All posts by h716a5.icu

Commentator and football writer Derek Clark has reacted positively after hearing Rangers are linked with a summer transfer for Kieran Dowell.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

As we head towards the end of the Scottish Premiership season, it looks as though this won't be a title-winning campaign for the Ibrox outfit.

Indeed, Michael Beale and co sit 12 points off the pace in second place, but behind-the-scenes plans may well already be taking place in preparation for next season.

With that in mind, some rumours have emerged recently in the press suggesting Dowell could be on his way to Scotland.

As per Football Insider, Rangers are lining up a pre-contract offer for the Norwich City midfielder, with his current deal set to expire in the summer​​​​​​.

While talking about this on the latest edition of The Rangers Review, Clark offered his verdict on the player having seen him impress in the past.

He said: "The time he was on loan at Wigan from Everton, I was impressed every time I watched him. I know it was a few seasons ago now, but I think that would be good business if Rangers were to bring him in, especially for no transfer fee as well."

Why do Rangers want to sign Kieran Dowell from Norwich?

At the moment, Dowell currently earns a reported £7.5k per week in the Championship, and when you factor in that he won't cost a transfer fee, this could be an affordable deal for Rangers to pull off.

What's more, they seem to have a working relationship with Norwich already, having signed English midfielder Todd Cantwell in January.

Dowell has been in and out of the Canaries team this term, but having delivered five goals and three assists in just 1,115 minutes of Championship action this term (across 23 outings), Rangers could be landing a pretty good player.

He's also shown glimpses of his quality in the past, too. For example, during his loan spell at Wigan referenced by Clark, he once delivered a rare 10/10 Sofascore match rating, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in an 8-0 win over Hull City.

With that in mind, it's no wonder Clark with impressed by that loan spell. At 25 years of age, it feels as though we are still yet to see the best of the promising midfielder, and if Rangers can unlock Dowell's full potential at Ibrox, this could be a great deal.

Arsenal's starting XI is arguably one of the strongest in the whole Premier League. There is a reason why they have fought alongside the great Manchester City for so long.

However, it is that lack of depth that has left them frustratingly short as the run-in culminates, as key areas still lack quality alternatives.

This summer might not require huge purchases from Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gasper, but it will almost definitely need quite a few to ensure players like Rob Holding are no longer relied upon when someone like William Saliba is out.

Youth could be the way forward, to nurture the next generation of fine talent to compete with their stars, and that could therefore explain their reported pursuit of Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach as his contract is set to expire this summer.

Set to battle with some true European heavyweights, the progression of youth throughout the Gunners' squad should prove a key factor in potentially tempting him to north London.

With the 19-year-old having still predominantly featured for their 'B' team, three senior appearances suggest a degree of faith in potential that could only now be realised away from Spain. As a fellow graduate of the infamous La Masia academy, Arteta will know all too well how to nurture this teenage sensation into a true star.

Who is Ilias Akhomach?

The greatest compliment that can be paid to Akhomach came from his former academy director Patrick Kluivert, The legendary Dutch striker claimed, in an interview with Cadena SER (via GOAL), that he had: "found the new [Lionel] Messi".

This came due to his immeasurable ability to take on defenders, ghosting past them with ease and shifting the ball onto his left foot.

Such comparisons with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner are sure to command attention, and realising a potential anywhere near the level of the Argentine would surely make him viable competition for Bukayo Saka on that right flank.

The English trickster boasts 13 goals and 11 assists in the league this season but was given years of steady integration to morph into this top-quality star.

The Spanish youngster, who was born to Moroccan parents, may not have an as impressive goal tally yet but his technical assets that have drawn particular interest. Five goals across 51 youth appearances underplays his talent; in this modern world where statistics mean so much.

But should Arteta invest the time and resources into this Catalonian export, it could just be the stroke of genius needed to forge a new talent akin to Messi, so he must convince Edu to part ways with a sizeable fee this summer.

If so, their current 21-year-old winger would have a genuine rival to his spot over the coming years, which ultimately would only benefit Arsenal on the pitch.

