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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was backed by the board during the summer transfer window as they splashed the cash on several signings to bolster the squad.

The Hoops reportedly agreed a fee of up to £9.5m with Norwich City to sign centre-forward Adam Idah, which had the potential to break the club’s transfer record – Odsonne Edouard’s £9m move from PSG – at the time.

That record was then smashed by the signing of central midfielder Arne Engels from Augsburg for a reported fee of £11m, which meant that the club could end up paying over £20m for Idah and Engels combined.

The Belgian whiz has become the most expensive incoming midfielder in the club’s history but Rodgers did once want to sign a midfielder for the club who is now worth significantly more than £11m.

Celtic's interest in Declan Rice

Speaking back in January, the Northern Irish head coach revealed that he had attempted to sign Declan Rice from Premier League side West Ham United during his first spell at the club, between 2016 and 2019.

Rodgers claimed that Celtic spent “three months” trying to secure the English youngster’s services and that he was “all set” to make the move to Parkhead, although it was not specified whether it would have been a loan or a permanent switch.

However, the Hammers then picked up an injury that scuppered the deal and the Bhoys boss stated that Rice then worked his way into the side.

Rodgers did not reveal what window that deal fell through in but the then-teenage ace made his first-team breakthrough as a regular during the 2017/18 campaign, which suggests that the Hoops had tried to sign him in the summer of 2017.

Declan Rice's current market value

That turned out to be one that got away for Celtic as Rice’s career in England has gone from strength to strength since his move to Celtic fell through.

He emerged as a regular starter for the Hammers, making 245 first-team appearances, and earned himself a big-money switch to Arsenal last year.

The England international, who was dubbed “influential” by Jamie Carragher, penned a five-year contract at The Emirates and was bought for an initial fee of £100m, which speaks to his incredible rise since coming through the academy at West Ham.

23/24 Premier League

Declan Rice

Appearances

38

Goals

7

Assists

8

Pass accuracy

91%

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old star enjoyed a terrific debut campaign with the London giants, as he was directly involved in 15 goals and consistently cut out opposition attacks with tackles and interceptions.

Rice, who was described as a “monster” by presenter Joe Thomlinson, has emerged as one of the finest players in the Premier League, as shown by his statistics and Transfermarkt making him the fifth-most valuable player in the division at €120m (£100m).

This shows that the England international was one that got away for Rodgers and Celtic during the manager’s first spell in charge, as they missed out on a player with gigantic potential.

Related Celtic starlet left Parkhead for £0, now he's worth more than Matt O'Riley

The exceptional defender was let go by the Hoops at academy level.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Sep 12, 2024

The transfer window is set to come to a dramatic close in just a matter of days, and plenty of teams are looking to conduct some last-minute business, including Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been incredibly busy this summer, bringing in many talented additions, including Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and even Manuel Ugarte, who should be announced any minute now.

However, it would appear that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co want to bring in even more new faces to help speed along their revolution, and one of the most surprising players to be touted for a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks has been Raheem Sterling.

The Chelsea ace has been frozen out of things at Stamford Bridge and could get back to his best at Old Trafford, which could happen if United also pick up the latest young star touted for a move to the club.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a recent report from Spain, United are one of several teams interested in Girona ace Miguel Gutierrez.

Alongside the Red Devils, the report claims that Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund are all keen on the talented left-back, while Real Madrid, who own 50% of his rights, have the option to come back in for him.

A price is not mentioned in the report, but the 23-year-old is valued at €24.5m – £20m – by Football Transfers, and while the La Liga side would undoubtedly want more than that, it does suggest that a move might not completely break the bank for a big club like United.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gutierrez's incredible form last season, it is one worth pursuing, especially if Sterling makes his way to United, as the young full-back could help revive the Englishman's fortunes.

Why Gutierrez could revive Sterling

Okay, so let's get straight to the point with this one. There is one reason, above all others, why Gutierrez might be able to help Sterling get back to his best at United: his attacking quality.

