Pundits across the sport love to tell us just how important it is to be top at Christmas, but is it really that big of a deal? Football FanCast takes a look at every club that has been top of the Premier League during the festive period.

Liverpool were runaway winners in 2024/25, and even looked imperious by Christmas morning last time around, when the table was a lot tighter.

So what are the omens for those who lead at Christmas? Here is a list of every team to lead the way come December 25th – and who ended up champions in the following May…

1992/93 – Norwich City Eventual champions – Manchester United

1

Norwich City

20

39

2

Aston Villa

20

35

3

Blackburn Rovers

20

34

4

Manchester United

20

34

The inaugural Premier League season eventually saw Manchester United topple Norwich City at the top of the table to win their first title. Initially, the Premier League was made up of 22 teams. Manchester United won the title with 84 points from 42 games. Norwich finished third, qualifying for the old UEFA Cup despite leading the way on Christmas Day.

1993/94 – Manchester United Eventual champions – Manchester United

1

Manchester United

21

52

2

Leeds United

22

40

3

Blackburn Rovers

20

38

4

Newcastle United

21

36

Manchester United made it two for two, winning their second-ever Premier League title after being top at Christmas a whopping 12 points ahead of second-place Leeds United. The Red Devils beat out the rest, winning the title with an impressive 92 points.

1994/95 – Blackburn Rovers Eventual champions – Blackburn Rovers

1

Blackburn Rovers

19

43

2

Manchester United

19

41

3

Newcastle United

19

38

4

Nottingham Forest

19

35

Blackburn Rovers spent big money to get their hands on their first and only Premier League title. Manager Kenny Dalglish had Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton up top, forming the famous SAS partnership. They would beat Manchester United by a single point, winning the title with 89 points. This is also the year Eric Cantona kicked that Crystal Palace fan, which may go some way to explaining United’s failure to track Rovers down post-Christmas.

1995/96 – Newcastle United Eventual champions: Manchester United

1

Newcastle United

19

45

2

Manchester United

19

35

3

Liverpool

19

34

4

Tottenham Hotspur

19

34

“I would love it if we beat them”, Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan yelled at the Sky Sports cameras in reference to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Unfortunately, they blew their 10-point lead at Christmas, and Manchester United would go on to win their third title in four years. What might have been for the Entertainers…

1996/97 – Liverpool Eventual champions: Manchester United

1

Liverpool

19

38

2

Arsenal

18

35

3

Wimbledon

18

34

4

Aston Villa

18

33

Liverpool were hoping to defeat the monopoly their bitter rivals had on the Premier League, but they too would fall away despite being on top at Christmas. This season marked a major change in English football, as Arsene Wenger took charge at Arsenal. His side wasn’t fully formed just yet though, and Manchester United once again won the league despite being down in fifth place, seven points behind the leaders.

1997/98 – Manchester United Eventual champions – Arsenal

1

Manchester United

19

43

2

Blackburn Rovers

19

39

3

Chelsea

19

38

4

Leeds United

19

34

For the first time in Premier League history, Sir Alex Ferguson was worried. Manchester United had established themselves as THE team in the league, but Arsène Wenger had their number in 1997/98. Arsenal won the league by just one point, lifting the trophy with 78 points.

What makes this more remarkable is that while the Gunners had a game in hand at this point, they were a whopping 13 points behind the Red Devils on Christmas morning.

1998/99 – Aston Villa Eventual champions – Manchester United

1

Aston Villa

18

36

2

Chelsea

18

33

3

Manchester United

18

31

4

Middlesbrough

18

30

Arsenal’s win in the previous season meant Manchester United would spend a lot in the summer to reclaim their crown. Dwight Yorke and Jaap Stam were the two most notable additions. Fergie’s men went on to win their fifth Premier League title, but they cut it close. Arsenal were just a single point behind them, with Manchester United on 79, and Arsenal on 78.

Despite this, it was John Gregory’s Villa that were threatening to make a title charge, but they fell away dramatically as the Villans finished sixth, securing just 19 more points from a possible 60.

1999/00 – Leeds United Eventual champions – Manchester United

1

Leeds United

18

41

2

Manchester United

17

39

3

Sunderland

18

37

4

Arsenal

18

36

It wasn’t very close this time around. Manchester United’s great treble-winning side trounced the competition to win the league with a massive 91 points. Arsenal finished second and Leeds United rounded off the Champions League places in third.

