Wolverhampton Wanderers sat 15th in the Premier League coming into this weekend's fixtures and are among a handful of teams tipped to have a tricky season in the bottom half of the table.

With a forward now approaching La Liga in his prime, it's no doubt a frustrating prospect that a former flop of theirs is properly enjoying life after Molineux.

That's right, after a veritably awful spell in England was switched for Spanish success with Europa League legends Sevilla, this former Wolverhampton striker is a true example of 'one that got away'.

Who is Rafa Mir?

Cartagena-born Rafa Mir followed in his father's footsteps in becoming a footballer. Magin Mir, a defender, turned out briefly for clubs like RCD Mallorca, Real Murcia, and FC Cartagena – where Rafa was born.

Beginning his career, Magin's son showed prowess that would oppose his father's playing career. One – he was a striker and two – it looked like he could make it in the top leagues, contrasting Mir senior's still-consummate second-to-third tier CV.

Whilst a lanky and direct youth, Rafa was picked up by Barcelona and subsequently moved from La Masia to Murcia, then Valencia. At the latter, he scored a head-turning 15 goals in 19 games for the B side in 2017/18. This was enough to lure Wolves out of their stalking spot – as the west Midlands club signed Mir for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year deal. It's safe to say hopes were high.

Yet, whilst Mir could seemingly throw himself about in Spain, English football's style was uncompromisingly different.

What went wrong in England for Rafa Mir?

While first-team opportunities were slim under Nuno Espirito Santo, Mir was pushed out on loan to build experience. A first loan was promising – with seven goals in 30 games for second-tier UD Las Palmas.

However, a second foray away at Nottingham Forest was abysmal. Admittedly, he failed to adapt in England. Confidence was shot after 13 games and no goals. Forest fans labelled him a flop quickly and even lamented "his six-month loan hardly reaped a shot on target, let alone a goal."

Perhaps slightly embarrassed, Wolves quickly carted him off on another loan for the rest of 2019/20. This time, it was back to the Spanish second tier with Huesca. It's safe to say that the second half of the term was way better than the first with Forest. As Huesca got promoted Mir got nine goals in 18.

The season after, he starred as a rare positive for the yoyo-ing side – bagging 13 league goals and three in the Copa del Rey as the Aragon team sank back down to the Segunda Division. A notable goal against Barcelona in that so-far-sole La Liga season had tongues wagging back in England with bemused Wolves and Forest fans alike, yet the chatter was loudest in Andalusia.

Where is Rafa Mir now?

Spurred on by what the frontman had produced despite relegation adversity, Sevilla signed Mir from Wolves in August 2021 for an alleged fee of €16m (£14m). As said, he's not done too badly for himself.

Although still a bit raw and (at times) industrial as opposed to being deathly prolific – Mir has been a brilliant addition to Sevilla's attacking system and has been rewarded for his hard attacking work rate with a 2022/23 Europa League winner's medal.

When speaking with the Athletic in 2021, Spanish football journalist Robbie Dunne aptly explained:

“He’s a little bit like Diego Costa in that he’s aggressive, he likes running the channels, he holds off defenders, he’s athletic and strong. He’s not exactly technically gifted but he has an unorthodox running style that works for him, he can keep the ball, he’s got a powerful strike, he’s quick and he’s good in the air."

“Ten or 12 goals a season will be fairly standard for him now I feel, given his progress.”

While loan-scoring and his Sevilla career adds up to 54 goals away from England, it's clear to see that Rafa Mir is Spain through and through. When joining Huesca, Mir commented:

“The Championship has a very high level. Things have not gone as I wanted. In the end, they are experiences that add up. I feel more identified with Spanish football. In England, it is played differently.”

Since leaving, in fact, the gifted and physical hold-up man has scored 22 goals in 89 games as he sits in a Sevilla team that thrives on his link-up play.

What's more damning for Wolves, is that while seemingly got rid of the deadwood, he looks to improve all the time.

Additionally, since leaving, the striker has scored more than every Molineux player, with a steady all-competition season high of 13 in 2021/22 and eight last season, beating that of Ruben Neves' six in 2022/23 and the half a dozen of Raul Jimenez in 2021/22.

