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Aaron George (85) and Deepesh Devendran (3 for 16) also starred in 90-run win

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Dec-2025If India Under-19s vs Pakistan Under-19s was the most high-profile contest of the ongoing Under-19s Asia Cup, then the contest part of it was all but over by the 14th over of the chase. Deepesh Devendran led the way with the ball, striking three times to reduce Pakistan to 30 for 4 after India made 240 in a game reduced to 49 overs due to rain.A brief rebuilding stand between captain Farhan Yousaf and Huzaifa Ahsan gave Pakistan hope. But after starring with the bat, Kanishk Chouhan got the second of his three wickets to dismiss Yousaf and break the 47-run partnership. Eventually, India eased past Pakistan, who were bowled out for 150, with only three batters getting into double-figures. Ahsan made the only substantial contribution of the innings – 70 off 83 – and was the eighth to fall as Chouhan’s third wicket.India could have had a much bigger total to defend but lost their way with the bat. They were 73 for 1 in nine overs after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. But next over, captain Ayush Mhatre fell on 38 off 25 balls, and India slowed down a bit.Three wickets in a ten-over period left India at 113 for 4, but Aaron George and Abhigyan Kundu added 60, the highest partnership of the game. Abdul Subhan hit back for Pakistan by getting rid of both batters within three balls. Subhan first had Kundu caught behind for 22 to start the 32nd over. Two balls later, Subhan got George, who finished with 85 off 88 deliveries with 12 fours and a six.India were 174 for 6 and that is when Chouhan played a crucial knock. His run-a-ball 46 from No. 7 dragged the total to 240. Chouhan smashed two fours and three sixes to play what turned out to be a match-winning innings, and take home the Player-of-the-Match award for his all-round show.The India and Pakistan players continued to follow the no-handshake policy after first doing it at the senior men’s Asia Cup earlier this year, and later at the senior women’s ODI World Cup.

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Loads of Arsenal fans have been running the rule over their 2-1 win at Huddersfield, and there’s plenty of criticism for Unai Emery despite the win.

The chants of “we’ve got our Arsenal back” and the incredible 22-game unbeaten run seem a long way ago now, as Arsenal are clinging on to their top four hopes.

With Manchester United seemingly cruising past every team they play in unstoppable fashion and Chelsea adding goal machine Gonzalo Higuain in January, the Gunners would have surely liked to make a statement against the Premier League’s worst team on Saturday.

Look away Arsenal fans! American Soccer Fan is back to troll more fans at the London Stadium in the video below…

Emery’s side had to scrap just to get three points though, as goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette were enough to fend off the Terriers and grab all three points.

It was far from plain sailing, as Saed Kolasinac’s own goal gave the hosts their first goal in nearly 600 minutes of football, meaning the Gunners are still yet to keep an away clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

While the three points will be a relief, fans are mercilessly bashing the manager for yet another underwhelming performance, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Everton manager Marco Silva is already a man under pressure it would seem, and a few more bad results could well see the former Watford man moved on from Goodison Park.

The Toffees, currently sitting in ninth, have spent a small fortune in recent seasons, and with that come expectation, and at the moment, those expectations are not really being met.

The January window has just passed us by too, and we here in the Tavern feel the club might well regret not making a move for a couple of players who have been impressing down in the Championship.

And one man we feel the Toffees should have gone all out to sign is Brentford striker Neal Maupay, who has been in fine form for the Bees, knocking in 17 goals already in the second tier.

The French striker has developed in the past year to become one of the most feared performers down in the Championship, and a move to the top flight is something which is looking increasingly inevitable.

However, Everton chose not to make their move, and with only 36 goals to their name this term, adding someone like Maupay would have gone a long way to appeasing some of the problems they seem to have in finding a regular striker who can stick the ball in the back of the net.

Maupay has all the tools to become a top striker at the top level, and he’s one that Everton will be hoping they look back on and don’t regret making a move for.

Toffees fans, what do you think? Would Maupay have been a good addition? Let us know in the comments!

Manchester United were recently undone by PSG but that shouldn’t disguise how good they have been since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over.

The French champions proved a step too far for Manchester United and, immediately, it raises questions of who the Red Devils need to sign to improve.

Having been so good in recent weeks, no one thought of what they need to improve but now those questions are being asked because the fans want to see silverware back at Old Trafford once again.

You could argue that every position could be improved apart from the wide players and David De Gea so, with that in mind, United first need to identify another top midfielder.

Paul Pogba has come on leaps and bounds but with another stern player behind him, their midfield could be complete.

Therefore, step forward Stuttgart’s Santiago Ascacibar.

Ascacibar, (who is valued at £19.8 million on Transfermarkt) is a midfielder with exceptional talent that would only further his potential with a move to Old Trafford.

