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Former England Women’s captain Charlotte Edwards is giving the USA Women’s squad a leg-up in their preparation for the ICC Europe this summer by visiting Texas this week to run a women’s coaching camp.

Peter Della Penna14-Apr-20173:20

‘There’s a real hunger in USA for female coaching’ – Edwards

Former England Women’s captain Charlotte Edwards is giving the USA women’s squad a leg-up in their preparation for the ICC Europe T20 Qualifier this summer by visiting Texas to run a women’s coaching camp.”Part of what I’m over here for is to help prepare them, talk to them about T20 cricket,” Edwards told ESPNcricinfo. “I’ve had a little bit of a chat with the girls around the strategy behind it. I’m just trying to help them as much as I possibly can in preparation for that tournament, which is huge for them.”Edwards arrived in Texas last Saturday and worked the next day with six players of the women’s squad who were invited to join the USA men’s team at a high-performance camp last weekend at Moosa Stadium in the south Houston suburb of Pearland. She has remained in Pearland to conduct a four-day camp that began on Thursday and is specifically targeted for 30 women’s squad players to train during the Easter holiday weekend.This isn’t the first interaction Edwards has had with the USA women’s squad. She was part of the inaugural MCC women’s tour to North America in September and played a couple of matches against USA women in Philadelphia, including one at the historic Merion Cricket Club. At the time, Edwards had said she would be interested in making future visits to stay involved with the USA women’s programme and has followed up on her pledge by coming to Texas this week.”I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the MCC here in Canada and the United States,” Edwards said. “For me, I just saw a passion for learning and wanting to be better and I think there was just a hunger here for obviously some female coaching. I’m a person of my word and I said I’d come back.”Back in September, that opportunity wasn’t there then and it’s great. Once I heard that they’ve got that opportunity to play in a T20 Qualifier, it’s enormous.”Edwards says she has already noticed improvements in the women’s players since her first visit and is hoping to do what she can on this trip to enhance their tactical skills and match awareness, identifying those as key areas for improvement. She believes women’s players in the USA are disadvantaged in tactics simply by lack of match opportunities at club level – there are approximately 100 women’s players registered nationwide – to be able to test out methods and learn from experience.”There’s many things I kind of want to help with,” Edwards said. “I think growing their awareness of the game and obviously having played a lot myself, hopefully I can pass on a lot of advice and experiences that I’ve been through. Upskilling them, that’s always important. Working on their skill development, giving them options especially in terms of the batting. I think that’s where probably I’m hopefully going to be a real asset to them.”We’ll be doing a lot of scenario work. They obviously don’t get that much chance to play cricket so we’ve got to create that as much as we can over the four-day camp which I’m really excited about.”Charlotte Edwards arrived in Texas last Saturday and worked the next day with six players of the women’s squad•Peter Della Penna

USA women’s captain Nadia Gruny said she was eager to work with Edwards again after their initial meeting in Philadelphia last year. Gruny was one of the six women’s players invited to the men’s camp last weekend and said that Edwards had already begun to make a difference from day one of her interactions with the half-dozen members of the USA Women’s squad, offering unique insights on the women’s game that the players were unable to get from other coaches.”We worked with her last September and seeing her again in April, it’s quite a lot of months, but at the same time it feels like there is some continuation; it doesn’t feel like it was a long time ago,” Gruny said. “Having Charlotte with us, we’re able to relate to her a lot better because she’s a woman player and she understands many of the nuances of the women’s game that may be different to the men’s game.”For example, women that haven’t as much strength as most of the men, the pace of the spinners, what to expect from the bowlers in a typical women’s game. So just being able to relate to us with our game specifically has been a big help.”When asked about the possibility of joining USA’s coaching staff in a formal capacity for the T20 Qualifier, which is scheduled for August 12-20 in Scotland, Edwards said she would have to decline due to her commitments in England’s Kia Super League. But she is keen to pass along whatever she can before then, starting with this week’s camp in Texas. The eagerness of the players to soak up tips is a major reason why Edwards said she is offering her support to the USA Women’s team.”I think they’re just growing in confidence the whole time,” Edwards said. “I think the opportunities they’re now getting in terms of being [at the men’s national camp] for the week, they’ve loved it. They’re relishing all the opportunities they’re getting and they’re improving.”What stood out to me is we were doing a really good fielding session with Trevor Penney and just their resilience, their real hunger to want to be better and I think that’s something you can’t coach. Them willing to take stuff they’re learning in the nets into the match situations. I just think they’re growing in confidence all the time which, hopefully, they’ll just continue to do that.”

