Batter was rushed to a hospital after complaining of chest pain while playing a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match
Umar Farooq21-Dec-2021
Abid Ali left the field after complaining of shoulder pain•PCB
Abid Ali was taken to hospital after complaining of chest pain while playing for Central Punjab against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the ongoing last round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in Karachi.According to a PCB statement, he was taken to a specialist hospital immediately, “where he was diagnosed as a case of Acute Coronary Syndrome” or ACS. “He is under the care of Consultant Cardiologist who is liaising with PCB medical team regarding further treatment. He is currently stable.”ACS is often used to describe a range of conditions resulting from a sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.Abid returned to his domestic side, Central Punjab, following the recent Bangladesh tour, where he was Player of the Series for the Tests after scoring 263 runs at 87.66. He was playing his sixth first-class game this season and had scored 766 runs at an average of 51.89 with three hundreds. On the last day of the ongoing game at UBL Complex in Karachi, he had crossed a half-century when he complained of discomfort around his shoulder and chest area before he was rushed to the hospital.Abid has been the highest run-getter in Tests for Pakistan since his debut in 2019, and in 2021 he is fifth in the world with 695 runs in nine Tests at 48.87, including a double-hundred against Zimbabwe in Harare. He made his debut in Rawalpindi in 2019 after spending 12 years in domestic cricket for 7116 runs in 106 first-class games. He made his Test debut at the age of 31 and began with a century, and also became the only player in history to reach three figures on both Test and ODI debuts.Central Punjab are sitting in fourth place on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy table at the moment and are out of the finals race, with Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sitting in the top-two spots. They have drawn five games, won two and lost two so far this season.
أثنى أحمد حسام ميدو، نجم الزمالك السابق، وعضو لجنة التخطيط بالنادي حاليًا، على أحمد زيزو، لاعب فريق الكرة الحالي.
تصاعدت حالة من الجدل خلال الأيام الأخيرة حول تجديد عقد أحمد سيد زيزو، نجم فريق الزمالك، والذي يعد أحد أبرز الركائز الأساسية للفريق في السنوات الأخيرة، بعدما ساهم بشكل كبير في تحقيق العديد من البطولات.
طالع.. بعد أنباء اقترابه من الأهلي.. أيمن يونس يوجه رسالة هامة لإدارة الزمالك بشأن زيزو
وتزايدت التكهنات حول مستقبل زيزو، خاصة مع اهتمام بعض الأندية بالحصول على خدماته، وعلى رأسها النادي الأهلي، وهو ما يثير قلق جماهير الزمالك، التي تطالب إدارة النادي بحسم ملف تجديد عقد اللاعب في أسرع وقت، لضمان استمراره مع الفريق.
وكتب ميدو، عبر منصة إكس: “أحمد مصطفى”زيزو”، أهم لاعب مصري في الخمس سنوات الأخيرة، لاعب يستحق كل التقدير والاحترام لأدائه والتزامه الكامل مع منتخب مصر ونادي الزمالك”.
وتابع: “وراء كل هذا، أسرة تدعم بطلها، على رأسها أب يستحق الشكر كونه آمن بموهبة نجله رغم كل المصاعب في بداية مسيرته، ونجح أن يجعله الأفضل بلا منازع ويستحق الكابتن مصطفي سيد التحية لتقديمه نموذج يُحترم لكل أولياء الأمور في كيفية إدارة موهبة نجله”.
O começo da noite aqui no Brasil e o começo da madrugada em Abu Dhabi foi de tensão para os brasileiros. Isso porque duas explosões foram ouvidas na cidade dos Emirados Árabes Unidos. Por conta da disputa do Mundial de Clubes, muitos torcedores do Palmeiras estão por lá, e alguns chegaram a presenciar o momento dos estrondos. Entre eles se encontra um jornalista que está hospedado bem próximo do local e relatou o que viu ao LANCE!.
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TABELA > Veja tabela e simulador do Mundial de Clubes-2021 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
GALERIA > Relembre os clubes brasileiros que já jogaram a final do Mundial de Clubes
Por questão de segurança, o rapaz pediu para não ser identificado. Em seu depoimento à reportagem, ele disse ter tido a impressão de que foi algo relacionado a uma explosão de gás de cozinha, principalmente pelo cheiro que estava no local depois dos dois estrondos ouvidos por quem estava na região.
