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Many Aston Villa fans hailed Morgan Sanson for his substitute performance in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool. 

Villa travelled to Anfield looking to make it four wins from five under their new manager Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard, of course, was returning to the venue where he spent the almost the entirety of his professional career, winning 11 major honours.

The 41-year-old made one change to the team that beat Leicester City 2-1 last time out. Matt Targett came back in at left-back, with Emiliano Buendia benched and Ashley Young moving up to the wing.

Recapping Sanson’s afternoon vs Liverpool

Sanson watched on from the sidelines until the 57th minute, when he replaced Marvelous Nakamba.

He earned a SofaScore rating of 7.0 for his cameo, having excelled on and off the ball.

The Frenchman won six of the eight ground duels he contested and also completed 100 per cent of his dribbles (3/3).

Sanson has now been called upon from the bench in Villa’s last three matches, and will hope to earn his first start of the season against Norwich City in midweek.

These Villa fans applaud Sanson

“Sanson very very good when he come on I think.”

Credit: @jarod3n

“Thought Sanson was class when he came on too. Wasn’t scared to take some touches and play”

Credit: @olliebaxter97

“Wanna see more of Sanson… would like him to start games, believe he can really help us in midfield. I’m sure he possesses the quality.”

Credit: @JAS10SG

“Sanson has to start ahead of young Ramsey for me. He’s got some vavavoom about him.”

Credit: @AVFCSims

“Really gutsy effort today. Battled hard and a little unlucky with the pen. Although I’d like to see Sanson finally start ahead of Ramsey. He’s very classy and would love him to take charge of the midfield.”

Credit: @bluesfor

“Sanson is a class above the rest of our midfielders”

Credit: @euanavfc

In other news, Villa have been offered the chance to make this blockbuster signing.

Newcastle United are reportedly setting their sights on signing Leon King in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Emerging talent

At just 17 years of age, King is one of the emerging talents in Scottish football, having already made his senior debut for Glasgow Rangers.

The club’s coaches regard him as a ‘huge talent’ and are ‘convinced’ that he can establish himself in the first team at Ibrox in the coming years (Football Insider).

However, he is out of contract in the summer, so that presents a good opportunity for the St James’ Park outfit to sign him.

The Latest: Newcastle set sights on King

As per Football Insider, both Newcastle and Manchester United have now ‘set their sights’ on the Gers sensation ahead of the January transfer window.

Sources from Ibrox have revealed that there is ‘fresh doubt’ over the teenager’s future, and he could even be sold for a compensation fee of around £250,000.

The Tyneside club are ‘interested’ in opening talks with King over a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of a potential summer move.

The Verdict: One for the future

King is a player for the future, so it would be a smart idea for the Magpies to sign him now before he develops further and attracts interest from other clubs.

The defender clearly has a lot of promise, as he has also played for the Scotland national team at youth level.

The Newcastle Academy could then use and develop him, or he could be sent out on loan to get further experience playing men’s football, but it is clear that there are multiple possibilities with this potential signing.

In other news, NUFC are willing to pay big money for this rising star

Providing an update on West Ham United and their transfer plans for January, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has now shared news involving Liverpool striker Divock Origi.

The Lowdown: West Ham looking to January…

As recently confirmed by manager David Moyes, speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, his Hammers side could be active in the winter window (Sky Sports).

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The Scotsman says that, as well as scouring for a new centre-half as emergency cover to the injured Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma, his side have been searching for a striker (Sky Sports).

There have been no shortage of links to new forwards already, including the likes of Andrea Belotti and Adam Hlozek most recently, with Ex now sharing what he knows on the West Ham Way Website.

The Latest: Insider makes Origi claim…

As per his information, West Ham could now ‘make a move’ to sign Origi in the upcoming transfer window – explaining it would ‘not be a surprise at all’ if the Irons swoop for his signature.

The 26-year-old, struggling for consistent game time at Liverpool, has also apparently been ‘very close’ to joining previously as Ex claims he may well be one to keep an eye on.

The Verdict: Good option?

Despite his lack of chances under Klopp, Origi has actually managed to turn it on this season when given the chance.

The Belgium international even scored a brilliant individual goal against West Ham at the London Stadium with Liverpool’s boss holding no shortage of praise for some of his exploits this season.

Klopp lauded the striker as a ‘really quick’ player and ‘monster’ in the air recently (The Mirror), and with Origi’s contract expiring in 2022, the Reds may feasibly be forced to sell for a cheaper rate in January.