However, you wouldn’t know it by the time Christmas came around. United were behind by just two points with a game in hand before ending 18 ahead of their nearest challengers.

2000/01 – Manchester United Eventual champions – Manchester United

1

Manchester United

19

43

2

Arsenal

19

35

3

Leicester City

19

35

4

Liverpool

19

33

We may have entered the millennium, but things in the Premier League remained the same. Manchester United were once again named champions, beating second-place Arsenal by 10 points. This was the first time they would win the Premier League three times in a row, but it wouldn’t be the last.

This one wasn’t exactly a thriller of a title race either, as the Red Devils had amassed a strong lead by the halfway stage.

2001/02 – Newcastle United Eventual champions – Arsenal

1

Newcastle United

18

36

2

Arsenal

18

33

3

Liverpool

17

32

4

Leeds United

18

32

Arsenal were once again the team to break Manchester United’s stranglehold on the league, with the red half of Manchester falling all the way down to third for the first time in the competition’s history. Thierry Henry would end the season as the league’s top goalscorer with 24.

However, Newcastle were the pace-setters at Christmas, though their three-point lead was no match for a relentless Arsenal, who broke the record for successive wins as they saw Liverpool, United and the Magpies off in the new year.

Following a five-game winless run that saw Tottenham Hotspur squander a lead on each occasion, Ange Postecoglou's men have roared back into form after picking up three successive victories in the Premier League.

The latest triumph at home to an in-form Everton side saw the Lilywhites strike early blows courtesy of Richarlison and Son, with the former Celtic boss no doubt hoping for another fast start in tonight's mouthwatering meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Related Ange's 88-touch Spurs titan who won 13 duels was a wall alongside Vicario

They weren’t at their best, but Tottenham secured three points against an in-form Everton side.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Dec 23, 2023

While Postecoglou will be seeking more of the same for the trip to the south coast, a handful of selection issues could pose something of a problem this evening.

Spurs team news vs Brighton

With the north London outfit already boasting a sizeable injury list – that includes the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur – there will be further frustration for Postecoglou that both Cristian Romero and Richarlison were forced off with injury in the 2-1 win over the Toffees.

While neither issue appeared to be particularly serious at the time, the South American pair will have to be assessed ahead of the trip to the Amex, with the quick turnaround from the weekend clash perhaps putting their involvement in doubt today.

A further concern is the fact that former Seagulls man Yves Bissouma is set to be unavailable for the clash with his previous employers due to suspension, albeit with Destiny Udogie at least able to make his return after missing out on Saturday due to his own one-match ban.

The former Udinese starlet – who has been hailed as "sickeningly good" by footballJOE's Hunter Godson – is likely to walk straight back into the team at left-back, having only recently scored in the 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United.

The young Italian could well be joined in the starting lineup by experienced midfielder, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with the Danish maestro potentially set to help fill the void of Bissouma in front of the back four.

The stats to show why Hojbjerg should start vs Brighton

With Bissouma missing out at the weekend, it was Oliver Skipp who Postecoglou selected to line up alongside Pape Matar Sarr in the centre of the park, with the Englishman putting in a solid, albeit unspectacular display – winning four of his five duels and losing possession on just seven occasions from his 72 touches.

Despite hardly disgracing himself, there could be wisdom in ousting Skipp in order to hand Hojbjerg a starting role instead, with the 28-year-old – who has been linked with a January exit – having previously proven the scourge of the Seagulls.

The £100k-per-week "warrior" – as described by pundit and ex-Spurs man, Alan Hutton – has chipped in with four goals and assists in 13 career meetings with today's opponents, having regularly been a dominant force in this fixture.

The former Southampton man was particularly impressive both home and away against Brighton last season, notably proving the 'driving force' for his side in the 1-0 win at the Amex – as hailed by football.london's Alasdair Gold – while registering an assist in the 2-1 win in the reverse meeting.

Hojbjerg's 2023/24 season by numbers (Premier League)

17 games (3 starts)

0 goals & assists

90% pass accuracy rate

2.8 balls recovered per game

46% total duels won

0.1 key passes per game

6.74 average match rating

Stats via Sofascore

While the one-time everpresent has seen his game time inhibited of late due to the presence of Sarr and Bissouma, the latter man's absence should see Hojbjerg rightfully reinstated over the more youthful Skipp.

