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Arne Slot might have a bit more tactical nous than his predecessor, and that's not to discredit the exceptional management skills of Jurgen Klopp, whose Anfield appointment proved to be the start of a miracle that rained illustrious success down on Liverpool.

The Dutch head coach has got off to a flyer in the Premier League but let's not forget that he has inherited an elite crop of players, with the exploits of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on the attacking flanks evidence of the title-capable quality.

Luis Diaz & Mohamed Salah's stats this season

Liverpool's attack petered out toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign, a core part of the nosedive that pulled Klopp's swansong away from contention for titles in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup, falling to the eventual champions in the latter two.

Now, though, a shift in style under Slot appears to have revitalised both, with Salah nominated for the league's Player of the Month award for August. His Colombian peer's dominant display against Manchester United came a day late for the monthly award, but puts him in good stead for the second.

Matches (starts)

3 (3)

3 (3)

Goals

3

3

Assists

1

3

Touches*

42.7

50.7

Shots (on target)*

2.7 (1.3)

3.3 (2.0)

Pass completion

86%

80%

Key passes*

2.3

1.7

Dribbles completed*

2.3 (58%)

1.3 (50%)

Ball recoveries*

4.3

2.3

Total duels won*

5.7 (44%)

3.7 (44%)

Both players are performing at quite an exceptional level, and though Diaz is more athletic, combative and energetic than his 32-year-old teammate, Salah has that Midas touch, with the eye test also underscoring his unrivalled influence in the Premier League.

Liverpool's forward success flows through Salah, who is currently valued at £46m by Transfermarkt, channelled toward goal with the ferocity of a waterfall. His deal is up at the end of the season but Richard Hughes will be working night and day to convince the Egpytian to extend his £350k-per-week contract.

Diaz's contract has also been a topic of conversation in recent months, though that door is closed (for now) following the conclusion of the transfer window. Barcelona had had a vested interest in the 27-year-old but were unwilling to meet Liverpool's demands of a payment well in excess of £50m.

There is, however, a current Premier League winger who is valued well above both Anfield stalwarts. Yes, Anthony Gordon could be plying his trade in his home city right now but instead remains at St. James' Park. Unknown to many, a return to Anfield would have actually been a homecoming for the England international.

Liverpool must rue letting Anthony Gordon leave

Hailed as a "menace" of a player by scout Antonio Mango, Gordon has enjoyed a steady rise to prominence in the Premier League, demonstrating clear talent at Everton but suffering due to the Toffees' turbulence, forcing his way out and signing for Newcastle United in a £45m deal in January 2023.

He had a slow start to life as a Magpie but soared throughout his first full season, winning the club's Player of the Year award after posting 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, hailed for his "unbelievable" performances by Bruno Guimaraes.

Such efforts turned Liverpool's head among others, and due to Newcastle's PSR concerns, Eddie Howe was set to lose his wide talisman in a £75m deal, agreed with Liverpool but not coming to fruition after alternative, less costly means were found to combat the situation.

His pace and potency down the left would be perfect for Slot's side, but would you know, he actually played for the Reds way back when, released from the academy as an 11-year-old before earning a second bite at the cherry with Everton, where he rose through the ranks.

Speaking to Everton's club website, Gordon said: "It was another chance for me to grow. But that was hard. It affected me mentally and dented my confidence. I had to pick myself up and go again.

“When I got to Everton, I never looked back.”

Given that Liverpool were willing to enforce a high-cost transfer to bring the 23-year-old back to Merseyside this summer suggests that there is an element of ruefulness about letting him go in the first place, for a little more prudence could have seen him rise through the ranks in the same way that Trent Alexander-Arnold did.

Would it be far-fetched to say that there's a sense Gordon could yet grace the Anfield pitch in Liverpool red? FSG's interest is genuine and the England star isn't exactly going to fade into the background any time soon, impressing for club and country.

And the fact that he's more valuable than both Salah and Diaz right now does highlight his high potential, something that Liverpool will need to pay the big bucks for if they do wish to bring him home.

