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Liverpool have first-class expertise in sparking comebacks under Jurgen Klopp, and one final match of magic will be needed to overturn a 3-0 Anfield defeat against Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie last week.

While Liverpool have been largely brilliant this season, injuries and lingering defensive fragilities from a drab 2022/23 campaign have surfaced lately, with last Thursday's loss setting up a devastating 1-0 defeat on home turf against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, putting Manchester City – ominously – in the driving seat.

Klopp will take solace in the fact that Arsenal have also faltered, losing at the Emirates against Aston Villa just hours after the Palace misery, but Pep Guardiola's side have purred into pole position.

Today though, Liverpool will be fixed on sinking Atalanta in Italy, returning the favour and ascending to the final four to gift Merseyside's sea of red a final slice of success on the continent, reinvigorating a thrilling campaign – Klopp's last as manager – that is in danger of petering out at the final stretch.

To have battled so hard, with such zest and zeal, throughout the months of staggering injury issues only to slump at the crucial moment, with key personnel filtering back in from the sidelines, is inexcusable, and Klopp will at least be buoyed by a relatively lean bill of collective health.

Liverpool team news

Conor Bradley is one of the unavailable options, having been confirmed to face three weeks out of action with an ankle injury sustained against the Eagles.

Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Ben Doak remain long-term absentees and Stefan Bajcetic will not be involved, recovered after a lengthy layoff but not travelling to Lombardy.

That aside, it's much brighter on the injury front for the Reds, with Alisson starting last weekend and on pre-match media duty this week, suggesting he will start between the sticks.

Moreover, Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his first start in over two months after returning from the bench last time out.

Corner taken quickly

Klopp put it poetically: "If we fail, let’s fail in a most beautiful way."

Gianluca scored twice and Marko Pasalic added insult to injury with a late third to sink Anfield in ignominious circumstances for the hosts, whose lofty and unlikely dreams of a quadruple have crumbled to the threat of just the Carabao Cup in a startling flash.

Klopp's words were actually uttered five years ago, when Liverpool trailed Barcelona by three goals to nil in the Champions League semi-final, all hope seemed lost, hopes of enriching Anfield's illustrious European history in tatters.

"Corner taken quickly." It's a sentence that has almost become synonymous with Liverpool football club. An inherent part of the outfit's modern history and the riches plundered under Klopp, an angelic saviour sent to lift a withered superpower back to the forefront.

Alexander-Arnold's whipped corner allowed Divock Origi to complete an unbelievable four-goal turnaround en-route to the final, which was won.

Elite subterfuge. Barca baffled. Anfield in deafening noise. For Liverpool, this was the sonorous sound of salvation; for Lionel Messi and La Blaugrana, the din of despair.

Anfield was a blaze of belief on that night, but if Klopp hopes for Liverpool 2.0 to repeat the feats of the past then this will have to be achieved 1,000 miles away from Merseyside. A hero will be needed.

Alexander-Arnold will likely play a part but given Liverpool's woes in front of goal recently, a hero will likely need to emerge in the form of an unfailing goalscorer.

That man might just be Diogo Jota.

Diogo Jota could be the hero

He squandered a glorious opportunity to restore parity against Crystal Palace but Jota is still one of the finest goalscorers in England and he will be vital against Atalanta, possibly replacing the profligate Darwin Nunez as the focal point.

Liverpool's wastefulness has been the crux of the recent struggle. A besetting lack of fluency and defensive resilience has hardly helped but the Reds have had an abundance of chances that have skidded wayward in recent fixtures.

Games

24

39

34

Goals

12

16

21

Big chances missed

5

35

15

The table above portrays the respective levels of prolificness that Salah, Nunez and Jota possess, Liverpool's greatest goal threats.

Jota might not be matching Salah in his rate of scoring but he sure is proving to be the most clinical, missing just five big chances. Compare that to Nunez and the actual goalscoring prowess and composure of each player is laid bare.