علق محمد مكي المدير الفني لحرس الحدود على فوز فريقه بمباراة اليوم أمام سبورتنج والتأهل إلى الدوري المصري في الموسم المقبل بعد تصدر دورة الترقي.

وقال محمد مكي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “كرة القدم ستكون غير عادلة لو لم نتأهل للدوري الممتاز، نستحق الصعود”.

وتابع: “أبارك للاعبين ولفريقي، ونادي حرس الحدود يعود لمكانته الطبيعية إن شاء الله”.

بينما أوضح أحمد شديد قناوي لاعب الفريق، قائلاً: “الحمد لله على الفوز ونحن واجهنا فريقًا محترمًا، دخل مرمانا هدف في توقيت صعب وزادت صعوبة المباراة”.

وأكمل: “بالنسبة لي هذا تعب عام كبير، والحمد لله على كوني أعلى صناعة أهداف في دوري المحترفين، وأكافح للنهاية وأريد الناس تساعدني لأنني أجتهد”.

طالع | الأندية الثلاثة الصاعدة لـ الدوري المصري 2024/2025

وأكمل: “لا أحتاج إلى أي شيء وخضت 33 مباراة من أصل 33 لقاء، أنا مؤثر مع فريقي وأتمنى الناس ينظرون لي ويبتعدون عن عمري، أنا مؤثر مع أي فريق انضممت له”.

واختتم: “مجلس الإدارة تعب والمدير الفني أيضًا، كان من المفترض أن نصعد من دوري المحترفين، ولكن وضعوا لنا دوري الترقي”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Atual prefeito do Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Crivella inclui o esporte entre os planos de deixar a cidade no que define de “cada vez mais no rumo do seu desenvolvimento de forma sustentável”. O candidato do Republicanos, que luta para conseguir sua reeleição à Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro, planeja recuperar as Vilas Olímpicas e vê com boas perspectivas a construção de um autódromo na Cidade Maravilhosa.

Décimo entrevistado do especial do LANCE! de eleições municipais do Rio de Janeiro, o carioca de 63 anos tem uma longa trajetória política: foi senador pelo Rio de Janeiro por dois mandatos – entre 2003 e 2010 e entre 2011 e o fim de 2016 – e depois deixou o cargo para assumir a Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro. Entre 2012 e 2014, foi ministro da Pesca e Aquicultura no governo Dilma Rousseff.

Ao L!, Crivella afirmou que “pagou a conta das obras superfaturadas” do legado olímpico deixadas pela gestão anterior. Em relação a medidas referentes à pandemia, o atual prefeito frisou que a volta do público aos estádios e ginásios ocorrerá mediante o aval das autoridades sanitárias.

Para realizar esta série, o LANCE! enviou dez perguntas – iguais, para todos os concorrentes que vêm fazendo campanha – a respeito dos seus projetos e desafios com os quais se depararão no esporte na Cidade Maravilhosa. A divulgação das entrevistas ocorre em ordem alfabética. Na próxima segunda-feira, será a vez de Martha Rocha (PDT) expor seus projetos para o setor.

LANCE!: Por que deseja se candidatar à reeleição para a Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro?

Desejo seguir cuidando da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, cada vez mais no rumo do seu desenvolvimento de forma sustentável, gerando empregos e avançando no campo das necessidades sociais. Todavia, desta vez com mais equilíbrio fiscal, tendo em vista que em 2016 assumi o cargo com uma queda na arrecadação de R$ 10 bilhões em comparação a gestão passada, e que destinei nos últimos quatro anos mais de R$ 5 bilhões ao pagamento de dívidas herdadas.

E mesmo neste cenário, ainda assim tivemos muitos êxitos, implementamos projetos, demos assistência às pessoas mais necessitadas. Fizemos 300 mil cirurgias, 400 mil consultas e 22 milhões de consultas se juntarmos a clínica da família. Estou fazendo a minha parte para que o Rio volte aos trilhos. Nós fizemos muito com muito pouco e poderemos fazer muito mais no próximo mandato.

L!: Qual será a relevância do esporte em seu plano de governo? Haverá alguma preocupação com o desenvolvimento do setor nas categorias de base e de alto rendimento?