James Anderson sealed the third ten-wicket haul of his Test career, as England’s bowlers powered their way to an innings-and-88 run victory with a final three-wicket flurry after tea

The Report by Andrew Miller21-May-2016
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTrevor Bayliss is not, by nature, a demonstrative man. But when, after a two-and-a-half hour rain delay on the third afternoon at Headingley, England’s coach chose to address the team huddle before the resumption of their afternoon’s work, it was clear from his animated expression that his charges’ standards hadn’t reached the levels he expects in this new full-throttle era.”He was only doing it for the publicity,” quipped Alastair Cook, England’s captain, during the post-match presentation – a gag that didn’t entirely survive his dead-pan delivery. But whatever it was that Bayliss said, it had the same effect as his last most telling address, at Johannesburg back in January.Aftering capturing two more Sri Lankan wickets in a slightly off-coloured morning’s work, England rampaged to victory by an innings and 88 runs in the afternoon – the coup de grace coming in a flurry of eight for 40 in 16 overs, including three in the space of nine deliveries in the blink of an eye after tea.James Anderson, inevitably, was at the heart of the carnage. His newly discovered passion for Headingley’s seam and swing delivered him second-innings figures of 5 for 29 in 12.3 overs. It was the third ten-wicket haul of his 114-Test career, and his first outside of Trent Bridge, as he sealed match figures of 10 for 45 by plucking out Nuwan Pradeep’s middle stump for a duck. Six of those scalps had come ball-in-glove with Jonny Bairstow, who capped his Man-of-the-Match century with nine catches behind the stumps – equalling the record for the most in a Test in England.Sri Lanka’s frailties in the cold, damp conditions were writ large across an anxious, outclassed performance, and though Kusal Mendis, with a maiden half-century at the age of 21, hinted at better things to come, it is hard to see life getting any easier for them any time soon. Next week they will be heading ever further into the frozen north, to Chester-le-Street for the second Test, another fortress for English seamers, as Graham Onions and Chris Rushworth would happily attest.James Anderson finished with a match haul of 10 for 45•Getty ImagesThe biggest worry for Sri Lanka is that, although they clearly have room for improvement, so too do their hosts. Anderson’s mastery of lateral movement may have proved too much for both of their openers in the course of today’s morning session, but aside from those moments, England’s bowling was off the boil. Steven Finn later revived his happy knack for wicket-taking by cleaning up the tail, but he appeared low on rhythm on a ground whose slope has often caused issues for fast bowlers, while Ben Stokes was forced to leave the field following his knee injury on the second day and has emerged as a doubt for the second Test after playing no further part in the game.In addition, England let their fielding standards drop, and their catches too. The major beneficiary was Mendis, who was reprieved by Bairstow on 29 – low to his right, a soliitary blemish in a brilliant performance – and then again on 47 by James Vince at third slip, from what turned out to be the final ball before the heavens opened.The hiatus played entirely into England’s hands, however, for as soon as the rain relented, Sri Lanka’s innings began to gurgle down the drain. Moeen Ali, barely involved in the contest since his duck on the second morning, was thrown the ball for his first over of the series – ostensibly to allow Anderson and Stuart Broad to switch ends – but responded with the bonus extraction of Dinesh Chandimal for 8, a horrible cramped cut that he chopped onto his own stumps after four balls of the resumption.It was an irresponsible dismissal from one of Sri Lanka’s senior men (not to mention the second time in as many days that he had been removed from the fray in the first over after lunch) and it left too much riding on the shoulders of Mendis and Angelo Mathews, whose brilliant series-seizing 160 in his last appearance at Headingley two years ago couldn’t have felt much further from the agenda.Sure enough, Mathews had no heroics up his sleeve this time out. With 5 from 13 balls to his name, including an edged four through gully, he was suckered by Broad’s trademark angle, into the off stump from wide on the crease, and grazed an edge through to Bairstow that he’ll know he could have left well alone.Mendis, by now, had brought up his maiden Test fifty with his eighth and final boundary, a spanking full-faced drill through midwicket as Anderson over-pitched on middle stump. It was an innings of skill and application from a player held in high esteem by Kumar Sangakkara, among other fine judges of the game, and – his let-offs aside – had showcased the talent that could yet augur well for a brittle Sri Lanka line-up in desperate need of a new generation of heroes.But on 53, Mendis’ luck finally ran out, as Anderson extracted some extra lift outside off stump, and the batsman chopped onto his own stumps as he failed to ride the bounce.Dasun Shanaka avoided his king pair, and even got off the mark in Test cricket with a stab through point in Anderson’s next over. But with Jimmy’s outswinger now purring out of his hand, he was soon trapped on the back foot with nowhere for the ball to go but straight into Bairstow’s gloves for the ninth time in the innings.Rangana Herath showed no great desire to hang around. His solitary scoring shot was a squirt for four through the cordon, and he soon became Finn’s first victim of the match – caught at short cover by Broad, one delivery after being clanged a painful blow on the elbow.By tea, Lahiru Thirimanne was still loitering on 15 not out, with Dushmantha Chameera yet to score, but the end was very much nigh. Chameera fell for a golden duck on the resumption, caught at short leg off Finn, who then added Thirimanne two balls later, via a sharp edge to Joe Root at second slip. Five balls later, Anderson had sealed the deal to gift his side an extra two days of R&R before the trip to Durham.They travel there, incidentally, with four points in the bag towards the newly introduced Super Series, after a match that lasted a shade over 160 overs – or little more than one-and-a-half ODIs.