As per FBref, 5 ft 10 Jota ranks among the top 1% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 1% for tackles per 90.

He's a remarkable, dynamic player and if Liverpool are going to snatch a chance and spark a stunning comeback against Atalanta, he will be key to the success, bagging a hat-trick the last time the Premier League side travelled to the Gewiss Stadium.

Salah takes many of the plaudits with his incredible potency in the final third, but Jota could arguably be the main man in Italy, with pundit Michael Owen even claiming the Portuguese is the club's best finisher.

"There's a lack of confidence in front of goal at the minute and it's showing," the one-time Reds goal machine said. "Again in this situation it's Jota who I think is probably the best finisher in this Liverpool team, you can either side there or there, but you can't play safe, you have to find the corners. Be cool, be calm."

In all competitions this term, the £140k-per-week star has posted 14 goals and four assists despite earning just 18 chances from the outset – it's no wonder he's been hailed as a "deadly" forward by analyst Raj Chohan.

They couldn't, could they? Klopp hopes Liverpool will fight with fire and ferocity to add another chapter to an incredible story. Very recent results don't suggest that this will be the case.

But Klopp's never been one to leave his sleeves empty…

Nunez dropped in 5 changes: Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Atalanta

Jurgen Klopp needs to engineer one last European miracle before leaving the club at the end of the term.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 17, 2024

Allrounder reported pain in left knee during second Test against New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2019

Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl in England’s Test series against South Africa, after undergoing MRI scans in which “nothing really showed up”, following his return from New Zealand.Stokes reported pain in his left knee after completing his second over on the first day of the second Test at Hamilton, and did not bowl again that day. But he was cleared to bowl after resting overnight, and bowled a further 25 overs in the Test.ALSO READ: Knee injury casts doubts over Stokes bowling again in second Test”It’s alright,” Stokes told TalkSport. “I got some scans when we got back [to] England and there’s nothing really showing up on the MRI scans, which is good news.”I just need to toughen up I guess but it’s alright and it’s just treatment now. I will be fine to bowl [in South Africa].”Stokes underwent surgery on his left knee in May 2016 after tearing cartilage while bowling against Sri Lanka and has had to manage the injury ever since. Ahead of the first Test of the New Zealand series, he admitted he was managing his workload because of it, and he was used somewhat sparingly in that game.Joe Root admitted after the second Test that it can be hard to take the ball out of Stokes’ hand, even when he has a niggle.Joe Root and Ben Stokes contemplate their options•Getty Images

“With Ben, you’re always trying to make sure he’s being honest with you,” Root said. “He’ll continue to keep bowling unless you pull him off.”You don’t want him to hurt himself and he’s managing that very well, he’s being a lot smarter with it and making sure that if he is sore he’s not going to rule himself out of any games.”Stokes also warned against expecting too much from Jofra Archer, who endured a difficult series against New Zealand in his first overseas tour as an England player.”When you achieve what he achieved in such a short space of time, you’re expected to do it day in, day out, but that’s just impossible,” Stokes said.”He’s 24 years old: he doesn’t have that much experience, he’s still learning how to bowl properly, he’s still learning how to bowl in Test cricket.”I saw he got a bit of stick in New Zealand but he’s never bowled with a Kookaburra ball before, so he’s still learning and understanding how to bowl in different conditions. So you’ve got to give him a bit of leeway, understand that he’s still learning the game and still maturing as a player, and not expect him to go out and take 4 for 50 every innings.”

كشف مهاجم نادي اتحاد جدة الحالي، كريم بنزيما، حالة زميله السابق فينيسيوس جونيور بعد خسارة جائزة الكرة الذهبية 2024.

وكانت جميع التوقعات تشير إلى فوز البرازيلي بالجائزة عما قدمه في الموسم الماضي، لكن المفاجأة حدثت يوم الحفل بعدما قرر نادي ريال مدريد عدم السفر إلى “باريس”.

