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A rain-shortened game turned into a no-contest very quickly as the England batsman took control

The Report by Danyal Rasool08-Mar-2020Nine overs a side game The rain deprived Islamabad United of any points against Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday, and they will now hope it had continued long enough to ensure today’s match against Multan Sultans was rendered impossible. For once it got going, Multan delivered a lesson in ruthless efficiency, teaching Islamabad how to fly out of the blocks and develop an unassailable lead. A target of 92 might have been tricky in nine overs, but not when James Vince is in full flow it’s not. An onslaught that was frightening in its brutality and exquisite in its execution steamrolled Islamabad, taking just 24 balls for an unbeaten 61. It killed off the contest, with Multan cruising to the chase in fewer than 6.3 overs.Islamabad were sitting fairly pretty in the opening stages of the match, having brought up their own fifty in just 3.3 overs. Their prospects looked bright when Colin Munro whipped Shahid Afridi for three sixes off his first three balls. But the wheels would come off after that for Shadab Khan’s side with wickets starting to fall with alarming frequency. Most batsmen found more height than distance on their shots, a number holing out in the deep, and in no time, a scorecard that read 57 for 1 had slumped to 91 for 7. Since the Munro offensive, only 41 runs came off the last 33 balls, and in a nine-over game, that was too much of a slowdown.Vince vs Akif JavedVersus implies this might have been a contest; it was, instead a blowout. For Vince, who delights and frustrates in equal measure, the former because of the elegance of his strokeplay and the latter for its ephemeral nature, found a shortend game suited his strengths wonderfully. He had displayed his timing was on point with a glorious drive through backward point off Dale Steyn, and Akif had plenty of reasons to be wary.The first ball was heaved into the onside for four and the next a slightly fortuitous edge to third man, and things would only get better. When Akif pitched one up full, Vince leant into one of those glorious drives most responsible for putting food on his table, before a straight drive made it four in a row. There was further ignominy for the hapless Javed when he was bludgeoned through extra cover for five in a row, and the only saving grace was Vince wouldn’t be able to make it six.That still meant eight fours had been scored off the first 11 balls of the innings. It was more a procession than a run-chase from that point onwards.Imran TahirNo matter how you stack the deck against bowlers and how hostile you make the conditions, Imran Tahir always seems to find a way to excel. Coming in for the fifth over – just after Afridi had been spanked for 20 in his – Tahir wasn’t fazed, taking just three balls to remove the dangerous Munro, his over costing Multan just seven. He was just as effective the second time around, this time snaring the in-form Shadab. He had a chance to make that spell an even more glittering one, but his weakest suit – his fielding – let him down as he failed to cling on to a skier by Asif Ali. Even so, 2 for 17 in his two-over spell was the perfect antidote to Munro’s destructiveness, and ensured that Multan wrestled back the momentum. Vince ensured once they had it in their grasp, they would never let of it.Where the teams standFor the first time in PSL history, a new team has entered the play-offs, with Multan Sultans confirming safe passage through to the last four. Islamabad have just seven points with one game to go, and may need other results to go in their favour if they are to maintain their perfect record of play-off progression.

Southampton just about got over the line away at Birmingham City on Saturday, dramatically winning 4-3 courtesy of a last-gasp Joe Aribo strike from off the bench.

Russell Martin would've been the most relieved man in St Andrew's when one of his last roll-of-the-dice substitutes buried their late chance, with the stuttering automatic promotion candidates ecstatic to secure the three points after losing three of their last four games before this clash.

Will Smallbone also stood out in the midfield away at the Blues, tallying up two assists in the barnstorming contest to more than play his part in the exhilarating match swinging in Southampton's favour at full-time.

Yet, there's one figure in Martin's camp at St. Mary's currently earning double Smallbone's wage despite featuring just once all season.

This could see the 38-year-old manager bin the dud soon, freeing up significant space in the wage bill in the process.

