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With just the one win in the Premier League this season, Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping that his Leeds United side can pick up some much-needed momentum when they take on Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites manager is facing arguably the most difficult time in his spell at Elland Road, with a combination of poor form and numerous injuries seeing them hover just above the relegation zone eight games in.

While Bielsa will be boosted by the return of Raphinha for the game against Bruno Lage’s side, he still has to contend with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling being ruled out. With that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds might line up for today’s clash.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep a rare clean sheet in the Premier League this season, with his only shutout coming in the 1-0 victory over Watford a couple of weeks ago.

The back four should remain unchanged with Ayling still out, so Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper will continue their centre-back partnership, while Jamie Shackleton and Stuart Dallas occupy the full-back roles.

In midfield, Adam Forshaw could be in line to make a rare start in the Premier League after coming on as a substitute against Southampton last time out, and that could help offset the absence of Kalvin Phillips in the engine room.

Raphinha should also come straight into the line-up, with 23-year-old Dan James dropped to the bench after some underwhelming performances, so last season’s partnership of the Brazilian and Jack Harrison will be given the chance to impress.

Up front, Bielsa has a big call to make over the underperforming Rodrigo, and having given Joe Gelhardt a cameo against the Saints, the teenager might be given the nod to start today.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally unleash this academy starlet…

Manchester United will be hoping to bounce back from their second defeat of the season when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Red Devils were dumped out of the Carabao Cup third round in midweek after Manuel Lanzini’s early strike was enough to see West Ham United progress to the last 16 of the competition.

A return to league action should see manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer select a rather different starting XI, though, so the Red Devils will be confident of getting back to winning ways.

One of those who is expected to return to the starting lineup is midfield enforcer Scott McTominay. The 24-year-old has had a frustrating start to the campaign due to a groin injury, but Wednesday’s disappointing display reinforced his importance to the squad.

United’s best performance this season was on the opening day when they demolished fierce rivals Leeds 5-1 at Old Trafford to kick off 2021/22 in style. McTominay was on top form that day alongside his usual engine room partner Fred, with much of the composure on the ball and dynamism from deep coming from the Scotsman.

Although both he and the Brazilian have come under intense criticism from some quarters, the Solskjaer was quick to praise the duo in the post-match press conference.

“Those two are brilliant,” Solskjaer said after the Leeds demolition last month (as relayed by talkSPORT). “They’re absolutely top. You just see Fred running forward today, scoring a goal. Scott is probably one of the best we have got at arriving in the box at the right time.

“He is a beast of a man physically; he has only played 20 minutes in pre-season – as a centre-back – because he has been nursing an injury.

“Today, for me, you can see he is a man. So all the criticism on them two, I am completely against because I love them.”

However, McTominay’s recent fitness concerns meant that Fred was partnered alongside Paul Pogba in a rather fortunate 1-0 over Wolves, Nemanja Matic for an underwhelming 1-1 draw against Southampton and Donny van de Beek for the humiliating 2-1 defeat away at Young Boys.

Although the Red Devils academy graduate may have his limitations defensively and in terms of his passing range, the tactical discipline, tenacity in the tackle and drive that he provides with the ball at his feet have become pivotal to United’s chances of success in recent years.

Therefore, Solskjaer must start the £31.5m-rated monster against Villa as he could well be the spark which swings the game in United’s favour.

And, in other news… Solskjaer could make a big mistake over “exceptional” £19.8m-rated gem, fans may be worried 

A superb century on debut from Marcus North and a thrilling boundary-filled innings from Mitchell Johnson allowed Australia to take charge of the opening Test

