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Arne Slot has come to the defence of Alexander Isak after the £125million ($167m) striker was quiet on his first Premier League start for Liverpool as the Reds were defeated for the first time this season by Crystal Palace. Head coach Slot defended the Swede as he continues to return to full fitness, following a performance which was distinctly below-par by the majority of the side.

Isak made first league start for Liverpool in Crystal Palace defeat

Isak made his first Premier League start for the Reds as they lost 2-1 at Selhurst Park. The 26-year-old played 84 minutes on his first league start since May, coming close to scoring on one occasion as he wriggled through a couple of challenges before sliding the ball wide under pressure.

Isak was ultimately replaced by teenager Rio Ngumoha late on with Hugo Ekitike unavailable due to suspension, following his second yellow card and resulting dismissal for taking his shirt off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Slot spoke to the press following the match and praised the Swede’s performance while explaining the decision to keep him on for almost the whole 90 minutes. He also justified his decision to start Florian Wirtz over Cody Gakpo, adding that he felt the first-half performance did not go to plan and so he made changes at the break.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportIsak project yet to be in full flow after deadline-day move

Isak and his eventual move to Anfield was no doubt the story of the summer, dividing much of the public opinion and beginning a conversation over the dangers of player power in modern football.

Due to the nature of his summer move, Isak did not partake in pre-season with Newcastle United as he opted to train alone at old club Real Sociedad rather than go away on the Magpies’ summer tour.

Finally getting his dream transfer to Liverpool on deadline day, Isak has had to work hard to catch up on his fitness levels – including doing sprints at half-time before he was withdrawn against Southampton. He had earlier opened his Reds account with a smart finish in the first half.

Starting in the league in a tough fixture at Palace was a significant step, as expressed by Slot, and Isak will hope that he can return to his unstoppable best in his new colours in the coming weeks.

Slot speaks on Isak following defeat at Palace

Slot said: “Isak playing 84 minutes had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game.

"If you face a low block, 10 players in and around their own 18-yard box and when they have to do a build-up they take a while with hardly any intensity.

“In a more open game where you have to run a lot as a nine, then you might not play him for 84, but this was a game in which it was a low block with some bursts of counter-attacks.

“He was close to a goal, very honest to stay on his feet, got a little bit of a shirt pull and that’s why he was unbalanced when he shot. So that was maybe just enough, smart little push to get him unbalanced. He didn’t score but it was quite a good performance.

Speaking on his selection, Slot added: “We wanted to overload the midfield with Wirtz in the first half which is why we didn’t start with Cody.

“But if you’re 1-0 down and need a goal you prefer to have width both sides and that’s why we brought on Cody. That’s why we brought on more attacking players and took a risk. The way we played first half wasn’t what I was hoping for before the game."

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Getty/GOALIsak and Ekitike could provide formidable strike-force this season

Ekitike will be back in contention for the Reds’ crunch clashes against Galatasaray and Chelsea next week, as the champions look to bounce back from their 97th-minute heartbreak at the hands of Eddie Nketiah on Saturday. It may be a case of Ekitike and Isak starting one match each, or Slot may decide to use Isak as a substitute as he continues to work on his fitness. 

The one thing which is for sure is that the Dutchman has two top-quality strikers to choose from, both of whom will no doubt have a key role to play as the Reds hope to challenge on all fronts this season.

Ireland went toe-to-toe for most of the chase but lost the last four wickets in their last ten deliveries

