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Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham has backed the club to make a move that ‘hasn’t been spoken about’ in Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

The Lowdown: Previous Zaha links

Antonio Conte will be looking to strengthen his squad with multiple new additions ahead of the start of the new Premier League season as the Lilywhites prepare for a highly-anticipated return to the Champions League.

The Eagles forward meanwhile was an integral part of Patrick Vieira’s starting XI this campaign with 37 appearances across all competitions, but only has 12 months remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.

With Spurs having previously tried to secure the 29-year-old’s signature, there’s always a chance that a club might go back in for one of their former transfer targets, and Football Insider’s Spurs source believes the Lilywhites could do just that.

The Latest: Wenham backs Spurs interest

Football Insider’s Wenham predicts that Zaha will leave Palace in the coming weeks and believes that Tottenham could be keen to make a move.

“I was going through a list of players with one year left on their contracts.

“Tottenham are looking for a wide forward, someone they have tried to sign on numerous occasions before is Wilfried Zaha.

“He has one year left at Palace. He scored 14 or 15 goals every season. He might want to push to get out and play Champions League football.

“I think he would be more likely of a signing than someone like Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle.

“It hasn’t been spoken about yet, this is just me looking at a list of players who have one year left on their current contracts.

“I think Zaha will leave Palace this summer. He has done his time there. I think he has promised them he will stay one more year for the past few seasons.

“With a year left on his contract, I just wonder if that will interest Tottenham.”

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The Verdict: Time for a new challenge?

Zaha has been with the Eagles for seven years now and so might feel like it’s time for a new challenge, and if he does, Spurs could prove to be an ideal destination in the next stage of his career.

The Ivory Coast international, who was once dubbed an “incredible” player by Palace chairman Steve Parish, not only bagged himself 14 top-flight goals this term, but generally was a major threat in the final third even when not hitting the back of the net, having averaged 2.3 dribbles, 2.1 shots and 1.4 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

With Conte crying out for a new attacking addition to provide competition and backup for Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Zaha is a player who Tottenham should definitely keep an eye on as his contract ticks down.

In other news… Alasdair Gold has now shared a ‘positive update’ for Spurs supporters.

Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho still faces an uncertain future with the 35-year-old’s contract set to expire next month with manager Bruno Lage keen to keep the Portuguese veteran on.

What’s the story?

That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) who claim that Lage has asked the Wolves hierarchy to offer Moutinho a new contract whilst Europa Conference League winners AS Roma are reportedly keen.

Roma, managed by ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, have offered the 35-year-old the opportunity to take on a new challenge in Italy with his fellow countryman Mourinho reportedly appreciative of ‘the characteristics and personality of the player.’

Moreover, there is a suggestion that Moutinho could become the Portuguese manager’s assistant in the future with the midfielder turning 36 in September.

Lage will be furious

Although some supporters will accept the idea of Moutinho leaving as a free agent, Lage will be furious that his wishes to keep the experienced midfielder at Molineux have been ignored if a contract extension isn’t offered.

Despite not being a long-term option for Wolves, the £100k-per-week Moutinho has been excellent since arriving from Monaco in 2018, making 176 appearances for the Golden Boys in his four seasons in the Black Country.

Furthermore, Match of the Day commentator Gary Mowbray once referred to the midfielder as being a “Rolls-Royce.” 

With 144 caps for Portugal alongside a total of 774 club appearances, Moutinho’s experience is second-to-none and therefore his potential departure will certainly be a major blow.

Moreover, it appears likely that fellow midfielder Ruben Neves will be seeking a new challenge after five years at Wolves, with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal keen on the 25-year-old.

Therefore, if both Moutinho and Neves are to depart, Wolves will need to put together a brand new midfield which will certainly be a risk.

However, it could also provide Lage with the opportunity to build a team of players he wants with the vast majority of the current squad players he inherited.

The 35-year-old’s Molineux farewell was always going to come within the next year or two but to have his request of offering the midfielder a contract extension ignored, Lage will be furious if his fellow countryman leaves as a free agent.