Vamos recuperar as Vilas Olímpicas.

L! Qual será o critério para a escolha do seu secretário de esportes, se houver?

A configuração atual da Prefeitura não tem uma Secretaria de Esporte.

L!: Caso seja reeleito, o senhor lidará com os impactos da pandemia de Covid-19. Qual é o seu planejamento para assegurar que a população possa gradativamente retomar suas atividades físicas com segurança em relação aos índices do vírus?

Minha gestão vem lidando com os impactos da Covid-19, e também dando exemplo de responsabilidade e cuidado com a vida do povo carioca. Tomamos medidas ponderadas, a indústria não parou, alguns serviços considerados essenciais não pararam. As nossas medidas objetivaram preservar o máximo que podíamos da economia, mas sem colocar em risco as vidas, e assim fizemos com que a curva de contágio fosse caindo e estivesse hoje no nível que está.

RelacionadasVAE(L!)eições-RJ – Luiz Lima: ‘Quero deixar uma política pública para o desenvolvimento esportivo no Rio’VA04/11/2020VAE(L!)eições-RJ – Henrique Simonard: ‘O Estado e a população devem se envolver nas decisões do esporte’VA03/11/2020VAE(L!)eições-RJ – Glória Heloiza: ‘Precisamos atrair para a cidade grandes eventos como a Fórmula 1’VA01/11/2020

‘Vamos programar o retorno às atividades com público da mesma maneira que programamos o retorno gradual da população em todas as atividades. Respeitando todas as determinações da Vigilância Sanitária’

Com relação à abertura voltada à retomada das atividades físicas, em julho deste ano, as piscinas foram reabertas apenas para natação, bem como as quadras na praia, de segunda a sexta, para a prática dos jogos de vôlei e futevôlei. A permissão moderada de esportes coletivos em praias e lagoas, com os devidos cuidados à não propagação da Covid-19, são reflexo do entendimento sobre a importância da prática esportiva para a saúde física e mental da população. Entretanto, nossa prioridade é a preservação da vida e segurança de todos, e para isto continuaremos trabalhando no sentido da conscientização da população, adotando medidas sanitárias para evitar a propagação da doença.

L!: Pensa em promover campanhas de incentivo para que as pessoas do “grupo de risco” façam exercícios físicos em suas residências?

Como disse, acredito ser fundamental a prática de esporte para a saúde física e mental da população, e diversos estudo corroboram com a importância das atividades físicas. É fundamental que as pessoas dentro do escopo do grupo de risco se cuidem e não vejo motivo contrário para não incentivar boas práticas à saúde.

L!: A pandemia afetou sensivelmente a rotina dos grandes clubes cariocas. Acredita que a Prefeitura possa contribuir de alguma forma para que as agremiações se recuperem economicamente? Como?

A Prefeitura não tem responsabilidade sobre os incentivos das agremiações. Os clubes se mantêm com patrocínio.

L!: Como pretende traçar o planejamento para a volta de público aos estádios e ginásios na cidade?

Vamos programar o retorno às atividades com público da mesma maneira que programamos o retorno gradual da população em todas as atividades. Respeitando todas as determinações da Vigilância Sanitária baseadas no plano de retomada.

‘Herdamos da antiga administração uma dívida bilionária em obras superfaturadas feitas para a Olimpíada, e minha gestão pagou essa conta’

L!: Qual é a opinião do senhor sobre a construção de um autódromo na Floresta do Camboatá, considerada o último remanescente de Mata Atlântica em terras planas na cidade, para receber grandes eventos do automobilismo, como a Fórmula 1?

A construção do autódromo de Deodoro é um grande projeto para trazer investimento para a nossa cidade, outra parceria com o Governo Federal.

L!: Como o senhor avalia a gestão do legado olímpico? Se eleito, quais os planos para uso das instalações olímpicas que estão sob gestão da prefeitura, como a Arena Carioca 3 e o Parque Radical de Deodoro?

Nós herdamos da antiga administração uma dívida bilionária em obras superfaturadas feitas para a Olimpíada, e minha gestão pagou essa conta. Agora temos uma cidade para realmente podermos aproveitar, sem gastos absurdos e sem corrupção.

