Nottingham Forest’s most recent home game in the Premier League was a convincing 2-0 win over West Ham United, and if it wasn’t for poor finishing, they could have defeated Manchester United in the week.

But since Nuno Espírito Santo’s excellent start to life at the Tricky Trees, beating Newcastle United and the Red Devils in December, they’ve won once in the league.

However, Forest have the chance to turn their form and their season around this weekend, as they face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a player who simply must feature in the starting lineup, alongside Taiwo Awoniyi.

Why Taiwo Awoniyi must start vs Liverpool

The number nine has been fantastic for Forest since joining for £17.5m at the start of last season, scoring 16 goals and providing four assists in 42 appearances.

This season, his progress has been hindered by injuries, but when he has started up top, Forest have looked far more deadly, with Awoniyi netting six goals and three assists in 12 league starts.

The Nigerian is a striker who won’t just score goals but will also be a relentless outlet up front, which will be vital against Liverpool, a side that will dominate the possession.

Awoniyi is also a selfless striker who is willing to give 100% for his team off the ball, whether that be by leading the press or covering space to prevent progressive passes.

The former Liverpool centre-forward also knows how to score against his old team, netting in the 1-0 win over the Reds in this exact fixture last season, ensuring he would be a welcome return to the fold – alongside any of those who started on the bench in midweek…

Nottingham Forest star had one of his best game under Nuno vs Man Utd

He’s failed to reach the levels he achieved at times last season.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 29, 2024 Why Nicolas Dominguez could be key against Liverpool

Nicolas Dominguez has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the league this season, with his performances often going under the radar.

The versatility of the midfielder is what makes him so “impressive,” as labelled by analyst Statman Dave, with the Argentine having the ability to feature in multiple roles within one match.

However, it’s his defensive qualities while having the ability to affect the game in the final third that could make him key this afternoon.

The number 16’s performance against West Ham recently provides evidence of that, where he was deployed in the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1, which is where he should start today.

Tackles

6

Ground duels won

6

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

93%

Touches

57

As is shown in the table above, the former Bologna star thrives during the physical side of the beautiful game, breaking up the play and frustrating the opponent, as shown by his six tackles and six ground duels won.

However, he has also shown his ability to control the game and give his side a breather by retaining the ball once it’s been retrieved rather than wasting it, which will be vital later on. Against the Hammers, Dominguez had a pass accuracy of 93% and 57 touches while also registering an assist.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Dominguez’s tenacity and engine in the middle of the field will be incredibly important. The Argentine and Awoniyi could just hold the keys to a huge upset this weekend.

علق محمود حسن تريزيجيه لاعب منتخب مصر الأول على فوز الفراعنة بمباراة اليوم أمام موريتانيا والتأهل إلى نهائيات بطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية 2025 بالمغرب.

وكان منتخب مصر قد نجح في تحقيق الفوز على نظيره الموريتاني في عقر داره بهدف دون رد، ليرفع رصيده إلى 12 نقطة متربعًا على عرش صدارة المجموعة بـ تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا ويتأهل للمسابقة القارية.

وقال تريزيجيه في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة اون تايم سبورتس2: “من وأنا في مصر في الدقيقة 75 بمباراة القاهرة شعرت بألم، الجهاز الطبي قام معي بكل شيء لكي أكون جاهزًا للمباراة، وأخذت المخاطرة وشاركت وساهمت في الهدف”.

طالع | هيثم فاروق: لا أصدق هدف إبراهيم عادل.. وحسام حسن نجح بامتياز أمام موريتانيا

وتابع: “شرف ما بعده شرف حمل اسم بلدك واللعب له، ولازم أي لاعب يأتي لمنتخب مصر يعرف أنه قميص ثقيل ولا يستطيع أي شخص تحمله”.

واستطرد: “الحمد لله على الفوز والصعود، اللاعبين كانت رجالأ، والجيل الحالي سأظل أقول أنه يستحق اسعاد الشعب المصري قريبًا”.

وواصل: “مباراة اليوم كانت صعبة، موريتانيا فريق قوي جدًا سبق وفاز على الجزائر من قبل، والمغرب كسبهم 1-0 في الوقت الضائع، فريق قوي واحترمناه وربنا أكرمنا بالفوز”.