-Eu estava jantando no prédio ao lado onde ocorreu a explosão, uma zona central, com bastante movimento. Isso era 0h10 quando ocorreu a primeira explosão e a impressão que a gente tem é de que foi um gás de cozinha, digo isso pelo cheiro que a gente sentiu. Vejo veículos cravando que foi míssil, falando em atentado terrorista… Se eu tivesse que opinar, diria que ocorreu uma explosão por gás de cozinha mesmo. Até porque ocorreu uma explosão, dois minutos depois ocorreu uma segunda, e muito pelo cheiro que a gente estava sentindo ao sair do local aqui na região era cheiro de gás.
Para ele, a movimentação enorme de viaturas que assustou a todos no Brasil e em alguns locais dos Emirados Árabes Unidos, foi em decorrência do alto preparado das forças policiais que são treinadas para essas situações de risco.
-A galera ficou bem assustada, principalmente os brasileiros, porque a gente cria um estereótipo daqui, como se tivesse bombas toda hora, e quando isso acontece a gente fica nervoso. O que eu posso dizer é que a polícia ainda está aqui, estão observando, mas em bem menos carros do que mais cedo.
– Acho que aqui eles são bem preocupados e bem preparados, porque em questão de minutos já havia por volta de 50 viaturas na frente do prédio, algumas ainda estão ali, Tenho uma visão diretamente para o prédio em que aconteceu a explosão – completou
Por fim, novamente conforme viu no local, o jornalista acredita que se se fosse um míssil ou uma bomba, haveria uma destruição muito maior do que ocorreu.
-Se fosse um míssil, teria destruído o prédio, a gente viu o incêndio somente dentro do apartamento. É um prédio que está cercado por outros prédios, não é tão simples acertar um míssil – finalizou.
He returned figures of 4 for 12 in nine overs as India’s hit-the-deck bustle trumped West Indies
Deivarayan Muthu09-Feb-20221:15
Aakash Chopra: ‘Last 12 months have shown Prasidh Krishna in a different light’
India’s hit-the-deck bustle trumped West Indies as the hosts defended 237 to wrap up the ODI series, with one game left. Prasidh Krishna led the way for India, returning extraordinary figures of 4 for 12 in nine overs and reminding everyone why he was picked ahead of Deepak Chahar once again.On an Ahmedabad track that offered extra bounce and zip throughout the game, Prasidh relentlessly dug the ball into it and discomfited a Kieron Pollard-less West Indies line-up. Thirty-six of the 54 balls he bowled were short or short of a good length, according to ESPNcricinfo’s logs.Shardul Thakur, too, regularly pounded the deck and was rewarded with the wicket of Jason Holder. Holder spliced a shoulder-high short ball from Thakur, which left West Indies at 76 for 5 in the 22nd over.Watch on ESPN+
India vs West Indies is available in the US on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ here and tune in.
Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen rallied briefly with a 42-run stand and then Odean Smith gave India a mini-scare at the death before Prasidh, fittingly, sealed the deal for India with a wicket-maiden.The final exchange was a game of cat and mouse. Smith, who is amongst the biggest hitters in the CPL, muscled Thakur for back-to-back sixes and shovelled a full toss from Siraj for four. He took the chase deep, with at least two overs from either Washington Sundar or Deepak Hooda yet to come.When Washington returned to the attack for the 45th over, West Indies needed 48 from 36 balls with two wickets in hand. Washington bowled a nerveless three-run over while also having Smith caught at deep midwicket. He bowled into the pitch and hid the ball away from the swinging arc of Smith.Prasidh Krishna reacts after dismissing Brandon King•BCCI
The start, too, had been fairly positive for West Indies. Brandon King and Shai Hope hit four boundaries in six balls off Thakur and Siraj to take them to 31 for 0 in seven overs. Prasidh came into the attack in the next over and struck with his third ball when he gleaned extra bounce to have King nicking off for 18 off 20 balls. In his next over, he got a length ball to kick up and seam away to also have Darren Bravo edging behind. He then returned to the attack to hit an in-between length and have stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran caught by Rohit at wide slip for 9.Prasidh also bothered Shamarh Brooks with a sequence of prancing deliveries. Brooks, however, weathered that hostile spell and was more fluent against spin, taking Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington for 34 runs off 37 balls. Brooks looked to line up Hooda too but ended up holing out to long-on to give him his first international wicket.Earlier in the afternoon, India’s batters were given similar treatment by the West Indies seamers. Kemar Roach, who sprayed the ball around in the first ODI, tightened up in the second, using the crease and seam movement on offer to his advantage. He also found substantial extra bounce, having Rohit nicking off for 5 in his second over. Smith, who got a game in the niggle-enforced absence of captain Pollard, seized his opportunity by dismissing both Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli in the same over.The returning KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, who made his second ODI half-century, then struck up a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership to drag India to a total they could defend.With Rahul returning to the team after missing the series opener because of a family commitment, India rejigged their batting line-up. While Rahul slotted in at No. 4, Pant was bumped up to open with Rohit. After surviving potent opening spells from Roach and Alzarri Joseph, Pant tried to swing his way out of trouble against Smith. After carving a short ball for four, he took on another short ball, only to sky a pull to Holder who snagged it near square leg.Related
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Smith – and Joseph – had similarly tested Kohli with lifting deliveries, but the allrounder ultimately bested him with a length ball. Kohli went for a drive, lost his shape and nicked off for 18 off 30 balls. India were 43 for 3 in 12 overs at that stage.It could’ve been 64 for 4 had wicketkeeper Hope not dropped a regulation catch to reprieve Rahul, when he was on 4, in the 18th over. Rahul broke free when Hosein bowled a half-tracker first ball, which was clattered over midwicket for six. Rahul then charged at Hosein, pumping him over his head for six. From being on 7 off 23 balls, he moved to 49 off 47 balls before running himself out in the 30th over.As for Suryakumar, he kept milking the spinners and passed fifty. However, when he looked to hit a higher gear, he misjudged the length of an Allen dart and top-edged a sweep to short fine leg for 64 off 83 balls. Allen combined with Hosein to tighten the screws on India, despite a late cameo from Hooda (29 off 25 balls).Hosein and Allen bowled five overs between them in the last ten while giving away only 22 runs for the wicket of Washington.Washington, however, had the final say as India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
علق رامي نصوحي، عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، على قرارات رابطة الأندية المصرية بشأن مباراة القمة في الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وأجرت رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة، تعديلًا على العقوبات التي فرضتها على النادي الأهلي، عقب انسحابه من مباراة القمة أمام الزمالك في الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وكتب نصوحي، عبر صفحته على موقع “فيس بوك”: “القانون الذي لا يطبق على الجميع ويستثني منه أحد يجب ألا يحترم”.
طالع.. الزمالك يكشف لـ”بطولات” سبب رفضه قرار رابطة الأندية بتعديل عقوبات الأهلي
وكان النادي الأهلي، قرر الانسحاب من مباراة الزمالك الأخيرة، في بطولة الدوري، بسبب الاعتراض على تعيين طاقم تحكيم مصري للقاء.
وبناء على ذلك، كانت رابطة الأندية أعلنت خسارة الأهلي المباراة بنتيجة 3-0، مع خصم 3 نقاط من رصيده في نهاية المسابقة، بالإضافة إلي غرامة مالية.
ولجأ النادي الأهلي إلى شكوى رابطة الأندية إلى اللجنة الأولمبية، وقررت الأخيرة التصديق على قرارات رابطة الأندية كما هي، إلا أن النادي الأهلي قدم مذكرة جديدة إلى رابطة الأندية واللجنة الأولمبية اليوم الأحد، للاعتراض على القرارات.
وأصدرت رابطة الأندية، اليوم الأحد، تعديلًا في قراراتها، حيث اعتمدت خسارة الأهلي بنتيجة 3-0 مع الغرامة المالية كما هي.
The Glasgow Rangers supporters would have been hoping that Storm Bert’s devastation across Scotland would have given the club a day off, especially considering the dismal performance the Ibrox side delivered on Saturday.
Yet again, more Premiership points were dropped and yet again, Philippe Clement’s side displayed no sense of dynamism or fluidity during the 1-1 draw against Dundee United.
Any hopes of a serious title challenge are now surely over with four weeks left until Christmas. It isn’t the greatest time to be a fan and even the most ardent of supporters aren’t looking forward to the League Cup final against Celtic next month.