With Brighton the only English club that the one-time Bayern Munich man has scored twice against, he could well look to add to that tally…

Tottenham Hotspur ended a three-match skid with an impressive point earned against Manchester City away from home on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

But the defensive issues remain, and Ange Postecoglou will know that the January transfer window must shape around defensive reinforcements to ensure that the London side are well-equipped to return to the Champions League with a top-four finish.

Tottenham transfer news – Koki Machida

According to Voetbul Primeur, Tottenham are considering a winter swoop for Union Saint-Gilloise defender Koki Machida, though the Belgian outfit will demand €15m (£13m) for his departure.

Tottenham started strongly this season but collapsed after Micky van de Ven's injury against Chelsea, and with the Dutchman out until the new year, Machida's acquisition makes a lot of sense.

Koki Machida's style of play

Machida has proven himself with USG and, aged 26, will personally feel that he is ready to make the step and impress in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old is certainly of the apt profile, ranking among the top 5% of central defenders across divisions similar to the Belgian Pro League for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 10% for progressive carries, the top 12% for tackles and the top 15% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

His progressive passing, in particular, is most enticing, with the five-cap Japan international's 7.26 per game eclipsing Pedro Porro's over the past year, with the creative Spurs right-back averaging 4.20 per outing, having clinched four assists from 13 matches in the English top-flight this season.

The 6 foot 3 star has also demonstrated his defensive skills in Belgium, averaging 6.6 ball recoveries, 1.6 tackles and interceptions and 2.5 clearances per game in the league this year.

Who Koki Machida could replace at Tottenham

While the left-footed star could be the perfect option to fill in for Van de Ven at the back as he continues his recovery, it's unlikely that he would surpass the Dutchman in his formidable partnership with Cristian Romero at the back when both are fit and available.

That being said, Postecoglou will be dreaming of a return to the Champions League and will need to craft a squad capable of competing across multiple fronts, not reliant on the first-choice starting 11.

Machida could provide such a presence and do so to great effect, offering ball-playing skills to play into Spurs' fluid progression, something that Eric Dier is seemingly incapable of doing, consequently banished to the outskirts of Postecoglou's squad.

Spurs could spend "crazy money" to sign a bigger talent than Van de Ven

Ange Postecoglou is certain to be active in the January transfer market…

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 23, 2023

The 29-year-old has been at Tottenham for many years, signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 for £4m and racking up 362 appearances, but he has fallen by the wayside this season and has only played twice, not used during the past two Premier League fixtures despite the deluge of absences at the back.

The fact that Emerson Royal and Ben Davies – two natural full-backs – have been preferred speaks volumes, and with the England international out of contract at the end of the season, it's increasingly likely that he has entered the final stages of his career in north London.

Postecoglou's decision to banish him isn't unjust, per se, with Dier ranking among the bottom 46% of centre-halfs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the bottom 9% for progressive passes per 90, incongruous within the club's new style.

Machida would be an excellent replacement, and given the relatively small figure required for his services partnered with his ball-playing proclivity, Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy might be convinced to make his move in January.

Multan Sultans fell apart after Johnson Charles was dismissed for a 26-ball half-century

