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Run-a-ball 125* leaves defending champions Vipers facing semi-final Eliminator to reach Lord’s

ECB Reporters Network17-Sep-2022Lauren Winfield-Hill’s brilliant unbeaten run-a-ball 125 guided the Northern Diamonds into next Sunday’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final at Lord’s at the expense of champions Southern Vipers, who could not defend 227 at Headingley and lost by four wickets.Winfield-Hill steered a chase which had stumbled to 79 for 4 in this winner-takes-all final group game, gaining help from fellow wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath, who contributed 54 to a fifth-wicket partnership of 129.The Vipers, the back-to-back champions who posted 226 for 9, must now go into Wednesday’s semi-final Eliminator clash with South East Stars – likely to be at Beckenham – in order to keep alive their hopes of the ‘threepeat’.If they win, all three RHF Trophy finals will have been contested between the Diamonds and the Vipers, the latter winning the previous two. Having reached four regional finals in all, the Diamonds will now hope to secure their maiden trophy.The Vipers, for whom Georgia Elwiss top-scored with 61 off 95, came into this fixture top of the table and only ahead of the Diamonds on net run-rate after five wins apiece and lost with seven overs to spare. They fell to 24 for 2 inside four overs after electing to bat.Lizzie Scott flattened Ella McCaughan’s leg-stump with a big in-swinger in the opening over before Linsey Smith trapped England’s Maia Bouchier lbw for 9.But Elwiss and Georgia Adams, her captain, calmly steadied with a 72-run stand in 17 overs before Adams had a momentary lapse in concentration on 33 to open the door again at 96 for 3 in the 21st. She handed leg-spinner Katie Levick the first of two wickets when she was stumped by Winfield-Hill.Elwiss reached her fifty off 77 balls shortly afterwards, though lost Paige Scholfield bowled by Levick. And she was gone herself four overs later when bowled playing back to one which skidded through from off-spinner Emma Marlow.At 143 for 5 after 33 overs, the Diamonds had reasserted the authority they had gained in the opening stages. Captain Hollie Armitage then struck with her third ball as Chloe Hill chipped her leg-spin to mid-off, the first of three wickets to fall for 23 as Tara Norris was run out and Alice Monaghan caught behind off Armitage, who returned 3 for 37 from seven overs. The latter two fell in as many deliveries, leaving Vipers 182 for 8 in the 42nd.But, just as happened at the start, the Diamonds failed to maintain pressure, as conceding 32 runs in wides suggests.Emily Windsor accumulated an unbeaten 49, scoring the lion’s share of 44 added for the last two wickets with Charlotte Taylor and debutant leg-spinner Finty Trussler. Armitage had the former caught at mid-on in the final over.But the Diamonds’ task of removing the venom would be far from straightforward against a Vipers team to be reckoned with. And so it proved, as they stumbled to 79 for 4 inside 16 overs.Smith miscued left-arm seamer Norris to mid-off early on before second-wicket pair Winfield-Hill and Armitage shared 44. Then came the loss of three wickets for 17, sparked by a cutting Armitage edging the off-spin of Adams behind.That was followed by two wickets in 19-year-old Trussler’s second over, the 16th. Sterre Kalis pulled a full toss out to deep midwicket before Leah Dobson was lbw.But Winfield-Hill, who won the Hundred at Lord’s with Oval Invincibles earlier in the month, was not to be deterred. She reached her eighth fifty of the summer in all cricket off 56 balls and was particularly strong on the drive.With Heath’s help, they positively turned the game back in their favour in a defining 25-over alliance and, by the time Winfield-Hill reached her fourth career professional century – her first this summer – off 105 balls, the game had been iced at 195 for 4 in the 36th over.After reaching her fifty off 61 balls, Heath fell to Adams with 19 required. But it was inconsequential, as was the run out of Leigh Kasperek. Winfield-Hill finished it with her only six over long-on off Norris.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl heaped praise on Harry Kane, saying he is 'doing everything' to bring the Bundesliga title back to the club.

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Eberl praises KaneStriker has scored 60 goals in 60 league gamesBayern on course for Bundesliga titleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A 4-0 victory over Heidenheim helped Bayern inch one step closer to the Bundesliga title, and once again Kane's contribution was crucial, with the England captain scoring his 36th goal of the season. His 13th-minute opener broke yet another German top-flight record, with Kane becoming the first player to score 60 goals in his first 60 Bundesliga games.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane's goalscoring exploits have been outstanding ever since his arrival in Munich. He recently became the first Englishman to score 10 goals in a Champions League season, although it's his domestic form that has really caught the eye, with Kane's 24 league goals this campaign leaving the German giants on the brink of a title win. As everyone in the football world knows, this would finally end the former Spurs striker's agonising career-long wait for a major trophy.