After Man United's loss to West Ham at the weekend, Mark Goldbridge admitted via his Twitter account that he felt the club's owners were not to blame for the defeat.

What has Mark Goldbridge said about Man United?

It was a bad day at the office for the Red Devils when they came up against David Moyes' side, with all of their efforts ultimately amounting to nothing. Despite dominating possession – United had 65% – it was just the one Hammers goal that decided which was the points would go in this Premier League fixture.

It was Said Benrahma who gave West Ham the lead, with a howler from goalkeeper David De Gea allowing them to go in front within the opening half an hour. United pushed for an equaliser, with Erik Ten Hag even throwing on Anthony Martial for Wout Weghorst in the second half to try and find a response.

However, Lukasz Fabianski held firm in the Hammers' goal and despite managing 19 shots, United couldn't find the back of the net and went home empty handed.

It led to an angry tweet from former player Gary Neville, who stated after the loss that: "The real disgrace are the Glazers. Are they waiting for the last game at OT to pass??? It would be typical of them. Weak and shirking accountability and responsibility to the end! Members of staff on and off the pitch are in an uncertain position waiting for new owners! Let alone recruitment and what budget their is going to be! This should have been done! Classless to the end!"

This seemingly led to a response from talkSPORT host Goldbridge, who then tweeted on his own account that it was "a bit far" to try and pin the reason for United's defeat on the Glazers, instead claiming "ridiculous" decision making from players was to blame. He said: "Blaming the Glazers for last night is a bit far even I'd admit. The Glazers aren't taking shots from ridiculous distances instead of showing patience and composure. Last two games that's killed us."

Did Man United deserve to lose against West Ham?

United struggled to score in their match against the Hammers and that ultimately led to their defeat. Their xG rate during the game was just 1.18, which was worse than West Ham's 1.30xG but it did suggest that perhaps the points should have been shared.

With the Red Devils also managing the same amount of shots on target as David Moyes' side (four) and having had one big chance that they missed, it showed that based on the opportunities they had, they probably should have taken something away from the game.

The fact that they didn't shows how wasteful they were in front of goal instead. If they had a player to finish off the chances created, then it could have been a different story but no player in the side could find the equaliser at the weekend. It perhaps instead highlights a need for United to definitely target a new striker during the summer window.

Arsenal may have been handed a potential transfer boost in their reported interest in the Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Do Arsenal want to sign another midfielder?

The Gunners are still fighting at the top end of the table with just a handful of games remaining as they eye up the Premier League title.

However, they could potentially fall short to Manchester City following a run of disappointing results over the course of last month.

Despite the club being locked in on the title race as they look to end their drought having last won the English crown almost two decades ago, transfer reports are beginning to emerge.

It is believed the north London club are eyeing up some midfield upgrades with links to the likes of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.

However, it is also reported the Gunners hold an interest in the Southampton youngster, Lavia, amid their expected relegation over the coming weeks.

The Belgian is believed to have a clause in his deal which could see Manchester City bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.

But speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that clause will not be active until next summer which will improve the chances for Arsenal if they are to pursue him:

(1:35) "But there is a crucial point guys on Romeo Lavia. The clause, the buy-back clause and option for Manchester City is only valid in summer 2024. So this is why many clubs will try to attack the situation this summer and to sign the player this summer. Otherwise, City could be back in the race next summer with that very good clause for them."

"But also Arsenal are following him so the race is absolutely open for Romeo Lavia. It's one to watch in the summer."

Could Arsenal land Lavia?

The reports would suggest a new midfielder will be high on the agenda for the Gunners going into the summer, however, who could make way?