AND in other news: Negotiations underway: Lage handed big Wolves transfer boost that supporters will love

It looks like Newcastle United versus Aston Villa in the race to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, according to a source at Football Insider.

The lowdown

Phillips and Leeds are scrapping for Premier League survival as the season enters its final week.

The Whites currently sit in 17th place, a point ahead of Burnley, but they have played a game more.

The Daily Mail’s Matt Hughes recently claimed that Phillips is one of the players with a release clause that will become active if Jesse Marsch’s side drop.

It’s thought to be in the region of £30million, half the £60million figure quoted by The Times’ Jonathan Northcroft earlier in the year.

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The latest

The publication report that Phillips’ future is very much ‘up in the air’ amid the risk of Leeds being relegated.

Talks between the player and the club over a new deal have also stalled, adding to the uncertainty around the plummeting price tag.

A ‘recruitment source’ has told FI that Newcastle and Villa are ‘leading the race’ for Phillips, having each identified him as a ‘top target’.

They currently have the edge on Manchester United in the battle for his signature.

At this stage, they’re laying the ‘groundwork’ for a potential deal.

The verdict

Phillips, England’s reigning player of the year, could form part of an excellent midfield trio at St James’ Park.

In theory, he may play alongside Newcastle’s newly-crowned POTS Joelinton and £37.9million January addition Bruno Guimaraes, who has himself been dubbed ‘different class’ by journalist John Gibson.

Given Phillips’ credentials – he was also named in The Guardian’s Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament – this is the kind of trio that can elevate Newcastle to another level.

This is a player who left Xavi ‘extremely impressed’ after his ‘superb’ showings on the run to the Wembley final, and so signing him at a 50% discount would be something to celebrate on Tyneside.

In other news, Newcastle are ‘confident’ of landing this forward.

The Test team’s bowling resources have taken a severe hit over the last six months