WHAT EBERL SAID

Asked whether he feels Bayern owe Kane a trophy given his incredible record, Eberl replied: "Harry is doing it himself. He's scoring the goals, getting involved and getting on well with his teammates. Harry is doing everything, we as a club are doing everything – and of course we want to bring the title back to Munich."

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Imago ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

As his team has closed in on that elusive trophy, Kane has remained composed and focused on the task ahead, and after the Heidenheim game, attention has quickly turned to next weekend's home fixture against Mainz. A win in that match will guarantee Bayern the Bundesliga trophy, although if challengers Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat St. Pauli on Sunday the title race will effectively be over, with Vincent Kompany's side having a far superior goal difference.

Players who perform well in the Championship regularly get signed for lavish fees by those in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Take Archie Gray, for example. The 18-year-old shone for Leeds United in the second tier last season, helping the club reach the playoff final. Despite losing, it wasn’t long before Tottenham Hotspur came in with a £30m offer, which was duly accepted.

Elsewhere, Jude Bellingham emerged from the Birmingham City academy to establish himself as one of the finest talents in the Championship. He may have only played 41 games for the Blues, yet this didn’t stop Borussia Dortmund calling in 2020.

The 15 biggest transfer sales in EFL Championship history

Championship clubs have received some eye-watering fees from the biggest clubs in the country and beyond.

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 29, 2025

Over the years, clubs from the second tier have also spent a lot on players. With finances steadily improving due to more lucrative TV deals, while most clubs have bolstered their profits by selling their best talent for premium prices, Championship sides have never had it so good.

As such, we at Football FanCast look deeper into the top 15 record signings made by clubs from the division below the Premier League.

Rank

Player

From

To

Transfer Fee

Ruben Neves

Porto

Wolves

Shea Charles

Man City

Southampton

Britt Assombalonga

Nottingham Forest

Middlesbrough

Jonathan Kodjia

Bristol City

Aston Villa

Joao Carvalho

Benfica

Nottingham Forest

Helder Costa

Benfica

Wolves

Joel Piroe

Swansea

Leeds

Harry Wilson

Liverpool

Fulham

Benik Afobe

Wolves

Stoke

Ross McCormack

Fulham

Aston Villa

Matt Ritchie

Bournemouth

Newcastle

Isaac Mbenza

Montpellier

Huddersfield

Maxime Esteve

Montpellier

Burnley

Dwight Gayle

Crystal Palace

Newcastle

Andre Gray

Brentford

Burnley

15 Andre Gray Brentford to Burnley (£9m)

Burnley’s 2014/15 season ended in relegation after just one season in the top flight, and Sean Dyche wasted no time splashing out the cash.

Andre Gray signed for £9m, becoming a club-record purchase at the time. He netted 23 times to fire Burnley back into the big time, carrying on this form during 2016/17 as the club avoided relegation. Money well spent indeed.

14 Dwight Gayle Crystal Palace to Newcastle (£10m)

Newcastle United suffered relegation at the end of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, but it was clear they wanted a swift return to the top flight. This led to the club signing striker Dwight Gayle, who arrived from Crystal Palace in a deal worth a reported £10m.

A return of 23 goals in just 32 matches for the Magpies signified how important a signing Gayle was, helping lead the club back to the promised land after just one season away.

The 35-year-old is currently playing for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

13 Maxime Esteve Montpellier to Burnley (£10m)

Vincent Kompany signed Maxime Esteve on a loan deal in January 2024, hoping that his presence would help Burnley avoid the drop.

While the Frenchman became a key member of the starting XI, it wasn’t enough to save the club from slipping back into the Championship. However, this didn’t stop the Clarets from splashing out £10m to secure his services permanently after their relegation.

At the time of writing, he has yet to miss a league game for the club as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

12 Isaac Mbenza Montpellier to Huddersfield (£11m)

Isaac Mbenza moved to Huddersfield Town on loan ahead of the 2018/19 season, but he couldn’t keep the club in the top division, despite netting against Manchester United.

A reported fee of £11m was agreed so that Mbenza would remain at Huddersfield, yet the winger would play just 43 games over the next two seasons before departing in 2021. Not the best way to spend a chunk of their parachute payment.

