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Leicester City’s pursuit of Champions League football got off to the best start possible after Jamie Vardy’s strike saw off Wolves 1-0 at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

The Foxes’ talismanic striker found the back of the net just before half-time thanks to an extremely well-taken header following Ricardo Pereira’s cross from the right-hand side.

Beginning life under new manager Bruno Lage following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure, Wolves had a golden opportunity to take the lead with the score at 0-0, with pacey winger Adama Traore running clear of the Leicester defence. 

However, the Spain international could only side-foot his effort tamely wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s post, and the FA Cup holders barely gave the opposition attack a sniff after that. 

Although Vardy will get the headlines for his match-winning goal, it was stand-in centre-back Daniel Amartey who provided the base for Leicester’s success.

Rodgers decided to keep faith with the 26-year-old following his impressive showing in the Community Shield despite Jannik Vestergaard completing his move from Southampton to take his place in the matchday squad.

As per SofaScore, Amartey received a match rating of 7.6 out of 10 this afternoon, the second-highest total amongst his teammates, while his 89 touches were the third-most of anyone in Rodgers’ side.

The Ghanaian won four of his five duels and made made two tackles and two clearances during his 90 minutes on the pitch. but he was also excellent with the ball at his feet. Amartey achieved a passing accuracy of 92% while completing four of his six attempted long passes.

New signing Vestergaard will have had a week’s worth of training with his new teammates under his belt by the time Leicester take on West Ham United in the Monday night fixture next up, but Amartey will be hoping that his impressive showing has done enough to see him start again in nine days’ time.

In other news… Sky Sports reveal intriguing transfer update which could leave Leicester fans gutted 

A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the IPL has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo

Ajay S Shankar13-Jul-2008Drugs in cricketJune 2008: Mohammad Asif is detained by authorities at Dubai Airport on suspicion of possessing drugs. He is released, but the PCB begins its own inquiry.October 2006: Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are withdrawn from Pakistan’s squad a day before the Champions Trophy in India after they test positive for nandrolone in an internal PCB test. Asif and Shoaib were banned, but are let off after appealing.June 2005: Scotland bowler Asim Butt is banned for a year after he tests positive for Ecstasy, a recreational drug.May 2005: Keith Piper, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, is banned for the remainder of the season after failing a drugs test.October 2004: Graham Wagg, the Warwickshire and England A allrounder, is banned from cricket until January 2006 after being found guilty of cocaine use.February 2003: Shane Warne is sent home from the World Cup in South Africa after it’s revealed that he tested positive for banned diuretics in samples provided to the Australian Sports Drugs Agency in Sydney. Warne is later handed a one-year ban.A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo. This is the first step of the verification process, Modi said, and there are several stages before a player is deemed to have failed the test.The tests were carried out by IDTM, a Sweden-based independent agency, in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards after the IPL adopted the ICC’s anti-doping code. The samples were forwarded to a WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland for testing. “Two days ago the IPL received a letter from the Swiss lab, mandated by WADA, which said one sample had tested positive,” Modi said. “The IPL will follow set procedures from now on.”The first step, he said, is to match the identity of the player with the sample. Next, the player’s form, filled out before the match, will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug by the IPL medical committee, consisting of an IDTM representative and Dr Anant Joshi; if that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there and the player’s name won’t be revealed.If the medical committee investigation reveals the player had not applied or been granted an exemption for using the drug found in the sample, the player, the concerned IPL franchise and national board will be informed in writing of the positive test that violates the anti-doping code. The player has the right to request that his ‘B’ sample [supplied at the same time as the one that tested positive] be sent for analysis, which he and his representative can attend along with an IPL representative.If that too is positive, the matter will be taken up by the IPL’s drugs tribunal, comprising of Sunil Gavaskar, Dr Ravi Bapat (ex-Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences) and lawyer Shirish Gupte. The tribunal will study the issue and take a decision in accordance with the code. “This is just the procedure,” Modi said, “as of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive. The issue is now with the IPL’s medical committee. The identity of the player will matter only after we check on the pre-declared drugs.”The ICC, in a release, said it had been informed of the “adverse analytical finding” and that it was the responsibility of the ICC member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process. The ICC stated it will “be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI”, and “retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA code”.

Helder Costa joining Valencia this summer works for all parties, says former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer.

According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Valencia are currently monitoring Costa, though no formal offer has been made yet.

The 27-year-old played a huge role in Leeds winning promotion to the Premier League back in the 2019/20 season, making 43 Championship appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Last term, however, he was forced to play more of a supporting role, starting just 13 league games.

Ultimately, for Palmer, now may be the right time to move on and joining a team like Valencia could be a good move for the winger.

“I think it’s a good fit for all parties, a good fit,” the ex-Leeds player exclusively told TT when discussing Valencia’s interest in Costa. “He’s not a regular at Leeds United.

“I don’t think he’s going to be in the starting line-up, he’s basically a squad player at Leeds United and the lad probably wants to go and play.”

Costa played down both flanks last season and chipped in with a few goals, so he is a squad player you would probably want to keep around.

