The super sub bailed out his struggling team-mate as Enzo Maresca's side took command of this Conference League quarter-final tie

Noni Madueke scored two goals off the bench as a strong second-half showing secured Chelsea a 3-0 win against Legia Warsaw on Thursday.

The Blues had 75 per cent possession and fashioned nine shots to the hosts' three, but could not find a way through in the first half.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's curling effort was expertly pushed away by goalkeeper Kacper Tobiasz, and Rafał Augustyniak did well to stop Christopher Nkunku from turning the ball home from close range.

At the other end, Max Oydele played a delightful through ball to find Ryota Morishita but the Japanese forward couldn't keep his effort on target when in a good position.

Maresca's half-time team talk seemingly worked wonders as 19-year-old Tyrique George scored his first goal for the club after Reece James' shot wasn't held by Tobiasz in the 49th minute.

It was 2-0 just eight minutes later when Jadon Sancho found substitute Madueke in the box, and the winger finished with aplomb.

Mere moments after Nkunku failed to convert he penalty he won, Sancho set up Madueke again from close range to make it 3-0 with 16 minutes remaining.

Patryk Kun brought a great reaction stop out of Filip Jorgensen at the death as Chelsea took a hefty advantage into the second leg of this Conference League quarter-final tie.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Marshall Józef Piłsudski Legia Warsaw Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Filip Jorgensen (6/10):

Had very little to do all night but made a good reaction save late on to preserve his team's clean sheet.

Josh Acheampong (7/10):

Was eager to get forward at every opportunity and looked very composed on the ball.

Tosin Adarabioyo (6/10):

Made some nice passes into attack and didn't do much wrong. But was surprisingly taken off at half time.

Benoit Badiashile (7/10):

Used his height to good effect, both in attack and defence. Past the test that came his way.

Malo Gusto (7/10):

The consistent performer did nothing to hurt that reputation in what was a very hostile atmosphere.

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Reece James (8/10):

Was a creative force in midfield, played his part in Chelsea's first and second goals, and led by example as captain.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10):

Got himself into dangerous positions but missed a number of decent chances to put his side ahead. Not a bad display, mind.

Cole Palmer (6/10):

He showed some positive signs but this is not the same player that was tearing up the Premier League earlier this season.

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Jadon Sancho (7/10):

Didn't offer a great deal in the opening 45 minutes but was much more of a threat after the interval, as he went onto chalk up two assists.

Christopher Nkunku (4/10):

He didn't provide the forward presence Chelsea needed, particularly in the first half, and his penalty miss was telling. The Frenchman's confidence seems quite low right now.

Tyrique George (8/10):

The teenager showed plenty of vigour and quality and showed good attacking instincts to get his first ever goal for the club he has been at since 2014. Did well as a winger and a number 10.

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Levi Colwill (7/10):

Mopped up everything that came his way when he came off the bench.

Noni Madueke (9/10):

Had an instant impact when he came on and took his two goals with ease.

Marc Cucurella (7/10):

Was very composed when his team called upon him.

Mathis Amougou (6/10):

Wasn't afraid to get stuck in.

Shim Mheuka (6/10):

The youngster was energetic off the bench.

Enzo Maresca (7/10):

His side lacked ideas and weren't really at the races in the first half but were much improved after the break and his substitutes did the trick.

The 19-year-old made her senior England debut on Tuesday and marked it with an absolute wonderstrike, just 41 seconds after stepping on the pitch

Arsenal seem to have a knack for producing centre-backs. England icons Anita Asante and Casey Stoney both spent time in the club’s academy, with Leah Williamson, the current Lionesses captain, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, part of the team that won the European Championship in 2022 and reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, currently strong ambassadors for the youth set-up in the Gunners’ first team. In a parallel universe, perhaps Michelle Agyemang, the relentless 19-year-old goal-machine representing the club on the women's NXGN 2025 list, is aiming to be next up on that production line.

However, while it was in the heart of defence that the England youth international found herself when she first started to kick a ball around as a little girl, it wouldn’t stick, even if she still enjoys playing there occasionally in training. “Defending can be fun sometimes,” she laughed. “Sometimes!”

Instead, Agyemang has blossomed into one of the most exciting teenage strikers on the planet. Her reputation had grown steadily through exploits in England’s youth national teams and loan spells with Watford and, currently, Brighton, before she announced herself on the international stage in the most explosive fashion on Tuesday night.