وأكمل: “حسام حسن كان يقول لي أن أكون حذرا بسبب كون الملعب من النجيل الصناعي، وقلت له أنا معك على دكة البدلاء وجاهز للمشاركة في أي وقت والحمد لله شاركت وساهمت في الهدف”.

واختتم: “الشعب الموريتاني طيب جدًا واستقبلونا جيدًا والحمد لله إننا أسعدنا الجهور”.

Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores said there was “nothing you can do” to explain his side’s semi-final defeat against Worcestershire, which saw his team score nine runs for the loss of three wickets in the final 12 balls and thus fall one short of a tie that would have been enough for them.”It’s quite difficult to explain,” Moores said. “It’s as gutting a loss as I can remember. It’s a tough one because we got ourselves in a position where we felt we couldn’t lose and then we did.”It looked like an easy finish and professional players often make it look very easy. But in sport you never know until you get over the line. We did a lot of things right and then – give them credit – they produced a couple of very good stops in the last two overs.””There is nothing you can do to explain it. That’s sport and that’s why people come and watch it.Nottinghamshire needed six off the last over, and one off the last ball, but Ben Duckett swung-and-missed at Wayne Parnell’s length ball with wicket-keeper Ben Cox stood up to the stumps to send Worcestershire through to a second final in as many years.”Ben’s distraught in there and you just have to take it,” said Moores. “When Dan [Christian] hit that six, it felt like that was the game. But you’re never over the line until you’re over the line.”I haven’t said anything to the players. You can imagine what the dressing room’s like. When you lose a game at Finals Day because you looked like you were going to lose, that’s tough. When you lose a game that you never expected to lose all the way through it, that’s a big thing to take in that moment. But it’s a fair scrap and they got one more run than us.Moores suggested that his side could use the defeat as motivation in future years.”I can’t remember a game like that if I’m honest,” he said. “No one comes here and has a great day unless they walk away with the trophy.”The lads put their heart and soul into the game. Our fans are very good and they’ve had some tough days to take this year. If we’d won the trophy today, we’d have had the most trophies of any side over the last ten years.”The tough days make the good ones taste that little bit sweeter.”

The 2021/22 season will live long in the memory of Nottingham Forest fans as the club ended their 23-year exile from the Premier League after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley.

Steve Cooper led the club to top-flight glory after taking over from Chris Hughton after the former Brighton boss was sacked following six defeats and one draw in the opening seven Championship encounters.

In a season that looked destined for failure, Cooper changed the Reds' fortunes by taking the club from the bottom of the table to play-off winners in just eight months – a truly remarkable feat.

The game itself at Wembley was one of little quality, with the only goal coming courtesy of an own goal from Chelsea loan Levi Colwill.

However, Huddersfield did have two penalties waved away by referee John Moss and VAR, with the outcome of the game unknown, had those decisions fallen in the favour of the Terriers.

Today we take a trip back to the summer of 2022 and take a look at what Forest's potential line-up in the Championship could have looked like had they fallen to a defeat at Wembley.

1

GK – Ethan Horvath

The USMNT goalkeeper joined the Reds on a free transfer from Belgian side Club Brugge in the summer of 2021, after falling behind experienced 'keeper Simon Mignolet.

Ethan Horvath made 11 appearances for the club during the 2021/22 season, including a late substitution for Brice Samba, who limped off with injury during the final moments.

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The Frenchman would've left the City Ground during the summer of 2022 regardless of the outcome, with the former Caen shot-stopper wanting a return to his homeland. His heroics in the play-off semi-final allowed the Reds to reach Wembley after saving three penalties against Sheffield United at the City Ground.

Despite a couple of mistakes, the goalkeeper had a couple of promising displays during the regular season – enough to warrant a run as first choice had Forest not won promotion.

2

RB – Ethan Laird

A player that certainly would've been of use to Steve Cooper in the Championship is Ethan Laird. The defender, who was at Manchester United at the time, enjoyed a successful loan stint at Swansea City during the 2021/22 campaign.

