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United States forward Catarina Macario was finally granted her first start of the season for Chelsea on Wednesday, after some frustrating injuries.

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Injuries have limited Macario's game time this seasonUSWNT missed Olympics with knee problemBut finally granted first Chelsea start of 2024-25Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Macario missed the U.S. women's national team's triumphant Olympic campaign in the summer due to a knee problem, one which came just a few months after she put a two-year injury absence to an end. The 25-year-old was initially included on Emma Hayes' roster, but had to withdraw from the tournament before it began.

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New Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor, who coached the USWNT star at Lyon, has been patient with Macario through the first few weeks of this season, in order to ensure she can get back to full fitness and not endure any setbacks. That finally resulted in the forward being named to the Blues' XI for the first time on Wednesday, ahead of their Champions League group stage clash with Celtic.

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Despite seeing just 87 minutes of action across four appearances in all competitions, Macario has already got on the scoresheet for Chelsea this season. That goal came in the Blues' second match of the new campaign, when the U.S. star made a great impact off the bench in a 7-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Women's Super League side Crystal Palace.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MACARIO AND CHELSEA?

Macario will hope this is a positive step towards more game time before 2024 comes to a close. The Blues have a big fixture next up, as they welcome Manchester United to London on Sunday, and the forward would surely love to be involved there, too.

Manchester United have confirmed interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club following Ruben Amorim's arrival as head coach.

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Van Nistelrooy leaves Man Utd Ten Hag's staff cleared outAmorim to bring in his entourageFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Van Nistelrooy was appointed as United's interim boss following the sacking of Erik ten Hag last month. Despite winning three and drawing one of his four games in charge of the Red Devils, the club have confirmed the former striker has left the Premier League side – along with fellow coaches Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel.

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A statement on the club's website reads: "Manchester United can confirm that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club. Ruud rejoined in the summer and has taken charge of the team for the past four matches as interim head coach. Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford. Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also departed and we wish them all well for the future. We will confirm the full men’s first team coaching composition in due course."

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United confirmed Amorim would succeed Ten Hag from November 11 and after speculation mounted that Van Nistelrooy – who returned to Old Trafford as a coach this summer – would work with the 39-year-old, it is clear the Portuguese wants his own team in charge. The former Sporting CP manager has a huge task on his hands and it seems he wants to do it his way, despite Van Nistelrooy's encouraging stint in the dugout.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

While United look to find new first-team coaches, Amorim will prepare the Red Devils for a trip to Ipswich on November 24 in what will be his first taste of the Premier League.

The England & Wales Cricket Board has stepped up its measures to drive out discrimination and increase diversity across the sport, with the announcement of a new independent Commission for Equality in Cricket, a forum for addressing racial issues in confidence, and a new Equality Code of Conduct for all organisations that fall within its jurisdiction.The measures, approved by the ECB board on Monday, will form part of a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan which will be rolled out over the coming months, and follow on from the work already undertaken in line with the ECB’s Inspiring Generations strategic plan – the primary aim of which, according to Ian Watmore, the chairman, is “to make cricket a game for everyone”.”While continuing with this work and increasing its impact, we are equally clear that all discriminatory behaviour is unacceptable,” Watmore added. “We are committed to drive it out of the game through better governance, education, training, role modelling and behavioural change, but also through disciplinary action when necessary.”Although the ECB has worked hard in recent months to address the issue of racism in cricket, the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 has highlighted many areas in which the sport had long been lagging. Speaking in July at the launch of the board’s broader Inclusion and Diversity Strategy, Tom Harrison, the CEO, acknowledged that English cricket had been forced to confront some “uncomfortable truths”.The ECB’s announcement comes on the day that its two highest-profile active black cricketers, Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, were unveiled as ambassadors for the ACE Programme, a charity set up by Surrey and chaired by Ebony Rainford-Brent which aims to address a 75 percent decline in cricket participation by members of the Black community.ALSO READ: What has English cricket been like for black players?Speaking in June, the former Test opener Michael Carberry claimed that “black people are not important to the ECB”, after the extent of that decline had been highlighted.More recently the sport has had to face up to claims of institutional racism at Yorkshire from their former player, Azeem Rafiq, while the former Test umpire, John Holder, recently hit out at the board for its failure to appoint any non-white umpires to the first-class list since 1992.”This year we have listened to many people from across the game and beyond, to understand where we must be better in making our sport inclusive and diverse, and tackling discrimination,” Harrison said.”The measures we have announced today, and the broader Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan we will launch, build on and accelerate the work we have already done in recent years. We will continue to learn how, as a game, we become more representative of the communities we strive to serve.”According to the ECB, the new commission will be led by an independent chair with independent members. It will consider the evidence of the sport’s historic failings, and provide recommendations for further action, based on information from people who have experienced discrimination in cricket, including that collected through the new Forum for Race in Cricket, the objective of which will be to provide a safe space for people to share their stories.”Continuing to listen to the experiences of people, whether positive or negative, and engaging with independent expertise will help to inform, strengthen and challenge our thinking and plans as we move forward,” Watmore added. “Taken together, these steps will ensure that the ECB achieves lasting change.”

