Tottenham teenager refuses January exit in desperate bid to impress Ange

A Tottenham Hotspur youngster is actively refusing to go out on loan in January as he’s determined to stay home, impress manager Ange Postecoglou and work his way into the Australian’s plans.

Spurs lose to Galatasaray and Ipswich in a disastrous week for Ange

The international break couldn’t have come soon enough for Postecoglou and co following a disastrous week, with Tottenham losing to Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Europa League and newly promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

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The Lilywhites could compete with Harry Kane’s side for his signature in the winter.

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In truth, Spurs were lucky to escape Galatasaray with a 3-2 defeat, as the Süper Lig side had plenty of chances to embarrass them by a much greater scoreline on the night, with Ipswich following that up by sealing a shock victory in north London just days later.

Kieran McKenna’s side secured their first top-flight victory of the campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Postecoglou criticised since then, as supporters and pundits scratch their heads over the stop-start nature of Spurs’ early-season form.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League games

Date

Man City vs Tottenham

November 23

Tottenham vs Fulham

December 1

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

December 5

Tottenham vs Chelsea

December 8

Southampton vs Tottenham

December 15

As well as defeat to Ipswich, Crystal Palace managed to seal their first three points of the campaign against the Lilywhites at Selhurst Park, with the top-four hopefuls also slumping to a 3-2 defeat at Brighton after squandering a two-goal advantage.

Amid their lacklustre start to the campaign, Tottenham are reportedly plotting January talks to sign Hugo Larsson from Eintracht Frankfurt, among other potential targets, in a bid to strengthen the squad and hand Postecoglou the best chance of making something out of his second full season in charge.

“We didn’t start the game well at all. It was all sort of passive, without the ball, with the ball. I felt we didn’t get the tempo right or intensity right and then we gave ourselves a mountain to climb,” said Postecoglou on Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich.

“Second half, we were in the ascendancy and had opportunities, obviously but we didn’t do enough with them.

“They’re all different sorts of scenarios. When we went behind against Villa we were playing well. We weren’t playing well today. So you’ve got to look at [it] in isolation today, it was a different scenario for me. I don’t think it was anything like last time. We gave ourselves too much of a deficit to try to overcome. Obviously, second half we had the opportunities to do that, but we should never have been in that position.”

Archie Gray determined to impress Postecoglou at Tottenham

One player who hasn’t played a major role so far, particularly in the Premier League, has been summer signing Archie Gray.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his first top-flight start, with both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr ahead of him in the pecking order, and there have been reports that Tottenham are expecting clubs to make loan offers for Gray in January.

However, GiveMeSport claims that Gray is actively refusing to leave in January, as the Englishman is determined to impress Postecoglou and show the tactician that there is a place for him in the Spurs starting lineup on a regular basis.

The former Leeds sensation wants to continue improving in N17 whilst immersing himself in life at Spurs rather than go out on a temporary spell elsewhere – despite an array of clubs in the Premier League and Championship weighing up a mid-season approach.

Catarinense: no sufoco, Figueirense vira pra cima do Marcílio Dias no Scarpelli

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar de ficar em condições mais favoráveis desde a reta final da primeira etapa, o Figueirense precisou correr duas vezes atrás do placar e conseguir uma sofrida vitória por 3 a 2 diante do Marcílio Dias nesta quinta-feira (10) em confronto que valeu pela sexta rodada do Campeonato Catarinense.

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A tabela do Catarinense com o empate entre Figueira x Marcílio

NA BASE DA BOLA PARADA

Mal a partida na capital catarinense havia começado e, aos seis minutos, o placar já estava aberto, porém não a favor dos donos da casa. Após penalidade marcada para o Marinheiro em lance onde o árbitro Diego da Costa Cidral viu Zé Vitor ser derrubado na pequena área por Rodolfo Castro, o atacante mostrou categoria na batida e converteu, colocando bola do lado direito com o goleiro do Figueira caindo no canto oposto.