Sreshth Shah14-Feb-2025Brian Bennett delivered a Valentine Day’s gift to all the cricket lovers at Harare Sports Club with a sublime 169 to set up Zimbabwe’s 49-run win in the first ODI against Ireland on Friday.Promoted to opener for the first time in ODI cricket, Bennett struck 56.52% of Zimbabwe’s total to give Ireland a target of 300 to chase. Along the way, he also became the fourth-youngest to score 150-plus in a men’s ODI and posted the fifth-highest ODI score by a Zimbabwe men’s batter.The target, though, on a docile surface, was quite gettable, and Ireland went toe-to-toe for most of the chase. But they ran out of wickets – including four dismissals in their last ten deliveries of their innings – to fold for 250. Blessing Muzarabani (4 for 51) and Richard Ngarava (3 for 56) shared seven wickets, and Zimbabwe arrested their four-match losing streak to take the hosts 1-0 up.A 9.30am start with rain in the air, and Harare historically favouring chasing sides, Ireland captain Paul Stirling made the logical call of bowling first. But Josh Little, the left-arm swing bowler, had a rough return to the ODI line-up as he conceded 35 runs in his first three overs. Bennett was the chief aggressor, pumping him for six fours in his first three overs, while Ben Curran carved another couple. He would eventually finish on 1 for 75 in nine overs with an economy of 8.33, conceding 11 fours and five wides in all.The prolific start, and the lack of incision from the Ireland new-ball bowlers, allowed the Zimbabwe opening partnership to grow. They put on 95 for the first wicket before offspinner Andy McBrine (1 for 53) broke the stand.There was no respite, though, as Bennett and the No. 3 Craig Ervine then added 136 in 134 balls in a second-wicket stand that was constructed masterfully. They were watchful through the middle overs with some turn in the pitch and the pair of Matthew Humphreys and McBrine appeared to strangle the pair.Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett added 136 off 134 balls•Zimbabwe CricketWhile Bennett took an affinity towards point, extra cover, deep midwicket and deep square leg with his 20 fours and three sixes, Ervine was more adventurous by moving across and trying to find empty pockets over fine leg. As the stand grew and Zimbabwe’s run-rate got a boost, Bennett too played with the Ireland bowlers by using the width of his crease to create boundary-scoring opportunities.The pair capitalised on three dropped catches and one missed stumping to bring up Zimbabwe’s 200 in the 38th over, and a big target was very much on before Ervine fell against the run of play to medium-pacer Graham Hume in the 41st over. Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere, though, failed to keep the momentum up, and the big shots came from only Bennett’s end in the final ten. After batting for 216 minutes, Bennett perished in the final over trying to find a big shot, and his effort ensured Zimbabwe finished on 299 for 5.”I was pushing them for a while to get up [to open], and happy to get that opportunity,” Bennett said after the game. “I just wanted to watch the ball and hit the ball. It’s a very good sign, and I hope to do that again on Sunday. I wanted to take it deep as one of the set batters among the top four.”The chase began inauspiciously for Ireland as Andrew Balbirnie was caught behind off Ngarava in the first ball but the rest of Ireland’s batting unit showed enough promise that the chase could be pulled off, only to lose their wicket when the tide appeared to turn. Stirling was deceived by a Muzarabani short ball to fall for 32, Curtis Campher edged a wide ball from Raza to the keeper on 44, Harry Tector scooped Madhevere to fine leg on 39 and Lorcan Tucker inside-edged Muzarabani onto his stumps on 31.At 169 for 6 in 35.2 overs, Ireland’s chase appeared to lose its fizz, but an eighth-wicket stand of 73 in 9.1 overs between George Dockrell (34) and McBrine (36) brought life into the game and started to make the home crowd nervous.However, Ervine turned to Muzarabani for the 45th over, and he picked off both set batters in the space of four balls, and Ngarava wrapped up the tail in the 46th for a tame finish to a high-octane game.”We gave Bennett a chance or two and he made us pay,” Stirling said after the defeat. “We were rusty [in the field] when we shouldn’t have been. I felt 50 runs was the difference between the two sides and the result reflects that. [A target of] 300 was chaseable, and at 30 overs we were in the hunt. But we lost our way. We bat pretty deep and hopefully we do well with the bat next game.”

The international break has come at the best time for Russell Martin as tensions are bubbling at Glasgow Rangers due to their lacklustre start to the season. The Gers currently sit in 7th after drawing all four of their opening Scottish Premiership games.

