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Chelsea are reportedly ready to return for a star they missed out on last summer, and are at the front of the queue for his services this time around.

Blues feeling blue

A controversial late disallowed goal against Aston Villa prevented Chelsea from completing an impressive comeback at Villa Park on Saturday, and left European football via the Premier League looking less likely.

Mauricio Pochettino's side headed into the half time break 2-0 down, but rallied after the interval and levelled late on, before they thought that they had nicked it when Axel Disasi nodded home in added time.

Chelsea eyeing move for “extraordinary” La Liga star hailed by Vinicius Jr

Contact has been made with the player.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 28, 2024

However, after a VAR review it was ruled out for a foul in the build up, and after the game, Mauricio Pochettino was not a happy man.

“Everyone that was watching the game felt disappointed,” said the Chelsea boss. “We need to explain this to the people. In this situation it is really painful as it has damaged English football, the image, and even Aston Villa players and the fans didn’t understand why.

“It was a challenge that happens many times in football. I was disappointed because these three points were massive to get into the Europa League, that is why it is painful.”

Chelsea in race for European football next season

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goal Difference

Points

6. Manchester United

34

16

6

12

1

54

7. Newcastle United

34

16

5

13

19

53

8. West Ham

35

13

10

12

-9

49

9. Chelsea

33

13

9

11

4

48

It is a point that does little to boost their chances of European football next season, with Pochettino's side now five points behind Newcastle United, though they have a game in hand on the Magpies.

Veiga the answer for Poch?

Now, Chelsea have been tipped to return for a player that they missed out on last summer, in the shape of Spanish talent Gabri Viega. The youngster was linked with the Blues, as well as Real Madrid and Barcelona just 12 months ago.

However, he opted to move to Saudi Arabia, something that reports now claim he is regretting, with the Spaniard now eyeing a "return to the European elite". As per sources in Spain, Chelsea are the latest team to join the race for his signature this summer.

Despite this, they are the side that "stands out above all", due to the fact that they are "already preparing an initial offer of 40m euros" [£33.8m]. He certainly has the approval of ex-Chelsea man Carlo Ancelotti, now in charge of Real Madrid.

"I like him, he is an excellent player who has something special," said Ancelotti when directly asked about the midfielder last season.

Veiga will likely have to take a hefty cut on his £205,000 per week wages to leave Saudi Arabia, even with the money being splashed around by Chelsea. Is he the man to help push Chelsea back towards the top of the Premier League?

أصدر نادي برشلونة الإسباني بيانًا رسميًا بشأن إصابة أحد لاعبيه خلال مشاركته في تدريبات الفريق، اليوم الأربعاء.

وخاض برشلونة مباراة يوم الأحد بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني أمام ريال سوسيداد، انتهت بهزيمته بهدف دون مقابل.

وبدأت فترة التوقف الدولي بنوفمبر الجاري، وتم استدعاء عدد من لاعبي الأندية للمشاركة مع منتخبات بلادهم.

اقرأ أيضًا | سبورت: انضمام ثنائي إفريقي جديد.. برشلونة يواصل اكتشاف مناجم القارة السمراء

وأفاد برشلونة في بيان رسمي إصابة لاعبه الشاب أنسو فاتي، والتي تعرض لها بتدريبات الفريق اليوم.

وذكر برشلونة في بيانه أن فاتي يعاني من إصابة عضلية في عضلة الفخذ الأيمن، ستكون فترة الغياب المرضية التقريبية أربعة أسابيع.

ويتصدر برشلونة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 33 نقطة بعد مرور 13 جولة من البطولة.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐞́𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐨

Ansu Fati ha sufrido, en el entrenamiento de este miércoles, una lesión muscular en el bíceps femoral del muslo derecho. El tiempo de baja aproximado será de cuatro semanas pic.twitter.com/G5WVU3kbgb

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) November 13, 2024

A massive brawl broke out after France eliminated Argentina from the Olympics, coming in the wake of Enzo Fernandez's racism row rocked Chelsea.

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France edged out Argentina 1-0Tempers flared after the matchPlayers and staff involved in brawlWHAT HAPPENED?

