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Losing Julen Lopetegui just before the season got underway, alongside the earlier departures of Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Matheus Nunes, the last thing that Wolverhampton Wanderers needed was a slow start. Yet, that's exactly what they've endured under Gary O'Neil.

Truth be told, the Midlands club have been unfortunate at times – they were denied a late penalty against Manchester United and soon received an apology for the incident, before being smashed by Brighton & Hove Albion, and finally getting off the mark with a victory over Everton.

Defeats against Crystal Palace and Liverpool have since followed, but Wolves can once again look back on their performances with great content, particularly when against the Reds, having taken the lead and largely dominated the first 45 minutes.

Following a game of two halves against Liverpool, however, those at Wolves at least received a much-needed injury boost, as confirmed by O'Neil.

What has Gary O'Neil said?

Watching on as his side eventually collapsed amid the Liverpool pressure, O'Neil would have been left frustrated by his side, who did so well to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Alas, it simply wasn't meant to be, and Wolves, in defeat, may have hoped to avoid any further blows. When Rayan Ait-Nouri was forced off through injury, however, it looked as though the Midlands club were set to get exactly that.

O'Neil has since squashed any concerns, saying, via Molinuex News: “Rayan’s injury was just muscle fatigue really. I don’t expect him to have any problems. We won’t know until next weekend, but he’ll probably just need a few days to recover.”

The former Bournemouth manager will be a relieved man, given how important it is that he has a full squad available when the Premier League fixtures start coming thick and fast. Up next, Wolves square off against Luton Town, where they'll be the favourites to pick up all three points.

How has Ait-Nouri performed this season?

So far this season, Ait-Nouri has been one of Wolves' most important players, starting in five of their six games under O'Neil. With that said, it would have been a major blow for the Midlands club, had the fullback suffered a long-term injury. That doesn't seem to be the case, however, with Ait-Nouri seemingly likely to slot straight back into his starting place.

Ait-Nouri's rise came as little surprise, with his early progress under Nuno Espirito Santo only a sign of what was to come. The former Wolves boss said, via The Express and Star: "There is improvement, and he's playing. Regarding the circumstances we have in the squad, he's having game after game now. So, there's no better time for improvement than in the game itself. Of course, we work every day with all the players on the aspects that we feel need improvement."

Now, a key member for his side, Ait-Nouri will likely be looking to kick on even further. Statistically speaking, he's already impressed this season, as per FBref, with his 20 progressive passes in five appearances proving his ability to help Wolves up the pitch when pressurised, and perhaps even towards Premier League safety.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is believed to be eyeing one of his former players and would be willing to give him a sizeable wage increase at Villa Park, according to reports.

What's the latest news involving Aston Villa?

Aston Villa have recently officially announced that defender Ezri Konsa has committed his future to the club on a long-term basis and his new deal will run for the next five years, as cited by The Daily Mail.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live Sport, former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has talked up the 25-year-old and he also commented on his prospects of getting picked for the England national side, as he said: "A big player I think, for them this season, is going to be Ezri Konsa. I am amazed he is not playing for England yet. He is a Rolls-Royce of a player. He made a big mistake against Newcastle for the second goal, but, boy, has he recovered from that. He is a top player."

Writing in his column for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Dean Jones has indicated that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins could become an option for Chelsea in 2024 if he doesn't put pen to paper on new terms in the West Midlands. The England international is under contract at Villa Park until 2025, but Chelsea are known to be on the lookout for another striker to help provide competition for Nicolas Jackson.

The Villans take on Chelsea this weekend at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to build on their start to the Premier League campaign that has them seventh in the division standings, with three wins and two losses from their opening five fixtures.

Who is Unai Emery looking to sign?

According to reports in Spain via CaughtOffside, Emery is eyeing a reunion with Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, whom he brought to Arsenal during his tenure at the Emirates. The outlet claim that he would be willing to double the Spain international's wages – although Ceballos only signed a new four-year contract with Real Madrid in the summer.