Yes, the five-capped Spaniard is a more than capable defender, and his ability to do so on the left would, in turn, give the Englishman more license to roam forwards, but it is his impressive level of output that would see him strike up a brilliant partnership with the former Manchester City ace.

For example, in his 40 appearances for Girona last season, the 23-year-old "weapon", as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored two goals and provided nine assists, meaning that he averaged a goal involvement every 3.63 games, which is unreal for a defender.

Gutiérrez in 23/24

Competition

La Liga

Copa del Rey

Appearances

35

5

Goals

2

0

Assists

7

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.40

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the former Real ace sits in the top 6% of full-backs for expected assists, non-penalty expected goals plus assists and pass completion, the top 16% for total shots and the top 18% for actual assists, all per 90.

This helps to show that he wasn't just running hot last season, and if anything, playing in a team with more talent around him could help his numbers improve further.

Just imagine a left-hand side with the 82-capped Englishman flying down the wings to get on the end of a brilliant pass from the Girona ace; it could provide another option to Ten Hag during hard-fought encounters.

Ultimately, it could be a challenging transfer to get over the line, but if United really are going to bring Sterling in on some kind of swap deal this summer, then signing the incredibly exciting Gutierrez to help get the most out of him on the left seems like a brilliant idea.

Related Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd may make "last-minute" signing after Manuel Ugarte

The Red Devils may not be done yet.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Aug 28, 2024

أكد نافع السعيد، المدرب العام لنادي بتروجيت، أن الفريق يسير بشكل جيد بفضل العمل الجماعي والدعم الكبير الذي يقدمه مجلس الإدارة، مشيرًا إلى أن المدير الفني سيد عيد يقود الفريق بشكل مميز، ويسعى لتحقيق أفضل النتائج.

وحول ما يتردد بشأن مفاوضات الأهلي مع رشاد المتولي، قال السعيد: “لا نتمسك باللاعب كما يُشاع، لكن لم يصلنا أي عرض رسمي من الأهلي لضمه، كل ما يقال مجرد حديث وكلاء”.

بعد تصريحات وكيله.. علي معلول يظهر في مقر الأهلي

وأضاف رشاد في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير “ميجا إف إم”: “العرض الرسمي الوحيد الذي تلقيناه فكان لأحمد رضا، حيث تدخل محمود الخطيب وأنهى الصفقة فورًا باتصال واحد”.

وتابع: “كجهاز فني لا يمكننا تحمل رحيل لاعبين في فترة الانتقالات الحالية، لذلك أغلق سيد عيد ملف أي انتقالات، وإذا وُجدت عروضًا جديدة فسيتم مناقشتها في الصيف، لكن حتى الآن لا يوجد أي شيء رسمي، ولو حدث فسيكون نهاية الموسم”.

وعن انتقال أحمد رضا إلى الأهلي، أشاد السعيد بإمكانات اللاعب، قائلًا: “هو خامة جيدة جدًا، والضغوطات ستكون العامل الوحيد الذي قد يؤثر عليه، لأننا في بتروجيت لا نعيش تحت الضغوط مثل الأهلي، لكنه يتمتع بشخصية قوية، وتجربته مع الزمالك سابقًا ستساعده على التأقلم”.

واختتم: “أحمد رضا يجيد اللعب في مركز 6 وفي قلب الدفاع، ويتميز بالقوة والسرعة والقدرة على بناء اللعب، وهو جيد جدًا في الالتحامات، وأعتقد أنه سيكون نجمًا جديدًا للأهلي”.

West Ham United's exciting transfer window under new management has faced several hiccups, with Noussair Mazraoui joining Jean-Clair Todibo in rejecting the east Londoners after terms were agreed between clubs.

Indeed, as per Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, West Ham's proposed transfer of the Bayern Munich right-back is now off, with the Moroccan now angling toward Manchester United.

Let's hope that technical director Tim Steidten is still worth his salt and will push to sign a full-back this summer, the Hammers are certainly not in dire straits but will need to seek alternative routes. That may take time.

In that case, perhaps West Ham should now seek to accelerate negotiations for an exciting target and provide the fanbase with an injection of excitement.

