The England opener said that Ben Stokes had been training like a “beast” since arriving in Perth

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-20257:23

Will Joe Root finally score his first hundred in Australia?

Ben Duckett believes England will start the Ashes series without much “baggage” and said that the team’s aggressive approach to Test cricket is evolving beyond what has sometimes been perceived as reckless.Duckett is one of 11 players in England’s squad who have yet to play Test cricket in Australia while the average age is 28 compared to the home side’s 33. The players have been greeted in Perth by a series of comical headlines from the local newspaper but Duckett said they have been warmly welcomed.Related

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“This group we’ve got, I actually saw the other day I’m the fourth oldest, which was tough to see,” Duckett told the podcast. “So we’ve got quite a fresh group coming here where there’s not a lot of baggage, which I think will help us.”Since his Test recall in 2022, Duckett is the leading run-scorer among openers. In the 2023 Ashes he made 321 runs at 35.66. “I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “You know how tough it is for touring sides coming over here. I’m not expecting or setting myself any targets. I know I’m opening the batting against probably the best bowling attack in the world in their home conditions.”For the first Test, at least, that attack will be missing Pat Cummins as he continues to recover from a lumbar stress injury. There remains hope he will be available for the second Test and went through another solid workout at the SCG on Tuesday.Ben Duckett will have a vital role to play at the top of the order•Getty Images”You want to play against the best and you don’t want to have guys like that missing out in series like this,” Duckett said. “But on the flip side, I’m an opening batter and he’s probably one of the best bowlers in the world. So yeah, quietly, I hope it’s not too bad but obviously any game where he’s not playing is an advantage for us.”Much of the pre-series narrative is around how Bazball will go in Australian conditions, but Duckett said that both individually and collectively their approach was becoming more nuanced.”I think now it’s definitely about reading moments,” he said. “[Brendon McCullum] will come up to me and say, now you’re a better player than just getting 40 off 30 and getting us off to a good start.”There’s moments as an opening batsman, for example, it could be at Perth in a few weeks where we’ve got five overs to see at the end of the day. And I did it against India last summer where actually just get through it. I don’t care how many runs you’ve got, just be there in the morning.”I think that’s where we’re trying to go as a team now, it’s not just being this entertaining, reckless at times, side. And it’s something that I’ve got frustrated with myself in the past, where I might have got 80 off 60 and it looks great and stuff, but they’re going to put my side in a good position. So it’s realising moments and doing that and then kicking on and getting a big score. And I think that’s where we’re really wanting to go as a side now.”Duckett termed captain Ben Stokes “probably the most important man” in the team and had been taken aback by the intensity of his training. “I can only say we’ve been out here for a few days and he’s been in beast mode,” he said. “He has been running, bowling two spells, batting for two hours. The way he trains and stuff these days is something that I’ve never seen before.”He’s obviously probably the most important man in this side when he’s bowling. So hopefully he stays fit for all five tests and he’s bowling in all of them because he’s crucial for us.”

The difficult decision to bench Liverpool talisman Mo Salah has left Reds boss Arne Slot with a major decision to make ahead of their clash with Leeds United. The Egyptian star’s performances have certainly been below his usual high standards, and he has come in for substantial criticism from TV pundits, but Slot has hinted he could reinstate him for the crunch trip to Elland Road.

Salah's struggles in title defence

Salah is enduring a challenging season on Merseyside, a stark contrast to his stellar previous campaign where he secured the Premier League title and bagged the Golden Boot, too. His form has seen a significant drop so far this season, he’s scored four goals and laid on two assists in his 13 Premier League appearances so far this season. The arrival of new players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, has altered the team's attacking dynamics, and the departure of long-time right-back partner Trent Alexander-Arnold has severely impacted on him. 

Club legend Jamie Carragher has been a vocal critic of Salah's form and perceived lack of leadership. Carragher has suggested that Salah's declining pace and reluctance to track back defensively are leaving the team exposed, especially in away games. He has also called for the Egyptian to speak publicly more often during the team's struggles. 

