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The draw at Adelaide Oval, where West Indies had the better of the match, has injected some much-needed spark into Australia’s home summer

Brydon Coverdale in Perth 15-Dec-2009Match factsDecember 16-20, 2009
Start time 10.30am (02.30 GMT)Mitchell Johnson picked up 11 wickets the last time he played a Test at the WACA•Getty ImagesBig PictureAustralia versus West Indies at the WACA. It’s the sort of fixture that once upon a time had fans salivating at the prospect of a fearsome Caribbean pace attack thundering in on arguably the world’s fastest pitch. Sadly, there isn’t as much interest in the contest this year but that shouldn’t hide the fact that this is a vitally important Test for both teams. The draw at Adelaide Oval, where West Indies had the better of the match, has injected some much-needed spark into Australia’s home summer.Australia have already retained the Frank Worrell Trophy but at 1-0 up in the three-match series and heading to a venue where they have won one of their past four Tests, they will need to work hard to ensure the series isn’t drawn. Such has been the dominance of Australian teams and the decline of West Indies cricket over recent years that a 1-1 result at home would unquestionably be seen as a major failure for Ricky Ponting’s men. But they were in the same situation last year in the Caribbean and went on to take the series 2-0.The task for West Indies is to prove that Adelaide wasn’t a one-off. West Indies fans have seen enough up-and-down results to know that a strong performance one week won’t necessarily mean a repeat the following week. At least all the signs are positive. Senior men such as Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo stood up in Adelaide and newer players like Sulieman Benn and Kemar Roach added some zest to the bowling effort.But the bottom line is that the Adelaide Test was a draw, a point that Brad Haddin made tersely on Monday when asked if Australia were viewing West Indies differently following their better showing in the second Test. It means that in order for Gayle’s men to level the series they will need to become the first West Indies side to win a Test in Australia since 1996-97. If that happens, Australia will not only alter their view of West Indies but the cricket world will look at Ponting’s team differently.Form guide (last five Tests, most recent first)Australia – DWLWD
West Indies – DLLLL
Watch out forMitchell Johnson hasn’t played a game for Western Australia since switching from Queensland last year. But he does enjoy any chance he gets to bowl at what is theoretically his home ground, the WACA, where in two Tests he has 16 wickets at 18.93. He was advised by Dennis Lillee that a straighter line was the best option at the venue, to make the batsmen play, and it helped him pick up 11 wickets in a brutal performance against South Africa last season.Kemar Roach’s name has been mentioned plenty of times in the lead-up to the WACA Test. He regularly hit the low 150kph region in Adelaide, so how will he fare if the Perth surface has pace and carry? The Australians feel they played him well last week and are keen to talk him down; the West Indies captain Chris Gayle has spoken of how hard Roach will be to handle at the WACA. Will he fall for the trap of bowling too short, or will the advice of the team manager Joel Garner help him master the surface? The answer could go a long way to determining the outcome of this Test.Team newsAustralia will have a debutant in Clint McKay after Peter Siddle failed to overcome a strain to his left hamstring that troubled him during the Adelaide Test. Siddle had a lengthy bowl in the nets on Monday but sent down only a few deliveries on Tuesday before being ruled out. Brett Geeves is also in the squad and is expected to be 12th man. However, Nathan Hauritz was hit on a finger during training and the team is considering calling for spinning cover, although he did bowl after sustaining the injury.Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Hauritz, 10 Clint McKay, 11 Doug Bollinger.Despite a week in between Tests, West Indies also have some severe problems, with the batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Adrian Barath unlikely starters. Chanderpaul picked up a finger injury in Adelaide and Barath hurt his hamstring, and Gayle said neither of them looked good at training on Tuesday. Travis Dowlin will be the one to step in to open if Barath doesn’t make it, while Narsingh Deonarine is preparing to bat in Chanderpaul’s place.West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Travis Dowlin, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Narsingh Deonarine, 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Brendan Nash, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Sulieman Benn, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Kemar Roach.Pitch and conditionsEvery year in recent times the WACA pitch has been talked up prior to the Test as being a throwback to the fast and bouncy Perth surfaces of the 1980s. Every year, the pitch fails to live up to the hype. Two seasons ago Australia were sucked in to playing Shaun Tait in a four-man pace attack. It didn’t work. Last summer, Ponting complained that the venue had lost its unique character. Will the WACA live up to its quick reputation this year? Hot weather in the lead-up has at least given the surface a chance to bake, but don’t expect either side to go in without a spinner. The forecast for the next five days in Perth is mostly sunny, with temperatures creeping up to 37 degrees on Saturday.Stats and Trivia Australia and West Indies have met in six Perth Tests for five West Indies wins; the only Australian victory came in the most recent game in 2000-01 Australia have lost their past two Tests at the WACA. The previous time Australia lost two consecutive Tests at a home venue was in 1985-86 and 1986-87, when they went down to New Zealand and England at the GabbaRamnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are the only members of the West Indies team to have played a Test in Perth; Sarwan scored 2 and 1, and Chanderpaul made 3Quotes”If the WACA ground pitch is anything like the Perth of my younger days, I think they’ll struggle like they struggled in Brisbane during the first Test.”
“I’m fairly confident with the way we’ve been training and practising over the last week or so, coming out of the Test match, it augurs well for us. What we have to do is be positive.”
, the West Indies manager