The Pakistan captain has had some time to reassess his career and he is looking forward to leading the team during the three Tests in the Caribbean in April

Umar Farooq18-Feb-20171:11

‘Enjoying the game again’ – Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan tour of WI 2017

1st T20I, March 31, Port of Spain
2nd T20I, April 2, Port of Spain
1st ODI, April 7, Providence
2nd ODI, April 9, Providence
3rd ODI, April 11, Providence
Tour game, April 15-17, Trelawny
1st Test, April 22-26, Kingston
2nd Test, April 30-May 4, Bridgetown
3rd Test, May 10-14, Roseau

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan Test captain, has said he is “most likely” to be on the tour to West Indies in March with the PCB open to his playing another series before taking a call on his retirement.Misbah has been under immense scrutiny having led the team to six successive defeats in Test cricket, although it was under him that Pakistan were ranked No. 1 in the format last year. A dip in his batting form and his being 42 years old added to the drama that reached its peak after the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year when Misbah admitted to being unsure about his future as a cricketer. He has since had time to reassess and is in a better frame of mind.”It was tough on me recently with my form but now overall everything is going well so far,” Misbah told ESPNcricinfo. “I am spending time in middle, hitting the ball pretty well. Played practice matches before the PSL started and had sessions of range hitting so getting confidence with every passing game.”I am also enjoying the game so it’s most likely that I am going to the West Indies. I always believed if had to go [and play cricket] then I have to go with form and confidence otherwise there was no point of going.”ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq are putting plans in place for a smooth transition by which Pakistan can move on from the senior players like Misbah and Younis Khan. Recent meetings between the board and the selection panel have indicated their preference for having one captain for all formats but Shaharyar Khan, who has the constitutional right as PCB chief to appoint the captain, is happy to leave the call with Misbah himself. “We will respect Misbah’s decision, whatever it is. But if he is willing to play then he is my captain.”Misbah has led Pakistan in more Tests than any other player, and the 24 wins in his tenure is a national record as well. However, in comparison with some of his peers – Imran Khan or Javed Miandad – he has also lost a lot more matches. Misbah’s contribution as batsman has been significant. Since he took charge of Pakistan in 2010, he averages 50.55 which is on par with the best in history.Head coach Mickey Arthur has been in talks with Misbah as well regarding his future. Both of them are currently in the UAE for the Pakistan Super League. “I am scheduled to have another chat with Misbah next week and we will see how that all transpires. The one thing that for certain is Misbah has been fantastic for Pakistan cricket. He has been a great leader and he has been a great servant and he deserves all the accolades that he will get eventually whether that is now or whenever he does go. So I can’t shed any more lights on that because I don’t know and I am not even sure that Misbah knows it himself.”

The Chelsea star was inexplicably sent off before the European champions came through the last 16 by the skin of their teeth

England made it through to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth on Monday, beating Nigeria on penalties after being second-best to the Super Falcons all evening in Brisbane. A stupid red card from Lauren James made their task even harder, but nerves of steel were shown in the shootout to avoid an embarrassing last-16 exit.

Nigeria settled well in the first half and were incredibly close to breaking the deadlock when Ashleigh Plumptre hit the woodwork with a fierce strike, with her forcing a good stop out of Mary Earps moments later, too.

But England had chances, too, most notably when Alessia Russo forced a great save out of Chiamaka Nnadozie, who needed to deny Rachel Daly from a corner not long after. The Lionesses thought they had their biggest chance yet to break the deadlock when a penalty was given against Rasheedat Ajibade for a push on Daly, but it was overturned.

It was the African side that always looked the more likely to win it, though, with England regularly riding their luck until a moment of madness from James reduced them to 10. The Chelsea star stupidly stepped on Michelle Alozie and was dismissed in the 87th minute. Fortunately for them, Nigeria could not capitalise and it was Chloe Kelly who was the hero in the penalty shootout, smashing home her spot-kick to send the Lionesses through.

GOAL rates England's players from Lang Park in Brisbane…

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Mary Earps (6/10):

  Made a great stop to deny Plumptre in the first half. Was the only thing she had to do, really.

  Jess Carter (4/10):

  Struggled to play out from the back, often hitting hopeless long balls.

