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More managers have been sacked this season than in any previous campaign, but plenty of others have thrived in the Premier League jungle.

The Premier League has gone sacking crazy this season, with 14 managers in total losing their jobs during the 2022-23 campaign. Some of the dismissals came as a surprise, others were long overdue, while one or two came close to breaking the internet.

This churn of head coaches shows little sign of slowing down next season, either. The financial rewards for remaining in the Premier League or qualifying for Europe are so massive that clubs will do anything to earn a few more precious points.

With so many different sackees to keep track of, you might need your memory jogging to recall some of the coaches that have taken charge of top-flight sides over the past nine months. So, we've decided to provide a valuable public service by assessing the jobs done by all 34 Premier League managers this season.

A quick disclaimer before we get going: There is a really crowded field at the top of the list that were hard to separate, with a whole of host of candidates thriving in wildly different conditions this season. Picking an order for the bottom end of the list wasn't much easier. A variety of factors including pre-job expectations, budget and player quality, all influenced each manager's final position.

A few of the rankings might change when the final round of fixtures is complete, too. Anyway, enough stalling, let's get underway…

(C)GettyImages34Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard nearly dragged teams into the relegation dogfight this season. That's enough to earn bottom spot, surely? After being sacked by Everton with the Toffees languishing in the drop zone, James Corden (apparently) convinced Todd Boehly to give his mate another shot at the Chelsea job on an interim basis.

Many predicted that Lampard's return would go badly – and they have been proved right. The Blues went perilously close to failing to win any of Lampard's games in charge, with a narrow victory over Bournemouth sparing them that particular dishonour.

Although the Blues are dysfunctional on and off the pitch, their caretaker manager has done a poor job since taking over. His team selections have often been bizarre, he's failed to impart any sort of identity on his players, and he's refused to take responsibility for his failings when dealing with the media.

Going back to the Bridge was supposed to be a free hit for Lampard. However, after flopping so spectacularly, he will leave at the end of the season with his managerial reputation in the gutter.

AdvertisementGetty33Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones, we will never forget you. He may have essentially condemned Southampton to relegation by losing six of his seven Premier League games in charge, but he did provide a long list of all-time great press conference quotes.

Some of his greatest hits included claiming Wolves were at an advantage after being reduced to 10 men, starting beef with Havant & Waterlooville manager Paul Doswell, having a pop at his own fans after a 3-0 defeat to Brentford and boldly stating that he was the best coach in Europe during his time at Luton Town.

Oh yeah, and this beauty of course: "I could have stayed in a mining community, been a PE teacher and had a nice life, married a nice Welsh girl. I don’t. I want to test myself on every level & that’s nothing against Welsh women. I want to test myself."

Jones was scarily out of his depth at the top level. The only reason he's not bottom? Well, he stopped Man City romping to a potential quadruple by knocking them out of the Carabao Cup!

Getty Images32Steve Davis

Steve Davis provided Wolves with the anti-new-manager bounce this season. Drafted in as a short-term solution when Bruno Lage was let go, Davis ended up staying in the dugout until the World Cup break. He only managed one Premier League victory – when his side squeaked past Nottingham Forest courtesy of a Ruben Neves penalty – with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Leicester marking a particular low point.

In short, Davis showed little to suggest he belongs in the Premier League, which is probably why Nantwich Town, Crewe Alexandra and Leyton Orient are the other clubs on his managerial CV.

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Getty Images31Brendan Rodgers

The thing that irked Leicester fans so much about Brendan Rodgers wasn't necessarily the Foxes' poor results. Instead, it was his complete inability to hide the fact that he had grown tired of life at the King Power Stadium that really wrangled.

Rodgers was sacked with his previously top-four contending side deep in the relegation mire. His poor recruitment and odd selection decisions were a big reason why.

Although he worked wonders in the East Midlands before it unravelled, his final months as Leicester manager were properly grim. Simply put, that squad of players should have been doing better and Rodgers must shoulder a significant portion of the blame for their abject failure.

The U.S. men's national team allowed a late equalizer to Gareth Bale in an action-packed 1-1 draw on Monday.

