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The side has struggled in the powerplay this year, but Litton stepped up in Adelaide and gave India a scare

Mohammad Isam02-Nov-20221:36

Moody: Litton aside, Bangladesh went about their power-hitting the wrong way

Everyone is talking about Litton Das’ run-out. It was a defining moment in the game, as Bangladesh not only lost their best batter, but also the momentum. They ended up six runs short of their DLS-adjusted target of 151 in 16 overs. India are now best placed to make the semi-finals, while Bangladesh are on the brink of being knocked out.Litton’s 60 off 27 balls, however, had knocked the wind out of India’s sails in the first seven overs and left them nervous even when the rain came down. It was that sort of an innings – full of beautiful strokes – as Litton got out of his shell for the first time in this T20 World Cup.More than anything else, it was a knock that Bangladesh have been waiting for a long time. The confidence in the top order was so low that the team was clutching at straws. Questions about the opening pair often drew frustrated responses from the team management. Everyone knew about the struggles, but there was also a sense that someone just to play such an innings. You can’t go through two World Cups in two years without a good knock from one of the main batters.Related

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Shakib joins Southee as highest wicket-taker in T20Is

Litton’s 21-ball fifty is the second fastest by a Bangladesh batter. His strike rate of 222.22 is the second highest among Bangladesh players with a 60-plus score in T20Is. Litton also became the second Bangladeshi to get to his fifty within the powerplay. His strike rate was also the second highest among batters who have faced a minimum of 25 balls in a T20 World Cup innings – slotting in behind AB de Villiers.Litton had cracked three fours off Arshdeep Singh’s first over, threading the gaps at point, mid-on and cover respectively. He deposited Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six over deep square-leg, before driving him down the ground and dabbing him through slip and short third-man, in the next over. Another six off Bhuvneshwar was followed by a duel against Mohammed Shami. He slammed two pulls off him that went for a four and a six, racing to his half-century, before crashing him through extra-cover. In all, Litton hit seven fours and three sixes in the powerplay.Litton has given Bangladesh such rapid starts in T20Is in the past, most notably in 2018, when it looked like he was finally coming out of his shell in the shortest format. It has taken him a while but he has, at long last, played a significant knock at the T20 World Cup.Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said that Litton’s confidence from Tests and ODIs has finally transferred to his T20I batting and that they never doubted his ability.Litton Das raced to a 21-ball half-century•Getty Images”He has been scoring runs in Tests and ODIs for the last two-three years,” Shakib said. “He is doing well in T20Is this year. The confidence is back in his T20 batting. He knows how to score the runs. He had a big opportunity, and he played to his capability. We rate him quite highly. He didn’t play anything out of the box. We know this is how he plays.”It is expected that Litton’s knock will not only open him up further for Bangladesh’s last group-stage game against Pakistan in Adelaide next week, but also give the top order some muscle. The top order hasn’t provided the team with a good start lately.Top-order batters are expected to attack more often in T20Is, but Bangladesh have struggled so much in the powerplay that their run-rate (7.23) during this phase is among the bottom half among teams who have played at least 15 innings this year. This is partly because of the lack of stability – Bangladesh have used as many as 10 different opening pairs in 20 matches this year.Litton was slotted at No. 3 as a back-up for the openers, though he is an accomplished opener himself. Litton was tried seven times at the top with four different partners, but that didn’t work for Bangladesh. The team management then tried to protect Litton by pushing him down to No.3, but that didn’t work for him.Litton is now the top scorer for Bangladesh in all three formats this year. He was scoring runs regularly in the middle order in the Test side, and his opening stand with Tamim Iqbal in ODIs is one of that side’s strengths.Litton was also a heavy scorer last year, but found it hard to score in the T20Is at home, where the series against Australia and New Zealand were played on raging turners. Litton’s struggles seeped into the 2021 T20 World Cup as well in the UAE, resulting in the selectors dropping him for the following series against Pakistan.Now that drop looks like it happened ages go. Litton’s team-mates have never doubted him, not since his underwhelming debut season in 2015. Now, they will draw a lot of confidence from him in one of their worst years as a batting side.

