The Philadelphia Union academy product, who will move to England in 2027, was pictured at the Man City training ground
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Cavan Sullivan visits Man City ahead of big money moveYoungest debutant in American sports historyAgreed to join Premier League champions in 2027Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Philadelphia Union star Cavan Sullivan spent the weekend in Manchester, nine months after agreeing a high profile move to the reigning Premier League champions. The Union product, who made his MLS debut in July, will complete his deal to England's top flight when he turns 18.
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Sullivan is one of the most highly rated prospects in American soccer history. The attacking midfielder starred for the Union's MLS Next Pro side this season, and signed a homegrown contract with Philadelphia in the spring. Then-head coach Jim Curtin admitted that Sullivan is ready for top flight action.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sullivan became the youngest debutant in American sports history when he came off the bench for the Union against New England in July. He was 14 years and 293 days old at the time.
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USA Today SportsWHAT NEXT FOR SULLIVAN?
The teenager figures to be part of the Union setup next month when they start preseason. Philadelphia parted ways with Curtin after failing to make the playoffs at the end of the 2024 campaign.
Everton have been given a huge boost regarding the future of an "outstanding" player on the eve of their season opener against Brighton, according to a new update from journalist Graeme Bailey.
Everton transfer news
The Blues get their new Premier League season up and running this weekend, with a home clash against Brighton coming their way on Saturday afternoon. It will be fascinating to see how the new signings fare at Goodison Park, following a summer that has seen the likes of Jake O'Brien, Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye come in.
There is still time for further reinforcements to arrive at Everton, with plenty of rumours doing the rounds in recent days. That includes Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, who could help fill the void left by Amadou Onana, having joined Aston Villa earlier in the transfer window.
Habib Diarra in action for Strasbourg
The Blues are also believed to have made contact with Borussia Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko over a summer move after his proposed move to Marseille fell through. The 19-year-old scored five goals in the Bundesliga last season, despite only making four starts.
Another young player, Barcelona's Vitor Roque, has also emerged as a summer transfer target for Everton, with the La Liga giants seemingly happy to let him go despite only snapping him up recently. Now, a key update has emerged over the future of a current Goodison hero, too, in what could be a welcome boost for Sean Dyche.
Everton boosted over "outstanding" player
Speaking to Everton.News, Bailey claimed that Everton are "hopeful" that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will stay put this summer, despite interest from Newcastle.
"I still wouldn’t rule Newcastle out of this. There’s still two weeks to go. Newcastle like him a lot. He still hasn’t signed that contract. Nothing imminent, but I think over the last two weeks I wouldn’t rule anything out. I think there’s still interest there from a few teams.
"There’s been a few sniffs around him from what I’m hearing, but there’s not a lot Everton can do at this point. He’s got a year left, they want him to stay. From what I’m hearing they’re pretty hopeful."
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Keeping hold of Calvert-Lewin would feel like a massive positive for Everton, even though injuries have plagued him down the years, preventing him from consistently finding the form that saw him score 29 Premier League goals in 2019/20 and 2020/21 combined.
When available, the 27-year-old remains a formidable striker who combines pace, power and strong finishing, with Dyche hailing him last season.
"I thought he was excellent. He's had a bit of illness. We're hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, he's not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit."
Everton tracking £45k-p/w Onana replacement with "insane athletic ability"
He could be perfect for Sean Dyche’s system.
ByBen Browning Aug 15, 2024
Newcastle could still potentially chance their arm, looking to make a late move for the £100,000-a-week-earning Calvert-Lewin, but if Everton can retain his services beyond this summer, it could end up feeling every bit as important as any new signing that comes in.
17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scored his maiden Premier League goal in Arsenal's comfortable win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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Aretat praises teenager NwaneriVows to help him build his careerScored first Premier League goal in win over ForestFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Bukayo Saka handed the Gunners the lead early in the first half before Thomas Partey doubled the team's lead in the 52nd minute. Nwaneri, who replaced captain Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute, then scored his first-ever Premier League goal to seal a comfortable win for his club.
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After the game, manager Mikel Arteta praised the 17-year-old attacking midfielder as he pointed out the special qualities that the youngster possesses. He also vowed to help the young player build a career at Emirates Stadium. While his game time in the league has been limited, Nwaneri has started in both of the club's Carabao Cup ties this term and has scored four goals.
WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID
Speaking to reporters, the Gunners boss said, "What I like is that he comes in and in that context, the first thing he does is take a touch, runs forward, runs past two players and put it inches away from the post. I am responsible to build a career for him. You have to do that brick by brick. Today he put another brick. Now we have to put another cement, make sure it doesn’t get dry so we can put another one and that will stick.
"Then we put one more layer, one more layer. If you want to put five in a row believe me it won’t work. We have to manage not only his expectation but his load as well, which is really important."
He added, "I will try to educate him, raise him, and give him the pathway that we believe is the best. His family, his agent, his friends, they will be very important as well. Don’t listen too much to the noise, focus on what he does which is to play football and he loves every minute of it and good things will happen to him for sure."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
The north London side will be back in action in the Champions League in midweek as they take on Ruben Amorim's ex-club Sporting CP on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United are eyeing up two specific signings in the summer transfer window, as new sporting director Paul Mitchell looks to work his magic quickly ahead of pre-season.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies have been linked with so many players this summer, as they look to make further inroads in the transfer market, having already brought in the likes of John Ruddy and Lloyd Kelly. Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo has emerged as one option, although the supporters may not be too enamoured by the rumour, considering he failed to make a single Premier League appearance during a loan spell at Liverpool in 2023.
Another report has claimed that Newcastle lead the race to sign highly-rated Benfica defender Antonio Silva, with Eddie Howe keen on bolstering his options at centre-back. Still only 20 years of age, the Portugal starlet has already made 94 appearances for his club side.
Antonio Silva for Benfica.
The Magpies are also believed to be tracking Juventus winger Matias Soule, who has even been compared to Lionel Messi, with the 21-year-old an alternative to West Ham star Jarrod Bowen, who looks to be the top target for that role.
With Callum Wilson's Newcastle future up in the air, another strike partner for Alexander Isak could be needed moving forward, too, and Lille ace Jonathan David has been linked with a summer switch. The 24-year-old is a hugely impressive attacking player, scoring 27 goals in 53 caps for Canada.
Newcastle eyeing double transfer swoop
According to a new report from Give Me Sport, Newcastle want to make at least two signings in the near future, as Mitchell looks to strengthen the squad quickly and show why he is the perfect successor to Dan Ashworth.
The Magpies are believed to have "set their sights on making a minimum of two signings in the coming weeks", with "the hunt for a new defender and right-winger" specifically seen as a "crucial" part of the recruitment plans. They want the deals done early during the pre-season preparations, which will be music to Howe's ears.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
These definitely feel like two priority positions for Newcastle before next season gets underway, with other areas of the pitch feeling more well-stocked.
At centre-back, long-term injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles make it imperative that at least one new player arrives there, and someone of Silva's ilk would be ideal, in terms of being both an immediate key starter and also a potential mainstay of the defence for many years to come. He enjoyed a 93.1% pass completion rate in the Primeira Liga last season, outlining his ball-playing ability.
Botman needs a top-quality partner, with Lascelles and Fabian Schar arguably not at the level required to be that player long-term, and it will be fascinating to see who comes in. Marc Guehi has enjoyed a highly impressive Euro 2024 campaign with England, and he has been backed to join Newcastle, and could also represent a brilliant option.
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Meanwhile, a new winger is needed as an upgrade on Miguel Almiron, thriving on the opposite flank to Anthony Gordon, and bringing in Soule could be perfect. He scored 11 goals in Serie A on loan at Frosinone last season, and has so much promise, with his peak years to come.
After another season in which they fought Manchester City for the Premier League title, Arsenal have a massive summer ahead of them to recruit the players who'll help them finally get over the line next year.
It looks as if Mikel Arteta is about to welcome his first new major signing in the coming days in the shape of Riccardo Calafiori, and there have been countless rumours linking the club to a whole host of talented strikers from Benjamin Sesko to Viktor Gyokeres.
However, the midfield is another area of the team that must be strengthened in the coming months, and the good news is that Edu Gaspar and Co seem to agree.
Based on recent reports, the latest player touted for a move to the Emirates has excelled there in recent seasons and could even help Declan Rice become even more effective.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal want to sign a central midfielder this summer and have identified Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino as a player of interest.
The report claims that Arteta is a fan of the 28-year-old's overall talent and, in particular, his 'physicality.'