West Ham lead the race for touted attacker

According to Caught Offside, West Ham are leading the race for Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville, who was crowned the Championship MVP last season.

It's revealed that the Hammers are actively working on signing the Dutchman, aged 22, after Leeds failed to clinch promotion to the Premier League last year, losing to Southampton in the play-off final.

The sticking point in protracted negotiations stems from the transfer fee: the Whites are demanding £35m while West Ham have presented a £20m plus bonuses bid.

Why West Ham must sign Crysencio Summerville

Principally a left winger, Summerville was superb in the second tier last season, with Leeds' relegation one year ago candidly proving to be a beneficial move to the player's development.

Having posted 21 goals and ten assists across all competitions last season, Summerville could be a wonderful addition on the flank, bringing the electrifying pace and dribbling skills to complement Irons centre-forward target Jhon Duran.

Aston Villa have fielded multiple enquiries and bids for the Colombian maverick, aged 20, this summer, the latest of which – £30m plus Lewis Orford – was rejected. Still, Duran wants the move and there is tentative hope that he will be clad in West Ham claret come September at the latest.

Goals

0.39

Top 5%

Assists

0.23

Top 15%

Shot-creating actions

6.10

Top 1%

Progressive carries

5.04

Top 7%

Successful take-ons

2.52

Top 9%

Summerville has the ball-carrying brilliance in his locker to truly unlock Duran's fearsome talent, blending the various facets of the attacking game together to a resounding effect.

His unique, game-changing approach could even see him become new head coach Julen Lopetegui's very own version of Dimitri Payet, whose fleeting spell in east London has cemented cult hero status.

The Frenchman clinched 12 goals and 15 assists across a triumphant debut campaign that left nothing to be desired, to turn an idiom on its head. Magical, beguiling, celestial – pick your superlative, Payet embodied it as his playmaking genius left the Premier League in awe.

Homesickness pulled Payet back to Marseille in France after only a year and a half, but no one can argue against the attacking midfielder's quality at his best.

Summerville, while dissimilar in terms of actual playing style, carries a similar kind of gusto and could captivate Hammers supporters next season, emulating Payet with his own game-changing ability – having been hailed as a "wizard" by former Leeds coach, Michael Skubala.

Equally, much like that man Payet, the in-demand sensation is also the type of player who can "produce moments out of nothing", in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, thus helping to add a real sprinkling of stardust to Lopetegui's ranks.

Hopefully, the Dutchman will soon be firing West Ham back into Europe and back into the ascendancy.

West Ham hit gold on star who's worth more than Duran & Mazraoui combined

The Hammers would field enquiries for his sale, but only if a record fee is thrown his way.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 26, 2024

The new manager said those who play in North America's top flight will be given regular opportunities with USMNT

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• Mauricio Pochettino promised equal opportunity for MLS players
• Asserted that the league was 'not easy' and 'physical'
• Pointed to Miami's Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, as a model

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino says that MLS players will have the same opportunities to get into the national team as their European counterparts.

  The newly-minted manager hailed the quality of MLS, saying Sunday that members of his talent pool who play in the league every week will be just as well-equipped to feature for the USMNT as those in Europe. He highlighted Messi, who he dubbed "the best player in the world" as the perfect example.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pochettino has been vocal about the opportunities available to MLS players, pledging at his introductory news conference to dip into domestic talent when forming his squads. The current U.S. setup features just four MLS players, although 17 were developed in the U.S. youth soccer system.

• WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  Pochettino pledged that those playing in the U.S. will get opportunities: "It's not easy to play in [MLS]. It's very physical, all of the players who have played here for a long time say 'Gaffer, it is very competitive.' They have very good discipline, they train very well.

  "And why not? For me, they are going to have the same possibility playing in MLS as those that play in the Premier League, in la Liga, in Belgium, in France. They need to know in private, they need to know in public."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR POCHETTINO AND THE USMNT?