Just 41 seconds after coming off the bench for her Lionesses debut, the teenager controlled Leah Williamson's cross perfectly before powering a volley into the top corner. After several years of simmering hype, it was a moment which saw Agyemang introduce herself to a wider audience and really show why those who have tracked her progress closely believe she is England's next great No.9.

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  A football upbringing

  Football was perhaps an inevitable path for Agyemang, who grew up in Essex in a house engrossed in the sport. Her father was a coach at grassroots level and her brother played, too, with his younger sister always following him around, kicking a ball. “I had a coach called Lynn and she just gave me a pair of football boots and I joined in with the boys’ Under-7s team,” Agyemang told GOAL, laughing as she recalls being put in at centre-back initially. “I was the only girl in the team, but I really enjoyed it.”

  Loyalties were split at home. Her father is a Manchester United fan; her brother, who Agyemang, with a healthy giggle, declared herself “definitely better than” now, supports Chelsea; and her sister follows West Ham, the team they would go and watch most often as kids. Likely in a bid to keep the peace, her mother “supports anyone”.

  Agyemang, though, was always drawn to Arsenal. “I was a really big fan of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as well,” she recalled. When her father got her a trial with the Gunners then, aged six, it was as if the stars had aligned.

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  New role models

  It was from there that Agyemang would start to be introduced to the women’s game and the female footballers who would become her role models. She and her team-mates had season tickets to watch the Gunners’ all-conquering side, who had been the dominant force in the English women’s game throughout the noughties and won the first two Women’s Super League titles, in 2011 and 2012.

  “We got our shirts signed by Jordan Nobbs. We had Leah as well. There was one game specifically that I do remember with Kelly Smith, and then she ended up being my forwards coach last year. Even Anita now, my [England] U23s coach," Agyemang recalled.

  “It's interesting because back in the day, they were like the main faces of women's football, so to see them still part of it now is great. Then also to learn from them, to know how good they were, especially someone like Kelly in a similar position to me, it's always great to learn from her and put that in my game as well.

  “She's very chill. She knows everything about you, which is good. She knows how to push you, she knows where you need to improve and she's not too demanding, but she knows where to step in, I think, which is really helpful, especially as a young player. You can get overwhelmed sometimes, but she knows how to deal with that.”

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  Thriving when challenged

  Agyemang has had that experience with Smith in the first team thanks to the manner in which she has flown through the Arsenal system. The teenager remembers that “really, really cold” trial at Rowley Lane some 13 years ago rather well, perhaps because it doesn’t blend into any other auditions during her time with the Gunners. The forward was pushed up two age groups in order to suit the needs of her exciting development, never had to go through the retrial system and made her senior Arsenal debut at the age of 16.

  That, of course, makes it all sound much simpler than it has all been. It’s not easy to stay at a club like Arsenal, especially because of the challenges the academy throws at its players in order to aid development. Indeed, after initially enjoying the thrill of winning every week, Agyemang remembers when her U12s team were put in the boys’ league instead.

  “That was a big shift,” she said. “We were losing every week, we were getting dominated physically, even mentally, it was a struggle. But I think that kind of shaped the way I am as a player and a person, in terms of that perseverance, leadership and also [moving] up as well, being younger in an older age group, just being confident in myself and in my ability as well, which has really helped me today.”

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  Making the jump

  Such exposure helped Agyemang build a physical profile that, when matched with her wonderful talent, has aided her acclimatisation to the senior game. That experience outside of the youth categories started at Arsenal, with the teenager racking up five appearances in all competitions for the Gunners in a 2022-23 campaign that ended with her committing to a professional contract.

  The following year, she was at Watford in the Women’s Championship, scoring four goals in seven starts despite injury limiting her game time. Now, she’s made the step up to the WSL and joined Brighton, a club she describes as being “a really good fit”, on loan.

  Surrounded by top-class facilities, in a team that plays attractive football and learning from seasoned England stars like Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, it is ticking a lot of boxes for a teenager eager to learn and improve. Her attitude, talent and work ethic are all being rewarded with regular game time under Dario Vidosic, too, whose unique style also presents a significant learning curve.

Objectively, Darwin Nunez is a talented centre-forward. One of the bravest, most influential, most tenacious. Thing is, though, Nunez has suffered from some woeful finishing across the past two-and-a-years at Liverpool.