George Dobell09-Nov-2017Jake Ball
Suffered a sprained ankle on the second day in Adelaide. The extent of the injury remains unclear. Ball missed the start of England’s Test series with South Africa during the summer with a knee injury.Steven Finn
Returned home on Wednesday having sustained a knee injury in the nets that may require surgery. Finn was only called up for Australia after Ben Stokes was made unavailable.Moeen Ali
Sustained a side strain in Perth and has yet to bowl on tour. He is expected to play in Townsville next week.Ben Stokes
Currently unavailable as the police investigation into his part in a fracas outside a Bristol nightclub in September continues. Stokes’ absence has been particularly problematic for England, as he would usually bat at No. 6 and form part of a four-man pace attack.Toby Roland-Jones
Roland-Jones was certain to win selection in the main squad after impressing against South Africa and West Indies but was ruled out after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back at the end of his breakthrough season.Mark Wood suffered a heel injury during the summer•Getty ImagesMark Wood
Still not deemed sufficiently fit having sustained a bruised heel during the Test series against South Africa in July. He did play a couple of Championship matches at the end of the season in an attempt to prove his fitness – and is also part of the Lions squad – but was not considered fit for selection as a replacement for Finn earlier this week.Jamie Porter
The top wicket-taker in Division One of the Championship this year, Essex’s 24-year-old attack leader was forced to pull out of the Lions tour after a stress fracture was diagnosed in his lower back.Jamie Overton
The quicker of the Overton twins, Jamie suffered a stress fracture in his back after an impressive start to the season. He has been named on the ECB’s Pace Programme and hopes to bowl at the England squad in the nets over Christmas.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2016Aaron Finch’s bat also left the bowlers in the dust, as the score raced to 54 for 0 in four overs•Associated PressIndia fans, who had very little to cheer about till then, found their voice when Ashish Nehra had Khawaja caught behind for 26•Associated PressThen David Warner was done in by R Ashwin for 6 off 9 balls•AFPThe spinners’ waltz: Yuvraj Singh picked up a wicket with his first ball of the tournament, and it was the big one of Steven Smith•AFPSmith, though, was quite unhappy with the umpire ruling him out caught behind and Australia were 74 for 3 in the 10th over•Getty ImagesGlenn Maxwell played a responsible innings – even if it included a wild switch hit for six. He had 31 off 28 balls when he missed a Jasprit Bumrah slower ball in the 17th over•AFPShane Watson was put under the spotlight, but he did quite fine in his new role of finisher•Getty ImagesHardik Pandya was given the final over again, but this time he conceded two fours and a six•Getty ImagesWatson and Peter Nevill took Australia from 130 for 5 in 16.3 overs to 160 by the time the 20th was done•Getty ImagesShikhar Dhawan gave India a steady start in the chase…•AFP… before falling to Nathan Coulter-Nile•AFPWatson accounted for Dhawan’s opening partner, Rohit Sharma, two overs later•Associated PressWatson struck once again to remove Suresh Raina in his next over as India were reduced to 49 for 3•AFPVirat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then went about rebuilding India’s innings with a 45-run partnership•Associated PressYuvraj, though, picked up an ankle injury during his stay at the crease…•Getty Images… before a Watson stunner ended his innings for 21•Associated PressIndia’s asking rate kept soaring in the slog overs, but Kohli kept his cool as he was joined by MS Dhoni•AFPWith 39 required off the last three overs, Kohli unleashed a lethal attack on James Faulkner, taking the left-arm pacer for 19 runs in the 18th over•Associated PressIn the next over, he took Coulter-Nile for 16 runs, and India needed just four off the last over•Getty ImagesAs he has done on many occasions, Dhoni hit the winning runs for India•AFPKohli eventually ended on 82 not out off 51 balls, taking India into the semi-final against West Indies in Mumbai, while Australia were knocked out•Associated PressAt the end of the match, the Australia side clapped off Watson as he stepped off the field for the last time in Australia colours•Getty ImagesWhile Kohli, on the other hand, received a hero’s welcome in the India camp•IDI/Getty Images

AB de Villiers felt a lack of “electric vibe” before South Africa’s match against Pakistan – and his post-match disgust revealed that things only got worse

