Since the start of his career, he has had to put his game together brick by brick, improving at every step

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Sep-2025Pathum Nissanka remembers being around cricket from his earliest years. “I’ve been playing since I was in year one or year two,” he says, the game as present and natural a feature of his life as the brooding Kalu Ganga (black river), which meets the Indian Ocean in his home town of Kalutara.He had had this cricket-soaked childhood because his father, Sunil Silva, was then a groundsman at the biggest club in town. “It was my who inspired that love in me,” Nissanka says. “He taught me how to hold a bat. He was my first coach.” His mother, Geethika, used to sell flowers outside Kalutara’s famous Buddhist temple; theirs was not a family of great means. But what they did have was this burning desire to make their talented son a cricketer.In addition to the early trainings and sweltering afternoons that form the bedrock of a burgeoning cricketing life, Nissanka was forever facing throwdowns from his father at home or at the club ground. It was there, or so the story goes, that a serious work ethic developed. It is this tirelessness that has set him apart.Related

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Although he was precocious, Nissanka’s rise through Sri Lanka’s system was gradual. He started at as good a cricketing school as the city could offer, Kalutara Vidyalaya, which produced TM Dilshan. But its First XI still played in a Division II competition that was holding back Nissanka’s development. Eventually he was scouted by Isipathana College and moved there – a fancy-ish Colombo institution but one better known for its rugby. When he graduated to senior domestic cricket, he spent a couple of seasons at Badureliya Sports Club before moving to the better-resourced Nondescripts Cricket Club.At no rung on this ladder did Nissanka attract big hype. Few whispers were heard about his being Sri Lanka’s next great batter. No social-media campaigns of note aimed to propel him into the national side. No selectors backed his promise and carried him into a national squad on a palanquin, as they had done others. Nissanka was required to put his game together stage by stage, often adding attacking elements to what he says was always a robust defensive technique.Before he made his debut for Sri Lanka in 2021, Nissanka strung together two first-class seasons in which he averaged around 90, raising his overall first-class average to an outstanding 67.54. On that maiden 2021 tour of West Indies, he became the first Sri Lankan batter in 20 years to make a hundred on Test debut. In that innings he was scoreless in his first 20 balls, and on 18 off his first 70.

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Nearly three quarters of the way through 2025, it is possible we are seeing the rise of Sri Lanka’s first space-age, three-format batter. No other specialist batter who came up in the T20 age has quite made it across formats. Nissanka opens the batting in all three. Since 2024, he has put up serious numbers.In Tests he averages 51.20 in that period. No opener in the world with 400 runs in that stretch averages as much. In ODIs he averages 48.47 with a strike rate of 98. In T20Is, he’s hit 970 runs at a strike rate of 142.Among other things, Nissanka has refurbished his game square of the wicket on both sides•Zimbabwe CricketIt has become clear through this period that Nissanka has spent his four years in international cricket developing and honing fresh skills. It is his attacking game he has expanded the most. It took being dropped from ODIs for six months, at the back end of 2021, for him to realise what the next stage of his development needed to be.”After my first nine one-dayers, my average was down at nine-something [9.55],” Nissanka says. “I knew then that I needed to do more than that for the team, and had to find ways to improve. So I started training more than usual. I trained pretty much every day, and batted three or four times a day.”Having done the hard work of breaking through to the next level so many times, Nissanka knew the drill. The first step was to identify what his game lacked. For the first time, he had access to Sri Lanka Cricket’s coaching and analysis resources.”I looked at what my weak points were, and which areas I wasn’t getting many runs in. I analysed all that, and had some idea of how to change my game so I could put the ball in those areas.”My back-foot punch wasn’t in a good place previously. I would play it, but I didn’t get many runs from it. My slash also needed to improve. When you’re up against the new ball and it’s swinging, you need to have these shots to score off. I worked really hard on those shots, and practised them constantly.”The data shows significant improvement. Where until the end of 2022, Nissanka struck at only 105 in the sectors immediately adjacent to point on either side in T20Is, since the start of 2024 (we’re excluding 2023, as the main transition year), he has struck at 132 through that region.There was also general power-hitting work, and strength-building in the gym. Where until the end of 2022 he used to hit a six once every 37 balls, he has cleared the rope once every 25.29 balls, since 2024. The fours have also come at a substantially faster clip – he hits one once every 6.1 balls since 2024, when until the end of 2022, he’d hit one every 9.97 deliveries.