جميع المؤشرات يوم الحفل تحولت من فينيسيوس إلى رودري الذي حصل على كأس أمم أوروبا مع منتخب إسبانيا، وبالفعل في النهاية حصل لاعب مانشستر سيتي على الجائزة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تيباس يهاجم ريال مدريد بعد مقاطعة حفل الكرة الذهبية: توقفوا عن لعب دور الضحية

وتحدث بنزيما خلال تصريحات لبرنامج “شيرينجيتو” الإسباني عن حالة فينيسيوس بعد رسائل بينهما: “ريال مدريد كان بطل دوري أبطال أوروبا، فيني كان حاسمًا في كل مباراة، لا اعتقد أي لاعب آخر يستحق تلك الجائزة”.

وتابع: “ليس لدي أي شيء ضد رودري، فهو لاعب جيد، لكنني عندما أجلس على أريكتي، أشاهد المباريات، لا يجعلني أقول ما يفعله مستحيل رغم أن فينيسيوس يفعل ذلك”.

واستمر: “الأمر محزن فعلًا، لا أشعر بالرضا تجاه ما حدث مع فينيسيوس، الذي يستحق الكرة الذهبية”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “لقد تحدثت مع فينيسيوس بالفعل بعد معرفة نتيجة الكرة الذهبية، آمل ألا يتأثر ذهنيًا، لأنه لديه كل الإمكانات الممكنة لحصدها في السنوات المقبلة”.

وأتم: “كتبت له رسالة وكان حزينًا، أمر طبيعي، لأن الجميع كان يتوقع فوزه بالجائزة، لكن في يوم الحفل يخبرونك أن هذا لن يحدث، أمر صعب للغاية، لكنه لاعب جيد وسيفوز بها يومًا ما”.

David Moyes was given a reprieve from what could have become an insurmountable predicament as West Ham United dispatched Brentford in the Premier League on Monday night, talisman Jarrod Bowen bagging a hat-trick.

The Irons have just emerged from a dismal run of form that had soured the atmosphere in east London, with the previous win coming in the late days of December.

Now, West Ham must build, with a trip to Merseyside this afternoon to face off against relegation-threatened Everton, who last won in the Premier League against Burnley on December 16th.

West Ham team news vs Everton

Lucas Paqueta's anticipated return last time out did much to rekindle the offensive fluency, and even if the Brazilian playmaker did not enjoy his most eye-catching appearance, the impact of his return was certainly felt.

Out-of-sorts winger Maxwel Cornet is set to miss a few weeks of action, however, that is the extent of the Hammers' injury issues, with Aaron Cresswell also given the green light.

Kalvin Phillips could return to the fold after missing out against Thomas Frank's Bees due to suspension, and while the England international has endured a torrid start to his loan spell, it may be a good idea for Moyes to unleash him from the outset.

Why Kalvin Phillips must be unleashed vs Everton

To put it plainly, Phillips has not enjoyed a good start under Moyes' tutelage, moving to the club from Manchester City on a six-month loan deal after languishing on the periphery with the Treble winners.

It's been a long few years since the England international was basking in prominence at Elland Road with Leeds United, but while he's fallen by the wayside there is latent quality in abundance that needs harnessing and focussing, and now that West Ham have ended their tough spell Phillips might find his performance improve in the centre of the park.

It's hard to put into words just how good Paqueta is, but perhaps the best way to look at it is that, yes, he didn't have his best game against Brentford but it's certainly no surprise that his comeback aligns with a return to form and an emphatic one at that.

The influential ace had been sidelined since West Ham's previous Premier League victory against Arsenal (well, look at that), so Phillips has not actually had the honour of playing alongside the "mind-boggling" talent, as Paqueta was once dubbed by Declan Rice.

Moreover, the 5 foot 10 Phillips ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 8% for passes attempted per 90, as per FBref, so the synergy that could be found with these contrasting yet well-matched skill sets is exactly what West Ham need to win against a resilient Everton side that will be buoyed by a roaring Goodison Park crowd.