However, Diaz is proving that he's the man for the job on Slot's left flank. Who knows what will happen in the future, but certain Liverpool figures might rue letting Gordon leave in the first place – just imagine a wing boasting both Diaz and Gordon as the options…

He's out on loan: The Liverpool "prodigy" who can one day replace Salah

He’s currently seeking senior minutes elsewhere…

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 7, 2024

Jamal Musiala came off the bench to inspire Bayern Munich to a 4-2 win over Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Article continues below

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• Musiala comes off the bench to score twice
• Kimmich runs the show in 4-2 win
• Bayern remain unbeaten in Bundesliga

• AFP
  

  TELL ME MORE

  Bayern remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga after beating the struggling visitors in a game that became more difficult than it perhaps needed to be.

  The first half couldn't have been more comfortable for the hosts. They had 86% possession and 12 shots on target, and made their dominance count when Dayot Upamecano headed home a Joshua Kimmich corner in the 18th minute.

  But the centre-back went from hero to zero early in the second half as Heidenheim stunned the home crowd by making it 1-1. Mathias Honsak latched onto a woeful backpass from Upamecano to take the ball past Daniel Peretz and score.

  The sides were level for just six minutes, though. Musiala, brought on for Thomas Muller, scored four minutes after his introduction with a low drive that beat Kevin Muller at his near post.

  Michael Olise squandered a chance to add a third when he couldn't finish from Kimmich's fine pass, but Leon Goretzka made no mistake when his first-time volley found a way past Muller via a deflection.

  A late flurry of goals saw Heidenheim's Niklas Dorsch make it 3-2 before Musiala put a bow on proceedings with his second goal of the game.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE MVP

  On this evidence, Bayern should do whatever it takes to convince Kimmich to sign a contract extension. The 29-year-old dictated proceedings from the middle of the park, completing 127 passes at a completion rate of 93%. He almost added a second assist with a brilliant pass through the defense, but Olise fluffed his lines.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Sorry, Harry Kane. The injured striker will wonder how many goals he would have managed against a Heidenheim side that allowed 21 shots. Another hat-trick surely would have been in his sights.

• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Bayern's attention now turns to the Champions League. Vincent Kompany's side, currently a point outside the top-eight in the league phase standings, take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

حقق ريال مدريد فوزًا هامًا وصعبًا على نظيره ديبورتيفو ألافيس، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة 31 من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

المباراة جمعت بين الفريقين على ملعب ميندي زوروزا، وشهدت أحداثًا مثيرة ببطاقتين حمراواتين خلال 90 دقيقة صعبة على النادي الملكي ومضيفه.

في الدقيقة 20 سجل راؤول أسينسيو هدف التقدم لـ ريال مدريد، قبل أن تلغيه تقنية الفار.

بعد أقل من ربع ساعة، تمكن الدولي الفرنسي إدواردو كامافينجا من تسجيل هدف التقدم بطريقة رائعة، بتسديدة قوية بالقدم اليسرى على يسار حارس ألافيس.

وبعد 4 دقائق، خرج كيليان مبابي من الملعب مطرودًا بعد العودة لتقنية الفيديو، ليكتشف الحكم تدخل الفرنسي العنيف على بلانكو لاعب ألافيس.

وانتهى الشوط الأول بتقدم ريال مدريد، ليكمل المباراة بـ10 لاعبين، قبل أن يهدر جارسيا هدف التعادل بعد 10 دقائق من بداية الشوط الثاني.

دخل فينيسيوس مكان رودريجو وجولر ترك مكانه لـ بيلينجهام في الدقيقة 63، قبل دقائق قليلة من خروج مانو سانشيز مطرودًا لتتعادل الكفة، ويلعب كل فريق بـ 10 لاعبين.

الطرد جاء بعد تدخل قوي من لاعب ألافيس على فينيسيوس جونيور، بنفس الطريقة التي أدت لخروج مبابي مطرودًا.

وواصل ريال مدريد امتصاص حماس أصحاب الأرض، وأهدر بيلينجهام فرصة قتل المباراة في الدقيقة 91، قبل أن يدخل سيبايوس مكان فالفيردي في الدقائق الأخيرة.