The French team secured a 1-0 victory over the two-time gold medalists, thanks to a goal from Jean-Philip Mateta, but the game's conclusion saw tensions reach a boiling point. After the final whistle players and staff from both teams clashed on the pitch. The French coaching staff and players rushed onto the field to celebrate their advancement to the Olympic semi-finals on home soil, while Argentina's coaches and substitutes also entered the playing area. The situation quickly escalated as Argentine players confronted a French player which provided the initial spark to the brawl.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As the altercation intensified, more players joined in, attempting to either escalate or defuse the situation. The exact trigger for the brawl remains unclear. However, some speculate that French midfielder Enzo Millot's enthusiastic celebration may have provoked an angry response from the Argentine players.

DID YOU KNOW?

This altercation comes on the heels of a recent racism controversy when Argentine midfielder, Fernandez, got involved in a a scandal for participating in racist chants during the Copa America celebrations. The incident drew widespread condemnation, and Fernandez issued public and private apologies, to his Chelsea team-mates to express his remorse. Wesley Fofana, a French player at Chelsea who had earlier labelled the incident as "uninhibited racism" on social media, revealed that he and Fernandez have reconciled following a face-to-face chat. Fofana explained that Fernandez was unaware of the offensive nature of the chants and did not intend to harm anyone.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

The recent brawl and the preceding racism controversy highlight that tensions remain between the two nations and things could flare up in the future when these two footballing giants meet again. For now, the focus will likely shift back to France's performances in the Olympics as they are set to face Egypt in the last four on August 5.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Brasileirão voltou! Nesse sábado (29), coube a Cuiabá e Juventude protagonizarem a estreia do Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Assim, os clubes fizeram uma partida movimentada no 1º tempo, com Jonatan Cafu abrindo o placar para os mandantes, Wescley e Matheus Peixoto virando para os visitantes. No final, Elton empatou e deu números finais à partida.

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Na próxima rodada, o Juventude recebe o Athletico, em casa, no próximo domingo (6), às 18h15. Enquanto isso, o Cuiabá enfrenta o Fluminense, no mesmo dia, às 11h, no Maracanã.

Cuiabá pressiona no início, mas perde o gás

Jogando em casa, o Cuiabá se sentiu na obrigação de comandar as rédeas da partida e assim fez logo no começo. A equipe de Alberto Valentim trocava passes no ataque e buscava pressionar a saída de bola adversária, mas foi na bola parada que levou perigo. Assim, Clayson cobrou escanteio curto para Uendel, que cruzou para Anderson Conceição cabecear com perigo.

O ímpeto dos mandantes não durou muito, gradualmente o Juventude foi ganhando campo e buscando chegar ao gol de Walter. Mas, assim como o Cuiabá, os gaúchos pegavam no último passe, não levando perigo.

O primeiro gol da história do Cuiabá na elite

O jogo ficou opaco, sem grandes chances para os times, que sofriam com a armação de jogadas. Todavia, aos 28 minutos, Jonathan Cafu roubou a bola no campo de ataque, triangulou com Clayson, invadiu a área, cortou a marcação e chutou forte para marcar o primeiro gol do Brasileirão e do Cuiabá na história da Série A.

A virada

Logo depois, Elton fez corta-luz para Rafael Gava, o volante finalizou colocado e quase fez o segundo. Porém, mais tarde, o Juventude saiu em contra-ataque, Alyson recebeu pela esquerda e cruzou na área. Pepê tentou dominar e errou, a bola sobrou para Wescley chutar forte e empatar a partida.

Três minutos depois, a virada chegou. Capixaba fez boa jogada individual na direita e cruzou. Matheus Peixoto antecipou a marcação e finalizou de primeira.

Segunda etapa começa como a primeira

Precisando ao menos empatar a partida, o Cuiabá começou o segundo tempo com mais posse de bola e presença no campo ofensivo. Chegou a levar certo perigo novamente com três cruzamentos. Primeiro, Elton se esticou todo, mas não conseguiu chegar e logo depois, Anderson Conceição cabeceou por cima do gol. Aos 12′, aproveitou escanteio e cabeceou para o chão.