Alex McCarthy's wage at Southampton

Making just one EFL Cup appearance this term to date – where he shipped three goals to League Two Gillingham Town – it's fair to say Alex McCarthy's £50k per week pay packet with the Saints is rather extortionate.

McCarthy was only present for nine of Southampton's games in all competitions last season too as the South Coast club suffered relegation, further exposing the goalkeeper's hefty salary to be a mind-boggling amount to keep paying up.

Keeping just 35 clean sheets in total for the Saints over 139 total appearances, the time could well be right to offload McCarthy soon to then better utilise the money elsewhere in bolstering the Southampton squad especially if promotion is achieved.

Many members of Martin's promotion-chasing squad could well be seeking a pay increase too, with Smallbone just one face who could clamour for more money being on a meagre £25k per week compared to the reserve shot-stopper.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

Alex McCarthy's wage compared to the Southampton squad

When casting an eye over the wage bill at the Championship side, McCarthy comes in as the joint fifth-highest earner currently at the club – the likes of Adam Armstrong, Jan Bednarek, Stuart Armstrong and goalscoring hero Joe Aribo all bettering the Saints outcast.

Yet, that quartet are regular first-teamers compared to the 34-year-old who hasn't tasted a single minute of league action under Martin this campaign.

1. Joe Aribo – £70k per week

2. Stuart Armstrong – £65k per week

3. Jan Bednarek – £60k per week

4. Adam Armstrong – £55k per week

5. David Brooks – £50k per week

5. Alex McCarthy – £50k per week

McCarthy astoundingly comes in on a higher wage than Martin's first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, the former Manchester City keeper notching up ten clean sheets as a permanent fixture in his manager's starting elevens in the second tier.

The cast away 34-year-old doesn't even have a spot on the bench anymore, with the Saints boss preferring to give Joe Lumley fleeting starts here and there as his back-up over the £50k per week outsider.

It could well be that McCarthy is still a remnant of Southampton's hay day in the Premier League where inflated wages were commonplace, with the likes of Theo Walcott and Danny Ings demanding handsome £75k per week wages each despite not offering much for the Saints.

McCarthy's time as a high earner could come to an end soon, however, as Martin's young and hungry Saints bid for promotion and look towards a bright future back in the top flight.

Glasgow Rangers have had mixed success in the transfer market in recent years as they have pulled off a few blinders and been stung by a few big flops.

Sam Lammers and Jose Cifuentes were both signed on permanent deals by former Light Blues boss Michael Beale last summer, and they were both sent out on loan by Philippe Clement in the recent January transfer window.

Meanwhile, the likes of Todd Cantwell, Jack Butland, and Abdallah Sima have all emerged as key players for the Scottish giants, having joined over the last 13 months or so.

Beale was not the first Rangers boss to make mistakes in the transfer market, though, and will not be the last. In fact, the man he replaced – Giovanni van Bronckhorst – had his fair share of blunders.

The Dutch head coach decided to part ways with talented maestro Juninho Bacuna at the start of 2022, and that has turned out to be a howler as the midfielder is an upgrade on Nicolas Raskin, who was signed by Beale a year later to fill that gap in midfield.

Juninho Bacuna's time with Rangers

Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson swooped to sign the young talent from English side Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2021 on a two-year deal.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder described him as a "powerful" gem and "big talent", and urged the need for patience with Bacuna to make sure that he could fulfill his development at Ibrox.

Unfortunately, Gerrard opted to leave Scotland to join Aston Villa in the Premier League shortly after that and van Bronckhorst was brought in to replace him in November 2021.

The former Feyenoord head coach was seemingly not prepared to have the patience that the man he replaced felt was needed to get the best out of the exciting midfielder as Bacuna was sold to Birmingham in January 2022.

That came after the Curacao international made six appearances in the Scottish Premiership and started one match for the Scottish giants during the first half of the 2021/22 campaign.

He produced one goal and one assist in those six outings and completed 86% of his attempted passes, which suggests that there were positive signs from his performances in spite of the limited minutes he had on the pitch.