The Report by Peter Della Penna28-Feb-2019How the game played outTwin fifties by Umar Amin and Kieron Pollard helped Peshawar Zalmi surge past Multan Sultans’ total of 172 for a seven-wicket win in Dubai.Sultans got off to a red-hot start reaching 65 for one in the Powerplay, after being sent in, and continued to cruise behind Johnson Charles’ 26-ball half-century. But after Charles fell in the 13th to leave them at 114 for two, there was no finishing kick.By comparison, Zalmi had a much slower start but paced their chase well. Amin played the anchor role in a 50-run third-wicket stand with Imam-ul-Haq before continuing to play second fiddle to Pollard in their unbeaten 91-run stand. His seventh four in a 37-ball 54 ensured Zalmi got across the line with four balls to spare.The result completes a season sweep for Zalmi over Sultans after they overcame another Charles half-century just four days earlier.Turning points Charles got going in the sixth over, hitting Wahab Riaz for four boundaries. Six of his eight fours ended up coming off the left-arm quick, including the one that brought up Sultans’ hundred in the 11th over. Liam Dawson got lucky in the 13th when a half-tracker stayed very low to slip under Charles’ attempted pull, bowling him for 57. Zalmi needed 54 off 26 balls and Pollard was on 14 when he skied a pull off Mohammad Irfan to Charles at deep midwicket, but the fielder fumbled a fairly easy chance. Pollard struck Junaid Khan for six over midwicket off the very next ball he faced in the 17th, then clubbed three sixes in a row to end the 18th and bring up a 25-ball 50. Suddenly, Zalmi only needed 13 off 12 balls. Star of the dayZalmi’s pedestrian Powerplay – 39 for two – meant they were behind the asking rate for much of the innings before Pollard came to the crease in the 12th over. After getting off the mark with a six against Shahid Afridi, he made the most of the second life offered by Charles. In the span of three balls, he took the required rate down from more than 12 to a shade over six heading into the final two overs.The big missWhen on ten, Imam went to pull a good-length ball from Mohammad Ilyas in the fifth over but missed, resulting in a severe blow to the unmentionables. After a four-minute delay for treatment from the physio, he was finally able to resume and eventually made 39 before he was stumped charging Afridi.Where the teams standZalmi’s fourth win draws them level with Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators on eight points, but they top the table thanks to a vastly superior net run-rate. Sultans remain in fifth place on four points, fractionally ahead of Karachi Kings on net run-rate.

MatériaMais Notícias

Capitão do Palmeiras, o zagueiro Gustavo Gómez enalteceu a vitória do Alviverde diante do Fortaleza por 3 a 0, na noite deste domingo (14). Depois de um Mundial de Clubes ruim disputado no Catar, o paraguaio afirmou que o time precisava dar uma resposta para a torcida e declarou que para apagar a impressão precisava vencer bem e convencer.

​Assim que a partida se encerrou, o defensor rasgou elogios aos companheiros pela atuação no primeiro tempo e comemorou o bom desempenho do sistema defensivo.

– Fizemos um grande jogo, nosso time jogou muito bem. Defensivamente o time estava bem, estava bem preparado. Fizemos três gols no primeiro tempo e o grupo está de parabéns – disse.

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O zagueiro não fugiu do tema Mundial de Clube e tratou a vitória como uma forma de reagir efetivamente após os jogos ruins na jornada pelo bi do mundo.

– Nosso time precisava dessa vitória. Depois do Mundial, o nosso time a primeira que coisa que nós queríamos jogar em casa, jogar bem e ganhar bem. Aconteceu hoje. Nosso grupo, nossa equipe e o Palmeiras está de parabéns – finalizou.

O Palmeiras volta a campo na próxima quarta-feira, fora de casa, contra o já rebaixado Coritiba, às 19h30, no Couto Pereira.

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، هانز فليك، عن قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة بلد الوليد في الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

ويلتقي برشلونة وبلد الوليد اليوم السبت في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “منتجويك” بقيادة الحكم، إيسيدرو دياز دي ميرا.

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة عودة المدافع، إريك جارسيا، مرة أخرى بعد حصوله على التصريح الطبي بعد أن كان اللاعب مصابًا في قدمه قبل 4 أيام.

اقرأ أيضًا | فليك: فوجئت بقرعة دوري أبطال أوروبا.. ولا أركز على وضع ريال مدريد

🚨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐎̀𝐑𝐈𝐀 🚨#BarçaValladolid pic.twitter.com/Jr1hyFV3en — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) August 31, 2024

ليفاندوفسكي يقود قائمة برشلونة ضد بلد الوليد اليوم

حراسة المرمى: مارك أندريه تير شتيجن، إينياكي بينيا، أندير أسترالاجا.

الدفاع: باو كوبارسي، أليخاندرو بالدي، إينيجو مارتينيز، جول كوندي، إريك جارسيا، هيكتور فورت، جيرارد مارتن، سيرجي دومينيجز.

الوسط: بيدري، بابلو توري، مارك كاسادو، داني أولمو، فيرمين لوبيز.

الهجوم: روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، فيران توريس، رافينها، باو فيكتور، لامين يامال.

Wrexham may well struggle to expand the SToK Cae Ras to 50,000 seats, despite co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds hoping to do so.

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McElhenney revealed ambitious plans Wrexham's stadium currently holds 12,600Several challenges for Wrexham to expandWHAT HAPPENED?