Labelled a "very clever" player by former Arsenal legend Robin van Persie, Ceballos has made 120 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid during his time at the La Liga giants, registering six goals and 12 assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

As per FBRef, Ceballos has also excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive passes, averaging around 11.20 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the 99th percentile for this metric. He also ranks extremely highly for pass completion, succesful take-ons, assists, tackles and blocks, painting the picture of a well-rounded midfielder.

Premier League experience is also something the Spaniard has on his side and that would be another useful commodity in the event that Ceballos were to make a return to English football come January, with Emery clearly fancying his chances of getting the best out of him.

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur was given a rough reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Pakistan cricket after seeing his side slump to a 5-0 ODI series defeat in New Zealand. The whitewash was just the third 5-0 loss in Pakistan’s history, and the first since 2010. Speaking after the game, he said he refused to use the conditions as an excuse, instead laying the responsibility at the feet of the top order.”They’ve got the ability and without wanting to look for excuses, they need to get better in these conditions,” Arthur said. “Our guys need to step up, that’s the bottom line. Our top order haven’t done a job for us in the series and that’s a pity. Haris Sohail coming in gave us some stability, and he showed us how to apply oneself in these conditions.”Pakistan’s struggles against the new ball in seaming conditions have been brutally exposed this series, with Trent Boult and Tim Southee running riot in the first Powerplay. Pakistan lost their first two wickets for under 20 runs in all five matches. They found themselves reduced to 54 for 5, 39 for 3, 32 for 8, 11 for 2, and 57 for 5 at the starts of the five matches, meaning they found themselves playing catch-up for the best part of their innings all series. With the World Cup now less than 18 months away, Arthur said the side may need to reevaluate their approach.”With the World Cup coming up in a year’s time, it’s important now that the next one-day team we play is a team that we really believe can shake the World Cup up. It’s not discrediting to the players in the dressing room because they have tried exceptionally hard, but we do need to reassess where we go to make sure we get it right next time when we come out, particularly in foreign conditions.”At the same time, he defended the players that were part of the tour, lauding the way young players had stood up whenever given the chance, and warning against writing off players who, just six months ago, won the Champions Trophy.”Every time we bring young boys in, they stand up. They have done it, they have done it under pressure. They did it at the Champions Trophy for us. When Fakhar Zaman walked in, he changed the tempo in the Champions Trophy, playing fearless cricket. Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, these are the guys who’d do anything for you. When we play in our own conditions, we dominate because our guys are comfortable and they play very well there. This is like playing on the north pole for them. It’s so different but we got to be better at that.”But our blue print that we had was good enough to win us the Champions Trophy, it was good enough to win nine ODIs in a row. But we haven’t played well enough here, and that’s a fact. Our guys have come out of playing a lot of T20 leagues. I am not making excuses, that’s just the way it is. We haven’t adapted well and haven’t played well enough. But the blue print for us still remains the same, but obviously personnel changes could happen.”Arthur also said New Zealand deserved credit for the way they had played, and that playing against them would be difficult in any conditions. Kane Williamson’s men have enjoyed a purple patch of late, impressing in a series defeat in India last year, before going on a run at home that has seen them notch up a record number of consecutive wins. They currently have a 100 per cent winning record this home season, winning two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is against the West Indies before the 5-0 against Pakistan.”They are very good team. I am incredibly impressed with how they are playing and I have watched them over the period of time. Every team right now in their conditions is a very good team. But you are judged how you play away from home, and I watched them in India, and New Zealand played exceptionally well outside. They seem to have covered all the bases.”

Half-centuries from Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne – in tough batting conditions – frustrated India after they were bowled out for 172 on the third day in Kolkata

The Report by Nikhil Kalro18-Nov-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:49