  The U.S. will take on Jamaica Monday night in the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal. They currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead after Ricardo Pepi scored the only goal of the first leg in Kingston on Thursday.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are prepared to put in the hard yards in a holding role during England’s Test series in Sri Lanka, and accept that they are unlikely to play every game in Asia over the next two months.England opted to pick only one of Anderson and Broad at a time in their 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka in late 2018, with the pair taking just one wicket between them in a combined 55 overs as spin dominated the series. While Sri Lanka’s most recent home series against New Zealand saw the seamers play a slightly greater role, head coach Mickey Arthur told the on Thursday that he expected “typical Sri Lankan conditions” in the two Tests at Galle this month.Speaking on Sky Sports’ Cricket Show, both Anderson and Broad said that they expected to perform a defensive role in the series, and said that they are anticipating some rotation among bowlers on their tour of the subcontinent. Straight after the second Test in Sri Lanka, England will fly to India for a four-match series, starting on February 5 in Chennai.James Anderson bowls in the nets•ECB

“You do play a slightly different role [in Sri Lanka],” Anderson said. “As was the case last time we were here, the spinners are the attacking option and the seamers then have a holding role – it’s almost breaking up the spinners and trying to give them a rest, whereas in England, they might be doing that job and you’re the more attacking bowler. It’s a different outlook on it as a seamer, but you’re still in the game and you can still get wickets.””Galle might be a pitch that if you bowl 20 overs, 1 for 40, you’ve actually done a brilliant role,” Broad said. “If you do that for your whole career, you’re not going to stay in the side that long, averaging 40, but it’s being realistic. For a spinner in England, a perfect job would be: first innings, 20 overs, 1 for 40, and then he comes into the game later on. I think we flip that over here: we can hold in the first innings, and then you might get reverse-swing later in the game when the pitch is warm… and the ball roughs up slightly.”It’s unrealistic to think that you’re going to play all six Test matches and be the leading wicket-taker in these conditions. You just have to not get greedy when you get that opportunity: if you play three Tests out of six, [you have to] do your role for those three Tests, not selfishly try to get wickets to get you in the next game.”Anderson suggested this week that Sri Lanka will have “a slight advantage” going into the first Test, having recently completed a two-match series in South Africa while England have not played a Test since late August. England’s red-ball specialists trained in a heated marquee at Loughborough in the final few months of 2020 while the white-ball sides have not played in more than a month, and Broad admitted that the touring squad was “a bit shy” on match fitness a week out from the first Test.Related

• England lean towards three-seamer, two-spinner strategy for first Sri Lanka Test

• James Anderson: Sri Lanka have 'slight advantage' heading into England series

• Zak Crawley out to prove he is no 'one-hit wonder' in Sri Lanka after epic 267 against Pakistan

• Jonny Bairstow confident ahead of anticipated Test recall: 'I think my game's in the best place it's been'

• Jack Leach admits Covid-19 concerns meant he feared he had played his last Test

“In international cricket these days you don’t get these sorts of breaks, normally,” he said. “It is a long period of time without spending time in the field, keeping the bones used to fast bowling.”We’re probably a bit shy on match fitness but you’ve got to make the best of what you can. We’ve got warm-up games over the next two days, and that’ll be just about acclimatising to the conditions, but it is by far the shortest preparation time I can remember on an England tour.”Meanwhile, Anderson backed Jonny Bairstow to make a success of his recall to the red-ball side after a year-long absence, but suggested he had underachieved in his Test career to date. Bairstow averages 34.74 with the bat after 70 Tests, but said on Thursday that his game is “in the best place it’s [ever] been” going into the Sri Lanka series.”As we’ve seen when he’s played for England in the past, he can bat anywhere in the order, and he’s got this determination that [means] he wants to do well, he wants to succeed,” Anderson said.”He’s someone who I look at him and think he should probably have done better than how he has done for England. But obviously, situations with going up and down the order, it’s not been easy for him. I’d like to think that he’s got much more in the tank for England.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A derrota em casa por 1 a 0 para o Athletico Paranaense custou a eliminação do Santos na fase quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. A competição era o único sonho de título possível para o clube na temporada 2021.