L!: Qual deve ser o modelo de gestão do Maracanã e dos equipamentos esportivos no seu entorno?

A gestão do Maracanã não é com a Prefeitura.

BATE-BOLA

Pratica ou praticou algum esporte?

Sou adepto das caminhadas.

Time de coração: Botafogo

Ídolos no esporte: Pelé, Jairzinho e Gerson.

Qual é sua lembrança mais forte ligada ao esporte?

Ver o Brasil tricampeão mundial de 1970.

Qual legado pretende deixar à cidade do Rio de Janeiro na área do esporte?

O legado que herdamos foi a dívida da Olimpíada. Todavia, se reeleito meu maior legado será resolver as questões das Vilas Olímpicas por meio de Parcerias Públicos Privadas.

QUEM É ELE

Nome completo: Marcelo Bezerra Crivella (Republicanos)
Data e local de nascimento: 09/10/1957 – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
​Vice: Tenente Coronel Andréa Firmo (Republicanos)
Coligação: Com Deus, Pela Família, Pelo Rio (Republicanos / PODE / PTC / PMN / PRTB / PP / Patriota / Solidariedade)
Ocupação declarada: Prefeito
Valor total em bens declarados: R$ 665.634,27

Liverpool are keeping close tabs on one player in particular ahead of January, and a fresh report has shared the price needed to bring him to Anfield.

Who are Liverpool linked with?

Since September, Jurgen Klopp has been credited with an interest in several fresh faces, but the most prominent one to occur has been Andre from Fluminense. Having seen multiple offers rejected over the summer, FSG chiefs are reportedly preparing a new bid for 2024.

Over in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie had also been another primary target, but reports have claimed that the Reds have since decided to pull the plug on that deal in an unexpected twist, and it could be so that they can try and sign a fifth new central player.

Over the summer, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all put pen to paper on Merseyside, but Fulham’s Joao Palhinha was an additional candidate to be linked before the hierarchy chose to stall their pursuit of the defensive midfielder due to him sustaining an injury at the time (Football Insider).

On deadline day, Bayern Munich failed in a late swoop to sign the Portugal international, who eventually ended up signing a new long-term contract with Marco Silva’s side to shut down any further exit rumours, but if the following update is to be believed, the 28-year-old may have another decision to make on his future in the Premier League.

Joao Palhinha transfer update

According to Anfield Watch, who shared a Joao Palhinha transfer update this week, Liverpool are “still monitoring” the talisman at Fulham with a view to pursuing him in January.

Despite Bayern Munich’s interest, it’s stated that talks have “not moved forward” since their deadline day deal collapsed which has put FSG on high alert that they could complete a possible hijack.

The Cottagers star doesn’t have a release clause included in his fresh terms, but it’s believed that a fee in the region of £70m would be enough for the two parties to reach an agreement.

How good is Joao Palhinha?

According to Data Analyst Marcus Bring, Palhinha is a “monster” for the way he dictates the play in the centre of the park, and considering the positive impact he can make at both ends of the pitch, he could be a fantastic acquisition for Klopp should he ever join Liverpool.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Lisbon’s native has won 11 out of his 28 tackles made in the top-flight so far this season, which is the highest total and best success rate throughout his squad (FBRef – Fulham statistics), but he’s also scored five goals since arriving in the capital last summer from Sporting CP (Transfermarkt – Palhinha statistics).

Furthermore, Palhinha has the versatility to operate deeper as a centre-back in the heart of the backline alongside his usual role sitting in front of the box, so for a team that has a poor track record when it comes to defenders getting injured, Silva’s star could provide the necessary cover while also upgrading the number six position.

Manchester City are closing in on a new deal for a bright young gem at the Etihad Stadium following recent developments as Pep Guardiola plans for his squad's long-term future.

Man City updates: Phillips wants exit, Paqueta news, Lescott verdict on start to season

According to a Man City transfer update on Kalvin Phillips delivered by Football Insider, both the England international and the Sky Blues now think that a parting of ways in January is now a feasible solution to his lack of game time. Phillips is wary of losing his place in the England squad for the upcoming European Championships and is now open to leaving the Etihad Stadium to secure regular first-team minutes in the build-up to the start of the tournament in Germany.