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran27-Feb-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Marcus North became the 18th Australian to score a Test century on debut © AFP
A superb century on debut from Marcus North and a thrilling boundary-filled innings from Mitchell Johnson allowed Australia to take charge of the opening Test at the Wanderers, and the feel-good factor was enhanced in a final session in which they grabbed three wickets and reduced the run-rate to a crawl. Two century partnerships, both involving North, were followed by a stunning 53-run stand between Johnson and Peter Siddle, which included 26 from a Paul Harris over. Ben Hilfenhaus then took a wicket with his second ball in Test cricket as a glum crowd looked on, and it was clear that if South Africa are to wrest that No.1 ranking, they’ll have to do it the hard way.In 132 years of Test cricket, only 18 Australian batsmen have madecenturies on debut. Michael Clarke was the last, in Bangalore in 2004, and North joined that select band with a wonderfully mature innings that allowed his team to take firm control. His 117 spanned nearly three sessions and 233 balls, and it was the 113-run partnership with Brad Haddin that changed the complexion of the match. The 117 that he went on to add with Johnson for the eighth wicket was a record for Australia against South Africa, and both stands served to highlight the maturity and composure of his batting.At 29, he’s no greenhorn and he came into this Test with 8880 first-class runs behind him. As much as the fluent drives and the precise sweeps against the slow bowlers, what was really notable was his judgment of which deliveries to leave. There were few wild wafts, and initialcircumspection gave way to much more positivity after lunch.Australia had added 97 in 33 overs in an extended opening session, but caution was quickly abandoned after the interval. Johnson’s aggression took the pressure off, and a deft dab behind point for three off JP Duminy got North to three figures from 207 balls. Soon after, he survived a vociferous appeal for leg-before from the same bowler, and South Africa’s feeling of anguish deepened when Johnson then thwacked one over long-on for six.Minutes later, another huge six took Johnson to 50 from 100 balls, and Graeme Smith then turned to Paul Harris, who had been standing idle while Duminy spun his offbreaks. North swept him for four, but a bit of extra flight from Harris then did the trick. North was stranded down the pitch going for the big hit, and South Africa must have thought their misery wasover.Far from it. Harris had bowled tidily up till then, but when Johnson decided to take him on, there was no answer. Two fours and three sixes were struck in an arc between square leg and long-on, with the last hit clearing the stadium walls. Dale Steyn wasn’t spared either, with an edge over slips being followed by clubbed hits over mid-off and mid-on.Smart StatsMarcus North became the 18th Australian to score a century on Test debut, and the fourth at an away venue. North is the first debutant to score a century at the Wanderers, and the sixth in South Africa.Mitchell Johnson’s 96 not out, his career-best score, was the fifth-highest score by an Australian batting at No. 9 or lower, and the fourth-best score by a batsman at No. 8 or lower against South Africa.Johnson hit 26 off an over by left-arm spinner Paul Harris, the most runs for Australia in an over.Australia’s 466 is the third-highest first-innings total by a visiting Test team in South Africa since their readmission to international cricket.At the Wanderers, the highest first-innings total in a defeat has been 303. There have been seven wins and seven draws for teams that have gone past 300, and two defeats.Australia’s last five pairs put on 284, the third-best by the bottom half in an innings at the Wanderers.Two of Australia’s three debutants, Phillip Hughes, who faced the first ball, and No. 11 Ben Hilfenhaus, bagged ducks. It was the first time two or more debutants had scored nought in the same innings since 2004, and the first for Australia since 1970, when they also fielded three debutants against England in Brisbane.He was left stranded on 96 though, with Peter Siddle nicking Morne Morkel to second slip. A delivery earlier, Morkel had overstepped and Siddle had played the very same stroke. So much for learning from mistakes. Johnson was then a rueful onlooker as Hilfenhaus edged the first ball he faced to third slip.Whatever frustration he felt was unleashed on South Africa’s batsmen though. Graeme Smith edged a perfectly pitched away-going delivery, and when Hilfenhaus got Hashim Amla to play a similar stroke, South Africa were rocking. Jacques Kallis pushed one to cover to get to 10,000 runs and then took Peter Siddle for three fours in an over, but an attempt to drive a fourth behind point only found Michael Hussey at gully.Apart from a cut and a square-drive off Siddle, Neil McKenzie was largely becalmed, and even AB de Villiers was noticeably subdued with the Australians bowling such tight lines. Hilfenhaus was the pick of the bunch, and there were signs towards the end of play that North might be afactor with his offspin as well.Australia had started the day in sedate fashion, and South Africa got themselves a lifeline with the second new ball. A pleasing straight drive off Steyn signalled Haddin’s intent, but there was nothing distinguished about the cross-batted slog to mid-on that cost him his wicket for 63.When Steyn then produced a perfect outswinger to send McDonald back for a duck [296 for 7], South Africa might have envisioned a quick wrap. And it might have been the case had Lonwabo Tsotsobe hit the stumps with Johnson struggling to complete the single that got him off the mark.Johnson made South Africa regret the lapse soon enough, with a hefty pull for four off Kallis and a magnificent drive through cover. An edge through gully off Morkel further frustrated the South Africans, and when North hit the shot of the morning, an imperious push through the covers off Kallis, the complexion of the match was looking very different from what it had 24 hours earlier. By stumps, it was as if Australia’s travails of the past few months had just been a bad dream.

Aston Villa have suffered a fresh injury blow to Carney Chukwuemeka ahead of their Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith is already without the Argentine pair of Emi Buendia and Emi Martinez, and he now looks set to also be deprived of one of his club’s brightest young academy prospects.

He said: “We’re also missing Carney Chukwuemeka.

“He felt an adductor strain that he’s had in his England under 19 game, which we’re pleased to say he captained the team. He’s certainly progressing well, but he’ll be out on Saturday unfortunately due to that injury.”

