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Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland pushed up into the play-off places with a thumping 3-0 win away from home at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

Although other teams have games in hand, the club are currently sitting fifth in the Championship and 13 points off the automatic positions, which already look out of reach.

The Black Cats opened the scoring in the 35th minute as Luke O’Nien was first to react in the box to tap the ball in after Daniel Ballard’s effort came back to the midfielder.

QPR were then gifted the perfect opportunity to level the scores in the 67th minute after Aji Alese was penalised for handball in the box, only for Anthony Patterson to step up with a huge save to keep his team in front.

Jack Clarke then sealed the three points with two goals in the final ten minutes of play. The forward cut inside to bend a shot into the bottom corner for his first before slamming home a cutback from Dan Neil in stoppage time for his second.

How did Luke O’Nien perform against Queens Park Rangers?

Plenty of praise will, rightly, head in the ex-Tottenham winger’s direction for his two crucial goals in the emphatic win in London but another player who deserves his flowers alongside Clarke is O’Nien.

Firstly, the former Wycombe man was in the right place at the right time to follow in on Ballard’s effort to put his side 1-0 up. The goal allowed Sunderland to grow in confidence and they built on that by going on to win the game comfortably, albeit with the help of a big save from Patterson in the second half.

His play out of possession was also key to the team’s success in the match.

As per Sofascore, O’Nien won a whopping ten individual duels – more than any of his teammates – out of 14 contested, whilst making three tackles and one interception in the middle of the park.

On the ball, the 28-year-old had 60 touches and completed an impressive 86% of his attempted passes.

He also won five fouls for the side and this helped to alleviate pressure on the defence as well as giving the Black Cats a chance to settle down – preventing the home outfit from building any momentum.

Therefore, O’Nien was one of the big heroes for Mowbray on the night, alongside Clarke, as his play in and out of possession was absolutely superb and the midfield warrior deserves any and all praise that is due to come his way ahead of the next match.

Arsenal are one of the clubs who could make a late move for Benfica defender Alexander Bah as a report from Denmark shares news.

Who will Arsenal sign?

Mikel Arteta and co have been linked with a late move to replace the injured Jurrien Timber, coming after the Netherlands ace suffered an ACL tear during their opening day clash with Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners have spent north of £200 million on marquee signings this summer transfer window, with Arsenal sealing deals for Timber, Germany international Kai Havertz, goalkeeper David Raya and club-record acquisition Declan Rice.

However, Timber's lengthy absence now proves a thorn in Arteta's side, who must now contemplate whether to take to the market for cover before deadline day on September 1.

"It’s a huge blow, especially for him having just joined the club to have the injury that he has is a huge disappointment for him," Arteta said on Timber at a media conference earlier this month.

"It’s true that he was giving us very different things in terms of what we could do on both sides, but again, these things happen, and we have to be prepared for that.

"We are always open and we have to always be open to react if something happens, not only with an injury but with the market as well and that’s what we are doing."

Arsenal face being without Timber for as long as seven months, and it is believed that they have weighed up possible replacements like Barcelona defender Eric Garcia.

The north Londoners could also make a late move for Bah of Benfica, who is being courted by a host of clubs, according to a report from Danish outlet Tipsbladet.

Indeed, it is even believed clubs are "raving about" the Denmark international defender, especially in England, with Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Arsenal all contending.

The Emirates Stadium, though, comes as a "particularly attractive option", and Arteta's side now have space in Bah's position to accommodate him following Kieran Tierney's loan to Real Sociedad.

While Benfica aren't exactly in a rush to offload the 25-year-old, it is claimed that a bid in the region of €30-35 million (£26m-£30m) would be enough to sway them into doing a late deal.

If Bah is to depart the Portuguese giants, they'll need an apt replacement for him.

How good is Alexander Bah?

The full-back comes as a very solid and enticing option for Arsenal and Arteta.

Bah, who featured regularly for Benfica over the 2022/2023 campaign, played 28 league matches for them and ranked among their best-performing players by average match rating according to WhoScored.