And have any cricketers taken part in the Winter Olympics?

Steven Lynch28-Jul-2020Which South African Test cricketer never played a first-class match in his home country? asked Michael Roberts from England
The owner of this peculiar distinction is seamer George Parker, who won two Test caps in England in 1924. South Africa’s bowlers, used to matting pitches at home, struggled on turf in England, and the management cast round for alternatives. Parker, who was born in Cape Town in 1899, had been in England for four years, and was playing for Eccleshill in the Bradford League. He made his first-class debut in a rain-affected match against Oxford University, and took four wickets – and was hustled into the Test side for the opening match of the series at Edgbaston.Parker did his side proud, taking six wickets, although they cost him 152 runs: his victims included Herbert Sutcliffe, Frank Woolley, Patsy Hendren and Percy Chapman. Parker sent down 37 overs, an effort that took its toll, as Wisden reported: “He bowled himself to a standstill and became so exhausted that he had to leave the field shortly before the drawing of stumps, the South Africans finishing the day with ten men.”Parker’s league commitments meant he did not play again before the second Test, at Lord’s, where he dismissed both England’s openers, Sutcliffe and Jack Hobbs – but not before they had shared an opening stand of 268. And that was it: Parker wasn’t called on again during the tour, and never played another first-class game. He eventually moved to Australia, where he died in 1969.Joe Root was run out for the second innings running at Manchester. Has this happened to an England captain before? asked Albert Ross from England
Joe Root’s run-out on the opening day of the third Test against West Indies at Old Trafford made him only the third England captain to fall this way in successive Test innings. The first was Archie MacLaren, who was run out in the final innings of the 1901-02 Ashes, in Melbourne, and fell the same way on the first day of the return series in England, at Edgbaston a couple of months later. Another Lancastrian, Mike Atherton, was run out in successive innings in 1995, against West Indies at Old Trafford and then at Trent Bridge, where he did at least score 113.Root has now been run out four times as captain, the most for England, ahead of three by MacLaren (Ricky Ponting was run out nine times, easily the most for any Test captain). In all Tests, Root has now been run out six times: only Geoff Boycott and Matt Prior (seven) fell this way more often for England. Overall, Ponting was run out 15 times in Tests, two ahead of Rahul Dravid, while Allan Border and Matthew Hayden fell this way 12 times each.Have any cricketers also taken part in the Winter Olympics? asked Kartik Venkataraman from India
I’m not aware of any cricketers – internationals, anyway – who have participated in the Winter Olympics. The nearest I can think of is the left-arm seamer Dirk Nannes, who played white-ball internationals for Australia and Netherlands: he was also an accomplished moguls skier, who took part in World Cup events – but he missed out on the Winter Olympics, although he has commentated on them for Australia television. “My dream as a young bloke was to ski for Australia at the Winter Olympics,” he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph in 2018. “It’s my first love. I didn’t find cricket until I was 26.”There may be some others, especially from the early days when winter sports were a favourite of the English gentry. David Gower, who would surely have been a dashing jazz-hatted amateur if he’d been born a few years earlier, was for a while a regular on the fearsome Cresta Run at St Moritz (a skeleton racing track), once braving the ice shortly before embarking on a tough trip to the Caribbean, as he told The Guardian: “A week before a Windies tour was probably very good timing to get used to handling fear, expectation and speed.”Australia’s Dirk Nannes narrowly missed out on making the Australian ski team for the 1998 Winter Olympics•Getty ImagesSir Garry Sobers lost a Test to England in 1967-68 after declaring in both innings. Is he the only captain to suffer this fate? asked Gary Dockerty from Hong Kong
That match in Port-of-Spain in 1967-68 effectively allowed England to win the series, as they won the game after Sobers’ two declarations, and took the rubber 1-0. The only other captain to declare twice in a Test and lose is South Africa’s Graeme Smith, who closed at 451 for 9 and 194 for 6 against Australia in Sydney in 2005-06. Smith was trying to level the series, which Australia won 2-0 as a result of their victory in this match.There’s a case for saying it also happened in Centurion in 1999-2000, when South Africa declared their first innings at 248 for 8, and forfeited their second, which allowed England to pull off a surprise victory in what became an infamous match, after it emerged that Hansie Cronje, the South African captain, had accepted gifts for ensuring a positive result.Who played the most Tests, all of which were won – and played the most, all of them being lost? asked Steve Rafferty from Ireland
The 1980s West Indian allrounder Eldine Baptiste is the answer to the first part – he played ten Test matches, all of which were won. And the unfortunate holder of the opposite record is Alok Kapali of Bangladesh, who appeared in 17 Tests and lost the lot. Kapali, who’s still playing domestic cricket, holds another peculiar Test record: he took only six wickets with his legbreaks, but they included a hat-trick – Bangladesh’s first in Tests – against Pakistan in Peshawar in August 2003.Use our feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