Se o Marcílio Dias precisou se valer da bola parada para fazer o primeiro gol da partida por intermédio de um “Zé” que vestia a camisa 9, o mesmo valeu para o Alvinegro em uma potente batida de falta executada por Zé Mario. Aos 25′, o centroavante dos anfitriões encheu o pé e não deu possibilidade de defesa para o arqueiro Renan que até pulou, mas não alcançou.

DURO GOLPE

Enquanto até então o confronto parecia ser disputado tanto em igualdade de ações de perigo como na questão numérica, o segundo aspecto acabou afetado de maneira prejudicial ao Marinheiro. Já amarelado, o atacante Klenisson acertou o rosto de seu marcador com a mão e, tomando a segunda advertência, acabou recebendo o vermelho.

NO ESTILO E NA RAÇA

Diante da desvantagem na quantidade de atletas em campo, o Marcílio tinha consciência de que precisaria resistir a pressão e aproveitar qualquer chance que surgisse de marcar o tento para colocar o clube do interior na dianteira. E essa chance veio com 14 minutos quando Zé Vitor interceptou o passe de Muriel e, de muito longe, acertou um lindo chute no extremo canto esquerdo de Rodolfo Castro.

Precisando buscar o resultado, o Alvinegro não deixou de pressionar o adversário e acabou capitalizando na bola áerea, explorando a altura e físico de Gustavo Henrique. Depois de bola alçada que veio com desvio na primeira trave, o atacante acertou o alvo de cabeça e deixou a partida novamente empatada na cidade de Florianópolis.

O TENTO DO ALÍVIO

Com o ímpeto do tento da igualdade, o Figueirense seguiu avançando em busca do triunfo que se confirmou com um lindo gol marcado pelo meio-campista Oberdan. Após lance do lado direito com o passe de Natan Masiero, o número 8 do Furacão do Estreito raciocinou rapidamente ao dominar de pé direito e encher o pé com a esquerda, rasteiro, fugindo do alcance de Renan.

FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA
​FIGUEIRENSE 3 x 2 MARCÍLIO DIAS

Local: Orlando Scarpelli, em Florianópolis (SC)
​Data e hora: 10/02/2022 – 20h (de Brasília)
Público e renda:2619 pessoas – R$ 54.648,00
Árbitro:Diego da Costa Cidral
Assistentes:Hector Andrew Lisboa Jacques e Antônio Lourival da Luz
Cartões amarelos: Muriel, Zé Mário (FIG); Klenisson, Moisés, Renan (MDI)
Cartões vermelhos: Klenisson (MDI)

GOLS: Zé Vitor (6’/1°T) (0-1), Zé Mario (25’/1°T) (1-1), Zé Vitor (14’/2°T) (1-2), Gustavo Henrique (22’/2°T) (2-2), Oberdan (36’/2°T) (3-2)

FIGUEIRENSE (Técnico: Júnior Rocha)

Rodolfo Castro; Muriel (Natan Masiero, aos 20’/2°T), Maurício, Luis Fernando e Zé Mario (Pablo, aos 43’/2°T); Uesley Gaúcho (Patrick, aos 20’/2°T), Oberdan e Jhon Cley; Luizinho (Índio, aos 32’/2°T), Andrew (Kauê, aos 20’/2°T) e Gustavo Henrique.

MARCÍLIO DIAS (Técnico: Fernando Tonet)

Renan; Victor Guilherme (Marcel, aos 44’/2°T), Murilo Henrique, Edimar e Rômulo; Moisés (Daniel Pereira, aos 14’/2°T), Julinho e Douglas Packer (Alessandro Lucas, aos 44’/2°T); Zé Vitor (Breno, aos 26’/2°T), Klenisson e Augusto (PH, aos 13’/2°T).

Juventus could now offer Crystal Palace £40m+ ace in swap deal to sign Eze

European giants Juventus are now ready to table an intriguing offer for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in the coming transfer windows as they look to lure the Englishman away from Selhurst Park, according to a new report.