His age profile would make him an unusual signing for the Gunners considering their transfer activity over the last few windows, but according to The Athletic, they do not see this as a problem thanks to the 'relative youth of the squad.'
No price is mentioned in the story, but a report from Spain last month revealed that the Merino would be available for €25m, about £21m. This might prove to be a bargain, especially if he can form a brilliant partnership with Rice.
Why Merino would be a great signing for Rice
Now, to get straight to the point, there is one key reason why signing Merino is a brilliant decision for the team and for Rice, which is the position in which he thrives.
The Spanish international has started in other positions before, but the vast majority of his starts – 241, to be exact – have come in the centre of midfield, not in defensive or attacking midfield, but right in the middle, as an eight.
This is an area of the pitch that the former West Ham United captain started in 19 times for the Gunners last season, and while he said that playing this role leaves him "excited", he has also admitted that playing slightly deeper as a six is his "strongest position."
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice
So, with this in mind, signing Sociedad's "monster" midfielder, as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, would allow Arteta to keep his record signing in the position, which he has admitted to being his strongest while fielding an out-and-out central midfielder in the eight role, which should also see that area of the pitch improve.
This shouldn't negatively impact the team's attack, either.
In 45 appearances last season, the 26-capped international scored eight goals and provided five assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 3.4 games – he showed his heading ability against Germany as well.
This level of output is only marginally worse than the Englishman's average of a goal involvement every three games, from 17 goals and assists in 51 games, and he did that in a far more effective side as well.
Appearances
32
7
6
Goals
5
2
1
Assists
3
1
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.25
0.42
0.33
Lastly, the 6 foot 2 titan might actually improve the team's overall solidity as well.
According to Squawka, he was the only player in Europe's top seven leagues last season to win over 300 duels over the course of the campaign – 326, to be precise.
Ultimately, Rice put in a fine shift in the middle of the park last season when called upon, but by signing Merino Arteta can get the most out of him by starting him at the base of midfield and playing a star whose bread and butter is acting as the midfielder that links defence to attack – and for just £21m, this transfer is a cost-effective no-brainer.
Forget Gyokeres: Arsenal now confident of signing £30m "powerhouse"
The prolific number nine could be a game-changer for the Gunners.
ESPNcricinfo understands updated plans for Gabba Test were approved by BCCI office bearers on December 29
Andrew McGlashan06-Jan-2021India have formally sought reassurance that the biosecurity bubble terms of their time in Sydney will not be tightened any further for the final Test in Brisbane.A report on Thursday morning – day one of the SCG Test – said that the BCCI had officially written to CA to say it did not want to head to Brisbane. ESPNcricinfo understands while BCCI secretary Jay Shah signed off on the terms on December 29, the team management helmed by the coach Ravi Shastri have pressed for guarantees that they will not face tighter confinement if they leave New South Wales for Queensland.Related
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The players are not confined to their rooms when at the team hotels in Sydney and Brisbane – which have been entirely booked out by CA – and are able to mingle in communal areas. The one difference is that the restrictions in Sydney are CA protocols while those in Brisbane are imposed by the Queensland government as the terms to allow exemptions to be granted.In a development on Thursday that may become relevant to the broader arrangements for Test, Queensland recorded its first case of community transmission of Covid-19 in 113 days when a cleaner who worked a quarantine hotel in Brisbane tested positive for the UK strain of the virus which is more transmissible.On the eve of the SCG Test Ajinkya Rahane, the India captain, said that quarantine was tough for the players. “We know that life outside in Sydney is completely normal but players are in quarantine, which is a challenge,” he said. “But we have to face it. We are not complaining about anything. We are just focusing on tomorrow’s game. And just want to start well tomorrow again.”Australia captain Tim Paine had referenced the power India hold and suggested it could mean a late change to the schedule could be made. “I wouldn’t say [there’s] frustration, I’d just say a bit of uncertainty because when you hear things like that coming, particularly from India, who we know hold a lot of power in world cricket, it’s likely that it could happen.”