Ultimately, West Ham have more work to do until they are firmly away from the chasm of poor form, and though Phillips has enjoyed a miserable start to life in London, he has been regarded as a midfield "machine" – as said by reporter Jordan Campbell – in the past and could now find his feet with Paqueta fit and firing once again.

MatériaMais Notícias

O presidente do Palmeiras, Maurício Galiotte, concedeu, nesta quarta-feira (21), uma entrevista ao BB Debate, da ESPN, e um dos assuntos abordados foi a necessidade de reforços no elenco alviverde, tópico cobrado pela torcida e por Abel Ferreira em coletivas de imprensa e nos bastidores.

– Quando trabalhamos num cenário de pandemia, temos que redobrar os cuidados. Sabemos que o grupo precisa de alguns ajustes mas, agora, temos que tomar cuidado para que o clube não complique a situação do futuro. Meu mandato acaba daqui a oito meses, então seria muito confortável contratar quatro jogadores de ponta, jogar para a torcida, ganhar títulos com um time estratosférico, e as consequências que venham no futuro. Isso não podemos fazer. Entendo o torcedor, sei que o Palmeiras precisa de ajustes, mas vamos fazer com responsabilidade, equilíbrio e no momento certo – declarou o mandatário.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasGaliotte fala sobre Abel Ferreira, afirma que estaduais comprometem calendário e abre jogo sobre reforçosPalmeiras21/04/2021PalmeirasApós liberação, Palmeiras treina em Lima e encerra preparação para estreia da LibertadoresPalmeiras20/04/2021PalmeirasAbel quer respaldo para ser ‘levado a sério’ e Palmeiras vê relação interna controladaPalmeiras20/04/2021

>> Agüero já tem novo clube, Palmeiras perto de anunciar contratação de atacante… O Dia do Mercado

O nome do atual treinador português do Verdão foi citado para afirmar que as decisões tomadas pela diretoria são feitas em conjunto com a comissão técnica:

– Tudo isso nós tratamos com o Abel, ele participa de absolutamente todo o planejamento. Debatemos nomes, possibilidades, inclusive fizemos algumas negociações, mas não vamos trabalhar de forma irresponsável, pois demoramos muito tempo para reequilibrar o Palmeiras. Se analisarmos os últimos ‘X’ anos, hoje temos um equilíbrio, temos conseguido ser protagonistas. Não vou avaliar o torcedor por uma ou outra atitude. O que tenho que avaliar é que estamos chegando aos nossos objetivos e a resposta têm sido títulos. O mais importante é que tenhamos equilíbrio e clareza para tomar decisões.

Além disso, o cartola comentou sobre a possível volta de Dudu, que tem contrato de empréstimo com o Al-Duhail até junho deste ano e retorna ao Verdão caso a cláusula de compra pré-acordada não seja efetuada.

– Se eu pudesse escolher, eu ficaria com o jogador. A gente sabe das qualidades e do potencial do Dudu, sabemos a importância que ele tem para nós, e gostaríamos muito de contar com ele. Conversei com ele ontem, ele está retornando hoje ao Qatar, e temos um negócio já definido. Ele tinha um empréstimo de um ano e, se o Al Duhail quiser 80% dos direitos do Dudu, terá que pagar € 6 milhões (cerca de R$ 40 milhões na cotação atual). Se não pagarem, o Dudu volta em junho. Não é decisão do Palmeiras ou do atleta, é simples assim, isso está documentado. A gente fala de reforços, e ele é um jogador de peso, de Seleção, que pode sim retornar daqui a um mês. Não estou dizendo que vai acontecer, mas a possibilidade é um fato.