Zoysa was originally charged in 2018 after his involvement in a T10 tournament organised in the UAE

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2020Two years after being charged under the ICC anti-corruption code, former Sri Lanka player Nuwan Zoysa has been found guilty of three offences.Zoysa came under the scanner after his stint as bowling coach of Team Sri Lanka in a T10 tournament organised in the United Arab Emirates in 2017. He now remains suspended and sanctions will be announced by the ICC soon.Zoysa has been found guilty of breaching these three articles of the code: Article 2.1.1 “for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match.” Article 2.1.4, which involves “directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach Code Article 2.1.” Article 2.4.4 which deals with “failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code.”Zoysa has also been charged by the ICC on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with breaching four counts of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code for Participants for the T10 League. Those proceedings are ongoing.Although Zoysa had worked as the bowling coach of the Sri Lanka A team on several tours, these offences relate to the 2017 iteration of the UAE-based T10 tournament. He had been a highly-rated coach in the Sri Lanka Cricket system for several years, before corruption allegations prompted his suspension.Zoysa also becomes the third former Sri Lanka player to be found guilty under the ICC’s anti-corruption code over the last few years. In 2019, Sanath Jayasuriya was banned for failing to co-operate with an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation. In 2016, former Sri Lanka offspinner Jayananda Warnaweera – also the longtime curator at Galle stadium – was suspended under the code.

With a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly seemingly on the cards, Newcastle United have now reportedly turned their attention towards another free agent, as they look to add more firepower to Eddie Howe's attack.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have wasted no time before getting their business underway this summer, taking full advantage of Kelly's contract expiry at Bournemouth to reportedly lure him to St James' Park this summer. The versatile defender will instantly ease Howe's defensive depth concerns amid long-term injuries to both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.

However, it's not just Kelly who Newcastle have been linked to, with Juventus' Dean Huijsen also mentioned in what could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Magpies' backline. Meanwhile, those at St James' Park are also reportedly seeking reinforcements at the other end this summer. And once again, bargain deals are the name of the game.

According to the Sunday Mirror (via Geordie Boot Boys), Newcastle are eyeing a move to sign Kelechi Ihenacho on a free deal following the expiry of his contract at Leicester City. The ex-Manchester City forward helped the Foxes return to the Premier League last season but failed to sign a contract extension and could now square off against his former side next season.

Newcastle submit first bid to sign "outstanding" £20m ace Howe admires

The Magpies have made their move.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 9, 2024

Earning a reported £80k a week and under the same agency as Joelinton, Newcastle would have room for Iheanacho's wages given the financial boost of his free-agent status this summer. A player with plenty of Premier League experience in front of goal, his arrival would be a true bargain.

What's more, with Callum Wilson's Newcastle future in doubt, Iheanacho represents the perfect potential replacement for the England man this summer.

"Fantastic" Iheanacho can ease potential Wilson blow

With Newcastle reportedly among the clubs that need to sell players before the end of June to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, selling Wilson and replacing him with a free agent in the form of Iheanacho would certainly prove to be wise business. The 27-year-old is capable of stepping into Wilson's role next season, as these stats show.

Goals

5

9

Assists

1

1

Expected Goals

6.3

8.8

Key Passes

15

8

Whilst Wilson is more of an out-and-out striker whose focus is primarily on goals and ability centred around clinical finishing, Iheanacho's ability to create is something that should only benefit Alexander Isak even more next season should the Nigerian complete a summer switch.

The former Leicester man has certainly impressed in the past, with Pep Guardiola once praising him following their time at Manchester City, saying via Goal: "Incredible. The quality was there, he was a young player here and I believe, at that moment with Gabriel and Sergio we didn't have much space.

“He is a fantastic person, we had a good relationship, and I'm delighted it's going well lately. He's playing for the injured Maddison and he links really well with the midfield. He's good in behind, he's fast and in the final third he has the right tempo, he is so clear in front of the goal."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could have a real say in the club's potential pursuit of a £205,000-per-week forward, as the Gunners' transfer plans begin to take effect.

Edu looking to make new attacking signings for Arsenal

As reported by reliable journalist Charles Watts recently, Arsenal could look to bring in both a striker and winger this summer, despite their excellent attacking form this season.

Arsenal table formal bid to sign £52 million man who's "perfect" for Arteta

The Gunners are moving quickly pre-summer.

ByEmilio Galantini May 15, 2024

A final day win over Everton would take Mikel Arteta's side beyond 90 goals for the Premier League campaign alone, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz scoring 50 top flight goals between them over 2023/2024.