The Dane, during last season, managed Benfica's fifth-highest rate of tackles per 90 in the Primeira Liga and third-best number of interceptions per match (WhoScored).

A real all-rounder, Bah also excelled in the forward areas, ranking among Benfica's best for key passes made per 90 in the final third.

Arsenal face another gruelling fixture schedule this season, and if they're to contend with last season's treble winners Man City, they may need more strength in depth.

Australia’s vice-captain is one demerit point away from a ban after he accepted a level two charge from the ICC for his part in the stairwell confrontation with Quinton de Kock

Daniel Brettig and Firdose Moonda07-Mar-2018Australia’s vice-captain David Warner is one demerit point away from a ban after he accepted a level two charge from the ICC for his part in the stairwell confrontation with Quinton de Kock in Durban.De Kock, however, has contested the level one charge against him and will attend a hearing – along with South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and manager Mohammed Moosajee – in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday evening. Match Referee Jeff Crowe will adjudicate on the matter.Warner was hit with three demerit points for the offence and also fined 75% of his match fee, about A$13,500, after meetings between the match referee Jeff Crowe and Australian team management on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Warner joined Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis on the South African side in this series, as players who will be suspended if they are found guilty of one more disciplinary infraction.CCTV footage from the fourth day of the Durban Test showed Warner walking up the stairs to the players’ dressing room, engaged in heated conversation with someone else. As the clip rolled on, it emerged that he was talking to de Kock, and at several points had to be restrained by his team-mates until the Australia captain Steven Smith came out to pull his vice-captain away from the scene.

James Maddison and Neal Maupay continued to exchange words on social media after clashing on the pitch during Brentfod's defeat to Tottenham.

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• Maupay opened the scoring against Tottenham
• Mocked Maddison by copying his darts celebration
• Escalated their row on social media

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spurs midfielder played a starring role against Brentford in their 3-2 Premier League win, after making his first start since November 6, but found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with Maupay after the striker mimicked his celebration in front of a furious home crowd. The pair were spotted exchanging some words on the pitch with the Spurs midfielder later revealing that his brutal dig during the match was aimed at Maupay's waning scoring abilities.

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• WHAT MAUPAY & MADDISON SAID

  Maupay wrote on Instagram: "Gutted we couldn't get the win. More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison. We go again Monday Bees."

  Whereas, Maddison posted a picture of Maupay's celebration and wrote: "A short story… COYS."

  Maupay fired back in the comment section writing: "Ahaha rent free 😘😘".

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Neal Maupay has scored a total of 97 career goals in 328 appearances, with 31 of those coming in the Premier League. However, his goal-scoring output has been limited to five goals over the past two seasons, four of which were scored during his loan spell at Brentford this term. In contrast, Maddison has netted 82 goals in 329 games, albeit playing in a different position. He is known for his massive interest in darts and came up with his celebration during his stint at Leicester.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Although Maddison did have the last laugh, Ange Postecoglou was not impressed with the squabbles with Maupay and suggested the duo sort out their differences in a UFC cage rather than on a football pitch. Nonetheless, he will hope to see his team continue with the inspired form when they take on Everton on Sunday at Goodison Park.

USWNT star Emily Fox has been reunited with Alessia Russo at Arsenal, after playing college soccer together at the University of North Carolina.

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• Fox signs for Arsenal
• Reunited with college teammate Russo
• Look ahead to Gunner's schedule

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After confirming her transfer to West London from the North Carolina Courage, it became a realization that Fox would be reunited with her former college teammate. The Tarheels duo won the 2019 NCAA championship together and were runners-up in 2018.