Conforme apurado pelo NOSSO PALESTRA/LANCE!, apesar de o Dudu não ter força contratual para decidir seu futuro, sua vontade de será um fator preponderante na efetivação (ou não) da compra pelos árabes. Caso seja do gosto do atleta, ele pode conversar com a diretoria do Al-Duhail e manifestar seu desejo de retornar definitivamente ao Brasil. A partir disso, o cenário poderia ser decisivamente alterado. Contudo, nenhuma movimentação foi feita neste sentido até o momento.

continua após a publicidade

Em seguida, o presidente falou sobre as críticas de alguns torcedores dirigidas ao elenco atual campeão da Libertadores, fazendo alusão às pichações no Allianz Parque e afirmando que não dará importância para esta minoria.

– Falamos sobre críticas ao elenco sim, mas nós não podemos nos basear em uma ou duas pessoas que foram pichar o muro. Com certeza não foram os 18 milhões de torcedores que o Palmeiras tem, então, se tomarmos por base o que uma ou duas pessoas fazem, vamos perder a direção do nosso trabalho. Esses jogadores que foram campeões tiveram os nomes pichados e há seis meses tiveram a fotografia rasgada na Academia de Futebol. Não é meu papel concordar ou discordar, mas a gente não pode levar isso por base ou considerar uma ação pontual. O Palmeiras saiu de Brasília aplaudido por duas derrotas que valiam troféus. A gente tem que considerar quem aplaude ou picha? Temos que considerar o nosso trabalho. Temos que considerar todas as manifestações e continuar nossa linha de trabalho e nosso planejamento.

Por fim, Galiotte revelou que Abel Ferreira ficou, sim, chateado ao ver seu nome pichado, mas entende que tudo faz parte de um contexto maior e que o trabalho está sendo bem desenvolvido.

– Tudo isso foi falado com o Abel, ele tem a mesma linha de raciocínio. Obviamente, ele não concorda com as pichações, ele ficou chateado em ver seu nome sendo pichado, mas isso faz parte, a torcida é extremamente exigente e nós temos que entender que foi o nosso projeto que fez termos o êxito inédito da tríplice coroa (Libertadores, Paulistão e Copa do Brasil) e esses jogadores estão na história do Palmeiras. Cada torcedor age como quiser – concluiu.

O Palmeiras está em Lima, no Peru, onde estreia, nesta quarta-feira (21) às 21h (horário de Brasília), na Libertadores contra o Universitário, no estádio Monumental U.

India Green qualified for the final of Duleep Trophy on the basis of a superior quotient despite Avesh’s 56-ball 64 from No. 10 denying them a first-innings lead

The Report by Hemant Brar in Alur01-Sep-2019

Points: India Red 3, India Green 1India Green qualified for the final of the Duleep Trophy 2019-20 on the basis of a superior quotient despite Avesh Khan’s 56-ball 64 from No. 10 denying them a first-innings lead against India Red on day four in Alur.India Green had to avoid a collapse in the second innings to make it to the final. Although they lost their openers – Faiz Fazal and Akshath Reddy – with just 24 on the board, Dhruv Shorey’s unbeaten 44 ensured they were always well ahead of India Blue’s quotient. With no result in sight, the captains shook hands at tea.The final, to be played between the same two teams, will start on September 4 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.India Red started the day on 404 for 9, still 36 in arrears. But Avesh’s maiden first-class half-century took them to 441, one run ahead of India Green’s first-innings total. Avesh, who struck two fours and seven sixes in his knock, added 73 for the tenth wicket with Sandeep Warrier, the latter contributing only 5.On the third evening, Avesh had come in with the side on 368 for 8 and saw Akshay Wakhare falling on the same score, with India Red trailing by 72 at that stage. But in one Dharmendrasinh Jadeja over, he smashed four sixes, three off them on successive balls, and took the side past 400. On Sunday morning, he hit two more sixes – both off Rahul Chahar – but the shot that brought the loudest cheer from the dressing room was a reverse hoick off Chahar that almost went for a six. With the legspinner targeting the rough from around the wicket, Avesh hit with the spin and found the deep-cover boundary to level the scores.In the 138th over of India Red’s innings, Priyam Garg was hit on the back of the neck while fielding at silly point. Garg found himself in the line of the ball while taking evasive action against a back foot punch by Avesh Khan. Garg’s helmet had a neck guard, which softened the impact.Garg was conscious but in pain and lay down near the pitch as the team physio applied an ice pack to the injured area. An ambulance was brought on to the field and, as a precautionary measure, he was taken to hospital where he cleared the first concussion test.