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CRB e Botafogo-PB inauguram as quartas de final da Copa do Nordeste e se enfrentam nesta terça-feira (9), às 20h (de Brasília), em busca de uma vaga na semifinal. O confronto será transmitido pelo SBT (AL e PB) e pelo Nosso Futebol (TV Fechada).

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Copa do Nordeste – Quartas de final

🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 9 de abril de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Rei Pelé, em Maceió (AL)
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Matheus Albino, Hereda, Saimon, Fábio Alemão e Willian Formiga; Falcão, Caio César, Gegê e Jorginho; Anselmo Ramon e Léo Pereira. Técnico: Daniel Paulista.

BOTAFOGO-PB
Dalton, Lenon, Reniê, Wendel Lomar e Evandro; Júlio Rusch, Thallyson e Bruno Leite; Gabriel Lima, Jean Silva e Jô. Técnico: Moacir Júnior.

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Liverpool are now reportedly ready to accept a cut-price offer for one of their star men on one important condition in the January transfer window.

Salah accuses Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus"

To say it was a bad Saturday evening for Liverpool would be an understatement. Life was good at 2-0 up. The champions were in control. Cruising, in fact, before Ibrahima Konate’s needless challenge allowed Leeds United the climb back into the game before both sides battled out a dramatic 3-3 draw.

But the worst was yet to come. Mohamed Salah didn’t get on the pitch yet again, but he did get behind the mic after the game to unleash an explosive rant against Arne Slot and Liverpool.

"Annoying" Liverpool star showed why FSG have to sign Semenyo

Liverpool need to make a signing or two in the January transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 7, 2025

The Egyptian said: “That I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes! The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season.

“Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

It’s a new low point in Liverpool’s shocking title defence and where they even go from here is anyone’s guess. It is, however, time to get ruthless it seems, with reports now suggesting that those at Anfield are ready to sell Konate following his disastrous form.

Liverpool ready to accept Konate offer

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now ready to accept a £15m offer to sell Konate in January if they manage to find a replacement. The Frenchman has played himself out of a Real Madrid move this season, but is still on course to become a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.

After he gave away a penalty to allow Leeds back into Saturday’s game, Slot admitted that Konate has been at the scene of the crime too often this season.

A player who Virgil van Dijk dubbed “fantastic” last year, Konate has now become Liverpool’s biggest liability. With just over six months remaining on his current deal, it remains to be seen whether he puts pen to paper on fresh terms.

Liverpool hold talks to sign Semenyo upgrade who will be a "£100m +" player

By now, you've probably heard about everything the Los Angeles Dodgers do to add talent at all costs, ballooning their opening day payroll this season to $321 million in present-day dollars, the second-most in MLB (first: Mets). Off a World Series win in 2024, the Dodgers want to keep winning, and they added and re-signed players for a total of $450 million this winter after a $1 billion offseason last year. Luxury tax will push that cost for ownership even higher.