Vaclav Cerny was on the scoresheet once again to rescue a point for the Light Blues, and he is turning out to be one of Clement’s finest players at the moment.
The best and worst performers for Rangers vs Dundee United
Cerny not only scored the equaliser, but the winger also made eight key passes, succeeded with five dribbles and managed six total shots during the clash. Any other night and he could have scored three.
Nicolas Raskin once again looked solid in the heart of the midfield, completing 90% of his passes and winning eight total duels.
Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin
Mohamed Diomande was deployed as an attacking midfielder, but he was subbed off at half-time, contributing just 15 passes, zero shots and zero key passes in what was a poor performance indeed.
It wasn’t as bad as Cyriel Dessers’ display, however, as the striker continued to find new ways of somehow performing worse than his previous game…
Cyriel Dessers’ stats vs Dundee United
Rangers won’t win another league championship with a centre-forward like Dessers leading the line. Some sections of the support may harp on about his scoring record, but the fact is, he is an infuriating player who contributes next to nothing.
Against the Arabs, the Nigerian completed three passes – yes, three – managed zero shots, lost both of his aerial duels and took just eight touches during the first half before he was subbed off for Danilo.
Key stats – Rangers vs Dundee United
Stat
Highest ranking
Key passes
Vaclav Cerny (8)
Total shots on target
Cerny, Raskin and Hamza Igamane (2)
Ground duels won
Cerny (6)
Aerial duels won
Sam Dalby, Declan Gallacher, Jort van der Sande and Raskin (5)
Accurate passes
Robin Propper (89)
Via Sofascore
The Brazilian went and grabbed an assist for Cerny’s goal while looking ten times as lively as Dessers.
Going forward, Clement must start Danilo ahead of the 29-year-old, otherwise, the club are going to continue to drop points domestically, that’s for sure.
Journalist Hernan Federico Pacheco claimed that Dessers has “an allergy to scoring like never before” and it is hard to disagree with the Argentinian.
Cyriel Dessers
Unfortunately, it looks as though the fans will have to put up with the former Feyenoord striker leading the line against Nice on Thursday, as Danilo isn’t registered as part of the European squad in what was a bizarre choice by the manager.
January simply cannot come soon enough. Will Clement still be in charge by that point? At this moment in time, that looks highly unlikely.
He's a free agent: Rangers could ditch Clement for "ambitious" 4-3-3 coach
Rangers could approach a free agent should Clement leave Ibrox
O Flamengo não conseguiu retornar ao Rio com a taça da Supercopa do Brasil, vencida pelo Atlético-MG, no último domingo, após uma longa disputa por pênaltis, em que Gabigol, o principal cobrador rubro-negro, acabou sendo questionado por alguns torcedores sobre o porquê de não ter batido nas alternadas. E, até com ironias, o atacante apontou a estratégia dos jogadores:
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Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW
– Eles gostam de uma polêmica.Agora se dá certo, todos seriam o inventor do futebol – respondeu Gabi, no Twitter, em cima de um comentário que dizia que o camisa 9 estava à espera de um “pênalti decisivo”, para fechar a disputa, ou seja, quando um jogador do Galo desperdiçasse a anteriores.
> GALERIA: Gabigol vira alvo de enxurrada de memes após vice na Supercopa do Brasil; veja aqui
Eles gostam de uma polêmica 🙄 Agora se dá certo, todos seriam o inventor do futebol hahahahaha https://t.co/PsFJoCJJ7B
— Gabi (@gabigol) February 21, 2022
-Pipoqueiro (risadas).Com essa camisa em finais quem tem mais gols sou eu e o Rei – seguiu Gabi, em outro tuíte.
Pipoqueiro hahahahaha Com essa camisa em finais quem tem mais gols sou eu e o Rei 🤪 https://t.co/fPhzjPVjtb
— Gabi (@gabigol) February 21, 2022
Alguém inteligente, graças a Deus 😅 https://t.co/QQjVES0QFi
— Gabi (@gabigol) February 21, 2022
Por igualar Zico, Gabi fez alusão ao número de gols (7) em grandes finais pelo Fla (veja mais aqui).
>Quarta tem clássico! Veja a tabela do Cariocão
FALA, MISTER!