Chopra: Sri Lanka batsmen played as the conditions demanded

Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews compiled contrasting fifties and shared a 99-run partnership that put Sri Lanka in the ascendancy of the Kolkata Test, cutting their deficit to just 7 by stumps on the third day.They were united with the score on 34 for 2 but neither batsman chose to counterattack considering the plausibility of one delivery beating their defenses. They left well and allowed themselves to be beaten several times by playing the line, not pushing their hands too far in front of them. Soon, India’s seamers erred, looking for more than was required, with half-volleys and short and wide offerings and the boundaries flowed.Just like for Sri Lanka, India’s seamers generated lateral movement from the outset. Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced swing both ways, while Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav used seam off the pitch. In addition to the two early wickets, they found a couple late in the day to ensure they didn’t fall too far behind.Despite sufficient movement, Sadeera Samarawickrama, promoted to open, batted fluently. Displaying a compact technique and languid elegance, he struck three fours on either side of the wicket in his 23. But continuing to hit through the line with the ball hooping just enough was an approach fraught with risk. Bhuvneshwar duly found his outside edge as he played away from his body.Thirimanne and Mathews then swung the game in Sri Lanka’s favour. Still on this surface, they needed luck. Bhuvneshwar kept penetrating Mathews’ inside edge, hitting him on both pads. A shorter length, though, meant he survived lbw shouts due to the extra bounce. Umesh even found Thirimanne’s outside edge, but Shikhar Dhawan spilled a simple catch at first slip.Just after tea though, Umesh hit rhythm and cranked up the pace. An inswinger from around the wicket held its line, took Thirimanne’s outside edge and carried low to Virat Kohli’s left at second slip, who hung onto a sharp chance. Then, Mathews lost his concentration and chipped a catch to cover, his balance thrown off completely by a transfer of weight on the back foot, anticipating a shorter length.With the light fading and the ball continuing to move, Dinesh Chandimal was repeatedly beaten on both edges during his 33-ball scrap. He was given relief shortly after 4pm local when bad light forced early stumps for the third straight day.It was Sri Lanka’s seamers that had earlier given the visitors a chance. Swing had ceased without any cloud cover. But on a grassy pitch, Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal used the prevailing seaming conditions to bowl India out for 172. Dilruwan Perera chipped in with a double-wicket over to remove Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha, India’s only set batsmen on the third day.Resuming on 47, Cheteshwar Pujara swept a wayward delivery from Rangana Herath to move to one of his toughest Test fifties at home. The sun came out soon after, and India’s overall outlook seemed brighter.That was when Pujara erred for the first time this Test, mentally more than in technique. Overhead conditions had improved drastically, but underfoot it remained treacherous. Pujara poked at a full delivery from Gamage – with bat away from pad as opposed to his usual bat-close-to-body approach – possibly aware that swing had ceased. It created a big bat-pad gap. The ball jagged back prodigiously after pitching and uprooted off stump.Saha, at the other end, displayed terrific awareness of which deliveries to play. He routinely let full, wide balls go, but went after fuller, wider deliveries, hitting six fours in his 29. Along with Jadeja, who also picked only full or wide deliveries to attack, carried India past 100, their first landmark of the day in a 48-run stand, the highest of the innings.Dilruwan, introduced in the 44th over, found his offbreaks wouldn’t turn. So he began under-cutting them to generate drift and open up the outside edge. There was immediate success. Dilruwan had Jadeja lbw to a ball that slid on to strike his pad before bat. Umpire Joel Wilson’s not-out verdict was overturned on review. Three balls later, Saha top-edged an attempted sweep onto his forearm, which lobbed to slip.India’s tail swung freely, carrying them from 128 for 8 to 172, but as Sri Lanka’s middle order showed, it may be under par.

Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a Harry Kane replacement rumbles on, as they contend with trusting the squad they already have, or reinvesting the funds gained.

Will Richarlison replace Harry Kane?

Ange Postecoglou has been vocal in his admiration for Richarlison, as someone who clearly aligns with his philosophy with regard to work ethic and the sacrifices he will make.

However, that cannot excuse the poor form in front of goal that the Brazilian suffered last term, which led to widespread ridicule.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Regardless of whether the Australian truly believes he is the man to lead the line for the foreseeable future, he clearly has alternative plans should this turn into a failed venture.

The latest of which were detailed by journalist Sacha Tavolieri earlier in the week, who wrote on Twitter: “Talks ongoing for Gift Orban to Tottenham Hotspurs. Still no official written offer sent today by Spurs but I’ve been told, it’s processing."