بهذه النتيجة، يصبح رصيد ريال مدريد 66 نقطة في المركز الثاني من الدوري الإسباني بفارق 4 نقاط عن برشلونة المتصدر، بينما ديبورتيفو ألافيس في المركز السابع عشر برصيد 30 نقطة، وتفصله نقطة واحدة عن مراكز الهبوط.

ويستعد ريال مدريد لملاقاة آرسنال مساء الأربعاء المقبل، في إياب دور ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو، بعدما خسر الملكي 3-0 في الذهاب بملعب الإمارات.

Left-arm seamer Usman Shinwari called up as cover

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2022Karachi Kings’ floundering PSL campaign has been dealt another blow with the withdrawal of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Ilyas because of injuries. This robs the 2020 champions of two key bowlers, as they look to recover from three straight losses as a start to their season, and move off the bottom of the table.Amir had yet to play a game in PSL 2022. “Mohammad Amir, who was nursing a side strain for the past week or so, has aggravated his back injury during the rehabilitation process and shall also no longer be available to participate in the remainder of the season,” a franchise statement said.Ilyas had played in all three games, but conceded 71 runs across the six overs he had bowled. He hurt his shoulder in Karachi’s last game, a six-wicket loss to Lahore Qalandars, but returned to bowl again. Now that he’s out of the tournament, Usman Shinwari has been drafted in to replace him.”Mohammad Ilyas, who had a severe shoulder injury, despite which he came back after receiving treatment to bowl two overs in the last match,” the statement said. “MRIs have confirmed the worst and he has been advised rest for the next six weeks or so, and shall be leaving for his home in Peshawar tomorrow evening.”Karachi’s next game is against Peshawar Zalmi on Friday.

The series will comprise three ODIs and a one-off T20I, all at Sabina Park

Matt Roller06-Dec-2021

West Indies will play three ODIs and a T20I against Ireland in Jamaica from January 8 to 16, the CWI has announced, with the possibility that the standalone T20I will be used as a farewell match for Chris Gayle.Gayle confirmed after West Indies’ exit in the T20 World Cup that he had played his last game in a major tournament but revealed his hope that CWI would “give me one game in Jamaica to go in front of my home crowd… then I can say ‘hey guys, thank you so much.'”Related

Four Ireland players, assistant coach test Covid-19 positive ahead of USA, Caribbean tours

Kevin O'Brien omitted from Ireland's T20I squad for USA-West Indies tour

Chris Gayle reveals he hasn't retired yet, hopes for farewell game in Jamaica

While Gayle will not be part of the ODI squad, with the series counting towards 2023 World Cup qualification through the Super League, the one-off fixture at Sabina Park could be used as his farewell game. ESPNcricinfo understands that a decision has yet to be made on Gayle’s inclusion but that the issue will be up for discussion at the next meeting of CWI’s board of directors later this month.”It’s whether collectively we all feel that it’s appropriate for him to have one last game at home to say farewell in a one-off game,” Johnny Grave, CWI’s chief executive, told the Mason and Guest radio show in Barbados last month. “That Ireland series would represent that opportunity.”It would certainly be appropriate, as far as I can see it, to treat our players and give them the opportunity to bow out – especially players like Chris who have had unbelievable careers and won trophies for the West Indies.”West Indies vs Ireland fixtures

January 8 – 1st ODI
January 11 – 2nd ODI
January 14 – 3rd ODI
January 16 – Only T20I (D/N)

Ireland will travel to the Caribbean on December 31, immediately after their series against USA which starts on December 22 and comprises two T20Is and three ODIs. They have already named their squads for both tours, with Kevin O’Brien left out and David Ripley taking temporary charge as interim head coach.Ireland last toured the Caribbean in 2020, drawing the T20I series 1-1 and losing the ODI series 3-0. Sabina Park was also the venue for one of the finest moments in Irish cricketing history, their victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup on St Patrick’s Day.”We are pleased to be returning to the Caribbean where we have so many great memories,” Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s performance director, said. “The World Cup Super League is a crucial set of fixtures for Ireland as we attempt to qualify for the next Cricket World Cup, and – if the series in 2020 is anything to go by – we look forward to a highly competitive series in January.”