  Millie Bright (6/10):

  Kept the ball well and was strong in her duels.

  Alex Greenwood (6/10):

  Did her defensive work well but wasn't as influential on the ball as usual. Scored her penalty.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Lucy Bronze (5/10):

  Some poor touches meant she gave the ball away a lot more than usual.

  Keira Walsh (4/10):

  Had good moments in possession when she got on the ball but wasn't allowed to be influential by Nigeria's pressure. Completely marked out of the game.

  Georgia Stanway (4/10):

  Battled well in midfield but lacked incision on the attack. Missed her penalty.

  Lauren James (1/10):

  What on earth was she thinking?! Couldn't get involved in the game and then had a moment of madness that saw her sent off. Incredible.

  Rachel Daly (4/10):

  Decision-making going forward was slow and poor. Had a couple of chances she could've done better with. Took a great penalty.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Alessia Russo (4/10):

  Made a good defensive intervention to block an Alozie header but was very ineffective in the final third, unable to put away a great early chance after a defensive error.

  Lauren Hemp (4/10):

  Couldn't get anything going in the final third.

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• Getty Images
  

  Subs & Manager

  Chloe Kelly (6/10):

  Replaced Russo in the final moments of regulation time but couldn't get involved at all with England down to 10 players. Showed absolute nerves of steel to win it in the shootout though with a superb penalty.

  Beth England (N/A):

  Came on for the final 15 minutes of extra-time. Showed good energy and desire to make things happen, even if it was tough to do so when England were down to 10. Scored her penalty.

  Katie Zelem (N/A):

  Came on in the final moments for Walsh.

  Sarina Wiegman (3/10):

  In-game management was really poor. Did little to combat how well Nigeria's press was working and the fact that players like James and Walsh were being marked out of the game, while her substitutions were also incredibly late. Got away with one, here.

The 2023 youth tournament gets under way on Saturday, May 20, and it is a competition where some of the game's greats have made their mark

Before many of the game's legends became, well, legends, they were first hopefuls, prospects, starlets. And before many of them went on to lift some of the sport's most iconic trophies, they first lifted the Under-20 World Cup on their journey towards immortality.

Launched in 1977, the U20 World Cup, or the FIFA World Youth Championship as it was called until 2005, has served as a proving ground for several of the game's icons. Between them, Brazil and Argentina have lifted the trophy 11 times, and many of the players that defined generations for those two South American nations emerged in this tournament.

From Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, Argentina have produced some of the world's best, while Brazilian stars Fernandinho and Oscar both scored some of the most memorable goals this tournament has to offer. But it's not just South American stars that have dominated this competition, though, as a certain Norwegian terminator first went mainstream with one of the most dominant performances this sport has seen at any level.

GOAL looks back at some of the biggest names and most memorable performances in U20 World Cup history:

Getty Images1979 – Diego Maradona

The 1979 tournament was the second iteration of the U20 World Cup, and it notably featured a breakout performance from one of the game's great icons. Before he became an Argentinian God, Diego Armando Maradona was a teenager at the then-FIFA World Youth Championship. His six goals, alongside eight from Ramon Diaz, led Argentina to the title, with both scoring in a 3-1 win over the Soviet Union in the final.

While Diaz claimed the Golden Boot, Maradona claimed the Golden Ball, setting the stage for one of football's most unforgettable careers.

AdvertisementGetty1987 – Davor Suker

Before becoming one of Croatia's best-ever players, Suker starred for Yugoslavia as they lifted the trophy in 1987. It took extra-time and a penalty shootout to take down West Germany, with the two sides each scoring goals after the 85th minute. In the end, though, Yugoslavia emerged victorious, with Suker finishing as the Golden Boot runner-up with six goals.

It wasn't enough for him to make the Golden Ball podium, though, with Yugoslavia's Robert Prosinecky winning the award over team-mate Zvonimir Boban, who finished second.

Getty Images1991 – Luis Figo and Rui Costa

After winning the tournament in 1989, Portugal somehow brought an even more star-studded squad to the 1991 tournament on home soil. Future legends Figo and Rui Costa headlined the squad, which ended up in the final against Brazil in front of over 125,000 fans at Estadio da Luz.

The match finished goalless, but both future midfield icons scored from the spot in the shootout win.