Firdose Moonda07-Mar-20152:18

AB de Villiers had nothing positive to say about South Africa’s defeat

Meet South Africa. The only team to have posted 400 runs twice in succession in an ODI. The team with two batsmen, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, who consider each other the best in the world and who the rest of the world consider the best, too. The team with the top-ranked pace bowler in the global game. The team de Villiers has “nothing good to say about at the moment.”After being defeated in what de Villiers identified as the second of the big matches in the pool stage – the first was against India – the South African captain has concluded that his men may “not be as good as we think we are,” and were “not prepared to fight it out,” against a spirited Pakistan.”I hate losing. I’ve got nothing good to say about the team at the moment,” de Villiers said. “Hopefully we have got four games left in the tournament and opportunity to lift the trophy. We need to approach the quarter-finals with a fresh mindset. I’ve got nothing good to say about performance today.”The truth was something was not right from the moment South Africa arrived at Eden Park and de Villiers knew it. “I didn’t feel an electric vibe,” he said.It did not seem as though many people, particularly South African supporters, felt that vibe. On the quiet suburbs around Eden Park, which is just three kilometres from the city where almost a third of the population of New Zealand lives, the currents flow calmly.Activity was limited to a square outside Gate A where one group was rollerblading, another was on stilts and a third mimicked the person directing foot traffic. Forty minutes before the match was due to begin the stands of Eden Park were similarly sparse as spectators waited to see if the weather would hold before committing their Saturday to sport.When they came in, the green of Pakistan outnumbered the green and gold of South Africa. They did not intimidate in the same way the Indian-dominated crowd at MCG did but their presence added to what already been a morning of mishaps for South Africa.Vernon Philander had been declared fit and available on Friday, after missing the previous two matches with a hamstring strain, but he had to withdraw from the playing XI before play when he experienced discomfort again. De Villiers admitted he felt he was “thrown a curve ball before the game”. The extent of that curve was only known later when the effect Philander’s absence had on the batting line-up was exposed.South Africa needed him more with the bat than the ball which encapsulates the actual issue of their team: the make-up of their team, not the mindset. They are without a regular genuine all-rounder and are constantly compromising on an element of their game. Their gambles have often paid off before and they almost paid off again when they limited Pakistan to a chaseable total, albeit it with a makeshift fifth bowler.Wahab Riaz signals victory in a match where only Pakistan felt the vibe•Getty ImagesThis time duties were shared between JP Duminy and de Villiers himself, who offers little more than novelty value as a bowler. His medium pace is innocuous and, even though de Villiers snagged the wicket of Younis Khan between him and Duminy, they cost the team 77 runs.De Villiers made exactly that score with bat in hand but lacked support, which illustrates South Africa’s more pressing concern. They are prone to collapses when the middle order is exposed to pressure.The only way to avoid that is with consistently solid starts at the top and a line-up that bats deep. Against Pakistan, they had neither. Philander, or even Wayne Parnell offer more with the bat than Abbott and South Africa may need to look at including one of them instead of a specialist seamer.They will be more worried about what to do with Quinton de Kock, whose lean run has now stretched one game too many. Although his talent is not in question, de Kock has now gone five innings with only one score in double figures.At another stage of his career, that would be regarded as a rough patch that could be smoothed over with sufficient game time, especially as he returning from a serious injury. But this is a World Cup and luxuries like that are hard to afford, unless, as is the case with de Kock, the player is needed in another capacity.De Kock is also the first-choice gloveman, who frees de Villiers up to lead, prowl the outfield and bowl. Leaving him out would require de Villiers to take the gloves but allow South Africa to play another batsman – in-form Rilee Rossouw would be the obvious choice. But then too much would be asked of the captain.Already, South Africa depend on him with the bat, although they have taken great care to play that down lest it be perceived as over-reliance. When Russell Domingo was asked about de Villiers recently, he said, ‘He is a wonderful player but we have many wonderful players,” while another member of the support staff repeatedly reminded that South Africa are not a “one-player team.”De Villiers himself brushed off suggestions he is overburdened, even after the Pakistan performance. “I know I can’t win this World Cup on my own: I need my team-mates,” he said. “They’ve got the ability and capability and the talent to do that. It’s about the senior guys stepping up and helping some of the youngsters to lift their game. We can all play cricket.”Now, they have to show they can play cricket even when they are not feeling as charged up as usual. “It’s my responsibility to try and get them going which I couldn’t do today. I could feel nothing was happening at 100%.”It’s like a car that in second or third gear and that won’t win you games. Not under pressure in big tournaments like this.”
Unless South Africa change that, de Villiers won’t be the only one with nothing good to say.

Australia were always going to lose this Ashes. A victory in this Test wouldn’t change that. But just by winning this Test they could have proved something to themselves