Oh to lift the lid and peer within the complex mechanics of this Uruguayan striker. This enigma. Nunez fired two cool strikes past Mark Flekken on Saturday afternoon, coming up trumps for a Liverpool side that looked like it was heading for a third straight draw in the Premier League.

Liverpool had toiled against Brentford, whose resistance and togetherness has seen them thrive once again under Thomas Frank’s wing this season, but were finally breached in stoppage time by a forward who desperately needed some respite following a tough period.

Nunez doubled his Premier League goal tally for the season, converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s drilled delivery before lashing a strike into the inside netting moments later, latching onto Harvey Elliott’s neat pass after a devastating break.

But. Liverpool will be under no illusions that Nunez hasn’t been good enough this season, still lacking the killer bite in the final third that, admittedly, was on show last time out.

Why Liverpool still could replace Nunez

Nunez will play a big part in Liverpool’s campaign over the coming months. Arne Slot revealed during his Friday press conference that Diogo Jota had picked up yet another fitness setback, ruling him out of his 12th fixture of the campaign.

Liverpool’s attacking depth secured three invaluable points to ultimately extend their dominant lead at the top of the Premier League, something that was not lost on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal as the Londoners squandered a two-goal lead to draw with Aston Villa.

The title, truly, is Anfield’s to lose, and while there’s a long, crooked road still ahead, Liverpool will only have themselves to blame if they do fail in their endeavour. Nunez, again, will be crucial, but his track record suggests that there is so much work to be done before he can prove himself worthy of being the number one at number nine.

Darwin Nunez – Premier League Record

Season

Apps

Goals

Shots (on target)

Big chances missed

24/25

16

4

1.6 (0.6)

3

23/24

36

11

3.0 (1.3)

27

22/23

29

9

2 9 (1.3)

20

Stats via Sofascore

The 25-year-old has been linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League in recent weeks, and while his Brentford display serves as a reprieve and a welcome one at that, FSG are still trawling through the market for a new top-class forward.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse Liverpool eyeing new forward

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are seriously considering a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo this year. The Frenchman is, of course, a topical name after being beaten by the Reds this weekend, but his performances across the campaign suggest that he could be perfect for the project.

It’s felt that Frank will forbid Mbeumo from leaving at the season’s midpoint, but offers in the ballpark of £60m could tempt the well-run outfit to cash in during the summer.

One of the English top flight’s standout performers this year, the 25-year-old is being pursued by a host of rivals, so Liverpool will need to up the ante at the negotiating table.

What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Liverpool

Mbeumo’s quality will indeed be freshly pressed in Liverpool minds after his impressive performance against Slot’s side on Saturday, running Kostas Tsimikas ragged at times, with reporter Sam Tabuteau noting that he had “the measure” of the Greek left-back.

Ultimately, it was a bad day at the office for the Bees talisman, who stung Alisson’s palms with four strikes on goal – each, of course, saved.

That doesn’t detract from a rich overall season that has showcased some superb finishing in the Premier League, with Mbeumo actually ranking among the top 5% of positional peers in the division for goals scored (0.59) per 90, as per FBref.

He’s scored 13 goals in the division this season, featuring 21 times and adding three assists. Mbeumo is actually the joint-fifth highest scorer in 2024/25, five strikes behind Mohamed Salah and only two off Newcastle United hitman Alexander Isak.

Last season, The Athletic’s Jay Harris remarked that Mbeumo “cannot be stopped,” with Mbeumo starring in west London. Well, it’s clear that he’s raised his level since the summer, now among the Premier League’s foremost strikers.

Principally playing off the right flank, Mbeumo has got ample experience in a more conventional centre-forward role, endowed with the crisp finishing to align with a dynamic skill set and ensure his success.

Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford Stats by Position (PL)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

62

22

17

Centre-forward

28

10

3

Attacking midfield

29

2

1

Stats via Transfermarkt

Slot’s Liverpool are a fluent and interchangeable side, with the likes of Luis Diaz featuring regularly as the central focal point. Mbeumo would stake his claim to having superior physicality to Liverpool’s contingent, with Nunez and Diaz tenacious characters but perhaps lacking in strength.

Mbeumo has averaged 1.3 tackles and 4.6 successful duels per Premier League match this term, as per Sofascore, so he clearly has an apt anatomical build for the duty.

