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Ben Hollioake guided Surrey to a comfortable victory over Hampshire on the first day of cricket at the £17m Rose Bowl, more easily achieved than the 23-run margin suggests

Pat Symes04-May-2001Ben Hollioake guided Surrey to a comfortable victory over Hampshire on the first day of cricket at the £17m Rose Bowl, more easily achieved than the 23-run margin suggests.A crowd of around 1,200 watched the first day’s play at the new ground and saw a low-scoring game in which Alistair Brown’s 33 in the Surrey innings was the best individual total of the match.Hampshire captain Robin Smith, mindful of the damp wicket and outfield, chose to field first and watched with growing anxiety as Surrey openers Mark Butcher and Ian Ward put on 55 for the first wicket in 15 overs.But then Neil Johnson, Hampshire’s Zimbabwean overseas player, struck with his first delivery for his new employers when he had Ward caught at mid-on by Alex Morris and Surrey were never able to accelerate.Johnson finished with three for 41 and there were two wickets each for Morris and Shaun Udal as Surrey fell away to 194 all out. Alex Tudor, run out off the last ball of the 50 overs, made an important contribution with 26.Johnson was out without scoring to the fourth ball from Martin Bicknell’s first over of the Hampshire reply and Smith laboured uncharacteristically for 16 overs for his ten.Ben Hollioake made sure Hampshire failed to recover by dismissing Jason Laney, Dimitri Mascarenhas and John Stephenson in a three-over spell and also held a competent catch to get rid of Will Kendall.There was some late order resistence from Alex Morris, Adrian Aymes and Udal from 106 for seven but Hampshire never looked capable of overhauling the Surrey total and were 171-9 when they ran out of overs.Hampshire chief executive Tony Baker said: “We were pleased with the first day’s play and the spectators seemed to like the new ground. There is much work still to be done but we are off the mark.”

If Everton are to spend big this summer, then it looks as though Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri could be throwing the cheque book at a midfielder.

Lille sensation Boubakary Soumare has been linked with a move to Goodison Park while it’s also thought the Toffees have an interest in Yves Bissouma and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Another midfield brute that Everton have set their sights on is Sheffield United’s Sander Berge.

The Norwegian has a relegation release clause of £35m in his contract which may allow him to leave Bramall Lane more easily in a few months time.

That said, it won’t be a straightforward chase for the Merseyside outfit with Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa have all been credited with an interest.

Berge hasn’t had a particularly enthralling season. He suffered a nasty hamstring injury back in December that ruled him out until the beginning of May.

The 23-year-old has only just returned, playing 45 minutes against Tottenham and then lasting an hour in Sheffield United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

His impact at the Blades may have dwindled but he still has an incredibly high ceiling.

Speaking about his game earlier in the season, Chris Wilder reserved compliments for the midfielder; “Sander has been unique,” the former Blades boss began. “He is the one who has stood out for us. He is a complete midfielder. He can play as 8s and as 6s. He can play in different formations. The wonderful thing about Sander is his attitude.”

What stands out about Berge’s style of play is his ability to sense danger and break up the play. He is composed in possession, bringing the ball forward with authority and a sense of purpose.

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This brand of football is incredibly similar to Gareth Barry, a player who not only brought a lot to Everton, but lovingly became one of the most consistent in his position in Premier League history.

Barry made 155 appearances for the Toffees and earned considerable praise along the way. Former Toffees manager, Roberto Martinez, once labelled him “one of the best English players ever.”

The City website describes his style like so: “A reliable, composed and tactically astute midfielder with a knack for sniffing out danger, his understated style of play made him one of the unsung heroes of that title-winning side.”

During the last decade of Barry’s career, he completed on average 82.9% of his passes. Berge betters him in this regard, completing 85.6% this term.

Their tackling numbers are also pretty similar. During the Everton target’s best campaign, he won 2.3 tackles per game for Genk in the 2016/17 Europa League.

Barry’s average during the final ten years of his career was just ahead at a rate of 2.4 per match.

With all that said, this would be a dazzling capture from Carlo Ancelotti, one that could evoke memories of their former stalwart.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Doucoure: Everton must complete £40m swoop for “exceptional” brute…

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts has told Football FanCast that Scott Parker is not yet ready to manage the club as they continue their search for Jose Mourinho’s replacement.

Chairman Daniel Levy is attempting to appoint a new manager after sacking Jose Mourinho last month.

The Portuguese was let go after the club fell to seventh in the Premier League.

They were also eliminated from the Europa League in humiliating fashion after a 3-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

Ryan Mason is in interim charge of the team, but reports suggest that there are a number of managers being considered for the role, including Brendan Rodgers and Gareth Southgate.

Julian Nagelsmann, who had been touted as the frontrunner, is set to join Bayern Munich, leaving Spurs at square one.