Van Bronckhorst did not give him many chances to showcase his quality on a consistent basis and opted to part ways with the talented gem just two months into their working relationship.

Birmingham swooped in to secure his services midway through the 2021/22 season and Bacuna revealed upon joining the English side that the "opportunity" to play matches was a factor in his decision to move on from the Scottish outfit.

Beale's swoop to sign Nicolas Raskin

A year on from the club's decision to sell the midfielder, Beale decided that the Gers lacked a dynamic number eight who can hold his own defensively and contribute with quality at the top end of the pitch.

This led to a move for Standard Liege whiz Nicolas Raskin on a permanent deal, for a reported fee of around £1.75m, in January of last year.

He had produced four assists in 16 Pro League appearances during the first half of the 2022/23 campaign, to go along with a duel success rate of 58%, which showed that the Belgian gem could make an impact on and off the ball.

Appearances

12

11

Goals

Zero

One

Assists

One

One

Duel success rate

52%

57%

Tackles per game

1.8

2.5

Interceptions per game

0.5

0.6

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old midfielder struggled to make an instant impact in Glasgow with his lack of attacking contributions and average defensive work in physical battles.

He, as you can also see, has improved slightly during the current campaign, with one more goal contribution and 0.8 more tackles and interceptions combined per match for the side, along with a higher success rate in his duels.

Raskin is yet to set the world alight at Ibrox but there is still plenty of time left for him, at the age of 22, to develop and improve under Clement over the years to come.

However, Bacuna's performances for Birmingham, particularly this season, make it seem like van Bronckhorst fumbled the club's own, better version of, Raskin a year before Beale swooped to sign him.

Juninho Bacuna's form for Birmingham

The 26-year-old midfielder enjoyed his first full season with the Championship side during the 2022/23 campaign and caught the eye with his creativity in the middle of the park.

Bacuna started 33 matches for the club and chipped in with two goals, six assists, and nine 'big chances' created, which shows that he liked to step forward to be a difference maker at the top end of the pitch.

He also made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per match for his side – 0.2 more per game than Raskin managed in the Premiership during that time.

Appearances

31

Goals

Five

Assists

Five

Big chances created

Four

Tackles per game

1.8

Interceptions per game

0.8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the £10k-per-week star has been a huge threat for his team in the final third with his quality as a scorer and a creator from midfield.

Meanwhile, no Rangers central midfielder has produced more than five goals or three assists, with Todd Cantwell topping the charts for both, which illustrates how impressive Bacuna's return for Birmingham is.

Raskin, as aforementioned, has managed one goal and two assists in 23 Premiership appearances for the Gers, which is one goal contribution every 7.67 games on average. Meanwhile, Bacuna has averaged a goal or an assist every 3.1 outings on average so far this season in the Championship.

When you consider that they have both made tackles and interceptions at a similar rate over the past 18 months or so, the Curacao international could have offered far more to Rangers in the middle of the park.

Bacuna could have provided a big threat in possession when it comes to scoring and creating goals to go along with his similar defensive work, which is why he would be an upgrade on Raskin.

Therefore, van Bronckhorst fumbled a quality player when he decided to sell the midfielder at the start of 2022 and should, instead, have used the patience that Gerrard urged previously.

Birmingham have been rewarded for taking their time with him and Rangers ended up wasting money on, at this moment in time, a seemingly inferior player – in Raskin.

There is no spot in either the T20I or ODI squad for the BBL top-scorer Marcus Stoinis