Cinco minutos depois, João Lucas aproveitou sobra na entrada da área após cobrança de falta e arriscou de fora, quase acertando a meta de Marcelo Carné. Em outra jogada, o lateral cruzou para Elton, que se abaixou e foi atingido por Vitor Mendes. Após reclamações de pênalti, o árbitro foi ao VAR conferir o lance e não marcou irregularidade.

O empate veio!

Logo depois, a partida perdeu sabor, e as equipes brigavam no meio-campo e com a bola. Sem criação, João Paulo tentou um chute de fora da área e Walter acompanhou a saída da bola.

Quase no apagar das luzes, aos 41 minutos da segunda etapa, o Cuiabá fez o gol de empate. Guilherme Pato dominou na direita, cruzou na medida e Elton cabeceou para o fundo das redes! Tudo igual e fim de papo.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CUIABÁ 2 X 2 JUVENTUDE
Local: Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá
Data/Horário: 29 de maio de 2021 (sábado), às 19h
Árbitro: Denis da Silva Ribeiro Serafim (AL)
Árbitro Assistente 1: Esdras Mariano de Lima Albuquerque (AL)
Árbitro Assistente 2: Brigida Cirilo Ferreira (AL)
Quarto Árbitro: Alinor Silva da Paixao (MT)
Árbitro de Vídeo: José Cláudio Rocha Filho (SP)
Gols: Jonathan Cafu (28’/1T) (1-0), Wescley (42’/1T) (1-1), Matheus Peixoto (45’/1T) (1-2), Elton (41’/2T)
Cartões amarelos: Alyson, auxiliar técnico Eduardo Barros (Juventude), João Lucas (Cuiabá)

CUIABÁ: Walter; Lucas Ramon (João Lucas – Intervalo/2T), Marllon, Anderson Conceição e Uendel; Pepê, Rafael Gava (Guilherme Pato – 24’/2T) e Camilo; Jonathan Cafu (Felipe Marques – 37’/2T), Clayson (Rafael Elias – 34’/2T) e Elton. Técnico: Alberto Valentim

JUVENTUDE: Marcelo Carne; Michel (Paulo Henrique – 30’/2T), Vitor Mendes, Rafael Forster e Alyson (Eltinho – 45’/2T); João Paulo, Guilherme Castilho e Wescley; Chico (Marcos Vinicios – 30’/2T), Capixaba (Elton – 45’/2T) e Matheus Peixoto (Fernando Pacheco – 45’/2T). Técnico: Marquinhos Santos.

Newcastle United have had quite a turbulent campaign so far. In their most recent outing against Arsenal, the Magpies managed to concede four goals during what was one of their worst losses of the season.

Eddie Howe's men have managed to go from qualifying for the Champions League to a mid-table Premier League side in a matter of months, and it feels as if the squad of 2022/23 are no longer there.

Indeed, Newcastle have gone through something of an injury crisis this term with multiple first-team players being sidelined together on more than one occasion.

However, with the players who were fit, they should've had more than enough quality to still perform competitively in England's top flight.

But, this hasn't been the case for the Magpies with many of their reliable players from last season not performing up to the standards expected.

One of those in particular is that of Miguel Almiron. 2022/23 was by far and away the most prolific of the Paraguay international's Newcastle career after he was involved in a total of 25 goals across all competitions in just 41 games.

Miguel Almiron's season in numbers so far

Despite only being sidelined for a total of two games this term, the 30-year-old has only managed to contribute to seven goals.

Although this is half of what he managed last season, he has played way more than half of the games he played throughout 2023/24.

At the time of writing, Almiron has played 36 matches in total and is yet to hit a combined total of five goals or assists in any individual competition.

Additionally, in Newcastle's most recent game against Arsenal, the winger somehow managed to have fewer touches on the ball than goalkeeper Loris Karius during what was a poor performance.

As per Sofascore, Karius amassed a total of 43 touches, whereas, Almiron managed less than half of that and ended up with 21 until he was taken off in the 64th minute.

