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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Malinga Bandara dismisses Ashwell Prince as Sri Lanka head for an important win © Getty Images

Sri Lanka finally fought their way out of a poor patch with their first win of the VB Series at the Gabba which has thrown the tournament wide open. It may be just their third win in their last 13 one-dayers, but it was a resounding one, crushing South Africa by 94 runs. Kumar Sangakkara and Jehan Mubarak both struck fifties to propel them to 6 for 282, which proved to be an insurmountable total on an excellent pitch.It was a swift comedown for South Africa after the jubilation of beating Australia, at last, earlier this week. And when the post-mortem comes in the dressing room, the toss will probably be first up for dissection. Graeme Smith chose for his team to endure a long, hot day in the field and then, after falling early for three, he watched his side grind their way towards inevitable defeat on a used pitch. Afterwards he was adamant he did the right thing. “The pitch played well right through,” he said. “Our basics let us down.”He can say that again. Basically, South Africa dropped catches, bowled waywardly and then their batsmen were hopelessly outspun by the usual magic from Muttiah Muralitharan and some delightful legspin from Malinga Bandara: each grabbed three wickets. Jacques Rudolph and Mark Boucher both impressed with fifties, but theirs was a cause made hopeless from the outset as Chaminda Vaas started the rot with a controlled spell. He finished with 2 for 21 from eight overs.South Africa’s own attack wasn’t helped by being shorn of Nel, Ntini and Kallis and although Shaun Pollock inevitably held his end up – with 1 for 39 from his ten overs – the other bowlers were just too loose. But full marks to Sri Lanka for some stylish strokeplay.Sangakkara simply sizzled with his 88, while Mubarak dazzled in striking 61 from 67 balls, his highest international score. Sangakkara certainly used the flat surface well, and the pace of the ball, too, as he opened the face of the bat regularly and effectively. As usual, he was able to get himself a decent start but making it count was a bigger test for him, after getting out in the fifties twice in his last three innings.He was cantering along at nearly a run a ball in sight of his fifth ODI century before his wasteful dismissal at the hands of Pollock, a wicket prompted in part by Marvan Atapattu’s stickiness at the other end after Mubarak had fallen.While they were together, Sangakkara found a willing and able partner in Mubarak. The pair, who put on a well-deserved 108 for the second wicket, came out counterpunching and scored quickly after the early dismissal of Upul Tharanga.The dashing Mubarak played positively, his graceful hands caressing the ball to the boundary time and again, particularly square of the wicket, although he offered the odd well-timed straight drive, too.But he was lucky to celebrate his fifty after Johan Botha totally misjudged a chance in the deep off Monde Zondeki and missed the ball completely. As the bowler clasped his hands to his head, Mubarak ran three and brought up his half-century with a sheepish look, rather than the usual bat-waving. Botha made amends for the slip, though, with a quicker one which trapped Mubarak without too much further damage. Still, Mubarak’s was a richly deserved score in a smashing, confident display.Yet pumped up though it was, Sri Lanka’s eventual total still wasn’t quite as inflated as they would have hoped for until wickets slow-punctured their momentum in the later stages. Zondeki finally got in among the wickets in the first over of a more-controlled second spell – he removed Tillakaratne Dilshan – and, with Botha, he began to apply the squeeze to quieten Sri Lanka a touch. Credit must be given here to South Africa, who finally stepped up their game with some impressive fielding after those early fumbles.Their reply got off to a wobbly start and they were soon in trouble at 3 for 57. As wickets tumbled they soon fell behind the run-rate and when their Supersub Jacques Rudolph, in superb nick, became South Africa’s second run-out victim for 53, the momentum fell right away.Rudolph, in aggressive mode, strode to his well-constructed fifty with an array of shots – there were crashing cuts, dinky leg glances and some powerful drives. But he soon found himself in some difficulty against Muralitharan, who found immediate rip when he entered in the 18th over. From then on in it was all Sri Lanka and they will now head into their next clash on Sunday with Australia in buoyant mood.