Club are top of Division One heading into ‘Super September’ title run-in

Matt Roller24-Aug-2021Warwickshire have become the latest club to bolster their squad ahead of the County Championship’s ‘Super September’, signing the Barbados seamer Chemar Holder for their Division One run-in.Holder, who made his Test debut in New Zealand last December, will fly to London on Friday after the conclusion of West Indies’ Test series against Pakistan in Jamaica, and is due to be available for Warwickshire’s away fixture against Lancashire on August 30.Holder was the leading wicket-taker in the 2019-20 West Indies Championship, spearheading Barbados’ title-winning attack, and was part of the squad that toured England and New Zealand last year then made an ODI debut in Bangladesh at the start of 2021. He was not retained by St Lucia Kings in the CPL despite playing a part in their run to the final last season, opening up the opportunity to play county cricket.The decision to sign an overseas fast bowler is a change of strategy from Warwickshire, who employed top-order batters Pieter Malan and Hanuma Vihari as their international signings earlier in the summer. But with Dom Sibley set to be available after being dropped by England and fast bowlers Henry Brookes and Olly Stone both out for the season, they have opted to add depth to their seam-bowling stocks.Related

PCA push for reduction in 'outdated' compensation payments for counties' IPL players

Wright advocates staging Blast 'in a block' as QFs loom after five-week hiatus

Northeast makes Notts his third county of season on short-term deal

Azhar Ali returns to Somerset, Zafar Gohar joins Gloucestershire

Warwickshire start the final stage of the Championship top of Division One, carrying forward half the points they accumulated in their group games against Nottinghamshire. They finished seventh out of eight teams in the old Division One in 2019 and were winless in last summer’s Bob Willis Trophy, but have impressed in first-class cricket since Mark Robinson’s arrival as head coach.Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, said: “We’re delighted to add Chemar to our bowling unit ahead of what is an exciting four games in the LV= Insurance County Championship. Chemar is a young, tall, fast bowler who will offer us something different as we look to build on our impressive start.”In the red-ball game Chemar has impressed internationally and domestically and I know he’s extremely excited to wear the Bear and Ragged Staff. I’d like to thank batsmen Hanuma Vihari and Pieter Malan for their contributions, and we look forward to welcoming Chemar very soon.”Holder said: “Warwickshire is a fantastic club with a proud history of winning trophies and overseas stars. The Bears squad have a great opportunity to win a trophy this season and I can’t wait to contribute and help the team achieve their goals. I’m incredibly excited to test myself in such an illustrious competition.”

da dobrowin： As they look to steer away from relegation trouble in the upcoming campaign, Nottingham Forest have reportedly opened talks to welcome a sixth summer signing for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

da gbg bet： Preparing for Espirito Santo's first full season in charge, Forest have welcomed the likes of Elliot Anderson, Marko Stamenic, Carlos Miguel, Eric da Silva Moreira and, most recently, Nikola Milenkovic. The experienced defender comes in to replace Moussa Niakhate, who swapped the Midlands for Lyon in a move to help Forest comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Related Nottingham Forest eye move to sign 27 y/o free agent ahead of Turkish club

He could be a shrewd coup for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Posts ByBen Browning Jul 23, 2024

Now, with just over a month left until the transfer window slams shut, Forest have reportedly set their sights on more fresh faces to add the cherry on top of what has been a successful summer. Recent rumours have even linked the Midlands club to free agent and former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, whose agent has reportedly offered the midfielder to several clubs around the Premier League.

That said, Forest have seemingly set their sights on elsewhere in South America for their sixth signing of the summer. According to Cesar Luis Merlo via Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest have opened negotiations to sign Ramon Sosa in a deal that could be worth a reported $20m (£15.5m) in the next month. This follows Wolverhampton Wanderers' reported interest in the CA Talleres left-winger in a Midlands race for his signature.

Forest haven't been afraid to splash the cash in the current transfer window, but it remains to be seen whether they'll match Talleres' £15.5m price tag for the 24-year-old. Following an impressive season in the Copa de la Liga last time out, Sosa may get the chance to make his biggest career move yet by arriving at the City Ground over a move to Gary O'Neil's Wolves side.

"Gifted" Sosa can provide backup for Hudson-Odoi

Although Sosa's lack of experience in European football means that he's unlikely to step straight into Espirito Santo's starting side, he could at least provide cover for Calum Hudson-Odoi, whose injury history explains the need for exactly that.