And while Salah has started on the bench for the Reds’ last two fixtures, missing out entirely in the win against West Ham and coming on as second-half substitute in the draw with Sunderland, his Dutch boss has hinted he could be re-introduced against Leeds.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSlot: 'It is completely normal for people to talk'

Speaking to the press on Friday, Slot said: "I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us. He is always in my mind to either start or to come (off the bench). The chatter, yes (I understand it) because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me for six or seven years. It's completely normal for people to talk about it when he isn't (playing)." 

Another player who is has struggled this season is Wirtz, but Slot has backed his marquee summer signing to take the positives from recent performances, saying: "You can see his confidence from how often he wants the ball and how often they give him it. So he has a lot of confidence but it's also clear he came back with an injury from Germany, so I am happy he can play so many minutes. He has done well. Not surprised he was involved in the goal against Sunderland, he was one of the ones who kept constantly trying and was creative."

Redknapp suggests Salah could leave

 Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp weighed into the argument, claiming a player of Salah’s calibre wouldn’t be willing to sit on the bench and hinted he could leave. Redknapp said: "There is no way Salah is going to be content being a bit-part player in this team. Whether it's in January or in the summer, if he finds the right clubs, I think he deserves the right to move on if things aren't going to go his way. I can only see that outcome. Now that trust is broken, especially with someone like Salah, he needs that confidence and love from a manager."

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Getty Images SportLeeds test awaits at Elland Road

Liverpool travel to Elland Road off the back of another poor performance in the one-all draw with Sunderland as defensive frailties continued to plague them, which Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s side will look to exploit. And Slot is aware just how intense and physical the match will be, he said: "I watched Leeds versus Chelsea and I saw a Liverpool game: Chelsea conceding a set piece and then a big, big error. Leeds went very aggressive in one-v-one and then a low block to stop chances. It is difficult for us that style, and many other teams. We saw them coming back from two down to Manchester City, Phil Foden made the difference with a moment of magic there and against Chelsea Leeds were very strong. What to expect is what we have faced in many other games."

Real Madrid's crisis escalated on Sunday as Endrick was sent off from the bench during the defeat to Celta Vigo, sparking a furious reaction from his father. With the Brazilian forward starving for minutes under manager Xabi Alonso, his parent turned to the bible to find encouraging words for the teenager, intensifying rumours of a January loan exit just months before the World Cup.

• Bernabéu boiling point: Red card from the sidelines

  The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu was already toxic as Celta Vigo raced into a 2-0 lead, but the frustration on the Real Madrid bench spilled over in spectacular fashion. Endrick, who had been left out of the starting XI yet again by Xabi Alonso, did not even need to step onto the pitch to make headlines. In the dying moments of the match, the Brazilian teenager was shown a straight red card by the referee for dissent, reportedly launching a verbal tirade at the fourth official as tempers flared.

  It was the third dismissal of the night for Los Blancos, following red cards for Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras, but the striker's expulsion is symbolic of a deeper malaise. Having played fewer than 20 minutes of La Liga football under Alonso, the 19-year-old’s discipline snapped. The suspension will likely rule him out of the upcoming clashes, further alienating a player who was supposed to be the future of the club but currently finds himself as a spectator to their implosion.

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  Endrick's father vents his fury

  The fallout from the match was immediate, with the player's father, Douglas Ramos, taking to social media to defend his son and fire a not-so-subtle dig at the Madrid hierarchy. He posted a picture of his son sitting on the Madrid bench and cited a bible verse as encouragement for the 19-year-old. He wrote: "Matthew Chapter 23:12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

  This "poisoned dart" appears squarely aimed at the management. It is not the first time the Brazilian's camp has hinted at dissatisfaction. Previously, he had accused Madrid of trying to "dim" the striker's spark. He wrote on social media: "I know, my son, how hard you work and how much you dedicate every minute of your day. I know everything you're capable of. You're a winner and you're showing everyone that you're a true warrior. Your star will continue to shine, even though some try to dim your light. I believe your future lies right there."

• Frozen out by the manager

  The relationship between the forward and his manager appears to be non-existent. Since taking over the reins, Alonso has largely ignored the Palmeiras academy graduate, preferring to utilise Kylian Mbappe centrally or even turning to academy product Gonzalo García as a backup option. The data is damning: the teenager has not started a single league game under the coach and has often been left warming the bench even when the team is chasing a game.