In other news, Man City transfer target Lucas Paqueta is believed to be keen to leave West Ham United to join the Premier League champions following a summer of speculation linking him with Guardiola's men. The Brazil international has a release clause worth in the region of £85 million written into his current deal at the Hammers; however, it won't kick in until 2024, which could pave the way for Manchester City to strike a deal for the former Lyon playmaker.

Meanwhile, former Citizens defender Joleon Lescott believes that Manchester City's poor recent run of form by their lofty standards may be the perfect tonic for the Premier League champions to get back to their best. Lescott stated:

"I hope it [their recent results] gives them a boot up the backside. I think they were aware that Arsenal would be a team that challenges them this year. The Wolves one was difficult. Wolves have always been difficult, they've always been a half bogey team for City. It was a surprise, but it happens. But the Arsenal defeat has hopefully added motivation for them."

Manchester City's last five results – all competitions

Competition

Opponent and result

Venue

Premier League

Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City

Emirates Stadium

Champions League

RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City

Red Bull Arena

Premier League

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Manchester City

Molineux

EFL Cup

Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester City

St James' Park

Premier League

Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Etihad Stadium

Man City contract news; Oscar Bobb latest

According to a contract update on Oscar Bobb from The Daily Star, the 20-year-old is now in line for a new deal to continue his development at the Etihad Stadium that would see his wage triple in size from £12,000 to £36,000 per week.

Guardiola has previously described the Norway international as "brilliant" and his emergence as a promising attacker on the right-hand side was one of the main reasons why Cole Palmer was allowed to leave for Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

Bobb has been in and around the first-team picture this term, amassing five appearances across all competitions (Bobb statistics – Transfermarkt). The Oslo-born man will now seek to become a regular at senior level for Manchester City as they aim to challenge on several fronts once again in 2023/24, and by the looks of it, he may play a big part further down the line.

كشف متخصص سوق الانتقالات، فابرزيو رومانو، عن تطورات جديدة بشأن مفاوضات نادي آرسنال مع مدافع بولونيا والمنتخب الإيطالي، ريكاردو كالافيوري، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

وارتبط المدافع الإيطالي، ريكاردو كالافيوري، بالرحيل عن صفوف بولونيا الإيطالي في الفترة المقبلة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. تقارير: ريال مدريد يزاحم باريس سان جيرمان على ضم مدافع آرسنال

وبحسب ما أكده رومانو عبر حسابه الرسمي على منصة “X” فإن ريكاردو كالافيوري يريد الانضمام إلى آرسنال في الموسم المقبل.

وأشار إلى أن الاتفاق تم بين آرسنال واللاعب الإيطالي على الشروط الشخصية بحوالي 4 ملايين يورو صافي الراتب في صفقة مدتها خمس سنوات.

حيث أن كالافيوري، حريص على الانضمام إلى كتيبة ميكيل أرتيتا لكن اتفاق النادي الإنجليزي مع بولونيا لا يزال قيد التفاوض.

يذكر أن المدافع الإيطالي حظى باهتمام كبير من قبل عدة أندية أوروبية ومن بينها تشيلسي الإنجليزي ويوفنتوس الإيطالي.

Declan Rice became the most expensive West Ham United academy graduate in the history of the club when he completed his move away from the London Stadium this year.

The England international signed for Arsenal for a club-record £105m, which is a record between two English clubs and just shy of the British transfer record of £106.8m that was set by Enzo Fernandez' move to Chelsea from Benfica.

West Ham's current most valuable former academy players:

A number of talented players have come through the youth set-up for the Hammers over the years and the likes of Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Rio Ferdinand paved the way for them when they became England stars after starting their careers in London.

Rice appears to be the next academy graduate who is set to enjoy a fantastic career now that he has moved to Champions League side Arsenal, but West Ham do not always make the best decisions over their young prospects.

One player whom David Moyes may now regret allowing to move on too early is central midfielder Pierre Ekwah, who departed the club in January to sign for Championship side Sunderland.