The bigger source of strife for Martin is Rangers’ failure to qualify for the Champions League after being dumped out of the qualification round by Club Brugge 9-1 on aggregate.

The last game before the international break, despite being a 0-0 draw, was the first sign of things potentially improving for Martin. Following the 6-0 second leg defeat to Brugge, managing to be the first Scottish Premiership team to avoid defeat against Celtic looks to be something of an, albeit small, step in the right direction.

Rangers are hoping that the signing of a former Champions League winner may help capitalise on this result and turn around their poor start to the season.

Martin looking to bring in Champions League winner ahead of Europa League campaign

Rangers and the 49ers Enterprises are thought to be eyeing a move to sign ex-Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The former England midfielder is available as a free agent following his contract being terminated by the Turkish side Besiktas, where he spent the last two seasons, and according to TBR Football, Rangers are considering a move to sign the free agent.

As a free agent, Oxlade-Chamberlain can be signed immediately, but Rangers will face some tough competition to sign him as he has attracted attention from Premier League sides Leeds, Everton, Burnley and Brentford, as well as ambitious Championship side Birmingham City.

Rangers may be able to tempt Oxlade-Chamberlain to join them over these other suitors with European football. Rangers will start their Europa League campaign later this month as they face Genk, and another season in Europe may make Rangers a more appealing destination than the other clubs.

There are reports indicating other interested clubs on the continent, but it is as yet unclear whether or not these are Champions League teams, and it had been previously reported that Oxlade-Chamberlain, a Champions League winner at Anfield, was looking for a move back to the UK.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is a "great player" who can turn round Martin's fortunes

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal in 2011, and he arrived alongside current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The pair played together on 73 occasions, and after their time together at Arsenal, Arteta had a lot of praise for Oxlade-Chamberlain:

A player with European experience who has a history of being popular among the fans at the clubs he’s served at may be the perfect signing for Martin. Not only would he be a great addition to the squad, but his character and CV might tide unsettled fans over until he can find a way to get some better results.

Liverpool target Marc Guehi has been told he could join Real Madrid as the Crystal Palace captain prepares to discuss a free transfer away from Selhurst Park. The England defender was set to join Liverpool in the summer before a move collapsed. Instead of sulking, the 25-year-old has delivered his best football yet, spearheading Palace’s record-breaking run under Oliver Glasner.

Guehi central to Palace form

Palace are unrecognisable from the club that once clung to Premier League survival, flying under Glasner. Nineteen games unbeaten in all competitions, the longest run in their history, has brought silverware in both the FA Cup and Community Shield, and now a first taste of European glory. On Thursday, the Eagles marked their continental debut in style, swatting aside Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 away from home in the Conference League.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHargreaves hails a 'dream' defender

Former England and Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves couldn’t contain his admiration for Guehi while analysing Palace’s latest European triumph on

"He’s a fabulous player but he’s probably even as nice a lad as he is a player," Hargreaves said. "The way he handled that situation, he could’ve thrown his toys out of the pram like some others players did, and got their move but he has been the ultimate professional. He knows he is the captain of the football club, they’ve helped him, and he will get his move probably at the end of the season and he could probably go anywhere…Real Madrid."

He added: "[Guehi is] a dream. On the ball he’s really good, he can defend really well. He’s only 25. He’s the oldest 25-year-old I’ve ever seen because he’s so level-headed. He’s so composed and so reliable."

Guehi puts summer transfer saga behind him

It’s Guehi's maturity, combined with his leadership at Selhurst Park, that has Europe’s elite circling. Liverpool may regret not closing the deal when they had the chance, with Real Madrid potentially ready to pounce when Guehi’s contract winds down. Guehi’s former Palace colleague Joel Ward added his voice, applauding the defender’s mindset.

"What happened in the summer is in the past," Ward said. "I think, for me, one of Marc's biggest strengths is the way in which he handles situations. He’s got such a great support network around him in his family."