Daniel Brettig04-Feb-2020Glenn Maxwell will return to Australian colours for the first time since he took mental health leave at the start of the summer, having enjoyed a dominant Big Bash as captain of the Melbourne Stars, as part of the limited-overs squad to tour South Africa later this month.However, there was no room for Maxwell’s Stars team-mate and the BBL’s leading run-maker Marcus Stoinis, who has been recast by his club as a top-order batsman who seldom bowls and is thus stuck behind the likes of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steven Smith in the order of preference for places. Stoinis is a standby player in the event of any injuries to squad members before the tour.Instead, the selection panel including its newest member George Bailey, recalled his Hobart Hurricanes team-mate Matthew Wade in the T20 squad, deeming him more flexible as someone who could take on either a middle-order role or serve as a back-up player for the top three. Mitchell Marsh has been recalled to both squads as an allrounder, his first outing in Australian colours since he fractured his hand when punching a wall after his dismissal in an early season Sheffield Shield match.From the one-day squad that toured India, Ashton Turner and Peter Handscomb have lost their spots. Turner struggled in the two innings he had while Handscomb did not get a game but Marnus Labuschagne’s emergence in the middle order has put a squeeze on places. D’Arcy Short, who was called up as a replacement for Sean Abbott, misses out on both squads.Australia squads to South Africa

T20I Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

ODI Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

“It is fantastic to have Glenn back in both squads given his brilliant form in the middle order for the Stars along with his results with the ball,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “Glenn was one of the first picked in the most recent T20 team at the start of the summer, prior to his break from the game.”The same can be said for Mitch. He has been in tremendous touch with the bat for the Scorchers since his return from injury and is now back bowling well. His performances warranted inclusion in the area he operates as a powerful middle order batsman and handy bowler.”Matthew Wade is also in red hot form with the bat. He is a very strong fielder; and a great person to have in any team. He can also substitute as wicketkeeper if required. Marcus Stoinis is a standby player for each squad and was unlucky to miss out due to the makeup of the current top order. It is terrific to have a backup player of his calibre in such good form.”For a tour of three ODIs and three T20Is that will see Warner and Smith return to South Africa for the first time since the Newlands ball tampering scandal in 2018, Maxwell has been named in the squads for both formats, as an acknowledgement of the shotmaking snap that was missing from the 50-over team in their 2-1 series loss in India last month.Jhye Richardson, who had looked to be on the cusp of international selection when the summer began, also returns to the T20 squad after a strong BBL in what was overall a failed campaign by the Perth Scorchers. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have been retained as spin bowlers in the squad.”Jhye Richardson also returns to the T20 side from injury with his performances demanding inclusion,” Hohns said. “He is a terrific young player who has been sensational in all forms of the game; and is an extremely strong fieldsman.”

England boss Gareth Southgate has thrown his continuance with the Three Lions into doubt following comments about having lost the fans.

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Fans throw cups at Southgate England boss' future under scrutiny FA place Eddie Howe on the list WHAT HAPPENED?

England's start to Euro 2024 has been much further apart than what they would have been hoping for as they headed into the tournament as one of the favourites on paper. However, as they scraped past Serbia and lulled to draws against Denmark and Slovenia it is apparent that Southgate's Three Lions aren't as well-oiled a machine as it had seemed earlier. Fans threw cups at Southgate and the players as they went over to applaud the fans following a 0-0 draw with Slovenia and the 53-year-old's reaction has thrown his future into doubt.

AdvertisementWHAT SOUTHGATE SAID

Speaking to the media, Southgate said: "Our world is different at the moment and I feel that is probably because of me.

"I’m not going to change that so it’s pointless me spending energy (on it). But I’m not going to back away from it. I understand the feeling towards me, but I want the fans to back the players."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The comments by Southgate might suggest that he is not planning to continue with the Three Lions past this season, and while the FA are not keen on parting ways with the 53-year-old they have already lined up a new name on their shortlist. Southgate's current contract will run out in December of this year and the FA have now placed Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe at the top of the list.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SOUTHGATE?

The former Three Lions player will aim to have a strong finish this summer and will take on Slovakia next up on Sunday, June 30 in the last 16 as they look to set up a clash with either Switzerland or Italy in the quarter-finals.

Aston Villa's charge towards Champions League football was handed another boost on Saturday as they picked up an excellent 2-1 victory over a Fulham side that had won seven of their 12 home matches.

It was vital that Unai Emery's side bounced back this weekend after the disappointing loss to Manchester United last Sunday, and the visitors started brilliantly, taking the lead in the 23rd minute.

