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Everton fell to yet another Premier League defeat on Sunday, with Ivan Toney’s first half penalty securing victory for Brentford. 

It leaves the Toffees, who have now suffered six losses in their last nine matches, bottom of the league’s form table over that period of time.

Here at The Transfer Tavern, we look into the three worst-rated Everton starters as per statistical specialists SofaScore, with players required to feature for at least 45 minutes for ranking.

Anthony Gordon – 6.3

Gordon started for the third consecutive game at the Brentford Community Stadium but this was an afternoon to forget for the 20-year-old.

He lost seven of his 11 ground duels, conceding possession 18 times overall. Furthermore, he attempted five crosses over the course of the game, but not a single one of them found a team-mate.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6.4

Doucoure was back in Rafael Benitez’s starting line-up for this one after four games out through injury, but he didn’t make the desired impact.

Like Gordon, he was dominated when contesting ground duels, winning just one out of his five. He was also wasteful with possession, giving the ball away 14 times, and none of his long passes or dribbles were successful.

Andros Townsend – 6.4

Townsend has been a mainstay this season, selected for 12 of the Toffees’ 13 league matches, and he will hope that his display on Sunday afternoon was a mere blip.

The winger gave away the penalty, and received a yellow card, after catching Frank Onyeka with a high foot midway through the first half.

He won just three of his nine ground duels (33.3%) and lost the ball on 15 occasions, with six crosses going astray.

In other news, many Everton fans were buzzing over this triple injury boost

Both sides have dashing openers, heavyweight middle-orders, crafty spinners. It should make for an intriguing series

Sidharth Monga15-Nov-2009His wife, his brother, his coach. An old forgotten supersinger, an old Bollywood superstar, almost every popular athlete in the country, almost every coach he has worked with, cricketers from his country, cricketers from other countries, writers from his country, writers from other countries, astrologers, designers, doctors, hair stylists, almost everyone who has had something to do with him has been interviewed for the occasion. Amid this hullabaloo it is almost forgotten that we are just a day away from what the man who has played international cricket for 20 years yearns for the most. A Test series. Finally there is one for Sachin Tendulkar and for India. And the Sri Lankans, rated No. 2 in Tests by the ICC, do we even know they have been in the country for a week now?And it’s a mean series, this. Sri Lanka may never have beaten India in India, but they caused the home side’s famed batting line-up enough embarrassment last year to provide a nice delicious previous to this series. There are a few men in the Indian middle order, thinking payback after the loss in 2008. The cast hasn’t changed much either: Muttiah Muralitharan is there, so is Ajantha Mendis; Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar and VVS Laxman are all there. Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble are missing, but they are replaced by two younger men just as eager to prove their credentials. One rating point separates the sides in ICC rankings.Last year in Sri Lanka, Mendis and Murali took 47 wickets between them, in three Tests and for 945 runs, to bring India down to their knees. All other bowlers from both the sides combined to take 48. Things have changed since then. Mendis has played six more Tests, and added just 16 wickets to that tally of 26. Against Pakistan at the P Sara Oval he bowled more bad balls in one session than he did all series against India. But it was India that started the demystification of Mendis in the ODI leg of that tour. This will be Mendis’ chance – his bowling much more comprehensible now – to prove he can still be an effective bowler.This will be Murali’s last chance to get rid of a millstone. Despite that dream series in 2008, Australia are the only side against whom his career figures are worse: he averages 30 against India, against 22 overall. Australia is the only country where he averages worse: in India each of his 31 wickets has cost him 40 runs. And it has little to do with conditions: Murali has done better in places like England and South Africa, which assist spinners far less. Almost every visiting spinner has had a hard time in India, and Murali will want to strike out one of the few question marks left in his achievements.The anomaly persists with the Sri Lankan team as a whole too. They are No. 2 in the world, but are yet to win a Test in Australia, South Africa and India. They are one of the better Sri Lankan sides to have toured India, but they know they won’t be able to move to No. 1 without winning a series here, and not just a Test. For that their batting, inexperienced in Indian conditions, will have to deliver the kind of consistency it shows in Sri Lanka. Only four of them have played Tests previously in India – three each on the 2005 tour – and none of them have scored a century here. Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera can’t afford to have a similar series. Dilshan and Samaraweera, though, have since then transformed into completely different batsmen: surer of their place and their skill, and hugely more successful.They know that in head to head with the corresponding batting line-up, they are up against it. But have we realised that this is one of the last times we are seeing Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman play Tests in India? South Africa are supposed to tour India in February 2010, but we are not sure if they will play just ODIs or if it will be a full tour. The last time they came, they played only Tests. And the year after that will be the year of the World Cup. Who knows who will make what career decision then? Before they go, they would want to, even if for just one day, see India at the top of the Test table, but they are not being helped by the scheduling: they last played a Test in New Zealand, in the first quarter of this year.The most intriguing reason to watch this series, though, should be the spin face-off. Both sides have three spinners each in their squads, and going by the make-up of their squads at least two each should play in each of the Tests. Harbhajan Singh will be keenly watched. He has been slightly enigmatic over the last year and a half. Superb in Tests in Sri Lanka, and remarkable in unfriendly conditions in New Zealand, he has somehow tended to be just a restrictive bowler in a majority of his limited-overs matches. Being India’s No. 1 Test spinner, he will have to lift his game again, quickly. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to a slip, a leg gully, a silly point and a forward short leg.What sights they will be. All we need is nice, bouncy tracks, and there will be two spinners on either side testing the batsmen. Here’s to fielders in close-in positions most of the time, lots of rough, slips taking diving catches, umpires being tested on many bat-pad calls and being distracted by huge crowds appealing along with Indian bowlers, Murali signing off with one last memorable duel with Indian batsmen. And, there’s Zaheer Khan coming back, there’s Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara looking to build on strong performances in home Tests. And Sehwag and Dilshan will be opening the respective innings. If all goes right, there might not be much time to draw breath during this series, like there wasn’t in 2008.