These numbers are impressive, but the trio can feel hard done by as sporting director Edu is still very much planning to bolster Arteta's front line for next term. Arsenal are expected to sign an "important" out-and-out striker, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, while a new winger is indeed on the cards according to Watts.

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Martin Odegaard

7.39

Kai Havertz

7.36

Gabriel Jesus

7.15

Gabriel Martinelli

7.01

Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is reportedly on Edu's transfer shortlist heading into the summer window, which officially opens on June 14, while Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and his reps have apparently held talks with Arsenal.

Another wide man who's been sporadically linked, and who possesses real Premier League pedigree, is Barcelona winger Raphinha. The £205,000-per-week Brazilian, who starred for Leeds in the top flight before his move to the Camp Nou, could make a return to England this summer.

Arteta could spearhead Arsenal move for Raphinha

According to GiveMeSport this week, Arteta could personally "up the ante" in a potential Arsenal pursuit for Raphinha, if moves for their other attacking targets appear like a lost cause.

There is the possibility of a "tug-of-war" between Arsenal and Newcastle United over the South American ace, who's bagged six goals and nine assists over 16 La Liga starts under Xavi this season.

Raphinha isn't exactly a key player at Barcelona like he was in Yorkshire, but if he can replicate his Whites form in an Arsenal jersey, then we believe the 27-year-old could be worth looking at.

“Each week we are seeing more and more of his repertoire. He has so much to offer Leeds United," said former Leeds striker Noel Whelan on Raphinha during his time at Elland Road (Football Insider). “That skill in the corner against Gary Cahill was a typical bit of Brazilian magic. He really embarrassed Cahill with a clever megs.

“He is a player now who continuously has an effect on a game, in a positive way. Even if he is not on the scoresheet, he will have played a hand in the goal. He is relentless.

“He gets on the ball, has great balance, is very dynamic and he takes the game to the opposition. What impresses me is that he is not afraid to do the horrible side. I get more and more impressed by his worth ethic.”

Everton have hit a purple patch of form at the right time of the campaign in recent weeks, picking up three consecutive victories that has secured their ever-present Premier League status for another season.

Multiple players have stepped up their performance levels in the last few outings, with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite regaining their solid partnership that has seen the Toffees boast the fourth-best defensive record in the division.

Despite his injury troubles, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played a crucial role in Sean Dyche's success, with his aerial prowess causing a real problem and scoring from a set piece in the 2-0 win over local rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park.

However, the club haven't been able to rely on one other player in recent times, with his poor form on Merseyside resulting in a temporary stint away from the club.

Neal Maupay's stats at Everton

After joining the Toffees for £15m back in the summer of 2022, striker Neal Maupay had high hopes of being a success at Goodison Park, given his proven goalscoring record in the Premier League.

He had managed to score 26 goals in 102 appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion prior to his move, with the Frenchman seen as an alternative to main man, Calvert-Lewin.

However, his first – and so far, only – full campaign for the Toffees didn't go as expected, featuring 27 times in the Premier League, scoring on just one occasion in the 1-0 win over West Ham in September.

He failed to score in his remaining 25 league matches for the Toffees, subsequently joining former side Brentford on loan for the 2023/24 campaign, where he's so far managed six goals in his 28 appearances under Thomas Frank.

The deal also includes an option for the club to re-sign the forward on a permanent basis this summer, an option which Everton will be desperate for Frank's side to take up, given his hefty wages on Merseyside.

Neal Maupay's wages at Everton

According to Spotrac, the 27-year-old Frenchman currently earns a reported £50k-per-week with the Bees, the same as his earnings at Everton, which works out to be £2.6m a season – a huge chunk when looking at his lack of impact for the Toffees last term.

His weekly wage is two times higher than current Everton midfielder Dwight McNeil, who only earns a reported £25k-per-week despite his excellent form this season that has seen him walk away with nine goal contributions in the Premier League.

Ashley Young

£40k-p/w

James Garner

£30k-p/w

Nathan Patterson

£28k-p/w

Dwight McNeil

£25k-p/w

Jarrad Branthwaite

£15k-p/w

Given his current spell in London, there is a chance that Brentford could decide to sign him permanently, which would be excellent business for Everton, considering his hefty wage.

His huge salary has undoubtedly contributed to the club's current PSR issues, with offloading the striker – who has cost roughly £17.6m when totalling his £2.6m salary and £15m transfer fee – the best option for all parties.

It would allow the club to save valuable money in their battle to avoid further punishments, whilst Maupay can excel at a club where he's had his most successful stint in England.