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Getty Images SportPalace emerge as surprise package

Palace sit second in the Premier League table, the only unbeaten side left in the division. While Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City grab headlines, Glasner’s team have quietly become the story of the season. With Everton next up on Sunday, the Eagles are out to extend their streak and keep the pressure on the league’s big guns.

Yorkshire show fight but chase of 148 never enough to fully test home side

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Apr-2025Hampshire 249 (Brown 49*, Hill 3-36) and 148 for 5 (Prest 57) beat Yorkshire 121 (Dawson 3-8, Abbott 3-42) and 275 (Lyth 106, Bairstow 56, Wheal 4-56) by five wicketsThe Ben Brown era as Hampshire captain began with a five-wicket Rothesay County Championship win over newly promoted Yorkshire.Brown took over from James Vince as the club skipper – who had led the side to a second-placed finish last season – and was given a few anxious moments during their chase of 148.Yorkshire had been behind the eight-ball since they being bowled out for 121 on the first day but Adam Lyth ground out 106 to give them hope of a sensational turnaround victory. Jack White and Dom Bess’s two wickets left Hampshire sweating on 86 for 4, but Tom Prest eased the worries with a bullish 57 to take his side towards the win with Liam Dawson.It meant Hampshire’s fresh start without Vince and influential fast bowler Mo Abbas began with 19 points, while the visitors – with their new-look leadership team of Jonny Bairstow and Anthony McGrath – took three points from the contest.Hampshire began the day with the dream of taking four quick wickets, a short chase of less than 100 and getting home in time for . The route to victory didn’t quite follow that script, with Lyth stoutly compiling runs with some brave, defensive tail-end batting.Lyth had taken 123 balls to strike his first boundary of the innings, but started day three with a luscious straight drive for four – it marked a gear shift from his overnight 56 off 192 balls, accelerating with 49 runs off 83 on day three.He found a willing partner in nightwatcher Ben Cliff – who had suffered an injury earlier in the match which prevented him from bowling. Cliff stuck around for 78 balls, adding 42 with Lyth, before Kyle Abbott found his outside edge during the first over with the second new ball.It didn’t blow Yorkshire open. Dom Bess blocked out for 16 balls before Abbott sent his off stump cartwheeling from the 17th, before Ben Coad hung firm for nine off 46 balls.But the main contributor was the experienced Lyth. The 37-year-old went to a 38th first-class century in 263 balls – four short of his slowest. He brought it up with a firm back-foot drive to the boundary and quickly celebrated with two arms akimbo, before a series of fist pumps. He is Yorkshire’s 11th all-time leading red-ball century-maker.New Zealander Brett Hampton ended Hampshire’s toil. Firstly, he got one to bounce on Coad, who edged behind, before Lyth skied straight up in the air.Initially, Hampshire strode towards the winning post, with Fletcha Middleton and Mark Stoneman putting on 47 in 14 overs, but things went south.Stoneman got frustrated, having been dropped, after only scoring 11 in an hour and attempted to attack Bess, and was bowled. Nick Gubbins was struck plumb in front on the back pad, Toby Albert edged behind – both falling to White – and Middleton’s 38, which also saw him dropped, was ended when Bess had him lbw.Four wickets had been lost for 40 runs, and at tea 62 runs were still required.Prest got the bit between his teeth and refused to bow to the pressure by trying to knock the runs off swiftly, although he was also put down. His sixth 50-plus score in first-class cricket came in 64 balls, a ball before reaching a half-century stand with Dawson. Prest was bowled to give Bess a third with the scores level, ending a 61-run stand – before Brown came in to score the winning run to delight a sun-kissed Utilita Bowl crowd.

In what could end in a major blow for rivals Manchester United, Liverpool are now reportedly keeping tabs on a transfer target that Ruben Amorim is desperate to sign.

Slot defends Wirtz andLiverpool spending

Despite getting off to a solid start in their Premier League title defence, Arne Slot has been forced to defend big-money signing Florian Wirtz. The German is taking longer than some expected to find his feet at Anfield and the patience of those in the Premier League is far thinner than those in the Bundesliga.

