Revised schedule for President’s Trophy Grade II tournament, the Regional Intra-District Challenge Cup, and the Inter-District U19 One-Day tournament to be announced soon
ESPNcricinfo staff11-May-2025
Getty Images
The PCB has postponed with immediate effect the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade II tournament, the Regional Intra-District Challenge Cup, and the Inter-District U19 One-Day tournament “due to prevailing security condition in the country”. In a statement on Saturday, the PCB said “the tournaments will resume from the same stage later and a revised schedule will be shared closer to the resumption”.The update came just over a day after PSL 2025 – with eight games left in the season – was postponed indefinitely on Friday because of what the PCB called a “worsening of the situation” at the Pakistan-India border. The PCB had said at the time that the decision had been taken following advice from the Pakistan prime minister Shahbaz Sharif.That had come less than 24 hours after the PCB had announced that the remaining games of the PSL would be played in the UAE. That, however, changed soon, and the teams began disbanding with overseas players leaving for their respective destinations.There is no word yet on the resumption of the PSL. The postponement was announced hours after IPL 2025 was temporarily suspended. As reported on ESPNcricinfo, plans to resume the IPL began on Saturday evening following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan that came into effect at 1130 GMT (1700 IST and 1630 PKT).The fate of Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan for a series of five T20Is is also unclear at the moment, with the BCB saying it has been involved in “active and ongoing discussions” with the PCB about it. Bangladesh are scheduled to reach Pakistan on May 21 to play in Lahore and Faisalabad, but the political situation in the region has raised concerns.The three-day President’s Trophy Grade II tournament started in mid-April and was scheduled to run till the fourth week of May, with the final scheduled to start on May 22, while the other two tournaments were scheduled to run through May.
Aston Villa are in desperate need of creative inspiration and now find themselves in negotiations to sign an experienced playmaker in a lucrative free transfer deal next year.
Aston Villa continue to struggle after draw with Sunderland
Every Premier League point is valuable in the context of a season, though Aston Villa supporters will be feeling a familiar sense of frustration after their side surrendered a narrow lead to draw against ten-man Sunderland last weekend.
The Villans are in the bottom three and have yet to find a winning formula under Unai Emery, albeit they did finally break their goal drought courtesy of a sweet strike from Matty Cash to open the scoring.
Aston Villa's Matty Cash celebrates.
Making his thoughts clear post-match, Unai Emery claimed his side need to rediscover their ‘identity’ and called on Harvey Elliott and his backline to be more decisive in their actions.
He stated: “We have to recover our identity. I am not frustrated with the result, but disappointed and frustrated about how we are playing. We are not feeling comfortable with our style. We have to try to recover our personality and confidence to play like we are training.
“Some players need to adapt, for example, Harvey Elliott was getting the ball and passing behind the defence without options. He needs to understand that he has the skills to play more passes and then do the pass behind or outside with better options. We were lazy sometimes defensively. Lazy. For example, the goal we conceded, we were lazy. Maybe it’s because we didn’t play in our style.”
While Jadon Sancho is still yet to make an impact in the West Midlands, there is a creative void within Emery’s side that Aston Villa struggled to address during the summer.
Now, the Villans may have identified a cost-effective solution in a move that is bound to excite supporters at Villa Park.
Aston Villa in negotiations to sign Julian Brandt
According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are in negotiations to sign Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt, who could arrive either on a cut-price deal in January or a free transfer next summer.
Capped 48 times by Germany, the 29-year-old has scored once in five appearances across all competitions this term and is yet to agree on an extension at the Bundesliga giants as he seeks a lucrative contract, attracting further interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 20, 2025
Fitting the brief as a versatile star capable of playing centrally or on either flank, Brandt has created three chances this term in the Bundesliga, per Fotmob, and he has also maintained a pass accuracy rate of 86.2%.
Experience and taking ownership are two qualities that Emery could use to lift his struggling side, though it remains to be seen if the Spaniard can convince Brandt to commit his future to the West Midlands-based outfit.
Os rumores de que Valentín Adamo está a caminho do Botafogo se acentuaram ainda mais na noite desta terça-feira (1). O Progreso, clube no qual o atacante estava emprestado, deixou uma mensagem confirmando o fim de seu empréstimo e um agradecimento.
Os direitos do uruguaio pertencem ao River Plate, também do Uruguai. O Alvinegro ofereceu R$ 1,5 milhão por 80% dos direitos econômicos do jovem e um vínculo até 2026 e está em negociações avançadas com o jogador.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Líder!