For much of Monday's World Cup opener, the USMNT's young stars shined bright as could be. If the players were nervous, they didn't show it. They played like a team determined, a team more than ready for an occasion that many thought would be overwhelmed.

It never did. The Stars and Stripes never were overmatched and certainly weren't outplayed, but they dropped points anyway. So it goes at a World Cup.

And so it goes when the other team has Gareth Bale, a man for the big occasion. There are no events bigger than a World Cup, so of course Bale would make his mark.

He erased Tim Weah's first-half opener and, more importantly, erased a USMNT performance that could be categorized as dominant.

Domination doesn't equal points, though, a lesson the young USMNT learned on Monday night.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

WINNER: Wales fans

If this sport was based on passion alone, Wales would be lifting the World Cup.

What a night this was for Welsh fans. Hours before kickoff, they were loud and proud, singing, dancing, celebrating. And why wouldn't they? They've waited 64 years for this moment.

There were families in attendance, young and old scattered throughout the crowd celebrating the country's first World Cup in a generation.

The singing? Spectacular. The national anthem? Spine-tingling. The pure emotion of it all? Unmatched.

This is what the World Cup is about: a country full of people coming together to love something bigger than themselves.

And when that Bale goal hit, what a sound. They deserved the celebration. They waited long enough for it.

WINNER: Tim Weah

Take away the goal for just a second, we'll get back to that.

Let's start with Weah's overall play and how he fits with this USMNT. He knows his role so, so well and, against Wales, he executed it to perfection.

With Christian Pulisic cutting in on the other side and Sergino Dest cutting in next to him, Weah's job is to offer that downfield option and keep the defense stretched. He did that, and then got a goal for good measure. His diagonal run was picture-perfect. His finish was, too. The knee side celebration could use some work but, hey, it was his first World Cup goal.

It was also USMNT's first World Cup goal in eight years, and it sent the stadium into a frenzy. It was a deserved one from the attacker that deserved it most.

Weah had been keeping Wales honest all half and, finally, the defense folded. You couldn't ask for much more from him.

WINNER: Gareth Bale

Just when you thought it wouldn't happen, it did, in fact happen. How could anyone doubt Gareth Bale?

He'd been shackled all night, with the USMNT midfield strangling him for nearly the entire game. But then, the moment, the one he needed.

Walker Zimmerman went right through him in the box and the whole world knew what would happen next. He absolutely smashed the ball into the back of the net for the World Cup goal his country waited so long for.

He's not the old Bale by a long shot. He looked nothing like it tonight. But who cares? He's still big-game Bale, and he did it again.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

LOSER: Walker Zimmerman

It was all going so well.

The USMNT was seemingly on its way to victory. The team had a 1-0 lead and despite some Wales threats, the U.S. was doing just fine.

And then Zimmerman went straight through Bale and everything changed.

He had done little wrong prior, but that won't be what matters. What matters is one moment, and it ultimately decided the game.

One penalty, one goal and two points dropped. It'll be a tough one to take for Zimmerman and the USMNT.

LOSER: USMNT's hopes of advancing

It was right there for the Stars and Stripes. They seemingly had it and were well on their way to a result that would have made this all seem easier.

Now, though, the U.S. will need to grind their way out of the group.

A win would have made the road much, much easier. With England looming, the U.S. would know that a result in the final game against Iran would almost certainly be enough. Now, a result in that final game may be a necessity.

It'll all be tough to stomach for the U.S. as the road has just become a bit harder. Any points against England would be a major benefit, but you can't expect that. And that means it may all come down to Iran and, ultimately, goal differential.

Buckle up, USMNT fans. This one was a stomach-turner, but it's only the start.

LOSER: Yellow cards

For a bit, it looked like the Oprah meme.

"You get a yellow! You get a yellow! You get a yellow!"

The cautions came thick and fast for the USMNT, which now see a few key players walking the line heading into the second game. Suspensions are suddenly a real risk at several spots after a quick flurry of yellows.