Parker has been suggested as the next appointment by ex-defender Michael Dawson after impressing at Fulham, even though the club are in serious danger of being relegated straight back to the Championship as things stand.

Roberts was asked if Parker was ready, or if the job was too early for him, and he believes that the ex-Spurs and West Ham United midfielder should stay where he is for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to FFC, he said: “I think he will do well to stay at Fulham and learn his trade even more and bring them back up again.

“I think early in the season, they were getting beat week in, week out. But I think he’s learned as he’s gone on. He’s done a brilliant job there but I do think it’s another level, Tottenham is one, two, or three levels higher, there is a lot more pressure on winning every week and entertaining but he’s done a great job at Fulham.

“For me, I think it’ll be two or three years too early.”

Lord’s Test: Urdu Match Report

Tahir Amin Malik21-May-2001

Leeds United have been linked with a summer move for Santiago Moreno, with the Colombian winger likened to a current Premier League superstar.

The Lowdown: Reinforcements needed this summer

The Whites may have enjoyed a highly impressive season, sitting 10th in the Premier League with two games remaining, but they must keep improving their squad.

Marcelo Bielsa may be looking to add more firepower, especially with Rodrigo’s future up in the air, and a fresh transfer link has emerged.

The Latest: Leeds linked with move for Moreno

According to Football Insider, both Leeds and Rangers are ‘keeping tabs’ on America de Cali striker Moreno, whose current deal runs until December 2023.

The 21-year-old has been compared to Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane, in terms of playing style and the fact that he is ‘blisteringly quick’, which highlights the quality he possesses.

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The Verdict: Exciting move

Moreno might not be a household name, but if someone with Marcelo Bielsa’s eye for detail is keen on him, it says a lot about his ability.

The Argentine is a master are getting the very best out of his players – Patrick Bamford is a good example of that, having enjoyed a rags to riches story at Elland Road – so he could turn the youngster into a top player.

Rangers could put a spanner in works, however, should the lure of playing under Steven Gerrard appeal to Moreno.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to sign a new contract at the end of the season. Find out who it is here.

Kent wrapped up their first Championship win of the season inside three days by claiming 16 Essex wickets in a day to secure an innings and 152-run win at Tunbridge Wells

Mark Pennell01-Jun-2001Kent wrapped up their first Championship win of the season inside three days by claiming 16 Essex wickets in a day to secure an innings and 152-run win at Tunbridge Wells.The Kentish hero was 26-year-old former Somerset seamer Ben Trott, who claimed match figures of 11 for 78 to dismiss the visitors for 298 and then a paltry 68 as they followed on 222 runs in arrears.Trott, playing the seventh Championship match of his four-year career and only the fourth since joining Kent last June, finished with five for 65 to polish off the first Essex innings an hour after lunch.The strapping Wellington-born bowler then went one better in bagging six for 13 second time around as Essex, following on, succumbed inside two and a half hours for 68 – the lowest score of this Championship summer to date.Only wicket-keeper James Foster (27) and seam bowler Mark Ilott (11) limped into double figures for the visitors as Kent claimed a maximum 20-point win for the first time since August 1999.Martin Saggers provided valuable support by claiming three for 30 in the Essex second innings, while Paul Nixon claimed six catches and Mark Ealham five in the match, his final Championship outing before teaming up with the England one-day squad.Kent’s batsmen dominated the opening four sessions of the match, amassing 518 for five declared built around centuries by David Fulton and Matthew Walker.

Leaving a big impact on West Zone’s Duleep Trophy match against North Zone at Pune, Sairaj Bahutule hit a century and then snapped up four middle-order wickets to leave his opponents reeling at the end of the second day.

Staff Reporter21-Mar-2002Leaving a big impact on West Zone’s Duleep Trophy match against North Zone at Pune, Sairaj Bahutule hit a century and then snapped up four middle-order wickets to leave his opponents reeling at the end of the second day.Bahutule, who was unbeaten on 66 at the start of the second day, duly went on to reach three figures. He batted well with the tail, especially Irfan Pathan, who made 25 off 63 and extended much-needed support to Bahutule at the other end.The last wicket, that of Bahutule, fell with the score on 396, with North Zone conceding 100 runs to take out the final two batsmen. Bahutule fell to Nehra (3-70) after making 105 off 163 balls, with 17 fours and one six.North Zone started off their reply badly, finding themselves at 89 for four as Irfan Pathan took quick wickets at the top of the order. Although all top five batsmen got starts, they could not convert them into big scores. Batsmen continued to come and go, and North Zone were placed, at various stages of the innings, at 132 for six and 154 for seven.The highest scorer of the innings was off-spinner Sarandeep Singh. Sarandeep was unbeaten on 69 off 89 balls, with 11 fours, at the close of play, accompanied by Ashish Nehra, on 1 off 22 balls, at the crease. North Zone were 231 for eight at stumps, and West Zone look to have firm control of this match.