Dyche must finally ditch Everton star who earns 6x more than Branthwaite

He only has one year left on his deal at Goodison Park.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 26, 2024

Fast bowler admits to getting emotional about dropped catch during Old Trafford Test

George Dobell10-Aug-2020James Anderson has dismissed the idea that he is on the brink of retirement and instead reiterated his desire to play on to the Ashes and beyond.Anderson, 38 years old and the highest wicket-taker among seam bowlers in the history of Test cricket, endured what he termed “a bad game” at Emirates Old Trafford. But although he admitted the “opportunity to retire” could be taken out of his hands by the selectors if he didn’t bowl better, he insisted he was determined to “work hard to try to put things right” and believed he “still has quite a few more Tests left in me”.And, despite rising concerns about his ability to recover between spells of bowling – a concern fuelled by the fact he has yet to take a second-innings wicket this summer – Anderson insisted he hoped to retain his place in the England side for the second Test starting on Thursday and to be in Australia in November 2021 for another Ashes campaign.”It’s been a frustrating week for me personally,” Anderson said. “I’ve not bowled very well and felt out of rhythm. For the first time in probably 10 years I got a little bit emotional on the field. I got a bit frustrated and let it get to me a little bit. It reminded me of when I first started playing, when you get frustrated and a little bit angry, you try and bowl quicker and quicker and it doesn’t help”Yes, I absolutely want to play in the Ashes. But it’s not like that’s a focus of mine. I want to play as long as I possibly can. I’m still hungry to play the game.”If I keep bowling the way I did this week, the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands. It will be a selection issue. I think the frustration for me this week was the sort of whispers that go around after one bad game. I don’t think that’s really fair.ALSO READ: Buttler clicks, but have England found key to unlocking him?”Everyone has a bad game every now and then. That’s how I look at it. I’ll work hard to try and put things right if I get a chance next week if I get the chance.”By most standards, Anderson’s bowling in the first Test really wasn’t so bad. He accepts, however, he let a dropped catch in the second innings get to him, while the “whispers” about his potential retirement also played on his mind.”I didn’t bowl that badly,” he said. “But I feel like, in the second innings in particular, a chance went down and I let it get to me. I’m normally pretty good at [thinking] if you’ve created a chance then that’s a positive thing. It’s obviously frustrating when a catch goes down but if you’re creating chances, you must be doing something right.”But I let it get to me a bit. I got a bit too emotional; a bit too frustrated. I just felt I wasn’t bowling to the standards I set myself.”I just don’t want every time I have a bad game for there to be whispers going round that I’m going to pack in. For me it’s about trying to find a way of dealing with that, dealing with the outside noise. I’ve done that really well in my career, but it’s a little bit different now.”I did feel that pressure a little bit. Whether it’s pressure of expectation or the pressure of the match situation, I feel I’ve dealt with it pretty well in my career, but this week I probably didn’t deal with it that well. That’s something I need to look at and personally work on. The minute you start thinking about the whispers or things like that it can affect you. I’ve got to throw myself into the match situation.”Coming into the game I felt good. But during it there was something off; the rhythm wasn’t quite there. As I went through the game I just tried to start bowling quicker and run in faster. I bowled a couple of no-balls, which isn’t like me really. It felt like I was trying a bit too hard. I was chatting to [head coach and former bowling coach] Chris Silverwood and [Graeme] Welch [the bowling consultant for this series] about some basics and making sure my action is where I want it to be. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the captain and coach keep faith with me for the next game.James Anderson had a rough day•Getty Images”On the fitness side I work really hard on that and will continue to. I felt great in these last three games. The body feels good and I’ve felt stronger as the games have gone on. I was running in quite hard and to come through that at a good intensity is pleasing.”The work ethic thing is not an issue for me. I’ll keep doing the hard work in the nets and the gym to try and keep improving.”I’ll just try to work hard and hope I get the nod for the next game. Hopefully I can show people I’ve still got what it takes to play Test cricket.”Although Anderson is poised on the brink of a couple of personal milestones – he needs 10 more wickets to reach 600 in Tests and seven more Tests to become England’s most capped player – he dismissed the notion that either were a motivation for him.”Six hundred wickets is not a huge thing for me, really,” he said. “The other milestones I’ve gone past haven’t been, either. I want to be contributing to this team; that’s my sole focus. I want to be bowling well and contributing to England winning games of cricket. That’s been my focus throughout my career. I think that focus has served me well.”If I get 600 wickets then great; if I don’t, then I’m happy with what I’ve got. I know I can perform better than I did this week. I want to keep getting better and keep helping England win games of cricket.”I still can’t quite believe the number [of Tests] that’s next to my name when the teams go up on the TV. 154 does sound like quite a lot of games. But I feel like I’ve still got quite a few more left in me.The last 18 months has been frustrating injury-wise. I want to get back to enjoying my cricket – I didn’t enjoy bowling this week – but I want to remember why I play the game, enjoy doing what I do and play as long as I can.”If I can go past Alastair Cook’s record [of 161 Test caps] it will probably be the one thing I’ve got up on him.”