Crystal Palace struggling without Michael Olise

Having lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich over the summer, Crystal Palace have endured a tough start to their Premier League campaign, with Oliver Glasner’s side having picked up just one win so far this season.

Currently in the relegation zone, they are consistently drawing games, with only Ipswich Town having managed more draws in the top flight so far this campaign. However, they will feel that they should have managed more points, having taken the lead against Aston Villa twice at Villa Park over the weekend only to throw it away on both occasions.

Crystal Palace now keen on £16m forward for Glasner ahead of 2025 swoop

The Eagles are looking for some additional firepower in January.

1 ByBen Browning Nov 25, 2024

After the match, Glasner claimed he was proud of his side but also admitted that he felt “a little bit of disappointment.”

“We had the lead twice but conceded the second goal after a set play, which is not what you want. You have to accept that when you give Villa 10 corners, they are so good. They had two or three headers in the same area – the ball is like a laser. We got punished.”

The absence of Olise has been keenly felt, while Eze has yet to recreate the form that made him so reportedly in-demand over the summer, and with tricky fixtures ahead they will be hoping that he can do so sooner rather than later.

Crystal Palace’s next five Premier League games

Newcastle United (Home)

Ipswich Town (Away)

Manchester City (Home)

Brighton (Away)

Arsenal (Home)

Now, an intriguing offer could be coming their way for the England international.

Juventus plot Crystal Palace swap deal for Eze

That comes as reports out of Italy claim that Juventus are interested in signing Eze in 2025, and could offer a swap deal to get it done. Famously poor at simply stumping up transfer fees for players, the Serie A giants often try to find ways to improve their squad on the cheap, either via loans, player swaps or lowball offers.

Now, they have fixed their gaze on Eze, and SpazioJ [Via Sport Witness] claim that they are plotting a player swap to try and tempt Palace into selling.

Eberechi Eze celebrates for Crystal Palace

They could be willing to offer midfielder Douglas Luiz as part of the deal, with the Brazilian having failed to take to life in Juventus colours since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer in a deal worth more than £40m.

So far, Luiz has started just two Serie A games under Thiago Motta, and it is reported that “the Bianconeri could insert Luiz in a potential move” for Eze, offering Luiz a way out and a return to the Premier League, where he starred for Aston Villa.

Of course, a deal in the middle of the season seems unlikely, while Palace already boast strong options in midfield in the shape of Cheick Doucoure and Adam Wharton. Meanwhile, Luiz’s £40m+ price tag is far from the £60m price tag that Palace slapped on Eze over the summer, so cash may be needed as well.

VÍDEO: assista aos bastidores da vitória do Flamengo sobre o Madureira no Conselheiro Galvão

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo suou, mas venceu o Madureira, por 2 a 1 e de virada, na última quarta, pela 7ª rodada do Carioca. O Rubro-Negro marcou com Everton Ribeiro e Arão no último teste do time de Paulo Sousa antes de decidir a Supercopa do Brasil, em duelo que marcou o reencontro do clube com o Estádio Conselheiro Galvão, após nove anos. Assista aos bastidores no vídeo acima.

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

Às 16h deste domingo, Flamengo e Atlético-MG duelam pela Supercopa do Brasil. O duelo será realizado em Cuiabá e terá transmissão em Tempo Real do LANCE!, direto da Arena Pantanal.

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Shabnim Ismail's four-for gives South Africa series win