However, the Liverpool boss was quick to remind reporters that the former Bayer Leverkusen star isn’t the only one to struggle when it comes to goals and assists.

Aside from the frustrating criticism, it’s good news for Liverpool that their results have remained the same even without Wirtz at his best. It begs the question of just how ruthless they’ll be once he’s up to speed in England’s top flight.

Slot also defended Liverpool’s spending as a whole, arguing that his side also generated impressive funds through player sales. He told reporters: “No club never sells and only buys. We didn’t have a big squad last season and [this summer] we did sell and bring players in. That is such an exception in English football.”

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Those sales may yet allow those at Anfield to spend once more in 2026, and that should concern Manchester United amid reports that Liverpool are eyeing one of their “key” targets next year.

Liverpool keeping tabs on Baleba

As reported by TeamTalk’s Dean Jones, Liverpool are now keeping tabs on Carlos Baleba, who remains a “key” Man United target and someone that Amorim is desperate to sign next summer. The Red Devils were, of course, priced out of a move by Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, but Liverpool are unlikely to face issues meeting the midfielder’s likely £100m price tag.

Jones told TeamTalk: “Manchester United were the first club to make a move for Baleba in the summer and they still see him as a key target for their long-term rebuild under Amorim.

“There was intent behind that approach, wanting to show the player and club how serious they are. But the concern is that Liverpool’s admiration could turn into something more concrete.

“They’ve already shown this year they’re not afraid to splash out big money on the right player, and if they decided to push for Baleba, United would suddenly find themselves in an unwanted situation. No one wants to go head-to-head with Liverpool – on or off the pitch.”

A move for the Brighton star would also make a lot of sense for Liverpool. Now that Slot operates with a double pivot at the heart of midfield, there’s not many Premier League partnerships that would be able to outperform Ryan Gravenberch and Baleba.

GOAL ranks the top soccer players from each of the country's four regions, including USMNT players both past and present

From Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to Brian McBride and Christian Pulisic, decades of groundwork have given rise to great American soccer players. With the 2026 World Cup less than nine months away, the United States has steadily progressed into a genuine force in the global soccer scene. 

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? And who were some of the top players from those soccer-rich states that didn't make the cut in the top of three, given the stiff competition?

GOAL ranked the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states, and now ranks the best from each region.

STATE RANKINGS: Northeast | South | Midwest | West

Getty ImagesNortheast: Christian Pulisic

Hometown: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Clubs played for: Dortmund, Chelsea, AC Milan

USMNT caps: 80

Why he's No. 1: The East is arguably America's premier soccer region when it comes to producing talent. From legendary players such as Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore to Bruce Arena, a Hall of Fame manager, the region is stacked. What sets Pulisic apart is his unprecedented club success in Europe. 

He is the face of AC Milan, traditionally one of Europe's top six clubs, and he's the only player U.S. player to win the Champions League. While his USMNT legacy might not be as strong as some of the legends, his talent is undeniable. As analyst and former USMNT star Stu Holden once said, success seems inevitable for the 27-year-old. 

"I think he'll go down as the best U.S. Soccer player by the time he's done, and he might be already in terms of what he's achieved on the club level," Holden told GOAL. "Talent alone, he will be the best U.S. Soccer player of all-time." 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidwest: Brian McBride

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Clubs played for: Wolfsburg, Columbus Crew, Preston North End, Everton, Fulham, Chicago Fire 

USMNT caps: 96

Why he's No. 1: The race for best player in the Midwest involves three players: Brian McBride, Tim Ream, and Cobi Jones. While Jones is widely considered to be a top-five all-time USMNT player, Ream has also had long-term success, largely in England's second division, and a late career breakout.

But ultimately, it's McBride, who is neck and neck with Altidore as the best striker in national team history. 

McBride was a revolutionary talent for the USMNT, playing in three World Cups and becoming the first American to score in two tournaments. On the club level, it's hard to imagine Pulisic or Clint Dempsey being entrusted to be the faces of European clubs without McBride blazing the trail.