Abul Hasan, in a superb all-round display, guided Bangladesh Under-19 to a thrilling one-wicket win against Zimbabwe Under-19 in Khulna

Cricinfo staff14-Nov-2009
Scorecard
Abul Hasan, in a superb all-round display, guided Bangladesh to a thrilling one-wicket win against Zimbabwe in Khulna, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. The game was settled in the 47th over, but Bangladesh, it appeared, were out of contention when they lost their ninth wicket for 170, still 24 short of victory. However Abul approached the task at hand with aggression, striking five fours in his unbeaten 22, to ease the pressure off his partner Kamrul Islam, who faced just two deliveries in the 25-run stand. The target of 194 was achieved also due to a lower-order recovery led by Noor Hossain’s 65 and Alauddin Babu’s 34-ball 30.The win undid a fine effort from Zimbabwe’s opening bowler Tendai Chitara, who grabbed 4 for 35, to blow away the Bangladesh top order. Offspinner Simon Mugava supported him with 3 for 31, and left the home team reeling at 47 for 6. But Noor added 76 with Tasamul Haque (26) and a further 31 with Babu. In a see-saw game, Zimbabwe were favourites when the ninth wicket fell but Abul crushed their hopes.Abul was also the chief wrecker in the Zimbabwe innings, grabbing 5 for 26 to bowl out the opposition for a below-par score. Not that Zimbabwe were spineless; each of their top five got to double-digits but were unable their scores into anything substantial. Dean Mazhawidza (42) and Mazvita Zambuko (39) added 67 for the third wicket and helped take their team to a comfortable position at 171 for 4. But the rest of the line-up crumbled; Zimbabwe lost their last six wickets for 22, proving crucial in the outcome.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Daniel Vettori’s innings panned more deliveries than any New Zealand batsman this Test•Associated Press