  Tactically, the manager seems unconvinced by the youngster's discipline and positional play, favouring more versatile forwards who can drop deep. However, with the attack looking blunt against Celta, the decision to leave a prolific goalscorer unused – and then watch him get sent off for frustration – has raised serious questions about Alonso’s man-management. The "dimming of the light" quote suggests that the player believes this exclusion is personal rather than tactical, a dangerous narrative for a coach already under pressure.

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  What comes next?

  With the situation becoming untenable, a January departure now looks inevitable. The red card may have been the final straw for both parties. Reports in France and Italy indicate that Lyon, Juventus, and even Manchester United are monitoring the situation closely, ready to offer a six-month loan deal.

  For the player, a move is essential. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he cannot afford to spend a season in the shadows. Real Madrid may be reluctant to weaken their squad depth given their injury crisis, but keeping an unhappy, suspended, and vocal teenager in a fracturing dressing room might be a luxury they can no longer afford.

Shohei Ohtani started his sixth game of the season on Monday night, striking out three batters in three innings pitched. Ohtani surrendered a season-high four hits and allowed his first earned run since his first start back in the middle of June as he allowed a lead-off home run to Byron Buxton.

While he did not earn a decision, the Los Angeles Dodgers did beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2, thanks it part to Shohei Ohtani who hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 1st.

Facing a 2-1 count with lead-off man Mookie Betts on first, Ohtani crushed a home run to centerfield to give the Dodgers a lead they would never relinquish.

Ohtani also threw in a casual, but effective bat flip to celebrate giving himself some early run support.

Ohtani has now homered in three straight games to raise his season total to 35. He's fourth in MLB in home runs and just three behind Cal Raleigh who has not hit a home run since the Derby.

National Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Parker died at age 74 on Saturday, leaving the baseball world mourning for "the Cobra." Parker had a long battle with Parkinsons.

Throughout Parker's 19-year MLB career, he was most known for his 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1978 with the Pirates, he was named the National League's MVP after combining a .334/.394/.585 slash line with 30 home runs and 117 RBIs.

Parker was already enshrined in the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022, and he was set to be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month after being voted in by the Classic Baseball Era Committee back in December.

Tributes poured out for Parker on Saturday shortly after the Pirates revealed the sad news. The Pirates specifically spoke about Parker's legacy ahead of Saturday's game vs. the New York Mets. PNC Park held a moment of silence for their famed star.

The Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds, where Parker spent four seasons after his tenure with the Pirates, and the Athletics, where Parker spent two seasons, all wrote memorials for Parker on social media.

Here's a look at how the rest of the baseball world honored Parker on Saturday.

Delhi Capitals’ Australian allrounder opens up about her fielding, her success across formats and levels, and growing up in a cricketing family

Sruthi Ravindranath14-Mar-2025You had an excellent summer with Australia that ended with the Belinda Clark medal. How do you reflect on the season gone by?It feels like it’s been a long summer with lots of cricket, starting with that World Cup [in October 2024 in the UAEI’ve sort of moved series to series, tournament to tournament. There’s so much cricket on so it’s hard to look at it as a whole. Hopefully when WPL [is over] – and we’ve got a couple of games against New Zealand, and then the season’s officially done – I think when there’s a bit more of a break there, then I’ll be able to reflect a bit more. Proud I’ve been able to contribute to especially the Australian team and stand up in different moments, which has been nice.You got going with the ball in the very first match after coming from the Ashes in Australia. What did you have to do differently to adjust to Indian conditions?I don’t think there’s one specific thing. I think I’m quite versatile in terms of the change-ups I’ve got – I’ve got decent pace too – so I think it’s just about assessing the conditions every wicket you play on – even if it’s the same ground, it is a little bit different – and trying to work out what’s working as soon as possible. We’ve got a great bowling attack, very experienced with Kappy [Marizanne Kapp] and Shikha Pandey as well, who often start us off really well and [I] can get some good information from those guys before I come on, sort of more through the middle. But enjoying the challenge of often batter-friendly conditions and trying to navigate through a bowling innings when batters are going hard, and the boundaries are pretty short and the outfield’s fast too.You have an effective offcutter, which you’ve used quite a bit in these conditions.I think [I developed it] early on in WBBL when I was really young. I realised I had to work on a change-up to make it a little bit harder for batters. So I’ve got a couple of change-ups now. The offcutter is my go-to one early.Related