But Los Angeles is also looking for ways to spend outside of payroll to position the team for improved performance. One tactic highlighted in a recent article was the travel itinerary, which now includes a second chartered plane for the Dodgers. One plane takes players, the other takes manager Dave Roberts, his staff, and other team personnel.

That shift has allowed players to get to road cities earlier so they have a true day to themselves instead of spending their off day traveling, something Dodgers players have lauded as hugely helpful for recovery. Additionally, roomier planes have made for a more comfortable travel experience, a luxury particularly important for long bicoastal trips.

The dollar amount of a second plane is easy to imagine as costly, but incidental costs rack up as well: Not only do they need hotel rooms for an additional night in those day-early cases, but also the Dodgers senior director of travel Scott Akasaki has had to hire additional staff to help manage the complex logistics of the operation, according to the LA Times' reporting.

Another possible benefit for the Dodgers? These dollars aren't as punitive as player payroll dollars because they fall outside of the team's payroll, which means they aren't subject to the luxury tax. Dollar for dollar, they're "cheaper" ways to spend than adding more talent at this point.

The Dodgers clearly understand that winning takes everything and everyone, even your travel planning staff.

There is something different about Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have got close to Premier League glory but fallen short in the last three campaigns, and yet they seem more determined than ever.

The North Londoners sit atop the table, four points clear of Manchester City, and while they dropped points away to Sunderland, they put in a decent performance.

Moreover, while a lacklustre squad has seen the team falter in the past, Arteta’s side is full of incredible talents, including one prospect who could eventually become one of the best players in the world, surpassing the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

Rice & Saka's performances vs Sunderland

Even though Arsenal dropped points against Sunderland and weren’t at their best in the first half, their second-half display, at least from an attacking perspective, was one of their best all season.

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Likewise, it was also one of Saka’s best displays of the season so far, as from the start of the second 45 up until Leandro Trossard scored the side’s second goal, the Hale End superstar was a constant threat.

If he wasn’t getting past the Black Cats’ defence with some silky close control, he was playing quick one-twos or, on occasion, switching the play to help create space.

Moreover, it was his brilliantly driven effort from his right that opened the scoring for the North Londoners and gave them a foothold in the game.

Like his captain for the day, it was a game of two halves for Rice.

The former West Ham United captain was poor in the first half and should have done better for Dan Ballard’s opener, but improved significantly in the second half.

For example, he provided the assist for Saka after winning the ball off Enzo Le Fee, and then for the rest of the game, he seemed to be everywhere.

Rice’s game vs Sunderland

Minutes

97′

Expected Assists

0.20

Assists

2

Key Passes

1

Accurate Passes

61/65

Shots

3

Touches

91

Interceptions

1

Clearances

4

Recoveries

3

Ground Duels (Won)

4 (3)

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

All Stats via Sofascore

Despite his poor first half, the Englishman still ended the game having made four clearances, three recoveries and one interception while also winning four of five duels.

In all, Rice and Saka showed why they are two of Arsenal’s best players in the second half on Saturday, but even so, both could well be surpassed by one of the club’s most exciting talents, who looks destined to become one of the best in the world.

The Arsenal star destined to be the best in the world

While Arsenal have more than a few talented youngsters in the squad, there is one who seems to have the most potential of all: Max Dowman.

The Hale Ender is still just 15 years old, but has been a player of interest for over a year now, with talk of the club trying to include him in senior squads last season.

That might sound absurd, but at the start of last season, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal.”

Then, this time last year, Hale End expert Will Balsam called him “the biggest talent in England.”

Unless they were watching his performances for the youth sides, fans had to take those in the know at face value; that was until pre-season.

The Chelmsford-born star in the making was finally given a taste of first-team action on the club’s summer tour and against Newcastle United, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, instantly began “humiliating Premier League players.”

He did the same thing to Leeds United on his Premier League debut and then became the youngest player to start a game for the club in their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup.

Not satisfied with just breaking a club record, Arteta then made the Hale End monster the youngest player in Champions League history when he came off the bench against Slavia Prague last week.