Rob McElhenney confirmed Wrexham's plans to expand the Racecourse Ground to 50,000 seats, a number that would see them top both Chelsea and Aston Villa, in the Premier League. However, there are a number of hurdles that the Welsh club need to clear if they are to find a way to complete such an ambitious restructuring.

AdvertisementFX/Disney+THE EXPLANATION

Per , Wrexham would need to buy a large plot of land behind the main stand, but they currently house both a university car park and student accommodation. The club sold the land in 2006, and would need to buy it back, and then potentially demolish the buildings to make way for fresh stands. It remains to be seen if they would be willing to do that, and if the land would even be for sale.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wrexham also face a significant hurdle with The Turf pub. It has become a star of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, but it would likely also need to be demolished if an extension were to take place, while trees behind the Tech End would also need tearing down. These are thorny logistical issues for Wrexham to overcome.

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FX/Disney+WHAT NEXT?

Wrexham's league season is over. It remains to be seen if they do take steps to try to expand the stadium further, however, as they continue to climb the leagues.

The January transfer window is on the horizon and Leeds United could dip into the market to bolster their squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed in October that there would be funds available to spend in the winter to improve the group if needed, whilst he also pointed out that there are loan spots available to use.

This suggests that the Whites could explore permanent and loan options to give the team a lift in their bid to win an instant promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Daniel Farke's side are currently third in the table and are playing catch-up on the top two, with Ipswich Town currently ten points ahead of them.

One area that they could look to strengthen is their attacking depth as their forwards have not made a significant impact off the bench so far this season.

Patrick Bamford has zero goals and zero assists in 12 substitute appearances, Wilfried Gnonto has zero goals and one assist in nine cameos, and Jaidon Anthony has one goal and zero assists in 14 substitute outings.

This means that Farke's three go-to attacking options off the bench have combined for one goal and one assist in 35 Championship games this season.

Leeds transfer news – Ben Brereton Diaz

Journalist Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT earlier this month that Villarreal forward Ben Brereton Diaz is 'one to watch' for Leeds as he has been a long-term target for the club.

The reporter claimed that he could be a possible signing for the Whites in 2024 as the Chile international has struggled since his move to Spain.

That claim came after TEAMtalk reported in November that the Spanish outfit are prepared to send him out on loan during the second half of the season.

23/24 LaLiga	Brereton Diaz (via Sofascore)
Appearances	12
Starts	Two
Goals	Zero
Assists	Zero
Big chances created	Zero
Big chances missed	Zero

The outlet named Crystal Palace, West Brom, Burnley, Leicester, and Southampton as the clubs who are interested in a possible deal to sign the exciting forward during the upcoming January transfer window.

This suggests that Leeds would face serious competition for his signature, including from two Premier League sides, and this could make it a difficult deal for them to complete.

However, a loan move could be perfect for the Whites if they are able to secure his services as they could, if Villarreal agree, snap him up on a temporary basis with the option, or obligation, to make it a permanent move if they win promotion back to the top-flight.

Farke could land a dream rival to Joel Piroe's position if he, and Nick Hammond, can win the race for Brereton Diaz in January as the former EFL star is a proven performer at this level who could offer more than their current back-up options.

Joel Piroe's season in numbers

Leeds swooped to sign the Dutch centre-forward from Swansea for a reported fee that was in excess of £10m ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Despite being a number nine with the Swans, Farke has deployed the attacker in a number ten position behind French whiz Georgino Rutter, which has allowed the pair to interchange positions throughout games.

Only Crysencio Summerville (nine) has scored more Championship goals than Piroe (eight) has for the Yorkshire-based outfit so far this season.

The 24-year-old talent has, however, underperformed his Expected Goals of 9.18 and has missed six 'big chances' in front of goal, which suggests that his finishing has left a little bit to be desired.

He has also offered little in the way of creativity as the left-footed forward has created two 'big chances' and registered one assist in 21 Championship appearances.

Piroe has one goal from open play and zero assists in his last five league outings for Leeds but the aforementioned statistics of the other attacking options at Farke's disposal does not suggest that he is in any danger of losing his place.

23/24 Championship	Bamford (via Sofascore)
Appearances	12
Minutes played	168
Expected Goals	1.53
Goals	Zero
Expected Assists	0.25
Assists	Zero

As you can see in the table above, Bamford has not done enough in his opportunities off the bench to prove to the head coach that he has the quality to deserve a start ahead of the Dutchman.