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Given my action, it was probably the easiest one to bank on. But I think I’ve definitely worked on it to make sure no matter what kind of conditions I’m playing in, it can work. I’ve got really good control over length, and I think it’s a big one for me to be able to use it in any condition and any format.Are there any other variations you have an eye on?Not that I’m willing to reveal . I’m always working on different things, but that’s for everyone to see on the field.Your fielding, specifically the catching, once again stood out in the WPL. Is there any specific training you do for catching under lights?It’s probably more about volume, trying to get comfortable under the lights and get used to the conditions. I think every stadium’s a bit different where the lights are at. The ball can get caught in the lights so it’s about just kind of picking up the depth. It can change or vary depending on the ground. So it is also about challenging yourself and not just practicing easy catches. You want to be dropping catches at training because that means they’re hard and you’re going to be ready for the game. That’s how I think about it.What makes Delhi Capitals such a good fielding side?We’re a really athletic team. Even someone like Niki Prasad – she’s young, but you can see how well she moves in the field. She’s taking some really high-quality catches and doesn’t look out of place at all. I think that’s no fluke. Everyone puts in a lot of time as they should, because it’s such a key part of the game, particularly in T20 cricket. It can turn a game and the momentum can shift. We know how important that is. It’s something we pride ourselves on at Delhi Capitals, that we want to be the best fielding team in the competition. I think we’re up there at the moment.How does WPL compare to the challenge of playing in the WBBL?Culturally, there’s a significant difference with the Indian local players. I’ve really enjoyed spending time and getting to know [them], that’s a pretty cool part of playing the WPL. The WBBL has gone for ten years now. I think domestic players [there] are probably a bit more experienced. I think they have a certain level of calmness about them – which I think the Indian players will keep improving on – given the amount of cricket the Aussie girls have played at that professional level. I think the more you play, the better you get in different pressure situations.Annabel Sutherland has taken eight wickets in as many games going into the WPL final•WPLObviously, the crowds are insane over here. It’s been lots of fun to play in front of some really good crowds with lots of noise at the Chinnaswamy [in Bengaluru]. The last game we played against RCB, it was super loud and we were able to quieten the crowd in our batting innings, which was nice. The crowds are certainly a highlight playing over here.You were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win at the MCG in 2020. Coming to the Chinnaswamy, would you say the stadium atmosphere was on par? Did you feel intimidated by the crowd at any point?Not intimidated. I think you’re going to embrace it. It’s definitely part of the game, particularly in India. They’re probably louder than 86,000 at the G. They put up pretty good competition for that in terms of noise, but atmosphere-wise, it’s pretty hard to go past the MCG final.With the ODI World Cup coming up in India later this year, how important is it for you to play the WPL, especially in venues like Vadodara and Lucknow?The key part of a World Cup is you’re moving around changing venues. You want to get as much intel as you can before playing the game. I think it’d be at the back of everyone’s minds that [the World Cup] is coming up.As a youngster, what are the pressures of playing in a team like Australia where the standards are so high?I think that’s all external pressure, to be honest. We’ve got a really good environment in our Australian team. We know how hard everyone works, and we set our own standards probably higher than the external people do. That’s all the training and the work we do behind the scenes. I think cricket’s a tough game. We pride ourselves on our standards, so the pressure is kind of external noise.The Australian team’s depth is incredible. Would you say that perhaps puts you under pressure a little bit, that there’s always someone behind you?Yes, I think so. But I think if you’re doing the work, that’s all you can do at the end of the day. It’s a positive sign of where Australian cricket is at. There’s so much depth and our domestic cricket is really strong. We’ve seen with injuries and different things that happen that we’ve got great coverage across the country. Yet, at the same time, you got to be working on your game all the time trying to get better, because there’s people that are knocking on the door who are pretty hungry to play for Australia. That’s why you got to work hard and I know everyone’s doing that at the moment.Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win in 2023•Getty ImagesYou’ve played together with Meg Lanning for Victoria, Australia, Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and now at Capitals in the WPL. Is there anything as too much Meg Lanning? How big is it for you to play alongside her and pick her brains?There’s no such thing as too much Meg. She’s a superstar of the game. Just being able to play under her… she’s had a big impact on me. She’s super competitive. I love the way she plays the game. She would do anything to get the team over the line and get a win. I love that she trusts her instincts. She’s got a real good intuition of the game and more often than not she gets the right call.You grew up with a lot of cricket around you, with your father being involved in the sport and your brother playing professionally as well. How competitive were you with your siblings growing up when it came to cricket? Have you ever hit a saturation point with the game?Having two brothers sort of means everything’s going to be pretty competitive. We all loved sport growing up. In the backyard, there was a lot of competition, a few tantrums – that was all part of it. Cricket was one of the sports we played a lot, and we all love it. That [is why] we are still playing it now. It’s a nice thing to share with my siblings.I think it’s important given how much cricket’s on at the moment to have a healthy balance in terms of when you do get time off, whether it’s days or weeks between tours and tournaments, you need to make sure you have a really good balance of being away from games. I got real good people around me in terms of my friends and family who keep that balance, which is nice.