Em nota, o clube que disputou a Liga Ascenso informou:
Hoje foi rescindido o empréstimo e o atacante não continuará na nossa instituição. Gols, assistências, profissionalismo e entrega! Por todo isso, o agradecimento de toda a torcida e o desejo de êxitos”.
Adamo seria uma alternativa a Tiquinho Soares na sequência da temporada.
تعرض جراديشار مهاجم فريق الأهلي، للطرد من مباراة فريقه أمام إيجل نوار البوروندي، ضمن مباريات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وتقام مباراة الاهلي وإيجل نوار، على ملعب استاد القاهرة، في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
طالع.. بدلاء الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. زيزو يجاور تريزيجيه
وفي الدقيقة 16 من عمر الشوط الاول، حصل جراديشار على طرد من حكم مباراة إيجل نوار، بعد احتكاك بدون كرة مع لاعب إيجل نوار ما اعتبره الحكم اعتداء على مدافع إيجل نوار.
وتشير النتجية إلى التعادل السلبي بين الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي، في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وكان الأهلي قد حقق الفوز في مباراة الذهاب بهدف دون رد، على إيجل نوار، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين السبت الماضي. طرد جراديشار من مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار
Dhoni and Dube came together during a tricky situation to put up a match-winning 57-run stand
Sreshth Shah14-Apr-20253:43
Bishop: LSG quicks lacked execution in the end
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were staring at the prospect of a sixth loss in a row when MS Dhoni joined Shivam Dube with five overs left in the chase and 56 to get. But Dhoni won the battle against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) seamers with an unbeaten 11-ball 26 while Dube made 43 not out in 27 to give CSK their second win in seven outings at IPL 2025.LSG captain Rishabh Pant said right after the game that LSG were “10-15 runs short” after being asked to bat. Despite Pant’s own 49-ball 63, his first half-century in LSG colours, they scored only 166 for 7 in 20 overs, their lowest total of the season. They were pegged back by Ravindra Jadeja’s two wickets and kept in check by Noor Ahmad’s miserly four overs that went for only 13 runs.Related
Dhoni effect on show as CSK find a way
The Bishnoi over that Pant left out 'a major point' in LSG's loss to CSK
Dhoni: Tweaked attack gives 'more manoeuvrability for the captain'
After CSK’s opening partnership put them on course, LSG dragged the game back with their spinners. Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, and part-time offspinner Aiden Markram produced combined figures of 11-0-66-4, but a 19-run over from Shardul Thakur in the 19th ended LSG’s hopes.Dhoni, Dube take down pacersWhen Dhoni walked out after 15 overs, Dube had made only 17 in his first 20 balls. Dube had failed to boss the spinners like he usually does and the dismissals of Vijay Shankar and Jadeja had only added to the pressure.But Dhoni enjoys pace – he came into the game with a strike rate of 222 against quicks since IPL 2024, and LSG supplied him with just that. Despite one over of Bishnoi left, LSG went for Avesh Khan and Thakur, and their wide-yorker plan ended up being too predictable.Dhoni edged a couple of fours down to deep third but showed his power by punching a boundary through the covers, flicking a full toss over midwicket, and dragging a one-handed six over deep square-leg.4:32
Why did Pant not give Bishnoi another over?