Not only this, but, during the entirety of the time the £60k-per-week winger was on the pitch, he failed to register a shot or key pass.

Minutes played

64

Touches

21

Accurate passes

13/16 (81%)

Key passes

0

Crosses

0/1

Dribbles

0/1

Shots

0

Duels won

3/6

These are not the things you want to see from one of your star starting players, especially after having his best campaign last time out. As a result, dropping him to the bench for tonight's FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers could be for the best.

Newcastle's Miguel Almiron replacement

Although Newcastle's injuries hinder their attacking options somewhat, there are a plethora of options for Howe to look into when replacing Almiron.

The most obvious choice would be that of Harvey Barnes. Signed in the summer for a fee worth £38m, the former Leicester man has been sidelined for some time due to injury but has since returned and appeared on the bench.

When fit, the winger has played 11 times and has managed to contribute to two goals so far. Although these statistics don't scream 'upgrade', the injuries the England international has suffered need to be taken into account.

His appearances have been scattered with Barnes missing a total of 27 fixtures through injury this season. So, his form can't really be a fair judgment of his footballing prowess.

If injuries allow it, having an extended run in the team could be highly beneficial for Barnes and could potentially reinvigorate the Magpies' squad. That may well start with Blackburn on Tuesday evening.

Los Cafeteros are out to prove their form is no fluke – and a Copa America result against Brazil would do just that

The Colombia men’s national team is the unexpected gem of international soccer at the moment. Luis Diaz is beyond exceptional, James Rodriguez is undergoing a resurgence of outstanding form and bright up-and-coming stars such as Jhon Duran and Yaser Asprilla are bursting onto the scene in Europe.

They overcame a disastrous 2022 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying cycle, at which they missed out on playing in Qatar, and now are the hottest team in the world. Truly, there is not one team that can touch their form at the moment.

Los Cafeteros have not lost an international match since February 2022. They’re riding a 25-match unbeaten streak, including brilliant victories over Spain, Brazil, Germany, the USMNT and results against Uruguay and Ecuador. They’ve been the most dominant side in international soccer over the past two years — and yet, what do that have to show for it?

Copa America can change that.

They have a chance to prove their form isn't just lucky circumstance, a chance to show that this generation of players is here to compete for every title in every competition they play in.

Up next? Brazil, again.

They clash with the Selecao Tuesday night in their third and final group stage match of the 2024 competition. A win or a draw and they top Group D, and officially claim a spot as true and fair title contenders.

GOAL examines what makes this Los Cafeteros side so special, and how they are poised to make a deep Copa America run.

• Getty Images
  

  A disaster in 2022

  Colombia’s last loss came at the hands of Lionel Messi’s Argentina. LA Albiceleste’s current Copa America hero, Lautaro Martinez, bagged the lone goal in a 1-0 victory against Los Cafeteros on Feb. 1, 2022.

  The result doomed this team. They finished sixth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, trailing Peru by one point, and by three to Ecuador, who automatically qualified for the marquee event in Qatar. By just one point Colombia missed out on competing in an eventual intercontinental playoff between CONMEBOL and Oceania, a match that featured Peru vs Australia, with the latter coming out on top 5-4 in penalty kicks. It was a devastating blow to the program, but with it came monumental change. Just more than two months after that loss to Argentina, manager Reinaldo Rueda was sacked and current boss Nestor Lorenzo was appointed. And since?

  Clearly Los Cafeteros took that result against La Albiceleste personally, and their opposition has paid the price since.

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• Getty Images
  

  Redemption

  With a remarkable stretch of 25 matches unbeaten, Colombia have not found themselves on the negative side of a result since that fateful match against Argentina. They’ve won 20 of those 25 contests, and have climbed to the 12th overall spot in FIFA’s men’s international team rankings.

  In international friendlies, they’ve beaten the likes of Spain, Germany and the USMNT, out-scoring those three nations – all of whom are ranked higher than Los Cafeteros by FIFA – by a combined score of 8 to 1.