It is expected that Spurs will seek to pay around €30m (£26m) for the K.A.A Genk marksman according to previous reports.

How good is Gift Orban?

To swap the 26-year-old for the 21-year-old in question would be to trade out steely hard work and running for guaranteed goals.

After all, the Nigerian youngster has set Belgian football alight in his sole full year there, having posted 22 goal contributions in as many games last season. This is a trend he seeks to maintain, with five goals in four games already to start the current campaign.

No wonder he is drawing such intrigue.

With pace, power and proficiency in abundance, it is hard for fans not to be drawn to the promising marksman with all the attributes to star in English football.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig sought to outline just a few of these assets that suggest Postecoglou would be acquiring a gem already on the path towards stardom, as he branded him a “goal poacher” with “electric pace and acceleration” as well as “killer instinct & fantastic movement in the final third”.

Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck also singled him out for praise: “He’s a phenomenon and he will continue to be a phenomenon. I’ve said it five times and I’ll keep saying it.

“Even if he is no longer here, he will remain a phenomenon and I will continue to say that. He is 21 and remains a young guy. His hat-trick? That is nothing special in itself anymore, is it? This is normal for him. Gift Orban was hungry and showed his qualities once again, I keep calling him a phenomenon and that will not change.”

To compare these outstanding technical and physical assets with Richarlison, and the Brazil international does have a right to be worried.

Especially given the fact that he scored just one league goal all year most recently, with writer Andrew Gaffney suggesting he had been decidedly “toothless”.

Just 12 league starts did not aid this endeavour, but his 4% conversion rate paired with the fact he seldom created either (0.6 key passes per game), via Sofascore, made him almost useless when starting within Antonio Conte’s front three.

All this could be set to change should he hit the ground running in his new central striker role, but that could certainly be thwarted by the arrival of Orban, even if he is five years his junior.

Age offers no barrier to entry when they are as deadly as Orban, and should he translate his form straight into the English game, it would spell terrible news for Richarlison.

Once again he would find himself stuck to the bench, likely with added frustration due to the fact he is no longer a backup to the legendary Harry Kane, but instead some young upstart who is stealing his chance to be in the limelight.

His first assignment in charge will be in the UAE, where Pakistan host New Zealand for three ODIs and four T20Is later this year

Umar Farooq25-Sep-2017The PCB has appointed Mark Coles as head coach of the Pakistan women’s team for the upcoming series against New Zealand in the UAE. The move to bring in a foreigner – Coles is from New Zealand – in the coaching staff is a part of an ongoing revamp in the women’s circuit.A PCB release said that Coles’ appointment was “on trial basis”, where he will be working as a volunteer with the national team and assigned only for the upcoming New Zealand series.The team, under the leadership of Sana Mir, lost all seven matches at the Women’s World Cup earlier this year and finished last on the points table. In a scathing report presented by coach Sabhi Azhar after Pakistan’s poor show in the tournament, he singled out the captain, manager and a few senior players as the reason for the winless campaign. The PCB is assessing the report to identify the problems and intends to revamp the entire structure, which may see a few sackings, some recruitments and even a change of captaincy.”We have tried so many Pakistani coaches till date without better results,” PCB chairman Najam Sethi told ESPNcricinfo. “It is time to get more professional input into women’s cricket like we have successfully done with the men’s national team. The intention is to set up a professional management team that will be given time to deliver results.”Sana Mir was the captain of Pakistan’s winless campaign•ICCColes, who has played six List A games for Wellington, comes with an extensive coaching background in the New Zealand and Australian domestic circuit. He was previously development manager for Waikato Valley and held several coaching jobs, working as a high-performance manager for the Western Australia and Wellington women’s cricket teams. His highest coaching role till date at the international level had been with ICC Affiliate Vanuatu. He also coached the Wellington Blaze to a T20 title in 2013, as well as being part of the Northern Districts High Performance coaching staff from 2014.”It was tough for them, but they competed really well over there [2017 Women’s World Cup],” Coles told after his appointment was made official. “I think they just lost the big moments in those games. They played well, but when the big moments came they couldn’t get the job done. Obviously the public just want them to win, like any international team. The team has been developing really nicely, so hopefully we can continue that.”Pakistan’s women’s team has never had a long-term or specialised coaching staff. Over the past few years, appointments have been made on a series-by-series basis. Azhar, who is also Rawalpindi’s head coach, was brought in only a few weeks before the World Cup. Mansoor Rana and Mohtashim Rasheed have spent a longer time in coaching roles with the team in the past. Basit Ali briefly served as coach before being sacked earlier this year.Coles’ first assignment is to lead Pakistan to the UAE to face New Zealand in three ODIs and four T20Is. The series is part of the ICC’s Women’s Cricket Championship, a four-year tournament that ends in 2021, with the top four teams at the end gaining automatic qualification to the Women’s World Cup in 2021. The series will be considered a home series for Pakistan, and the games will be played in Sharjah.