Jarrod Kimber at Old Trafford05-Aug-2013Michael Clarke is a man with a smile. Whether it’s standing beside his wife on her wedding horse, in his tight underwear on a billboard or as he makes an iconic innings at his home ground, he lights up a picture. In real life, he seems to smile even more. He very rarely looks angry, or upset. He’s composed, calm and happy.None of those descriptions could be used as he barked and pleaded with Marais Erasmus to stay on the ground at the end of the fourth day at Old Trafford. Clarke had carried his team on day one and two. His bowlers had backed him up on day three. On day four they had put themselves in a position to win the Test. Clarke knew it as much as England did. All they needed was time. But when time was taken from Clarke, he exploded.Clarke knew coming off the field that he couldn’t regain the Ashes, and that Cricket Australia’s #returntheurn hashtag would have discarded. It was a culmination of poor preparation, random cricket logic and a team that wasn’t as good as the opposition. Australia were always going to lose this Ashes. A victory in this Test wouldn’t change that. It would have prolonged it.But just by winning this Test they could have proved something to themselves. That they could win a Test against England. That the incompetence of Lord’s and the streakiness of Trent Bridge were only part of their story. That they could compete and beat England when it mattered. And they did everything they could to do it.Chris Rogers’ first innings was the sort of knock that not even Rogers would have expected to play at Test level. It surprised England as well, while setting the scene for Australia. He drove the ball like an eager teenager, not a crusty old opener. He scored freely against a quality attack. He handled Graeme Swann well. As a 34-year-old you only get so many chances, and he may not have cemented his spot, but he will get at least all five of this Ashes based on an innings of that quality.The second innings situation was perfect for David Warner. No matter where he batted in the order, the need to score quickly and not have all the fielders up couldn’t have been more perfect for him. His 41 was not a massive total, or one that will rock your world, but he did his job, looked comfortable doing so and looked like the David Warner Australia want him to be. With the press, Barmy Army and Aussie Fanatics he played with his new pantomime villain status. To use the lexicon, he is definitely a positive to be taken.Steven Smith is a rough batsman. On skill and technique he is not in Australia’s best six. On fight and confidence, he might be. He is a perfect flawed batsman for a flawed team. He scores quickly, believes in himself, and when he plays spin it’s hard to believe he is really Australian. His wickets at Lord’s were handy and his fielding is going to live with us forever on Youtube highlight reels. If this team was better, they wouldn’t need him. He should have got a hundred in the first innings at Old Trafford. And a proper Test batsman would have converted it. Or at least got out in a nicer way. But as a No. 6, or even a seven, he is the sort of junkyard dog cricketer a team like the current Australia can really use.

Ryan Harris’ spell this morning proved yet again that he is one of the best Test bowlers on the planet. He’s quick enough to hurry anyone. He’s smart enough to out-think quality players

It some ways, Brad Haddin is not needed by Australia. His selection in this team was more about team bonding and attitude. Something that Warner’s punch and Arthur’s sacking fixed much quicker. His first innings hitting was exactly what Australia needed. Haddin saves his best cricket for the Ashes, and in two innings he has shown good form and timely runs. His wicketkeeping is not going to get any better – keepers’ hands and knees don’t get better – and Mitchell Starc is not an easy man to keep too. Or on some occasions, even reach. But he’s in form, and clearly is desperate to stay in this team. If nothing else, he’ll force Matthew Wade to improve.Ryan Harris’ spell this morning proved yet again that he is one of the best Test bowlers on the planet. He’s quick enough to hurry anyone. He’s smart enough to out-think quality players. And he does enough with the ball beat anyone. At his best he’s a carnivorous force that will stalk you until you are head. At his worst, he is injured. There is little Australia can do about that. When he is fit, he should be given the new ball and the best medical treatment they can afford.Merv Hughes was a decent Test-quality bowler who helped keep the flame alive between Lillee and McGrath. Hughes’ job was mostly to try hard, bowl the dog spells, bounce out batsmen on flat tracks and use the conditions when they suited him.Peter Siddle also averages 28 and takes four wickets a match. In almost every Test he is used in a different way. He’s bowled with the new ball, come on third change, and will bowl into the wind or with it. But no matter what you do with Siddle, he tries very hard, hits the pitch very hard and makes you beat him. It’s hard to hate a man who went to Euro Disney between series and gave up bacon and steak to be a better player.Starc is capable of amazing feats with the ball, and even the bat. Playing him is a chance that Australia sometimes likes to take. Shane Watson’s comeback at the top of the order might already be over. He also only has one wicket. But his bowling has been very handy, and he deserves more. No cricketer in this series has the ability to improve more than Watson. Usman Khawaja doesn’t look a Test No. 3 right now, but it’s hard to believe a man who bats with that much time can’t make runs at this level.Nathan Lyon is not Graeme Swann. One is a fridge that cools things, and the other an American style fridge freezer that will give you water and ice on demand. Everyone wants the bigger fridge, but life doesn’t work that way. Lyon bowls good dipping offspin outside off stump spun well toward the stumps. But Swann’s straight ball is far more devious. Swann gets more spin. Swann is smarter. Swann is a top fielder and a handy slogger. In some ways, the difference between the two teams is summed up in the spinners. Lyon tries hard; Swann has 19 wickets in this series.Every player in this team has something holding them back including age, consistency, injury and skill. Clarke is their best cricketer. But his back is a problem. When he fiddles with his back, takes a pain pill, or does a stretch, there is little smiling. And while he might have lost the anger he had when screaming at Erasmus, that won’t be replaced with smiles knowing they have already lost their chance to retain the Ashes.This team is not perfect, and it’s not going to be for a while. But they came into this Test as gruesome victims on a hotel bathroom floor, and they outplayed a better opposition for the entire Test. It’s not a win, but it is something to smile about.