RelacionadasSantosTorcedores do Santos protestam em frente à Vila Belmiro após eliminaçãoSantos15/09/2021SantosVeja quanto o Santos deixou de ganhar após a eliminação na Copa do BrasilSantos14/09/2021SantosATUAÇÕES: Santos vai mal coletivamente, e só João Paulo se salva em eliminaçãoSantos15/09/2021

Após o revés, o técnico Fábio Carille comentou sobre a eliminação. E o treinador evitou lamentar o fato.

– A gente queria a classificação, continuar e passar para a semifinal. Olhando para outro lado, temos mais tempo para trabalhar, organizar e blindar melhor os jogadores. Responsabilidade é de todos nós, faço parte junto com eles e vamos sair juntos dessa situação.

Esse foi o segundo jogo do técnico Fábio Carille dirigindo o Peixe. No sábado passado, a equipe empatou com o Bahia, na Vila Belmiro, por 0 a 0. Além de não vencer, o time ainda não marcou gol com o treinador no comando.

– Tentamos, apesar de muitos problemas e desfalques. Meninos se comportaram bem, como o Balieiro, que foi um zagueiro firme. Alguns vão estrear e isso vai ser importante. É um grupo jovem, mas amanhã é outro dia. Com cabeça erguida, sabedoria e trabalho, vamos sair dessa – completou o treinador Carille.

O Santos agora volta todas assuas atenções para o Campeonato Brasileiro. No próximo sábado, a equipe enfrenta o Ceará, na Arena Castelão, com o objetivo de encerrar o jejum de oito partidas sem vencer na temporada. No torneio nacional, o Peixe está na 13ª colocação, com 23 pontos.

The transfer window doesn't officially open until Friday, but that hasn't stopped clubs from getting to work on deals beforehand, and Tottenham Hotspur are no different.

Daniel Levy and Co clearly recognise the need to provide Ange Postecoglou with a new clinical number nine if the team are to climb back into the Champions League places next season, and based on recent reports, it looks like they might have found just the player.

However, while it's good news for the Australian and fans, it may well spell the end of the road for Richarlison in N17.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Spain (via TEAMtalk), Tottenham Hotspur are incredibly interested in signing Sevilla's star striker Youssef En-Nesyri this summer, and have already made an offer the player is 'ready to say yes to.'

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report claims there is interest from the Saudi Pro League and Manchester United are preparing an offer of their own in the coming days.

The Spanish giants are said to want at least €20m – £17m – for their reliable marksman, which, if true, could make him one of the best value-for-money signings this summer.

While the interest from other sides is far from ideal, the low asking price and revelation that En-Nesyri is eager to join Spurs means Levy and Co need to dot the i's and cross the t's as soon as possible on this deal, even if his arrival sees Richarlison's gametime dramatically shrink.

How En-Nesyri compares to Richarlison

So, with En-Nesyri potentially moving to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in the coming weeks, how does he stack up to Richarlison? Does his record in Spain suggest he'd waltz into the lineup and relegate the Brazilian to the bench?

In short, yes, yes, it does.

For example, over the last two seasons, the "pure goalscorer," as talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed him, has scored 38 goals and provided four assists in 89 games, meaning he's averaged a goal involvement every 2.11 games for two years straight.

In comparison, the former Toffees ace has scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 66 games across the same period, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 2.8 games.

However, it's not just his goalscoring that would make the Fès-born marksman the ideal upgrade; it's also his availability, which is, of course, the best ability.

Over the last two seasons, he has missed just three games through injury. Even if you go back to the start of the 2018/19 campaign, he's still missed just 27 games, and 16 of those were due to one muscle injury.

On the other hand, the Nova Venécia-born forward has missed 21 games through injury in the previous two campaigns alone and a whopping 41 matches since the start of the 18/19 season.