Racking up a career tally of 63 senior goals, the 31-cap ace could actually come as an ideal back up striking option for Moyes and someone who can finally end West Ham’s year-long search for a Michail Antonio-alternative.

In other news: Moyes dealt worrying news as ‘another big injury blow’ comes out of West Ham, find out more here.

Bangladesh Under-19 captain Mahmudul Hasan has set his sights on a last four finish at the World Cup, beginning in New Zealand from January 15

Cricinfo staff06-Jan-2010Bangladesh Under-19 captain Mahmudul Hasan has set his sights on a last four finish at the World Cup, beginning in New Zealand from January 15. “You can’t go into a mission without setting a target,” he said. “Our target is to make it to the last four in the World Cup, which we are capable of.”Mahmudul said the main difference between the previous U-19 squad and the present one was that there wasn’t a visible age gap between players, with the current team comprising players all around the same age. “We have been given the opportunity to grow as a team and therefore the team spirit is excellent,” he said. “We know each other really well and there is great camaraderie.”We have a strong fielding side. The batting has come together nicely. If I have to comment on the weaknesses, I guess we have a lot of room for improvement in the pace bowling area.”The Bangladesh U-19 managed impressive performances in 2009, winning home series against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and England and clinching the ODI series against England in July. Coach Minhajul Abedin believed even though they were unfamiliar with conditions in New Zealand, the trip to England should hold them in good stead.”For the last one month or so the conditions at home have been similar,” Abedin said. “It has been chilly and the teams have struggled with dew in the ongoing tri-nation tournament. In the last tournament we played in Sri Lanka, the wickets had grass although the weather was really humid and sultry.”Our goal is to reach the last four. We have not managed to do that in past events and therefore it is not a bad target to set and something we can achieve. I say this because from what I have seen so far we are probably at the standard of the top four teams in terms of strength. There is not a big difference.”He picked out Mahmudul, opener Anamul Haque and legspinner Shabbir Rahman as the key performers, who could help them book a semi-final berth. “The three will do well at any level. I am also excited with the fact that we are taking two specialist legspinners to New Zealand (Shabbir and Nur Hossain). As a part of the strategy, we may even open the bowling in New Zealand a la Dipak Patel in 1992. I have a lot of faith in this team.”The core group has remained together and we have had some very impressive performances along the way. If I have to be critical then I would say that we are 90% there.”Bangladesh will look to improve on their U-19 World Cup record, having finished Plate winners in 1997-98 and 2003-04. They have been paired alongside Papua New Guinea (PNG), Pakistan and West indies in Group D, and begin their campaign against PNG on January 16 in Palmerston North.

The final league game of the Tri-Nation Under-19s Tournament in South Africa at the King Edward VII School Ground in Johannesburg, involving the hosts and India was abandoned without a ball being bowled

Cricinfo staff03-Jan-2010The final league game of the Tri-Nation Under-19s Tournament in South Africa at the King Edward VII School Ground in Johannesburg, involving the hosts and India, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.The splitting of points meant South Africa nosed ahead of Sri Lanka on the points table and will now be contesting the final, scheduled for January 5, against India, who are unbeaten in the tournament.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming after two new managerial candidates  for the Ibrox hot-seat emerged in the form of Ronald Koeman and John Terry.

As per Football Insider, the Scottish champions have now ‘set their sights’ on the aforementioned two names as a potential replacement for Steven Gerrard, who has left to join Aston Villa in the Premier League.

A source from the Light Blues has revealed to the news outlet that they both ‘feature highly’ on the club’s wish list, as director of football Ross Wilson is ‘leading the search’ for a ‘high profile’ coach to take charge.

Koeman’s most recent job at Barcelona ended badly, being sacked last month after leaving them in ninth place in the La Liga table (The Guardian), while Terry has never been a club’s main manager before, having most recently been assistant to Gerrard’s predecessor Dean Smith at Villa.

Therefore, it is not a surprise at all to see so many Rangers fans being opposed to either appointment.

Rangers fans on Koeman and Terry manager news

These Gers fumed as the manager news was shared on Twitter and begged Wilson to disregard both candidates:

“We are going to over complicate this aren’t we? Just go get Gio, Mr Wilson!”

Credit: @CF3Loyal

“Ross Wilson gives me the fear. Just get Gio in and give the fans what they want”

Credit: @chrissyr8289

“Wrong Dutch guy Mr Wilson”

Credit: @baigriec

“Read the room Ross Wilson.”

Credit: @BedsBucksRSC

“Koeman… can’t see it. Terry, just no.”