It has recently been suggested that Granit Xhaka could be headed for the exit doors with a possible return to Germany on the cards.

Indeed, according to Sky Germany, Bayer Leverkusen remain interested in potentially bringing the Switzerland international back to the Bundesliga.

But it is caveated by the suggestion that the midfielder's possible exit is more likely to go through in next year's summer window.

The young Belgian has been hailed as an "absolute monster" by reporter Benjy Nurick and it is clear to see why when he ranks inside the top ninth percentile for blocks made (via FBref).

Although Xhaka has outperformed the 19-year-old in an attacking sense, Lavia has shone defensively having offered more than double the number of tackles per 90 minutes (via FBref).

In addition, the Southampton man has also offered his side considerably more take-ons over the course of the season compared to the Arsenal midfielder.

It seems as if Arsenal have a number of options on their list of potential midfield targets, but could this transfer insight from Romano prove too attractive to turn down for Edu Gaspar?

Middlesex overturned Yorkkshire again in a remarkable innings win at Scarboriugh to assume the leadership in Division One of the Specsavers Championship

ECB Reporters Network06-Jul-2016
ScorecardMiddlesex’s players celebrate a win that took them top of the table•Getty ImagesMiddlesex gained a sensational win by an innings and four runs at Scarborough to jolt Yorkshire’s ambitions of a hat-trick of Championship titles.A match seemingly destined for a draw was reawakened by a torrent of runs from Toby Roland-Jones and Tim Murtagh in the first 40 minutes of play, which secured an unexpected first innings lead of 171 at Scarborough.It was Yorkshire’s first defeat of the season and a stunning victory for Middlesex which pushed them to the top of the Division One table.Yorkshire have lost only three Championship matches since the start of the 2014 season – and remarkably Middlesex have been their destroyers on each occasion.This was also the only time that Yorkshire have lost by an innings in a Championship match at North Marine Road.Yorkshire began their quest to save the match at 11.50am and in the end Middlesex were comfortable winners, the last wicket going down at 167 with 15 overs remaining.A magnificent effort in the field by Middlesex resulted in three wickets apiece for the unstoppable Roland-Jones and Murtagh and two each for Steven Finn and Ollie Rayner.Adam Lyth and Alex Lees began convincingly with a 41 stand in 12 overs but when Lyth was turned round by Roland-Jones’ first ball and edged a catch to James Franklin at third slip, Yorkshire were on the slippery road to defeat with wickets going down at regular intervals.The chief resistance came from Tim Bresnan but when he was skittled by a low one from Murtagh for 39, Yorkshire were 144 for 7 and fading fast.Andrew Gale suffered a rare Championship defeat as Yorkshire captain•Getty ImagesRarely in circumstances that have not been contrived can more runs have gushed from the first 40 minutes of a day’s play than Middlesex managed after resuming on 470 for eight with a lead of 64.The plan had been to score as many as possible as quickly as possible but the visiting dressing room could never have envisaged that Roland-Jones and Murtagh would thrash 107 in 9.4 overs.It all became possible nine runs into the day when Roland-Jones, on 18, hooked at Jack Brooks and was dropped by Steven Patterson at fine leg.The first five overs brought 41 runs and when off-spinner, Azeem Rafiq, replaced Bresnan, his first over went for 20 with two sixes to Murtagh and one to Roland-Jones.Warming to his task, Roland-Jones slammed Brooks for three consecutive leg-side sixes and at one stage 50 runs came off 13 balls in 10 minutes with six sixes raining down off seven balls.The century stand for the ninth wicket – the only one ever recorded by a visiting team on the ground – used up just 67 deliveries and there were eight sixes in the first half hour’s play when 94 were scored.In desperation, skipper Andrew Gale turned to Lyth’s off-spin and he immediately brought the carnage to a close with two wickets in two balls. He took a low return catch to dismiss Murtagh for 47 from 38 deliveries with four fours and two sixes and had Finn giving a simple catch to cover.The ninth wicket stand was worth 123 in 13.2 overs and Roland-Jones was left unbeaten on 79 off 51 balls with six fours and six sixes.Middlesex’s 577 was their highest against Yorkshire, beating their 573 for 8 declared at Lord’s last September when Roland-Jones plundered his maiden century.Roland-Jones said: “This was a hell of a win. We had it in our minds to make it tough for Yorkshire but to win by an innings was pretty exceptional.”A little bit of luck went our way with the bat and we rode this luck and made the most of the small boundaries. We thought we would be positive and we got a bit of a flow early on.”I think we knew it would be a tough fight and that we would have to stick at it but we found a wicket at the right time to break the partnerships.”It is a big achievement going up to Yorkshire and winning and I am delighted we have done it. A couple of wins has put us right in the hunt for the title and I hope we still have something to play for in the last game of the season against Yorkshire at Lord’s.”Yorkshire coach, Jason Gillespie, said: “Obviously we are disappointed to lose. We played a decent game for the first three days but there was a massive momentum shift this morning.”On reflection, we are all agreed that we didn’t adapt quickly enough to the situation and they got away from us.”There were no devils in the pitch and we just didn’t score enough runs. Middlesex outplayed us and we have no excuses, they deserved to win.”