With Djed Spence unlikely to return to the City Ground after his loan from fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, the Reds would've needed a new right-back, with Laird's energetic style fitting Cooper's style in a five-back system.

Cooper's track record of developing youngsters is well-known after his time with England U17s. A loan spell to the Reds would've potentially benefitted his then-parent club, with the youngster getting regular minutes in England's second tier.

3

CB – Joe Worrall

A player who knows what it means to play for Forest is boyhood fan Joe Worrall. The central defender rapidly progressed at the club under Cooper, with Worrall quickly becoming one of the most consistent defenders in the division.

He formed a brilliant partnership with two other centre-backs towards the tail end of the 2021/22 campaign, with the trio more than capable of continuing that had the club not gained promotion.

4

CB – Steve Cook

After his January arrival from fellow promotion contenders Bournemouth, Steve Cook brought in needed experience to what was a relatively young Forest side.

The then 30-year-old made his debut against Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup, with the defender making an instant impact and showcasing what he could offer to the Reds.

Had Forest not gained promotion, he would've played a key role in mounting another promotion push under Cooper for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

5

CB – Scott McKenna

After joining the club for £3m from Aberdeen during the summer of 2020, Scott McKenna became a real hit among Forest fans for his no-nonsense aerial presence but also his ability with the ball at his feet.

McKenna was the final part in a very settled back three alongside Worrall and Cook that would easily have been one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Championship had the club remained in the second tier.

6

LB – Ryan Manning

A player that Reds boss Cooper knew well from his time at Swansea City was left-back Ryan Manning. The Irish left-back was entering his final year at the Welsh outfit and with Max Lowe unlikely to return with Sheffield United also in the Championship, the defender would've been a good fit for the Reds.

His energetic and workmanlike style would've suited Cooper's wing-back system, with the defender also capable of going forward with his excellent crossing abilities.

7

CM – Ryan Yates

Although Ryan Yates might not be the most technical footballer, he does offer a hard-working and committed display every time he crosses that white line.

He produced some of his best performances for the club in the Championship, with his style of play more suited to the second tier than the Premier League.

If the 2021/22 season was anything to go by, the midfielder would've been brilliant with another campaign under Cooper in the Championship.

8

CM – Jack Colback

Jack Colback was a player who always produced at least a 7/10 performance for the Reds during the 2021/22 season, with the former Newcastle United man often being deployed at left-back rather than his usual central midfield role.

His consistent displays across the field were a huge factor in the Reds reaching the play-off final, with his experience a real key on the pitch and in the dressing room under Cooper.

9

CAM – Philip Zinckernagel

One of the two loanees that would've returned to the Reds had they failed to gain promotion was attacking midfielder Philip Zinckernagel.

The Danish wizard was on loan from Watford during the 2021/22 campaign, where he registered six goals and seven assists in 42 league appearances.

His goal contributions were a huge factor in Forest getting as far as they did, with Zinckernagel impressing with his attacking and defensive displays during his stint on Trentside.

10

ST – Keinan Davis

A player that raised eyebrows upon his arrival was Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis. His less-than-impressive goal record for the Villans disappointed Forest fans, but Cooper managed to turn the forward into an all-round threat during his six-month loan spell.

He flourished under Cooper, scoring five times in 15 appearances – but it was his hold-up play and powerful runs that attracted the eye to the striker who would've benefitted from another season under the Reds boss in the Championship.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Michael Edwards would return to Liverpool to assume the role of CEO of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a more far-reaching and influential role than his previous job at Anfield as Liverpool's sporting director.

That's not to say the 44-year-old's erstwhile position at the club didn't have its influence, with Jurgen Klopp's dynasty on Merseyside built on the foundation of Edwards' involvement in club operations and transfer activity; in other words, Liverpool's illustrious success over the past near-decade owes much to his diligent work.

Klopp is stepping down from his position as Liverpool manager at the end of the season but now there is hope that the club will continue to thrive, with the first-team in a great position after being recharged with fresh talent last summer and a tidal wave of youth prospects emerging.

It is the teenage ranks that fill Liverpool with such excitement, Klopp overseeing breakthroughs from stars such as Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, among many others, to join a senior squad consisting of top-class pros like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

Liverpool's best academy graduates

Liverpool arguably have the richest crop of youth talent filtering through in the Premier League right now; Tottenham Hotspur's U21s are undefeated atop the Premier League 2, but no other club boasts the same success that Klopp's kids have found over the past few months.