Sri Lanka

Upul Tharanga c Boucher b Kruger 16 (1 for 33)
Jehan Mubarak lbw b Botha 61 (2 for 145)
Tillakaratne Dilshan c Gibbs b Zondeki 15 (3 for 172)
Kumar Sangkkara 88 (4 for 211)
Mahela Jayawardene c Prince b Botha 14 (5 for 244)
Marvan Atapattu (6 for 259)

South Africa

Graeme Smith lbw b Vaas 3 (1 for 8)
Boeta Dippenaar b Kulasekara 10 (2 for 30)
Herschelle Gibbs run out (Perera/Sangakkara/Kulasekara) 7 (3 for 57)
Jacques Rudolph run out (Perera) 53 (4 for 93)
Ashwell Prince c Kulasekara b Bandara 29 (5 for 127)
Justin Kemp b Bandara 10 (6 for 152)
Shaun Pollock c Atapattu b Vaas 4 (7 for 179)
Andrew Hall b Muralitharan 4 (8 for 184)
Johan Botha lbw b Muralitharan (9 for 188)
Mark Boucher c Dilshan b Bandara 62 (188 all out)

Zimbabweans 232 for 3 (Rogers 42, Masakadza 103*, Taylor 41*) beat Gauteng/ North West XI 229 for 7 (Snijman 97, Motaung 52, Rogers 3-38) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Barney Rogers: the man of the series in Bangladesh is on form once again© Getty Images

The Zimbabweans recovered from an ordinary start to their tour of South Africa to inflict a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat on a combined Gauteng & North West XI at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom.The Zimbabweans restricted the combined team to 229 for 7 after they had made a good start, and then knocked off the runs with 5.5 overs to spare, with Hamilton Masakadza starring with an undefeated century. Masakadza reached his century and won the match with his 11th four – smashing Gerhard de Bruin to the midwicket boundary. He also hit a six, and shared an unbeaten partnership of 133 with Brendan Taylor, after Barney Rogers had provided a lightning start, slamming 42 from 41 balls with eight fours, four of them off successive balls from the suffering de Bruin.Although Stuart Matiskenyeri made only 12 and Alester Maregwede 10 before both were caught behind, the Zimbabweans were never in much trouble.It was rather different at the start, though, when the Zimbabweans – who won the toss and decided to bowl first – were subjected to a display of classy strokemaking from the 19-year-old Gauteng opener Blake Snijman, who hit nine fours in his 97. The combined XI rattled along to 143 for 0 by the 33rd over, before Zimbabwe finally made a breakthrough, as William Motaung lofted Gavin Ewing into the hands of backward square leg for 52.But after that, Zimbabwe rushed back into the game, as a succession of middle-order batsmen came and went in a hurry. On 2, Mohammad Akoojee clipped Ewing into the air on the leg side, where Tatenda Taibu took a tumbling catch (147 for 2), and five overs later Snijman’s innings was spectacularly ended by Matsikenyeri, who took a blinding catch at midwicket (167 for 3).Four balls later and the fightback was complete, as Juan le Roux cut at a wide one from Matsikenyeri and was well held in the gully by Taylor. Three more wickets fell in a helter-skelter final ten overs, in which Richard Stroh and Matthew Harris smacked a six apiece to keep the combined XI on course for a decent total.But Rogers started the reply with a bang, and Masakadza, who recently came down from university in South Africa, relished his return.

Early breakthrough: Richard Johnson celebrates the wicket of Javed Omar © Getty Images