He is the first American with back-to-back double-digit scoring seasons, accomplishing that in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns for Fulham. The striker's work rate and role in keeping Fulham in England's top flight during his five seasons for the club elevated him to iconic status – he even had a bar named after him at Craven Cottage.

Getty Images SportSouth: Clint Dempsey

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

Clubs played for: New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham 

USMNT caps: 141

Why he's No. 1: Clint Dempsey's path to success wasn't always easy. He grew up in a small town, 140 miles from Houston. Dempsey famously mentioned if it wasn't for his parents driving hours at time to attend camps and practices, he wouldn't have been a professional player. Thankfully for U.S. fans, they did. 

Dempsey wasn't fleet of foot, didn't have a locked-in position, and wasn't necessarily prolific at any particular skill, but as Arena famously once said "He tries sh*t." The Texan was gritty, relentless, and persistently had a chip on his shoulder that helped him to defy the odds. 

He once famously used criticism from then-manager Roy Hodgson as motivation to help Fulham – traditionally one of European soccer's smallest clubs – stun Italian powerhouse Juventus in the Europa League with arguably the best goal scored by an American on the continent.

The goal, a lobbed chip, had no business going in. But it did. In many ways, that moment was symbolic of Dempsey's career. He also had incredible success on the national team, winning three Gold Cups. He is on the short list of America's greatest soccer players. 

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AFPWest: Landon Donovan

Hometown: Ontario, California

Clubs played for: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, Leon

USMNT caps: 157

Why he's No. 1: Dempsey has a case. So does Pulisic. But in the end, Donovan is the best player in American soccer history, due to his consistent success on the national team level, paired with his dominance in MLS. At the peak of his powers, Donovan was the face of U.S. Soccer, a box office draw that put fans in seats.

He is tied with Dempsey for all-time national goals with 57 and holds the record for assists with 58 – the next closest is Michael Bradley with 22. Donovan had a way of delivering in key moments for the U.S., from the Go Go USA goal against Algeria to a being a consistent thorn in Mexico's side over nearly two decades. 

Yes, there's an argument that he should have tested himself more on the global stage, instead choosing to stay in MLS while others continually played in Europe. And he frustrated some with his decision to retire from international soccer, and then try to play in the 2014 World Cup.

But ultimately, he is the closest thing the U.S. had to a world-class outfield player – with Pulisic still in contention to take that title. 