However, if the former Wolves man does want regular starts and Leeds want to generate some money or trim down their wage bill, then a move to Valencia does make a lot of sense.

Speaking to talkSPORT (via Twitter), journalist Alex Crook has dropped a teasing Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Lowdown: Paratici and Nuno enter…

Tottenham’s two big appointments this summer in managing director Fabio Paratici and new head coach Nuno look set to shape a new era in north London.

In what looks set to be a very intriguing 2021/2022 season, Paratici has been tasked with developing Tottenham’s on-field sporting operations, while Nuno will be attempting to shape this Lilywhites team in his own image.

The Portuguese enjoyed a brilliant spell at Wolves overall, despite an underwhelming final season, and Lilywhites supporters will be intrigued to see who he recommends as prime transfer targets this summer.

The Latest: talkSPORT drop claim on Nuno plan…

Speaking to talkSPORT, Crook has now lifted the lid on a transfer plan involving Nuno, Spurs and two Wolves players.

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Indeed, as per the reporter, the 47-year-old manager may now be plotting a ‘double raid’ on his former club and could swoop for defender Willy Boly and winger Daniel Podence.

“It could lead Nuno back to his old club Wolves,” explained Crook.

“Willy Boly, according to my contacts in Portugal, possibly a player Nuno would like to take from Molineux.

“And so to Daniel Podence, a frustrating player in many ways, because there is clearly some talent there, still for me hasn’t really got to grasp with the physicality of the Premier League.

“But clearly a player Nuno has great faith in, so there could be some kind of double raid on Wolves from Nuno Espirito Santo.”

The Verdict: Right move?

While the prospect of a ‘double raid’ is enticing in itself, we believe these two players should be further down the list if Nuno is indeed going to turn to his old club.

According to WhoScored, while Boly made the second-most clearances per 90 (4) out of anyone at Wolves over 2020/2021, he also started just 21 matches in the Premier League and is currently 30-years-old – meaning Spurs don’t stand to gain much sell-on value.

Podence, meanwhile, started 22 games under Nuno and failed to wow when compared to the likes of Adama Traore and Pedro Neto – who both lead the way in terms of completed dribbles and key passes per 90 (WhoScored).

Taking this into account, we believe Nuno should be looking elsewhere to reinforce his new Tottenham team.

In other news: Spurs chiefs perform Harry Kane U-turn as behind-scenes developments emerge, find out more here.

As a result of input from players, fast short-pitched balls over head height can now be called a wide and not a no-ball.This is aimed at preventing bowlers using the last ball of the over to prevent a batsman changing ends.In first-class games bowlers had the right to bowl two bouncers, while in one-day games they were allowed one bouncer an over.With umpires now able to judge on that basis, the batsman can get an extra ball from the wide.The change to the law states: “… a ball that passes above head height of the batsman, that prevents him being able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a wide.”At the same time umpires have also been given the power to include the wide ball as one of the allowable short-pitched deliveries in the over.In one-day games the wide rule will also apply to short-pitched balls.Other changes to the playing conditions this year preclude the use of artificial lighting in first-class matches.In regard to over-rate penalties, umpires will be asked to indicate any mitigating circumstances for a team’s over-rate falling below 15 per hour.Also, for a consultation to take place between umpires on a decision, the consulted umpire must be in a better position to see. Hearing does not come into the equation.

قال محمد الشناوي، كابتن الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، إن مباراة الذهاب أمام وفاق سطيف أصبحت ماضيًا وانتهى، وأنهم لديهم الخبرات الكافية للتعامل مع مثل هذه المباريات وعدم الانشغال بنتيجة الفوز بالقاهرة برباعية نظيفة.

وأضاف كابتن الفريق خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “مباراة الإياب أمام وفاق سطيف ستكون قوية.. نتيجة الذهاب لن تشغلنا غدًا”.

وأوضح الشناوي أنه سبق أن لعب في الجزائر من قبل ومن المؤكد أن حضور الجماهير سيكون دافعًا قويًا لفريق وفاق سطيف لكن لاعبي الأهلي سبق لهم اللعب في مثل هذه الظروف، وقادرون على التعامل معها والتغلب عليها.

وأكد الشناوي أن الأهلي هدفه تسجيل الأهداف في مباراة العودة، وعدم السماح للفريق الجزائري بالتسجيل.

طالع أيضا.. سامي قمصان: قد يعاني الأهلي مما حدث لـ وفاق سطيف في القاهرة.. والانتقادات ضدنا غير منطقية

وواصل: “نريد أن نصنع تاريخا لأنفسنا من خلال الفوز بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا للمرة الثالثة على التوالي والـ11 في تاريخ النادي، وفاق سطيف قوي، ونحن حالفنا التوفيق في مباراة الذهاب، لكن يظل الفريق الجزائري من الفرق القوية في قارة إفريقيا، والأهلي في حالة من التركيز لمباراة العودة المقرر لها مساء غد السبت”.

وتطرق الشناوي للحديث عن استقبال الإخوة الجزائريين لبعثة الأهلي قائلا: “جئت إلى الجزائر ثلاث مرات من قبل.. وتم استقبالنا بصورة أكثر من رائعة تعكس علاقة الأخوة بين الشعبين المصري والجزائري”.