Sergino Dest was the first to get booked for a slightly soft foul on Neco Williams in the 11th minute. And then the Wales fullback drew a card for Weston McKennie just two minutes later. Ream was handed one too early in the second half, putting a slight damper on an otherwise spectacular performance.

Wales wasn't exempt either, with Bale and Chris Mepham drawing cards.

Several of those cards were deserved, several weren't. The referee had a tough game overall, with several calls igniting the crowd's ire. But both teams now will see key players in a tough spot heading into their second game.

Getty ImagesUSMNT ratings: Defense

Matt Turner (6/10):

Had little to do aside from one nice save. Nothing he could do on the Bale penalty.

Antonee Robinson (6/10):

Got forward well and created. Solid performance.

Tim Ream (8/10):

An absolute rock at the back. Was close to perfect aside from the yellow.

Walker Zimmerman (5/10):

The penalty ruined the day, even if he had been playing well before it.

Sergino Dest (6/10):

Was his typical self, cutting in and keeping the defense honest. Largely mistake-free.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Tyler Adams (6/10):

Broke up play well enough but, like the rest of the midfield, was a bit quieter in the second half as Wales pushed forward.

Weston McKennie (6/10):

Plenty of bite, but little substance. Didn't quite have that game-changing impact we all know he has.

Yunus Musah (7/10):

Showed why he can be essentially unstoppable. Was so good on the turn and put Wales in some really bad positions.

Gio Reyna has endured his fair share of injuries, with spells on the sidelines leading to the United States international kicking a video game habit.

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Midfielder has struggled with knocksEnjoying full fitness at presentHas changed routine off the pitchWHAT HAPPENED?

The Borussia Dortmund playmaker is still just 20 years of age, but he is into a fifth season in senior football. Reyna has passed the 100-appearance mark in Germany, but would have liked to have reached that mark much earlier than he did.

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Fitness issues have held him back at times, but stints on the treatment table have allowed the highly-rated midfielder to change his personal life for the better. Reyna has told Tim Ream’s podcast: “You learn things that you try to add into your rhythm, so it’s not just training, coming home, sitting alone, playing video games. Try to get more healthy habits into your day-to-day life, whether it’s going for a walk, or I don’t know, reading something, or just trying to pick up a new little habit.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Reyna has taken important lessons from his injury setbacks and feels he has become a stronger player and person because of them. He added: “You learn a lot in the process of being injured, not only physically but mentally. I’m only 20 and I feel like in the last few years I’ve gained so much more experience that I even try to give to younger guys here, and the younger guys at Dortmund too. Football can eat you up and spit you out at times. It’s a ruthless business, which everyone knows, and you face it at some point in your career.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Reyna has returned to the USMNT squad during the latest international break. He was included from the off by Gregg Berhalter in a friendly date with Germany – with 65 minutes taken in as United States attempt to come up with a system that allows them to get their best players into the same starting XI.

Three USA players have said they are definitely withdrawing their availability for USA’s scheduled tour to Uganda in October over safety and security concerns