Close
ScorecardEngland ended the second day of this Test holding the edge, but only after another shocking collapse in which they lost their last five wickets for 13 runs from 80 balls to be bowled out for 326. Mashrafe Mortaza took a Test-best 4 for 50 and the clatter of wickets again surrendered a strong position and threw away a good start to the day, this time by Nasser Hussain and Chris Read. Rikki Clarke did put England back on track with two quick wickets, but Bangladesh held out to close on a battling 93 for 4.England’s morning progress was solid rather than spectacular, with 74 runs coming in the first two hours for the loss of only Clarke’s wicket for 55. Read and Hussain carried on untroubled until lunch, with Hussain happy to play second fiddle. Read was the main aggressor, playing positively from the start, hitting six boundaries and taking the attack to the bowlers.However, just like yesterday, England suffered a sever bout of the post-lunch blues as the bowlers turned up the heat and the lower-order melted. Read’s dismissal started the slide when he was caught by Rajin Saleh at short-leg off Enamul Haque jnr for a bright 37 (313 for 6). One over later and Hussain followed, snicking Mortaza to Khaled Mashud, the wicketkeeper, who took a good catch low to his right for 76 (313 for 7). That left the tail horribly exposed, and it offered precious little resistance as Mortaza cashed in on some cheap wickets. The last three batsmen fell for a miserly 13 runs to complete a wretched hour for England.On the flat Chittagong pitch, the new ball was vital, and Richard Johnson and Matthew Hoggard both made early breakthroughs. Johnson continued his healthy knack of taking early wickets when he picked up Javed Omar in his second over. Trying to turn a straight ball through midwicket, Omar instead got a leading edge straight to Michael Vaughan at mid-off (6 for 1). Hoggard then tempted Habibul Bashar into a loose drive with a classic awayswinger which he edged head-high to Mark Butcher at gully (44 for 2).Hannan Sarkar, meanwhile, took the fight to the bowlers and was keen to get forward and drive anything full. For a while, Bangladesh’s scoring rate was more sprightly than it had been all series as Sarkar mixed the odd boundary with quick singles on both sides of the wicket. Hoggard, in particular, banged in the short balls to unsettle the batsmen, but it was the improving Clarke who turned the tide England’s way.Clarke replaced Johnson ahead of Martin Saggers, the debutant, and he was rewarded for another tight spell with two wickets in as many balls. His first victim was the big one of Sarkar for 28, with a bit of help from Asoka de Silva, who did his already dwindling popularity in these parts no favours. Sarkar went right back to a full delivery and was hit on the back pad. The ball was arguably missing leg stump, but de Silva quickly made up his mind and sent Sarkar on his way (61 for 3).

Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates the wicket of Nasser Hussain during England’s alarming collapse © Getty Images

And with the first ball of his next over, Clarke dismissed Alok Kapali for a golden duck. Kapali tentatively defended a short ball which kicked up and hit the handle of the bat for Butcher to take his second catch at gully (63 for 4). Clarke was on a hat-trick and Bangladesh were threatening to take a leaf out of England’s well-read book on The Art of Collapsing.But no-one can do it quite like they can, as Rajin Saleh and Mushfiqur Rahman defiantly held out for the last 15 overs. But only just. After Rahman creamed a square-drive for four off Saggers and spanked a Clarke slower-ball to the fence, he was dropped on 14 by Marcus Trescothick at first slip off Hoggard. It was hard chance low to Trescothick’s left, but not only did he spill it, he also injured his thumb and had to leave the field immediately to have an X-ray.Ashley Giles wasn’t brought on until the 36th over when the light was fading fast, but he bowled as well as could be expected given his current lack of confidence and was starting to find a rhythm just as the umpires offered the light to the batsmen with four overs of a mixed day for England remaining.