Sri Lanka were expected to wrap up victory early on the final day, but had to wait until the 68th over of the day to seal a 2-0 sweep and cement their place at No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings. They had New Zealand six wickets down for 182 at stumps on day four, but were thoroughly frustrated by a century stand between Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram in a cracking morning session. When Tillakaratne Dilshan snapped an excellent 124-run partnership by dismissing Oram two minutes before lunch, it seemed likely that victory was around the corner, but Vettori found an able ally in Iain O’Brien and the pair added 69 in 78 gut-wrenching minutes.Like in the morning, Sri Lanka struck shortly before the interval and tea was pushed back by half an hour. The last wicket to fall was Vettori, excellently held at deep square leg by a tumbling Rangana Herath – who took five wickets – and New Zealand had finally been dismissed for 397, the highest fourth-innings total at the SSC. They were owned for the better part of four days, but fought back credibly on the fifth. It was not enough, for the damage was irreparable, and Sri Lanka finished deserved winners.With his back to the wall, needing to bat three sessions, Vettori dipped into his reservoir of 94 Tests and summoned immense concentration to survive two of them. He helped buy time after a delayed second session – owing to a brief but fierce Colombo downpour – even as Muttiah Muralitharan returned to the field and had Jeetan Patel caught sweeping to short leg. He received tremendous support from O’Brien, who played an innings unlike any he has played in the past, plodding 75 balls for a career-best 12. There were plenty of shouts for lbws and close catches, and the umpires were tested as much as the batsmen, but O’Brien was resolute.Vettori pulled and swept boundaries off Murali and Herath to reach a most appreciable century, one that put his entire batting unit to shame. His shot selection and confidence were amazing, supple wrists and dancing feet complimenting a fierce determination. Kumar Sangakkara spread his field as singles and doubles ticked away, but the pair played on. Dammika Prasad returned and O’Brien ducked and swayed, while Vettori pulled for four between two fielders.

Vettori was always looking for doubles to get back on strike and singles to retain strike, and with some exceptional judgment and able running, managed it. Tired fielders often lugged themselves towards the ball and runs became easy. With each ball O’Brien patted back or left, and each run scampered, New Zealand’s belief soared. But Herath ended O’Brien’s stubborn resistance 12 minutes before tea. O’Brien lunged at one turning away and immediately walked off without waiting for the umpire’s verdict. In walked a notorious No. 11, Chris Martin, who played 13 balls before Vettori was dismissed for 140. He has been a hero all tour and today his innings panned more deliveries than any New Zealand batsman this Test.Beginning the day with victory 312 runs away and six down, New Zealand were not expected to pull off any miracles. But with their backs to the wall, needing to bat three sessions, Vettori and Oram turned the heat on the hosts, at times defiantly and at times with fortitude, thanks to Daryl Harper and some shoddy fielding. Oram batted with assurance and the determination of a player who has started to return to form after a lean spell – his batting had been poor all tour. His sweep to Ajantha Mendis in Galle and reverse-sweep in the first innings here had been criticised. This morning he continued from last evening, presenting steadfast defence and judgment against the spinners. He shunned the bent-knee shots and refrained some sweeping and lapping the spinners, which had led to his decline earlier.He had a slice of luck, however. Prasad bowled a good first spell should have had Oram on 36 when he rapped him flush in front of middle and leg, but Harper turned it down. Prasad thoroughly improved on his performance in the first innings and got the ball to swing away from the left-handers after pitching much closer to the batsmen. In one frustrating over he got Oram to inside-edge to fine leg and Vettori to drag onto his front boot and then edge between the slip fielders, who failed to react. There were other occasions where Oram attempted forcing drives through the off side but inside-edged past his stumps. Still, he was skillful enough to rough it out.Vettori was comfortable against pace and spin, and worked the ball off the square mostly on the back foot initially, before gaining the confidence to reach out and drive. Thilan Thushara pitched the ball up but didn’t always make the batsmen play; on a slow track, Vettori had ample time to work the ball square. Thushara didn’t test Vettori with a single yorker and too often strayed down the pads to Oram, who played come fierce clips. In his first spell, Oram took 15 runs off 22 balls and Vettori 10 off 16.Oram and Vettori played exceedingly well but you expected the Sri Lankans to be sharper. Herath failed to collect a flat throw at the stumps with Vettori short and later reacted late to a top-edge off the same batsman. The second edge Vettori steered off Prasad went smack between first and second slip and nobody moved. Even if such risky shots were not necessary, they seemed to prevent the tension from bogging Vettori down. Rarely were there scoreless periods, which can often build up anxiety. Vettori got to his half-century first, off 77 balls and in 111 minutes. Oram followed with his first significant contribution all tour but, after 173 minutes of tremendous application, punched Dilshan to Sangakkara cover for 56. At the other end Vettori sank to his knees. It was a crushing blow.Vettori lost Oram before lunch and Patel soon after, yet batted on to a brave fourth century as the pressure mounted on his dependable shoulders. Ultimately, his brilliance was not enough to hold out for a famous draw.