At 5 foot 8, he’s diminutive and woulnd’t bring the kind of aerial threat that, say, Erling Haaland carries over at Manchester City, but Liverpool could benefit from the strengths that Mbeumo does possess all the same.

Liverpool might just have the tools to get over the line this season, clinching an incredible Premier League title in Slot’s first season at the helm. Nunez has proved that he can be a driving force in desperate moments, but is he mature enough, Slot-like enough, to lead the line over the coming years.

Mbeumo has proven through several years of hard toil that he is capable of being a consistent outlet in front of goal, and Liverpool must pull no punches in getting his prized signature added to the Anfield ranks.

Related Move over Nunez: 8/10 Liverpool star was the real star of the show

The Liverpool defender put in a fantastic performance against Brentford on Saturday.

Posts ByDan Emery Jan 18, 2025

Every batting record up for grabs on a daily basis in absence of The Hundred elite

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2022Derbyshire 312 for 2 (Reece 106, Godleman 87, Masood 53*) beat Northamptonshire 311 for 7 (McManus 107, Zaib 62) by eight wicketsLuis Reece scored his second century of this year’s Royal London Cup campaign to set up a Derbyshire victory by eight wickets against Northamptonshire on a day of records and big runs at Wantage Road.It was Derbyshire’s highest successful run chase in all List A cricket, beating their previous best of 309, also against Northamptonshire, in 2017.Reece (106) shared a mammoth opening partnership worth 204 with his captain Billy Godleman (87) as Derbyshire chased down 312 to win. It was a record stand in List A games between these two sides and the highest for any Derbyshire wicket beating the previous best between Kim Barnett and Chris Adams in 1997.When both fell, Derbyshire were behind the run rate but Shan Masood (53) and Harry Came (44) kept up the pace, making short work of the remaining runs in a blaze of boundaries with seven balls to spare.That meant subdued celebrations for Lewis McManus, who had hit his maiden List A century (107 off 111 balls). The keeper shared a stand of 161 with Tom Taylor (75 off 54 balls) who also hit his highest score in all formats in Northamptonshire colours.Related

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Statisticians could take delight at least. It was the biggest Northamptonshire List A partnership for any wicket against Derbyshire, beating the previous best of 158 between David Sales and Alex Wakely in 2012. It was also the highest fifth-wicket partnership in List A cricket for Northamptonshire against any opposition, beating the previous record set by Allan Lamb and David Capel.Derbyshire made an immediate breakthrough when Ben Aitchison struck in consecutive overs to remove the dangerous pair of Ricardo Vasconcelos, who was caught off a top edge, and skipper Will Young who edged to the keeper.Saif Zaib and Emilio Gay led the recovery, putting on 58 in 10 overs, with Zaib stroking boundaries off three consecutive deliveries from Sam Conners before Gay (29) chipped Reece straight to short midwicket.After putting on 59 with McManus, Zaib (62) reverse swept Mattie McKiernan straight to Mark Watt behind square. It was to be the last wicket for some time as Taylor joined forces with McManus.McManus’ first 50 included just three boundaries but he ran sharply between the wickets and reached the milestone off 79 deliveries. From there he accelerated with the rest of his runs coming off just 32 balls. He hit Watt straight down the ground for six and hooked Nick Potts and Conners behind square for two further maximums. Conners went the distance again when McManus struck him high over deep midwicket and smashed him down the pitch.Taylor smote Watt over long-on for six but was content to let McManus have the strike initially. He took a liking to Potts though, playing a stinging drive through the covers and whipping him through midwicket. He crunched Connors down the ground for four and scooped him over the keeper to bring up his fifth List A half-century. The carnage continued when he swung Reece high over long-on into the stands for six.The pair were finally parted when McManus was run out while Taylor fell when he missed an attempted scoop and was bowled by Conners.Derbyshire got off to a bright start in the chase. Reece soon found the boundary, playing a brace of perfect on-drives down the pitch off Taylor, scooping him for another boundary and whipping Nathan Buck over backward square leg for six. He advanced to his half-century off exactly 50 deliveries with his eighth boundary.Godleman too was timing the ball beautifully through the covers and reached his half-century by pulling Buck aggressively for four.The Falcons otherwise breezed past 150 without loss in the 26th over with neither batter looking troubled or needing to take many risks, most of the boundaries coming along the floor rather than through the air. Northamptonshire’s largely inexperienced attack seldom looked threatening after almost drawing the edge in the opening overs. Wickets looked most likely to come through spin with Zaib having three lbw appeals turned down in two overs.Derbyshire passed 200 in the 35th over but when Reece attempted to force the pace, coming down the pitch to Taylor, he could only pick out Gay who took an excellent tumbling legside boundary catch. He had faced 120 balls and hit 13 fours and one six.Four overs later Godleman (99 balls) departed too, run out thanks to some sharp work by Sales with Derbyshire still needing 91 with nine overs to go.Shan Masood held the key to Derbyshire’s hopes and he came out determined to play his shots, whipping a legside half volley from Sales off his pads for six, supported by Came who struck two big sixes as the pair added 50 in five overs to leave Derbyshire needing 36 off the last five.