When India faced off against England in the Reliance Cup semifinal atBombay in November 1987, rarely could they have taken the field in aone-day international with so many factors in their favour. Thedefending champions, they were playing at home, had won fivesuccessive games, and were up against opponents who had manylimitations. Pakistan had beaten England twice in the group matches,and everything pointed to India registering a one-sided victory.Kapil Dev won the toss and sent England in to bat. Graham Goochdominated the scoring from the start, but India still claimed twowickets for 79 in 22 overs. Mike Gatting then joined Gooch and the twoadded 117 runs for the third wicket in 19 overs. Both batsmen adoptedthe bold policy of sweeping and pulling the two left-arm spinnersManinder Singh and Ravi Shastri. As future events proved, this was themajor turning point.Gatting on 56 finally swept Maninder onto his leg-stump; he faced 62balls and hit five fours. In his following over, Maninder removedGooch as well, but the opening batsman had scored 115 off 136 ballswith 11 boundaries. Allan Lamb countered the double blow by hitting anunbeaten 32 off 29 balls, and England were able to post a highlyrespectable 254 for six in 50 overs.India suffered an early blow when Philip DeFreitas bowled SunilGavaskar (4) with the total on 7. This was to be Gavaskar’s lastappearance for India in international cricket. KrishnamachariSrikkanth (31) and Navjot Singh Sidhu (22) put the innings back ontrack with a second-wicket partnership of 51 runs. The run-rate,however, could not be improved, thanks to accurate bowling andbrilliant fielding, and neither Srikkanth (55 balls) and Sidhu (40balls) managed a single boundary. Neil Foster removed both and, at 73for three, India were in some trouble. But Mohammad Azharuddin andChandrakant Pandit (in for Dilip Vengsarkar) initiated a recoveryprocess by adding 48 runs for the fourth wicket. After Pandit (24)became Foster’s third victim, Azharuddin and Kapil gave a fillip tothe scoring rate with a flurry of strokes.At 168 for four, India seemed well on course to victory. BothAzharuddin and Kapil were settled, there was plenty of batting tocome, and the required run-rate was below six an over. There was noneed for any mock heroics, but it was at this stage that Kapilexecuted a stroke he was to regret all is life. Carried away by hisown impetuosity, the Indian captain, who had hit 30 out of the fifthwicket partnership of 47, heaved Eddie Hemmings high and straight toGatting who had just then stationed himself on the mid-wicketboundary.In retrospect, this shot cost India the match. Even though Azharuddinand Shastri took the score to 204 before the sixth wicket fell, theIndians were strangely directionless. Hemmings, who had been hit byAzharuddin and Pandit for 27 runs from his first three overs, nowstruck back with a vengeance. He had Azharuddin leg-before for 64 (74balls, seven fours). Shastri was still determination personified, butpanic and recklessness now set in. With five wickets gone and 10 oversin hand, India were looking for five runs an over. But in a flash,Kiran More (0), Manoj Prabhakar (4) and Chetan Sharma (0) left, andShastri too finally gave in. When on 21, he swung at Hemmings,resulting in a skier that was gratefully accepted by wicket-keeperPaul Downton.Astonishingly, India lost their last five wickets for 15 runs in fiveovers, and the end came with a suddenness that was shattering for thepacked Wankhede stadium crowd, as well as millions watching ontelevision all over the world, to stomach. Hemmings, who had looked soinnocuous initially, took four for 21 in 34 balls and England,scarcely believing their good fortune, trooped out exultant victors by35 runs.

Overnight rain at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College meant that adamp wicket delayed the start of play between East Zone and West Zonein the CricInfo Rani Jhansi women’s cricket tournament on Monday byalmost two hours. The wicket was one predominantly of clay and thatmeant that the time taken to dry up was longer than usual.The matchwas reduced to a 41 overs a side affair and as it turned out, a lowscoring game. West Zone were restricted to 124 off their allotedquota. However, East were bundled out for 55 by some disciplinedbowling by West Zone.While the umpires Gururajan and Sundar made inspection afterinspection, the players did some light warm up exercises.Play finally got underway at 11.30. Winning the toss, the East Zoneskipper Pratima Chakravarty elected to take the field.Opening the bowling for East Zone was medium pacer Zulan. For West,southpaw Arti Vaidya got off the mark off the very first ball, easinga ball on her pads through the on side. Her companion out in themiddle was Vaishali Landge.After a slow start, West Zone lost their first wicket in the 10th overwhen Arti walked across her stumps and played down the wrong line to astraight ball from first change bowler Babusha. Arti (7) was steady inher stint at the crease. Though the score was just 21, it was hardly arepresentation of the West Zone effort. The outfield was slow as aresult of the overnight rain and boundaries were hard to come by. Tocompound matters, the East Zone bowlers maintained a good line andlength.A period of slow batting followed, with Vaishali unable to get theball away into the gaps. She motored on to 19, off what seemed like aninordinate length of time that consumed 54 balls, and was run outattempting a single that was not on.Though she was slow in going, Vaishali managed to seal up oneend. After her dismissal, wickets started to fall at regularintervals. It was only the arrival of the captain, Kalyani Umarani atthe crease that brought some hope for the West Zone side. After morethan 20 overs had been bowled, Kalyani cracked the first boundary ofthe innings. Planting her front foot down the wicket, she swung theball cleanly through the on side.However, West Zone’s joy was short lived. Kalyani, playing down thewrong line, nicked off spinner Saswati Mukherjee to thewicketkeeper. The West Zone skipper had made 20 off 39 balls.Unfortunately for West Zone they lost wickets at an alarmingly quickrate. From 49/2 they slumped to 90 for 7.Opening bowler Jhulan Goswami was the most economical bowler,conceding just 13 runs off her six overs. However, it was Saswati wholooked the most penetrative of the bowlers. She picked up 3/31 off hernine overs, including the wicket of the West Zone captain.At the end of their innings, West Zone had 124/9 on the board.When West came out to defend their modest total, the captain KalyaniUmarani took matters into her own hands. Opening the bowling with hernippy medium pacers she tied up one end. In a move that was designedto surprise, she had off spinner Sonali Chandok partnering her.Sonali bowled a fine spell. Giving the ball copious amounts of flight,she teased the batswomen into making false shots. Unlucky not tostrike early she drew first blood in the 8th over. Following that upwith more crisp off spinners, Sonali made batting very difficult forthe East Zone team. As the overs progressed, they got increasinglybogged down and began to lose wickets at regular intervals. In no timeEast Zone were reduced to 28/6. After that there was very little anysingle batswoman could do. Saswati with 14 top scored. Hardly a healhysign for East Zone.West Zone’s victory was achieved by maintaining good composurethroughout the course of the game. Sonali Chandok ended with thesplendid figures of 9-3-9-2 and helped skittle out East Zone for just55 runs.West Zone captain Kalyani speaking to CricInfo at the end of the matchsaid “we (West Zone) have nothing to lose. We are going all out for awin. The West Zone team will do its best to put up a good show.”