Australian opener extends strong run of form as Bohannon, Hurst provide support

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-May-2025Marcus Harris made his second century of the season to help Lancashire dominate the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship match against Gloucestershire.The former Australia opener also became the first batter to pass fifty five times in his first seven innings in first-class cricket for the county and finished on 165 not out with Lancashire on 342 for five after opting to bat first on what now appears an easy-paced pitch.Such an outcome looked unlikely after the impressive Ajeet Singh Dale had taken two wickets in his first ten balls to leave the home side on 23 for two but Harris shared partnerships of 98 with Josh Bohannon and 212 with Matty Hurst, who was caught behind by James Bracey off Zaman Akhter for 78 three overs before the close.Nevertheless, Lancashire are well placed in this match between two teams who have yet to win a match this season. During his innings, Harris became the leading run-scorer in the country in either division and will go into the second day’s play with a total of 559 runs against his name this season.Yet Gloucestershire’s bowlers had dominated the first hour of the day and Singh Dale reinforced his growing reputation by bowling George Bell via body, pad and boot for 10 with his second delivery and having Keaton Jennings caught by Cameron Bancroft at second slip for four in his next overThat left Lancashire on 23 for two but after some early uncertainty Bohannon and Harris played with growing fluency and took their side to 79 for two at lunch after 28 overs, 50 of those runs having been scored in the second hour of the session.On the resumption Bohannon cruised smoothly to his half-century in 96 balls with seven fours but he was then leg before wicket to Ollie Price for 56 when he misjudged the length of an off-spinner he attempted to pull.Although that wicket ended a productive 98-run third-wicket stand, Hurst played himself in with little fuss as the wicket eased. He gave Harris excellent support and Lancashire reached tea on 189 for three with Harris unbeaten on 90 after a session in which the Gloucestershire captain, Cameron Bancroft, had rotated his bowlers frequently, albeit to limited effect.Having reached his half-century off 106 balls, Harris hit three fours off the next six deliveries and that set the tone for his second fifty. He reached his century shortly after tea with a single off Tom Price after facing 176 balls and hitting 11 fours and the six over long-on off Ollie Price that took him to 99.The evening session served merely to underline Lancashire’s dominance. Hurst reached his fifty off 98 balls and Harris took only 47 deliveries to get from 100 to 150, a picked-up six over square leg off Josh Shaw epitomising his dominance.At that point, Shaw might well have looked back with some feeling to the 14th over of the day when Harris had tried to let the ball go but only succeeded in involuntarily inside-edging it to the fine leg boundary.Singh Dale was the pick of the Gloucestershire attack but this was a day on which loose shots either didn’t find the edge or go to hand and Bancroft will hope that his batsmen can reply in kind on the second and third days of this game.First, though, he must try to prevent Lancashire collecting four batting points for the first time this season and Akhter’s late success in claiming Hurst’s wicket when the batsman appeared to pull out of a hook was a considerable fillip, especially as it was followed four balls later by a delicious yorker which castled nightwatchman Saqib Mahmood for four.Akhter’s late strikes left him with figures of two for 68 while Singh Dale finished with two for 36 from 15 tight overs.

There has been a twist in Rangers' manager hunt as Steven Gerrard has once again emerged as favourite to take charge at Ibrox Stadium, days after he pulled out of the race for the head coach's role. After Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin earlier this month, Gerrard was poised to return to Glasgow and he even held talks with the club hierarchy, but he later withdrew his name.

Gerrard pulled out after holding talks with Rangers officials

After a disastrous start to the 2025-26 campaign, which saw Rangers winning one out of their first seven Premiership matches, the Scottish giants parted ways with ex-MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton manager Martin, only a few months after he took charge at Ibrox. Martin, who was once considered to be a perfect fit at the club due to his ball-playing philosophy, quickly fell out of favour with the fans once the new season started. The fans wanted the manager out of the club after just one month in charge, as in September, they had publicly showcased their opposition by unfurling banners at Ibrox, displaying their wish to see the coach leave the club.   

Rangers' 1-1 draw with Falkirk just before the international break proved to be the last straw as the 39-year-old English coach was shown the door. Soon after Martin's departure, Liverpool icon Gerrard emerged as the favourite candidate to take charge of the club and return to Glasgow after four years. He even flew down from the Middle East to hold talks with Rangers officials and was in advanced talks, only to later withdraw his name from the race as he felt that the time was not right to return to football management. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGerrard back to being favourite to manager Rangers

Days after turning down the offer, Gerrard has reemerged as the favourite to take charge of Rangers. According to , the former England star has become the bookie's favourite to manage the Gers. , however, also claims that despite being the bookie's favourite, Gerrard is unlikely to be in contention any more and he has already flown back to Bahrain. On Wednesday morning, Gerrard's odds were as high as 20/1 with William Hill. 

Spokesperson of William Hill, John Hill, told : "Despite ruling himself out of the job just a few days ago, Steven Gerrard has been heavily backed in our next Rangers manager market this morning. Gerrard is now just evens to return to Ibrox for a second spell in charge."

Premier League legend has encouraged Gerrard to take Rangers job

Amid the drama over Rangers' manager hunt, Premier League and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer shared advice for Gerrard as he urged the Reds icon to ignore the football cliche. 