On the same day that Ricky Ponting’s follow-on decision paid off at the Gabba, Queensland were also forced to follow on after a disappointing first innings at the MCG

Cricinfo staff28-Nov-2009
ScorecardClint McKay picked up 3 for 60 for Victoria•Getty ImagesOn the same day that Ricky Ponting’s follow-on decision paid off at the Gabba, Queensland were also forced to follow on after a disappointing first innings at the MCG. Nathan Reardon’s 58 was the only contribution of note in the Bulls’ 195 and at stumps they were still 173 in arrears.Melbourne’s rainy weather cut the day short and Queensland had reached 0 for 10 in their second innings with Nick Kruger on 9 and Wade Townsend on 1. They had already conceded first-innings points, although they were one batsman down as Ryan Broad could not take his place having fractured his thumb while fielding on the first day and is expected to miss three weeks.Clint McKay was the star for Victoria with 3 for 60 but it was the home team’s fielding that really hurt the Bulls. A direct hit from the substitute fielder Michael Beer ended Nick Kruger’s innings on 30 and Chris Simspon was also caught short thanks to a relay effort from Bryce McGain to Andrew McDonald.Victoria’s first-innings points have given them outright first place on the Sheffield Shield table and they will be keen to extend their lead with victory over the next two days. However, Melbourne’s weather is likely to affect their efforts with more rain expected on Sunday and Monday.

The series against Pakistan will serve as a chance for players to stake claim for national team selection ahead of New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka in August

Sa'adi Thawfeeq30-Jul-2009The wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva will lead Sri Lanka A in the unofficial Test and ODI series against Pakistan A in August.Silva was a member of the Sri Lanka Test squad which won the three-Test series 2-0 against Pakistan, but was not part of the playing XI in any of the Tests.The squad includes opener Malinda Warnapura, who played in all three Tests against Pakistan but managed just the one half-century in the series. Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando and Mahela Udawatte are some of the other players who will look to stake a claim for national team selection ahead of New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka beginning on August 18.Pakistan’s itinerary includes two four-day unofficial Tests and five one-dayers, apart from two practice games.Sri Lanka A squad:Kaushal Silva (capt), Mahela Udawatte, Malinda Warnapura, Lahiru Thirimanna, Chamara Silva, Gihan Rupasinghe, Malinda Pushpakumara, Thisara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welagedara, Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Dharmapriya, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Milinda Siriwardena, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chaminda Vidanapathirana.

Cricinfo previews the Champions League Twenty20 Group B clash between Eagles and Sussex