Villa had less possession throughout the game, but ten minutes after the break, they added their second, which would ultimately secure them the win. The Cottagers fought back almost instantly, but the Villans held strong to claim an important three points.

This kept them fourth in the Premier League, just two points above Tottenham Hotspur, but there were two players who stood out in particular.

Ollie Watkins starred yet again

Ollie Watkins continues to exceed all expectations, and he has arguably been the best centre-forward in the league this season. The former Brentford gem has scored 13 goals this campaign while also registering ten assists, which proves he's a complete forward.

Yesterday, he netted a brace, showing up when he's needed most, like he always does. The 28-year-old was a handful throughout, using his elite movement to have five shots, creating a big chance, and winning 100% of his duels.

Watkins is playing with extreme confidence and he seems to score with every opportunity he gets. His first goal was a composed low strike after swivelling on the ball to evade his opponent, while the second one highlighted his ability to get in behind the defence, spinning Issa Diop and smashing the ball home just inside the box.

It was an excellent performance from the England international, but there was one Villa player who may have gone slightly under the radar for his showing yesterday.

Who else starred for Aston Villa?

Just like Watkins, Douglas Luiz is one of the first names on the teamsheet and one that Emery can rely upon to bring quality, class, and leadership to the side.

That was all on display yesterday, with the Brazilian showing why he is of interest to the likes of Arsenal and why he is a class above most in his position in the league.

With Boubacar Kamara set to miss the rest of the season, Luiz was tasked with stepping up his defensive duties alongside John McGinn, however, that didn't take away from his technical ability and persistence in making things happen in the final third.

Minutes

97

Chances created

4

Pass accuracy %

88%

Passes into final third

3

Ball recoveries

6

Duels won

4/5

Aerials won

100%

Dribble Success

100%

As you can see, the 25-year-old was influential in progressing the ball all game long, and without his bravery in possession, Villa would have struggled yesterday.

His ability to pass the ball into the final third and create four chances while maintaining a pass completion rate of 88% is impressive, and it was also important next to McGinn, who managed zero chances created and passes into the final third.

The midfielder also won four of his five duels while making six recoveries, which showed that he was proactive in the middle of the park. That said, the former Manchester City ace was only handed a 7/10 rating by Birmingham Live, but they did mention that he's "such a key player in this Villa team."

It was a fantastic afternoon for Villa, Emery, Watkins, Luiz, and, of course, the Villans faithful.

The legspinner could have a career choice to make before too long between cricket and AFL

Andrew McGlashan16-Feb-2020Wil Parker, the 17-year-old Victoria legspinner, had never been to the SCG before being handed a Sheffield Shield debut this week.It has been a wide-eyed experience: presented his cap by Peter Siddle – who is his room-mate for the Sydney trip and made his first-class debut when Parker was three – to be the state’s fourth-youngest debutant (behind Gerry Hazlitt, Cameron White and Jake Fraser-McGurk), followed by a day watching Nathan Lyon go about his work and then a maiden first-class wicket of a batsman who scored a Test century a little over a year ago.Kurtis Patterson, batting confidently on 54, advanced down the pitch and got a thin edge to wicketkeeper Seb Gotch although he would have been out stumped anyway.”I didn’t think I got the wicket because Gotchy’s reaction was as if he’d missed but he ended up taking the catch which was pretty special,” Parker said. “Kurtis Patterson, not a bad wicket to get first up. Over the moon.”Did him with the wrong ‘un? “Nah, it just slid on,” he admitted. “I like to say I have a wrong ‘un and a toppy, still working on the flipper.”