  In CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying for the 2026 edition of the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, Colombia sits third – only trailing the likes of Uruguay and the reigning World Champions, Argentina.

  The only unbeaten team in qualifying, they’ve obtained 12 out of a possible 18 points, with La Albiceleste just ahead with 15, and Uruguay at 13. Colombia have yet to face Lionel Messi and Co. in qualifying, but they managed a brilliant 2-2 draw against Darwin Nunez and La Celeste last fall.

  As impressive as that result was, it didn’t compare to the emotional evening on Nov. 16, when Luis Diaz bagged a four-minute brace to secure an astonishing 2-1 victory over Brazil on the road at Estadio Metropolitano – the first time they had ever defeated them in WCQ.

  The emotions on the night arrived through Diaz, who was in tears at full-time celebrating with his father watching on from the stands. Just days before the match, his father was freed by Guerillas after he was kidnapped in the north of the country in late October. Held captive for nearly two weeks, upon being free, Diaz’ father came to watch his son make history for Los Cafeteros.

• Getty Images
  

  Superstars leading the way

  Diaz isn’t the only superstar leading the sudden charge from Colombia. They are a well-oiled machine which operates as one brilliant unit from one end of the pitch to the other.

  Of course, it helps having stars.

  The biggest and boldest name from the country over the past decade was James Rodriguez. A wonder-goal at the 2014 World Cup set his career ablaze, and since, he’s captained his country across rocky terrain in South America. Of late, he’s had a resurgence of form, and the 32-year-old is playing like he’s in his early 20s again.

  He netted a goal and notched an assist last fall in that incredible draw against Uruguay, and followed it up with the game-winning assist on Diaz against the Selecao.

  Fast-forward to 2024, and he’s been their best player at Copa America 2024. With three assists in just two matches, he’s had a sensational return for Los Cafeteros, helping them to an unbeaten start to the tournament.

  A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Paraguay opened their Copa run, and they followed it up with a hammering of Costa Rica, defeating Los Ticos 3-0. Rodriguez found himself on the scoresheet in both matches, while Diaz shined on matchday two with his first goal of the tournament.

  Their star duo have turned up to the U.S. with vigor, and they look like the side most to be reckoned with through the group stage. They have one foe left yet, though, and it’s a familiar one: Brazil.

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  A dance with the Selecao

  The Selecao are out to prove something to CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and the footballing world at Copa America 2024. Without Neymar available due to injury, Brazil have been tasked with finding a new identity this summer. Newly appointed manager Dorival Junior is trying to lead his nation back to glory, and back to the top of the Copa America podium.

  It hasn’t quite gone to plan.

  The Selecao were held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica in their opening match. Against Paraguay, the flood gates eventually opened, but it was a rather unconvincing 4-1 victory even with the scoreline in their favor. A result against Colombia would change that.

  Defeating Los Cafeteros would indicate that this current, young, crop of Selecao footballers – Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Endrick – have what it takes to become the kings of CONMEBOL once again. Following Los Cafeteros victory against Costa Rica, manager Nestor Lorenzo shared that there is a real sense of excitement behind their current run of form, so much so that it even has him buzzing.

  "I know our fans are excited," he said, "and who am I to give advices to people's emotions. We are also excited, so let's enjoy it.”

  Brazil’s Bruno Guimares, meanwhile, views Colombia as a real threat as the Selecao look to earn the top spot in Group D on matchday three.

  "Colombia are a stone in our shoe which we're going to try to get it out of our way in the next game," Guimaraes said Sunday. "They have a lot of players who can decide things individually, they're a very physical team, good to play against. This is the Brazilian national team shirt we are talking about.

  "It's going to be a great test for us, a great game that we want to win to finish first (in the group). That's what is required when you wear Brazil's shirt."

ذكرت تقارير صحفية، أن نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني، وضع أحد نجوم فريق آرسنال، كهدفه الأول في الصيف.

ويتحرك ريال مدريد لضم أفضل المواهب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعد أن ارتبط بالعديد من اللاعبين في الأشهر الأخيرة.