At 24 years of age, the Paraguay winger could be entering his best years as a winger too, making now the best time to complete a move. Described as "gifted" by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Forest could add crucial strength in depth by signing Sosa.

Coming off the back of a seven goal and six assist campaign, which was then followed by an impressive Copa America tournament, Sosa could yet steal some headlines if he completes a move to the Premier League this summer. If Joyes' praise is anything to go by, then Talleres' £15m+ price tag is an understandable one.

أعلن مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي عن أول قراراته بعد إلغاء مباراة القمة أمام الزمالك والتي كان مقررًا إقامتها مساء اليوم، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى لحساب المرحلة الثانية من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وكانت مباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك، المقرر إقامتها مساء الثلاثاء، قد أُلغيت بعدما أطلق الحكم محمود بسيوني صافرة النهاية بعد مرور 20 دقيقة من الانتظار، بسبب عدم حضور الأهلي إلى الملعب، تنفيذًا لقراره بعدم خوض اللقاء في حال إسناد التحكيم إلى طاقم مصري.

بعد انتظار 20 دقيقة.. إلغاء مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري المصري

وأعلن النادي الأهلي تحمل قيمة التذاكر التي قام مشجعوه بشرائها لحضور المواجهة أمام الزمالك، والتي لم تُلعب بسبب الأزمة التي نشبت بشأن طاقم التحكيم المعين لإدارة المباراة.

وأعلن النادي، في بيان رسمي، أنه كلّف الإدارة التنفيذية بالتواصل مع شركة تذكرتي خلال الساعات المقبلة، من أجل تحديد الآلية القانونية المناسبة لإعادة قيمة التذاكر إلى الجماهير، وضمان استردادها بالشكل الأمثل دون أي عوائق.

وأكد مجلس إدارة الأهلي أن القرار يأتي في إطار حرص النادي على الحفاظ على حقوق جماهيره، خاصة بعد المعاناة التي تكبّدوها من أجل حضور المباراة، سواء من خلال شراء التذاكر أو السفر إلى استاد القاهرة الدولي لمتابعة مواجهة الزمالك.

ومن المنتظر أن تعلن شركة تذكرتي خلال الساعات المقبلة عن الإجراءات التي سيتم اتباعها لإعادة الأموال إلى المشجعين، في ظل تعاون كامل من إدارة الأهلي لضمان تنفيذ القرار بسرعة ودقة.

With a starting XI featuring Donovan, Wolff, Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT cleared the floor of the Reggae Boyz

The U.S. men's national team is taking on Jamaica in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League in a two-legged affair, with Mauricio Pochettino facing his biggest test since taking over as USMNT coach.

The two nations have a storied history, including a tough record on Jamaican soil for the USMNT, with six of their previous 10 meetings at "The Office" in Kingston ending in draws.

GOAL looked back at some of the most famous moments between the two nations, including one standout performance in 2002 in which the USMNT claimed a 5-0 victory in an international friendly, with both Josh Wolff and Landon Donovan running the show in the attack.

On May 16, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the USMNT claimed their largest-ever victory in one of their final tune-up matches ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Here's a look back at that match, and what it meant in this edition of… Throwback Thursday.

AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

It was their penultimate warmup match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, just three weeks out from the prestigious tournament, and the U.S. needed all the confidence they could get ahead of the competition. Just one month prior in April, they suffered an embarrassing road defeat to Ireland in Dublin in an international friendly, and in March, a 4-2 loss to Germany.

The U.S. needed a big victory to get lift their spirits. And they did just that. The USMNT defeated Jamaica 5-0, with four goals arriving in the second half.

Just seven minutes into the match, the had a golden chance to take a 1-0 lead, but a stupendous 1v1 save from Kasey Keller kept the match scoreless. Then, after a scoreless opening 30 minutes, the breakthrough arrived when Wolff opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, pounding home a back-post header for a 1-0 lead.

It was a close affair heading into the halftime break, but come the final 45 minutes, the floodgates opened.