South Africa have now won each of their last five ODI series

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2022

File photo – Shabnim Ismail picked up 4 for 44•Cameron Spencer/ICC/Getty Images

Shabnim Ismail picked up four wickets as South Africa Women beat West Indies Women by six wickets in Johannesburg to seal the four-match ODI series 2-1 after the first game was washed out.South Africa have now won each of their last five ODI series, a streak that started with a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in January 2020.On Sunday, West Indies were without their regular captain Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation – both had suffered on-field injuries during the third ODI. In Taylor’s absence, stand-in captain Anisa Mohammed opted to bat first after winning the toss but West Indies were all out for only 174 in the 50th over.Ismail removed Rashada Williams early before Deandra Dottin and Kycia Knight added 65 for the second wicket. It was Ismail once again who broke the stand with Dottin’s wicket. Shortly afterwards, Knight fell as well, to Chloe Tryon, leaving West Indies 104 for 3.Two runs later, a stunning catch by Laura Wolvaardt off the bowling of Tumi Sekhukhune sent back Hayley Matthews. It was a short and wide delivery that the batter went to cut but couldn’t keep it down. Wolvaardt, standing at cover-point, threw herself to her right and plucked a one-handed catch.

The rest of the batting line-up offered little resistance, with Ayabonga Khaka and Ismail running through the lower-middle and lower order. Had it not been for an unbeaten seven-ball 15 from No. 11 Shamilia Connell West Indies would have been bundled out for an even smaller total.Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits started the chase solidly, adding 38 in 9.1 overs. Although both the openers fell in quick succession, Andrie Steyn, who was playing her first ODI since May 2019, and Sune Luus put the chase back on track with an 88-run stand for the third wicket.Anisa eventually dismissed both of them, Luus for 47 and Steyn for 52, but it was too late by then. Tryon wrapped up the game in the 40th over with a flurry of boundaries.

أحمد شوبير: لاعب الأهلي يُغير قراره بشأن الرحيل.. ويوجه تحذيرًا

شهدت الساعات الماضية تطورًا جديدًا بشأن موقف أحد لاعبي الفريق الأول بالنادي الأهلي، بعدما كان قريبًا من الرحيل عن القلعة الحمراء في ظل انتهاء عقده بنهاية الموسم الجاري، قبل أن تشهد الأيام الأخيرة تحولًا كبيرًا في وجهته.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “حمزة علاء، حتى الأيام الأخيرة كان بعيدًا عن التجديد للنادي الأهلي، لكنه الآن اقترب جدًا من التجديد للقلعة الحمراء، لمدة 3 أو 5 سنوات”.

وتابع: “حمزة علاء كان يمتلك عرضًا من فرنسا، لكن مسؤولي الأهلي عقدوا جلسة مع اللاعب منذ 3 أيام، وتم الاتفاق على الخطوط العريضة لتجديد التعاقد، والكابتن محمد رمضان والكابتن محمد شوقي، يبذلان مجهودًا كبيرًا في ملف التعاقدات”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير يُلمح لاقتراب زيزو من الأهلي ويُصرح: صفقة مدوية ضمن 3 محلية

ووجه شوبير رسالة للأندية بشأن تأخير فتح مفاوضات التجديد مع اللاعبين، حيث قال: “الأهلي كانت عنده أزمة في السابق، في عدم فتح المفاوضات مُبكرًا مع أحمد فتحي وعبد الله السعيد، لذلك الثنائي رحل، والزمالك تأخر جدًا في الحديث مع زيزو عن التجديد الفعلي، فأصبحت هناك مشكلة”.

واختتم: “نفس الأمر بالنسبة لـ رامي ربيعة ومحمد الشناوي وحمزة علاء وياسر إبراهيم، فلا يصح أن تنتظر كل هذا الوقت لكي تُفاتح اللاعبين في ملف التجديد، هذا الأمر لا بد أن يتم قبل انتهاء عقود اللاعبين بـ سنة أو سنتين طبقًا لحاجة الفريق للاعب، فأتمنى أن تحذر الأندية من هذا الأمر”.

Liverpool make contact to sign £180k-p/w Bayern Munich star alongside Sane

Liverpool have now made contact to sign another Bayern Munich star alongside soon-to-be free agent Leroy Sane, according to a fresh report.

Liverpool could be set for summer overhaul

Arne Slot has enjoyed an exceptional start to his time at Anfield, with Liverpool seven points clear atop the Premier League and unbeaten in the Champions League too.