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is hoping to complete a permanent exit away from Elland Road, Leeds Live report.

The Lowdown: Casilla’s season so far…

Casilla, who Marcelo Bielsa described as ‘important’ in his role as deputy to Illan Meslier, is still under contract with the Whites for another 18 months.

He joined La Liga side Elche on loan over the summer and has started all 12 league fixtures so far this season, conceding 15 times and keeping three clean sheets.

Noel Whelan labelled Casilla as ‘fantastic’ during his early days in Yorkshire, however, it doesn’t look as if he’ll add to his 62 Leeds appearances, with Meslier cementing his place as first choice over the last 18 months.

The Latest: Casilla’s comments

Leeds Live cited the goalkeeper’s comments to Mundo Deportivo on Saturday morning, with the Spaniard admitting it will be difficult to see out the final 12 months of his deal in Yorkshire.

“It will be difficult for me to fulfil the year I have left. When I left there it was because of that, because my time there is over.

“I think I will not have problems with the club because they behaved very well with me, because I asked to leave and they never put any impediment on me, they gave me all the facilities to leave.

“When you have a bad time there, and I have been through it a lot, in the end what you want is to leave, and I have been able to leave.”

The Verdict: Over to Orta…

You’d expect director of football Victor Orta would be the man to grant Casilla’s request of a permanent exit, and it seems as one would make sense for all involved.

Casilla’s contract at Leeds is worth £40,000-a-week, compared to Meslier’s deal worth £22,000-a-week, so moving on the former for good would benefit the club financially.

It appears as if Leeds don’t need Casilla’s services either, especially after they brought in Kristoffer Klaesson as back up to Meslier over the summer.

So, the quicker Leeds can get Casilla off the books, the better.

In other news: ‘Sounds like…’ – Phil Hay provides definitive Leeds United injury update before Leicester. 

Newcastle find themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League as they head into the last international break of 2021.

The Magpies are 19th in the table and are the only side in the division yet to win a single match, with 20th-placed Norwich on one win below them.

Eddie Howe has been officially unveiled as the new manager of the club following Steve Bruce’s exit last month and faces the unenviable task of attempting to rescue the situation over the coming months.

Dreadful

One player who has contributed to the club’s poor form this season has been Brazilian attacker Joelinton, who has been dreadful in the Premier League when called upon.

Out of all the outfield players who have started a league match this term, only Ryan Fraser and Jonjo Shelvey have averaged lower SofaScore ratings than Joelinton – 6.55. He has played ten games, starting just five, in the top-flight and has averaged 52 minutes per match.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-newcastle-howe-ter-stegen” title= “Read the latest Newcastle news!”]

In that time, per SofaScore, he has lost possession of the ball a whopping 110 times. This means that he has lost the ball once every 4.7 minutes for the Magpies, which works out at roughly 19 concessions per 90.

Couple this with his lack of quality in the final third and you have a player who struggles at both sides of the game for Newcastle. He has zero goals and one assist this season, with 0.6 key passes and 0.4 shots on target per game, via SofaScore. This shows that he is not providing the goods at the top end of the pitch to make up for his lapse play in possession.

Magpies legend Alan Shearer once stated that he finds the forward ‘frustrating’ and lamented the Brazilian’s poor first touch. He said: “A lot of money he cost and he finds it really difficult. His touch is really poor and he hasn’t posed a threat.

“It’s been really frustrating watching him. I actually feel sorry for him because when the ball goes to him, it’s bouncing off him and he’s offering nothing going the other way, also.”

These comments may have come midway through last season, but they are still applicable today as his statistics show that he has not come good at St. James’ Park.