The Anfield side had been beset with a heap of injuries recently that had threatened to derail an exciting campaign, but despite this deluge, the Carabao Cup has been clinched and Liverpool have waded deeper into the FA Cup and Europa League (holding a 5-1 advantage over Sparta Prague in the last 16 after a first-leg drubbing).

Moreover, the fight for the Premier League title continues and Sunday's draw against Manchester City illustrated this success, with Quansah and Bradley both starting and excelling.

Bradley, for example, ranks among the top 6% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 1% for assists, the top 14% for shot-creating actions, the top 17% for progressive carries, the top 9% for successful take-ons and the top 1% for tackles and blocks per 90, as per FBref.

While he has not been in the first-team long, completing just 16 senior appearances this season, Bradley looks the real deal and has ensured that the Reds have not felt the absence of the injured Alexander-Arnold too keenly – which really is quite a thing.

Quansah's introduction came earlier, with Alexander-Arnold hailing the young centre-back's "absolutely phenomenal" start to life in the first-team.

Harvey Elliott

20 y/o

39

2

7

Trent Alexander-Arnold

25 y/o

29

2

10

Curtis Jones

23 y/o

28

5

3

Caoimhin Kelleher

25 y/o

20

0

0

Conor Bradley

20 y/o

16

1

5

Bobby Clark

19 y/o

10

0

1

James McConnell

19 y/o

8

0

1

Ben Doak

18 y/o

6

0

0

Jayden Danns

18 y/o

4

2

0

Luke Chambers

19 y/o

4

0

0

Kaide Gordon

19 y/o

3

0

0

Stefan Bajcetic

19 y/o

2

0

0

Calum Scanlon

19 y/o

2

0

0

Lewis Koumas

18 y/o

1

1

0

Trey Nyoni

16 y/o

1

0

0

James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Stefan Bajcetic, Trey Nyoni. Those are just some other names of teenagers making waves for Liverpool recently, and that list is not exhaustive.

But what if Liverpool's most exciting up-and-comer is not even playing at the club right now? Might it be that this colossal influx of quality stretches beyond the city?

Indeed, Luke Chambers is currently out on loan with Wigan Athletic in League One and the dynamic defender's displays suggest that he too might be in line for a senior role next season.

Luke Chambers' season in numbers

Chambers has actually completed four senior appearances for Liverpool this season, starting twice during the Europa League group phase, but he was granted a loan move to Wigan in January to best serve his immediate development.

It's been a brilliant decision, with the 19-year-old cementing himself as a starring member of Shaun Maloney's team and being crowned the outfit's Player of the Month for February, having featured in central defence and, more recently, at left-back. Like Quansah, therefore, he can play in the middle. Like Bradley, he can play in wide defence. That certainly bodes well for his chance of first-team football at Anfield.

As per Sofascore, the 6-foot defender has racked up two assists from 12 League One fixtures so far, keeping four clean sheets, completing 82% of his passes, succeeding with 67% of his dribbles and averaging six successful duels, 3.4 tackles and 4.5 ball recoveries per game.

Those are some impressive metrics, and while he is plying his trade some distance away from top-flight football with the Reds, Chambers has showcased his skills remarkably and has already proved himself an exciting prospect in Klopp's eyes through his features in Europe.

He might just prove to be the biggest talent Liverpool have had since Alexander-Arnold, surpassing the aforementioned Bradley and Quansah – who were both on loan in League One last season.

Described as a "top talent" by Liverpool reporter Lewis Bower, Chambers' versatility and energy in defence blends with some excellent defensive work and an impressive technical quality to boot. He's the real deal and his recent exploits with the Latics might just be the launchpad his budding career needs.

One final point. Now that Edwards' appointment has been confirmed, with Richard Hughes taking the role as sporting director from Bournemouth too, the hunt for Klopp's successor will start to ramp up the gas, with one man the clear favourite to take to the dugout.