On a day filled with drama, 16 wickets fell for 161 as Pakistan’s spinners conjured up an incredible triumph. Stats highlights from the Test

S Rajesh28-Jan-2012

• This is only the fifth time that England have lost chasing a fourth-innings target of less than 150. It’s only their second such defeat in the last 110 years – their last loss was in 1978 against New Zealand in Wellington, when they were bundled out for 64 chasing 137. The margin of defeat was exactly the same in both Tests – 72 runs.
• Pakistan have defended a target of less than 150 for only the second time in Test cricket. Their only previous such instance was in Hamilton in 1993, when New Zealand, needing 127 for victory, were bowled out for 93. On that occasion Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis took five wickets each; here, all ten wickets fell to spin. In all, only 18 times has a team failed to chase a target of less than 150. Australia have been at the receiving end seven times in these low chases.
• England’s total of 72 is their lowest against Pakistan; their previous lowest was 130. It also equals the lowest in Tests between these two teams: Pakistan had been dismissed for exactly the same score at Edgbaston in 2010.
• Exactly 125 years ago, England had been bundled out for 45 against Australia in Sydney, which remains their lowest score in Test cricket. However, they’d ended up winning that Test by 13 runs. This score is their 12th-lowest in Tests.
• Pakistan’s spinners returned figures of 19 for 287, which is their third-best match figures. Only twice have their spinners taken all 20 wickets – against England in 1987, when Abdul Qadir, Tauseef Ahmed and Iqbal Qasim were the protagonists, and against West Indies in 1980, when Qadir, Qasim and Mohammad Nazir were the stars. In all, 31 wickets fell to spin in the Test – only five times have spinners taken more wickets in a Test.
• Abdur Rehman had match figures of 8 for 92, which are his best in a Test. His second-innings haul of 6 for 25 are also his best figures in an innings, and his maiden five-for in Tests.
• Twenty-nine out of 40 dismissals in this match were bowled or lbw, which is a record in Test cricket. The previous record was also in a Test involving Pakistan, against West Indies in Providence last year, when 26 wickets fell in this manner.
• Seven batsmen scored less than 2 in England’s second innings, the second-most in Test history.

On the eve of the final, Cricinfo takes a look at how Bangalore got there

Kanishkaa Balachandran23-May-2009Bangalore’s turnaround came about when Anil Kumble took over the captaincy•AFPMatch 1 v Rajasthan Royals in Cape Town

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The result shocked everybody. Last year’s champions, Rajasthan Royals, were humbled in the most embarrassing manner by Bangalore, who finished second from last the previous year. They scratched out 133 and in reply, Rajasthan crashed to 58. It was a day for the old folks – Shane Warne was at his mesmeric best, Rahul Dravid scored 66 and Anil Kumble returned astonishing figures of 5 for 5, cleaning up the lower order.Match 2 v Chennai Super Kings in Port Elizabeth