Aston Villa must land Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer transfer window amid Lee Hendrie’s verdict.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Bissouma could be on his way out of the Seagulls this summer, with interested sides having to pay at least £40m to lure him away from the south coast.

And, speaking exclusively to FFC about Bissouma, former Villa ace Hendrie has suggested Dean Smith’s side should be in the conversation to sign him, and praised the midfielder for his ability.

He said: “I did a chat with myself and Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday a few weeks ago talking about Bissouma, and we highlighted what he actually does. I mean, his stats are absolutely phenomenal, the way he breaks the game up, his forward play.

“He’s got a good football brain. Like I said, when you’ve got someone who breaks the game up so well and can go join in and play, I’m inviting players like that to the football club.”

Gary Lineker loves him

Described as “very skilful”, former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker is seemingly a big fan of the powerhouse, hailing him as an “exceptional footballer” after a superb display against Everton just last month.

His teammate at Brighton, Dale Stephens, said: “He’s got the ability of perhaps a winger playing in central midfield with the way he can go past players. His feet are incredible and I’m sure he’s going to get better and better. He’s got everything you need to be a top player.”

Bissouma has previously been described as a “wonderful talent” by ex-Seagulls boss Chris Hughton, and when you look at his stats, it’s clear to see why he’s such hot property.

As per Whoscored, the Mali international averages just shy of three tackles per game in the Premier League (2.9), while he also makes 1.8 interceptions too – compare that to those in the Villa squad, and he’s simply far better, with absolutely no-one matching him in the tackling category, and only Matty Cash topping him for interceptions.

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With his time in the Premier League, Bissouma would offer Smith the ready-made proven option that can hit the ground running at Villa Park, and it’s exactly why the club should be looking to muscle their way into the race to sign him this summer.

Meanwhile, this Villa man stole the show vs Spurs…

Yorkshire are almost assured of a place in the Benson & Hedges Cup quarter-finals after their victory over Derbyshire

Stephen Lamb04-May-2002
Harris of Nottshas just bowled Harmison at Trent Bridge
Photo CricInfo
Yorkshire are almost assured of a place in the Benson & Hedges Cup quarter-finals after their victory over Derbyshire. There were also wins for Nottinghamshire and Surrey, and Gold Awards for Ally Brown, Lance Klusener and Matthew Wood.The day’s cliffhanger was at Nottingham, where Notts held their nerve to beat Durham by five runs. Chasing 225 to win, Durham were well set up by Nicky Peng, with a rapid 72 off 82 balls. But two vital wickets from Lance Klusener put the heat back on the visitors, and Andrew Harris (four for 42) kept up the pressure as Durham were dismissed for 219. Earlier Klusener had made a vital contribution with the bat, scoring 68 after skipper Jason Gallian had put Notts on the road with 56.Yorkshire head their group after an opening partnership of 146 between Matthew Wood (115) and Craig White (77) set up victory at Derby. Yorkshire finished on 288 for six, and Derbyshire were always struggling after they lost Stephen Stubbings without a run on the board. Steven Selwood (62) made the only significant score as Derbyshire were dismissed for 157, losing by 151 runs. Richard Dawson (four for 13) and Chris Silverwood (three for 23) were Yorkshire’s star bowlers.Ally Brown and Graham Thorpe were Surrey’s batting heroes as they beat Kent by 44 runs at The Oval to record their first B&H win. Brown made a swashbuckling 73 off just 58 balls and Thorpe 61 to lay the foundations for an eventual total of 257 for nine. Kent were dismissed for 213 with James Ormond, Alex Tudor and Philip Sampson taking three wickets each.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that the Owls moving Jordan Rhodes on was “good business”.

Wednesday recently announced their retained list, with Rhodes’ name not being on it.

The 31-year-old striker has since gone on to rejoin Huddersfield Town on a free transfer, previously playing for the Championship outfit between 2009-12.

Rhodes was supposedly on £35,000 a week during his time at Hillsborough and, on that kind of Money, Palmer feels the League One club had no choice but to part ways with the Scotsman.

On Rhodes, the ex-Wednesday player said:

“I believe he’s a nice lad. From what I hear, my pal who’s a Norwich City supporter said he was great when he went down, but still not a massive goal return again.

“He’s good to have around the dressing room and whatever. Well, that’s alright for me if I’m not paying him that type of money, do you know what I mean? So, you know, it’s good business for Wednesday to move him on, good business for them to move him on.”

While Rhodes did manage to find the back of the net a few times in the last part of the season, he did struggle throughout the majority of the campaign.

The former Blackburn Rovers forward finished the term with seven league goals in 36 appearances, while his overall record at Wednesday was far from prolific.

Furthermore, perhaps this fresh start was needed for everyone and could give Rhodes the chance to rediscover his goalscoring touch again.