Joe Root says it is “frightening” what England’s batting order could be capable of and believes any of the top six have the potential to score a double-hundred

Andrew McGlashan in Cardiff01-Jul-2016Joe Root says it is “frightening” what England’s batting order could be capable of and believes any of the top six have the potential to score a double-hundred in one-day internationals.England surged to a target of 308 in 40.1 overs at The Oval, their third 300-plus chase in the last 12 months, having only previously done it twice in history. Jason Roy hit 162 off 118 balls to lead the latest of a line of stirring batting displays – last summer against New Zealand they hunted down 350 at Trent Bridge, three matches after crossing 400 for the first time. They also scored 399 against South Africa in Bloemfontein.Post the 2015 World Cup – a tournament that has become a watermark in England’s one-day history after they exited miserably in the group stages – they have scored quicker than any other international team, cantering along at 6.33 runs per over with New Zealand in second position on 6.05. Root acknowledged a new challenge will come on the subcontinent when they face Bangladesh and India this winter, but there is a confidence surging through the team’s veins.Roy fell six runs short of setting a new high score for England in one-day cricket, but while Robin Smith’s 167 not out against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 retains its spot for now, it surely will not for much longer.”It’s remarkable to see the lads do it consistently,” Root said. “It’s what you want to see, guys getting in and breaking records and with what we had to come in afterwards as well, it is quite frightening what we could be capable of.”But it’s about being consistent and doing it more and more. I suppose that’s our challenge. We’ve got all this excitement and flair, ability and potential, but it’s about winning big trophies, big series, if we’re going to be serious about contending for Champions Trophies and World Cups.”Farveez Maharoof, the Sri Lanka allrounder, has been on the receiving end of the carnage, although his economy rate of 6.56 is far from the worst of the attack. He hadn’t played against England for nine years – having been part of the side that whitewashed them in 2006 – and acknowledged their new-found belief.”In my career, I’ve played a lot of games against England, this side has really good depth in batting especially,” he said. “That’s been the biggest difference, they are much more attacking than a few years back. They are on a good run. It’s a good team.”Root was at the other end for a considerable portion of Roy’s innings at The Oval – his second hundred in three matches after he and Alex Hales had added an unbeaten 256 at Edgbaston – during a second-wicket stand of 149 in 18 overs.”With 160 under his belt, not really looking like he was trying to hit every ball for four and six and still scoring as quickly as he was. That’s quite scary to see, isn’t it? It’s a great ‘scary’ as well. When you’re sat at the other end, there is no pressure on you.”You know the scoreboard is always going to be turning over, and the opposition is always under pressure. You can almost feel that atmosphere out in the middle, when you’re batting with him.”Sachin Tendulkar was the first man to break the 200 barrier in ODIs, against South Africa in Gwalior in 2010, and since then there have been another five doubles. As a guide to what is achievable, Roy was out for 162 in the 38th over of England’s innings; when Rohit Sharma made his world record score of 264 against Sri Lanka he reached three figures in the 32nd over of the innings and had 162 by the end of the 41st over.The six doubles have all been made by opening batsmen – hardly a surprising statistic – but Root believes England’s first double could come from a number of sources, even if he was a little more reserved about his own chances of reaching the milestone.”Definitely, there are a number of players in our team that would be capable of getting scores over that. I think anyone in the top six, really. I’m not sure I’d be able to score that quickly, but you never know. If one guy is getting near 200, we’re looking at a score of over 400 – which is what it’s about, really.”An England one-day side talking with expectation of double hundreds and scoring 400. For so long a nation lagging behind the rest of the world, they are now blazing their own trail.