وارتبط ريال مدريد بترينت ألكسندر أرنولد ظهير ليفربول، كما ارتبط برودري لاعب مانشستر سيتي والذي يغيب في الوقت الحالي بسبب إصابة قطع في الرباط الصليبي.

ويفيد تقرير بـصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية نقلاً عن “Le10Sport” الفرنسية أن ويليام ساليبا لاعب آرسنال، أحد أهم أولويات ريال مدريد في الوقت الحالي، لتعزيز الدفاع.

اقرأ أيضًا | جولر يرد على شائعات أزمته مع أنشيلوتي ورغبته في الرحيل عن ريال مدريد

وبحسب التقرير يستعد ريال مدريد للتحرك لبحث إمكانية ضم ساليبا إلى صفوفه والذي يعد عنصرًا أساسيًا في دفاع آرسنال.

في العام الماضي، وقع ساليبا عقدًا جديدًا مع آرسنال يمتد حتى عام 2027 بقيمة حوالي 10 ملايين جنيه إسترليني في الموسم.

وتحدث أنطونيو روديجر مدافع ريال مدريد مؤخرًا عن ساليبا، وسُئل عن لاعب يختاره للتوقيع مع فريقه، ووقع اختياره على لاعب آرسنال قائلاً: “ويليام ساليبا”.

وأردف: “أنا سعيد جدًا بزميلي في مركز قلب الدفاع، إيدير ميليتاو، لقد عاد من إصابة صعبة ويستعيد أفضل مستوياته، لكن هناك الكثير من المباريات التي سنجري فيها نظام التناوب ومع وجود ساليبا سيكون أمرًا رائعًا”.

David Beckham has sent a “great comeback win” message to Inter Miami after seeing them beat the Philadelphia Union with nine men and no Lionel Messi.

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• Argentine icon on Copa America duty
• Martino's side reduced to nine in Philly
• Battled to dramatic victory on the road

• USA Today Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Herons are without talismanic captain Messi as he prepares for Copa America duty with Argentina. Injuries have also depleted Tata Martino’s ranks, but the Florida-based outfit are still finding ways to pick up three points on their travels.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Inter Miami trailed early during their visit to Philadelphia, before seeing Julian Gressel restore parity two minutes into the second half. The Herons then had David Ruiz and Tomas Aviles sent off before snatching a 94th-minute winner through Leo Afonso.

• WHAT BECKHAM SAID

  Co-owner Beckham is among those to have been left singing the praises of a spirited squad that have shown that they can cope with Messi and pull together in order to overcome any challenge. Manchester United and England legend Beckham has said on social media: “Great comeback win. Fight until the very end.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

  Inter Miami, who are set to see Messi sit out several more games before returning to Chase Stadium, remain at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference – with 38 points collected from 19 fixtures – and will be back in action on Wednesday when playing host to the Columbus Crew.