The paceman will return to action in the Northern Territory Strike League and could feature towards the end of the Ashes

Daniel Brettig22-Jul-2019

Jhye Richardson, Australia’s impactful young quick, could be back in contention for the latter stages of the Ashes after he makes his return to cricket from a dislocated shoulder. His route back to match fitness will come via the same path that David Warner and Cameron Bancroft took following their bans last year – a stint in the Northern Territory’s winter competition.Richardson was highly destructive in his two Test matches against Sri Lanka at the start of the year and may also have figured in Australia’s World Cup plans were it not for a painful shoulder injury suffered when diving in the field during the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE in March.Mystery has surrounded Richardson’s fitness status and potential return dates, but it has now been revealed that Richardson will resume bowling competitively on Saturday in the Northern Territory Strike League, a multi-format winter tournament that also offered Warner and Bancroft the chance to play in the wake of the Newlands scandal.While there is no question of Richardson being named in Australia’s Ashes squad at the conclusion of this week’s internal trial match in Southampton, the natural attrition of a five-Test series and the obvious eagerness of the Australian selectors to get him back involved may yet see the West Australian return to the fold for the pointy end of the series.When Richardson was injured in late March, the team doctor Richard Saw indicated that the dislocation was at the moderate end of the scale. “Jhye Richardson has had scans on his right shoulder to assess the extent of his injury,” Saw said.”The scans demonstrated the usual soft tissue damage we expect following a dislocation but fortunately has excluded any bone damage or fracture. “We are hopeful that Jhye will not require surgery but he will see a shoulder specialist early next week for a further opinion. We will be able to provide an update in respect to next steps once we have all the information on the table.”In May, before Australia’s departure for the World Cup, Langer said there had been questions over Richardson’s exact return date but none over his quality as a bowler.”Probably a bit more of a cloud over him to be honest,” Langer said, when asked about Richardson’s fitness. “We’ll just keep monitoring him. He’s played a lot of cricket leading up to his accident. He’s doing everything possible with his rehab. He’s a little ripper.”

Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 162 in the maiden first-class innings at their outground in former mining country