Now, the youngster is yet to score a senior goal for the North Londoners, but every time he’s made an appearance, he has passed the eye test with flying colours.

Unlike some of the senior players, he seems to relish taking on defenders and has a level of close control that is unrivaled in the squad.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but as things stand, it does look like Dowman could, in the words of one analyst, become one of “the best in world” and surpass Saka and Rice in the process.

Related Arsenal sold Hale End "colossus" for £2m, now he's playing just like Gabriel

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West Ham desperately need to strengthen the squad in January, and a new report has now shared the state of their transfer budget heading into winter.

The Hammers’ season has quickly become one to forget, with the club enduring a torrid run of form under both Graham Potter and new manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

As the campaign slowly heads towards the halfway mark, West Ham have managed just a single league victory and are firmly entrenched in the Premier League’s relegation battle.

The statistics paint a grim picture. West Ham have conceded more goals than any other side in the division, shipping 20 goals in their opening nine games.

Defensive frailties have been obvious, with the team also suffering from a chronic vulnerability at set pieces, conceding nine goals as a direct result from dead balls — again more than any other Premier League side (BBC).

West Ham

9

Nottingham Forest

7

Liverpool

6

Leeds

6

via Opta

Nuno’s men are leaking goals at a rate of more than two per game, and their goal difference ranks as one of the worst in the league.

Offensively, things have not been much better. West Ham have struggled for creativity and cutting edge, finding the back of the net just seven times in the league, and those attacking struggles have only amplified pressure on their embattled backline.

The mood around the London Stadium has really soured, and Nuno’s frustrations are clear as day.

GiveMeSport reports that the manager has demanded urgent action in the winter window, specifically calling for three major signings: a central defender, a midfielder, and a forward.

This is backed up by major news broadcaster Sky Sports as well, who state that West Ham do indeed want a new recruit in all three of those areas as they look to save their season.

West Ham given transfer budget update ahead of January

After they forked out £131 million in the summer transfer window, registering a net spend of around £76 million when factoring in Mohammed Kudus’ sale to Spurs, the question remains: how much money will the Hammers even have to spend?

Well, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, it isn’t good news.

Speaking to TEAMtalk, the reporter claims that West Ham will have a “restricted budget” to play with in January, dealing a blow to Nuno’s hopes of significantly bolstering the squad.

While money may not be available for a lavish spree, the loan market presents a fruitful opportunity for West Ham.

According to recent reports, West Ham have already worked on a potential loan for Ivan Toney, with the England outcast potentially tempted by the prospect of a Premier League return ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that West Ham are speaking to Real Madrid about the possibility of a temporary deal for Endrick, but they’ll have to move quickly and convince the player.

Lyon have now made an official approach for Endrick, according to Fabrizio Romano, so time could be running out there.

That being said, Endrick isn’t the only Brazilian who could be available to Nuno’s side at the turn of the year.

West Ham offered two Brazil strikers with 35 goals between them this year

Lionel Messi has hinted that he will form part of Argentina’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, with the all-time great expecting that event to be “extraordinary”. Questions have been asked of whether Messi, who will turn 39 next summer, will grace another international tournament. He is, however, excited about what the United States, Canada and Mexico have to offer.

Messi's international record: Caps & goals for Argentina

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi helped his country to global glory at Qatar 2022. He completed his medal collection there, with the most prestigious of trophies being hoisted aloft in the Middle East.

Ever since that triumph, speculation has raged regarding how much longer the South American GOAT will make himself available to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. Messi has reached 195 international caps, scoring 114 goals along the way.

He is considered to have taken in a final competitive outing on home soil, but is expected to remain in contention for selection through to next summer. That will allow him to lead the Albisceleste into a World Cup title defence as captain of his nation.

AdvertisementGettyWorld Cup hint? Messi excited about 2026 finals

Messi has been playing cards close to his chest when it comes to potential involvement at that tournament, but he has now spoken of his excitement at seeing the World Cup head to America – where he is currently plying his club trade for MLS side Inter Miami.