Still looking to get their January business underway, Chelsea have reportedly received their first answer in a bid to sign an attacking addition worth just £17m this month.

Chelsea transfer news

Before anything, the Blues must clear any deadwood remaining in Enzo Maresca’s side. The likes of Ben Chilwell and Tosin Adarabioyo have already been linked with the exit door in recent weeks, and there’s no denying that the former particularly needs a January exit.

The left-back has reportedly attracted the interest of Everton, in a move that would see him stay put in the Premier League and join up with David Moyes at the beginning of his latest Goodison Park reign.

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The Blues need reinforcements…

ByBarney Lane Jan 10, 2025

Meanwhile, on the incomings front, the Blues have been linked with the likes of Ousmane Diomande. Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that Chelsea are among the favourites to secure the Sporting CP defender’s signature this month in a big-money deal.

The centre-back isn’t the only one who could arrive before the end of the month, with an attacking reinforcement also threatening to steal the headlines in recent weeks.

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea have seen their opening bid for Yeremay Hernandez worth £8.5m rejected by Deportivo La Coruna.

The Blues aren’t exactly close to the Segunda Division side’s valuation given that they’re only willing to part ways with Hernandez if clubs trigger his reported €20m (£17m) release clause this month.

With Aston Villa also keeping an eye on things, the west London club must step things up if they are to welcome the winger before the end of the window. A wanted man and a player on the rise, Hernandez could make his biggest move yet if the Blues increase their offer.

"Creative" Hernandez is a rising star

Whether via the Premier League or elsewhere, Hernandez looks like a player ready to step up to the top flight following an impressive campaign in Spain’s second division for Deportivo, where he has scored eight goals and assisted another three in just 18 games so far this season.

Earning plenty of praise as a result, analyst Ben Mattinson described Hernandez as a “compact creative winger” earlier this week, before dubbing his vision “excellent” in a post full of positives.

As the window rolls on, Chelsea now have a decision to make over whether they match Hernandez’s release clause or simply allow the winger to look elsewhere for a move away.

The question would certainly be put to Maresca as to where Hernandez would fit into his Chelsea side. So many players have arrived before being forced to watch on from the reserves, and Hernandez has far too much potential to suffer a similar fate.

Chelsea hold a Premier League star in very high regard, and it is believed they’re prepared to battle for his services, as those within Stamford Bridge believe he could be an imperative addition to the squad.

Chelsea prioritise centre-back with Wesley Fofana out for a long period

Enzo Maresca confirmed the news that Chelsea supporters really didn’t want to hear, with mainstay centre-back Wesley Fofana facing a lengthy absence for the second time in his career at the club.

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The French giants are not messing around…

4 ByTom Cunningham Jan 3, 2025

The Frenchman has partnered Levi Colwill to brilliant effect so far this season, but Maresca will now have to cope without him for a very long time, which could even be for the rest of this season, despite Chelsea’s boss originally predicting he’d miss just “three, four, or five weeks”.

“Unfortunately, he could be out for the season, so we don’t know exactly for the entire season, but unfortunately he could be out for part of the season,” said Maresca on Fofana’s injury at Chelsea.

“And we are together here since we start, and every time you ask me about Wes, I said many times that I’m in love with Wes.

Bournemouth (home)

January 14

Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)

January 20

Man City (away)

January 25

West Ham (away)

February 3

Brighton (away)

February 14

“I was in love with Wes, also because Wes is that kind of defender that gives you the chance to press and be aggressive and to leave him 1v1 with Watkins on pitch.