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  WHAT FOX POSTED

  In 2019, Fox posted a photo of her and teammates – including Russo – on Instagram. Pictured is a 19-year-old version of the England phenom and a 21-year-old USWNT star.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Russo and Fox already having chemistry will be a major boost for the Gunners, but the pure concept of adding the USWNT star is a simple improvement in their defense. A rock-solid defender, Fox will compete for minutes at the fullback position while also offering an attacking presence on the pitch. With Katie McCabe opposite at left fullback, Arsenal could immediately be looked at as having the best fullback duo in the WSL.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FOX AND ARSENAL

  The Gunners are back in action on Sunday against Watford in the FA Cup, before returning on January 20 in WSL action against Everton. Fox could make her debut in either contest, but it's more likely to be the latter.

Jude Bellingham could win the Ballon d’Or in 2024 but would still not be at the same level as Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, says Michael Owen.

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England international starring in SpainTipped to compete for future Ballons' d'OrNeeds longevity in order to emulate iconsWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international is seeing his stock soar on the books of Real Madrid, with a flurry of goals earning the exciting 20-year-old widespread praise. He has already landed the prestigious Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award, with it considered to be only a matter of time before he comes into contention for a Golden Ball that would allow him to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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There is enough silverware up for grabs next year, with club and country, for Bellingham to stake a serious claim for the title of 'best player on the planet', but he still has to prove himself over a long period of time. It is for that reason that Owen thinks the youngster cannot yet be likened to Premier League legends that once graced the books at Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

WHAT OWEN SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM

Ex-England striker Owen, who spent time at Real Madrid in his own playing days, speaking to BoyleSports – who offer the latest –said. “Jude Bellingham wouldn't automatically be better than Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard, and Scholes if he wins La Liga, the Champions League, and Euro 2024 next year. He'd win the Ballon d'Or, though! Those players did it for years and years and they never dropped their level. They won multiple titles and they were also Champions League winners. Jude is amazing and there's no bigger admirer of him than me, but we can't talk about him being more decorated than those players just yet. He needs to do it for five, six, or seven years to be up there with them.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

Bellingham has registered 17 goals for Real through just 21 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign – with those exploits seeing him match Blancos icon Ronaldo. He has been nursing a shoulder problem, which may require surgery at some stage, but that has not be slowing him down and there is the promise of more to come with club and country.

Middlesex’s heavy win propelled them from bottom to third in the table with one game remaining – although Essex, Kent and Surrey all have a game in hand.

ECB Reporters Network15-Aug-2017Steven Finn was in rampaging form•Getty ImagesSteve Finn, with a display of fast and aggressive bowling, led Middlesex to victory over Gloucestershire by 61 runs at Uxbridge on Tuesday evening to keep alive his side’s rather far-fetched hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the NatWest Blast.Finn had figures of 4 for 24, his best in the competition, and he was excellently supported by Tim Southee, who took 3 for 9 from three overs.Middlesex’s heavy win did wonders for their net run rate and propelled them from bottom to third in the table with one game remaining – although Essex, Kent and Surrey all have a game in hand.Eoin Morgan, Middlesex’s captain, said: “Our bowling performance today was the best of the tournament so far. And that was after we had shown a lot of skill and maturity with the bat. You don’t want to peak to early in this competition. We’ll take this confidence to Cardiff on Friday for a crucial match.”Gloucestershire, chasing a target of 162, lost their talisman when Southee had Michael Klinger caught at slip by Adam Voges with only the second ball of the innings.Then Finn, showing the pace and menace that has seen him make 126 appearances for England across all formats, struck with the first and final deliveries of his second over.First he bowled the dangerous looking Ian Cockbain with a devastating yorker and then Cameron Bancroft, attempting to keep the ball out of his stumps, played on.By the end of the next over, the fifth, Gloucestershire already looked out of it at 25 for 5. Tom Helm bowled Phil Mustard with a slower ball and then, with his next delivery, he had Kieran Noema-Barnett caught at mid-off by Southee, again with a slower ball.At 56 for five at the halfway stage of their innings Gloucestershire still looked well beaten. But then Benny Howell hit a vast six over mid-on as 13 came from Nathan Sowter’s over. And ten came from the next, bowled by Ryan Higgins, who was hit over midwicket for six by Jack Taylor.But then Finn, returning to bowl his last over, made two crucial breakthroughs. He had Taylor caught down the legside for 31 and then, two balls later, had Howell caught off a skier to the keeper.When Southee struck two blows with successive balls in the next over the contest really was over.Middlesex were heavily dependent on a fourth wicket stand of 66 in seven overs between Stevie Eskinazi and Voges for what remarkably was their first T20 win over Gloucestershire.Eskinazi took time to play himself in but then struck a 39-ball 47, with three fours and the first of only two sixes in the Middlesex innings, struck high over midwicket off Graeme van Burren in the 17th over.Voges made a classy looking 38 from 27 balls, with three fours. The batsmen were out in successive overs towards the end of the innings.They lost their first wicket in the fourth over when John Simpson sliced David Payne to Ian Cockbain at backward point. But that was also the over in which Paul Stirling really launched the Middlesex innings, pulling, driving and then sweeping Payne’s final three deliveries for fours.At 75 for 1 after ten overs Middlesex had the basis of a challenging total. But Stirling, who had hit six fours in his 31-ball 44, was caught on the deep midwicket boundary off Tom Smith off the first delivery of the 11th over.Smith struck again two balls later when he dismissed Eoin Morgan, reverse sweeping, for a duck before Eskinazi and Voges pulled the innings round.