Speaking at the American Business Forum in Florida, Messi said: “I have very high expectations that the World Cup is going to be something extraordinary. There are going to be some great matches. Teams from all over the world are coming, and some of them are very big.”

Having previously suggested that he would not make another appearance at FIFA’s flagship event, Messi said after bidding an emotional farewell to Argentina supporters during a qualification clash with Venezuela in September: “I said it at the time. I don't think I'll play in another World Cup. Due to my age, it's logical that I won't make it, but we're there and I'm excited. I'm taking it day by day, feeling the sensations. And what's clear is that today was the last game here.”

Last dance: Messi urged to join Ronaldo at World Cup

Messi has been urged to take in a last dance with eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 finals, with both men entering the latter stages of their record-shattering careers. Cope journalist Tomas Guasch has said: “We were all very calm until Leo Messi appeared, questioning his presence at next year's World Cup. He says it's normal for him not to be there. But if that World Cup had any appeal, it was the final dance between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, in what would be one of the most tremendous and grandiose epics in the history of football and world sport. But Leo casts doubt on that.

“I hope he plays in the World Cup even if he's embalmed. Because there are 48 teams playing, hundreds of players, and only Messi is missing? I think it would be a joke for football, and someone should intervene. You can't leave us alone.”

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GettyInter Miami contract: Messi committed through 2028

While international retirement appears to be imminent, Messi has extended his contract at Inter Miami through 2028. He is looking forward to helping the Herons move into a new stadium next year, with Sir David Beckham and Co drawing up ambitious plans for the future.

Messi said of penning a new deal: “The fact of renewing goes hand in hand with how well we are doing, how well the family is doing and being able to continue helping in the growth of the club.”

Messi and his wife Antonela have felt settled in South Florida since moving to the United States in 2023. Inter Miami have savoured Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield triumphs since then, with a crucial playoff decider with Nashville set to be taken in on Saturday as the Herons look to chase down ultimate MLS Cup glory in 2025.

Arsenal’s fourth Premier League win in a row yesterday has seen the Gunners take a huge stride towards finally ending their drought for a league title.

Mikel Arteta’s men secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates – a result that takes his side four points clear at the summit.

It was far from a vintage display for the Spaniard’s outfit, but the manager will be pleased that his side managed to battle through the adversity and claim three more vital points.

The likes of Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres endured quiet afternoons in North London and were unable to add to their tallies in the 2025/26 campaign.

However, one player did manage to step up to the plate and produce the goods and subsequently pop up with the vital contribution yesterday afternoon.

Eberechi Eze’s display against Crystal Palace

Back in the summer transfer window, Arsenal forked out a fee in the region of £67.5m for the signature of Eberechi Eze – in an attempt to bolster their depth and quality in the final third.

Since arriving from Crystal Palace, the England international had only netted one goal, with such an effort coming against League One side Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.

Ahead of the clash, there was a sense of inevitability he would score against his former employers – and that he did, firing home a loose ball just minutes before half-time.

Alongside his first Premier League goal, Eze also impressed with his creativity, subsequently registering seven passes into the final third, which saw him create two chances in the process.

The 27-year-old also won five of the seven duels he entered, whilst also completing 100% of the duels he entered – producing a really impressive all-round showing in North London.

However, despite Eze’s showing, one other Gunner managed to impress in the triumph, with the regular starter now becoming one of the manager’s most important players.

The Arsenal star who’s becoming one of Arteta’s most important players

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s star men over the last couple of years, with his performances at both ends having a real impact on the club’s ability to challenge for a title.

The Brazilian’s showing against Palace yesterday was yet another example of his quality, with the centre-back hitting the woodwork and coming perilously close to his third goal of the campaign.

Out of possession, he led the Gunners to a sixth Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, after making six clearances and winning 100% of the ground duels he entered.

However, the 27-year-old isn’t alone in becoming a key man for Arteta, with midfielder Declan Rice producing a phenomenal display against Palace yesterday afternoon.