He also ran his ones and twos, sometimes gingerly, with Dube and took the pressure off his partner. When Thakur bowled two full tosses at the start of the 19th over, Dube smacked him for four and six, the second of a no-ball.Dhoni picked up his first IPL Player-of-the-Match award since 2019 and Dube, soon after hitting the winning runs, said he was pleased about taking the game deep. Their partnership of 57 came in only 28 balls. Rasheed steps up on IPL debutShaik Rasheed’s ability was never in doubt. He is a former Under-19 World Cup-winning vice-captain, has a Syed Mushtaq Ali century, and a double-century in first-class cricket. It’s for those reasons CSK have kept a close eye on him since IPL 2023.With Devon Conway not among the runs, CSK gave Rasheed an IPL debut and he took strike to start the chase. By the second over, he had pumped three fours off Akash Deep, with one flick over midwicket described on the broadcast as “Virat Kohli like”.His 19-ball 27 with six fours helped CSK reach fifty in only 4.2 overs, and alongside Rachin Ravindra’s 22-ball 37, gave them a rare successful opening stand. Those runs proved crucial as a collapse against spin followed.2:04
‘What Dhoni is doing is extraordinary’
Pant fights his way to 63With a strike rate of 80 and a high score of 21 this season, Pant needed to do something big. He walked out in the fourth over with Markram and Nicholas Pooran out to Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj respectively for low scores.He started on a positive note, improvising a reverse lap over short third early for six along with a handful of pulls and cuts. But his strike rate of 165 plummeted to 103 when CSK’s spinners applied the squeeze. Pant saw wickets at from the other end, and ended up playing ten dots in 15 balls against Noor, scoring only six runs. His strike rate of 40 against the Purple Cap holder ended up being the second worst for any batter against a bowler in IPL (minimum 15 balls).However, after 40 in 39 balls, Pant found his touch against the pace of Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel to turn his innings around. He couldn’t stay till the end, though, and the CSK spinners’ effort ensured LSG could make only 166 on a day where their second-highest individual score was Mitchell Marsh’s 30.
Last time out, the Toffees beat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux, thanks to goals from Beto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and then Iliman Ndiaye, albeit Jack Grealish was the star of the show, registering two assists.
That’s now three successive victories in league and cup for David Moyes’ men, who will be looking to make that four in a row, achieving this for the first time since December 2023, when Aston Villa visit Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday; the Villans haven’t even scored a goal yet this season.
With Grealish the poster boy, the Blues are playing a brand of free-flowing, attacking football not often associated with Moyes, but just imagine how good this team would be had they not sold an academy prospect for £400k.
Jack Grealish's Everton renaissance
During his final two seasons at Manchester City, Grealish saw just 1,716 minutes of action in the Premier League, during which time he accumulated a miserly four goals and two assists.
Thus, it was hard to forecast if the England international would be able to rediscover his mojo upon moving to Merseyside, but the early evidence suggests he certainly has.
Having registered two assists against both Brighton and Wolves, Grealish leads the way in the Premier League with four assists; no one else has more than two.
This is, as already mentioned, twice as many assists as he mustered across two league seasons with Man City, so, should he continue this form, he’ll surely force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for games against Wales and Latvia in October.
Grealish is of course only on loan at the Toffees, but they do have a £50m option to buy, which would smash the club’s transfer record which currently stands at £45m.
So, could Everton have saved themselves a potentially enormous outlay by holding onto an academy graduate, rather than selling him for just £400k?
Everton's homegrown talent starring on the international stage
Unless they keep a keen eye on the youth teams, it is possible that Evertonians have never even heard the name Isaac Price before.
He joined the club’s academy at the age of seven, making 64 appearances for the U21s, but featuring just three times for the first team, totalling 45 minutes, debuting against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup, before late substitute cameos against Arsenal and Brighton in the Premier League.
Everton midfielder Isaac Price.
Thus, no one particularly noticed or cared when, still a teenager at the time, he was sold to Standard Liège, the Blues receiving around £400,000 in compensation.
During 18 months in Belgium, Price established himself as a first-team regular, making 64 appearances for les Rouches, his solitary goal for the club coming during a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
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These performances must’ve caught the eye back home because, back in January, West Bromwich Albion paid £2.5m to bring him to The Hawthorns.
Having been in and out of the side last season, Price began this campaign on fire, bagging the only goal against Blackburn Rovers on the opening weekend, before scoring a brace during a 3-2 victory over Wrexham at the Racecourse the following weekend.
However, it is his displays for Northern Ireland that have propelled the 21-year-old into the limelight.
He opened his international account against Slovenia in Ljubljana soon after leaving Everton before, back in October 2024, netting a hat-trick during a 5-0 Nations League demolition of Bulgaria at Windsor Park.
This makes him only the sixth man to score a treble for the Green and White Army, after Billy McAdams (1960), Johnny Crossan (1965), George Best (1971), Colin Clarke (1991) and David Healy (2006 & 2007).
His international scoring spree has hit new heights this calendar year, on target during friendlies against Switzerland, Sweden and Iceland, before bagging his tenth for his country with a sweetly struck volley during a World Cup qualifier against Germany at RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday night, making it 1-1.
This goal in Köln makes Price the youngest player to reach ten goals for Northern Ireland, joining illustrious company at that milestone. Like Grealish as a youngster, he’s burst onto the scene in quite some style.