Chelsea are planning to accept any bids for Raheem Sterling in the summer transfer window, according to a new update regarding the Englishman's future.

Has Raheem Sterling flopped at Chelsea?

The 28-year-old joined the Blues from Manchester City last summer, having no longer necessarily been seen as a key figure at the Etihad.

Sterling was seen as an exciting signing for Chelsea, given his pedigree as an 82-cap England international and four-time Premier League champion. He would seemingly add another attacking dimension to the team, as well as a wealth of experience and end product, but it's fair to say that his first season at Stamford Bridge was an underwhelming one.

In fairness to the winger, he was part of a Blues team that struggled hugely throughout the campaign, eventually finishing 12th in the league, but his performances were too often lacking in both quality and all-round influence.

Sterling only scored six goals in 28 league appearances – a disappointing return, considering his reputation as a relentless provider of end product – and he failed to stand up while others around him also flattered to deceive.

While the former City and Liverpool attacker is contracted with Chelsea until the summer of 2027, it looks as though a quickfire exit from West London is now seemingly likely.

Are Chelsea selling Raheem Sterling?

According to Football Insider, the Blues plan to accept an offer for Sterling this summer if a sizeable bid arrives, suggesting that Mauricio Pochettino sees him as an expendable figure:

"Chelsea are very open to selling Raheem Sterling this summer, sources have told Football Insider. Sterling is attracting interest from clubs in Europe, the UK and Saudi Arabia. Back in January, Football Insider revealed that the Blues were willing to listen to offers for the 28-year-old in the winter window after hijacking Arsenal’s move for Mykhaylo Mudryk.

"Sources have told Football Insider that his future is now even more up in the air and the club are in favour of recouping his wages for new talent."

This would be a surprise decision by Chelsea, considering Sterling only arrived at the club 12 months ago, not to mention the fact that he has been hailed as "world-class" by Frank Lampard in the past, despite his somewhat limited impact both under the Blues legend and his predecessors.

The £325,000-a-week attacker has proven himself over such an extended period, scoring 20 times for England, but ultimately, if Pochettino doesn't see him as a key man, the Blues should try and move him on.

It remains to be seen if that is definitely the case, but if he does end up staying put beyond the end of the window, he must go up a gear next season. Sterling turns 29 later this year, so the clock is ticking in terms of selling him at his highest possible value, which could be a reason for this latest update, with Todd Boehly and the club's hierarchy perhaps keen to create an almost entirely new squad for the new boss to work with.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has shared photos of himself enjoying his "favourite" Spanish delicacy, but fans have no idea what it is.