Shearer’s reference to his poor touch could be why he loses possession of the ball far too often, whilst his creative and shooting statistics align with his claim that he does not pose a threat to the opposition.

Therefore, Joelinton has been dreadful for the Magpies in the top-flight and replacing him could be one of Howe’s first tasks in the January transfer window, unless there is a sudden upturn in form over the next couple of months.

AND in other news, PIF plotting swoop for “outstanding” £67k-p/w gem, he’d solve Howe’s major NUFC issue…

Graham Manou has learnt that a lot can change between two Ashes series. When England visited in 2006-07, South Australia dropped an out-of-form Manou from the side to face Andrew Flintoff’s men in a tour match. Nearly three years on, he is embarking on an Ashes tour of his own as the backup wicketkeeper to Brad Haddin.It’s hardly surprising that Manou was the most searched-for player on Cricinfo after the naming of Australia’s squad on Wednesday. The only uncapped member of the group, Manou was considered by most observers – and by himself – a long, long shot for the tour a few months ago.If Australia took a reserve gloveman, Luke Ronchi was clearly the man in waiting. A glut of wicketkeepers including Chris Hartley, Tim Paine and Matthew Wade were also pushing to be next in line. But timing is everything and as Ronchi’s runs dried up and he was dropped by his state, Manou enjoyed a prolific summer and scored 647 runs and grabbed 33 dismissals while captaining South Australia.He knows he’s unlikely to play a Test in England but having watched Haddin’s progress as the reserve for Adam Gilchrist on the 2005 Ashes tour, Manou is simply grateful for the opportunity. “It was really noticeable how much he took from that tour as an opposition player,” Manou told reporters in Adelaide after hearing of his inclusion.”When he came back to play in the Shield games following that tour he was really impressive the way he went about it all. If I can learn as much off him as he did with Gilly and then to also go out onto the field and display those qualities, then fingers crossed, my game will continue to go from strength to strength.”Manou, 30, has been on the first-class scene for a decade, since taking over from Australia’s coach Tim Nielsen as South Australia’s gloveman. He rose to win the state’s vice-captaincy under Darren Lehmann but after his axing in 2006-07, his future was far from assured.The next summer he returned more determined, won back his position, started making runs again – including 190 against the reigning champions Tasmania – and was eventually handed the captaincy. Manou’s work behind the stumps has also drawn praise from the notoriously hard-marking Darren Berry, the former Victoria wicketkeeper, who said this year Manou was easily Australia’s best gloveman besides Haddin.Having another experienced wicketkeeper in the squad will keep Haddin on his toes. However, the incumbent is happy the tradition of taking a reserve to England has continued and he hopes Manou returns home with plenty of lessons learned.”I don’t see him as a threat,” Haddin said. “From a personal point of view, going away with the Australian team, I think it will better his cricket coming back to Australia, seeing the way we prepare. I don’t think threat is the right word, I think you’re always just naturally trying to improve yourself.”Graham has got a pretty steady head on his shoulders. He captains South Australia now, so he’s been around state cricket a long time. He probably knows his game a bit better than the other keepers around the country at the moment.”If Manou does get an opportunity it is likely to be in one of the four tour matches peppered throughout the Tests. It could be the perfect time for Australia to rest Haddin, who is the only man to have played every Test and one-day international since the tour of India last October. Haddin is more than happy to have played all the games but by mid-tour his workload could begin to become tiring.”I think I’m a bit different to the other guys,” Haddin said. “I only really came into Test cricket in the last 12 months. If you look at the workload of [Mitchell] Johnson and guys they’ve been going pretty solidly for the last two years. The whole experience is still pretty new to me. From that point of view I feel pretty good.”Haddin broke a finger during his Test debut in the West Indies last year but played through pain to complete the series. And with the goal of being part of an Ashes triumph after witnessing first-hand the misery of the 2005 defeat, don’t expect Haddin to hand over the Test gloves to Manou unless his arms fall off.”This will be my first Ashes series where I’ll get the chance to play,” Haddin said. “I’m pretty excited and I’ve definitely had one eye on this for a long time.”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has admitted that discussions are already underway in regards to the Hoops’ planning for the January transfer window, as reported by the Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Busy summer…

The 56-year-old worked closely with CEO Dominic McKay during the summer window, bringing in 12 new players to Parkhead.