“We did exactly the same when Wes was injured with Benoit Badiashile, 1v1 with Solanke on pitch, and they can deal with that, and it’s very difficult to find that kind of defender, but now unfortunately both are injured. We are trying to find different solutions, but for sure for us Wes is a huge loss.”

Chelsea are believed to be prioritising a centre-back in January, even before Fofana’s injury, but there are also some suggestions that they have their eyes on reinforcing their forward options.

Ipswich Town star Liam Delap is a target for Chelsea, and they’ve had some contact with his club in the build up to this window (Simon Phillips).

Chelsea view Newcastle star Isak as "key" potential signing

According to reports out of Spain, Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is on their striker shortlist too. It is believed Chelsea view Isak as a potential “key” signing for Maresca, and they’re “ready to compete” with Atlético Madrid and Arsenal for his signature.

The Magpies will demand a price tag of around £99 million, or perhaps even more going by other reports, which is hardly surprising given Isak is arguably the division’s best centre-forward right now.

“Alex is a world-class talent,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe recently.

“The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he’s got it all. He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that, but now the team are performing much better.

“He’s a player with a real confidence and we’re seeing a return to his really best levels – that’s highlighted by the goals he has scored.”

An unbroken third-wicket partnership worth 141 between Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney rescued Australia from a shaky start against Pakistan to secure a third win from as many matches at the Commonwealth Games.Australia – already assured of a place in the semi-finals – had slumped to 19 for 2 inside the first six overs before McGrath hammered her way to 78 not out off 51 balls and Mooney reached an unbeaten 70 off 49 at Edgbaston. It was the fourth time McGrath has gone unbeaten in her six career T20I innings. McGrath also took 3 for 13 from three overs as Pakistan’s pursuit of 161 faltered.Pakistan were bundled out of the tournament after going winless from their three matches, meaning that the winner of the evening match between India and Barbados would progress to the knockout stages with Australia from Group A.Dream start for PakistanPakistan couldn’t have hoped for a better beginning after restricting the gold-medal favourites to 22 for 2 in the powerplay, having claimed the prized wickets of Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning, both for just four runs each.Healy was dropped off the bowling of Diana Baig in the first over when she sent a thick edge to first slip, where Omaima Sohail failed to hold on. The damage was limited, however, when Healy fell without adding to her score in the next over edging an excellent delivery from Fatima Sana which angled in, found the inside edge and clattered into leg stump.Sadia Iqbal, playing her first match of the Games, then struck in the sixth over with a gem to beat Lanning and pegged back off stump. After six overs, Australia had found the boundary just three times and were scoring at a run rate of 3.67.Omaima Sohail lost her leg stump off Alana King’s first ball, much to the delight of Alyssa Healy•Getty Images

McGrath, Mooney issue wake-up callMcGrath and Mooney began to regain control, adding 36 runs in the next four overs to recover to 58 for 2 at the halfway point of the innings. After reaching 30 from 24 balls, McGrath was adjudged lbw to Iqbal when she was struck on the back pad attempting to reverse sweep, but overturned the decision on review with replays showing the ball had brushed her glove on the way through.McGrath’s shot-placement was sublime. She stroked two fours in three balls off Sohail, muscled over cover and swept through backward square leg before moving to a 37-ball fifty in the next over with a powerful drive to the rope at long-off from the bowling of Iqbal.Mooney brought up her fifty in 42 balls with a single off Aiman Anwer to also raise the century stand. The 19th over, bowled by Sana, went for 21 runs, including a six each to Mooney, launched over deep square leg, and McGrath finer but with plenty of power behind it. Twelve runs off the final over, by Anwer, including four from McGrath through cover off a full toss to close the innings, had Australia in command.Pakistan’s pursuit falls flatPakistan were 8 for 2 after just two overs with Megan Schutt removing Muneeba Ali with the third ball of their reply, slashing straight to Darcie Brown at backward point. Brown then chimed in with the wicket of Iram Javed in the next over, skying an attempted pull to Grace Harris at short midwicket.After six overs Pakistan were ahead of the curve at 32 for 2 but needed something massive from captain Bismah Maroof. She enjoyed a let-off when she spooned Ash Gardner straight to mid-off where Harris shelled a simple chance.Alana King, who took a career-best 4 for 8 in Australia’s nine-wicket victory over Barbados, entered the attack immediately afterwards and struck right away, bowling Sohail with a beauty that brushed the pad and hit leg stump two-thirds of the way up. When Aliya Riaz was run out, effectively sacrificed by Maroof who sent her back halfway through a second run, Pakistan slumped to 47 for 4 in the 10th over.McGrath shines with the ball tooMcGrath capped a wonderful all-round effort with three wickets, includuing two in two balls. She had Ayesha Naseem well caught by King, running round to long-on to take a high one just inside the rope.Then she ended Maroof’s laboured innings of 23 from 32 balls when a miscued drive sailed to Jess Jonassen at mid-on and, next ball, trapped Tuba Hassan lbw playing across a straight one. When Baig left the hat-trick ball alone outside off, Healy shot a smile from behind the stumps at first slip, where Lanning stood once more, having dropped a catch there which would have given King a hat-trick in the previous match. Sana finished unbeaten on 35, but her team fell well short.