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Bangalore saw the other side of the coin in the following match, collapsing to 87. Matthew Hayden rolled back the years with a brisk 65 as Chennai Super Kings piled on an imposing 179. Bangalore were out of the contest when they lost five wickets for 26 runs before the 11th over.Match 3 v Deccan Chargers in Cape Town

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For the second game in succession, Bangalore were batted out of the contest. Adam Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma slammed half-centuries, scored 123 between them off 75 deliveries, with 88 of them coming in boundary hits. Bangalore lost a wicket without having scored a run for the third time in a row and struggled to keep with the asking rate. Virat Kohli managed a fifty but the rescue effort came too late.Match 4 v Kings XI Punjab in Durban

Kings XI Punjab 173 for 3 (Bopara 84) beat Bangalore Royal Challengers 168 for 9 (Kallis 62, Abdulla 4-31, Pathan 3-35) by seven wickets
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The euphoria of their opening win was followed by three successive defeats as Bangalore went down comprehensively to Kings XI Punjab. The match was best remembered for Ravi Bopara’s ice-cool and risk-free 84, helping Punjab overhaul the target with ease. Bangalore were set for a much higher total but lost their way towards the end of the innings.Match 5 v Delhi Daredevils in Port Elizabeth
Delhi Daredevils 150 for 4 (Dilshan 67*) beat Bangalore Royal Challengers 149 for 7 (Pietersen 37, Nehra 2-34) by six wickets
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Bangalore had a chance to upset the tournament favourites when their weak bowling attack kept them in the game longer than most people expected. However, their fielding went to pieces towards the end, which allowed Delhi to get away. The image of Pietersen bowled through the gate after attempting a switch-hit symbolised Bangalore’s shambolic state of affairs at this stage.Match 6 v Kolkata Knight Riders in Durban

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Down and out, Bangalore turned the corner against an equally insecure team, but they huffed and puffed to victory. Bangalore’s spinners restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to a below-par total and their batsmen put them on track to an easy win before a sudden collapse gave Kolkata hope. Ten were needed off the last over and Bangalore emerged the deserved winners thanks to Mark Boucher’s heroics.Match 7 v Kings XI Punjab in Durban
Royal Challengers Bangalore 145 for 9 (van der Merwe 35, Abdulla 4-36, Yuvraj 3-22) beat Kings XI Punjab 137 for 7 (Yuvraj 50, Praveen 2-27, Kumble 2-25) by eight runs
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Yuvraj Singh stole the show with a hat-trick to keep Bangalore to 145 and he seemed to make the match his own when he strolled to a fifty. But at the stroke of the time-out, Bangalore scripted one of the most amazing turnarounds thanks to Kumble and Roelof van der Merwe. Fortunes oscillated towards the end and Bangalore prevailed under pressure when Praveen Kumar bowled an amazing final over to seal the game.Match 8 v Mumbai Indians in Johannesburg
Royal Challengers Bangalore 150 for 1 (Kallis 69*, Uthappa 66*) beat Mumbai Indians 149 for 4 (Jayasuriya 52, Bravo 50*, du Preez 3-32) by nine wickets
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The once-whipping boys of the tournament meant business against the strong Mumbai bowling attack, strolling to one of the easiest chases in the tournament. The little-known Dillon du Preez set the tone with a double-wicket maiden and that kept Mumbai under check for most part. Robin Uthappa and Jacques Kallis led the chase with brisk sixties and Bangalore, all of a sudden, were in the top four.Match 9 v Rajasthan Royals in Centurion

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Rajasthan had their revenge following a spineless effort by Bangalore’s batsmen. Rajasthan’s bowlers got the measure of the pitch better, keeping the ball short and restricting the opposition to 105. Their counterparts failed to exploit the bounce and overall it was a no-contest simply because there was no cushion of runs to work with.Match 10 v Mumbai Indians in Port Elizabeth