Therefore, Leeds could improve their squad by bringing in a proven Championship performer to rival Piroe for his position and to be an excellent player to use as a substitute.

The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Brereton Diaz

Before his move to Villarreal on a free transfer over the summer, Brereton Diaz enjoyed two fantastic seasons with Blackburn Rovers in the second tier.

He showcased his ability as a versatile marksman who can chip in with goals and assists on a regular basis, which means that the talented gem could provide Farke with a boost at the top end of the pitch.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Chile international managed 14 goals, four assists, and eight 'big chances' created in 43 appearances.

Most similar players to Brereton Diaz in 2022/23 Championship (per FBref)
Player	Rank
Joel Piroe	1
Ismaila Sarr	2
Callum Robinson	3
Duncan Watmore	4
Nathan Tella	5

The £29k-per-week whiz, who can play out wide or through the middle, ranked within the top 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship for non-penalty goals (0.35) per 90.

That eye-catching form came off the back of a sensational return of 22 goals, three assists, and three 'big chances' created in 37 league outings for Rovers throughout the 2021/22 season.

This means that Brereton Diaz produced 36 goals and 11 'big chances' created in 70 Championship outings over the course of his final two seasons in Lancashire, an average of one or the other every 1.49 games.

The former Nottingham Forest prospect, whose physical output was described as "amazing" by ex-boss Tony Mowbray, knows how to make things happen at the top end of the pitch at that level.

Whereas, Bamford, Gnonto, and Anthony have all struggled to make an impact and this has left Farke without real competition for Piroe, in particular, in the number ten position.

This is why Brereton Diaz could be a fantastic signing to come in and rival the Dutch forward as he could provide another significant threat in the opposition box with his ability to score goals and create chances at an impressive rate.

Tasmania’s top three and Ben McDermott put up a solid display of attritional batting in the face of a 476-run target

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2019

Getty Images

Faced with an immense 476-run target, Tasmania dug in and ground their way to a draw against Victoria on the fourth day of the Sheffield Shield match in Melbourne.Tasmania began the day from an overnight score of 0 for 27, and the opening pair of Alex Doolan and Jordan Silk put up a century stand, taking the side to lunch without the loss of a wicket. Silk fell to Scott Boland in the first over after lunch, for 41 off 116 balls, after which the quick wickets of Doolan (88 off 204 balls) and Matthew Wade (1 off 6 balls), raised Victoria’s hopes of inciting a collapse.Those hopes, however, were thwarted by Ben McDermott who played 98 balls for his unbeaten 5, negating an attack that had dismissed the side for 286 in the first innings. McDermott was the common factor in three partnerships that held firm after Wade’s dismissal: McDermott added 22 off 18 overs with Charlie Wakim, who himself scored 36 off 125 balls at No. 3, followed by a six-run fifth-wicket partnership with Jake Doran off 44 balls and a sixth-wicket partnership with the 18-year-old Jarrod Freeman yielded 8 runs off 51 balls.A win against Tasmania would have placed Victoria closer to a spot in the Sheffield Shield final, but with two rounds to go, Victoria are leading the table with 43.31 points. Tasmania, on the other hand, are third with a lead of just one point over fourth-placed Western Australia.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية عن تطورات جديدة حول مستقبل لاعب ليفربول، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وسينتهي عقد الظهير الإنجليزي أرنولد مع ليفربول في نهاية الموسم الحالي، صيف 2025.

اقرأ ايضاً.. كأس العالم للأندية يضع ليفربول في مأزق مع محمد صلاح

وذكرت شبكة “فوتبول إنسايدر” أن ليفربول بات قريبًا للغاية من تمديد عقد ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، في ظل رغبة اللاعب في البقاء داخل أنفيلد.

وتابعت الشبكة أن إدارة ليفربول تنظر إلى أرنولد على أنه القائد المستقبلي للفريق، وأن اللاعب لديه أولوية من قبل الريدز بتجديد عقده مع الفريق مقارنة بمستقبل محمد صلاح وفان دايك.

وشارك أرنولد مع ليفربول في 310 مباريات مع الريدز بجميع المسابقات منذ صعوده إلى الفريق الأول بعام 2017.

جدير بالذكر أن ريال مدريد يراقب مستقبل أرنولد مع ليفربول، حيث دخل اللاعب ضمن دائرة اهتمامات الفريق الملكي لتعزيز صفوفه بالموسم المقبل.