Yes, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is working wonders over in Germany and while Bayern Munich, ten points behind table-topping Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, are hoping to appoint Alonso themselves, Liverpool will throw the kitchen sink on getting it over the line.

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Chambers was actually a transfer target for Alonso's side last summer but Liverpool rejected the advances, so if the Spanish tactician does wind up at Anfield, Chambers might find himself joining the likes of Bradley and Quansah at the crest of this prodigious wave of potential.

The next few months will be telling, but with all these cogs clicking together Chambers might just be fuelled with belief that he too will enter the limelight at Liverpool, sooner rather than later.

Jurgen Klopp's latest Instagram post has sent USMNT fans into meltdown, with many of them believing he could be poised to replace Gregg Berhalter.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• USMNT endured humiliating Copa America
• Eliminated during group stages
• Klopp touted as potential replacement

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Klopp has been touted as a potential replacement for the beleaguered Berhalter after the USMNT were dumped out of the Copa America at the group stages following defeats to Panama and Uruguay. Both Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas, two former USMNT internationals, believe Klopp could be convinced to manage the country ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

  On July 4th, Klopp wrote on Instagram: "It's the perfect day to think about my trips with Liverpool to the States. We've had a great time and the US fans are electric! Happy 4th of July!"

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  A subtle nod to the rumours linking him to the USMNT job, perhaps? Either way, Klopp's message sent fans into meltdown.

  @USMNTOnly posted: "Jurgen Klopp thinking about his trips to the US on the 4th of July. He's coming."

  @Managertactical wrote: "Jurgen Klopp, welcome to the USMNT."

  @poolisick added: "Klopp new USMNT head coach easter egg."

  @UrbanDFW said: "Hey USMNT if this isn't a wink I don't know what is. Klopp wants to come!!!!!"

  @910tylxr concluded: "Go get Klopp, go look at his latest IG post he's asking for the offer."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Berhalter has not officially lost his job but his future is very much up in the air. The USMNT manager has been accused of "wasting" the country's so-called Golden Generation, featuring the likes of Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The USMNT will indulge in some soul-searching before their next fixture. They face Canada on September 8 but it remains to be seen who will be in charge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to impress under Gary O’Neil, with a place in the FA Cup semi-final looking achievable.

Last night, Wolves picked up a fantastic 1-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, which secured them a tie against Coventry City in the next round.

20/21 (Friendly)

2-1 W

13/14

1-1

13/14

1-1

08/09

2-1 L

08/09

2-1 W

The hosts took the lead within the first two minutes of the game, and from that point on, they rarely had any of the ball, with the Seagulls having 72% possession.

Wolves stayed compact as a unit, frustrating the visitors despite them having 18 shots. It was a performance that would bring the squad and the fans even closer.

Mario Lemina’s game versus Brighton

Mario Lemina has been excellent all season in O’Neil’s 3-4-2-1 setup, influencing the side at both ends of the field.

The Gabon international ended up being the match-winner, scoring the only goal of the game via an impressive, creative finish.

The 30-year-old was subbed off just before the hour mark and replaced by Pablo Sarabia. Lemina boasted an impressive 100% pass success rate, although he only made 11 passes all game due to Brighton’s dominance.

The midfielder registered 33% of Wolves’ nine shots while also making two tackles. However, he wasn’t as strong as usual in duels, winning just two of his eight duels.

Even though Lemina scored the only goal of the game to help Wolves progress, there was one other individual who was instrumental in the victory.

Max Kilman’s performance in numbers vs Brighton

Max Kilman started his 32nd game of the season last night, and his leadership at the heart of the Wolves defence was simply brilliant. The captain led by example from the first whistle to the last, displaying dominance when taking on in-possession and out-of-possession tasks.

Birmingham World handed the defender an 8/10 rating for his showing, describing it as “a proper captain’s performance.”

Goals conceded

0

Clearances

9

Dribbled past

0

Pass accuracy

83%

Key passes

1

Touches

38

As can be seen in the table above, Kilman was an absolute rock at the back, making a huge nine clearances, while also not being dribbled past once, which shows that he was always one step ahead of the game and that he didn’t get drawn out of position by the tricky Seagulls attackers.