Chelsea are now keen on signing an “unbelievable” striker who has scored four goals against the Blues, according to a report.

Chelsea eyeing a striker

After Liam Delap ran the Blues ragged in the 2-0 defeat at Portman Road, Enzo Maresca may have been expected to make a January move for the striker, but the Blues are now expected to hold off until at least the end of the season.

Nicolas Jackson’s improved performances this season mean there is not an overwhelming need to bring in a new striker this month, but Maresca is still continuing to cast his eye on a number of targets.

Chelsea are expected to hold talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for Randal Kolo Muani, who is set to leave the Ligue 1 club this winter, while they are also in the race for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.

PSG willing to table stunning £150m+ offer to sign "fantastic" Chelsea star

The French giants are not messing around…

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By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 3, 2025

Ferguson is not the only Premier League striker under consideration by Stamford Bridge chiefs, however, as it has now been revealed they are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha.

According to a report from Caught Offside, a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, are keen on Cunha, having been impressed by his performances in the first half of the campaign.

The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also expressed an interest in the forward, but Wolves are expected to make it very difficult for him to leave Molineux this winter.

The Old Gold are set to come forward with a contract offer for the Brazilian, which will see his £60k-per-week wages increased, with the Premier League strugglers extremely pleased with his showings up to this point and recently valuing him at £90m for this month.

Cunha could help take Chelsea to the next level

The 25-year-old has undoubtedly been one of Wolves’ top performers this season, picking up 10 goals and four assists in the first half of the campaign to ensure his side still have a good chance of avoiding relegation to the Championship.

Earlier this year, the Wolves star received high praise for his performance against the Blues in the Premier League after scoring a hat-trick.

The former Atletico Madrid man has scored four goals in four appearances against Chelsea, and the fact he is also capable of setting up goals indicates he is a well-rounded striker, who could help take Maresca’s side to the next level.

However, it may be difficult to get a deal done this winter, given that Wolves are in talks over a new contract, and it would be very risky to sell Cunha while they find themselves in a relegation battle.

نجح منتخب غانا في تسجيل الهدف الأول بشباك نظيره منتخب مصر في المباراة الجارية بينهما الآن ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 للشباب.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع غانا، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا المقامة في مصر.

وسجل هدف غانا الأول عبد العزيز عيسى في الدقيقة الأولى من الوقت بدل الضائع من عمر الشوط الأول بتسديدة في منتصف المرمى أخفق عبد المنعم تامر حارس منتخب مصر في التصدي لها.

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام غانا في كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عاماً

وكان منتخب مصر قد تقدم بهدفين سجلهما مؤمن شريف، الاول جاء في الدقيقة 19 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، ذلك بعدما استغل خطأ دفاعي من منتخب غانا، داخل منطقة ليسدد في الشباك.

ثم عاد اللاعب ذاته ليسجل الهدف الثاني عند الدقيقة 27، باستغلاله أيضًا لخطأ دفاعي، لينطلق بالكرة وقام بمراوغة الحارس، وسدد في المرمى.