The Detroit Tigers have been the best team in MLB through the first half of the season, and that's been represented in the team's litany of All-Star selections.

After a late All-Star roster shakeup, the Tigers now find themselves in a deadlock with the Los Angeles Dodgers with the most representatives at the midsummer classic. Houston Astros infielder Jeremy Peña won't be able to participate due to a rib injury, and MLB announced that Detroit's Zach McKinstry would be selected as his replacement.

McKinstry becomes the Tigers' fifth All-Star, joining the likes of starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, second baseman Gleyber Torres and outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Baez. Only the Dodgers, who are sending Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw to Atlanta, have as many representatives.

McKinstry, 30, is enjoying his best MLB season to date. He's slashing .283/.357/.460 with seven home runs, 27 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

تحدث نجم الكرة المغربية ومحلل شبكة قنوات “بي إن سبورتس”، عبد العزيز بنيج، عن تعادل الجيش الملكي المغربي مع الأهلي، بهدف لكل فريق، في دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

وتعادل الأهلي مع نظيره الجيش الملكي، بهدف لكل فريق، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

طالع.. موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة بعد التعادل مع الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وقال عبد العزيز بنييج في تصريحات على قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “ما قدمه الجيش الملكي في الشوط الأول طبيعي أن يكون هناك هبوطا في مستوى الفريق بالشوط الثاني، مواكبة المباراة كانت متأخرة من سانتوس مدرب الفريق، في حين الجانب الأخير كان يوجد تفاعل سريع من مدرب الأهلي، بإجراء تغييرات مباشرة ودكة احتياطي كانت جيدة بدخول بن رمضان”.

وأضاف: “تبديلات الأهلي أحدثت ارتباكًا في دفاع الجيش الملكي وأصبح أفضل، والفريق المغربي قدم مباراة شجاعة”. 

وتابع: “الحكم الليبي كان جيدًا في المباراة، كل القرارات اللي أخذها صائبة وعادلة، لو هناك تقنية فار كان من الممكن يتأكد أكثر، تعادل عادل بين الفريقين، الأهلي في الشوط الثاني قدم أشياء جميلة، الجيش الملكي لم يستطيع الحفاظ على التقدم”.  

Seifert’s 125 is also the second-highest score ever in the CPL, while Kings’ chase was the fifth-highest ever in the competition

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Aug-2025A stunning century from Tim Seifert helped St Lucia Kings pull off the fifth-highest chase in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history with utter ease as they marched to the top of the table with a six-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Gros Islet.Seifert levelled with Andre Russell for the CPL’s fastest century as his 53-ball 125 not out saw Kings overturn their 205-run in 17.5 overs as Falcons slumped to their second consecutive defeat, despite a 26-ball 61 from Shakib Al Hasan.Seifert started the chase in style, flat-batting the first legal delivery of the innings for a six over long-off. Imad Wasim conceded another six, to Johnson Charles, as Kings made their intent clear in the first over.Charles then welcomed Jayden Seales into the attack with a six before Seifert went 6, 4, 4 against the West Indies quick.There was some reprieve for Falcons when Salman Irshad had Charles gloving behind off an attempted scoop but Seifert showed no signs of slowing down.He swept Shakib for a six over square leg before skying a chance that fell safe between three fielders converging, much to Shakib’s angst.Akeem Auguste hit Irshad for three consecutive fours before Seales took 24 off Shakib, with two sixes and three fours. The 92 runs Kings plundered in the powerplay were the most in the season, and it was the third-best powerplay in CPL history.Tim Seifert plays a shot during his opening blitz•Getty ImagesUsama Mir saw Seifert hit him for a four and a six in his first over, right after the powerplay, but hit back in his next over when he beat Auguste in flight to have him stumped.Seifert and Roston Chase kept the scoreboard ticking before Irshad took a blinder at short leg off Odean Smith to cut Chase’s innings short.However, in the next over Seifert hit back-to-back sixes off Mir to move to 99 and completed his century with a single off the next ball.Tim David went 6, 4, 6 off Smith before Seales had him caught at deep midwicket in a wicket maiden amid the chaos.Seifert, who had scooped Irshad in the over before for four, picked up another boundary off Seales’ third over before sealing the win with a mighty six off the final ball.Seifert finished unbeaten on 125, posting the highest score of the season, going past his compatriot Colin Munro, who is the only other centurion this year. This was also the second-highest score ever in the CPL.Openers Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew took Falcons to 51 for no loss at the end of the powerplay, but Tabraiz Shamsi’s introduction shifted the momentum briefly. He had Andrew skying one off his first ball before drawing a thick edge from Karima Gore and Roston Chase took a good catch at slip to send the in-form batter back for a first-ball duck.Shakib Al Hasan powered Falcons’ innings•CPLShakib prevented the hat-trick by sweeping a loosener fine on the leg side before an edge off a reverse-sweep brought him four more next ball.An 18-ball streak followed without a boundary, but that was ended when Shakib hit back-to-back sixes off Chase to end the tenth over – a slog sweep over midwicket was followed by a wallop down the ground.Shakib hammered David Wiese for 25 runs, with three consecutive fours followed by two back-to-back sixes, the second of which saw him bring up a 20-ball half-century.Jangoo lofted Shamsi over long-off the next over before sweeping him fine on the leg side. Shakib’s shot of the day was when he pummeled Alzarri Joseph inside out for a one-handed six.But an offcutter from Delano Potgieter drew a leading edge from Shakib and one over later, Jangoo miscued a reverse-sweep off Shamsi to David at short third to depart for a 43-ball 56.Smith failed to fire in the death, ambling to 11 off 15, but Fabian Allen provided the punch at the death with a 17-ball 38, taking Falcons past 200.