The ex-Feyenoord man has achieved this with almost an identical squad to that which Jurgen Klopp left at the end of last season, with Federico Chiesa the club’s only summer arrival and injury having restricted him to just three appearances for his new side to date.

Everton v Liverpool: Ranking the 10 best Merseyside derby goals

The two rivals have shared a superb catalogue of strikes against each other over the years.

ByHenry Jackson Dec 6, 2024

2025, however, is likely to be a very different situation. There will certainly be an exit in goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili already confirmed to be arriving at the end of the current campaign as Alisson’s backup and likely eventual successor.

Meanwhile, there are rumours over Liverpool finding a replacement for left-back Andy Robertson, who is now 30 years old. A midfielder was on Slot’s wishlist over the summer, with Martin Zubimendi the no.1 target, and they are set to revisit that position next summer despite the encouraging performances of Ryan Gravenberch.

Ryan Gravenberch in 2024-25 (Premier League)

Appearances

14

Goals

0

Assists

1

Yellow Cards

4

Pass Accuracy

89.1%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

3.94

Then there are the contract conundrums, with all of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold out of contract at the end of the season as things stand, and their futures still unclear amid interest from across Europe.

It means that wholesale changes could take place over the summer, and the Reds will want to ensure that they are getting value for money with any potential additions.

To that end, they have already been tipped to use free agents to their advantage once next summer to sign Sane from Bayern Munich. Reports have even claimed the Reds are now best placed to sign Sane and they are keen on another Bayern star after they made contact for another talent from the Bavarian side.

Liverpool 'make contact' with Bayern Munich star

That comes as The Boot Room claim that the Reds are one of several sides who have made contact with the representatives of Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies ahead of his contract at the Allianz Arena expiring next summer.

As mentioned, Liverpool could be on the hunt for a left-back and have been linked with the likes of Milos Kerkez and Antonee Robinson in recent weeks. However, both would be costly to sign from Premier League rivals, while Davies could offer them a chance to save significant transfer fees, though his £180k a week wages would likely be more than those demanded by either defender.

As per the report, “both Liverpool and Man United have contacted the representatives of Alphonso Davies”, and the pair both “view Davies’ contract debacle as an opportunity ‘too good’ to ignore.”

Any interested party will have to act fast though, with reports suggesting that Bayern “have made significant progress regarding a contract extension” in recent days, though it is “not a done deal yet” and “more details need to be clarified”.

Liverpool could yet try an opportunistic swoop for his services, but their window of opportunity may be closing imminently so they may well have to hurry up if they are serious about sealing a deal for the Canadian speedster.

من أجل تشابي ألونسو.. الرئيس التنفيذي لـ باير ليفركوزن: تمنيت سحق ريال مدريد لـ آرسنال

علق فرناندو كارو، الرئيس التنفيذي لنادي باير ليفركوزن الألماني، على شائعات ربط المدرب تشابي ألونسو بتولي قيادة ريال مدريد وخلافة كارلو أنشيلوتي.

وفي ظل النتائج المتذبذبة للمدرب أنشيلوتي هذا الموسم مع ريال مدريد، واقتراب الخروج من دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد الخسارة بذهاب ربع النهائي 3-0 من آرسنال، انتشرت التقارير حول إقالته.

طالع أيضًا.. أرتيتا يتحدى ريال مدريد: علينا أن نستحق التأهل وتقديم أداء أفضل في مباراة الإياب

وفي تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، للرئيس التنفيذي لـ باير ليفركوزن فرناندو كارو، حيث قال: “كنت سأكون أكثر سعادة لو كان ريال مدريد هزم آرسنال بنتيجة ساحقة”.

وأضاف: “من الطبيعي في كرة القدم أن تنتشر الشائعات بعد خسارة ريال مدريد بنتيجة مثل 3-0 في ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، هذا أمر طبيعي ومفهوم”.

واختتم: “لهذا السبب كنت أتمنى تجنب هذه الشائعات بفوز ريال مدريد على آرسنال، وهنا كان أنشيلوتي يضمن استمراره لوقت أطول”.