وكان منتخب مصر قد صعد إلى دور ربع النهائي، بعدما حصد المركز الثالث في المجموعة الأولى، حيث جاء تأهله كأفضل المنتخبات التي احتلت المركز الثالث بمجموعات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

بينما على الجانب الآخر، تأهل منتخب غانا إلى دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، بعدما احتل المركز الأول في المجموعة الثالثة. هدف غانا الأول أمام مصر

MatériaMais Notícias

Ajuíza Paloma Moreira de Assis Carvalho,do Foro Central Criminal da Barra Funda do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, acatou a decisão do Ministério Público, e arquivou o caso dosuposto estupro envolvendo Robson Bambu, do Corinthians.O defensor do Timão e o seu amigo, Wellington Ferreira Barros, conhecido como Pezinho, eram acusados de estupro de vulnerável.

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-Nos termos da manifestação do representante do Ministério Público, feitas as devidas anotações e comunicações, homologo o pedido de arquivamento destes autos de inquérito policial, sem prejuízo do reexame da matéria, nos termos do disposto no artigo 18 do Código de Processo Penal – sustentouPaloma em sua decisão.

Na segunda-feira (16), opromotor do caso, Márcio Takeshi Nakada, justificou o pedido de arquivamento do caso pelo Ministério Público afirmando que não houve indícios suficientes nem justa causa para a deflagração de ação penal contra o atleta e seu amigo.

Com a decisão da juíza, o caso está encerrado. Robson Bambu trabalha normalmente com o resto do elenco alvinegro. Ele inclusive foi titular no empate por 1 a 1 com o Boca Juniors, na Bombonera, pela Libertadores.

> TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão

Sobre o caso

No dia 3 de fevereiro a ocorrência que associava Robson Bambu ao crime de estupro foi apresentada por uma mulher de 25 anos, que se apresentava como a vítima.

De acordo com a denunciante, ela estava em uma casa noturna, no bairro do Tatuapé, na Zona Leste de São Paulo, com uma amiga, e lá conheceram Robson e um amigo do jogador, cujo o apelido é Pezinho.

Ambas então foram para um hotel com a dupla, a suposta vitima com Pezinho, e a amiga dela com Bambu. No local, todos admitiram inicialmente que mantiveram relação sexual de forma consensual. Porém, a suposta vitima mudou a sua versão posteriormente, dizendo que estava inconsciente no momento do ato.

A mulher foi submetida a um exame toxicológico que não apontou substâncias alcoólicas, ainda que ela tenha admitido a ingestão de alguns copos de vodca. O que foi encontrado foi o registro de canabidiol, principal elemento da maconha. A denunciante disse que fumou um vaper (espécie de cigarro eletrônico), mas não sabia se nele havia a droga.

As divergências principais no depoimento, no entanto, apareceram na manhã seguinte do suposto crime, onde a possível vitima afirmou acordar com Robson sobre ela, introduzindo a mão nas partes íntimas dela. Ainda segundo a versão da mulher, Pezinho estava no mesmo local e via tudo com consentimento.

Robson, contudo, nega que isso tenha acontecido. Segundo o jogador, ele, o amigo, a denunciante e a amiga dela chegaram ao hotel por volta das 6h30, foram para os quartos separados e por volta 10h30 acordou, porque precisava visitar alguns apartamentos – o jogador havia retornado ao Brasil e acertado com o Corinthians dias antes, e ainda procurava um local para residir em São Paulo.

Após duas tentativas de ligação para o quarto de Pezinho e a suposta vítima, que, de acordo com o zagueiro corintiano, não foram atendidas, ele foi até o cômodo, a mulher estava deitada e se irritou ao saber que já era perto das 11h, pois ela tinha um compromisso comercial e havia perdido o horário.

Contudo, de acordo com o Bambu, a confusão começou minutos depois, no quarto do jogador, quando a suposta vitima se exaltou, queria jogar água na amiga para acordar, e foi impedida.

No depoimento, Pelezinho, amigo de Robson Bambu, admitiu que ofereceu ajuda à denunciante, por conta do valor do dia de trabalho perdido, mas que ela teria dito para ele que gostaria de uma boa quantia de dinheiro.

O caso, então, foi levado à justiça pela mulher.O Ministério Público solicitou o arquivamento do inquérito, e ajuíza Paloma Moreira de Assis Carvalho, do Foro Central Criminal da Barra Funda do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, acatou a decisão.

Tanto o clube como o jogador não se posicionaram após a conclusão. Caso uma das partes emita uma nota sobre o assunto, a matéria será atualizada.

Robson Bambu segue treinando e sendo relacionado para partidas normalmente. Até aqui, o jogador tem cinco jogos disputados pelo Timão.