Manchester United’s midfield department has been a problem area over the last couple of months, with Ruben Amorim still yet to discover his best partnership at the heart of the side.

The 40-year-old has operated with a two-man partnership ever since he took the reins last November, with the midfielders crucial to his 3-4-2-1 system.

The likes of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount have often shared responsibility in starting as part of the duo, but the manager still wants reinforcements in such a position.

Kobbie Mainoo is just another option at Amorim’s disposal, but he’s often decided against utilising the Englishman, as seen by his measly tally of zero starts in the Premier League this campaign.

As a result, INEOS have been tasked with identifying potential options during the January transfer window to try and provide a long-term fix to the issues in the midfield department.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions during January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been one of the Premier League clubs interested in a move to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s men have already held talks with Sean Dyche’s side over a potential move, but it could be an expensive one, with a £100m price tag currently being mooted.

They aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 23-year-old, with rivals Manchester City also said to be keeping a close eye on his progress ahead of the upcoming window.

However, Anderson isn’t the only midfielder on the Red Devils’ radar, with Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham another option INEOS are reportedly considering.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men have made a €150m (£130m) bid for the England international in an attempt to solve their current issues.

The report also states that his current employers aren’t looking to offload him at present, which could make a deal somewhat tricky to complete in the near future.

Why Bellingham would be perfect for Bruno Fernandes

Despite being an attacking midfielder, Bruno Fernandes has been asked to play in a somewhat deeper midfield role in United’s squad this season – often partnering Casemiro at the heart of the side.

However, it hasn’t stopped the Portuguese international from starring at the heart of the side, as seen by his excellent goals and assists tally in the Premier League.

In his first 15 appearances of the league campaign, he’s already registered ten combined goals and assists, with three of his efforts coming at Wolves on Monday night.

However, the manager is yet to strike a balance at the heart of the side, especially considering Casemiro is now 33 and set to leave at the end of his contract in the summer.

As a result, Bellingham could well be the answer to the current issue in midfield, especially if his stats from LaLiga in 2025/26 to date are anything to go by.

The numbers he’s produced showcase his remarkable box-to-box nature, which could well make him the perfect partner for Bruno at the heart of the side.

Bellingham, who’s been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, has been a tad off the pace this term but he’s certainly still the best when you consider raw talent and his potential. There is a reason, after all, that Madrid trusted him to wear Zinedine Zidane’s famed number 5 shirt at the biggest club in the global game.

To illuminate his qualities, he’s completed 8.9 progressive passes per 90, all of which being made into the final third. That sounds pretty perfect for Fernandes, doesn’t it?

Games played

12

Goals & assists

5

Progressive passes

8.9

Pass accuracy

88%

Passes into final third

8.9

Tackles won

2.9

Tackle success

67%

Interceptions made

0.9

Such numbers showcase the creative nature he possesses, with such tallies potentially taking some of the strain and responsibility on Bruno to constantly provide the goods in central areas.

However, out of possession is where the 22-year-old has excelled this campaign, as seen by his tally of 2.9 tackles won per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the top 5% of all players in LaLiga.

He’s also made 0.9 interceptions and won 1.5 aerials won per 90, which also ranks him in the top 5% of midfielders – highlighting his remarkable talents out of possession.