Players to score 10+ goals for Northern Ireland
Players
Caps
Goals
David Healy
95
36
Kyle Lafferty
89
20
Billy Gillespie
25
13
Colin Clarke
38
13
Steven Davis
140
13
Joe Bambrick
11
12
Jimmy Quinn
46
12
Iain Dowie
59
12
Gerry Armstrong
63
12
Josh Magennis
82
12
Jimmy McIlroy
55
10
Isaac Price
24
10
Johnny Crossan
24
10
All information courtesy of 11v11.com
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout is certainly a fan, labelling Price a “magnificent…box-to-box midfielder”, while his international manager Michael O’Neill, described him as a “brilliant young player”, highlighting his work-rate and pressing. Positionally, he may well be different to Grealish but the same raw, exciting talent is certainly there.
As a result, according to the CIES Football Observatory, he is now West Brom’s most valuable player, with an estimated transfer value of around £16m.
Thus, even with Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye and the recently signed Tyler Dibling fighting for starting positions in Moyes’ team, Price would surely have improved this Everton squad, had they been able to keep hold of him two years ago.
Imagine him & Grealish: Everton may have Baines 2.0 in 19-year-old starlet
Everton’s next Leighton Baines could be a perfect partner to Jack Grealish down the left flank
Sunderland’s summer transfer window has been choppy so far, with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson deserting the Black Cats after the ecstasy of promotion.
It hasn’t been all doom and gloom for Regis Le Bris and Co, however, as Enzo Le Fee has at least put pen to paper on a permanent Wearside stay to bolster the midfield areas.
Still, the Frenchman will want more and more new signings to enter the Stadium of Light in their unlikely bid to survive in the Premier League.
The former Lorient boss will surely be prioritising some defensive additions to help his team navigate the frightening step-up in quality, with a new, imposing target now reportedly on their agenda.
Sunderland interested in former Leeds colossus
As per a report from French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Sunderland are interested in landing former Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell this summer, off the back of his impressive stint out in Ligue 1 with Toulouse.
It’s stated that Le Bris wants young, solid players who are already seasoned at the highest level, with Cresswell ticking those boxes for sure, considering he was also in and around the senior picture at Elland Road during the Whites’ brief stays in the Premier League.
Charlie Cresswell for Leeds United
Japhet Tanganga s also very much on the Black Cats’ radar as they look to add in some new defensive bodies here and there, with the Millwall brute perhaps gaining somewhat of an advantage when you glance at his modest £1.2m valuation.
But, if Sunderland are willing to pay a few million on top of Tanganga’s price-tag, they could win themselves an upgrade on the ex-Tottenham Hotspur youth product in Cresswell, with the 22-year-old no doubt champing at the bit to return to England to prove himself further.
Why Cresswell would be an upgrade on Tanganga
Cresswell has settled into life in the top division in France swimmingly, meaning he could be ready to take the plunge back into the English game with the newly promoted Black Cats.
This season for Toulouse, Cresswell would chip in with four strikes when putting his lofty 6-foot-3 frame to effective use, alongside also coming away from his 31 appearances in Ligue 1 with a respectable tally of nine clean sheets.
Charlie Cresswell in action for England Under-21's.
Tanganga did end up with 14 clean sheets of his own in the Championship, but he was present for nine more games at the heart of defence for the Lions than Cresswell was for Carles Martínez Novell’s men, away from falling short of the 22-year-old’s goal total by one.
Regardless, Cresswell has actually shown off his strengths as a no-nonsense centre-back option at the Den himself away from Tanganga’s standout campaign, with the table below further backing up why he might be worth the extra cash at around the £8m ballpark, as per Transfermarkt.
Cresswell for Millwall (22/23) vs Toulouse (24/25)
Stat (* = per game)
Cresswell (22/23)
Cresswell (24/25)
Games played
28
31
Goals scored
4
3
Assists
2
1
Touches*
53.5
63.3
Accurate passes*
28.1 (71%)
41.2 (83%)
Total duels won*
7.6
4.9
Clean sheets
5
9
Stats by Sofascore
Indeed, the table proves that Cresswell can battle it out in England, away from just his spells in the Leeds senior mix, with a ridiculous 7.6 duels won on average during his breakout 22/23 campaign in South East London. To add context, Tanganga only won 5.8 last season, on the contrary.