Here's Parker's maiden first class wicket and didn't the boys love it! #NSWvVIC #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/a9OKEeLsxf

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) February 15, 2020

Naturally for an Australian legspinner, especially one from Victoria, the next part is fairly obvious. The mention of Shane Warne. “Oh, yeah, my idol,” he said. “Let’s be honest, every young legspinner, let alone a Victorian, should have Shane Warne as their idol.”He has yet to meet Warne. “That would be a dream to have a chat with about legspinning, specifically, and just life as well.”For a moment consider that Warne played his last match for Australia in 2007. A lot of highlights have been watched on YouTube. On Parker’s bedroom wall, the memories are of more recent Australian vintages: the 2013-14 Ashes-winning side and the 2015 World Cup team.While a debut at the MCG may have ticked every box, striding out at the SCG is a heck of a way to see a ground for the first time. “I’m actually a Sydney Swans fan so it’s actually not bad debuting here, pretty special. I’ve never been here, so first time to play here is pretty special.”A (non-alcoholic) drink with Lyon after this match would cap things off. “Yesterday [Friday] was pretty special to sit back and watching from the changing rooms…that would be something special, just to sit down with him.”The AFL mention moves neatly onto another major part of the Parker story. He is a hugely talented dual sportsman – tipped to have a chance of a professional football career – with the choice that will bring before too long, but not quite yet.”There will have to be a time where I make a decision but at the moment I’m just trying to take each season as it goes. At the moment it’s cricket season, I’m loving cricket, and when it’s footy I love footy. There will be a time to make a decision but that’s not just yet. Just trying to enjoy cricket at the moment, representing my state at the SCG is pretty special.”At the moment he balances cricket training with Monash Tigers and football with NAB League side Eastern Ranges. “Currently I’m trying to get to some pre-season sessions at the moment, juggle it all. Still keeping fit, kicking the footy around,” he said.Victoria team-mate Will Sutherland had the same decision to make and went with cricket. “He reckoned he was always going to play cricket, whereas I don’t really know yet,” Parker said.There is strong sporting linage in the family. His uncle, Geoff, played 37 first-class matches for South Australia and Victoria between 1985 and 1999. In 1988, he captained Australia Young Cricketers at the Youth World Cup and also played football in the late 1980s. He now works in AFL recruiting with Port Adelaide.

Declan Rice clashed with Francesco Calzona after England's 2-1 win over Slovakia at the Euros, and a lip reader has revealed what was allegedly said.

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England beat Slovakia in last 16Rice clashes with Calzona at full-timeArsenal star launched X-rated rant at Slovakia bossWHAT HAPPENED?

Slovakia looked set for a famous win over England at Euro 2024 until Jude Bellingham forced the game into extra-time with a stoppage time goal against Calzona's side. Harry Kane then scored England's second of the night to dump Slovakia out of the tournament and keep the Three Lions' dreams of glory alive.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While England now have a quarter-final to look forward to, there were some ugly scenes at the final whistle. Rice reacted angrily after being pushed in the chest by Calzona and certainly didn't hold back after being confronted by the Slovakia boss.

WHAT RICE SAID

Lipreader Jeremy Freeman has told the what Rice said in an feisty exchange between the two men on the pitch. Rice allegedly said: "Shut up, p***y, oi, shut up, you bald c***."

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WHAT CALZONA SAID

Meanwhile, the Slovakia boss told he was angered by England's tactics. “The lads worked so hard and followed what I asked of them to the letter," he said. "We allowed them a bit more in the second half, but that was to be expected against a team of this level. In extra time, it was one-way traffic, we pinned them back and they relied on time-wasting and obstructionism. I was angry because one extra minute of stoppages with the amount of time-wasting especially from their goalkeeper was not enough.”

Chelsea’s return to the Champions League was undone by costly mistakes, as Cole Palmer admitted their own errors gifted Bayern Munich a 3-1 victory at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane, once again tormenting his former Premier League rivals, scored twice as the Blues faltered in their league-stage opener. Palmer, who netted a superb strike himself, insisted the defeat was avoidable.