Three of those came on deadline day in Jota, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a number of players also heading out the door.

McKay has also now left his position due to personal reasons, with Michael Nicholson in interim charge, and plans are already in place to bring in more new faces in the New Year.

The Latest: Postecoglou’s comments

Postecoglou was talking to the media, as relayed by the Daily Record, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aberdeen and spoke about the next transfer window.

He revealed that he would once again look into the market in Japan, describing it as a ‘good time’ due to the J1 League’s end season, saying:

“We know the areas we need to bolster. It’s about getting more players that I believe can play the type of football we want to play.

“There is a mentality attached to that. It’s about the type of personalities who are going to be brave and really ambitious.

“That’s what we’re trying to target. We will definitely be adding something to the squad.

“Japan is one of the markets we’ll be looking at. Obviously I know it really well and they will get to the end of their season, which is a good time if there’s anyone who will fit into our set-up.”

Postecoglou then went on to label the summer window as ‘frantic’ in a possible swipe at former CEO McKay, before revealing that discussions are underway for the winter market.

“We will be looking everywhere. The last window was frantic. This time we want to be planning well in advance.

“We’ve identified targets and begun discussions before we get to January so that we can conclude deals a lot quicker than we did in the previous window.”

The Verdict: Good news

With Celtic yet to replace McKay on a permanent basis, some supporters may have been worrying that plans for new recruitments in 2022 were on the back burner.

However, that is not the case, as confirmed by Postecoglou, and it seems as if he is working with Nicholson in regards to bolstering the squad.

Another shrewd signing similar to Kyogo Furuhashi from the J1 League would be ideal, so hopefully Postecoglou and the Hoops hierarchy can work their magic. At least they appear to be more organised about it now than they were during a “frantic” summer.

In other news: News Celtic and Ange could do without emerges regarding Furuhashi. 

Mohammad Ashraful has said Bangladesh’s main objective is to qualify for the Super Eights

Cricinfo staff31-May-2009Mohammad Ashraful has said Bangladesh’s main objective is to qualify for the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 which begins on June 5. They play their first game on June 6 against India, the current champions, whom they famously beat in the 2007 World Cup.”In this form of the game any side can beat the other,” Ashraful told reporters at Lord’s. “We defeated the West Indies in the last World T20 in South Africa and progressed to the Super Eight. Our main goal is to repeat that and if we beat India, who are the world champions, in the first match then we will fancy our chances of doing well against the top sides and making the semi-finals even.”Barring the upset win over West Indies in the last World Twenty20, Bangladesh had a disappointing tournament, losing their other four games by fairly convincing margins. However, Ashraful, who had a poor run himself, averaging 17.40 in five games, was confident of putting up a better show this time. “We have come here one week early, had three games against New Zealand, Holland and Scotland and the boys have done well,” he said. “We are confident and there are two tough games against Australia tomorrow and Sri Lanka the day after. So that’s a nice build-up to the main tournament.”One of the Bangladesh players who has impressed in the warm-ups has been the seamer, Rubel Hossain. He returned figures of 4 for 19 against Holland, and 5 for 16 against Scotland. “He has taken nine wickets in two matches and is bowling really well. He has an awkward action and has bit of extra pace,” Ashraful said of Rubel.He also backed his deputy Mashrafe Mortaza to come good after a disappointing solitary game in the IPL, where he conceded 58 runs in four overs for Kolkata Knight Riders, including 27 in the decisive final over of the contest. “It was only in the last over that he did badly. Otherwise I thought he was okay. But I know he’ll be back. He is that type of a player. He always does well against India.”Ireland is the other team that Bangladesh must face in the group stage, and having lost to them at the 2007 World Cup they might have reason to be cautious. But Ashfraful was confident of averting a repeat. “I think if we play our best cricket then we should not have a problem against Ireland because we have more quality in the side.”Bangladesh take on Australia in their next warm-up game on Monday.