Batsman dropped first ball reaches career-best 137 against Surrey

ECB Reporters Network03-Jun-2019

George Bartlett made the most of being dropped first ball to score a career-best 137 as Somerset fought back against Surrey at Guildford.Bartlett was put down by Rikki Clarke at slip off Matt Dunn and made Surrey pay as Somerset, who will return to the top of the first division if they win, were bowled out for 344. Surrey openers Rory Burns and Mark Stoneman negotiated two overs before stumps and will resume on 0 for 0.It was Bartlett’s second hundred of the season after he scored 133 against Nottinghamshire and was made in front of ECB Technical Director Andy Flower, the former England coach.Somerset had struggled against the new ball and would have been 35 for 4 had Clarke clung onto the chance to remove Bartlett straight away.Instead, he shared stands of 95 with Tom Banton and Steve Davies and 73 with Craig Overton before Morne Morkel, armed with the new ball, had him caught behind in the 84th over.It was an outstanding effort by the 23-year-old, who was born a few miles from Guildford in Frimley, as Somerset once again showed the battling qualities which have already earned them three Championship wins this season.Banton, who had come into the side after Azhar Ali pulled out with a throat infection, gave Bartlett excellent support and hit Ryan Patel – who took four wickets in five balls in this fixture last season – for three successive boundaries as the fourth-wicket partnership took shape.But after lunch Banton went 24 balls without scoring and then edged Matt Dunn to gully for 44. Bartlett, however, found another reliable partner in ex-Surrey man Steven Davies who contributed 41 before Dunn, the pick of the Surrey attack, went around the wicket to hit off-stump with a ball which held its line.Bartlett reached his third first-class century in the last over before tea by glancing Clarke off his hip for his 13th boundary. He also lofted Gareth Batty over long on for six and played fluently again after tea, straight-driving Morkel to the boundary to bring up his career-best. The South African, though, had his revenge in the next over when Bartlett feathered an edge as he pushed forward. He faced 213 balls and hit 19 fours.Surrey wrapped up the rest of the innings quickly. Clarke returned to pick up Craig Overton, who played on for 40, and his brother Jamie, who made 20, in successive overs while Morkel had Tim Groenewald and Jack Brooks caught behind as the last four wickets fell for 24 in 5.3 overs. Morkel finished with 4 for 64.It was a strong finish to the day for Surrey, who had dominated the first hour too, as they look for their first win of the season in defence of their title.After winning the toss, Somerset had started solidly enough but, on 21, skipper Tom Abell edged Morkel low to second slip, where Dean Elgar took a good catch. Marcus Trescothick had struck a couple of boundaries with the confidence of old but on 18 he was caught behind trying to guide Clarke down to third man. Somerset lost their third wicket when Dunn trapped James Hildreth in front, but the major part of the day was dominated by Bartlett.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into their Christmas Eve fixture against Chelsea knowing a win could be the catalyst to spark great joy around Molineux.

The Old Gold currently occupies 13th position in the Premier League table and for large spells of the season, have performed well under Gary O’Neil.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the 40-year-old coach could delve into the market in order to sign a player or two who could improve their squad as they aim to secure a spot in the top half of the table.

Wolves Transfer news

With the transfer window just around the corner, the rumour mill has linked a few names with the club already.

According to Turkish outlet Aksam, the Molineux outfit are reportedly eyeing a move for Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson next month, as O’Neil looks set to strengthen his defensive options.

His contract does not expire until 2026, yet he has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons in Turkey – making 14 starts for the club – and it appears as though Wolves are exploring a loan-to-buy deal.

With Craig Dawson approaching 34, it could be an ideal time to start thinking of potential players who could replace the veteran and Nelsson has the required qualities to succeed at Wolves.

Victor Nelsson could replace Craig Dawson

Wolves signed Dawson from West Ham United back in January, and he has been a calming presence at the heart of their defence as they looked to fill the void left by Conor Coady.

Indeed, this season, the Englishman currently ranks second in the squad for accurate passes per game (46.7) while also ranking first for accurate long balls per game (4.4) and second for clearances per game (4.6) as he continues to excel at the highest level.

With a contract until 2025, the club may only have 18 months left of the defender, and signing Nelsson could be a dream way of bringing an adequate replacement in.

The Danish defender was dubbed a “monster” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig during his time at FC Copenhagen and he has impressed in spells during his time in Turkey.

Last season, the centre-back finished top of the pile when it came to accurate passes per game (49.7) in the Turkish top flight, while also ranking second for clearances per game (3.3) and accurate long balls per game (3.6) and these statistics were similar to those that Dawson has recorded this term.

According to WhoScored, Nelsson excels at aerial duels while he does not dive into tackles, and these skills, combined with his reliable passing ability, could make him a standout in O’Neil’s side.

It is clear that the club need reinforcements during the January window and with the former Bournemouth manager looking to the future, the 6 foot 1 titan could be a dream signing.

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Wolves will be actively pursuing this target in January to bolster their midfield options.

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He has won a league title with Galatasaray along with playing in the Champions League and, at just 25 years old, he is arguably not even at his peak yet.

It remains to be seen whether it will be a loan deal or a permanent transfer, but the 40-year-old tactician needs to make a move sooner rather than later to find the long-term heir to Dawson's position and Nelsson could be a shrewd addition.