Chelsea crumble against Bayern Munich

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side started brightly in Munich but collapsed under pressure with three defensive lapses. Trevoh Chalobah’s own goal opened the scoring, Moises Caicedo conceded a penalty converted by Kane, and Malo Gusto’s mistake handed the England captain another goal. Palmer struck with a fine goal, but it was not enough to rescue the Blues against Vincent Kompany's ruthless side.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPalmer opens up on Chelsea's costly mistakes

“I thought we played well. We’ve shown we deserve to play here," Palmer said. "The three goals we conceded were our own fault. We had chances. We deserved better than what we got.

“We started well. We had early chances to score, but when you make mistakes at the back it’s always difficult to come back into the game. It was a lack of concentration, and not managing the moments correctly. I feel like we showed we can play against the best teams in the competition.

“The manager said to us before (the game) that he knows we can go toe-to-toe. I think we showed that despite the result. To be back in the competition is nice, we just need to kick on from here. We are not coming here for it to be a learning curve. We want to compete.”

Chelsea's return to the Champions League shows chinks in armour

Chelsea’s return to Europe’s biggest stage highlighted both promise and fragility in equal measure. While Palmer’s goal and their attacking approach showed clear progress under Maresca, defensive lapses ultimately decided the contest. Kane’s brace was a reminder of his ruthless efficiency, and the Blues will need to cut out costly errors to stand a chance of progressing deep into the tournament.

Getty Images SportChelsea looking to iron out mistakes

Chelsea will look to regroup quickly ahead of their next Champions League clash against Jose Mourinho's Benfica, where they cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes. Maresca will be tasked with shoring up defensive concentration while keeping Palmer and the attack firing. Meanwhile, they shift their focus towards the Premier League.

Newcastle United look set to spend big again this summer, with the Magpies already linked with moves for several new additions. And that includes a potential deal to beat Liverpool to another young gem for Eddie Howe.

Newcastle transfer news

With the summer transfer window swinging open in a few months, Newcastle have the chance to make up for a quiet January window by splashing the cash once again. This has already seen the Premier League side name-checked in pole position to sign Albert Gudmundsson from Genoa and interest in Lille forward Jonathan David, as they look to boost their attacking options.

PIF, of course, had a summer transfer window to forget last time out. Howe welcomed the likes of Sandro Tonali, Tino Livremento, Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, before watching on as the majority struggled to make an impact. Tonali is undoubtedly at the forefront of that, having joined for a reported £55m from AC Milan, only to be hit with a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules shortly after.

Now, as the summer approaches, those at St James' Park could be set to get one over on both their local rivals and Premier League rivals. According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Newcastle are now in pole position to sign Chris Rigg from Sunderland ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this summer. The in-demand Black Cats midfielder has been at the centre of Newcastle's interest for the last 12 months and the Tyneside club could now finally land his signature.

"Hugely important” Newcastle hero could miss Bournemouth clash

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ByHenry Jackson Feb 13, 2024

Rigg is reportedly ready to leave Sunderland, meanwhile, which, alongside the fact that his family are Newcastle fans, could hand the Magpies a major boost in their pursuit in a deal that could be worth up to £3m. It would certainly be a major coup for PIF, who would be handing Newcastle extra bragging rights over their rivals in the process.

"Wonderful" Rigg is one for the future

Still just 16-years-old, it speaks volumes about Rigg's ability that he's already attracted so much interest from Premier League sides. And if that's not impressive enough, then the teenager's eight first-team appearances and one goal in the Championship this season certainly are.

Former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray knew all about Rigg's talent, previously saying via The Chronicle: "Chris Rigg is pushing really hard for a starting place in our team I would suggest, and I don’t say that lightly, he’s a 16-year-old boy. He knows where the goal is and wants to run forward, he’s got energy to burn and can keep running all day.

“He looks you in the eye and wants to please and do what you want him to do. He should have scored again to be honest, if he’d trusted his right foot he would have scored again.

"Rigg is doing really well and is a real positive for our football club. I’m eulogising about him there, we shouldn’t overly build him up. He’s still a young boy but he has wonderful qualities and wonderful attributes.”

Earning comparisons to Jordan Henderson, Rigg's Premier League debut may well be on the horizon, whether that be through a move to Newcastle or elsewhere.