Richard Hobson at Welbeck09-Jun-2019

Kyle Abbott believes that he made the decision a few months too early to leave South Africa for Hampshire in 2017. Equally, he is entitled to think that his move has at least given him a better chance of honours this summer.Whether Abbott would have made any difference to a World Cup campaign that can be politely described as faltering is a matter for speculation, and useless speculation at that. What is beyond doubt is his importance to Hampshire as they continue to push for a first Championship title since 1973.Conditions could not have been more helpful at Welbeck Cricket Club on its well-dressed debut as a first-class venue. The pitch offered good bounce, the sky went through shades of grey rather than blue and a heavy morning shower kept the grass fresh. With his pace, height and power, Abbott merely needed to add accuracy to be a potent force.Figures of 6 for 37 confirm that he did. He proved incisive at both ends of another paltry Nottinghamshire display and while the loss of four wickets for six runs in 17 balls brought the effort to an abrupt conclusion, culpability rests with the specialist batsmen. Again, they succumbed too easily in first innings: 97 all out against Warwickshire last week, 162 here.Hampshire have already beaten Notts this season at another ground hosting for the first time, at Newport on the Isle of Wight. The Welbeck club have staged one-day fixtures, but this is a step up. We are deep in former mining territory, surrounded by places such as Shirebrook, Ollerton and Annesley that became synonymous with their collieries. Welbeck’s own pit ceased production in 2010.But the address sites the ground in the little-known village of Sookholme, which may have quietly become the smallest place for a Championship match. It is hard to know. The response to a Google search for “Sookholme population” meets the response: “Do you mean Stockholm population”. A man in the press tent claiming local knowledge described it as “a hamlet, but not a very big one”.It was claimed in 2007 that Cresselly had become the smallest county host when Glamorgan played Surrey in a one-day match. The Tenby Observer described it as the biggest-ever sporting event in Pembrokeshire. Cresselly had 13 houses and a resident said that the game had brought the community together, as though those homes were split between the Bloods and the Crips.Sookholme certainly appears a civilised place. In the early days of foundation, Australian settlements were said to boast a church, a pub and a brothel. Brief research shows that Sookholme has a church, a tropical fish shop and a cricket ground. The latter is all thanks to the philanthropy of an old-school local boy made good.John Fretwell began his working life as a barber charging 30 pence for a trim. He went on to buy and sell, wheel and deal and ended up a multi-millionaire wholesaler. Cricket was his passion – he was president of Welbeck Colliery CC and a former player – so a decision to put something back into the community was always likely to involve the sport. He bought 19 acres of farmland – probably a fair bit of Sookholme – and development began.Pride was visible on the face of Fretwell as he shook hands, watched play and told his inspiring story to BBC radio. Short, bespectacled and balding, he bore a striking facial resemblance to the dotage appearance of the county’s most famous miner-cricketer, Harold Larwood. Now there’s a man you wouldn’t have wanted to face in the gloom.Problems for Notts began in the first over when Ben Slater edged on. Chris Nash fell to Abbott and Joe Clarke drove loosely to second slip, a bad option early in his innings when Abbott’s spell was coming to an end. Ben Duckett batted nicely before rain brought an early lunch, only to nudge behind soon after the resumption.That gave the improving James Fuller a deserved wicket. He found steepling bounce from a length, and things grew worse when Samit Patel undid a sound start by wafting at Abbott. Patel might have been unsettled after a blow in the proverbial groin region in the same over, but the choice of shot was not a good way to win sympathy from the dressing room.Steven Mullaney showed the way forward by leaving sensibly, adding 51 with James Pattinson. The seventh-wicket pair looked to keep out the bowlers and wait for what they thought they could hit, which Mullaney did spectacularly in hooking Fuller for six. Some of his shots through midwicket reminded of Tim Robinson, one of his predecessors as county captain.But the loss of Pattinson sparked a collapse. Abbot simply proved too good with a crosswind pushing balls back in to the right-handers. Mullaney did not even have time to attack in the final overs before he edged Fuller behind, and while Luke Fletcher removed Oliver Soames in the third over of the reply, a second breakthrough was almost two hours away.Bowlers struck the pads regularly and Pattinson seemed particularly confident of at least one appeal. When Jake Ball, at his local club, joined the attack he saw Nash drop Joe Weatherley in successive overs at second slip. The first opportunity was tough, but the second should have been taken. Bowler and fielder both knew it.Ajinkya Rahane played particularly well in conditions that must have seemed alien, until edging Ball to second slip where Mullaney took a good catch. Ball screamed in released frustration as much as joy, but Weatherley avoided further mishap. Given fair weather, Hampshire have a good opportunity to catch up Somerset, the only side above them. But the forecast is grim.