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clarin1997 – Lionel Scaloni

The 1997 Argentina team laid the foundation for a generation. Scaloni, who ultimately achieved World Cup glory as the country's manager in 2022, was one of several familiar faces in the squad that lifted the U20 World Cup in 1997.

Esteban Cambiasso, Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme and Walter Samuel were all in the team that beat Uruguay 2-1 in the final. Each of those named ended up becoming superstars, while continuing to build their country's legacy at this tournament.

Rayhaan Tulloch was once considered one of the most exciting prospects in West Brom's academy but after a disappointing few years, the Baggies must look to move him on.

What happened to Rayhaan Tulloch?

Tulloch joined West Brom when he was just nine and has progressed through the academy into the first team, making his senior debut against Brighton back in 2019.

It is no surprise that he was accelerated into West Brom's first-team plans as a youngster given his phenomenal record with the academy sides, registering 23 goals and seven assists in just 38 appearances for the U18s.

The talented winger also managed 19 goals and nine assists in 61 appearances for the U21s and has seven first-team appearances for West Brom under his belt, but failed to score or assist in any of those outings.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper was full of praise for the youngster during his time working for England, for whom Tulloch represented at U17 level.

He said: “He’s quick and the type of player that’s broken through a lot recently — like Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi. I’m not saying he’s at that level but he’s the type of player that could quickly change a game through an explosive movement, a quick dribble or a run in behind and that can have quite an impact on a game."

Considering Sancho and Hudson-Odoi have both played regular football in the Premier League since, Tulloch's lack of development is surely a cause for concern for West Brom.

Should West Brom cash in on Tulloch this summer?

Tulloch's development was severely hampered when he picked up a serious hamstring injury just two games into a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers in 2020/21, as he managed just ten minutes of senior action for West Brom the following campaign.

It was hoped that a loan spell with Rochdale in League Two under former Baggies coach Robbie Stockdale would help revive his career but he endured a difficult time particularly after he was sacked early in the campaign, registering no goals or assists in his 14 appearances for the Dale before returning in January.

While he would manage four goals and one assist for Dundalk in the second half of the campaign, the worry for West Brom is that the ship may have now sailed on Tulloch's chances of making it at the Hawthorns, but he still has another year left on his deal.

Therefore, Lai Guochuan should definitely be looking to move the 22-year-old on this summer, as West Brom cannot afford to have him sitting on the bench until 2024 before letting him go for nothing.

South Africa have confirmed they will play a day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide from November 24, the third match of their tour later this year

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jun-20161:36

‘Just wanted to make sure we had a fair chance’ – de Villiers

South Africa have confirmed they will play a day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide from November 24, the third match of their tour later this year. The fixture will be the first of two day-night Tests in the upcoming Australian summer, with Pakistan scheduled to play one in Brisbane from December 15.Over the past few months, several South African players had expressed reservations over playing a Test with the pink ball without having adequately experimented with it at lower levels. They will now begin their tour of Australia in mid-October with a two-day match under lights at Adelaide Oval, and will also have another two-day, day-night match before the third and final Test. A four-day fixture on South Africa A’s tour of Australia in August will also be a day-night game.CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the decision to play a day-night Test had been reached after “careful consideration and engagement” with the players. “Our Proteas were initially hesitant to play such a key Test match without previous experience and adequate preparation, but after working through all their concerns and possible options to prepare sufficiently, there is newfound excitement for this novel Test match,” he said. “Our players deserve credit for the way they have worked through the issues which were clearly not insignificant.”South Africa Cricketers Association chief Tony Irish said the decision had not been made for monetary reasons, but because of the “player’s willingness to take a bold step and play a pink ball match sooner rather than later.””The players looked at all the pros and cons of playing this. There are still legitimate concerns around the ball, as it is fundamentally different to a red ball or white ball,” Irish told ESPNcricinfo. “Some players will find it more difficult to see, it behaves differently and conditions have to be tailored to make it last. So there will be a number of unknowns in what is likely to be a crucial match for the Proteas against a team who has some experience of these conditions”What has changed now, however, is the players’ willingness to take a bold step and play a pink ball match sooner rather than later, given the recent announcements from other countries that they will soon start playing day-night Tests.”This has never been about money. Cricket Australia has not offered the players extra money and we haven’t asked for money.”Among the South Africans who had initially objected to the game were AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, all citing lack of practice with the pink ball. Though CA had already offered South Africa a warm-up match under lights, Philander said the players would need to have “experimented on the domestic front” and “tested the pink ball properly” before agreeing to play a Test with it. Another likely reason for South Africa’s hesitation was that they are chasing a Test revival after slipping from No. 1 to No. 6 on the ICC rankings.CA chief executive James Sutherland thanked CSA for making the fixture possible. “Nearly 124,000 people attended the inaugural day-night Test match in Adelaide last year and there has been great anticipation about future day-night Tests since … I would like to acknowledge the open manner in which Cricket South Africa and the South African Cricketers Association have worked through this matter with us. We look forward to welcoming the South African players to Australia in late October and offering them the best possible preparation ahead of the series.”