Peter Della Penna02-Sep-2014Three USA players have said they are definitely withdrawing their availability for USA’s scheduled tour to Uganda in October over safety and security concerns, while three others have said they are considering pulling out depending on how the situation continues to unfold. All three players who are committed to withdrawing played for USA in 2013 and can be termed as first-choice players for the national team, while two of the three who are considering withdrawing are also key players who could expect to be picked for the tour.The development comes ahead of a USA Cricket Association (USACA) board meeting this week to decide whether USACA will approve of sending a squad to participate in the six-team ICC WCL Division Three from October 26 to November 2. The event is part of the 2019 World Cup qualifying structure and the top two teams will be promoted to WCL Division Two in January.ESPNcricinfo has communicated with 16 players about the Uganda tour, all of whom have played for the USA. Seven of the 16 rated safety and security as a major concern for touring Uganda while four stated they had received pressure from family members not to go on the tour. The majority of players felt the ICC would provide adequate security for the team if the tour went ahead, but four players felt that USA’s squad would not be provided with any additional security compared to the other teams, while two felt there would not be enough security to convince them to go.”2010, that’s the safest tour I’ve been on and I felt safe on that tour,” one player told ESPNcricinfo. The player was referencing enhanced security for the team ahead of their first-ever match against Afghanistan on the 2010 tour to the UAE for the World T20 Qualifier. Those security arrangements were specially made by then USACA chief executive Don Lockerbie.”For every two players we had one security guard. If five or six of us went out, we had at least three security guards so we could go anywhere we wanted and would feel okay and not have to worry about anything but not on the other tour.” The player said that on a subsequent tour to Dubai for another World T20 Qualifier, USA had far less security to the point where he did not feel comfortable leaving the team hotel on his own. As such, he did not feel confident about any guarantees made by tournament organisers regarding security for the team in Uganda.The player was less concerned about general safety in the country and is more worried about Ebola virus as well as USA’s players being the target of a terrorist or kidnapping plot. In particular, the player mentioned the recent murder of an American journalist carried out by ISIS militants in the Middle East as something that factored into his decision to not travel to certain countries while representing a national team.”I listen to a lot of talk radio and politics. You’re going over there to represent America. Yes it probably won’t happen but I personally think about the worst situation. Anything could happen so it’s better to be safe than sorry. You will be wearing the uniform. The flag will be there. Word starts going around. It’s kind of sad that James Foley probably had nothing to do with this whole stuff. He was just a regular journalist and he got caught up in it. That’s probably the same mindset that he had, ‘What would they want with me? All of the politics that are happening here, I don’t have anything to do with it,’ but he actually got dragged into it.”Anything to do with America, there are so many people that really don’t like us so you just have to be really careful. Once you have anything to do with America, then more than likely you will be a target. I don’t look at it as whatever they have happening in the Middle East is the only branch. I think copycats and someone who has the same beliefs that they do will try to capitalise on whatever is going on.”Another player said he had been in regular contact with several players from Nepal on the issue, including one player who could be described as a key first-choice player, and that they held concerns mainly over Ebola virus but also some security concerns. Two other USA players said they would make themselves available for selection if the tournament is moved to Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal or the USA. One of those two will not play otherwise while the other is undecided on whether he will accept a squad invite if the tournament is not moved from Uganda.Most players are in favour of a USA team going on tour whether or not they themselves wind up traveling. Only two players said that anyone from USACA had reached out to them to get their opinions on the issue while many players said they had not had any communication with USACA since USA’s last tournament in November 2013. Of the two who want the tournament moved, one said the lack of a professional contract and support structure for USA was a consideration to not go to Uganda. Taking time off from work and risking personal safety for little to no pay was not worth the trip and that if a first-choice team can’t go, then USACA should consider calling off the tour.”Everybody wants to play for the USA. You would like to have your best team participating in the tournament and you’d like to win,” the player said. “If certain players want to go anyway and the USA qualifies, I’d be happy, but I won’t go. If USA can’t select the best 14, no I don’t think they should go because at the end of the day, it’s a product. If you send a product out there and the product is no good, then it’s going to reflect badly on you. To leave my job and go over there for how long and they won’t pay me, as much as I want to represent the USA, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not worth it, not at all.”The ICC has previously said in emails sent in August to the six participating countries that “there are currently no major concerns identified or any specific threats to the tournament, teams, match officials, match venues or hotels.” ESPNcricinfo contacted the ICC in August to ask if there was any contingency plan in place should USA or any other country withdraw from the event, but a spokesperson declined to comment.