Durante a entrevista coletiva, o questionamento foi levado até o técnico Paulo Sousa. O Mister explicou que ficou decidido que, caso caso fossem necessárias mais de cinco cobranças, os jogadores decidiram entre si quem iria bater.
– Quando nós decidimos os cinco primeiros e a ordem dos cinco primeiros, decidimos com todo o elenco que as decisões eram tomadas após esses mesmos cinco, ou seja, se houvesse continuidade quem se sentisse melhor entre eles tomassem essas decisões.
The Afghanistan legspinner is in the middle of a white-ball series in Bangladesh
Umar Farooq26-Feb-2022
Before leaving PSL 2022 for national duty, Rashid Khan took 13 wickets at an average of 17.30 and an economy rate of 6.25•PSL
Rashid Khan will be unavailable for the PSL final, despite Lahore Qalandars offering to fly him into Pakistan for Sunday’s game, as he is in the middle of Afghanistan’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh. Qalandars are due to play defending champions Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium and had taken the opportunity provided by the PCB’s tweaking of its Covid-19 rules to attempt the move.Rashid, however, tweeted that it wouldn’t be possible for him to play the PSL final “due to National Duty which is always a first priority.”
The prospects of Rashid returning to the PSL at such a late stage were always going to be bleak. His participation in the final would have involved the assent of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as well as the cooperation of Bangladesh authorities: Rashid has a single-entry visa to Bangladesh and would have needed a change to that if he was to fly out to Pakistan and back.Lahore’s idea was to fly him in on a charter plane to connect him from one bubble in Bangladesh to the one created for the PSL. But that would have also needed airspace approvals across Bangladesh, India and Pakistan; the complicated geopolitics of the region would have presented yet another obstacle.The fact that Lahore even thought about this idea is an illustration of Rashid’s value. He was an essential part of their early league-stage run, forming part of the most lethal attack in the league. When he signed off and left on February 20, he’d taken 13 wickets in nine matches at an average of 17.30, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.25.There was acknowledgement within the franchise that bringing Rashid back was a very long shot, but one that had been made possible by the PCB’s tweak of their Covid-19 protocols. This had allowed Alex Hales and Paul Stirling to return from various destinations and be able to take part in Islamabad United’s playoff games, despite only arriving in the country on the day of the game itself. Both had to clear Covid-19 tests on arrival but were kept apart from the rest of the playing squad, and were not allowed to share the dugout or dressing-room area and travelled to the ground in separate cars.Rashid has taken two wickets at 42.00 in the first two ODIs against Bangladesh in Chattogram, with Afghanistan losing both games. The last ODI, on February 28, remains important for Afghanistan as it carries the chance to get ten points in the ODI Super League points table. The ODI series will be followed by two T20Is on March 3 and 5, in Dhaka.
كشف طارق السيد لاعب الزمالك الأسبق، عن دوره في محاولة إنهاء أزمة تجديد عقد أحمد سيد زيزو مع القلعة البيضاء، مؤكدًا عمله بـ إتمام الأخير تعاقده مع الأهلي.
يأتي ذلك بعد الأنباء القوية المنتشرة مؤخرا حول حصول الأهلي على توقيع أحمد سيد زيزو، وضمه في صفقة انتقال حر عقب نهاية الموسم الجاري، بعد انتهاء علاقته مع الزمالك.
طالع | 80 مليونًا من خارج النادي.. الأهلي يكشف لـ بطولات تفاصيل عقد زيزو
وقال طارق السيد في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر2: “الموضوع من بدري جدًا في الزمالك منتهي، من أيام عرض الشباب السعودي، وهذا حذرت منه مرة واثنين وثلاثة وللأسف لم يسمع أحد”.
وأكمل: “الناس تعتقد أنك في كوكب لوحدك، لا يجب أن تترك اللاعب لآخر لحظة، لكنك تركت فرصة للناس تدخل تزايد عليك وهذا كان خطأ كبيرًا جدًا”.
وواصل: “وجهة نظري في زيزو شخصية، سينتقل لنادي كبير واسم كبير ولكن عملت تاريخ واسم في الزمالك المفروض تكملها، لكن أنت قمت بالبيع بشكل سريع جدًا”.