11 Matt Ritchie Bournemouth to Newcastle (£12m)

Rafa Benitez wasted no time in bolstering his Newcastle squad after relegation in 2016. Dwight Gayle had joined, but it was the signing of Matt Ritchie which looked like the most impressive piece of business.

10 goal involvements for Bournemouth the season prior went a long way in the Cherries retaining their Premier League status, and this saw Newcastle spend £12m to secure his signature.

He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Magpies across the next eight seasons.

10 Ross McCormack Fulham to Aston Villa (£12m)

In the same summer that Villa spent big money on signing Jonathan Kodjia, another striker also arrived at Villa Park. Ross McCormack had sparkled at Fulham, but a bid of £12m was always going to be accepted, despite his talents in front of goal.

The move soon turned into a nightmare. McCormack would manage just three goals during his spell with the club, working out at £4m each. Hardly money well spent in the transfer market.

9 Benik Afobe Wolves to Stoke (£12m)

Benik Afobe helped Wolverhampton Wanderers secure the Championship title in 2018, leading the club to make his loan deal permanent.

However, he was on the move just two weeks later to Stoke City, who offered £12m for the striker. The move didn’t exactly work out as expected, especially considering the fee spent.

Across 51 matches for the Potters, Afobe managed a paltry nine goals and has since embarked on a nomadic career which has seen him play in Turkey and Qatar.

8 Harry Wilson Liverpool to Fulham (£12m)

Fulham spent big during the summer of 2021 in a bid to secure promotion to the Premier League with Harry Wilson joining the Cottagers for £12m – and it turned out to be a crucial signing.

The Welshman was excellent throughout 2021/22, scoring 10 league goals while registering 20 assists in the second tier. He has continued to impress in the top flight, helping the club establish themselves as a solid Premier League outfit under Marco Silva.

7 Joel Piroe Swansea to Leeds (£12m)

Joel Piroe emerged as one of the deadliest strikers in the second tier during his time with Swansea City. He scored 46 goals in 96 games for the Welsh side, ensuring there was plenty of interest in him during the summer of 2023.

Indeed, it would be Leeds United who would win the race, splashing out £12m on the Dutchman – and it looks like money well spent.

Since making the move to West Yorkshire, Piroe has netted 24 goals, and he will be hoping to end the club’s exile from the top flight this season.

6 Helder Costa Benfica to Wolves (£13m)

Wolves spent what was a club-record fee of £13m to bring Helder Costa to the Midlands in January 2017, despite sitting 18th in the league table at the time.

He enjoyed a remarkable start, contributing 18 goal involvements during his first six months, before aiding the side as they cruised to the Championship title the following season, scoring five times.

That was as good as it would get for the winger, who scored only once more for Wolves.

They replace Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin

Mohammad Isam14-Oct-2022Bangladesh have brought in Soumya Sarkar and Shoriful Islam to replace Mohammad Saifuddin and Sabbir Rahman in their T20 World Cup squad.All four members were part of the team that played the recently concluded tri-series in New Zealand, and although Bangladesh lost all four matches, their technical consultant Sridharan Sriram insisted that there were positives.Soumya and Shoriful’s inclusions in the T20 World Cup squad seemed on the cards given their performance was marginally better than the other two who will now make their way back home from Christchurch.Related

Shakib aside, there's very little right about Bangladesh's T20I side

Sridharan Sriram: Bangladesh have clarity about their best combination

Soumya’s scores of 23 and 4 were enough for a team management, that includes Sriram, team director Khaled Mahmud and captain Shakib Al Hasan, to pick him. Soumya hadn’t been picked for Bangladesh in any format since a poor outing in last year’s T20 World Cup. He made 164 runs at a strike rate of 109.33 in last season’s BPL during this break.Bangladesh have also sacrificed the only pace-bowling allrounder they had in the squad, axing Saifuddin who has not been able to live up to his potential since his comeback in the Asia Cup in late August. Shoriful steps into his place, even though he hasn’t set the world alight in his last few T20I appearances. He will partner another fast bowler who has been enduring a dip in form, Mustafizur Rahman.Bangladesh head to Brisbane on Saturday where they will face Afghanistan (October 17) and South Africa (October 19) in two warm-up games. Their T20 World Cup campaign begins with a match against one of the first-round qualifiers in Hobart on October 24.Bangladesh T20 World Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain

The French titleholders have wonderful width and devastating dribblers, but the evolution of their midfield has been key to their transformation

There were just five minutes remaining at Santiago Bernabeu when Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey stupidly shoved Real Madrid counterpart Dani Ceballos to the ground right in front of referee Francoiz Letexier. A yellow card was the only possible outcome, and Declan Rice was rightly furious with his team-mate for getting himself suspended so needlessly for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Partey, who was immense in the comprehensive last-eight elimination of Madrid, would have been important no matter the opposition in the last four, but he's going to be all the more conspicuous by his absence at the Emirates on Tuesday because the Gunners are going up against Paris Saint-Germain, who boast the best midfield in this year's competition – any by some distance too.