Credit: @jaayfc

“You’ve got the Netherlands mangers mixed up pal”

Credit: @JacobMcArthur18

In other news, find out how these Gers supporters reacted to Gerrard leaving

If Pakistan’s batsmen had applied themselves in the first innings the way they did in the second, a draw would have been the most likely result of the Napier Test

The Bulletin by Sriram Veera13-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Daryl Tuffey’s maiden Test fifty led New Zealand to 471•Getty ImagesIf Pakistan’s batsmen had applied themselves in the first innings the way they did in the second, a draw would have been the most likely result of the Napier Test. As it stands now, Pakistan are still trailing by 120 runs with two days remaining, though a determined performance from their openers cut the first-innings deficit by more than half.And don’t shake your head in disbelief when you look at the scorecard. Daryl Tuffey, whose previous best was 35, nearly reached his maiden Test hundred as New Zealand gained control of the decider. However, their vice-like grip on the contest – they led by 248 runs when the innings ended after lunch – had loosened at stumps with Salman Butt and Imran Farhat reaching half-centuries during a 128-run association.The second and third sessions made for fascinating watching. New Zealand’s rudimentary plan A appeared to be heavily influenced by Pakistan’s terrible first-innings effort. They bowled outside off stump to the left-hand openers, who normally are crease-bound, hoping they would reach out and commit mistakes. To Butt, who tends to fall over on his front foot, they occasionally brought the ball back in to try force an lbw, and for Farhat they had a short mid-off in place and waited for the airy drive.Plan A didn’t work, though, for the openers were determined not to chase anything they didn’t have to and also because there was not much help from the pitch. Slowly, the batsmen began to play square and cover drives and New Zealand started to bowl with more imagination in the second session. The seamers attacked the stumps more, slipped in the odd delivery outside off and Vettori as usual was on target. However, Butt and Farhat continued to be patient and reaped the benefits.Both batsmen stayed adjacent to the line of the ball and generally favoured the off side more with their drives, bottom-hand punches and cuts. The disciplined effort was in stark contrast to the extravagance in the first innings but they might have learnt hard lessons from watching Vettori and Tuffey thrive when New Zealand batted.Imran Farhat followed up his first-innings century with a fifty in the second•Getty ImagesTuffey’s innings showed how good the Napier pitch was for batting. It also said much about Pakistan’s listless bowling display and highlighted the mess they dragged themselves into due to a poor first-innings performance. As you would expect from a third-day track, Danish Kaneria found some spin and completed his five-for but the morning belonged to Vettori and Tuffey.Vettori cruised along, using his bottom hand to flash length deliveries through cover and carve short-of-a-length balls through cover point, and continued to improvise without much risk. Like he did so effectively last evening, Vettori teased Pakistan with his calculated shuffles. He moved towards off to flick to square-leg and would create more room for his cuts by arching back. Pakistan didn’t have anyone with pace to hurry Vettori into making mistakes and it took a stunning fielding effort to dismiss him. Vettori drove one well to the left of short extra cover where Umar Akmal flung himself to hold on to the catch.Tuffey had a few problems against Kaneria – he was dropped, on 32, by Umar Gul at long-leg off an attempted sweep and survived couple of appeals for lbw – but he was solid against the fast bowlers. He handled the short ball without problems and cut at every opportunity. He brought up the fifty partnership with Vettori and his half-century with cut shots, and dispatched Kaneria over long-on. Tuffey’s best, though, was an on drive that bisected long-on and long-off. He leaned forward to a flighted legbreak, took his front leg out of the way and drove through the line, past the startled bowler.It was a shot that a top-order batsman would have been proud of, and it not only reflected his confidence but also said much about Pakistan’s state of mind. By the day’s close, however, Pakistan’s openers had redressed the imbalance and left it open to several results.

Junior Firpo is unlikely to start for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Leicester City, according to journalist Beren Cross.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Leicester

The Whites are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up a much-needed three points away to Norwich City last weekend but this is likely to be a sterner test.

That being said, Leicester are yet to get going this season and their limp defeat at home to Arsenal last time around means all is far from perfect for Rodgers and co – they currently sit 11th with a negative goal difference.

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The Latest: Firpo unlikely to start

Firpo could return to the matchday squad for Leeds after injury, but speaking in a Q&A for Leeds Live on Wednesday, Cross claimed the left-back is unlikely to start, with Bielsa being careful with him:

“Based on Bielsa’s argument for leaving [Kalvin] Phillips out of the Wolves game, Firpo will surely have had too little time on the pitch in order to start against Leicester on Sunday.”