Last season and his debut one for Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, Santiago Ascacibar finished the campaign with the joint-most tackles at the club and came second in the number of interceptions he made.

Those records prove that the Argentina international’s role is to sit in-front of the back-line and stop anyone from getting past, a role he has since mastered.

Manchester United are one of, if not the biggest, clubs in the world so when a team like that comes calling, there is only one option.

Santiago Ascacibar could be the latest star in the red of Manchester United and would perform an invaluable role for the team which could see them become title contenders once again.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after watching Wayne Hennessey put in an uncomfortable performance against Doncaster in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Wales international, who was making a rare start having lost his place to summer arrival Vicente Guaita, looked nervous throughout.

Hennessey miscontrolled a pass from Scott Dann to give away a needless corner, and looked shaky with his passing and touch when having the ball played back to him.

The former Wolves goalkeeper also parried a few shots that looked easier to smother, and whilst he did manage to keep a clean sheet, he made his own job harder than it needed to be at times.

Perhaps it was the uneven surface at the Keepmoat Stadium that caused these issues, but after seeing him make a number of errors in the past, Crystal Palace fans on Twitter didn’t have much sympathy for a man they don’t like seeing in between the sticks…

The Carabao Cup victory might’ve been a delightful one for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City but they are far from done.

The Citizens are still involved in three remaining competitions and fighting hard to try to achieve history in winning a treble or even more. However, injuries to Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Fernandinho come as a blow.

Despite watching three crucial defensive aspects being sidelined, Pep Guardiola will gladly welcome Benjamin Mendy’s return. The left back’s been sidelined with a knee injury since November, but could be fit to play West Ham United tonight (via Sky Sports). Before his injury, Mendy was in blazing form for the Citizens on the left, helping them with his determined work-rate.

In the nine league appearances he’s made for City this season, the Frenchman’s helped them keep four clean-sheets and recorded five assists. Not only that, but he’s also created four big chances along with sixteen accurate long-balls (stats via Premier League).

He’s also been an asset defensively, keeping tidy on the left,  not allowing attacks to mount from his side. With Oleksandr Zinchenko still quite raw, Mendy will add that attacking bite to City through the left-side and be an ace in the hole for Guardiola.

While the World Cup winner hasn’t done a huge amount to prove he’s worth the huge amount of money the club invested in his services last summer through injury, the former Lyon man can pay it all back by having a huge say in City’s chase for a further three trophies.

He definitely has the ability to light up their game with his pace and drive through the left making him an asset in the final months. While Guardiola will immerse him into the team slowly, Mendy’s passionate work is exactly the kind of boost City’s needs with a tough schedule looming.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for FC Copenhagen winger Robert Skov, per Sky Sports News.

Spurs are reportedly looking for back-up to striker Harry Kane and Skov has been identified as a potential target.

The winger has scored 24 goals in 38 outings thus far this season, as well as laying on six assists.

The likes of West Ham United, Wolves and Watford are also said to be watching the forward as they consider a move in the summer.

Spurs fans, however, are genuinely unsure as to who Skov is.

Indeed, he has been with Copenhagen for a single season, with the aforementioned report claiming that the Danish club paid under £1million for his services.

Prior to his move to the Danish capital, Skov played for Silkeborg IF for six years, a team that are currently in the second-tier of Danish football.

Tottenham keep making the same mistake in their hunt for an adequate deputy for Kane, and fans seem pretty convinced that Skov would just be another Vincent Janssen – the Dutchman excelled in a weaker league, like Skov, but has scored just six times in 39 Tottenham appearances.

The Twitter reactions down below do not make pretty reading…

The M23 derby later on today promises to be an exciting one, with Crystal Palace currently sitting in 13th place, only 3 points above rivals Brighton. Isn’t close, really close. And, for the first time since this became a Premier League fixture, it’ll be live on Sky. Thank the high heavens for that. 

Roy Hodson really has turned Palace around recently, hasn’t he? Pushing the Eagles into an impressive run of form, having faced only one defeat in the last five Premier League games, the Eagles are surely favourites at home. It’d be a major win for Palace and one to pretty much guarantee their safety, allowing old Roy to focus fully on an extended FA Cup run.

So, with that in mind and, with the importance of a derby coming up later today, we look at who Roy Hodgson should pick in order to pick up all 3 points today.

Start Andros Townsend 

Andros Townsend has been a crucial member of the Crystal Palace squad this season. His speed and want to express himself on the pitch led Palace fans to wonder why he was dropped to the bench during their 1-3 away win against Burnley last week. Indeed, it could even lead to an England recall if reports are to be believed.

Imagine that.