Dav Whatmore has been unveiled as Zimbabwe’s new coach, replacing Stephen Mangongo, who was in charge for five months and sacked 12 days ago

Firdose Moonda30-Dec-2014Dav Whatmore has been unveiled as Zimbabwe’s new coach, replacing Stephen Mangongo, who was in charge for five months and sacked 12 days ago. Whatmore will take Zimbabwe to the 2015 World Cup with a view to extending the deal after the tournament.Zimbabwe are the fourth international team Whatmore will take charge of and the first non-subcontinental side he will coach after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. He had success with all three, winning the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka, overseeing Bangladesh’s first Test win and a World Cup win over South Africa in 2007 and helping Pakistan achieve stability after years of the opposite.It was while coaching Pakistan that Whatmore had a sight of the Zimbabwe team in 2013. Zimbabwe came back from a Test down to draw the series 1-1 and Whatmore saw “potential,” which he hopes to develop. His immediate task is to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, which would mean emerging from a pool that includes South Africa, India, West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and UAE.”I know this team, I have seen them beating Pakistan, so the potential is there,” Whatmore said, at a press conference in Harare. “What we all require is a genuine effort, a duty of care to the employer and a collective effort. There are challenges with every position. Coaching is what I do and I enjoy doing it. That’s why I am here.”ZC will also name a batting coach to assist Whatmore soon. Douglas Hondo remains the bowling coach, with Givemore Makoni the convener of selectors.Mangongo, meanwhile, has been redeployed to the lower levels of the system. “[He] will not be the coach of the Under-19s, but will assist with talent identification up to that age group,” Wilson Manase, ZC chairman said.

A round-up of the Sunfoil series matches that finished on March 13, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2016Bad light curtailed a thrilling chase at Kingsmead, where Dolphins fell 18 runs short of a mammoth target of 354. The evening’s events seemed highly unlikely when they were reduced to 2 for 1 at lunch, but out came Vaughn van Jaarsveld and took control with a measured century. He took the side to tea at 149 for 1. But Titans wouldn’t have been too worried. The required rate was still above eight an over and they had dismissed Jonathan Vandiar, who had chipped in with 69, and Khaya Zondo for a duck. Even with wickets in hand, 141 off 102 balls was a tough ask. But scoreboard pressure did not leave Dolphins all at sea.Van Jaarsveld fell for 124 off 156 balls and big-hitting allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo walked in with Dolphins 100 runs shy of their target with 12 overs left.Phehlukwayo cracked 40 off 24 balls with two fours and three sixes to push Dolphins ahead again. He was at the crease, looking at an asking rate of a mere 4.5. Titans needed four wickets in four overs. They had the express Marchant de Lange in fine form too – 4 for 90 in addition to 3 for 92 in the first innings. All was set for a photo finish, except the light gave out.Van Jaarsveld had starred in that first innings as well when Dolphins declared on 306 for 4 in the 92nd over, trailing Titans’ 451 presumably in an effort to force a victory. His 92 off 162 balls wasn’t the top score though. That belonged to opener Sarel Erwee with 108 off 232 balls.Titans’ second innings lasted most of the morning as they hoped to eat into the time left for the chase. Heino Kuhn (80) and Dean Elgar (66) provided the bulk of their total of 208 for 4 when the declaration came.Kuhn had a very productive match, he made 96 in the first innings and Titans were powered to their 400-plus total by a century from Qaasim Adams, who was batting at No. 6. A high-scoring match was primed for a high-scoring chase, but it was not to be.A seven-wicket haul from Duanne Olivier was complemented by Rudi Second’s half-century to secure Knights a 10-wicket victory over Lions in the Sunfoil Series.Lions were asked to bat in Johannesburg and they didn’t quite go about it well enough. There were four ducks, and only their opener and captain Stephen Cook (43) and Temba Bavuma (28 off 71 balls) managed to spend enough time in the middle. There were four ducks as Olivier picked up 3 for 34 and Malusi Siboto finished with 3 for 35 and Lions were bundled out for 144.Knights’ innings was fed by Second’s 70 off 157 balls with nine fours and Shadley van Schalkwyk’s half-century when he came in to bat at No. 8. Hardus Viljoen and Dwaine Pretorius picked up three wickets each, but the total had by then swollen to 248.With a lead of 104 runs, Knights’ bowlers set about dismantling the Lions line-up again. There were five single-digit scores and again Cook was the top-scorer with 42 off 90 balls. Olivier was skillful with the new ball again, with 4 for 63. Lions were rolled over for 214, leaving Knights a target of 115. Openers Reeza Hendricks and Michael Erlank hit fifties to seal a 10-wicket victory.