How many appearances did Ekwah make for West Ham?

The French battler did not make a single first-team appearance for the Hammers during his time at the London Stadium but did catch the eye with his performances at youth level.

He racked up nine goals and three assists in 39 U21 matches before his move to the Black Cats. However, that was not enough to convince Moyes to hand him an opportunity to impress at senior level.

Ekwah did showcase his quality against first-team opposition in the EFL Trophy for West Ham, though, during the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.

The midfield ace averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 across three appearances against Walsall, MK Dons, and Cheltenham as he caught the eye on and off the ball.

His creativity was on full display with two key passes per game for his teammates to open up the opposition's defence at the top end of the pitch. Meanwhile, no Hammers player managed more than 1.4 key passes per match throughout the Premier League season last term.

He also made two tackles and interceptions combined per outing and won 54% of his individual duels, as per Sofascore, which showed that the young gem was ready to deal with the physicality of the professional game.

These displays for West Ham came after he started his career with Chelsea, where Ekwah scored five goals and provided two assists in 24 matches for their U18 side.

How much was Ekwah worth at West Ham?

At the time of his move to Sunderland in January 2023, FootballTransfers placed the central midfielder's Expected Transfer Value (xTV) at just €60k (£52k).

He had yet to make the first senior appearance of his career and the Black Cats took a leap of faith to sign him from the London-based side as Tony Mowbray seemingly saw the potential there for Ekwah to be an excellent option for his team.

Whereas, Moyes never offered him the chance to shine in a West Ham shirt in a competitive setting and sanctioned a permanent exit for him in January, without seeing what he could do out on loan or in a match for his first-team.

How many games has Ekwah played for Sunderland?

Mowbray has made the France U20 international a key cog in his Black Cats side this season and he has made 25 appearances for the club in total this year.

However, Ekwah did not become an immediate success at the Stadium of Light as the second half of last season was a struggle at times.

He had not played any senior football before his move to Wearside and the end of the 2022/23 campaign was his introduction to the professional game.

The French gem averaged an unimpressive Sofascore rating of 6.57 across 14 Championship appearances for Sunderland, which was the 23rd-highest score within their squad. This shows that the midfield maestro struggled to adapt at first as he was not among the club's top performers.

Ekwah, who journalist Josh Bunting once hailed as "excellent", has now found his feet at senior level, though, and has emerged as an outstanding player for Mowbray at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

He has averaged an excellent Sofascore rating of 7.27 across six Championship games so far this term, which is the fifth-highest score within the club, and caught the eye with his fantastic performances in midfield.

The former Chelsea prospect has been reliable in possession with 90% of his attempted passes being completed and showcased his defensive instincts with three tackles and interceptions per game, to go along with two goals, as per Sofascore.

How much is Ekwah worth now?

At the time of writing (29/09/2023), FootballTransfers has placed his xTV at €3.4m (£2.9m) and this shows that his market value has skyrocketed since leaving West Ham in January.

His xTV has soared by a staggering 5,566% from the initial €60k that he was valued at earlier this year, which shows that exposure to first-team football has helped him to thrive as a player.

Mowbray and Sunderland showed faith in the young dynamo's ability and they are now benefitting from it on the pitch with his sublime performances in the Championship this season.

Ekwah also has the time, at the age of 21, to develop and increase his value further at the Stadium of Light, which could be helped if they are able to secure promotion to the Premier League.

Therefore, Moyes had a mare with the sale of the former Chelsea academy prospect in January as his xTV has soared since his London Stadium exit and the Scottish head coach did not give him a chance to prove himself with the Hammers.

West Ham could also have sent him out on loan instead of sanctioning a permanent move in order to see how he would fare with regular first-team football.

This could have given the manager the evidence he needed to make a decision on the player's future, instead of doing so without knowing how he would cope with senior games.