MatériaMais Notícias

Antes da bola rolar para Botafogo e Junior Barranquilla, John Textor, dono da SAF alvinegra, compareceu na Cidade da Polícia para prestar depoimento. O empresário ficou cerca de três horas com as autoridades.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoLuiz Henrique analisa derrota do Botafogo na Libertadores: ‘Desatentos’Botafogo03/04/2024Fora de CampoFelipe Neto cita Textor e se revolta com derrota do Botafogo na Libertadores: ‘Vergonhosa’Fora de Campo03/04/2024BotafogoGols e melhores momentos da derrota do Botafogo para o Junior Barranquilla na LibertadoresBotafogo03/04/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

Eu fui à delegacia, comecei o processo, entreguei provas, dei meu depoimento. Eu tenho muito mais provas do que um relatório da Good Game!. É um dia maravilhoso. Falei com investigadores independentes e razoáveis que não pareceram estar torcendo por clube nenhum. É muita informação, são meses de coleta de dados. É muito o início de um processo muito saudável

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comentou John Textor com exclusividade à Globo

John Textor entrou no Estádio Nilton Santos afirmando que tem “provas completas” de manipulação de resultados no futebol brasileiro. Além disso, o empresário estdunidense criticou a atuação do Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD).

– Estou tentando há muito tempo entregar provas para pessoas que se importam com isso. Eu mandei para o STJD, eles continuam falando que eu não entreguei provas. Eu entreguei há semanas provas completas de manipulação de resultados. Os nomes foram omitidos para proteger a identidade dos jogadores envolvidos. Eu me importo com a lei. Se alguém está envolvido num escândalo de manipulação, essa pessoa também tem direitos. Não consigo entender como o STJD, que tem processos não confidenciais, continua pedindo provas – criticou o empresário. E emendou:

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– Essa empresa (Good Game!) é uma das que têm maior credibilidade nessa área no mundo. Eles estavam aqui antes de eu chegar, olharam dois anos de dados antes de eu conhecê-los. (…) Vocês deveriam olhar o nome da minha empresa que se tornou Fubo, foi a empresa em que ganhei dinheiro para poder comprar um clube. O nome da empresa era Evolution AI Corporation (Evolução Inteligência Artifical). Se vocês não queriam mudança, não trouxessem um cara que fez seu dinheiro com inteligência artificial.

Textor ainda pontuou que não acusou Leila Pereira nem sobre o Palmeiras.

– Eu deixei muito claro que não fiz acusações sobre a Leila, ela deveria parar de se comportar como se estivesse sendo atacada. Eu não fiz acusações sobre o Palmeiras. Quando as pessoas manipulam esses jogos, pela visão do computador, eu posso provar como, mas eu não posso provar por quê. Eu não sei quem paga quem ou se estão fazendo isso de graça.