Marc Overmars has been issued with a one-year permanent ban from the Dutch football league for sending lewd photos and videos to female employees.

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Overmars banned from Dutch footballCannot operate within Dutch FA-related activitiesCan continue at Royal AntwerpPROSHOTSWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Dutch winger stepped down from his position as director of football at Ajax in February 2022, citing his regret for his actions and acknowledging that he had sent a "series of inappropriate messages" to female coworkers. A month later, he was given a "second chance" at Belgian side, Royal Antwerp, when he was named the team's technical director. Overmars has now been ordered by the Dutch Sports Tribunal (ISR) to refrain from "exercising any function" with any Dutch FA-affiliated organisation for a period of two years, one of which is suspended.

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Since March 2022, Overmars has been employed by Antwerp, for whom he is still eligible to work. Overmars' activities in Belgium are unaffected by the decision, but in the upcoming year, he will be unable to work for the KNVB or any other Dutch football association-affiliated organisations.

WHAT THE ISR SAID

"In view of his position as a statutory director and de facto manager within the Ajax organization, Van Overmars could have been expected to have been aware of the exemplary role he had and that he had abstained from such behaviour,” the ISR said, according to NOS. "Even when he thought it was done on the basis of reciprocity and voluntariness."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR OVERMARS?

Antwerp has not yet commented on the ISR's decision. The club administration has accepted Overmars' appointment with grace and does not anticipate that he will make another mistake in Belgium.

In his postgame press conference, USMNT head coach boss Gregg Berhalter criticized Sergino Dest over his 'inexcusable' red card.

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USMNT boss Berhalter rips into Dest over red cardFullback sent off for two yellows within 20 secondsUSA lose to Trinidad & Tobago but still advanceWHAT HAPPENED?

In a true moment of madness, Sergino Dest was sent off against Trinidad and Tobago after picking up two yellow cards in 20 seconds for dissent. The fullback was even pulled away by teammates after the first, but he refused to listen, and was removed from the match. U.S. boss Berhalter spoke on the incident postgame, saying he's disappointed in the 23-year-old, but doesn't want the issue to develop into a "witch hunt" either.

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Berhalter has already had one major player-coach incident during his tenure with the USMNT, after the Gio Reyna situation following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Now, the last thing the U.S. needs is another top young player suffering a similar incident with the head coach. However, after the antics from Dest – including his inability to listen to his teammates and essentially insult them – Berhalter clearly has a lot of thinking to do over the fullback's future with his program.

WHAT BERHALTER SAID

The USMNT boss said: "It is concerning because that's not what we want to represent. That's not who we are as a group. We pride ourselves on staying mentally disciplined, battling through any type of conditions, whether they're good decisions or bad decisions. We're supposed to keep going and respond in an appropriate way, and that obviously wasn't the right response from Sergino. He apologized to the group. He said it's not going to happen again. As a team, players, the staff, we need to hold him accountable because it's inexcusable. It really is and we were very firm with our words after the game. He put a number of guys in jeopardy and made a number of guys do a lot of extra work in this weather and it's inexcusable.

“I've been asked three or four questions about Sergino already and I don’t want this to become a witch hunt. He’s a young player, he’s a fantastic part of this team. He's going to learn and grow. He made a dumb mistake and he knows that. He apologized to the team and we will move forward.”

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Berhalter's squad have no remaining matches on their 2023 calendar, so 2024 now awaits the group, with three major tournaments on the horizon: The CONCACAF Nations League, the Copa America and the Olympics, although the latter will see the U-23 squad, coached by Marko Mitrovic, play at the games.