Altos e Fortaleza ficam no empate pela Copa do Nordeste

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado (5), Altos e Fortaleza ficaram no empate pela Copa do Nordeste, em Teresina. Os gols da partida foram marcados por Yago Pikachu e Betinho, ambos da segunda etapa.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

JOGO BOM!
O Fortaleza começou melhor a partida e teve boa oportunidade de marcar. Juninho cobrou escanteio e Benevenuto cabeceou com perigo. Logo depois, Matheus Vargas recebeu na meia lua e chutou por cima. A resposta do Altos veio com Manoel, também em cabeceio.

Em seguida, João Carlos chutou forte, para fora. Mais tarde, em nova oportunidade, desta vez, em contragolpe, Tibiri recebeu nas costas, arriscou e mandou para fora. Aos 35′, João Carlos chutou de direita no ângulo e a bola pegou na trave, tendo a última boa oportunidade.

ESQUENTOU!
Na volta do intervalo, Jussa arriscou de longe e Andrey defendeu. Em seguida, o Altos chegou com Manoel, escorando de cabeça. Aos oito, Jussa foi acionado na linha de fundo, tentou assistência, Mimica tentou o corte e a bola pegou na trave. Logo depois, Manoel recebeu nas costas da defesa e chutou para fora.

Aos 11′,Vargas chutou de fora da área, a bola quicou, enganou Andrey e quase acertou o cantinho. A resposta do Altos foi com Marconi cruzando na medida para Manoel, que cabecear para fora. Aos 13′,Yago Pikachu pegou de primeira, cruzamento da esquerda e abriu o placar, com categoria.

Depois do gol a partida perdeu poder ofensivo das duas equipes. Com o Fortaleza tendo controle através da posse de bola. Aos 39′,Betinho dominou a bola na entrada da área, girou, chutou e contou com desvio no meio do caminho e empatou a partida.

FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA
Altos x Fortaleza

Local: EstádioLindolfo Monteiro, Teresina-PI
Data/horário: 05/03/2022 – 17h45 (de Brasília)
​Árbitro principal: Jose Ricardo Vasconcellos Laranjeira (AL)
Auxiliar 1: Esdras Mariano de Lima Albuquerque (AL)
Auxiliar 2: Lennon Mccartney Farias Paes (AL)
Quarto árbitro: Ideilon Helton Alves Lima (PI)
Cartões amarelos: Lucas Sousa (Altos), Hércules (Fortaleza)
Cartões vermelhos:

GOLS: Yago Pikachu (11’/2T) (0-1), Betinho (39’/2T) (1-1)

Altos – Técnico: Carlos Rabelo
Andrey, João Carlos (Júlio Ferrari 25’/2T), Mimica, Lucas Sousa e Dieyson; Tibiri (Jarbas 23’/2T), Marconi e Dieguinho; Alexandre Quaresma (Netinho 20’/2T), Manoel (Betinho 20’/2T) e Dico (Danillo Bala 23’/2T).

Fortaleza – Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda
Max Walef; Tinga (Landázuri – intervalo), Benevenuto e Ceballos (Titi 32’/2T); Pikachu, Hércules, Jussa, Matheus Vargas (Moisés 17’/2T) e Juninho Capixaba; Silvio Romero (Ronald 24’/2T) e Igor Torres (Romarinho 17’/2T).