Taking to Twitter, journalist Jacque Talbot of The Daily Star has made a big Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha.

The Lowdown: Spurs linked…

The Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have been linked with a move for the Portugal midfielder before as Spurs reportedly eyed a move in the 2021 summer window.

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Sporting’s mainstay, due to his form over the past year, has attracted major Premier League interest with the tough-tackling Palhinha also having impressed in flashes at Euro 2020.

Now, with the 26-year-old potentially on the move this year, it appears super agent Jorge Mendes is about to offer Spurs a chance to sign him.

The Latest: Talbot makes major claim…

According to the reporter, Palhinha ‘will be offered’ to Spurs, Newcastle, Man United and other Premier League clubs with an ‘agreement in place’ for Mendes to facilitate his exit.

Whilst believing Wolves are the ‘most likely’ to sign him, Talbot believes Paratici’s relationship with Mendes also gives Tottenham a chance.

He explained: “Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Palhinha – heard similar, will be offered to Man United, Spurs, Newcastle, but other Premier League clubs in the running/more likely.

“Agreement in place with Jorge Mendes to forge a move.

“Wolves the most likely, I’m told, but of course, Mendes does have a good relationship with Tottenham’s MD Fabio Paratici.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

Palhinha has a release clause in his Sporting deal worth around €60 million (£50m) according to Record but the player may well be worth that investment going by his stats.

Indeed, the colossal 6 foot 2 anchor has averaged an impressive 3.3 tackles per 90 in the Portuguese top flight this season (WhoScored) – marking himself out as a truly robust option for Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

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By comparison to Tottenham’s squad, that’s a far greater number than any Lilywhites player has managed, with Emerson Royal coming the closest but quite far off (2.6).

As Mendes now looks set to offer out Palhinha, Spurs and Paratici may well want to seriously consider a move, especially with Sporting’s manager having already called him a ‘special player’.

In other news: ‘Really hotting up’ – Ex-BBC man say Conte could now axe ‘monster’ Spurs star! Find out more here.

10) Aston Villa v Birmingham – The Second City derby

The countries second city might be a little further down the pecking order in footballing terms but that does nothing to dampen hostilities between Aston Villa and Birmingham.

The Villains have always viewed themselves in higher esteem than their blue neighbours and when the clubs first met when City were Small Heath Alliance back in 1879, the Villa players described Small Heath’s Muntz Street ground as, ‘suitable only for potholing.’

Relations have gone downhill since then and although over the last half a century meetings between the pair have been relatively limited, that only intensifies the occasions when they do get together.

The two clubs traditional stadiums help create a fervent undercurrent which takes few prisoners – just ask Peter Enckelman.

9) Blackburn v Burnley – The Cotton Mill derby

These two might not be considered big players nowadays but Blackburn and Burnley were big cheese’s back in the day by being founder members of the Football League in 1888.

The rivalry between the Lancashire towns eleven miles apart stretches back to the Victorian age when the mill industry was booming and hostilities were later taken from the factory floor to the football field.

Local issues were hardly smoothed over at the turn of the twentieth century when Rovers allegedly complained about Claret’s ‘illegal number of Scottish players’ and the animosity has remained.

Clashes have been scarce in recent years but when they do meet it creates the inevitably cliché’d ‘hot-pot’ atmosphere.