Bellingham’s dominance is showcased in his tally of 67% of tackles entered that he’s won this season, finally ending United’s hunt for a new ball-winner if a deal can be completed.

£130m would be a remarkable amount of money spent on just one player, but the Madrid star has demonstrated world-class levels for many years despite his tender age.

The prospect of him linking up with Bruno is one to get excited about, with the pair potentially having the quality to catapult the club to a title challenge in the near future.

The new Ji-Sung Park: Man Utd star is fast becoming as important as Bruno

Manchester United have another star who is becoming as important as Bruno Fernandes.

ByEthan Lamb 6 days ago

تتصاعد الأنباء في الأونة الأخيرة حول اهتمام الأهلي بضم مدافع منتخب الجزائر الثاني، أشرف عبادة، وسط تكهنات على مواقع التواصل والصحف الرياضية، مما جعل الجماهير تتساءل عن حقيقة هذا الاهتمام وإمكانية انتقال اللاعب إلى الدوري المصري.

أشرف عبادة الذي يقدم مستويات مميزة مع أولمبي الشلف أصبح حديث الصحافة، بعد تألقه الدفاعي وإظهار شخصية قوية في الملعب، هذه الأداءات جعلت اسمه مرتبطًا بالأندية الكبرى في المنطقة، وأبرزها الأهلي.

لكن، رغم كل التكهنات، يظل الوضع الرسمي بشأن اللاعب غير واضح، حيث لم يصدر أي تأكيد من النادي الأهلي حول تقديم عرض رسمي، وهو ما يثير الفضول لمعرفة موقف إدارة أولمبي الشلف.

اقرأ أيضًا | حازم إمام يكشف حقيقة أزمة تحليل الأهلي قبل القمة.. ويرد على تصريحات فيريرا

رئيس نادي أولمبي الشلف، عبد الكريم مدوار، في تصريحات خاصة عبر بطولات عن أنباء اهتمام الأهلي بضم المدافع أشرف عبادة: “لم يحدث أي تواصل من جانب الأهلي لضم مدافعنا أشرف عبادة حتى الآن، يجب أن يكون هناك عرض رسمي أولًا من أجل دراسته وإلا فالأمر كله مجرد اهتمام عبر الصحافة”.

وعن موقف أولمبي الشلف في رحيل عبادة إذا ما جاء عرض رسمي من جانب الأهلي: “لكل مقام مقال، إذا وصل عرضًا رسميًا، سأدرسه جيدًا وأعطي رأيي”.

After a run of poor results, Chelsea got back to winning ways in the Premier League, overcoming Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

It is the first time since 22nd November that Enzo Maresca’s side have tasted victory in the top flight.

It only took the Blues 21 minutes before they went 1-0 up. On his first start at the Bridge since August, it was always going to be Cole Palmer who fired Chelsea into the lead.

It was a well-taken goal, too, with the England star making a well-timed underlapping run between the Everton defence and firing home past Jordan Pickford.

Chelsea had chances to double their lead, which they squandered. However, they did find the back of the net again on the stroke of half-time. It was Malo Gusto who got on the scoresheet this time, capping off an incisive counterattack by slotting home Pedro Neto’s cross.

It was a fantastic performance on the whole from the West Londoners. They shoot up to fourth in the Premier League, although most teams around them have a game in hand. Maresca will be hoping his side can build some momentum ahead of a busy few weeks.

There were a couple of real standouts for the Blues, and not just Palmer and Gusto…

Chelsea's best players vs Everton

It was inevitable, in many ways, that Palmer was going to have his say on this game. His first home start in months did not disappoint, with the Wythenshawe-born attacker proving why he is one of the Premier League’s most dangerous players.

It was a showing worthy of an 8/10 rating from Goal journalist Richie Mills. He said the Chelsea number 10 ‘showed good speed and a smart finish’, describing his performance as ‘a good day at the office’ in front of the home faithful.

The same could certainly be said for Gusto. He set Palmer up with a through ball that threaded the needle superbly, before getting on the score sheet himself for the second time in that famous Blue shirt.

Indeed, his stats from the game are superb. Gusto was constantly involved, having 81 touches, and completed 90% of his passes, as per Sofascore. Not only did the Frenchman create two chances, but he also made four ball recoveries and was impressive off the ball.