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Bangalore cracked again, this time against a team desperate for a win after being pushed into a corner. Chasing 158, the Bangalore top order failed to click and felt the heat at 58 for 4 at the strategy break. The loss of wickets only piled the pressure on Boucher who made an unbeaten 48 with little support from the other end. It wasn’t a great day for Bangalore’s bowlers either, who managed to pick up only two wickets.Match 11 v Kolkata Knight Riders in Centurion
by six wickets
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Ross Taylor’s blinder of an unbeaten 81 off 33 balls symbolised Bangalore’s late resurgence, one which made them contenders for the semi-final line-up. They looked out of depth in the chase of 174 but later feasted on some shoddy death bowling. Taylor’s brutal assault overshadowed Kolkata’s admirable batting display and gave Bangalore much-needed self belief following some inconsistent results.The misfit from the previous edition, Jacques Kallis, was a valuable asset with both bat and ball in familiar conditions•Associated PressMatch 12 v Chennai Super Kings in Durban

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It was a tale of batting collapses from both sides. Bangalore survived a Hayden-assault to keep Chennai down to 129 and were coasting at 86 for 3 in the 15th over before hell broke loose. The calm Taylor held firm in the nervy moments of the chase and helped Bangalore across the finish line. It was Praveen Kumar’s six in the penultimate over which swing the game in Bangalore’s favour.Match 13 v Delhi Daredevils in Johannesburg

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There were no such anxious moments against a strong Delhi outfit. Jacques Kallis played an important role in keeping Delhi to a chaseable score with a restrictive spell, before shepherding the chase with an assured half-century. Praveen did the damage with 3 for 30 and the below-par target of 135 was approached intelligently by the top order.Match 14 v Deccan Chargers in Centurion

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Bangalore unearthed a talent in Manish Pandey who became the first Indian to score a century in the IPL. Sent up to open, Pandey single-handedly led Bangalore’s charge with some fierce hits to push his team to 170. It was game on when Herschelle Gibbs waded into the attack but the script turned Bangalore’s way once the spinners came on and make Deccan’s task tougher by plugging at the wickets. The win sealed Bangalore’s semi-final berth.Semi-final v Chennai Super Kings in Johannesburg

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Bangalore were one step away from the summit clash and batted with the intent of avenging the embarrassment of the last season. They overcame a strong start from Chennai’s openers to restrict them to 146 before unleashing Pandey again. His stylish strokes demoralised Chennai and Rahul Dravid at the other end was just as imposing. After suffering a minor hiccup, Bangalore made it through and set up the final clash with last year’s no-hopers Deccan Chargers.

Manchester United are facing the growing possibility of concluding the summer transfer window without securing the striker reinforcement they desperately need. The club’s efforts to bolster their frontline have hit a wall following unsuccessful pursuits of Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, and Viktor Gyokeres.

Man Utd struggling to land a strikerAmorim desperately needs a No.9 Several targets are a part of their wishlistFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United boss Ruben Amorim, who recently welcomed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo into the squad for combined fees of £135 million ($183m), had hoped to further sharpen his frontline. The duo had an impressive collective return of 35 Premier League goals last season, but with United having scored just 44 league goals in total during the previous campaign, Amorim remains keen to add a more traditional centre-forward.

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According to despite the big-money arrivals, the lack of a reliable No. 9 continues to be a glaring concern. While the scouting team continues evaluating other options, there is no assurance that a striker will be signed before the deadline. Tangible progress appears limited, and the club is now operating with an air of realism that they might need to move forward with their current squad unless a breakthrough materialises soon.

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There has been growing speculation surrounding Højlund’s future, with Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing him back to Serie A. Despite this, sources close to the club have suggested that the 22-year-old Danish striker is determined to stay and prove himself under Amorim’s leadership as he still has three years remaining on his current contract.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

With each passing day, United are under pressure to resolve their striker woes. A possible exchange deal with Chelsea, where Nicolas Jackson could make his way to Old Trafford in return for Alejandro Garnacho, is being mooted, but talks are still in preliminary stages, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can agree on terms.