8. Everton v Liverpool – Merseyside derby

The Merseyside derby is English football’s longest running top-flight rivalry with a game having taken place every year since 1962-63, but this familiarity hasn’t tapered the spice of the contests and meetings between the blue and red halves of the city of Liverpool are often some of the most highly charged contests of the season.

This game has long been coined the ‘friendly derby’ because the opposing sets of fans are said to enjoy a healthy rivalry but on the field it’s anything but.

In the last 30 Premier League fixtures between the scouse giants there have been twenty red cards, scores of bookings and more fight scenes than a Jackie Chan youtube compilation making this particular local fare the most tempestuous football match around. Who needs enemies with friends like these?

7) Manchester City v Manchester United – Manchester derby

The Manchester derby has long been fuelled by one sides dominance over the other. United have been at the forefront of English football for well over half a century whilst City have had to play second fiddle in terms of silverware and prominence.

United fans have revelled in their superior status for decades now and have been afforded the luxury of mocking the blue half of Mancunia for their almost comedic failings as City for long periods strived but largely failed to climb out of the shadows of their near neighbours.

However, the Citizens new found wealth has upset that balance and after ending their long-wait for a trophy and embarrassing the reds on their own patch, this is one confrontation which will only intensify over the next couple of years.

6) Newcastle v Sunderland – Tyne-Wear derby

The Tyne-Wear derby is another inter-city confrontation which has it’s routes through indifference to one another stretching back hundreds of years.

Newcastle and Sunderland – despite being just ten miles apart – fell into different hands following the English civil war and the Jacobite rebellions and although that historical context is largely lost present day, none of the rancor has.

There were 160 arrests in the aftermath of the 1990 Second Division play-off second leg when the Toon fans invaded the St James’s pitch hoping to force an abandonment.

Proceeding games have also fell foul to interruptions and last January, nearly 30 fans were again arrested following clashes in and around the ground surrounding a game which saw a 12-year-old Mackem run onto the turf to push over Newcastle ‘keeper Steve Harper.

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5) Portsmouth v Southampton – South Coast derby

The contentious nature of the south-coast derby gets its origins from the dockyard following centuries old confrontations between the workers from the neighbouring Hampshire ports.

Pompey fans affectionately refer to the Saints as ‘scum’ –  an acronym supposedly derived from the South Coast Union Men of Southampton, who supposedly crossed the picket line when Portsmouth dockers went on strike in the 1950’s.

The resentment has always remained and manifested itself onto the football field with clashes between the pair gaining great local and national significance whenever they play.

Games have been sporadic but reignited recently when Harry Redknapp ‘crossed the line’ from Portsmouth to Southampton and back again culminating in an potent tie when Pompey hammered Redknapp’s Saints 4-1 in April 2005 to shove the Dell boys towards Premier League relegation.

4) Leeds United v Manchester United – The Roses derby

There’s little love lost between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire and their most distinguished football teams.

Initial animosity between the folk either side of the Pennines has its origins in the War of the Roses from over 600 years ago and in sporting terms that has been embraced by Leeds and Manchester United.

The friction was heightened during the hooliganism heyday of the 1970’s and ’80’s when sections of both clubs fans often became involved in brutal pitch battles inside and outside of the ground.

A recent football fans census found that both Leeds and United are ranked within the top three clubs based on the number of clubs that consider them to be their rivals, meaning this tribal clash largely defines just who is the most hated club of all.

3) Millwall v West Ham – East London derby

The rivalry between east London’s two main players is less about on-field competition and more to do with terrace culture with both clubs synonymous with the infamy of hooliganism since its inception in the 1960’s.

The vicinity of the sides in the working class area of the capital has borne an enmity which frequently causes trouble between the opposing fans whenever they meet.

In 1976 a Millwall fan was killed when supporters clashed in the streets and hostilities  were inflamed from there on.

The teams have largely missed out on each others presence of late but when they were drawn together for a Carling Cup tie in August 2009, the match was played against the backdrop of some of the worst football violence in recent memory.

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A number of pre-arranged battles took place around Upton Park prior to kick leading to one man being stabbed and things didn’t recede much following kick-off.

Pitch invasions disrupted the game on a number of occasions before a Hammers victory was marred at the final whistle by a full-scale pitch invasion with hundreds of fans from either side swarming the playing surface and overrunning the police in images which conjoured up memories of these two’s dark hooligan days of the 1980’s.