Just two minutes into the second half, Donovan combined with Clint Mathis, who scored from the edge of the box to double the lead. In the 60th minute, Wolff secured a brace, giving the USMNT a dominant 3-0 lead. Then, in the 84th minute, Donovan finally got his goal, handing the U.S. a 4-0 lead before the fifth arrived of the boot of DaMarcus Beasley in stoppage-time.

Donovan recorded three assists and a goal, while Wolff scored a brace as the U.S. got the momentum boost they needed ahead of traveling to South Korea for the World Cup.

AdvertisementWATCH THE GOALSAFPWHY IT MATTERS

The U.S. went on to produce one of their best-ever performances at the 2002 World Cup, with Bruce Arena's team stunning the world. At the time, it was monumental for the growth of the game domestically, and for the U.S., it was an announcement that they had arrived on the biggest stage.

Arena led the team to the Round of 16 in the tournament for the first time in 72 years, including an iconic victory over rivals Mexico in the group stage. In their knockout match that sent them home, they fell 1-0 to Germany – but it happened in controversial fashion. After an in-swinging corner from Claudio Reyna in the 50th minute, Gregg Berhalter hit a low-driven volley that beat German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, but was cleared off the line by the arm of defender Torsten Frings. However, the referee did not call a handball offense – despite the blatant infraction.

Regardless, though, the U.S. roster in 2002 made waves across the global game with their performances, and it was the start of a budding career for many U.S. internationals such as Donovan – who went on to have a brilliant career with the USMNT.

However, many attribute their success in the tournament to their thrilling victory over the just over a month prior to their journey to Korea.

Getty Images SportWHERE ARE THEY NOW

The stars of that victory against Jamaica – Wolff and Donovan – are both active members of domestic soccer in the U.S. Wolff was head coach of Austin FC for five seasons from 2019 through 2024, until he was fired earlier this year. In his first senior head coaching role, he got the 2019 expansions side through their first years as an organization.

Donovan, meanwhile, was appointed interim head coach of NWSL side San Diego FC earlier this year. The California-based club missed out on the postseason, meaning his contact is now up. However, it is yet to be determined what his next steps are as a manager – and if San Diego will look to re-appoint him in 2025.

A brilliantly-measured partnership between Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning steered Kent Spitfires to a 16-run win over Middlesex in their Vitality Blast match at Canterbury.The hosts were wobbling on 47 for 4 before Cox and Leaning both made 64, helping them recover to 178 for 8, despite a hat-trick for Chris Green, who took 5 for 32.Luke Hollman countered with a high-class 51 off 33 balls, but the visitors lost wickets too frequently to seriously threaten the hosts and finished on 162 for 8.Middlesex’s decision to field after winning the toss initially seemed vindicated when Blake Cullen took wickets with the last two balls of the third over, after he’d been hit for 13 off the previous four by Daniel Bell-Drummond, before the Kent skipper skied the fifth and was caught by Eoin Morgan at mid-off for 15.Joe Denly slashed at the next ball and fell to a diving catch by John Simpson for 10 and in the next over Ollie Robinson edged Steven Finn and was caught behind for 8, leaving Kent on a modest 42 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.Green had Alex Blake stumped off a wide for six, but Cox and Leaning responded with a cleverly-paced stand of 123, marked by smart running between the wickets and a well-timed acceleration that saw the last five overs produce 64 runs.Green’s final over saw Cox caught by Max Holden, a two, a six and then a hat-trick. Leaning was caught by Morgan, Darren Stevens stumped off his first delivery and Milnes caught by Bamber.Middlesex’s reply got off to a disastrous start. Stevie Eskinazi was caught behind off Denly for 4 and Paul Stirling skied James Logan’s first delivery to Blake for a duck. Holden got a bottom edge to Stevens and was caught behind for 10, Simpson played a horrible shot to Leaning and was caught by Cox for 4 and Eoin Morgan cut Stevens to Bell-Drummond and was out for 27.Stevens then bowled Green for 16 and although Nathan Sowter offered some late resistance with an unbeaten 31, when Fred Klaassen had Hollman caught by Blake off the final ball of the penultimate over, it left Middlesex needing 25 off six, a task that finally proved beyond them when Cullen holed out to Milnes and was caught by Blake for 4