Scott Borthwick’s high-class 134 and Paul Collingwood’s 85 not out gave Lancashire’s attack one of its first pick, shovel and prop days at cricket’s coalface this season

Paul Edwards at Chester-le-Street15-May-2016
ScorecardScott Borthwick made his 13th first-class hundred•Getty Images

To die wondering might actually be rather pleasant, though it is not something that either Jack Burnham or Neil Wagner is likely to experience.Drifting away while contemplating pleasant paths, albeit that they have not been walked, may, at most rates, be preferable to mulling over one’s earthly demise and pondering what, if anything, is next on one’s dance card. However, as Wagner and Burnham went at it hammer and tongs in the first major duel of this game, it was most apparent that their labours were unsparing and that conserving energy had no place in them.The pair began their battle in the second hour of the morning. By that time both Keaton Jennings and Mark Stoneman had been dismissed, the Durham openers nicking catches off the excellent Tom Bailey; and towards the close, home supporters at a sun-embraced Riverside were applauding Scott Borthwick’s high-class 134 and Paul Collingwood’s 85 not out, fine innings which had given Lancashire’s attack one of its first pick, shovel and prop days at cricket’s coalface this season.Yet it was 19-year-old Burnham who helped take the battle to Lancashire’s bowlers, cover-driving Wagner easefully to the boundary in the 25th over and then attempting a rather wilder repeat off the next delivery, only to edge the ball over a leaping Liam Livingstone’s outstretched fingers at first slip. In response Wagner sent down a couple of precisely targeted bouncers, although he is not a bowler for whom that over-used tactic is a default position. The second bumper whacked Burnham somewhere in the vicinity of his helmet and it was followed by a discussion between the pair in which Wagner seemed to take the leading role.He is a curious fellow, Wagner. Off the field he is affable, peaceful, serene. Although he admitted a few weeks ago that he might have to “eliminate” Stuart Broad, he did so with the courteous regret of a James Bond villain. Out in the middle, mind, Wagner spits vengeance and bowls some of the most unsparingly aggressive spells one might see. The history of fast bowling has thrown up similar examples, of course, but rarely is the contrast between the Quaker and the Visigoth as sharp as it is with Mr. Wagner and “Waggy”, his on-field persona. Robert Louis Stevenson knew a thing or two.All the same, Burnham won their battle. At lunch he was 35 not out and had helped Borthwick revive Durham’s innings after their early losses. Wagner’s seven wicketless overs had cost 32 runs. For his part, Borthwick was batting with gentle ease and his glide though gully off Procter was as well-timed and graceful as anything we saw all day. Neither a cut nor a drive, it seems something of a signature shot for Borthwick and few batsmen play it as well. It will be a stroke for us to play once more when May is a memory.Having established himself at the wicket and properly gauged the pace of a pitch from which Bailey extracted most bounce, Borthwick unfurled an even greater variety of shots in the afternoon session. There was the precise cover drive which took him to his fifty off 81 balls and the calculated sweep off Simon Kerrigan, which took him into the nineties.Between those strokes, however, Borthwick lost Burnham, who was caught at slip by Livingstone off Bailey for 44, and Richardson, who edged Kyle Jarvis to the same fielder seven overs later. Both these dismissals bolstered the view that while this is a good batting wicket, it is also a pitch on which seamers can bowl with the hope that their efforts will receive recompense. Certainly home supporters seem likely to rue the absence of Chris Rushworth, whose hip injury prevented his playing in this match.Richardson was replaced by Collingwood, whose 123-run fifth-wicket stand with Borthwick was clearly the home side’s best period of the day. Durham’s skipper was confident and assertive against Wagner from the outset, cover-driving his fifth ball to the Lumley Castle boundary and swivel-pulling his next to square leg. A few overs later Collingwood came down the pitch to Kerrigan and hit him sweetly and straight for six, as if confirming home ascendancy. Borthwick responded with similarly assured strokeplay and reached his century off 158 balls with a cover drive off Wagner. Durham took tea on 213 for 4, emboldened in their belief that the next session would belong to them.So it more or less proved, despite Lancashire’s attack sticking to its disciplines and taking two wickets. Borthwick and Collingwood took the score to 274 before Borthwick, in one of his rare miscalculations, tried to hit Kerrigan over long-on but only found Alviro Petersen five yards inside the boundary. Ryan Pringle then batted well enough for his 25 before giving Bailey his fourth wicket when he gloved a pull to Livingstone who dived forward from slip to take the catch.But by then one’s attention was taken by Collingwood, who was batting with ever more circumspection as close of play approached. James Weighell whacked Wagner’s last ball of the day over square leg for six but Durham’s skipper ended play by patting back a maiden from Kerrigan. His forward defensive shots were as resolute and brimming with resistance as his boundaries had been. Late Collingwood: a cricketer phrased like a vintage.