A magnificent attacking century from Jack Taylor and five wickets for Craig Miles wrapped up an unlikely Gloucestershire victory

ECB/PA09-Jul-2015
ScorecardJack Taylor was in punishing form with the bat for Gloucestershire at Cheltenham•PA PhotosA sparkling career-best 156 from Jack Taylor and a five-wicket haul for Craig Miles saw Gloucestershire wrap up victory inside two days against Northamptonshire at Cheltenham.Having gone in at No.8, off-spinner Taylor turned the game with the bat after his side had slipped to 108 for 6 in reply to Northamptonshire’s first innings 246.He faced only 125 balls, hitting 14 fours and 5 sixes before being last man out in a total of 372, having comfortably exceeded his previous best first class score of 120, made against Derbyshire at Derby earlier this season.Taylor received good support from Benny Howell (36) and Craig Miles (41) as Gloucestershire built a first innings lead of 126 against a Northants attack deprived of Steven Crook, who was injured in mid-over when hit on a knee by the ball and had to leave the field.Then Miles got to work with the ball, claiming 5 for 28 from 10.1 overs as the visitors were skittled for 160 in their second innings, only Richard Levi (64) offering significant resistance as James Fuller and Liam Norwell weighed in with two wickets apiece.That left the home side needing just 35 to win, a target they achieved in six overs for the loss of Chris Dent. Gloucestershire took 23 points from their third LV=County Championship win of the season, while Northants had to settle for four.The start of the day had seen the hosts resume on 82 for four in their first innings. The impressive Olly Stone (four for 91) took two wickets in a sharp opening burst from the College End to put them in deeper trouble.But Taylor and Howell then added 113 in 20.1 overs to turn the game on its head in exhilarating fashion. At lunch Gloucestershire were 225 for 7 and the match appeared in the balance.Taylor was 74 not out, having driven Graeme White’s left arm spin straight for his first of his sixes, with a second six coming when he hooked the returning Stone into one of the marquees at the College Lawn End.While Taylor’s aggression spearheaded the counter-attack and brought him an 86-ball century, Howell, who made 36, was not far behind his partner in terms of intent and it all made for excellent entertainment for a good-sized Festival crowd.Miles hit 7 fours, coming in at No.10. Then he and Norwell ran through the top order in the Northants second innings, sharing the wickets equally as the visitors plunged to 18 for four.Miles removed openers Stephen Peters, who bagged a pair, and Ben Duckett, while Fuller accounted for first innings centurion Alex Wakely and Rob Keogh.Levi counter-attacked with a 56-ball half-century, including 9 fours, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end.Adam Rossington holed out to Fuller at mid-on off Norwell, who also had Crook caught behind. In between those wickets, Howell weighed in with the scalp of Josh Cobb as Northants stuttered to 97 for 7, still 29 runs behind.Levi appeared relatively untroubled in moving to 64 before being last man out, with only Rory Kleindveldt (37) offering any support.

Argentina U17 starlet Claudio Echeverri recreated a Lionel Messi-esque finish to complete his hat-trick against rivals Brazil in the U-17 World Cup.

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Echeverri recreated Messi's 2012 finish Both players scored a hat-trick in their respective matchesBrazil at the receiving end on both occasions WHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine U17 starlet scored an incredible hat-trick in a win over Brazil to fire his side into the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Jakarta on Friday. He opened the scoring with a brilliant sole attempt just minutes before the half-hour mark and then doubled the lead in the 59th minute with a tight finish from the edge of the box. Whereas, his third goal was the cherry on the top as it not only helped him complete a hat trick but also closely resembled a 2012 finish of Messi. On both occasions, the forwards dribbled past the keeper and then pushed the ball into an empty net after latching onto a defence-splitting through ball from midfield.

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Echeverri's goal has some other uncanny similarities to Messi's strike over a decade back. Apart from the electric finish, both players wore the No. 10 shirt during their respective matches and Brazil found themselves at the receiving end of such a genius onslaught. In fact, Echeverri's hat trick was the first since Messi's 2012 heroics against their arch-rivals. Back in his homeland, comparisons are already being made with the 2022 World Cup winner but Echeverii believes that his style is more like Pablo Aimar who is a part of the national team staff.

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Doc. LOC WCU17/BRYWHAT NEXT FOR ECHEVERRI?

The River Plate starlet will hope to carry on with his rich vein of form in the remaining two matches of the U-17 World Cup and emulate Messi by lifting the trophy in the finale on December 2.