The inclusion of Townsend would likely please the Eagles fans, as against Burnley the man who stepped in Jeffrey Schlupp uncharacteristically looked slow and even gave the ball away from time to time.

Drop Jeffrey Schlupp 

After being included in recent weeks and providing a couple of assists the dream return may be coming to an end for the 26-year-old. After impressing, the game against Burnley wasn’t his finest, and it can now be argued that his teammate Townsend will bring more to the table for the Eagles.

There is no doubting that if the game is in the balance, Hodgson can turn to the winger to help the team tip it in their favour, however, there may be more room for the English winger to step into the starting eleven over him.

Whoever gets picked for the derby today, both sets of fans will be hoping to see their team prevail. Brighton will feel they have the edge over their rivals due to their 3-1 win earlier in the season, it promises to be a tight game.

Imagining life without Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park must be a scary thought for Newcastle United supporters, so they’ll be praying that Mike Ashley can actually work some magic for once. 

It’s safe to say that Ashley surprised everyone by actually spending money back in the January transfer window as he splashed the cash on Miguel Almiron, which has benefited them already. So, perhaps the Englishman will take inspiration from his summer move by lining up another raid in the summer.

Interestingly, it appears as if Ashley is currently thinking about Benitez’s future at the club, as according to The Sun, Newcastle United are preparing a £40 million Hoffenheim’s Joelinton in the hope of persuading Benitez to stay.

Salomon Rondon has impressed while operating just in front of Almiron in recent times but the forward isn’t really the type of player who can bring the best out of Newcastle’s record signing, as the 25-year-old thrived in behind a fast, creative striker during his time at Atlanta United in the form of Josef Martinez.

Joelinton would be the perfect partner for Almiron as he looks to make use of his pace in the final third, as well as holding the ball up and picking a pass, so the Paraguayan would soon find himself being presented with plenty of opportunities and could cause lots of problems with quick link-up play and one-two passes.

Also, the Brazilian has produced 11 goals and nine assists in the current campaign and he’s only 22 years of age, so he still has his best years ahead of him. He’s strong and surprisingly quick despite standing at 6’1 inches, with a huge amount of strength at his disposal.

Newcastle’s attack would be feared if Ashley signs Joelinton and Salomon Rondon joins permanently, with two beasts possibly leading the Magpies’ line. Indeed, an attack that involves Joelinton’s pace and finishing, Rondon’s strength and aerial ability and Almiron’s creative qualities would give plenty of Premier League teams nightmares.

Newcastle United fans, would you want to see Ashley splash the cash on Joelinton?  Could he potentially be a better option than Salomon Rondon?

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According to Calciomercato, AC Milan have been linked with a move for Richarlison, who looks set to cost the Italian giants a huge fee between €65m-€70m (£57m-£60m) if they were to make good on their interest.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Rossoneri have identified Richarlison as a potential transfer target, having missed out on the 21-year-old to Watford whilst he was plying his trade with Fluminense in Brazil.

Milan seem to have kept tabs on the Brazilian international since his move to England, and are keen on making another offer for him, although it will come at some cost.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

The Toffees signed Richarlison from Watford for an initial fee of £35m, which could rise to £50m. Interestingly, and strangely, the aforementioned report says that the Merseysiders would be willing to sell if an ‘indispensable’ offer of around €65m-€70m (£57m-£60m) arrived.

Everton should hold off in order to strengthen their Barcelona connections

It has been reported in the past that Barcelona are big fans of Richarlison, and see him as a potential heir to Luis Suarez’s throne at the Camp Nou.

Given the fact that the Toffees splashed what could end up being £50m on the forward, it would seem foolish for them to accept an offer of around €65m for a player who, at just 21, could end up being worth double in just a few years.

Everton and sporting director Marcel Brands appear to have a decent relationship with the Spanish champions, having successfully negotiated deals for Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes back in the summer, so Marco Silva’s side should hold off on Milan’s offer and save themselves for an approach from Barcelona.

We’ve seen in the past that the Catalans are determined to land their man when they have a target in mind, reinforced by their initial £90m offer for Philippe Coutinho which was flat out rejected before they eventually ended up splashing £142m out on the attacking midfielder.

Richarlison is, as aforesaid, just 21 years of age. Couple that with the fact that he is always improving – his tally of five league goals last season has been more than doubled with 12 so far this term – and Everton have a player whose stock will continue to rise in an overly inflated market.

Brands should use his connections with the Spanish giants effectively by rejecting Milan’s offer and waiting for an approach from Barcelona, who one would assume will come in for Richarlison in a few years if he keeps his form up – if they do, their relationship with Barcelona will be strengthened even more, whilst they will undoubtedly obtain a more attractive financial package for Richarlison.