Newcastle United will host Manchester United at St James' Park this afternoon and Eddie Howe will be hoping that his team are out for revenge on their League Cup rivals as they meet for the first time since the Wembley defeat.

The Magpies have everything to play for in the Premier League as they are just two points adrift of a Champions League qualifying spot, so snatching all three points from Erik ten Hag's side in front of the home support today would put them in a fantastic position to knock Tottenham Hotspur out of the top four ahead of their game against Everton tomorrow night.

Howe will be thrilled as Joelinton is now available to start after serving a two-match suspension due to yellow card bookings and there is no doubt that he will make an instant return to the midfield alongside his fellow Brazilian, Bruno Guimaraes.

Having said that, following their disappointing meeting with Man United in the League Cup final, the Newcastle boss could look at switching up his starting XI to counter the successful style of play that the Red Devils executed against them just weeks ago.

One player who could earn a spot in the starting eleven is the club's £45m January signing Anthony Gordon, as the young winger could be the difference that helps his side secure another victory.

Will Anthony Gordon start vs Manchester United?

The former Everton forward hasn't had too many opportunities to stake his claim for a starting position in the competitive Newcastle starting line-up ahead of his ankle injury blow, but he could be the perfect profile of player to taken on Ten Hag's formidable side.

Gordon is renowned for his incredible pace, ability to win possession high up the pitch and tenacity in one on one situations – with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer hailing his "fearless attitude" ahead of his move to the North East.

Over 20 Premier League appearances this season, the 6-foot ace – dubbed "different class" by former teammate James Tarkowski – has scored three goals, offered up 29 shot-creating actions, won 24 tackles and made 64 ball recoveries – proving that he is not only effective in the attacking threat but also not afraid to get stuck into challenges to win the ball for his team.

Howe wasted no time in heaping praise on the 22-year-old versatile winger upon his debut for Newcastle against West Ham United:

“Very pleased. First action here at St James’ Park is important, and his first pass was a brilliant one, he injected some life into us at a time when we needed it in the game.

“What he delivered was very bright. I'm really pleased. I was hoping for a goal or assist, but overall, very good."

Now Gordon may get the chance to deliver that goal contribution for his manager against Man United as he could provide the difference in class that Newcastle's forward line needs to earn the important three points to break back into the top four this afternoon.

CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs says that Mo Salah remains ‘fully committed’ to Liverpool, after reports linking him with an exit.

The Lowdown: PSG links

Salah has recently been linked with a move to French giants PSG this summer, amid doubts over the future of attacking trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Football Insider have also claimed that FSG could be willing to cash in on Salah, who could reap a vast transfer fee for them, and talks have taken place internally over a possible big-name sale.

The Latest: Salah ‘fully committed’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs says that Salah remains ‘fully committed’ to Liverpool and vice versa, and reports of his potential departure are just rumours at this moment in time:

“The links of a Mo Salah departure are basically just rumour at this point, and my understanding is that Salah remains fully committed to Liverpool and Liverpool remain fully committed to Salah.

“He hasn’t hit the same goalscoring feats of seasons gone by, but I think that’s also down to the fact that Salah at his most prolific had a lot of talent creating space and linking up with him.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/liverpool-transfer-news-and-rumours/” title=”Liverpool Transfer News and Rumours” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-2021-03-07T155652Z_1459311687_UP1EH3718ASBK_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LIV-FUL-REPORT.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Relief!