Tourists condemned for mingling in hallways, sharing food, not wearing masks as quarantine is reset
Danyal Rasool26-Nov-2020Mixing in hotel hallways, sharing food and not always wearing masks were the clear violations of strict Covid-19 isolation protocols in New Zealand that have led to stark warnings that more breaches could see the entire team being sent back. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Rohail Nazir, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Abid Ali and Danish Aziz returned positive Covid-19 tests after landing in New Zealand and the man behind New Zealand’s successful quashing of the pandemic has warned further positive tests could emerge.”Rather than being in their own rooms, which is a requirement for the first three days, there was some mingling in the hallways, chatting, sharing food and not wearing masks,” Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s director-general of health, told RNZ, New Zealand’s public-service radio broadcaster.”I don’t know how many times they did that, but it only needs once for us to take a dim view of it. These players signed up to the arrangements in an undertaking that made what was expected of them very clear. At the moment, they are all required to be in their rooms, which was the requirement anyway. The training exemption would not have kicked in until after we had the results of the day-three testing, if we were happy with the results.”Bloomfield has been credited for leading the Covid-19 elimination strategy that currently sees no community transmission of the virus in New Zealand. He’s been widely praised for his measured, mild-mannered approach, becoming a familiar household name while being beamed on to television sets across the nation to deliver regular Covid-19 media briefings, often alongside New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.As a result of the breaches, the players will not be allowed to begin training today – as was a possibility at the start of the tour – regardless of test results that emerge. The touring party’s quarantine period has been reset, meaning they begin 14 days of isolation from Thursday, the date of the breach of regulations. Bloomfield made clear this was not a punishment, but necessary precautionary measures for public health.ALSO READ: Wasim Khan warns players – ‘One more breach and they’ll send us home'”Not being able to train is not a punishment, that was a requirement anyway for the first three days. Looking at Day 3 test results and CCTV footage, we will have to take a judgment on if or when they may be allowed to be exempt from the arrangement everyone else has to undertake, so they’re allowed to break off in bubbles and train. I take a dim view of what we’ve seen already and we’ll take it really seriously.”All six of the positive tests were players, not the other members of their squad. It’s possible they could have infected other team members, but the key point is that everyone in the squad is treated as if they may have Covid. At least four of them are acute infection, while the other two may well be historical, but that’s being confirmed. That these infections were found on arrival in this country suggests there may be other positive results from the Day 3 test, which we should have today. There’s no evidence of interaction with people other than the squad, but the mingling amongst team members was not allowed, and it occurred.”No player returned a positive test before leaving Pakistan. The players were tested on several occasions before flying out though had no restrictions placed on them until November 18, two nights before departure. All members of the travelling party then met at a hotel in Lahore, where they spent two nights in isolation before being tested and flying.Bloomfield explained those tests served a purpose, but in and of themselves, could not hope to catch all possible cases. “The pre-testing is helpful in that if it identifies anyone at that set point that has Covid, they would not be allowed to travel. It doesn’t rule out that people may get infected after the last test but before they board the plane. Not to mention they may have the infection incubating.”The news that players violated health protocols mandated by the New Zealand government has proved particularly uncomfortable for the PCB who, in partnership with New Zealand Cricket, convinced the New Zealand government to make exemptions for the Pakistan side that enabled the tour to go ahead. PCB CEO Wasim Khan, in a voice message directly addressing the players, warned them he had been told in no uncertain terms they would be sent back to Pakistan if any further breaches of the Covid-19 protocols occurred, saying it would be “hugely embarrassing for the country”.The low rate of Covid-19 transmission in New Zealand means the bio-secure bubble need not be maintained following the expiry of the quarantine period. With no active cases outside of borders or isolation facilities, the entire nation is operating under what are known as Level 1 conditions, which effectively mean no restrictions on movement within New Zealand. At one point, the nation went over 100 days without an officially recorded positive Covid-19 case, and a second wave that saw a few hundred further cases was swiftly extinguished.Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20s and two Test matches against New Zealand, beginning in Auckland on December 18, in just over three weeks’ time.
قال سيد عبد الحفيظ لاعب ومدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي، إن هجوم جمهور المارد الأحمر على مجلس إدارة القلعة الحمراء لا يعتبر هجومًا ولكنه حزن بسبب التطلعات الكبيرة في التتويج بالبطولات.