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson is "likely" to re-sign defender Will Fish on another loan from Man United, according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Who will Hibs sign?

Hibs have been fairly busy so far this transfer window as they build a capable side for the 2023/2024 Scottish Premiership campaign and their foray into Europe.

The Hibees qualified for the Europa Conference League play-off rounds at the end of last season after finishing fifth, and are still awaiting who they will face off against in the first leg of their second qualifying round on July 27th.

In the meantime, Johnson's side have looming friendlies against Bournemouth, with kick off later today, and FC Groningen next Friday.

So far, they've prepared well this summer in terms of incomings, having already sealed deals for Elie Youan, who joined from Swiss side St. Gallen for around £496,000, and Dylan Levitt from Dundee United for £299,000.

The aforementioned duo join striker Adam Le Fondre, left-back Jordan Obita and goalkeeper Maksymilian Boruc who have signed for Hibs on free transfers.

These additions could do wonders to fill the gaps left by star departures, most notably striker and top scorer from last season Kevin Nisbett, who joined Millwall last month for a "significant" seven-figure fee.

The 26-year-old departed Hibs alongside Marijan Cabraja, Mikey Devlin, Maciej Dabrowski, Kyle Magennis and Aiden McGeady – with Johnson seemingly orchestrating a major rebuild (Transfermarkt).

However, according to reliable reports in the English press, they may not be done there as young centre-back Fish could re-join Hibs on loan from Man United.

Journalist Luckhurst co-wrote a piece for the Manchester Evening News, sharing it on Twitter, whilst claiming Fish's reunion with Hibs is "likely" as the player agrees to make another season-long loan move.

The 20-year-old has been named in Erik ten Hag's recent friendly squads and will be again for their match against Lyon in Edinburgh next week.

He's then expected to remain in the Scottish capital and begin preparations with Hibs boss Johnson as he looks set to make the move back up north.

Fish was attracting attention from rivals, like Aberdeen, as well as clubs in the English Championship and League One. However, it is Hibs who have seemingly won the race for his signature, with the youngster keen to re-join and build upon his brilliant end to the 22/23 campaign.

How good is Will Fish?

The starlet seriously impressed towards the back end of last season with Hibs.

Indeed, Fish ranked among their top five best-performing players per 90 according to WhoScored, with the Englishman even chipping in with three league goals going forward.

He was also an indomitable presence at the back for Hibs, averaging more clearances and blocks per 90 than any other player in Johnson's squad (WhoScored).

Johnson, speaking to BBC Sportsround (via Football Scotland), heaped praise on Fish for his contribution in green and white.

"He's been fantastic. I've said before if you could build a centre-half, you'd build Will Fish," exclaimed Johnson.

He's a great student and a great lad and he's had to up his gravitas levels for this league and his on-pitch personalities.

"He's trusted by the boys, trusted by the staff and it's a great sign."

Cristiano Ronaldo remains arguably the biggest name to make the move to Saudi Arabia, starting a trend in doing so. It could be said that he is part of the reason why the league has welcomed so much talent this summer, starting a domino effect.