However, Palmer and Gusto were not the only two Chelsea players who stood out against Everton.

Chelsea duo look made for Mourinho

It was yet another clean sheet for the centre-back pairing of Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana. As a partnership, they have begun to string together some impressive performances and have become more than reliable for Maresca.

That was no different against the Toffees. They each received a 7/10 rating from Mills for their afternoon’s work. The journalist was full of compliments for the pair and said they are perhaps the ‘best centre-back pairing’ available to the Blues at the moment.

The stats from the game show just how well the pair, who earn a combined £250k per week, performed against the Toffees.

Some of the standouts included Fofana’s impressive 11 clearances and Cobham graduate Chalobah’s five successful duels out of seven.

Fofana & Chalobah’s stats vs. Everton

Stat

Fofana

Chalobah

Pass accuracy

97%

99%

Touches

84

83

Clearances

11

9

Ball recoveries

5

3

Duels won

6/15

5/7

Stats from Sofascore

Looking at the numbers in more detail, the West Londoners are unbeaten in their last seven games when the Frenchman and their academy graduate have started together.

Six of those games have been clean sheets.

Those numbers are superb and would certainly not look out of place in the era of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese manager famously oversaw a team that conceded just 15 league goals in a single season in 2004/05 – still the best-ever record in the division.

With the performances that Chalobah and Fofana have put in this season, it certainly feels very Mourinho-era coded. The ex-Blues boss is a famously pragmatic coach, so he would no doubt appreciate a record like six clean sheets in seven games.

Indeed, it is helping Maesrca’s side, and the current Chelsea gaffer surely has his centre-back pairing locked in for the foreseeable future.

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As we approached 2025, the fear was that Liverpool would lose their talisman, an all-time great in the form of Mohamed Salah, on a free transfer.

Well, the Egyptian signed a new deal and closed out an enthralling individual season for the Reds. He led Arne Slot’s team to title glory, taking home the Premier League title back in May.

The foundations Slot had built during his maiden campaign in English football were remarkable but it’s all petered out in frantic fashion throughout the ongoing term.

A year on from uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future, a different sense of uncertainty lingers heading into 2026.

This time around it feels unlikely that he’ll be staying around at Anfield for much longer. It’s a sad end for one of the Premier League’s modern-day greats.

Why Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool

The winger had an enthralling 2024/25 season, ending the year with a whopping 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 outings. However, this term has not been a pretty one for the Egyptian who has only bagged five times in 19 appearances for Liverpool.

Slot’s side have been in a rotten run and Salah’s poor form has coincided with that. He’s been so poor, however, that the Dutchman has taken the decision to select him on the bench across the last three games. As Salah himself said post-game, it’s unheard of.

However, there lies the problem. What Salah said after the game. He launched a stunning attack on Slot after Liverpool drew 3-3 with Leeds and it has thrown his immediate future in Merseyside into doubt.

“I’m very disappointed, Salah began. “I’ve done so much for this club – everyone can see that – over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.”

The forward continued: “It’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. Club promised me a lot in summer. So far I I’m on bench three games, so can’t say they have kept those promises.

“I say many times I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship, I don’t know why. It seems like someone does not want me in the club.

“But again this club, I always support it. my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday because I knew I wasn’t going to start and told my mum and dad to the Brighton game [next Saturday].”

The latest on Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool

It’s thought that one of Salah’s main suitors continues to be Saudi Arabia and it would not be a surprise if he heads off to the Middle East before too long.

That’s because he’s now been totally excluded from the matchday squad for Liverpool’s clash with Inter Milan in the week.

According to Football FanCast sources, Richard Hughes and Co met after Salah made those comments and while it initially looked like he could just miss the clash with Inter, he has officially been removed from selection for a ‘short period’.

Sources suggest that the decision has been taken in consultation with manager Slot in the best interests of the player, the squad and the club. It’s thought that the boss has given the decision his full support.

Whether that means that Salah will miss Liverpool’s next league game against Brighton next Saturday remains to be seen but considering the attacker is due to head off to AFCON after that, it’s likely this is the last we’ll see of him in a Liverpool shirt, at least this year.

What the future holds in the long term is currently unknown but it’s certainly not looking good for either player or manager right now.

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