattacking knocks from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. India’s deserved victory was official just after tea when Harshit Rana knocked over Alex Carey as they drew first blood in the five-match series.Related

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'Be nice, be disciplined, have no fear' – How Bumrah masterminded India's Perth rout

Jaiswal raises a ceiling that was already sky high

It was a memorable performance from India, who drew on a heroic effort from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. He claimed eight wickets for the match, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli produced outstanding centuries in India’s second innings to decimate a flagging Australia.India had largely been written off after an unprecedented 3-0 home whitewash against New Zealand. They entered the series-opener without having played an official match on tour and were shorthanded without captain Rohit Sharma and injured batter Shubman Gill.Under intense pressure, coach Gautam Gambhir made the right moves and the brave selection calls, which included veteran spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja being left out, were vindicated.Bumrah, particularly, deserves a lot of credit for galvanising a new-look team and he led from the front with a mesmerising spell late on day one to haul India back into the match after they had been bundled out for 150 having won the toss.Usman Khawaja fell to a miscued hook•Getty ImagesThere is set to be recriminations for Australia, who underwhelmed in their first Test since March’s New Zealand tour. There will be questions raised over the limited preparations of a number of players.Australia’s misfiring top-order will be particularly under the spotlight, especially No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne who scored 5 runs in the match to continue a lengthy form slump.Having started so well on the opening day, Australia’s bowling wilted in India’s second innings with captain Pat Cummins enduring a rare off match. Cummins had not played a red-ball match since March, preferring his series build-up through three 50-over games in the lead-up, and he finished with the modest match figures of 3 for 153 from 40.4 overs.Australia appeared flummoxed with the changing conditions of the pitch, which was spicy on day one before flattening out for most of day two and three. Cracks did widen as the match wore on and created up-and-down bounce to make batting difficult on the fourth day.Resuming at 12 for 3, after a disastrous start amid the shadows late on day three, Australia confronted an India attack eyeing to finish things off quickly.Australia’s hopes of chasing down a record 534 runs were forlorn but they aimed to at least muster some spirit which had seemingly been broken over the last couple of days.After a golden duck in the first innings, having returned to his favoured No. 4 position, Steven Smith fronted up to his nemesis Bumrah, who on the first ball of the day’s play had a loud lbw appeal turned down although in an anti-climax it was a no-ball.Travis Head edged behind for an excellent 89•Getty ImagesSmith was relieved when he got off the mark on his fourth delivery with a trademark drive through the covers. But Australia’s woes reared in the next over after opener Usman Khawaja fell off the first short ball of the day’s play when he top-edged quick Mohammed Siraj and was caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant running back.Having had lbw issues recently, Smith made a technical adjustment and his trigger movement was not as pronounced as in the first innings when Bumrah pinned him in front of the stumps. Smith still faced a battle and copped a painful blow in the ribs from debutant quick Rana that left him on his back and in agony.He bravely continued batting and combined well with Head, who backed his aggressive instincts and counterattacked as they produced Australia’s first half-century partnership of the match.India dried up the scoring for Smith with Bumrah packing the legside with fielders as pressure built. Smith’s 60-ball resistance ended when he nicked off a superb back of a length delivery from a pumped-up Siraj that straightened off the seam and caught the edge.After a tough return to bowling, where his modestly-paced seamers were treated with disdain on day three by India’s batters, Marsh hoped to finish his home Test match strongly.He was all at sea before the lunch break and hit on the gloves several times but managed to hang in. Marsh and Head, who both entered the match with a limited build-up having been on paternity leave, made batting look relatively easy after the interval in a time of day that had been the best for batting through the match.Head motored towards a century and as per usual attacked any width and continually flayed through the offside, while Marsh struck several lusty aerial blows in a speedy half-century partnership.But Bumrah returned and he produced a superb back of a length delivery that caught Head’s edge on 89 and prompted impassioned celebrations from Kohli.Marsh also missed a milestone when on 47 he chopped on to allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who capped an impressive debut with his first Test wicket.Mitchell Starc was sharply held at short leg, giving Washington Sundar his first wicket of the match, and it wasn’t long before India claimed a victory they will savour for some time as the pressure starts to intensify on Australia.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he wants to add more players to his attacking arsenal before the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking after the 1-0 win over St Mirren, the Hoops boss said: “It’s just about improving. There’s areas that we want to improve in the forward line. That’s something that we hope we can do over these remaining weeks.”