With that, Ronaldo may have been hoping to benefit – with a whole host of stars potentially joining him at Al Nassr – as he looks to win his first league title at the second time of asking in Saudi Arabia.

That might not be so easy, however, as the club have been banned from registering new players by FIFA, according to trusted journalist Ben Jacobs.

Why were Al Nassr hit with a transfer ban?

As per Jacobs, the ban comes after the Saudi club failed to pay add-ons owed to Leicester City in a deal for Ahmed Musa, after the forward triggered the additional fee of £390k between 2018 and 2020. Despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in the Premier League side’s favour.

Jacobs also reported that sources expect the ban to be lifted in the coming weeks if the payment is made promptly, which Al Nassr have assured they will.

So far this summer, Al Nassr have only welcomed one player with that being Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan. The Champions League finalist looks set to be the only addition for now, however, after the ban.

Given the fact that N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, Jota, Kalidou Koulibaly – the list could go on – have all joined other clubs in Saudi Arabia, you have to worry about Ronaldo’s title charge.

His side already lost out on the league title last season, finishing second behind Al-Ittihad, who have signed Kante, Benzema and Jota. So, not only will Ronaldo be without new teammates, but he’ll be up against a title rival with players still capable of playing in the Champions League.

It really does feel as though the former Manchester United man has had a nightmare few years.

How much is Cristiano Ronaldo paid per week?

Despite Al Nassr’s failure to pay Leicester City what they are reportedly owed, they reportedly shed out £3.6m per week to pay Ronaldo. An eye-watering sum, the football icon could pay the Foxes himself, and it would just be pocket change.

With that salary may still come the expectation of trophies, though, and after finishing second last season, the pressure will be on.

So far for the club, Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 16 appearances, whilst also making two assists for at least one goal involvement a game. It’s the type of numbers that you’d expect from such a legendary player.

In his first full season, he will no doubt have his eye on the Golden Boot, even though he’ll be forced to compete with former Real Madrid teammate Benzema. As the duo battle it out, those tuning into the Saudi Pro League could get themselves quite the spectacle.

One thing that we do know for sure, however, is the fact that, as things stand, Ronaldo will be doing it without the addition of fresh faces. The forward will hope to see a resolution of the issue in the coming weeks, especially as it won’t be too long before the season gets underway in August with a whole host of new stars playing for rival clubs.

A turbo-charged fifty from Robin Uthappa, and a relatively more sedate one from Gautam Gambhir helped Kolkata Knight Riders overhaul 182 and reclaim the top spot in the league

The Report by Deivarayan Muthu26-Apr-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:36

Bangar: ‘Uthappa deflated the Tahir threat’