Crystal Palace target Jack Clarke is reportedly edging closer to a new deal at Sunderland.

What’s the latest on Jack Clarke’s future?

According to TEAMtalk, the 22-year-old gem is set to be rewarded with an improved contract after a string of impressive performances.

This outlet revealed that the Eagles and Brentford have been 'making regular checks' on the winger.

The youngster’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2026, so even if terms cannot be agreed, the Black Cats will be in no rush to sell the coveted star, especially not for a cheap price.

Sunderland will also be resistant to offers as they will compete in the upcoming play-offs as they bid to make their awaited return to top-flight football.

Why does Crystal Palace want Jack Clarke?

The Yorkshire-born winger signed a professional contract with Leeds in 2017 and made his debut the following year in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

As a testament to his quality and talent, the prodigy joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 but was unable to make any appearances for the first team before he left Sunderland in the summer of 2022.

In Wearside, the attacker has become somewhat of a talisman and has evolved into one of the Championship’s most technically gifted and innovative players.

This campaign, the £9m-rated star has recorded 20 goal contributions in 45 Championship appearances. Clarke is the division’s joint-highest assister with 11, as well as creating 64 chances at a rate of 1.42 per 90, as per BBC Sport.

He has been the spearhead of a side that has enjoyed a tremendous late surge into the top six and will face Luton in the semi-finals.

Manager Tony Mowbray has showered the £17k-per-week star and said: “What nobody can deny is the talent he has when the ball is at his feet, how fast his feet are, and how wonderful a talent he is.”

A possible transfer for the 5 foot 11 technician could be crucial for CEO Steve Parish, with the club’s hierarchy still yet to ascertain the future of starman Wilfried Zaha. Currently, the long-serving sensation is set to depart southeast London as a free agent in a little over a month's time.

However, if the Ivory Coast international does depart, then Clarke could join Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Tyrick Mitchell, and Marc Guehi as the core future of the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

The Leeds United graduate has averaged 2.0 dribbles and 1.7 key passes per game, ranking similarly to Zaha, who has registered 2.1 and 1.0 for the same categories, albeit in a division below.

The signing of Clarke would herald a new era for Palace, who would be smart to try their utmost to deter him from signing a new deal at the Stadium of Light this summer.

The merits, or otherwise, of putting cricketers through military-style ‘boot camps’ have been debated at length over the years