2) Cardiff City v Swansea – The South Wales derby

Although Cardiff and Swansea lie 40 miles apart the fact that these two clubs represent their country by venturing by-weekly into the motherland makes it a matter of national honour and pride.

Wales’s biggest clubs have endured a fairly similar history and regularly pogo past each other meaning there’s a constantly evolving battle for status and supremacy both on and off the pitch.

The South Wales derby is arguably the most volatile fixture in the English league calender and matches are frequently scarred by clashes between the rival factions.

Following widespread violence at the ‘Battle of Ninian Park’ in 1993, away fans were banned from attending games on the other others patch and although incidents have largely decreased with more intelligent segregation and policing, the arrest rate at these ties are still amongst the highest in British football.

1) Liverpool v Manchester United – North-West derby

Both Liverpool and United have fierce rivals within closer proximity but being English football’s two most succesful and best supported sides means this is the countries most anticipated and heated contest.

The two cities are 30 miles apart yet the natives view the divide as much larger and have been involved in long running discords harking back to their differing industrial upbringing.

Both clubs golden eras coincided in relative downturns for the other, leading the sets of fans to constantly goad one another during those periods to create a long running historical battle.

The duo have won well over 100 domestic trophies between them leading to a bitter and never ending dispute over who are the kings of the national game.

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Follow John Baines on twitter @bainesyDiego10

Dimitar Berbatov scored a dramatic last minute winner to put Manchester United in pole position in the title race. Fergie will be absolutely delighted with the result; although I am sure he will be disappointed with the actions of Jonny Evans, especially given the defensive injuries at Old Trafford

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Manchester United blogs that includes the misguided scapegoat of Old Trafford; the creative force that Fergie is crying out for, while Rafael needs to take a leaf out of Neville’s book.

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We also look at the best Man United articles around the web this week.

WAG Weekly: Nani scores an absolute stunner!

Is this the ‘Most Hated’ Premiership XI of all time?

Three BIG Reasons why Fergie doesn’t need a transfer spree

The misguided scapegoat of Old Trafford

Old Trafford or Anfield – what represents the best move for £30m man?

The creative force that Fergie is crying out for?

Who needs Hollywood when you’ve got Hernandez

A warning shot from Manchester to London

Why Sir Alex signing him isn’t such a bad move for Manchester United

United starlet needs to take a leaf out of Neville’s book

Understanding Fergie’s transfer priorities this summer

How long before Fergie takes his wonderkid off the leash?

What is all the fuss about Ravel Morrison?

How do Manchester United stand with regards to UEFA’s pending ruling

Do Spaniard’s comments pave way for Man United move this summer?

*Best of WEB*

Hernández wins plaudits and trust – United Rant

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Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham are closing in on Galatasaray’s star man Arda Turan according to reports in Turkey.

However, Turan, most commonly known as Arda, has also been linked with Arsenal recently and has been a long term target of Liverpool. But which club would represent the best move for Arda?

The Turkey international’s agent declared:

“At the moment I have had no contact, unofficial or official from Arsenal or Arsene Wenger. Regarding Tottenham Hotspur there was a small enquiry regarding the player, but I have had no official contact or an official bid for the player.

“So, at the moment Arda [Turan] has two years left on his contract at Gala. And, we are waiting for an official bid for Arda from Tottenham. We will see.”

**

Tottenham: Redknapp is seeking to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2010/11 season and many believe that the pull of Champions League football could be enough to attract players such as Arda.

Currently Spurs already have the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley amongst their ranks who can operate in the wider areas, but it is rumoured that Bentley may be sold this summer and Redknapp would like to increase the competition for his current staff by adding Arda.

The 23-year-old mostly operates wide on the left so Bale may be moved back into a left fullback role if the Turkish midfielder joined the club, but he could also be used as an inverted winger (like Arjen Robben is for both Bayern Munich and Holland) as he possesses a decent left foot and can chip in with a few goals.

Chance of going to White Hart Lane: 4/5

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Arsenal: Arda is mainly an out-and-out dribbler who is not afraid to take on defenders and pass them, so he is the sort of player Arsene Wenger will like, but the Gunners already are stocked in the wide positions with Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin and Theo Walcott.