Moreover, with a full Ligue 1 season now under his belt which saw him collect nine clean sheets – which is two more than his former Spurs counterpart ever managed in North London in the elite division – Sunderland could now direct all their focus on attempting to land the Preston-born youngster, over winning a cut-price deal for Tanganga.
Currently out with England at the U21s Euros, where he’s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Premier League regulars Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson, the “outstanding” star – as he’s been glowing labelled in the past by Leeds content creator Joe Wainman – will believe the time is right for him to make this next move.
Sunderland will be hopeful he can be one key part of the puzzle that secures survival.
Sunderland plot move for "amazing" £15m+ star who scored 19 goals in 24/25
The Black Cats are eyeing reinforcements through the middle…
Already closing in on Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to the representatives of an ex-Manchester City defender who is desperate for a move this summer.
Man Utd closing in on Mbeumo as INEOS ramp up summer plans
Despite finishing closer to the relegation zone than any European place and compiling their misery by suffering defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United remain an attractive club. Already, their name has carried enough weight to lure Matheus Cunha to the club and it looks as though Mbeumo is set to follow suit.
Recent reports even suggested that those at Old Trafford are ready to offer the Brentford star a stunning contract worth as much as £13m-a-year to complete a move to Manchester United this summer. If there was a collective belief that the Red Devils were entering this summer with financial limits, then that has already been put to bed somewhat.
INEOS may not be done there, either. They will be well aware that two arrivals won’t do the trick for Ruben Amorim’s side. The former Sporting Club boss needs an overhaul, not just Cunha and Mbeumo. The attacking duo represent the perfect start, however.
INEOS readying strategic £25m bid to sign "unique" Ligue 1 ace for Man Utd
He could join Cunha at Old Trafford.
1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 6, 2025
With that said, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could yet set his sights on defensive additions now that United’s attack is about to be handed the injection of talent that it so desperately needed. And if that does prove to be the case, then Manchester United may even reportedly seal a deal to sign a former Manchester City star.
Man Utd open talks to sign Laporte
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have now opened talks to sign Aymeric Laporte, making a bid to the defender’s representatives. The centre-back is reportedly desperate to leave Saudi Arabia for European football once again and has been public with his complaints about life at Al-Nassr in the past – sparking exit rumours.
As ever, though, the deal won’t come cheap. Al-Nassr are reportedly keen to recoup the €27m (£23m) that they initially paid out to secure Laporte’s signature in 2023, whilst the defender himself reportedly earns as much as €15m-a-year (£13m-a-year) at the Saudi club.
Whether Manchester United deem that price affordable remains to be seen. However, in terms of quality and experience, Laporte would certainly offer Amorim a much-needed upgrade within his backline. The Spaniard played a huge role in Manchester City’s historic treble in the 2022/23 campaign and could now come back to haunt the Citizens, years after signing for what was then their club record of £57m.
Described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola in 2022, Laporte could yet return to the Premier League and earn similar praise at the home of his former club’s biggest rivals. The move would be full of controversy, there’s no doubt about that. But it would also hand Manchester United an instant upgrade.
Fresh from Europa League final heartbreak, Manchester United are now reportedly ready to make their move for one of the most wanted young talents that Serie A has to offer.
Rubem Amorim reacts to Europa League final defeat
In a game that could have saved their season, Manchester United simply had it summed up in a painful defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils had their attacking weakness on full show as they handed Spurs their first clean sheet against Premier League opposition since February, which also came against Ruben Amorim’s side, and showed their defensive frailties when Brennan Johnson scrapped home the opening and only goal of the night.
Ruben Amorim
Amorim’s first six months in charge will no longer centre around victory when it mattered most to somehow find a way into the Champions League. Instead, it will centre around ultimate failure. The failure to make his mark on a Manchester United side that have fallen lower than ever in the Premier League.
The former Sporting Club boss still believes that he is the right man for the job, however, having told reporters in his post-match press conference: “I will not quit. I am confident in my job and I will not change anything. If the board or fans feel that I’m not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation… but I will not quit.”
Ruben Amorim at Man Utd
Record (via Transfermarkt)
Games
41
Wins
16
Draws
8
Defeats
17
Whilst Amorim’s record speaks for just how poorly his reign has been, he desperately needs the chance to build Manchester United in his own vision this summer.
The big question on that front, of course, will be whether INEOS are in a position to spend enough to do just that following Europa League defeat. But if they are, then United are seemingly set to make their move for a Serie A talent.