وأشاد كابتن الأهلي بمستوى حارس وفاق سطيف سفيان خدارية، مؤكدا أنه قدم أداء قويا في البطولة وأنه من الحراس الكبار في قارة إفريقيا.

واختتم الشناوي تصريحاته مؤكدا أن هناك الكثير من الأشقاء الجزائريين الذين يعشقون الأهلي، وفي مصر كانت الروح الرياضية بين الفريقين هي السائدة.

COLOMBO – Injury has forced batsman Damien Martyn out of the Australian cricket side for tomorrow’s ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh.

AAP18-Sep-2002COLOMBO – Injury has forced batsman Damien Martyn out of the Australian cricket side for tomorrow’s ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh.Martyn, who topscored with 73 in Australia’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, did not train with the side today because of a hip injury.He is expected to be replaced by either batsman Jimmy Maher or spinner Nathan Hauritz, who could get a start if the selectors want to give him match practice for a possible role in the semi-finals.

Crystal Palace target Jon Moncayola is unlikely to leave Osasuna this summer, La Liga expert Euan McTear has told The Transfer Tavern.

Moncayola is reportedly on Palace’s shopping list, with AS (via Football FanCast) claiming last month that the south London club could make a move for him this transfer window.

The 23-year-old midfielder was one of Osasuna’s standout players in La Liga last season. He finished the campaign with the best pass success rate (81.7%) in Jagoba Arrasate’s squad and also averaged 1.7 tackles per game, only bettered by Raul Navas’ average of three (via WhoScored).

McTear, however, cannot see Moncayola moving to England this summer after he signed a 10-year contract earlier this month.

“He’s signed a 10-year contract to 2031, which is… I’ve never seen anything like that,” the Spanish football expert said. “That kind of tells me he’s not moving this summer.

“I mean, 22 million release clause, I think they made it low enough that if someone comes, he could still leave before the 10 years. But I don’t imagine him signing a 10-year contract, announcing that to the fans and then disappearing.

“He’s been really good for Osasuna. He’s very different to your normal kind of northern Spanish, tough, battling midfielder. He’s a bit more technical than what they’re used to.”

Considering all of that, Moncayola does look like he would be a good signing for Palace this transfer window.

However, given the small problem of that 10-year contract, even with that release clause, it is hard to imagine the Spaniard leaving the El Sadar Stadium anytime soon.

Lee Ryder has dropped some promising insight from those close to Amanda Staveley on the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Arbitration set

An arbitration case between the Premier League and the St. James’ Park faithful has been set for July over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Despite the top flight taking the original decision to fail the bid, there is still a chance that the takeover can be revived, if results of the arbitration hearing go in the way of the North East club.

The Latest: Takeover insight

In response to a fan of the Tyneside club in a Q&A session, which has since been transcribed by The Chronicle, football journalist Ryder has shared that those close to Amanda Staveley, who is a member of the original KSA consortium, are saying that they are still interested in a return back to the negotiating table if the top flight are forced to reverse things.

This decision could well be made as a result of the arbitration case, should it go in the favour of the Magpies.

The Verdict: Promising words

It is certainly promising to hear that Staveley and co would consider coming back to the table, as it shows that the deal is not dead in the water despite it originally being failed by the Premier League.

In light of this insight, a positive result for the Toon in the arbitration hearing could well bring the potential revival of the takeover a step closer, so long as the consortium are true to their words and do wish to come back into talks.

However, the top flight will be equally as confident that the results will go their way instead, and so nothing is guaranteed at this point.

Nonetheless, with the separate anti-competition claim launched by Ashley as well, NUFC are still very clearly pushing for this takeover to go through, with arbitration set to paint a clearer picture over the direction over which it is heading.

In other news, find out which transfer target would be open to a Newcastle move here!

وافق نادي برشلونة الإسباني على خوض أولى ودياته في الصيف المقبل داخل أستراليا، خلال شهر مايو القادم، بعد 3 أيام من انتهاء الدوري.

صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، أكدت أن برشلونة سيلعب في سيدني يوم 25 مايو، ضد منتخب نجوم الدوري الأسترالي، وذلك سيكون بعد 3 أيام من نهاية الدوري الإسباني.

طالع أيضًا | تشافي يعلن قائمة برشلونة لمباراة آنتراخت فرانكفورت.. إصابة جديدة

وستكون أستراليا الجولة الأولى، قبل أن ينطلق النادي الكتالوني إلى الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، لمعسكر في الصيف المقبل، استعدادًا للموسم الجديد.

مباراة برشلونة ونجوم الدوري الأسترالي، ستلعب قبل 3 أيام من النهائي الذي سيحدد الفائز بالدوري الآسيوي.

وستتزامن هذه المباراة مع العديد من الأحداث الكبرة في ذلك الأسبوع داخل سيدني، مثل انطلاق فيفيد سيدني، أحد أكبر المهرجنات الموسيقية والثقافية التي تقام كل عام في هذه المدينة الأسترالية.