However, many mooted Arda as someone who could be the ‘next Robert Pires’ for Arsenal as he can kick with both feet and has an eye for goal. Many fans also feel that the club needs to make a few good signs this summer if they are to break their barren spell in regards to winning silverware.

Reports are suggesting that Wenger has lost interest in the player and may pull out of the race to sign him, but he probably suits Arsenal’s playing style more than the other clubs linked with the playmaker.

Chance of going to the Emirates Stadium: 1/5

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Liverpool: The Galatasaray captain has previously stated his intension to play for Liverpool in the past as he is a fan of the club and described it as a potential “dream” move for him, but considering the Anfield outfits financial woes it is starting to look unlikely.

He is certainly a player they could do with though as Yossi Benayoun has departed the club and many expect Albert Riera to follow suit.

But considering Liverpool will not be competing in the Champions League next season, does he need them, or will his affection for the club be enough to convince him to join the Reds?

Chance of going to Anfield: 3/5

**

Arda has made a total of 172 games for Galatasaray the Turkey international has made 67 assists and has scored 37 goals.

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The Galatasaray man burst onto the scene during Turkey’s Euro 2008 campaign scoring two goals helping his side progress into the semi-finals of the competition. His first goal was a vital 92nd minute winner against Switzerland. Arda’s second goal came in the 75th minute against the Czech Republic as Turkey mounted a late comeback against their opponents who led 2-0, but ended up losing 3-2 as Turkey advanced into the next round of the tournament.

Is Arda Turan the type of player that you would like to see at your club and where do you think he will end up?

A youtube video dedicated to Arda Turan:

[youtube 24zicTWcmGE]

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Since Wayne Rooney broke into the Everton first team aged just 17, dozens of players have been played up as being the next big thing to break through in English football. Some players, such as Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere have made the grade and become Premier League players, but plenty more have hardly been heard of since their youth days.

Connor Wickham arrived at the Stadium of Light from Ipswich Town in the summer for a staggering £8million that will eventually rise to £12million depending on appearances. There were rumours that Liverpool may be interested in the English striker, but Steve Bruce got his man and Wickham has made 9 appearances so far this season, scoring once.

With lots of interest in the youngster over the past few years, you would think that we had a superstar on our hands, matching Rooney’s young talent and breaking straight into the Premier League with a bang. But this has not happened so far at Sunderland and it may be time for people to stop talking about the young lad and actually give him a chance to prove himself.

The Hereford-born striker made his professional debut just 11 days after his 16th birthday and has played and scored for the England Under 16’s, 17’s and 19’s as-well as recently featuring for Stuart Pearce’s Under-21’s. But I feel that there is already too much pressure on Wickham at a very young age and that could be the reason for him not making it as a world class footballer in the future.

The tag of a future England star is going to be especially hard for a striker as they are going to be judged on their goal-scoring record and very little else. It is especially hard for a youngster; similarly to Walcott; who was sold for a large price and thrown into Premier League football. Walcott took three years to really adapt to life in the big time and that may be a learning curve that Wickham will go through in the next few seasons.

Putting a £12 million price- tag on an 18-year-old is ludicrous and he would surely have benefitted from staying in the Championship and becoming a prolific striker at that level, before making the step up. If a player does not play well for a long period of time, if he does not score anywhere near enough goals, can it all be blamed on his age? Should he be there if he is too young in that case?

Sunderland supporters were beginning to warm to Wickham before he got injured at Old Trafford two weeks ago and when he returns from his spell on the sidelines it will be time to start scoring goals and putting critics like myself to shame.

For a player that has only scored 16 career goals, surely it is fair to say that he has not played up to expectations so far in his short career, but Wickham has time on his side without doubt, there are not many out-and-out young strikers coming through at the moment and there is a chance for someone to break into that mould to lead the line for England, something that must be an aim for the former Ipswich striker.

It is unfortunate that so many youngsters are hyped up before they have actually proved their worth in men’s football. Players such as John Bostock and Freddie Sears were built up as being the future of English football when they were breaking through their respective youth systems, but they have failed to produce. It is time for youngsters to get a chance to show what they can do before multi-million pound transfer deals and expensive contracts are drawn up, otherwise more and more players will fall flat on their face in the top division and disappear from the limelight.

Before accepting large wage offers and splashing the cash on new cars and houses, is it unrealistic of me to expect a player to focus more on football than the lifestyle? Perhaps, but time will tell if Wickham made the right decision.

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