Nkrumah Bonner's masterclass in patience gives West Indies first-innings lead

Bonner racks up 123 in marathon knock as hosts build 62-run buffer

Valkerie Baynes10-Mar-2022

Nkrumah Bonner acknowledges the crowd after reaching his second Test hundred•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Nkrumah Bonner played an innings of patience, resilience and reward to mirror his international career with a hard-earned century guiding West Indies to a first-innings lead over England.Bonner fell for 123 shortly before stumps on the third day in Antigua, to the elation of England’s bowlers who had done it tough on a benign pitch against a stubborn West Indies line-up. Veerasammy Permaul offered keen resistance to remain unbeaten on 26 at stumps with Jayden Seales yet to score and the hosts 62 runs ahead.At the age of 33, Bonner raised the second century of his fledgling Test career, which is only 10 matches old and began in February last year – almost a decade after he made his international debut in a T20 against England at the Oval in 2011. Bonner played just one more T20I, in March 2012, before eventually earning a recall to the West Indies set-up, initially in January last year for three ODIs in Bangladesh before playing two Tests on that same tour.His first Test ton had come at the same ground as this one, a similarly attritional 113 not out in a Player-of-the-Match performance in the drawn first Test with Sri Lanka. On this occasion, he batted for nine hours to lead West Indies’ recovery from 127 for 4, build a small but potentially crucial lead and put merciless miles in the legs of an England attack without – no, not – an injured Mark Wood, who disappeared to the changing room shortly before lunch having bowled just five overs for the day and 17 for the match before succumbing to an elbow problem.Bonner resumed on 34 not out and with West Indies 109 runs in arrears, having helped haul the hosts back into the contest in partnership with Jason Holder after the tumble of wickets had all but ruined the solid foundation laid by an 83-run opening stand on day two.Holder fell to Ben Stokes – and his own indecision – early on the third day, adding just two runs to his overnight 43 before making a late move to leave one around off stump and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, ending his union with Bonner at 79.Stokes almost had Bonner, on 40 at the time, attempting to pull a bouncer which looped towards midwicket, where substitute fielder Ollie Pope dived forward but couldn’t manage to grasp it.Bonner brought up his fifty prodding a single through the covers and he faced another 15 balls for his next scoring shot, launching Wood over the fence at fine leg for six off a top edge.He had a life on 73, when Zak Crawley spilled an edge off Jack Leach at slip, but reached his century off 257 deliveries on the second ball of the evening session, sweeping a Leach half-volley on leg stump behind square for four. Bonner celebrated with a relieved sigh as he embraced Kemar Roach, with whom he ultimately shared a partnership to follow the theme of the day – patience – worth 44 off 173 balls for the eighth wicket.But when Bonner nudged Leach to backward point and the pair dashed off for a single, they were chancing the arm of Pope, who fired the ball to the striker’s end and Foakes removed the bails with Roach just shy of his crease. Roach had provided steadfast support to Bonner, facing 89 balls for his 15 runs.Twice England thought they had Bonner lbw to Leach but they failed to overturn Joel Wilson’s decisions, upheld on umpire’s call with ball-tracking suggesting it was clipping leg stump on both occasions. Bonner was also given out lbw to Stokes on 121 but successfully reviewed after getting an inside edge.They finally broke through when captain Joe Root, running out of ideas, brought Dan Lawrence into the attack to almost immediate effect as Bonner feathered his fifth delivery to Foakes down the leg side, although it took an England review to overturn umpire Gregory Brathwaite’s not-out decision with replays showing the faintest of edges.Stokes ended up bowling 28 overs – with 2 for 42 to show for it – his heaviest innings workload since 2015, having only just returned to bowling after breaking down with a side strain in the fourth Ashes Test.Much had been made of England’s 12-match stretch without breaking the 300-mark before Jonny Bairstow’s century led them to 311 in their first innings here, but West Indies had endured a virtually identical run dating back to the second Test against Sri Lanka in Antigua last March.Their ability to forge partnerships was key as they passed the milestone on Thursday, all but the first one held together by Bonner, on a day when 171 runs were scored from 90.1 overs.His most-substantial stand of the day came with Joshua Da Silva, who wisely reviewed his lbw dismissal to Craig Overton when on 16, but there was no such reprieve shortly after lunch when Leach, who at that point had bowled well for no reward, rapped him on the back pad with one that skidded onto the knee roll. Da Silva’s review failed this time, with replays showing the ball was hitting leg stump, but he had already helped add another 73 valuable runs.

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