Big blow for Villa

While Chukwuemeka may not exactly be an established first-team star, this latest news that he will be missing from the game at Stamford Bridge is still a gutting one for Smith.

The teenager made a Premier League start last time out against Brentford amid a number of Villa’s first-team stars being ruled out either with injuries or virus-related issues, and he certainly showed glimpses of why he could be a difference-maker in the years to come – the Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece said he “looked bright and confident in possession”,

Former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has previously urged Smith to throw Chukwuemeka into the deep end with the first-team.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I kind of go off the fans’ views – I know he’s been scoring goals in the Under-18s. When someone is scoring goals, they’ve showed they’re a massive threat, it does attract football clubs and when you’re getting Manchester City and United hovering around the vicinity and are trying to take the young players away.

“This is where I feel if he’s that good we need to see him filtered through to the first team especially at this stage of the season. We’ve seen the likes of Louie Barry, who I felt would have had more of a chance this season, and I would put him in that category. I’d like to see more of him playing, because if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Smith in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Blues today.

He said: “He is a genuine option – if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He’s only 17 years old, but his performances belie his age to be honest – he plays a lot older than he actually is.”

Despite his tender age, being without Chukwuemeka in a game where Villa will likely have to work very hard and cover a lot of ground to compete with the European champions is certainly a body blow for Smith.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa had a transfer masterclass with this ace…

The ICC has sought to clarify remarks made by Haroon Lorgat, itschief executive, which have been construed as casting doubts on theviability of Pakistan as an international venue

Cricinfo staff22-Dec-2008
ICC officials say the inspection was in the pipeline and is not directly related to the Sri Lanka tour © AFP
The ICC has sought to clarify remarks made by Haroon Lorgat, itschief executive, which have been construed as casting doubts on theviability of Pakistan as an international venue. Lorgat said the ICC wouldconduct an independent security assessment of the country before appointing officials for Sri Lanka’s tour next month but ICC officials say the inspection was in the pipeline and isnot directly related to the tour.”We will do an independent assessment of the situation in Pakistan toensure the safety of the umpires and match referee,” Lorgat said in Mohaliduring the second Test between India and England. “I am convinced the Sri Lankanboard will also do everything to ascertain whether it is safe to play inPakistan and also seek assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.”The Pakistan board was caught off-guard by the comments, which suggestedthat ICC security assessments would precede even bilateral contests inPakistan. This would be a break from past practice; for instance thisyear, when Australia pulled out of a tour to Pakistan over securityconcerns, the ICC hadn’t spoken of an independent security assessment forits own officials. When England returned to India after the Mumbaiattacks, the BCCI’s security arrangements satisfied Reg Dickason, thesecurity consultant for the ECB, and also the ICC.Lorgat, it is learned, later called Zakir Khan, PCB director cricketoperations, and explained that the comments had been taken out of contextand that there had been nothing alarming about what he had said. “Wereceived a call from Lorgat and he explained what he had meant by hiscomments,” an official told Cricinfo. “He explained that there was nothingalarmist in what he said and we are satisfied with that. As far as we areconcerned it is a non-issue.”ICC officials later released a statement clarifying precisely what Lorgat’sremarks conveyed; in it they explained that such an assessment had beenplanned in any case, as part of an ongoing assessment towards the ICCChampions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2009.”Security would have to be assessed on an ongoing basis anyway as we movetowards the ICC Champions Trophy. We would have done that during thePakistan-India tour had it taken place,” the statement read, referring toIndia’s withdrawal from the tour after the Indian government refusedpermission for the team to visit Pakistan. After the Champions Trophy waspostponed in September 2008, the ICC had said that a security review wouldtake place after India’s tour to Pakistan, which would then form the basisof further assessment before the 2009 tournament was confirmed.But the ICC also reiterated Lorgat’s stance, that safety issues forofficials and spectators were as important as those for the players. “Theissue is that safety and security is not simply a matter for players; it’salso a matter for everyone else – broadcasters, journalists and matchofficials too, as well as spectators. From the ICC’s perspective, whatwould be required is that the match officials are afforded the same levelof security as any or everyone else involved in the series.”The statement also raised the issue of umpires willing to tour. “Just likewith players, officials have choices about whether or not they wish toattend a tour and are also likely to be guided by the views of their owngovernments. [However] the ICC has a significant number of officials andwould certainly expect to be able to identify enough of them to stand inthe tour.”Sri Lanka agreed to tour Pakistan after India’s withdrawal for what willnow be a series of three Tests and five ODIs.

كشفت تقارير عن توصل النادي الأهلي السعودي إلى اتفاق مع الأوروجوياني روبرت سيبولدي المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، على توقيع عقد جديد.