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The Verdict: Big test of Whites’ form

It makes sense for Firpo to be eased back in, with Stuart Dallas continuing at left-back in what is an intriguing league encounter – the latter man was solid against Norwich, earning a 7.4 match rating from Sofascore, the second-best on the pitch behind Raphinha.

The Northern Ireland international also ranks 6th in average match rating for the entire season at Elland Road, while Firpo is all the way down in 17th, so this feels like a pretty smart prediction from Cross.

This is likely to tell us a lot more about where Leeds are at currently, with Norwich the worst team in the division, with all due respect.

Victory over Leicester would suggest that the Whites truly have turned a corner but defeat would mean those same doubts start creeping in again.

In other news, a Leeds transfer target has turned down a new contract. Read more here.

Vusi Sibanda completed a monumental performance against Kenya with a match-winning 116 to go alongside his first-innings 209

Cricinfo staff10-Oct-2009
Scorecard
Vusi Sibanda takes the plaudits after steering Zimbabwe to victory over Kenya•ESPNcricinfo LtdVusi Sibanda completed a monumental performance against Kenya with a match-winning 116 to go alongside his first-innings 209. After opening first time around he dropped down to No. 4 in the run chase and guide the Zimbabwe XI home by five wickets after a shaky start.Kenya sniffed an opportunity after reducing Zimbabwe to 24 for 2 in the sixth over with the early wickets of new opening pair Friday Kasteni and Shingirai Masakadza. However, Sibanda strode in to once again provide the backbone for the home side.The match was virtually decided by the third wicket stand of 166 that he and Chamu Chibhabha (64) added in 42 overs. There was a mini wobble when Chibhabha was leg before to Hiren Varaiya as three wickets fell for 23, but while Sibanda was at the crease Zimbabwe were in control.Sibanda closed down the chase alongside Forster Mutizwa as Zimbabwe claimed their first victory of the campaign and a full hand of 20 points. Kenya, meanwhile, had nothing to show for their efforts having also conceded a first-innings lead but remain second the table, six points behind Scotland.

Scotland 2 1 00 1 0 29 0.908 664/34860/40 Kenya 3 1 10 1 0 23 1.138 1842/511650/52 Zimbabwe XI 2 1 00 1 0 23 1.131 1386/341225/34 Afghanistan 2 1 00 1 0 23 1.017 954/331109/39 Netherlands 2 0 10 1 0 15 0.850 775/38912/38 Ireland 2 0 00 2 0 12 1.181 1133/37856/33 Canada 3 0 20 1 0 3 0.769 1383/591525/50

An update has emerged on Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, regarding Newcastle’s interest in him.

What’s the talk?

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Newcastle have offered a three-year contract to the central midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.

The Magpies are keen on signing the ex-Arsenal man from the Italian giants and have now made their interest formal with a contract offer on the table.

Fans must be buzzing

Fans must be buzzing with this news as it shows that PIF are serious about improving the squad immediately and are ready to invest in the starting XI in the January transfer window.

Instead of slogging out the rest of the campaign with the current squad in an attempt to survive relegation before splurging in the summer, they are seemingly keen to make an instant impact on Tyneside.

PIF are making moves well in advance of January to make sure that they have a solid plan in place, which Newcastle fans will surely be delighted with. They appear to have a clear plan of action and are now putting it into effect with this offer to Ramsey.

Magpies fans will be excited to see Ramsey arrive at St. James’ Park as he is a proven Premier League performer who has played at the very top level. He has featured in over 300 games for Arsenal and produced 130 combined goals and assists for the Gunners in all competitions during his time in England.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown once provided the Wales international with a review that should make the Toon really stand to attention.He said:

“Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything they do. It’s the energy – the box-to-box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

He has also provided 12 goals and assists in 69 appearances for Juventus, with 14 of those coming in the Champions League for the Italian giants. This shows that he knows how to perform on the biggest stage, along with having Premier League experience, and that means that he could come in and give a massive lift to the Newcastle squad in January.

Just imagine the influence a player like him – a goalscoring midfielder – could have on Joe Willock too. The positives are endless if they are genuinely interested in securing his services.

He is a proven performer in England and Magpies fans will know what to expect from him, having seen him play against their side for Arsenal in previous years. This is why they will be buzzing to read that PIF are already making moves to sign him on a permanent deal from Juventus.

AND in other news, “My understanding” – Luke Edwards drops big update on Bruce, NUFC fans surely elated…