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Beckham shares unusual mealDish can cost $100Beckham gearing up for Inter Miami returnWHAT HAPPENED?

Beckham is currently in Spain, and on Tuesday he took to Instagram to share photos of himself enjoying an unusual dish rarely seen by his British and American fans. The dish in question is 'percebes', which are known as goose barnacles in English.

AdvertisementWHAT BECKHAM SAID

Beckham posted three snaps showing how much he enjoyed his percebes, and wrote: "One of my favourite things to eat when in season in Spain. Sooooooooo good. Gracias."

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The Inter Miami owner spent four years living in Spain when he played for Real Madrid, so it's not surprising that he developed a taste for local delicacies. Percebes certainly aren't a wallet-friendly menu option though; they are so difficult to harvest that 15-20 barnacles costs at least $100 (£78.50).

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BECKHAM?

Beckham will be gearing up for the start of the 2024 MLS season, Inter Miami's fourth campaign. After missing out on the play-offs at the end of Lionel Messi's first season with the club, Beckham will be hoping the arrival of former Barcelona and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will give his side the push it needs.

Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship

ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Will Tavaré held Gloucestershire together with an unbeaten 73•Getty Images

Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship match against Leicestershire at the Brightside Ground, Bristol.The third-wicket pair batted throughout the afternoon session, adding 127 after Gloucestershire had been put in by opponents who failed to make best use of the new ball. But the Foxes fought back during the final session, removing allrounder van Buuren and George Hankins in quick succession and restricting the run rate thereafter to put themselves back in contention before bad light brought a premature conclusion at the end of the 88th over.Determined to make amends after being shot out for 61 in their second innings and crashing to a heavy defeat in their Division Two opener at Kent last week, Gloucestershire summoned a gutsy response in their first home game of the season. No one demonstrated powers of recovery more admirably than Tavare, whose stubborn innings of 73 not out, chiseled from 213 balls and spanning just under four hours, characterised Gloucestershire’s approach.While van Buuren and Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft, who dominated an opening stand of 52 with Chris Dent, were prepared to play their shots and entertain a sparse Bank Holiday crowd, Tavare dropped anchor to provide the innings with the kind of gravitas that had been missing at Canterbury last time out.Mustering concentration and defiance in equal measure, the Bristolian ensured Gloucestershire were able to bank their first batting bonus points of the season and assume the upper hand against a Leicestershire side following their mauling at the hands of Nottinghamshire.Having helped shore up the innings in conditions conducive to swing following the departure of Bancroft and Dent prior to lunch, Tavare happily played second fiddle to the dashing van Buuren as the pair held sway during what turned out to be an afternoon of toil for Leicestershire’s misfiring seam attack.Promoted up the order in the absence of the unwell Gareth Roderick, van Buuren survived a searching examination from Ben Raine to stamp his authority and change the complexion of the game, carving 50 from 65 balls as the home side seized the initiative. Within sight of what would have been his third first-class hundred for the county, the 26-year-old edged a length ball from Raine behind for 79, cutting short an enterprising innings that comprised 128 balls and included 12 fours.When Hankins chased a ball outside his off stump and was held at first slip off the bowling of Gavin Griffiths soon afterwards, Gloucestershire were 204 for 4 and in need of reassurance. It was provided by the dependable Tavare and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Mustard, who kept Leicestershire at bay until bad light hastened the end of proceedings.Leicestershire elected to bowl first and wasted the new ball as their frontline seamers struggled to muster line and length on a consistent basis.Griffiths claimed his maiden Championship wicket when bowling Bancroft for 32 with a superb inswinging yorker, while Richard Jones bowled Dent via an inside edge for 20. But Gloucestershire’s openers had done enough to take the shine off the ball.No doubt piqued at seeing four catches go down, Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove made a point when coming into the attack ahead of schedule in the 45th over. By that time, Gloucestershire had assumed a crucial foothold and van Buuren and Tavare were up and running.