West Ham star Michail Antonio has been announced as the Premier League’s Player of the Month for August.

And, as to be expected, a number of Hammers fans were quick to flock to the update on social media.

Antonio beat teammate Said Benrahma, Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, Everton winger Demarai Gray and Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood to win the award.

The £70,000-a-week forward has been in fine form in the opening three games of the campaign, scoring four times and registering three assists.

The 31-year-old managed to both score and provide an assist in all three games against Newcastle, Leicester and Crystal Palace respectively, and his impressive displays have earned him a second Premier League Player of the Month award in as many seasons.

Antonio also became West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer last month and reached 50 top-flight goals for the Hammers with his goal against Palace.

Hammers fans react

West Ham shared the news regarding Antonio on their official Twitter page on Friday morning. This is what these Hammers fans had to say in reply, with many delighted.

“LETS GOOOOO”

Credit: @Vlasic_Szn

“We are massive”

Credit: @jasperhowlett03

“FULLY deserved, so happy. my number 9”

Credit: @BenChillingwor2

“Get in!”

Credit: @nickonion

“MY GOAT”

Credit: @lengwesthamfan

“Absolute standout choice. Fully deserved. His influence on the team goes way beyond the things measured by the core stats – 4 goals & 3 assists – it’s the work rate, the chasing balls, closing defenders, running channels. He makes us tick ”

Credit: @damienlucas

In other news: Many West Ham fans love what Rice did to Spurs and Chelsea fans. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O capitão do Inter Andrés D’alessandro concedeu entrevista coletiva na tarde desta quinta-feira. Forte e direto, o camisa 10 garantiu que o elenco está comprometido em tirara equipe dessa fase ruim que vive na Série B. D’ale chegou a dizer, cem citar nomes, que quem não estava comprometido já deixou o clube.

– Está todo mundo comprometido. Teve várias situações de jogadores que saíram neste ano. Várias situações, que fique claro. Quem não estava comprometido, saiu. Quem não quis ficar para essa situação de jogar a Série B, saiu – afirmou.

Ainda, segundo o meia, tiveram casos de jogadores que deixaram o clube por sentirem a pressão da torcida.

– Foram diferentes situações. Situações que sentiram que tinha que sair porque o individual era complicado aqui. Outros que decidiram sair por questão pessoal. Quem está aqui está querendo reverter a situação – complementou.

Depois, o jogador admitiu que o Inter está devendo na competição. Para ele, o clube deveria ter mais quatro ou cinco pontos, mas que não mereceu conquistá-los.

– Claro que o torcedor acharia que estaríamos a essa altura no G4 com folga. A gente achava que iria estar no G4, mas não com folga. A situação que podemos nos cobrar é não estar no G4, ter uns quatro ou cinco pontos a mais. Temos consciência de que não merecemos ter esses pontos a mais – reconheceu.

Para o jogo de sábado, contra o Criciúma, D’alessandro confirmou que a equipe entrará em campo com a obrigação de vencer para subir na tabela.

– Sabemos que estamos devendo. Está faltando algo para entrar no G4 e não sair. Fora de casa temos jogado bem, sido inteligentes em alguns jogos, mas dentro não. Está todo mundo comprometido para conseguir esse resultado dentro de casa. Estamos procurando isso. Tem que ser agora. Não adianta jogar bem e não ganhar. Nós temos que ganhar sábado – completou o camisa 10.

Internacional e Criciúma se enfrentam neste sábado, às 16h30, no Beira Rio. O Colorado está atualmente na quinta posição na tabela da Série B, com 17 pontos, dois a menos que o quarto colocado, Vila Nova e cinco a menos que o líder, Guarani.

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