Cricinfo staff12-Oct-2009Start time:
October 13, 14.30 GMTCan Piyush Chawla turn it Sussex’s way?•AFPThis could be the most unglamorous game in the tournament as neither team has any famous name in its ranks – Sussex allrounders Luke Wright and Dwayne Smith being the only one with some international pedigree. But even Wright, who arrived only a day ago, is yet to recover completely from the virus he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy and playing him may be a gamble. Sussex would hope that their captain Michael Yardy recovers from the severe stomach cramps that forced him to watch the defeat against New South Wales on Sunday from the dressing room.Still the Twenty20 Cup winners could count themselves as favourites in this crucial clash – the winners advance to the next round – based on the Eagles’ toothless display in their 53-run loss against group leaders New South Wales in their first game. Another boost for the English champions came from the New South Wales’ captain Simon Katich who picked them as a favourite when asked for his prediction for tomorrow’s game. Compared to the Sussex batsmen, who at least got starts, none of the Eagles’ batsmen, barring Ryan McLaren, got a look-in on the low pitch.Watch out for:
Dwayne Smith v Thandi Tshabalala: Smith had blasted a 26-ball half-century to help Sussex lift their first Twenty20 Cup and could be a dangerous proposition for the rookie Tshabalala, who already got stick after being wayward the other day against the Australian youngster Moises Henriques, who thrashed him for 15 runs in five balls.Riley Rossouw v Yasir Arafat: Rossouw turned 20 last week and is one for the future for South Africa. The left-hander goes for his shots and he could have an interesting tussle with Arafat, a skiddy customer who maintains a wicket-to-wicket line.Ryan McLaren v Piyush Chawla: McLaren, though an unorthodox batsman, is not shy to step out as he did against in the very first over of the New South Wales legspinner Steve Smith, thumping a six and four. Chawla had recently said that he would attack the batsmen even at the expense of going for runs so this contest could get engrossing if players stick to their guns.

After Noor Ali made twin centuries on first-class debut, his coach Kabir Khan that Noor would have to shoulder greater responsibility as Afghanistan play stiffer opposition

Cricinfo staff23-Aug-2009Afghanistan made an impressive transition to first-class cricket after their success in the limited-overs format in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, where they qualified for the Super Eights and earned ODI status. They put in an impressive show against a strong Zimbabwe XI in Mutare in their opening game of the Intercontinental Cup, where they held the upper hand for much of the drawn contest.There were several individual highlights for one of the most closely followed teams in the tournament, with Noor Ali, the 21-year-old Afghanistan opener, stealing the headlines. He became just the fourth player to score a century in each innings of a first-class debut – Arthur Morris, Nari Contractor and Aamir Malik being the other three. And his coach Kabir Khan expected him to continue his tremendous run against Netherlands in Amstelveen on August 24.”Every time I think I have seen the best of him [Noor], he proves me wrong by producing something special and extraordinary,” Khan, a former Pakistan fast bowler, said on the eve of the match. “With the form he’s enjoying, I’m sure he will score more runs in Amstelveen.”However, Khan cautioned that his players must also be prepared to experience the pitfalls of top-level cricket after enjoying success so far. “But these are early days for Noor and the side,” he said. “The more the boys will play, the more they’ll learn about the demands and rigours of first-class cricket with fitness being the key.”After delivering such a strong performance, Khan added that Noor would have to shoulder greater responsibility as Afghanistan play stiffer opposition. “I want Noor to enjoy this time and continue to play the way he’s playing,” he said. “I’m sure he’ll learn when he’ll play against different oppositions and in different conditions. But these are his happy days and he deserves to enjoy them without forgetting that he has raised the bar of expectation and to meet those expectations he’ll be required to work and train harder.”It’s been a remarkable few months for Afghanistan and had it not been for Tatenda Taibu – who, also, scored a century in each innings – and the resistance offered by the Zimbabwean lower order, they were in a good position to record their first first-class victory. Among the other players to leave a mark were allrounder Mohammad Nabi, who took 3 for 90 in the first innings and scored a century on debut, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, who made 79.Khan believed his team had done enough in their opening game to earn the respect of the other participants in the competition. “I think Afghanistan has given a very good account of itself in the tournament opener,” he said. “I’m sure the opponents will take us seriously, come hard at us which, I think, will help us to play our best cricket.”It is a long road to number one with no short cuts. There’ll be successes and disappointments and we have to quickly learn to handle them both. But a good start is always essential and I think we got something in Mutare to build on.”The effort against Zimbabwe, Khan said, should inspire his team to step up against other Associate nations. “We have shown flashes of our talent and potential in the tournament opener and if we show the same commitment and zeal, I’m sure we will be able to challenge the top Associate sides in the not too distant future.”Their opponents, Netherlands, meanwhile, have made five changes to the team that hung on for a disappointing draw against Canada. Both teams are level on nine points going in to tomorrow’s encounter and they meet again in two ODIs on August 30 and September 1.

Amid a difficult run of form in the Premier League, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could look to make some big changes for today’s clash against West Ham.

The Villans have lost three games on the bounce since that 1-0 victory away at Manchester United, and the change to a back five hasn’t paid off in recent weeks.

One change Smith must surely look to make is bringing in Bertrand Traore, with it being confirmed during the manager’s pre-match press conference that the Burkina Faso international is now fit to make his comeback.