Spurs keen on signing "monumental" £27m Porro upgrade

The incredible right-back could be a game-changer for Postecoglou.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 12, 2024

Ultimately, while Richarlison has been better this year, he's still not been overly convincing during his time in North London and if Postecoglou is going to take the team back to the very top, then he's going to need a reliable goalscorer, which is exactly what En-Nesyri is.

Anthony Gordon miserable return to Everton with Newcastle was compounded after the Toffees' social media account joked about his penalty miss.

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• Gordon returns to old side Everton
• Misses penalty for Newcastle in 0-0 draw
• Toffees mock England winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gordon missed the chance to put Newcastle ahead at Goodison Park on Saturday as his penalty was well saved by former team-mate and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – with the game ending in a 0-0 draw. Then, when one Toffees fan tweeted he wished his side had blasted the same buzzer noise they use with fans at halftime for the saved spot kick; and the club's social media team duly obliged.

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• WHAT EVERTON DID

  The club's social media account posted a clip of Pickford saving Gordon's spot kick and adding the negative-sounding buzzer noise to go alongside it. The tweet got thousands of likes on X, formerly Twitter.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gordon left Everton for Newcastle in ignominious fashion in January 2023 after reportedly failing to show up to training earlier that month. The England international later said he was "hurt" by the lack of credit he got for helping them stay in the Premier League the season before, with Everton not wishing him thanks or a good luck message upon his departure. That dislike for Gordon was very clear on Saturday, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher saying on Sky Sports he had never seen such a reaction to a missed penalty.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Gordon will hope to bounce back from this setback over the next week or so as he is in England's squad to face Greece and Finland in the Nations League. He will then line up for Newcastle at home to Brighton on October 19 for the return of the Premier League.

Birmingham 179 for 6 (Hain 61, Mousley 40) beat Worcestershire 163 for 8 (D’Oliveira 61, Rutherford 45) by 16 runsBirmingham Bears took a big step towards the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a 16-run victory over arch-rivals Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston.On a chilly, autumnal night in Birmingham, the Bears totalled 179 for 6. After Rob Yates’ enterprising 37 at the top of the order, a solid total was assured by Sam Hain (61, 33 balls) and Dan Mousley (40, 31). Rapids captain Ed Barnard led his team’s bowling with an intelligent spell of 4-0-20-2.Hamish Rutherford’s violent 45 (23 balls) gave the Rapids’ reply a lightning start and Brett D’Oliveira played beautifully for 61 (40 balls) but then fell to Henry Brookes with his team still needing 26 from 13 balls. That equation proved beyond the tail as the Rapids fell short on 163 for 8.The Bears chose to bat first, having omitted Dom Sibley after the England opener scored just four runs in three T20 innings. The aggressive Adam Hose was promoted to open but it was Yates who provided early impetus with 37 from 20 balls with five fours and two sixes.The Rapids hit back hard, though, as the Bears, from 64 for 1 in the eighth over, lost three wickets for six runs in 11 balls. The impressive Barnard forced miscues into the infield from Hose and Michael Burgess and D’Oliveira had Will Rhodes caught at mid-wicket.Hain and Mousley, playing only his second T20, rebuilt with a stand of 80 in 53 balls which ended when the latter was caught off Morris. Hain continued his exceptional T20 form, reaching his half-century from 30 balls before edging Pat Brown behind in the final over.The Rapids’ reply was spectacularly launched by Rutherford whose 45 came from just 23 balls, five of which he smote for six. His first-over assault on Tim Bresnan forced the Bears to change their plans and bring linchpin Jeetan Patel on early.Patel bowled Jack Haynes in his first over and Jake Libby sliced Olly Stone to point but Rutherford threatened to win the game single-handed before he fell to Jake Lintott’s first ball, superbly caught in the deep by sub fielder Sibley.Lintott ran out Ben Cox with a direct hit but D’Oliveira advanced to a 31-ball half-century and batted with enormous aplomb until he edged Henry Brookes behind. The game was still very much in the balance but the 19th over, from Stone, cost just four runs and brought the removal of Daryl Mitchell’s off stump to leave the Rapids’ lower order needing 18 from the final over – a challenge well beyond them.