A turbo-charged innings from Robin Uthappa and a relatively more sedate one from Gautam Gambhir helped Kolkata Knight Riders overhaul 182 with 11 balls to spare and reclaim the top spot in the league. Their 158-run partnership – the second highest for KKR in the IPL – ruthlessly exposed the limitations of a Rising Pune attack that was without Ben Stokes, who was nursing a niggle.In Stokes’ absence, there was a case for Rising Pune to pick either New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson or Australian legspinner Adam Zampa. Instead, they opted for South African batsman Faf du Plessis, who did not even get to bat.Five of Rising Pune’s six bowlers went for over eight runs an over – and three went for over 10. Pune’s fielding was as slipshod as their bowling. Uthappa, who was dropped on 12, moved to his highest IPL score of 87 off 47 balls at a strike-rate of 185.10. Gambhir, who was dropped on 32, went on to make 62. By the time they were dismissed in successive overs, the game was all but over. It was IPL debutant Darren Bravo who applied the finishing touches with a cover-driven four.Tripathi thrives in the Powerplay
The first over of the match, which had four plays-and-misses and an outside edge that burst through Uthappa’s gloves, turned out to be a false dawn for KKR. Rahul Tripathi was scoreless when Uthappa dropped that difficult chance. Yusuf Pathan then shelled a simpler catch to reprieve Tripathi in the seventh over. By then the opener had given Rising Pune their second successive fifty-run opening stand.He darted around the crease and manufactured swinging room to hit a variety of drives, including an inside-out four over covers off Sunil Narine. In all, Tripathi took two of KKR’s key bowlers – Narine and Umesh Yadav – for 28 runs off 13 balls. His early assault allowed Ajinkya Rahane to play himself in at the other end.Dhoni doesn’t start slowly
Before this match, Dhoni had scored just 27 runs off 54 balls from Narine in T20s – 3 off 13 balls in his previous game against KKR. But when Dhoni arrived on Wednesday night, Narine had only one over left. Gambhir held him back, and Dhoni pounced on Piyush Chawla, hitting him for back-to-back boundaries. Dhoni then pulled Kuldeep Yadav for a six and took Pune to 140 for 2 in 16 overs. Gambhir turned to Narine for the next over, but Dhoni saw him off.The rousing finish
Kuldeep brought KKR back by removing both Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary, who was sent ahead of du Plessis, with googlies. KKR, however, were without their previous match-winner Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was rested for this clash. Chris Woakes and Umesh served up a volley of length balls, and Smith and Dan Christian clattered 30 off the last two overs to lift Pune to 182 for 5.The partnership that won it
KKR lost Narine, who opened again, in the third over of the chase when Dhoni collected a throw from Shardul Thakur and dexterously flicked it onto the stumps. Imran Tahir induced a swirling top edge from Uthappa in his first over, but Jaydev Unadkat dropped it, falling backwards at deep midwicket. Uthappa soon got stuck into rookie offspinner Washington Sundar, gloriously lofting him for back-to-back sixes down the ground. Tahir wasn’t spared either – he was driven down the ground for a six. At the other end, Gambhir simply nurdled the ball into the gaps and let Uthappa do his thing.Uthappa soon unfurled dabs and sweeps, and secured runs in the other V – behind square. With every boundary, KKR highlighted the lack of depth in the Pune attack. The weakness in fielding was also exposed when Sundar put down Gambhir at short fine leg.Having watched his frontline bowlers regularly disappear to the boundary, Smith turned to Tripathi’s occasional medium-pace. He fared just as poorly, conceding 12 off his only over. In the first six overs KKR made 45 for 1. In their next six, they bashed 78 for 0. Game over.

Arsenal have been in contact with Kai Havertz once again over the weekend and the German forward has reaffirmed his interest in making the move to north London.

How much is Kai Havertz worth?

This summer will present the Gunners with an opportunity to build on what proved to be a promising 2022/23 campaign in north London.

Mikel Arteta's men did not have enough firepower behind them to see their title charge over the line as Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League crown.

But the Spaniard – and the fans – will have a lot of positives to take from their displays in the 2022/23 campaign and provide them with a lot of optimism for the upcoming campaign.

However, having seen City land the treble in recent weeks, it will surely send a message to the board and Edu Gaspar that Arsenal may need to invest heavily if they are to dethrone the champions.

And it seems as if the Gunners are keen to do so this summer with links to the likes of Havertz who has reportedly been valued at around £75m by Chelsea.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the German has been in contact with Arsenal over the weekend where he was proclaimed his interest in a potential transfer:

"Kai Havertz has been very clear, also this morning [Sunday], in new contacts, he wants to join Arsenal.

"He has an agreement with Arsenal on personal terms, so everything is ready on player's side."

How many goals did Havertz score last season?

It was an underwhelming campaign for the Blues last season and Havertz is not a player who can be excused from their failings.

Despite playing the majority of the campaign as their centre-forward, Havertz was only able to provide the west London side with seven goals in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

Chelsea played the majority of the 2022/23 campaign without an out-and-out striker in their starting XI which can certainly be seen through their poor return in front of goal.

And it has to be questioned whether Havertz has actually done enough to earn himself a transfer to a side who challenged so strongly for the Premier League title.

The Gunners will be playing Champions League football next season and, in Chelsea's European games, Havertz was only able to return two goals in his 10 Champions League appearances last season (via Transfermarkt).

He has been hailed as a "magician" by some in the media and the potential opportunity at Arsenal could allow him to rediscover his form shown in the Bundesliga.