Hampshire have announced that England spinner Mason Crane is to miss the rest of the season with a recurrence of the stress fracture he sustained to his lower back over the winter.Crane, who made his Test debut during in Sydney during the Ashes, was subsequently ruled out of England’s New Zealand tour after experiencing discomfort during the warm-up matches. He made his return during the Royal London Cup in May, and played in Hampshire’s Lord’s victory at the weekend after a painkilling injection, but will now undergo a programme of rest and rehabilitation.In a statement, Hampshire said that Crane had experienced pain after the semi-final, and that a series of scans had suggested it was likely to be the same back problem as before. He finished the Royal London Cup as their leading wicket-taker, with 15 at 29.13.”Following the findings of this final scan, the coaching staff, medical staff and Mason discussed the potential of performing a pain-relieving injection to allow the opportunity for him to participate in last Saturday’s 50-over final, and an agreement was made to carry out this treatment,” the club said.”It was also determined that following the injection, Mason would take part in two fixtures for Hampshire Second XI before undergoing a fitness test to accurately assess his availability. After participating in both matches last week without issue, as well as passing a pre-match fitness test, it was agreed that he would be fit for selection for Saturday’s final, before then being shut down for the remainder of this season to focus on resting and undergoing appropriate rehabilitation.”As well as a single Test in Australia, where he returned figures of 1 for 193, Crane played two T20 internationals against South Africa last summer.Hampshire will also be without the services of Scotland seamer Brad Wheal, after he suffered a similar back stress problem during the Royal London Cup that will require him to sit out the rest of the campaign.

Nottinghamshire have a dreadful Championship record at Taunton and four wickets for Craig Overton suggested it might continue as they trailed by 258 on first innings

David Hopps10-Jun-20182:12

Craig Overton leaves leaders Notts following on

ScorecardNottinghamshire and Somerset occupy the top two places in the Championship, but billing this encounter as a Championship decider does not ring true. Somerset’s challenge can be sustained deep into the season, encouraging expectations that their first Championship title is a possibility, but Notts do not suggest the stuff of champions.That view was only encouraged by events on the second day at Taunton when Nottinghamshire responded to Somerset’s 392 by collapsing to 134 all out in 37.1 overs. Some stability was restored when they made 112 for 0 following on in a truncated final session, but a deficit of 146 still looks likely to translate into eventual defeat.There is no cause to cavil over Tom Abell’s decision to insert Nottinghamshire for a second time, even if there have already been fleeting signs of turn and Matt Carter, who took 10 in the match on debut on this ground, has already added another five as Somerset extended their first innings to 392 before lunch, suggesting he could be a tough proposition in an awkward fourth-innings chase.Notts’ first innings had only spanned 37.4 overs so exhaustion didn’t come into it, but there were few alarms in the 30 overs which followed as Steven Mullaney, a captain who will lead England Lions later this month, and Jake Libby summoned comfortable resistance.To turn this around, though, would challenge not just the match situation, but a habit of more than 30 years. Nottinghamshire have a terrible record at Taunton, with six draws and 10 defeats since their last Championship win here in 1985.Things have clicked – Overton

Craig Overton feels that he is in his best form of the season: “Since the final games of the one-day competition and going into this match I feel things have really been clicking for me with the ball,” he said.
“I was bowling okay at the start of the season, but not as well as I had hoped. When I am running in hard and the ball comes out as it did today it is always pleasing and I’m delighted to have claimed four wickets.
“There were signs of turn in the closing overs so hopefully if we can get a couple of batsmen out early tomorrow we can apply some pressure. There was some discussion about enforcing the follow-on, but with a 250-plus lead we reasoned that if Notts scored 400 in their second innings, we would still need only 150 to win.”