It will come as an almighty relief to Reds supporters that Salah and the club remain committed to each other.

The winger may not be having his best season in terms of numbers, with just nine goals in the Premier League before today’s encounter with Manchester United, but his record in terms of goals and assists outside of that is simply phenomenal (Transfermarkt).

The ‘Egyptian King’ as he is nicknamed by supporters in their beloved chant of him has helped win them both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, and create many memorable moments along the way.

Nonetheless, keeping Salah at the club is vital in terms of the Merseysiders kicking on next season.

The tournament’s organisation has been chaotic so far, but the performances were beautiful

Neil Manthorp12-Mar-2007The final hour before the festivities began was like watching a particularly slow fielder on the third man boundary moving awkwardly towards a high, swirling catch. The ball was in the air, the clock was ticking, and you just knew he didn’t have a chance. He couldn’t. It just wasn’t going to happen.Large parts of the enormous stage used during the opening ceremony were still being constructed with an hour to go and some of the organisers were starting to panic. You knew that because they were awake, unlike many of the construction workers at Sabina Park on the other side of the island or at the Kensington Oval in Barbados where completing their shiny new stadiums really is becoming a genuine irritation to the sleeping patterns of the work force.The traffic queues getting into Trewlany’s multi-purpose Greenfields Stadium were long and very slow moving; it was a hot and steamy afternoon and the traffic officers did their best but weren’t helped by the endless stream of screaming VIP vehicles jumping the queue.Stadium and event staff had been well briefed to maintain the traditions of inflexibility and stubbornness first started by the gatemen at Lord’s over a century ago and patrons wishing to view the ceremony only just missed out on a full, rubber-gloved body search. And woe betide anyone wishing to sit in an alternative seat to the one numbered on their ticket, no matter how many empty seats there were in the vicinity.Then, finally, it started. With a marching brass band! It wasn’t immediately obvious to those of us in the stadium whether that bit was televised to the rest of the world, but it was incongruous, to say the least, in the land which gave the world Bob Marley.The speeches were short and to the point, well scripted and well delivered. Then the real show began. And what a show it was.Perhaps my enjoyment was made so complete by the presence of a colleague next to me who experienced previously unimagined levels of excitement at seeing Buju Banton sing live for the first time. And the reception that greeted Sean Paul (who, for the uninitiated, sings a form of reggae called ‘Dancehall’, I think) was greater than that which greeted Brian Lara when he swore the players oath on behalf of all 16 competing nations.The entertainment had been billed as a voyage through Jamaica’s history and culture in the form of music and dance, and that is exactly what it was•Clive Rose/Getty ImagesThe entertainment had been billed as a voyage through Jamaica’s history and culture in the form of music and dance, and that is exactly what it was. The running commentary from my friend added joyfully to the occasion and it is actually possible, remarkably, that I learnt something. I certainly learned that I am now a fan of a singer called ‘Half Pint’ although he wasn’t nearly as good as South Africa’s Lucky Dube who was as brilliant as ever, but then I am biased.’Soca’ is not, I now know, a game played between two teams of 11 involving a ball, but a dance form that requires extraordinary strength and energy. As does ‘ska’. The dancers on stilts were hilarious, and the parade of the teams worked a treat with the dulcet and familiar tones of Tony Cozier providing the introductions. Spirits rose and rose, as the did the enthusiasm of volume of the crowd. Suddenly it didn’t seem important that you had to pay over US$2 for a cup of water and it certainly didn’t matter that the stage was still being bolted together moments before the performance.The organising committee, apparently, had to make use of three local companies and eight generators to provide the power to light a stadium with no floodlights and for that alone they deserve enormous credit. Jamaica and its citizens deserve credit. It may not have happened this way, but it would appear that the Caribbean’s cricket playing islands asked themselves what it was that bound them together, apart from cricket. The answer, of course, is music and dance. So they pretty much stuck to that. And it worked. Gloriously.The fielder lurched, took a step or two in the wrong direction, over compensated and nearly tripped, but he was steady for the final, critical second with the entire match at stake and the world watching, and the ball landed as safely as a joey returning to its mother’s pouch. And the crowd rose as one, raising their arms and roaring their approval.As opening ceremonies go, it really was bloody good. Bring on the games.