The Englishman had huge expectations placed upon him after his £105m transfer from West Ham United, but it’s safe to say he’s massively surpassed all of the supporters’ expectations.

He’s started all but one league game this campaign, with his showing against the Eagles one of his most impressive over the last couple of months.

Rice created three chances and made two tackles during the victory, both of which were the highest tallies of any player on the pitch throughout the 90-minute match.

Declan Rice – stats against Palace

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

82

Touches

72

Chances created

3

Tackles won

2

Passes completed

38

Passes into final third

12

Interceptions made

2

Aerials won

100%

Stats via FotMob

Other figures, such as 38 passes completed, with 12 being into the final third, showcase his incredible composure with the ball to dictate the play at the heart of the side.

However, out of possession, the Englishman was just as impressive, as he made two interceptions and won 100% of the aerial duels he entered against Oliver Glasner’s men.

To top off his excellent display, Rice was handed a superb 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Tom Parsons – topping off what was a phenomenal afternoon at the Emirates.

After such a showing, there’s little debate that the Englishman is once again becoming one of the club’s first names on the teamsheet in the hunt for a Premier League title.

If he can continue to perform alongside Gabriel and Eze, there’s no reason why Arteta’s men can’t go all the way and end the generational wait for a top-division title.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will have been relieved to have seen Daizen Maeda pop up in stoppage time to claim all three points for the Hoops against Motherwell on Sunday.

The Glasgow giants were 2-1 down heading into the final 25 minutes and needed goals from Benjamin Nygren and Maeda to complete a comeback at Parkhead.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha, as shown in the highlights above, registered his first goal involvement for the club with his assist for the winning goal at the end of the game.

Ranking Celtic's wide players this season

Maeda has to rank at the top of Celtic’s wide players this season because he has produced the most quality in front of goal with two goals and two assists in the Scottish Premiership, per WhoScored.

Celtic’s wingers in the 25/26 Premiership

Player (appearances)

Goals

Assists

Daizen Maeda (7)

2

2

Michel-Ange Balikwisha (4)

0

1

Sebastian Tounekti (3)

0

0

Hyun-jun Yang (3)

0

0

James Forrest (7)

0

0

Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, the Japan international is the only out-and-out winger who has scored a goal for the Hoops in the league this season. Nygren has played out wide at times, but has predominantly played in a central midfield position.

Sebastian Tounekti may not have a goal or an assist to his name in the Premiership, but he has excited supporters with his direct play out wide, completing 14 dribbles in five matches, per Sofascore.

He needs to add more goals and assists to his game if he wants to overtake Maeda as the best winger at the club, though, particularly when you consider that a winger let go by the Hoops this summer is now outperforming him.

The Celtic loanee who is outperforming Sebastian Tounekti

Rodgers ditched Luis Palma during the summer transfer window by sending him out on loan to Lech Poznan, with an option for the Polish side to make it permanent at the end of the season.

The Honduras international, who spent the second half of last term on loan at Olympiacos, fell out of favour at Parkhead despite a fairly impressive record when selected.

Palma racked up ten goals and ten assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, per Transfermarkt, which is a very respectable return for a winger.

Given how Celtic’s wingers have performed at the top end of the pitch this season, Rodgers could currently do with a player like Palma who can provide goals and assists on a regular basis.

The 25-year-old star has already fired in four goals and assisted three goals in 12 appearances for Lech Poznan, per Transfermarkt, whilst Tounekti has one goal and zero assists in ten outings in all competitions for Hammarby and Celtic combined.

This shows that Palma, who was described as a “magic” player by Peter Grant, has outperformed the Tunisia international with more goals and more assists from a left wing position.

Tounekti is exciting to watch and can get supporters off their feet in a way that Palma was unable to because of his impressive dribbling, but he needs to add the goals and assists that the Honduran star has proven that he can offer.

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Therefore, at this moment in time, Rodgers may rue not giving the Lech Poznan star more of a chance to establish himself on the wing for the Hoops, because he is now out on loan and outperforming the club’s new £5m winger.