That comes off the back of the Villa boss admitting that the 26-year-old’s teammate and fellow winger Leon Bailey faces a late fitness check on whether could start from the off.

Smith said: “We’re having to manage him carefully. He came here with no pre-season and an injury from playing international football.

“He got injured in the Everton game and we had to wrap him up in cotton wool, so to speak. He got a good 45 minutes against Arsenal and he needed that. He was blowing, but he’s had a good week’s training. We’ll assess tomorrow (Saturday) whether he’s ready to start or not.”

If Bailey isn’t ready to start, then Smith must look towards Traore as the man to get Villa firing again.

Since arriving from Lyon last year, the Burkina Faso international has struggled to get consistent game-time but has shown flashes of the “immense talent” that Smith has hailed – his debut campaign in English football saw him manage a respectable total of seven goals and seven assists in the Premier League, albeit with a frustrating lack of consistency.

His former Chelsea teammate Papy Djilobodji said: “Bertrand (Traore), whom I knew in Chelsea, technically he is very, very good: with his feints, he is very hard to stop.”

The £18m-rated maestro could ensure that Villa don’t miss Bailey at all by delivering an eye-catching performance of his own against West Ham today.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has delivered his verdict on Aston Villa’s recent Premier League struggles…

Stuart Clark’s hopes of a Test recall this summer are all but over after he withdrew from New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match with a back injury

Cricinfo staff11-Dec-2009Stuart Clark’s hopes of a Test recall this summer are all but over after he withdrew from New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match with a back injury. Clark had been mentioned as a possible replacement for Peter Siddle if he did not recover from a hamstring problem in time for Wednesday’s Perth Test, but Australia named an unchanged squad.Clark suffered back pain during Wednesday’s FR Cup match and returned to Sydney to speak to Cricket New South Wales medical staff about a recovery timetable. However, Clark was not expecting to be available until January, which would effectively rule him out of contention for all of Australia’s home Tests.”I experienced pain during the Ford Ranger Cup match and will follow the recovery process as set down by the Cricket New South Wales medical staff,” Clark said. “I am confident that the recovery process will allow me to be available in the new year.”Clark was meant to captain New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield game and he has been replaced as leader by the allrounder Moises Henriques. It will be the first taste of state captaincy for Henriques, 22, who was given the task ahead of more experienced candidates including Phil Jaques.

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang could leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

Lang, who has been likened to Neymar due to his close control and finishing, was linked with a move to Elland Road a number of times during the summer, but he ended up staying put at Brugge.

The 22-year-old has made a superb start to the 2021/22 season, already chipping in with three goals and four assists in the Jupiler Pro League, while winning the man of the match award in a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League group stages.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Fresh update emerges

Leeds have been boosted in their potential efforts to sign Lang, with Voetbal International [via Sport Witness] claiming that he could move on in January.

Brugge are thought to be ‘realistic’ about the interest in the attacker, with the report adding that he could leave ‘as early as this winter’.

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The Verdict: Ideal attacking addition

Lang is a player with a huge amount of promise, having been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt in the past.

His start to this season shows how much attacking quality he could bring to Leeds’ team, giving them extra guile in central areas but also capable of thriving out wide.

If the Whites managed to snap up the young Dutchman in January, it could give the squad a much-needed injection of class midway through the campaign.

In other news, Leeds could make a move for a defender, according to one report. Read more here.

Celtic defender Liam Scales has been called up to the Republic of Ireland’s senior squad.

The Lowdown: Scales at Celtic

The 23-year-old was one of 12 summer signings to arrive at Parkhead, costing the club £540,000 from Shamrock Rovers.

The versatile defender, labelled as ‘quick’ by Graham Gartland, is yet to start for the Hoops, though, with his only appearance coming against Raith Rovers in the League Cup.

He’s now got the chance to make his first senior appearance for his country during the international break ahead of his return to Glasgow.

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The Latest: Joseph’s post

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph took to Twitter to share the news regarding Scales.

He revealed that Scales has replaced Swansea City’s Ryan Manning who withdrew through injury, with the Hoops man now set to be around the squad for games against Azerbaijan and Qatar.

The Verdict: Celtic start pending?

The Daily Record believe that Ange Postecoglou will have one eye on Ireland’s clash with Azerbaijan on Saturday.

So, should Scales make his senior international debut and hold his own, that could tempt Postecoglou into handing him a first Hoops start against Motherwell.

Greg Taylor remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and Josip Juranvoic also picked up a knock recently, so Scales could be an option to feature at left-back at Fir Park.

In other news: Kyogo shares 10-word update away with Japan which should delight Celtic and Ange.