“لم أهدد بالرحيل”.. محمد الشناوي يروي كواليس مشادته مع جماهير الأهلي عقب مباراة باتشوكا
وأضاف معلقًا على دخول محمد الشناوي في كلام مع الجماهير: “أنا من أنصار عدم الرد على الجمهور نهائيًا، ولكنه لم يسيء الأدب، هو محترم بمعنى الكلمة وكلمته مسموعة في غرفة خلع الملابس وقيادي ويجيد الحديث بشكل جيد، لكن في مثل هذه الأمور عليك أن تبتعد”.
وأردف في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “إم بي سي مصر2”: “الأهلي يحتاج لـ 3 أو 4 لاعبين لتدعيم الفريق، ونحتاج أن نرى أشرف داري لكي نقيمه”.
واستكمل: “داري لاعب دولي وصاحب خبرات كثيرة على المستوى الإفريقي، ووارد أن يكون بديلًا للراحل عن الفريق مؤخرًا محمد عبد المنعم في جزئية الخروج بالكرة من الخلف”.
واستطرد: “الأهلي يحتاج للتعاقد مع لاعب مركز 8 و9، وثنائي على الأطراف ذوي إمكانيات مختلفة”.
وأتم: “محمد رمضان مدير رياضي ومشرف على قطاعات كثيرة في النادي ولديه حجم عمل كثير جدًا، فترتيب العمل داخل النادي الأهلي يحتاج إلى مدير للكرة”.
West Ham United have yet to announce Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes' successor but the Spanish manager's arrival is a formality at this stage, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the deal.
It is likely that West Ham have refrained from releasing an official announcement in the build-up to Sunday's culminating Premier League fixture away to Manchester City, which will see Moyes wave goodbye to the Irons following his trophy-winning tenure.
West Ham United manager David Moyes
For his part, Lopetegui has already discussed summer transfer plans and the like with Hammers directors Tim Steidten and Mark Noble, and while several outgoings are to be expected, the pursuit of new players is well and truly underway.
West Ham eyeing new striker
Signing a striker was always going to be a priority at the London Stadium this summer. Danny Ings has failed to impress and has been transfer-listed for just £6.5m, while veteran Michail Antonio is out of contract in one month.
As such, a host of potentials have been linked, with Brentford's Ivan Toney the highest-profile name. However, there's a remote chance of that one happening with no European football next year and Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also known suitors.
As such, there might be weight to rumours that West Ham are interested in signing S.C. Brage centre-forward Simon Banza, who – according to Calciomercato – is on the club's radar heading into the off-season.
Banza's Portuguese outfit have placed a €40m (£34m) price tag on his signature, which is steep, but he's proving himself to be a menacing striker with a deadly eye for goal.
Why Simon Banza is perfect for West Ham
Antonio is a singular threat in that he's not the most clinical of goalscorers but his brutish bearing on the pitch provides West Ham with an imposing and effective focal point. He has been described as a "monster" by journalist Paul Brown.
A ferocious vessel, he ranks among the top 14% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90 – as per FBref – despite approaching his professional twilight at 34 years old.
Michail Antonio for West Ham
Why is this being discussed? Well, Banza's skill set would make him a suitable replacement for a forward such as Antonio while bringing a sharpened finishing ability too.
He's playing at an inferior level than that of England's top flight but Banza has been hailed for his "magnificent" performances by Braga official Alexandre Carvalho, having been surpassed only by Sporting Lisbon's red-hot sensation Viktor Gyokeres in the scoring charts.
1.
Viktor Gyökeres
32
27
105
2.
Simon Banza
27
21
95
3.
Rafa Mújica
30
20
127
4.
Jhonder Cádiz
29
15
149
4.
Samuel Essende
31
15
178
Boasting the best minute-per-goal rate of any player in Portugal's top flight this season, Banza, 27 years old, has showcased his predatory ability wonderfully, taking 3.3 shots per game and only missing 13 big chances, as per Sofascore.
Antonio, in comparison, has scored six Premier League goals from 25 league fixtures in 2023/24, missing as many big chances. This is not a bad return but highlights the improvement that could be made by welcoming Banza to the fold.
The eight-cap Democratic Republic of Congo international failed to score during his outfit's Champions League campaign this season but he did provide an assist against Real Madrid during a 2-1 group phase defeat at the Braga Municipal Stadium, then scoring in both legs of his side's Europa League final 32 loss against Qarabag.
Banza's return of 23 goals from only 30 starting appearances in all competitions this season suggests that he has what it takes to succeed at an ambitious club such as West Ham, especially given that he would be supplied with creative support by the likes of Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse and the replacement for Lucas Paqueta, who is expected to leave the club this summer.