The Scottish Premiership champions kicked off their defence of the title with a win, thanks to a late goal from Luke McCowan, but it was far from an assured performance.

There were some underwhelming performances from a number of Celtic players across the park on Sunday, and one of those flops was Hyun-jun Yang.

Why Celtic need to sign a new right winger

After selling Nicolas Kuhn to Como, the South Korean forward appears to be the first-choice right-wing option for the Hoops, and he does not look ready for that responsibility.

Yang is a very capable and useful squad player for Celtic to have, as evidenced by his return of six goals and six assists in 34 appearances in all competitions last term.

The 23-year-old forward has not shown that he can deliver outstanding quality on a consistent basis, though, and failed to register a single shot, completed dribble, or chance created in almost an hour against St Mirren.

Yang did not take his opportunity to show that he can be the replacement for Kuhn, which is why the club should be pushing to bring in a new right winger to allow Rodgers to ditch the South Korea international from the starting XI.

Calcio Mercato recently reported that Celtic are interested in an ambitious loan swoop for Liverpool outcast Federico Chiesa, alongside Premier League side Fulham.

Why Celtic should sign Federico Chiesa

The Italy international, who is reportedly on £150k-per-week wages at Anfield, would come in as a big upgrade on Yang and allow the manager to drop the current Hoops forward down to the bench.

Chiesa, who was described as a “top-level player” by commentator Seb Hutchinson, only made 14 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool last season, starting once in the Premier League, which means that it is difficult to judge him on his time in England.

The 27-year-old star’s form for Juventus in the 2023/24 campaign, prior to his move to Anfield, though, suggests that he could be a terrific player for Rodgers to call upon.

xG

6.43

Top 32%

Goals

9

Top 23%

Shots on target

27

Top 14%

xA

5.58

Top 3%

Chances created

54

Top 3%

Crosses completed

40

Top 3%

Assists

2

Top 38%

As you can see in the table above, Chiesa caught the eye as both a goalscorer and a creative threat across 33 outings in the Serie A for the Old Lady that term.

The Italian forward scored more goals (nine) in one of Europe’s major leagues than Yang has managed in over two years at Celtic in all competitions (seven), which speaks to the gap in quality between the two right-sided attackers when it comes to scoring goals.

Chiesa, who scored 32 goals during his time at Juventus, could thrive if given regular game time as a loan signing for the Scottish giants, after a year of riding the bench for Liverpool.

The Italy international thrived as a regular for the Old Lady in the 2023/24 campaign and could get back to his best, providing a regular threat as a scorer and a creator of goals, by coming in to replace Yang as a starter at Parkhead.

It is not an easy deal for Celtic to do, though, as he is a full international who has proven himself in one of the best leagues in Europe, in Italy, so is likely to have plenty of suitors, including the aforementioned Fulham.

If the Scottish giants can find a way to agree a deal with Liverpool and convince Chiesa to make the move, though, then Rodgers can ruthlessly ditch Yang from the starting XI.

سجل الفلسطيني عدي الدباغ، لاعب نادي الزمالك، هدف الفريق الأول أمام المصري، في المباراة التي تقام بين الفريقين حاليًا ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلعب الزمالك ضد المصري، في إطار الجولة السادسة من عمر مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري، على ملعب استاد الجيش ببرج العرب.

وأحرز عدي الدباغ هدف الزمالك الأول، في الدقيقة 30 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، بعد متابعة لعرضية زميله ناصر ماهر واصطدمت بدفاعات النادي المصري لتأتي في القائم وترتد إلي الدباغ ويضعها بسهولة في الشباك، ليعلن تقدم الفارس الأبيض. هدف الزمالك الأول أمام المصري.. عدي الدباغ

طالع | تشكيل المصري أمام الزمالك في الدوري.. صلاح محسن يقود الهجوم

ويعد هدف الدباغ هو الأول له مع فريق الزمالك، منذ انضمامه إلى صفوف القلعة البييضاء في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

ويخوض الزمالك المباراة وعينه على استعادة صدارة ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري الممتاز من منافسه المصري.