Nottinghamshire arrived at Taunton with exalted status – seven points ahead of Somerset, who lie second with a match in hand with a match in hand, with Surrey a further two points distant in third. Three early-season wins were sourced from excellent early-season bowling in favourable conditions, but it would take a substantial batting improvement to maintain such promise.”We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” said one Somerset sage to a mate over lunch. How many summers have they watched in the hope that a first Championship would arrive at Taunton only for their bounty to be lost even as the Quantocks in the distance were transformed into the colours of harvest time?Without the contribution from Ross Taylor, their New Zealand batsman, Notts would really have been in a pickle. Taylor made 74 from 89 balls, a shrewd counter-attacking innings which reached its maximum ambition at nine down when he hoisted three legside sixes in an over off Craig Overton, one of them mighty enough to disturb residents on the balconies of the adjacent flats. Considering that a letter of complaint was once received about the unsightliness of the new outfield drainage, further missives could already be on their way.Overton, despite that over, had a decent day, bowling at the upper range of his pace and aggression, as if in what seems to be the perpetual absence of his faster twin brother, who is searching for fitness and rhythm, he is trying to fulfil both roles at once. Twins can do strange things.Either side of lunch Overton produced an inspired spell from the River End, which saw him take three wickets for four runs in his first three overs. Libby fell to an excellent ball which left him and Mullaney was lbw to one which jagged back. Soon after lunch, Samit Patel also fell for nought to one that swung back. In all, there were four ducks in the top six as Lewis Gregory sent Chris Nash and Riki Wessels packing without scoring, both trusting unwisely to the back foot.Worse could have resulted from 28 for five as Abell missed the stumps with a chance to run out Tom Moores and Taylor, on 14, survived a good lbw shout from Gregory. Taylor played with gusto thereafter and, even when he ran out Carter, trying to keep the strike, it just irked him into that final six-hitting assault.

The left-back and goalkeeper combined to gift the Reds a way back and Pep Guardiola's side were fortunate to escape with a point

Manchester City conjured a clever goal straight from the training ground but then were masters of their own downfall and ended their top-of-the-table showdown with Liverpool clinging on for dear life in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

City struck first as Kevin De Bruyne crafted an artful goal for John Stones, but having made it to half-time on course for a first win at Anfield – with fans – since 2003, Pep Guardiola's side surrendered their advantage right after half-time with a sloppy pass back from Nathan Ake which led to Ederson toppling Darwin Nunez. Alexis Mac Allister scored from the spot and it was one way traffic from then on, with City hanging on for dear life.

Substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega played his part in keeping Liverpool at bay, although Jeremy Doku almost snatched what would have been a barely deserved victory for City when he hit the post. The Belgian was then fortunate not to give away a penalty in stoppage-time for a high foot on Mac Allister.

The champions will be happier with the point than the Reds given how the game panned out, but looking at the staring line-ups and Liverpool's litany of injuries, it looks like a big chance missed for City to end their Anfield hoodoo and make a statement in the title race.

GOAL rates Man City's players from Anfield…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ederson (4/10):

  Panicked when Nunez burst through and was too late to stop him. Got injured amid the challenge and forced off.

  Kyle Walker (6/10):

  Swept up all the danger down his side and had a thrilling battle with Diaz in the second half, losing control of him on occasion but then making amends.

  John Stones (6/10):

  Excellent movement for the goal. Could not dictate the game as he likes to from midfield but defended well.

  Manuel Akanji (5/10):

  Came under a lot of pressure but coped with it well.

  Nathan Ake (4/10):

  Gave Ederson a hospital pass which led to the penalty. Got turned by Bradley in the first half.

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  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Couldn't weave much magic but demonstrated his willingness to defend and run himself into the ground.

  Rodri (6/10):

  Lacked his usual authority but just about held the midfield together.

  Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):

  A moment of genius for the opening goal but couldn't influence the game as usual and his final ball was often lacking. Furious when he was taken off.

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  Attack

  Phil Foden (5/10):

  A comedown from his Manchester derby masterclass, struggling to find space for himself or others. Kelleher got the better of him in a one-v-one. Hit the bar but it wouldn't have counted.

  Erling Haaland (6/10):

  Had some good hold-up play. Drew a race with Van Dijk but had few other shooting chances.

  Julian Alvarez (5/10):

  Acted as a workhorse but couldn't have a big impact.

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  Subs & Manager

  Stefan Ortega (7/10):

  Kept City in the game with a series of brave and acrobatic saves.

  Mateo Kovacic (6/10):

  Gave City an extra foothold in midfield but couldn't turn the tide.

  Jeremy Doku (7/10):

  Quiet until he almost won the game with a darting run down the left and shot off the inside of the post.

  Pep Guardiola (5/10):

  Given Liverpool's injuries, his side had a glorious chance to win, but in the end were grateful for the point.