وواصل: “قلت لحازم إمام أول أمس الموضوع انتهى، وزيزو وقع للنادي الأهلي، وتطوعت وكأنني عامل مساعد يكون في مكالمة بين والد زيزو وحازم إمام، والمشكلة عند الإثنين، زيزو ومجلس الإدارة كلاهما مسؤولان مسؤولية كاملة”.
وزاد: “يوجد خطأ حدث اليوم أنك تستبعد زيزو من مباراة الكونفدرالية، وزيزو خرج وكذب كل ما يقال، حتى ما تتأكد مليون في المائة، ما حدث خطأ إداري باستبعاده، حتى الآن لا يوجد كلام رسمي أنه وقع في الأهلي”.
واختتم: “زيزو تلقى عرضا من الشباب السعودي والفتح ونيوم، والموضوع كانت هناك موافقة عليه من مجلس الإدارة، لكن بعد ذلك حدث تراجع من المجلس”.
Manchester City found themselves in an unusual position heading into Wednesday night’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, having unbelievably lost their four league clashes before going into the contest at the Etihad.
Thankfully for City supporters watching on, Pep Guardiola’s men breezed past Forest to silence a growing contingent of doubters, with an emphatic 3-0 scoreline just what the doctor ordered after a dismal stretch of recent results.
The relief written on everyone’s faces associated with the usual table-toppers at the full-time whistle was clear to see, as stars such as a silky Kevin De Bruyne shone brightly all night long.
Standout performers for City
It goes without saying that the Belgian attacking midfielder is one of the best talents in the Premier League when he’s at his eye-catching best and he certainly was at the very top of his game across the 3-0 victory.
De Bruyne would ensure that any nerves inside the Etihad would dissipate when he resoundingly fired home the second goal of the contest, after some tricky feet from his compatriot, Jeremy Doku found him in plenty of space to strike a fierce effort past a helpless Matz Sels.
Whilst the City captain showed off his class with that finish, Doku would also time after time show off his daringness on the ball to push his stuttering side on to a much-needed three points, with the tricky 5 foot 8 ace amassing a stunning six successful dribbles to constantly leave the visitors guessing.
There were also the likes of Bernando Silva, who scored early on to kickstart the positive display, alongside Erling Haaland who set up Doku’s decisive third goal.
But, it was the performance of Jack Grealish that rightfully won plaudits when the dust had settled on the comprehensive win, with the former Aston Villa gem excelling in a deeper role for his bruised side to soften the continued blow of Rodri still being sidelined.
Grealish's performance in numbers
Accused of playing “like a mannequin at times” by ex-City shot-stopper Shay Given when chucked out to the left wing, Guardiola gambled on the exciting talent to come good in a holding midfield spot this mid-week, and it more than paid off.
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The City number ten would confidently spray the ball around the pitch across his 89 minutes, with Grealish exiting the field of play with a sublime 98% pass accuracy in-tact, alongside other glowing numbers.
That ability to keep things ticking in the centre of the park is akin to the absent Rodri, who averaged a 92% pass rate in the Premier League last season.
Jack Grealish
Looking at the graphic above, it was a well-rounded display from the England international, who offered the same energy as Rodri usually offers in spades with seven successful duels being won, alongside also showing off his comfortable nature joining in with attacks with two shots registered.
Grealish’s top showing in an unfamiliar position wouldn’t go unnoticed by Daily Express journalist Amos Murphy, who dished out a high 8/10 rating to the 29-year-old post-match, stating that he provided a ‘much-needed bounce’ centrally.
Struggling at times to find a position that has best suited him in Manchester, it could be that this tweak to play him alongside Ilkay Gundogan in a deep role is an ingenious one, with Guardiola also stating that the Birmingham-born star did “brilliantly” with what was asked of him.
With Rodri sidelined for the foreseeable, the Spaniard will hope he’s finally found an adequate short-term replacement for the Ballon D’Or winner in Grealish, rather than the ageing Gundogan, as fixtures continue to come full pelt this December in the Premier League.
Man City’s next five PL fixtures
Date
Opponent
Location
7th of December
Crystal Palace
Away
15th of December
Manchester United
Home
21st of December
Aston Villa
Away
26th of December
Everton
Home
29th of December
Leicester City
Away
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The fixture list is also tough arguably, with a trip to Grealish’s former employers coming soon alongside a tense Manchester Derby, but Guardiola will hope his troops have turned a corner after a comfortable win over Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
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