John Textor chegou ao Nilton Santos com a partida em andamento. O dono da SAF do Botafogo não gostou da atuação do time na estreia da fase de grupos da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidade

– Foi uma performance patética do time hoje. Nossos capitães sabem. Temos um novo treinador chegando. Abrimos uma competição maravilhosa, com uma performance horrorosa.

Tudo sobre

BotafogoFutebol NacionalJohn Textor

After they were placed into administration last Friday, Sheffield Wednesday have now received contact from American billionaire John Textor about buying the club.

The Owls knew the inevitable was coming for some time and it speaks volumes that many around the club will be relieved to be in administration rather than under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri. His decade-long ownership has finally come to an end following a period in which staff and players went unpaid on a number of occasions.

Whilst there may be some light at the end of the tunnel off the pitch, however, Sheffield Wednesday have suffered on it. Henrik Pedersen’s side have been dealt an automatic 12-point deduction which has left them on -6 points and an impossible battle to stay up in the Championship.

Many have had their say on the consequences that they’ve been handed by the EFL, including Gary Lineker. The former Match of the Day host told The Rest is Football podcast: “They have gone into administration, obviously, and hopefully they can sort it all out. But they have got the 12-point penalty and are now on -6.

“I understand why clubs have to suffer repercussions, but I just think it’s like kicking a club when it’s down and at its lowest. We have had this with other clubs, and it just doesn’t sit well. It’s almost like the fans take the punishment.”

Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield, Paul Stanley and Begbies Traynor have been appointed joint-administrators and are tasked with finding a suitable buyer for the club, with the EFL ready to relax their 21-day insolvency guideline to fast-track any potential sale.

John Textor makes contact with Sheffield Wednesday

According to reporter Alan Myers, Textor has now made contact with Sheffield Wednesday and their administrators about a potential deal to buy the club.

The American billionaire has also been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers and it’s clear that he’s looking to invest in English football after selling his Crystal Palace shares in the summer.

That said, Sheffield Wednesday should proceed with caution. Having only just ended a toxic relationship with Chansiri, the last thing they need is another difficult ownership.

Textor stole the headlines when he resigned from his leadership position at Lyon after they were relegated to Ligue 2 amid financial problems. Although they have now been reinstated to France’s top flight and Textor remains a shareholder from afar, his day-to-day role received major protest from fans.

A repeat at Sheffield Wednesday is not guaranteed, but the Owls must ensure that Textor is right for them if they are to add themselves to his portfolio of clubs.

Sheffield Wednesday administrators reveal criteria owners must meet

Oval Invincibles 226 for 5 (Cox 86*, Henry 2-39) beat Welsh Fire 143 (Bairstow 50, T Curran 4-15) by 83 runsOval Invincibles, led by an inspired Jordan Cox, smashed the highest score in the history of the Hundred, racking up 226 for 4 from their 100 balls as they crushed Welsh Fire by 83 runs at the Kia Oval.Asked to bat first in front of a packed home crowd, the Invincibles’ innings sprung into life inside the first 10 balls, Will Jacks hitting Matt Henry for back-to-back boundaries.Tawanda Muyeye then deposited David Payne for two sixes in a row as the home side started to put their foot down, racing to 54 for 0 after the 25-ball powerplay.Saif Zaib came into the attack and made a fortunate but much-needed breakthrough, Muyeye pulling a half-tracker into the hands of Payne on the square-leg boundary.Henry returned to the attack to remove Jacks, Chris Green taking yet another fine running catch in this year’s tournament. Invincibles reached the halfway mark of the innings on a very healthy 89 for 2.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Cox deposited Ajeet Singh Dale, playing his first game in the Hundred, for three consecutive sixes over the leg-side boundary and then sent him over the rope again from the final ball of the set with an incredible reverse-scoop.Sam Curran joined the party, hitting Green for back-to-back sixes to bring up the Invincibles 150, both he and Cox targeting the shorter boundary to devastating effect.Singh Dale dropped Cox at short-third and the batter took advantage of the life, striking Paul Walter for three sixes in a row, bringing up a 21-ball fifty in the process.Curran went caught in the deep off Green, which brought Donovan Ferreira to the middle, the South African promptly clubbing his first ball down the ground for six.Ferreira launched another six before being caught at long-on by Steve Smith to a chorus of boos. Cox, notably not named in England’s white-ball squads for the upcoming matches against South Africa and Ireland, closed out the innings with 14 runs from the final three balls, finishing 86 not out from 29 deliveries, with 10 sixes.Welsh Fire’s chase started dreadfully, Steve Eskinazi slapping the first ball from Jason Behrendorff to Muyeye who moved well to hang on at backward point.This set the tone for what would be a muted second half, the task just too tough. Jonny Bairstow made an aggressive 50 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore played enterprisingly for 31 from 16, but Fire could only make 143 all out, Tom Curran taking 4 for 15.Cox, named Meerkat Match Hero Cox, said of his power hitting: “Last game I unfortunately lost that front leg and basically had no power then. I did a bit of work in the nets with Donovan, he’s all about base, and it helped.”On the Invincibles, he added: “It’s a proper team and a privilege to be a part of it, to be honest. The depth we’ve got is incredible and it gives you that freedom for sure. We’re playing some pretty good cricket.”