Further supporting his case, the towering 6 foot 2 striker has actually outfired West Ham's top scorer – Bowen – this season. The Three Lions ace has bagged 20 goals from 44 fixtures and has been dubbed "unplayable" by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
Banza too offers skills that would be hard to repel for defenders on Premier League soil, with one scout report stating: 'Banza is one of the most difficult strikers to defend in Portugal due to his tall frame, movement, and strength – he always looks to target opposition defenders and wreak havoc – and despite his 6 ft 2 frame, he is surprisingly mobile in his style of play, acting often as a brilliant facilitator.'
But, of course, it is his stunning rate of scoring that may yet win Lopetegui and co over, ranking among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to the Portuguese Primeira Liga for goals scored and the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.
The tough, tenacious forward might just prove himself to be the perfect successor to Antonio's place in the West Ham squad, and while it would be something of a risk for Lopetegui's early-stage project, Banza has demonstrated himself to be a natural finisher and he would raise his game, surrounded by high-level peers such as Bowen.
£50k-p/w West Ham man to follow Moyes out exit door after losing his place
He could be on his way out alongside the manager who signed him.
Overnight rain pushed the start back to 4.15pm, eating away any chance of England pushing for victory
The Report by Matt Roller25-Aug-2020James Anderson became the first seamer to take 600 Test wickets as England’s third and final Test against Pakistan petered out into a rain-affected draw at the Ageas Bowl.Anderson had Pakistan’s captain and first-innings centurion Azhar Ali caught by Joe Root at slip in his third over of the final day after overnight rain and standing water had pushed back the start until 4.15pm. He was the second-fastest man to the landmark, six balls behind Muttiah Muralitharan, and the first Englishman.Despite Anderson’s early breakthrough, England never looked likely to bowl Pakistan out as they followed on on a flat pitch that offered little for bowlers throughout the Test match, particularly with the old ball. Root had Asad Shafiq caught at bat-pad three balls before the second new ball was due, but four overs later he had bumped fists with Azhar.After heavy overnight rain across the UK, it had initially looked unlikely that there would be any play at all on the final day. The Ageas Bowl ground staff faced a long clean-up operation, with a vast amount of standing water on the covers and several problem areas in the outfield. Following several inspections, the umpires decided that the ground would fit for play from 4.15pm, with up to 42 overs possible.All eyes were immediately on Anderson, who shared the bowling with Jofra Archer from the outset, as Azhar and Babar Azam successfully negotiated his first two overs with several fielders catching in front of the wicket and Joe Root positioning himself as the solitary slip.James Anderson celebrates taking his 600th Test wicket•Getty ImagesThe moment arrived at 4.37pm, from the second ball of Anderson’s third over. The ball pitched slightly short of a length in the off-stump channel, nipping away with a hint of extra bounce as it took the shoulder of Azhar’s bat. England’s slip catching has caused them problems throughout the summer, but this chance could hardly have been simpler for Root, who clung on to take Anderson to the 600 mark.He immediately burst into a broad grin, high-fiving substitute fielder James Bracey, embracing Root, shaking hands with Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad and then being congratulated in turn by each of his team-mates. He acknowledged the handful of backroom and venue staff in the ground by holding the ball aloft to them, beaming from ear to ear.That left England with seven wickets to get, and despite Anderson nipping one past Asad Shafiq’s outside edge, he was soon taken out of the attack. Babar and Shafiq ticked over towards the new ball, with Dom Bess and Root operating in tandem, while Dom Sibley’s part-time legspin was given a first outing in Test cricket.Babar raced towards fifty with a flurry of boundaries off Bess, reaching his second half-century of an underwhelming series by nudging Root through the leg side with the new ball almost due, but Shafiq fell the very next ball, prodding him to Bracey under the lid at short leg.Anderson took the new ball and found sharp movement in his first over, but not long after Root decided that he had seen enough and the captains bumped fists for the draw at 6.05pm.That meant a 1-0 England win – their first series victory against Pakistan since 2010 – with Anderson taking the headlines. Both of the Ageas Bowl Tests in this series were marred by inclement weather, but this one will undoubtedly be remembered – for Zak Crawley’s epic 267 as well as Anderson’s milestone.