Man Utd ready to make Ndoye move
According to Tuttosport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United are now ready to make their move for Dan Ndoye, who is one of the most sought after young talents in Italy amid further interest from both Juventus and champions-elect Napoli.
Man Utd working to sign Fenerbahce defender who Mourinho likened to Varane
United are now ready to intensify their move after scouts watched him throughout the season.
ByBrett Worthington May 21, 2025
Reportedly available for around €40m (£34m), Ndoye could become an ideal replacement for Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford more than once in the last year. At 24 years old, the Bologna star is just about to enter the peak of his powers and may soon be asked to make the impact that former teammate Joshua Zirkzee has otherwise failed to make at Manchester United.
It should come as no shock that reports are suggesting that Manchester United have been tracking Ndoye since Euro 2024 last summer, when he enjoyed what football talent scout Jacek Kulug dubbed an “excellent tournament” for Switzerland.
As Manchester United battle against Napoli and Juventus for his signature, Ndoye’s potential decision will give those at Old Trafford the first glimpse at their ability to sign such players without Champions League football this summer.
Everton picked up their ninth Premier League victory of the season on the road at Fulham as David Moyes’ men fought back to clinch a 3-1 victory.
After Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for Fulham in the first half, it looked as if another grim defeat was going to be put by Everton’s name. However, a fight-back kick-started by Ukrainian full-back Vitaly Mykolenko would get the ball rolling, leading to the Toffees running out as 3-1 winners.
Away from the defender equalising, however, there were a number of star performers from Everton’s perspective in attack which included Beto putting in another lively display up top.
Beto's performance in numbers
Of course, there has been a lot of chatter suggesting that Beto could be on the radar of newly promoted Leeds United this summer.
But, off the back of another impressive showing at Craven Cottage, he could be Everton’s new main focal point in the striker position, away from any move being signed off on for him to exit Merseyside.
Beto would make sure of all three points when racing forward late on, leading to the ex-Udinese attacker curling an effort past Bernd Leno on the 73rd minute mark.
Away from this moment of magic beating the German, Beto would end the game with a mammoth 11 duels won in total, alongside the lively 6 foot 4 striker also tallying up a further two efforts on goal to try and make his team’s win more comprehensive in West London.
But, whilst the Portuguese forward would ensure Everton collected all three points, there was another teammate in the attacking areas who stole the show and proved why he could go on to be a £100m talent like Manchester City-linked Morgan Gibbs-White.
The Everton ace who's a future £100m star
It was a very positive showing from Everton all over the pitch, with Jordan Pickford having to stay alert in between the sticks by making five saves, away from the likes of Beto remaining clinical in front of goal.
Yet, although he wouldn’t get on the scoresheet himself during the 3-1 win, Carlos Alcaraz would stand out throughout as a dangerous forward presence, with the Argentine winger showing why he’s deemed to be statistically similar to Nottingham Forest star-man Gibbs-White, among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, according to FBref.
Alcaraz’s performance in numbers
Stat
Alcaraz
Minutes played
84
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Accurate passes
16/18 (89%)
Key passes
2
Accurate long balls
4/4
Shots
2
Total duels won
3/7
Stats by Sofascore
Much like Gibbs-White, who boasts nine assists next to his name this season, the South American would tee up Beto for the game-clinching moment at Craven Cottage, alongside also showing off his prowess in front of goal when firing two efforts at Leno’s net that just went astray.
Winning three duels too, Alcaraz proved throughout that he could go on to be as lively and as creative as his English counterpart if snapped up permanently by Moyes and Co, having largely impressed in Everton blue since his January loan switch from Flamengo.
Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Beesley would hand out a high 7/10 rating to Alcaraz post-match, subsequently stating that the ex-Southampton man ‘spectacularly’ grew into the contest, leading to a much-deserved win occurring on Everton’s travels.
With one goal and three assists next to his name this season in the Premier League, it will be intriguing to see if the Toffees do land Alcaraz’s signature on a permanent soon, with the same adoration handed out to Gibbs-White at the City Ground now happening with the 22-year-old at his new location, culminating in his name being heartily chanted at the full-time whistle at Craven Cottage.
Whatever does happen in the summer with Alcaraz, Moyes will just hope between now and then that the wins keep being notched up in league action, with a promising new horizon already coming into view at Bramley Moore.
Big Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Everton readying bid for "exquisite" CF
David Moyes wants to add a new striker to his Everton ranks this summer.