Getty ImagesFrom big-game bottlers to great entertainers

Kylian Mbappe's decision to move to Madrid last summer was a major blow for PSG, particularly from a financial perspective. Losing one of the most valuable players in the world on a free transfer was an undeniable disaster for the club's Qatari owners.

However, Luis Enrique repeatedly insisted that, on a purely sporting level, PSG could become a stronger, more balanced team without their talismanic forward, who accounted for 35 percent of the 124 goals they scored last season.

The Spanish coach has been proven correct. Despite losing Mbappe, PSG have once again reached the semi-finals of the Champions League – and while playing better football than ever before. Indeed, the state-sponsored, superstar-obsessed club that most neutrals used to revel in seeing come up with new and exciting ways to get themselves knocked out of Europe have now become the purists' favourites – not least because of their wondrous use of width and the impressive amount of devastating dribblers they've managed to cram into their starting line-up.

However, while the wondrous wing play of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia & Co. has rightly drawn plenty of praise from across the footballing world, their majestic midfield is arguably just as deserving of attention – particularly as its evolution has been utterly integral to PSG's transformation into one of the most likeable sides in European football.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'We lost almost every single duel'

When PSG and Arsenal met at the Emirates earlier this season, the visitors didn't look anything like potential Champions League winners. The game was as good as over by the break, in fact, after goals Bukayo Saka added to Kai Havertz's opener, and Luis Enrique was left lamenting his side's complete inability to put the Gunners under any real pressure whatsoever.

"Tonight, we were far away from the standards you need in this kind of match," the Spaniard told UEFA's official website. "I think we lost almost every single duel we contested."

However, as former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott pointed out after the 2-1 win over Madrid at the Bernabeu, PSG are no longer anything like the side they were at the start of the season: "PSG hadn't really clicked then," the ex-England international told , "but they have now."

And it was a win over another English side that proved the turning point in their 2024-25 campaign.

Getty Images Sport'Something changed' during City win

It's funny to think about it now but PSG were on the verge of an embarrassingly early Champions League exit when they hosted Manchester City on January 22. Had they lost at home to the 2023 winners, there would have been no way back for the runaway Ligue 1 leaders, as they'd only amassed seven points from their first six fixtures in the league phase, and PSG were 2-0 down after 53 minutes at Parc des Princes.

However, as Luis Enrique said, "something changed" in and around the club that night. PSG's new crop of exciting young players proved not only their quality but also their mettle as they went about ridding the club of its reputation for bottling big games.

The introduction of a revitalised Ousmane Dembele off the bench was key in that regard, while fellow winger Bradley Barcola also played a pivotal role in the fightback. However, as Pep Guardiola admitted afterwards, it was Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz that really decided the game, as PSG's midfield trio ran rings around Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic.

“They were better in the duels," the Catalan coach said. "And we could not cope with it as they were so fast. Everything happened in the middle and they had more players there. We could not control them defensively and that was the point: to defend we have to play and we could not keep the ball, or make an extra pass."

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AFPRelentless pressing

Liverpool and Aston Villa found it just as difficult to retain possession against PSG in the knockout rounds, and although both Premier League teams fared better in their respective home legs, they still couldn't find a way past the Parisians.

The primary problem is dealing with PSG's pressing. As Luis Enrique has proudly pointed out, whenever the ball is lost, his players never stop trying to win it back. To illustrate the point, seven players have won possession more than 68 times in this season's Champions League, and five of them play for PSG: Achraf Hakimi, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho. Unsurprisingly, Neves and Vitinha rank joint-first among midfielders, alongside Joshua Kimmich.

Neves has also won more tackles than any other player (31), while only Bayern Munich's Kimmich has completed more passes than Vitinha, whom Luis Enrique is now touting as the best No.6 in the world – and with some degree of justification.