وكان النادي الأهلي قد تعاقد مع المدرب الأوروجوياني، في شهر مارس الماضي، من أجل إكمال الموسم خلفًا للألباني بيسنيك هاسي.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “الرياضية السعودية” فإن النادي الأهلي توصل إلى اتفاق مع سيبولدي على توقيع عقد جديد، يبقيه على رأس الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

وتابعت: “اتفق الطرفان على توقيع عقد لمدة موسم واحد بعد حسمهما التفاوض بينهما في الجوانب المالية، التي كانت محل خلاف”.

وأوضحت: “التفاوض بدأ في أواخر شهر يونيو الماضي، عقب أيام من هبوط الفريق إلى دوري يلو لأندية الدرجة الأولى، وعلى الرغم من الهبوط تحت قيادته، إلا أن الأهلي فضل التجديد مع المدرب لمعرفته باللاعبين واحتياجات الفريق”.

وأردف: “المدرب سيعود إلى السعودية، الأسبوع المقبل، حتى يقود فترة الإعداد من بدايتها، وتحديدًا الإثنين المقبل حسبما قرره النادي”.

طالع أيضًا.. الأهلي السعودي يستقر على مكان معسكره الإعدادي

وأكملت: “المفاوضات تعطلت بين الطرفين بسبب الجوانب المالية، ما دفع الإدارة إلى الاستفسار عن مدربين آخرين، لكنها اتفقت معه في النهاية على العقد الجديد”.

وقاد سيبولدي الفريق في سبع جولات فقط من أصل 30، لذا يرى مسؤولو النادي أنه غير مسؤول عن مغادرة الأهلي دوري كأس محمد بن سلمان للمحترفين.

جدير بالذكر أن النادي الأهلي هبط إلى دوري الدرجة الأولى “دوري يلو”، بعدما تعادل سلبيا مع الشباب في الجولة الأخيرة من الدوري السعودي، ليحتل المركز الخامس عشر وقبل الأخير برصيد 32 نقطة.

Nick Jewell fell short of his second century of the campaign but his 92 helped Victoria set up a strong first-innings lead over Tasmania

Cricinfo staff16-Nov-2008
Scorecard
Nick Jewell top scored for Victoria with 92 © Getty Images
Nick Jewell fell short of his second century of the campaign but his 92 helped Victoria set up a strong first-innings lead over Tasmania. At stumps on the second day the Bushrangers had a 120-run advantage and they were 6 for 338 with Rob Quiney on 46 and Damien Wright on 4.Victoria have now taken points from all four of their Sheffield Shield matches but two of those games finished as draws and they will be desperate to post a second win in their first home match of the tournament. After their bowlers finished off Tasmania for 218 early in the first session, Jewell and his batting colleagues continued the good work.The only one of Victoria’s top order who failed was Brad Hodge, who during the match became the state’s most-capped player. Hodge’s celebrations were short-lived when he was lbw for 3, one of three wickets for Luke Butterworth. After Hodge departed Jewell and David Hussey combined for a 117-run stand that pushed Victoria within sight of Tasmania’s total.Jewell nudged in front of his opening partner Chris Rogers (37) as the state’s leading run scorer this season but his habit of getting out in the 90s bobbed up again when he fended a short ball from Gerard Denton to gully. Tasmania could not get a run of wickets and Hussey kept the runs coming with 76 before falling to Butterworth.But by that stage the first-innings points were Victoria’s and Andrew McDonald extended the lead with 46 to continue his solid all-round game after taking 3 for 29. He did not improve his wicket tally in the morning session as Tasmania added 29 to their overnight score.

Some Liverpool supporters have been heaping praise on Alisson after the goalkeeper made a stunning save against Norwich City on Saturday.

The Reds made a great start to the 2021/22 Premier League season, picking up a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road.

It was a performance which suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s side will again be title contenders, especially as they won so convincingly without the likes of Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago in the team.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah scored the goals for Liverpool on the day, but one other moment stood out at the other end of the pitch.

Alisson made a miraculous save late on, quickly following it up with two more in the process, as he ensured that he left Carrow Road with a clean sheet.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to laud the Brazilian’s “unbelievable” triple save, footage of which was shared by @LFCTransferRoom, as he continues to be a colossal performer for the Reds.

Liverpool fans hail Alisson’s triple save

“How will I tell my kid that Norwich didn’t score from this…”

Credit: @piyongchy

“Our God between the posts”

Credit: @SJay320

“Unbelievable goalkeeping”

Credit: @megbalc

“If anyone ever doubts that @Alissonbecker the best keeper in the world I say just look at this and still try and say he’s not. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s different level to the rest, YNWA”

Credit: @LiamGranby

“Just brilliant. World Class”

Credit: @aadil_fakir

“That was an incredible save, my God”

Credit: @FlamngLiverbird

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after an update emerged on one Reds player. Read more here.

Scorecard