In a chat with , Shearer said: "I don't know Steven's tax situation with him being back in the UK and he can only answer that. There is that 'never go back' saying but if he wants to get back to management, he knows what it's like up there, he's done it and been successful before. He's a huge name in football. I don't think Celtic are that great either. Hearts are top of the SPFL at the moment so that tells you that Celtic aren't a great team either. Steven, or whoever goes into that role may fancy their chances and say it's worth the opportunity and worth going up there to compete. Rangers are miles off it at the minute and it's no surprise that Russell lost his job. The fans were going mad up there and it's not nice to see because of the human behind it and at the end of it. That's what you have to think of but you also know the score when you go into management – if you don't win games, you'll get sacked. The Rangers job will be a brilliant one for whoever takes over."

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Getty Images SportWho will become Rangers' next boss?

Per SunSport, former Gers star Kevin Muscat is tipped to become the next Rangers head coach. The Australian, who played for the Scottish giants in the early 2000s for a year, is poised to make a comeback after more than two decades. Former Manchester United coaches Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are also among the contenders to take charge at Ibrox, although Muscat remains the favourite.   

Fifth-wicket stand of 154 in 77 overs follows 45 for 4 on third evening after Yorkshire set 520 target

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 12-May-2025Matt Critchley and Michael Pepper knuckled down for a monumental fifth-wicket stand of 154 in 77 overs to steer Essex to the unlikeliest of Rothesay County Championship draws against Yorkshire at Chelmsford.The pair came together in the depths of despair at 45 for 4 on the third evening and batted for four-and-a-half hours together, spanning 458 balls, and looking to have made it through two complete sessions on the final day. Pepper, though, fell to the last ball before tea after a 229-ball 68 that included five fours and two sixes.Critchley followed after the interval for 75 from 246 balls as Yorkshire scented their second win of the season with three wickets in 21 balls. However, last-wicket pair Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter saw out the final 38 minutes and 82 balls to prevent a second successive defeat.George Hill dismissed both batters to return career-best match figures of 9 for 82, supported by Jack White’s season’s best 4 for 43, but to no avail as Yorkshire toiled in vain for one more wicket.The target of 520, with 456 still nominally required at the start of day four, was always going to be beyond Essex’s compass and it became more a case of settling in to save face.As a sign of what had been anticipated, the Essex flag was flying upside down on its pole beside the pavilion as if in surrender. The plans for survival, however, were set out from the start as Pepper and Critchley blocked and blocked with little alarm. It was not until the 20th ball of the day that they moved off their overnight 64 for 4 when Critchley angled a Ben Coad delivery wide of the slips for 10 third boundaries. They were the only runs scored in the first half-an-hour’s play.Indeed, it was only the introduction of Hill after 35 minutes that had the usually flamboyant Pepper opening his morning’s account, turning the ball down to fine leg for a single.The first sign of serious aggression came when Critchley hooked Matty Revis so firmly that the square-leg umpire had to take evasive action as it sped to the boundary. Revis attempted a short-ball barrage at Pepper and it nearly came off when the Essex batter gloved one up and over Jonny Bairstow’s head behind the stumps.Pepper broke out of his self-imposed shackles by sweeping Dom Bess for one six and adding a second over long leg. In between, he survived a difficult chance off an uppish drive past mid-on.Reprieved, Pepper scampered the single soon after lunch that took him to a 155-ball fifty followed quickly by the century stand that ate up 51 overs. Critchley’s fifty was more circumspect, reached with another four guided down to third from his 190th ball faced.Yorkshire’s hopes seemed to hinge on the second new-ball, but they failed to make it count immediately and Bess was recalled to the attack after nine fruitless overs. However, to the final ball of the 13th over with it, on the cusp of tea, Pepper was caught leaning into a Hill delivery and departed lbw.Noah Thain lasted 15 balls before he was bowled through the gate by Bess and Critchley’s marathon innings ended when he got the faintest of tickles to Hill and was caught behind.Shane Snater held out for 32 balls without scoring before he fell lbw to White. Kasun Rajitha’s 21 came off 40 balls before he played down the wrong line and was bowled by Dan Moriarty. But then Porter came in to join Harmer and thwart Yorkshire.