Despite actually having ten fewer touches than goalkeeper Jose Sa, the number 23 was also composed on the ball and willing to progress it when the opportunity presented itself, having a pass accuracy of 83%, completing one key pass, and losing the ball just four times.

This is extremely important given the fact that Wolves had to endure long spells without the ball for most of the game, and therefore, concentration is required both when continuously defending and when rarely getting on the ball, as his ball retention gave his side a much-needed breather at times in the second half.

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Having Kilman at the back was vital for O’Neil’s side, with his composure providing calmness to the backline, who could’ve easily buckled under the constant pressure.

The left-hander re-aggravated his quad injury on the opening day against Tasmania

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-2019Kurtis Patterson’s hopes of forcing his way into the selectors’ thoughts for the opening Test of the summer have taken another blow after he re-injured his left quad on the first day against Tasmania.Patterson missed the opening round of Sheffield Shield matches after picking up the original injury playing grade cricket although his absence from the game against Queensland was viewed as precautionary.He replaced Nick Larkin in the New South Wales side to face Tasmania but limped off before lunch after chasing a ball towards the boundary. He was receiving treatment with the hope he would be able to bat later in the match.Patterson made a century in his second Test, against Sri Lanka in Canberra, last February but missed the cut for the Ashes after struggling on the Australia A tour.Of contenders for a middle-order position against Pakistan in Brisbane next month, Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out after the self-inflicted broken hand from punching the dressing room wall at the WACA.Meanwhile, Aaron Finch has been left out of Victoria’s match against Western Australia a week before the T20I series against Sri Lanka starts following the back spasms he suffered against South Australia.Finch injured his back while running between the wickets during his half-century on the second day at the Junction Oval and did not field for the remainder of the match. He travelled to Perth but was left out of the XI as a precaution although is expected to play the Marsh Cup game against WA at the WACA on Wednesday ahead of leading Australia in six T20Is in the space of 12 days against Sri Lanka and Pakistan from October 27.Matt Short replaced Finch in the middle order. Peter Siddle returned for his first game since injuring his hip flexor in the final Ashes Test.

Durham 131 and 212 for 8 (Eckersley 54*, Hutton 4-54) trail Northamptonshire 217 and 315 (Proctor 86*, Levi 60, Rossington 52) by 189 runsWhen Durham were relegated by the ECB as part of the financial rescue in 2016, figures at the club predicted a five-year journey back to the first division. On another warm, cosy day at Wantage Road they all but surrendered the possibility of making it in three to a Northamptonshire side whose own promotion may be confirmed as early as tomorrow.One by one, the challengers are thinning out. As Durham slid to near defeat, so the push from Sussex expired via an unexpected loss to Derbyshire. If Northants complete victory and Glamorgan fail to convert their advantage against Leicestershire, then Northants will go up with a game to spare. Should Glamorgan win then Northants will still need only four points against Gloucestershire next week.It would be an exaggeration to say that they are dominating this match, but neither have they been behind since the half-hour or so of carnage from Adam Rossington on the first day. With Luke Procter to the fore, they added 80 second-innings runs to their overnight 235 for 6 to set a target of 402 and once again Durham’s top order collapsed to leave the result an apparent formality.Durham can claim to be taking small steps forward, with five wins against four last season and a tally of 150 points, 20 up on 2018, with a game to go. There is even something slightly positive to be taken from the haul of 19 batting points. It may be easily the worst among their rivals, but they managed only 16 last summer. And even 11 Steve Smiths would struggle to rack up 400s at the Riverside.If one eye is on the field, the other must be on the ledgers. The latest accounts, up to the end of September 2018, were lodged with Companies House recently and reveal an overall loss for the year of £1,136,418. This against a profit of £2,227,951 for 2017, when they received £2 million from the ECB for agreeing not to apply to stage Test cricket for the foreseeable future.Durham certainly know the meaning of the word ‘battle’. Whatever the paucity of certain techniques, enough of them showed the guts required to fight their way into a final day. The forecast is good, again, and the new ball is only one over old, but at a time when matches are routinely finishing way ahead of schedule their lower order deserve credit for refusing to succumb to the inevitable.Ned Eckersley held things together during the gloom of a floodlit extra half hour, when Northants failed in a dubious mission to bounce their way to a breakthrough. Rossington must question his earlier strategy of easing up on Eckersley to focus on removing his tail-end partners. Matt Salisbury has faced 55 balls for his two runs, undaunted even after being struck by Doug Bracewell.In fact, Durham’s best periods bookended an otherwise rather dispiriting day. They struck in each of the first two overs, with the ball seaming away, and a brilliant diving catch by Cameron Steel at backward point removed Brett Hutton just as he was starting to smite profitably. But a last-wicket stand of 51 between Procter and Ben Sanderson shifted the initiative.Procter completed his fifty from 109 balls and went along at better than a run a ball thereafter. No stroke startled as much as his straight six against Brydon Carse, which prompted a change of ball, though a couple of later Vince-like cover drives by Jack Burnham would have better sated the aesthetes who always converge around the second-hand bookshop during lunch.They had only victory to anticipate as they ferreted through the shelves of slightly-foxed Swantons and mottled CMJs. In the seventh over, Alex Lees was bowled shouldering arms to Hutton, a poor decision given that the bowler was shaping the ball back in to the left-hander, and a tortured innings by Angus Robson ended with a routine catch to Rossington.After his sensational stumping on Wednesday, Rossington suffered mixed fortunes this time. He dropped Robson, not that it mattered, and needed treatment after being struck painfully on a finger. Equally, he held an absolute beauty, right-handed at full stretch when Burnham chased a wide one from Procter, who enjoyed a characteristically effective, easily-overlooked day.But Rossington’s effort was trumped by Richard Levi at third slip when Carse slashed at Bracewell. Levi did well to react quickly enough let alone hold on at full stretch. Ominously, though, Carse had kept the nuggety Eckersley company for 17 overs. Salisbury has matched that, and while Northants supporters might have chuntered on their way out at least they have one last home day ahead.