Andrew Miller at Lord's14-Jul-2016The merits, or otherwise, of putting cricketers through military-style “boot camps” have been debated at length over the years. In 2010-11, James Anderson emerged from England’s camp in Bavaria with a broken rib, courtesy of a boxing match with the squad’s Terminator lookalike, Chris Tremlett.And four years prior to that, Shane Warne famously spat his dummy straight in the face of Australia’s then-coach, John Buchanan, after being subjected to three days in the Queensland jungle ahead of the 2006-07 Ashes. Midway through that trip (which led, coincidentally or otherwise, to a 5-0 series whitewash) he reportedly turned on his coach with the words: “I’m weak as piss, I hate your guts and I want to go home.”Only time (and, perhaps, a few reveal-all autobiographies) will tell how some of the less naturally compliant members of Pakistan’s Test squad have taken to the events of the past few months, in which their preparations for a seminal tour of England have included beastings at the country’s Military Academy at Abbottabad, as well as intensive skills and acclimatisation camps in both Lahore and Hampshire.But on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s, and in the captain’s maiden first-class innings on the most famous ground in England, Misbah-ul-Haq not only gave incontrovertible evidence of the benefits of such exhaustive preparations, he even displayed enough surplus energy to drop to his hands and knees after 154 balls of stereotypically frill-free accumulation, and reel off ten press-ups in tribute to the men who had helped make his innings possible.”That was my promise to the army guys,” Misbah said afterwards. “We did a camp in Abbottabad before the skill camp in Lahore, and we used to do an honour code every time, we just stepped into the ground and did ten push-ups. And I promised them, if ever I score a hundred, I will definitely do that to remind you that we were there.”He did admit, on the sly, that his drill sergeant might well have sent him back to do another set of ten, given that his arms were too bent first time around, but Misbah’s gleeful team-mates on the visitor’s balcony had no such qualms about the performance their skipper had just put in.At the age of 42 years and 47 days, and having had nothing but a diet of limited-overs cricket for Islamabad to sustain him since his victorious performances in their most recent Test series against England in November, Misbah confirmed the wisdom of his decision to stay at his country’s helm by leading from the front in the most inspirational manner possible.In so doing, he rolled back Father Time himself – who was watching benignly from the top of the Tavern stand clock – to enter the sort of rarefied atmosphere that players of his age, and in this era, are simply not meant to reach. Among his many accolades, he’s the oldest player to score a Test hundred since Patsy Hendren in 1934, and the oldest to do so at Lord’s since Jack Hobbs and Warren Bardsley traded scores in the 1926 Ashes Test.”Obviously when you are playing competitive cricket you don’t just think about your age,” he said, “but if you think you are [still] competitive you can take the challenge of playing that game. These records are always something special, and you are satisfied at getting these achievements, but the main thing is to perform for your team and country.”He did that to supreme effect, and acknowledged the latter with a subtle salute towards the pavilion as he shuffled down the pitch after bringing up his three figures. “That was for the flag,” he later confirmed. And, notwithstanding the loss of two late wickets that allowed England to regain a measure of parity of a fascinating first day, his tenth Test hundred has established the sort of platform, at 282 for 6, that could yet allow Pakistan’s talented crop of bowlers to thrive in the second innings.”Obviously you need at least 400, that’s what we are looking forward to,” Misbah said. “We have to work hard tomorrow, so if we can bat more than a session we could really give us a big advantage. Here at Lord’s, the average score is around 400 in the first innings, so that could give us something to put pressure on England.”Obviously, we worked really hard in terms of our fitness and skills, and in terms of acclimatising and coming here before [the start of the series],” he added. “All those aspects are really helping us. The batsmen are now adjusting to these conditions, they have got runs under their belts so they are confident, and now everyone is looking in good shape so that really helped us today.”Despite the intensity of their preparations, Pakistan’s batsmen didn’t all hit the ground running at the same speed – and it took a critical 148-run stand for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq to rescue their side from a post-lunch nadir of 134 for 4. Shafiq, who has been in promising form on the tour so far with scores of 80 and 69 not out in the first warm-up against Somerset, seemed set for a century until Chris Woakes’ disciplined line and waspish aggression caught him in two minds on 73.”It would have been really nice for us if Asad and me could have batted the whole day, but then they just came back into the game so there’s still a lot of hard work to do tomorrow,” said Misbah. “But Asad has been a star for us in the previous four or five years, he’s the top player at No. 6, scoring so many hundreds and scoring consistently. He’s a special player and I think in future Pakistan will be looking to him.”For the time being, however, Pakistan are looking no further than their leader, who will resume on the second morning on 110 not out, with a special place in history already confirmed following an innings that the man himself admitted was his best he has yet produced.”It’s a dream to play at Lord’s, and especially getting a hundred and my name on the honours board,” he said. “It’s something special, and a century is always satisfying for a cricketer, but I rate this innings at the top in Test cricket especially. I am really happy about that.”

Pundit Clinton Morrison has praised Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his display in their most recent game.

What's the latest on Man City vs Chelsea?

Essentially nothing beyond pride was on the line for either team as the Blues travelled way to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola's men wrapped up the title yesterday with Arsenal losing, and so the side with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules to their name enjoyed a guard of honour for Chelsea ahead of kick-off.

And much of the first half was played at the sort of pace you would expect from two teams will little on the line and this was reflected well by the opening goal.

Wesley Fofana misplaced a pass and City broke with purpose as Cole Palmer found Julian Alvarez who finished well when through on goal.

Chelsea came out in the second half and did well to keep themselves in the game and it seems Loftus-Cheek was one of the standouts.

Indeed, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, Morrison noted: "Chelsea are making a game of it in the second half. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been travelling well with the ball, he's so elegant when he carries it. Chelsea are definitely looking to get on the front foot a bit more."

How good was Ruben Loftus-Cheek vs Man City?

The intensity of the match as summed up well by Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp as he noted:

"There's a testimonial feel to the game.

"Man City players won't want to get injured and Chelsea just want this season over with now. It's been that bad for them."

But even so, Loftus-Cheek still put in a decent shift. Indeed, in his 81 minutes before being subbed, he showed quality on the ball with 24/26 (92% attempted passes, one out of one long balls attempted and lost the ball just three times from 36 touches.

On top of that, he battled hard for his team winning six of seven ground duels and was fouled three times too (via SofaScore).

All in all, it's fair to say the £120k-p/w midfielder was a rare bright spot in another drab day for the Blues.