Shai Hope appointed vice-captain for the ongoing tri-nation series in Ireland

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2019Chris Gayle has been named West Indies vice-captain for the 2019 World Cup, while Shai Hope has been appointed vice-captain for the ongoing tri-nation series in Ireland, also involving Bangladesh.Gayle, who is set to retire from ODIs after the World Cup, is by far the most experienced player in West Indies’ World Cup squad, with 10,151 runs in 289 ODIs. His career-best of 215, which came against Zimbabwe during the 2015 edition of the tournament, is still the highest ODI score for the team, and remains one of only eight double-centuries in the format.”It is always an honour to represent the West Indies in any format and this World Cup for me is special,” Gayle, who last captained West Indies in an ODI in June 2010, said after the announcement. “As a senior player, it is my responsibility to support the captain and everyone else in the team.”This will probably be the biggest World Cup, so there will be great expectations and I know we will do very well for the people of the West Indies.”On his appointment as deputy for the tri-nation series, Hope said, “Ahead of this tournament I was asked to take on this role and I was happy to accept. Anything I’m asked to do for West Indies cricket I’m always happy and willing to put my hand up, so this is great.”The tri-nation series is set to end on May 17 in Malahide before West Indies make their way to England for the World Cup that begins a fortnight later. Their World Cup campaign begins with a trip to Trent Bridge to face Pakistan on May 31.

Newcastle United's slump continued as Chris Wood bagged a hat-trick on his return to St. James' Park to hand struggling Nottingham Forest a much-needed victory in the Premier League.

For Eddie Howe's Magpies, however, a sixth defeat from seven matches across all competitions leaves the club in a poor position, seven points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur – who have a game in hand – in the table.

Martin Dubravka was the man between the sticks but wasn't really the figure at fault, with his defence failing to stifle a spirited Forest attack that effectively utilised Wood's expertise as a veteran focal point.

The backline struggled, but up front, there were several poor performers too, with Miguel Almiron failing to impress once again.

Miguel Almiron's performance vs Forest

Many Newcastle fans will maintain perpetual support for Almiron, who is a veritable workhorse and has been praised for his “sensational” rise in the past by journalist Josh Bunting, but Howe will have been left displeased by his performance today.

As per Sofascore, Almiron took two off-target shots and succeeded with only one dribble, struggling to impact the game and being hooked by Howe after just 55 minutes.

Some of the Paraguayan's best traits did still shine through, creating two key passes and completing 92% of his total passes, also winning four of his six contested duels, but his wastefulness and lack of sharpness in key moments contributed to the defeat.

Writing in his post-match ratings, the Shields Gazette's Dominic Scurr branded the 29-year-old with a 3/10, writing: 'Saw plenty of the ball but has been inconsistent with it so far with two wayward shots.

'Again his decision making must be questioned in the build-up to Forest's equaliser with his decision to pass proving costly. Almost scored an own goal but was fortunately saved by Forest's Anthony Elanga. Another bad afternoon for the winger.'

A tough afternoon for the forward, but while his profligacy was disappointing, the display of defender Dan Burn matched Almiron in ensuring that United's torrid run of form continued.

Dan Burn's game vs Forest in numbers

Burn is an excellent defender and boasts many commendable qualities, but pace is one thing that he doesn't quite have in his locker and this was brutally exposed by the impressive Anthony Elanga, who provided two assists for Wood.

Remarked to have been “left in a tangle” by the Chronicle's Lee Ryder as the New Zealand native scored his second of the afternoon, Burn, like Almiron, was taken off after 55 minutes in an attempt to stop Elanga from wreaking havoc down the Toon's left channel.

The 31-year-old did make two tackles and clearances apiece and won three of his five duels but failed to protect Dubravka's goal when it mattered and was rightly replaced by Tino Livramento.

The 6 foot 6 titan also only completed 74% of his passes and failed to attempt a single dribble on the occasion, with this stagnancy allowing Elanga and co to grow into the game after Alexander Isak's first-half penalty handed the hosts the lead.

Also receiving a 3/10 match score from Scurr, Burn was not at the races, with the journalist saying: 'Made some strong challenges but was beaten for Forest's equaliser. Elanga has caused him plenty of problems. Beaten again for Wood's second goal. A dismal afternoon before his withdrawal after 55 minutes.'

Howe will be desperately seeking to restore his side's verve, and while the ongoing run of poor form is concerning, injuries have ravaged the squad.

Burn remains a key component of Newcastle's team, but he suffered a bad game today and will need to ensure he finds a way to combat pacy players such as Elanga going forward.