Hosts’ 291-run victory barely keeps faint promotion hopes alive

ECB Reporters Network19-Sep-2019

Michael Hogan sends down a delivery•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Glamorgan 435 (Cooke 96*, Patel 66, Lloyd 66, Wright 5-64) and 251 for 5 dec (Brathwaite 103*) beat Leicestershire 263 (Wright 60, Patel 4-58) and 132 (Salter 3-6) trail by 291 runsGlamorgan gained the maximum 24 points by defeating Leicestershire by 291 runs to keep their slim hopes of promotion alive, but they will need to beat Durham by a similarly resounding margin at Chester-le-Street next week and hope that Gloucestershire or Northants- who play each other in the final game – drop sufficient points.Leicestershire’s only hope was to battle for a draw, but apart from Mark Cosgrove, who faced 158 balls for his 28, no one could master an accurate Glamorgan attack, where both seam and spin triumphed.The visitors, who required a massive 424 to win, resumed on 33 for 2 on a glorious final day of the season at Sophia Gardens, were soon in trouble against Michael Hogan, who took two wickets in his opening spell.Hassan Azad was the first to go, when he was undone by a perfect yorker from Hogan that left the batsman on his hands and knees, then four overs later George Rhodes was bowled by a beauty that pitched middle and hit the off stump.Harry Dearden then joined Cosgrove, and he played some handsome strokes through the offside, but was out shortly before lunch when he played down the wrong line at Andrew Salter and was adjudged leg before for 37.Leicestershire were 101 for 5 at lunch, but the end came quickly after the interval as they lost their last five wickets for 31 runs in 23.4 overs .Harry Swindells was caught at slip when he edged one that turned from Samit Patel, and was followed by Cosgrove, whose vigil ended when he was run out. He pushed the ball to short leg, and although Billy Root had the ball in his hands, Cosgrove set off, realised his mistake, but by then Root had underhanded the ball onto the stumps.Chris Wright, who had top scored in the first innings did not last long, also edging a catch to slip off Salter, then from the next ball Will Davis, sensing that were six men crouched around the bat, tried to launch the ball into Cathedral Road, only to spoon a catch to cover point.When Gavin Griffiths gave David Lloyd his third catch at slip for Patel’s second wicket, and Salter, at the other end, had finished with 3 for 6 from 10 overs, Glamorgan had won with ample time to spare.