ويحتل الزمالك المركز الثاني برصيد 10 نقاط، بينما المصري يتواجد في الصدارة برصيد 11 نقطة.

Birmingham City are not slowing down in the summer transfer window in their attempt to bolster their squad ahead of a return to the Championship next season.

The Blues recently confirmed the signings of James Beadle, Tommy Doyle, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Demarai Gray to improve their options across the pitch.

They are not done there, though, as L’Equipe recently reported that Rennes striker Kyogo Furuhashi is closing in on a move to Birmingham for a fee that could rise as high as £10m, which is how much the French side paid to sign him in January from Celtic.

Kyogo, who failed to score in six matches for Rennes, is not the only player who is reportedly on the verge of making the move to St. Andrew’s to join Chris Davies’ squad.

Birmingham City set to complete double deal

A fresh claim from GIVEMESPORT backs up L’Equipe’s news that the Japanese striker is closing in on a transfer to the Championship side this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The report adds, though, that the League One champions are also set to sign attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto on a free transfer, following his exit from Gil Vicente.

GIVEMESPORT claims that both Kyogo and Fujimoto are ‘expected’ to join the club before the end of the weekend, as the Blues close in on a big double deal.

The outlet reveals that Birmingham kept tabs on the former Gil Vicente star throughout the 2024/25 campaign, and they are now making their move for him.

Why Fujimoto is even more exciting than Kyogo for Birmingham

Despite Kyogo being set to sign for £10m and Fujimoto due to arrive on a free transfer, the latter looks to be the most exciting signing out of the two players.

Birmingham are signing Kyogo off the back of a very difficult season for him. As aforementioned, the striker did not score in six league games for Rennes before being immediately sold six months after joining.

The 30-year-old forward also only scored ten goals from 14.14 xG in a dominant Celtic team in the Premiership during the first half of the season, which shows that he significantly underperformed in front of goal.

This shows that Birmingham are spending a huge fee on a player who is declining and heading into the latter stages of his career, which is a big risk because there is a chance that his form does not improve.

24/25 Liga Portugal

Kanya Fujimoto per 90

Percentile rank vs CMs

xG

4.00

Top 4%

Goals

5

Top 3%

Shots on target

13

Top 5%

xA

2.77

Top 14%

Assists

5

Top 3%

Chances created

35

Top 8%

Successful dribbles

19

Top 16%

Stats via FotMob

Whereas, as you can see in the table above, Fujimoto is arriving at the club off the back of a very impressive season with Gil Vicente in the Portuguese top-flight.

At the age of 26, he is coming into the prime years of his career and appears to be at the top of his game, ranking highly among his positional peers as both a scorer and a creator of goals in Portugal.

Fujimoto was once described as a “silky dribbler who’s dangerous in the pockets behind the striker” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and his statistics back that up, as he ranked highly as a dribbler to go along with his goal contributions.

The Japanese ace is a midfielder who can score and assist goals efficiently, outperforming his xG, and has the performances to suggest that he can hit the ground running at St. Andrew’s.

Related Birmingham City enter race to sign £6m "monster" ahead of Sheffield United

The Blues have joined the race to sign a defender from a Premier League club.

Posts 2 ByBrett Worthington Jul 2, 2025

This is why he is an even more exciting signing for Birmingham than Kyogo, who is coming off the back of a poor year in France and in Scotland, and is not in the prime of his career anymore.

The hosts secured their second-ever series whitewash against the West Indies

Madushka Balasuriya21-Jun-2024

Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu put up a solid opening stand•SLC

Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani led the way with half-centuries before Sachini Nisansala grabbed a maiden five-for to set up a comprehensive 161-run win over the West Indies in the third ODI in Hambantota. The hosts took the series 3-0, securing their second series whitewash against the West Indies.Chasing Sri Lanka’s score of 275 for 6 – their third-highest total in ODIs – West Indies struggled to get going as both Rashada Williams and skipper Shemaine Campbell were dislodged inside the first six overs.Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor then strung together the innings’ only partnership of note as the pair put on 57 off 82 deliveries, steadily chipping away at the target, only for Taylor to edge one behind off the miserly Oshadi Ranasinghe. Nation, who had looked in control during her 57-ball 46, might have harboured hopes of putting on similar stands with the middle and lower order, but Athapaththu put paid to any such notions when she skid one past Nation’s outside edge to clip off stump.Suddenly West Indies were teetering at 69 for 4, at which point Nisansala took over. She had been the most expensive of Sri Lanka’s bowlers last time out, but here her slow left-arm orthodox proved extremely effective, particularly on a surface that offered a good amount of grip and turn.Zaida James was trapped leg before to one that skidded on, while Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher and Qiana Joseph all fell looking to hit out. The five-for was complete when Aaliyah Alleyne (27 off 27) chipped one back to Nisansala, bringing to an end her cameo.Earlier, having been put into bat, the Sri Lankan opening pair of Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne took the attack to the West Indian bowlers in a stand of 93. Gunaratne fell six runs short of her half century miscuing an attempted loft to Alleyne at mid-off.Two more wickets in quick succession saw the backs of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne, but Athapaththu was still at the crease to bring the game back under control with 57-run partnership with Nilakshika.The Sri Lanka captain eventually fell for a 106-ball 91, as Fletcher spun one through bat and pad. At that point Sri Lanka were 156 for 4 after 34.1 overs, and their primary power hitter was back in the dressing room. But if the West Indies were hoping to reel themselves back into the game, Nilakshika and Sanjeewani were not willing to play ball, as the pair proceeded to plunder 117 runs in a 93-ball fifth wicket partnership – Sri Lanka’s second highest for the fifth wicket. Sri Lanka ended up scoring 93 off the final 10 overs; Sanjeewani (55 off 46) and Nilakshika (63 off 78) eventually fell in the final over, but by then the damage was well and truly done.

Glasgow Rangers announced earlier this month that Czechia international Vaclav Cerny will return to his parent club Wolfsburg following the conclusion of his loan spell at Ibrox.

The left-footed winger spent the season on loan in Glasgow and it now remains to be seen whether or not the Gers will be able to bring him back to the club for a second stint.

Cerny looks set to be the third loan star in as many seasons to light up Ibrox before moving back to their parent club before going elsewhere, following in the footsteps of Abdallah Sima and Malik Tillman.

Sima scored 16 goals in 39 games on loan from Brighton in the 2023/24 campaign, and Tillman racked up 12 goals and five assists in 43 matches on loan from Bayern Munich in the 2022/23 season.

This shows that the club’s top wide options in the last three seasons have all been contracted to other clubs, which is not ideal because it means that Rangers have to replace them every year and have no option to potentially sell them on for profit as a result of their performances.

With this in mind, the Scottish Premiership giants should be trying to find a permanent solution to their problems out wide by finding their next Ryan Kent.

Rangers hit the jackpot with Ryan Kent

The English forward was a rare loanee that they were able to sign permanently for a reported fee of £7.5m during Steven Gerrard’s reign at Ibrox, and he went on to be a big success in Glasgow.

Rangers were willing to splash the cash to sign him permanently, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision as he was a terrific servant for many years on the left flank.

Kent played on the left flank, cutting in on his right foot, and delivered plenty of quality at the top end of the pitch for the Gers, particularly in the 2020/21 campaign.

Ryan Kent’s Rangers career

Season

Appearances

Goals

Assists

22/23

44

3

10

21/22

46

3

19

20/21

52

13

14

19/20

33

8

4

18/19

43

6

9

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the English flanker produced an eye-catching 27 goals and assists combined in 52 games that term, in which the Light Blues won the Scottish Premiership title under Gerrard.

The right-footed speedster moved on from Ibrox in the summer of 2023 and Rangers have failed to replace him with a permanent replacement, signing Sima and Cerny on loan since, but that they could change that with their latest target.

Rangers in strong position to sign new star

According to GIVEMESPORT, Rangers are one of 26 clubs that are interested in a deal to sign Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that Birmingham City, Celtic, Sheffield United, and Sunderland are also eyeing up a deal to sign the Ghana international to bolster their respective clubs.

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It reveals that Rangers and Celtic are in a strong position to sign the 23-year-old star, though, because they would not have to pay as much in compensation as English teams would.

Poku’s contract at Peterborough is due to expire at the end of next month, making him a free agent, but because of his age, the Posh would be due compensation, and UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules mean that the Scottish teams would land him for a cut-price fee.

GIVEMESPORT adds that the Scottish teams have sent scouts to watch the attacker in action, but it remains to be seen who will win the race for his services this summer.

Rangers should, now, look to use their compensation advantage to put together an attractive contract package that can convince him to make the move to Ibrox, as he could be Kent 2.0.

Why Kwame Poku could be the next Ryan Kent

Poku could be the next version of Kent at Ibrox as an exciting wing talent who could be a long-term option for the next Light Blues manager, rather than a one-season loan.

The Scottish giants could build their attack around the 23-year-old star, who could be a key player for the club for many years to come, as Gerrard did with Kent after the English ace joined on a permanent deal.

Poku, who was described as “outstanding” by journalist Lukman Evergreen, has produced impressive performances for Peterborough over the last two seasons, and his form for the League One side suggests that the potential is there for him to be a fantastic signing for Rangers.

The left-footed star delivered 11 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in the division during the 2023/24 campaign, before he improved on that haul at the top end of the pitch in the season that just finished.

Stats

Kent (20/21 Premiership)

Poku (24/25 League One)

Appearances

37

27

Goals

10

12

Big chances missed

8

3

Big chances created

9

9

Key passes per game

1.8

1.2

Assists

9

8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Poku’s 2024/25 campaign for Peterborough was even more impressive than Kent’s in the Premiership title-winning season under Gerrard, with more goals and as many ‘big chances’ created in ten fewer appearances.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for the 23-year-old to be a Kent-esque figure on the right flank for the Light Blues next season and beyond, as a winger who has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not he can make the step up to the Premiership, Poku would be an exciting signing as a player with the potential to improve and develop over time as a long-term addition to the squad, rather than a one-season loan.

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Therefore, the Light Blues could find their next version of Ryan Kent at Ibrox by winning the race to bring the Peterborough star to Ibrox this summer.

Liverpool are winners, they are champions again. 20 times for the Reds. Doesn’t that sound a little bit nice, eh?

There was a sense of inevitability as fans gathered around Anfield this afternoon. Red flares could be seen from several miles away. Liverpool was red and by the end of the day, they were Premier League title winners.

Five years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, supporters did not have this day. They may have been celebrating a league triumph but it was from the dreary setting of their living rooms, rather than a sunny Merseyside occasion.

They deserve this, truth be told. The fans have waited patiently to celebrate something with the team and this was their moment, their special day. It was never in doubt, was it?

Well, it was for a bit. Dominic Solanke’s powered header made it 1-0 to Spurs early doors but the Reds, as they so often have this term under Arne Slot’s wing, fought back. 5-1. What a performance it was, goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah and a late own goal from Destiny Udogie.

How Liverpool celebrated their title win

What an afternoon this was. Liverpool basked in the glory of their title win, dancing in front of the kop.

Mo Salah took plenty of selfies, Virgil van Dijk waxed lyrical about the city he resides in and plays in, while Trent Alexander-Arnold watched on. Surely this isn’t his swansong tour?

A year ago, Jurgen Klopp stood chanting the name of Slot and a year on, Slot repaid the favour. But, where does Trent stand in all of this?

Salah has signed a new deal, as has captain fantastic, Van Dijk.

However, as we all know by now, Real Madrid want him. The whole of the footballing world seems to think he’s off to the Bernabeu but is he?

The right-back’s goal against Leicester last week was full of emotion, ripping off his shirt and darting over to the away supporters where he bellowed into the sky. It was full of fury, perhaps full of sadness too that these could be his final few weeks in red.

Well, as he looked into the Kop on Sunday afternoon, surely he wants a bit more of the pie. You’re not going to leave, are you, Trent?

Well, Gakpo certainly hopes he doesn’t. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman was looking ahead to the future and may have hinted that things aren’t as clear-cut as we may have thought.

“Now with Mo and Virgil staying and hopefully Trent as well, we can keep on building.”

Well, he didn’t say he was leaving but he didn’t say he was staying either. Whatever you think of the statement, it’s certainly a cryptic response to the current situation.

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