Manchester City are said to be preparing for Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior, but rivals Manchester United are also among the clubs battling to sign him from the Spanish giants.

The Brazilian is one of the best wingers in world football currently, becoming a superstar at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Carlo Ancelotti heaping praise on him during their time working together.

“Right now, I think he is the most decisive player in the world. Everything he does is a dribble away from a defender, an assist or a goal, and he does it for the full 90 minutes – he just never stops.”

His current situation at Madrid isn’t necessarily the happiest, however, and journalist Guillem Balague has explained why there is some friction with Xabi Alonso.

“The manager has insisted Vinicius will not finish every game, that he needs to rest more, and Rodrygo will challenge him for a place on the left side of the attack. Xabi Alonso’s stance is rooted in authority and planning. Vini Jr, used to being indulged, has found it hard to adapt.”

Man City preparing offer for Vinicius

Now, a report from Spain claims that Manchester City are preparing a bid for Vinicius, with Premier League rivals United and Chelsea also in the mix to sign him.

There is apparently “no apparent intention to renew” his current contract, with Pep Guardiola’s side waiting to pounce and complete a stunning piece of business. He reportedly “doesn’t feel valued as he expected” at the Bernabeu, leading to “mounting tensions” emerging.

It goes without saying that the idea of Vinicius in a City shirt is an incredible prospect, given his status as one of the best footballers on the planet.

The 25-year-old possesses remarkable natural talent and skill, but most importantly, he backs that up with strong end product, bagging 64 goals and 44 assists in 217 appearances for Madrid.

Vinicius has also netted eight times for Brazil, and will likely be one of the star attractions at next summer’s World Cup, with former England international Owen Hargreaves lauding him last year.

“His finishing is crazy. His decision-making in front of goal is amazing. He looked very angry in the second half. I don’t know what Carlo [Ancelotti] said to him, but if he plays like that, he’s definitely unstoppable. We saw those clips there – four or five bodies around him, and they can’t even deal with him.”

Erling Haaland's Man City "escape route" as striker's opinion about Real Madrid shared

This would be a disaster.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 1, 2025

If City were able to pair Vinicius with Haaland in their attack, it would make for stunning viewing, and he has the ability to be a future Etihad great if a move does materialise.

Pep can make Haaland even better by unleashing Man City's "proper maverick"

Manchester City capitalised on Chelsea's draw with Arsenal 24 hours earlier to go top of the Women's Super League after a closely contested 2-1 victory over Everton on Sunday. The visitors were made to work for all three points, but good finishing by Vivianne Miedema and Khadija Shaw, coupled with some smart stops by Ayaka Yamashita in between the sticks, ensured City would leave Merseyside with the win.

City took the initiative early on and threatened to take the lead within moments of the game kicking off. Just two minutes in, the visitors should have gone ahead when a loose ball bounced kindly to Shaw six-yards out, but the Jamaican could only direct a low effort at Emily Ramsey in the Toffees’ net.

A Yamashita clearance would eventually lead to the opener 20 minutes in as the City attack found the key to unlocking the stubborn Everton defence. Making a run from midfield beyond Rion Ishikawa, Miedema was slipped in by the creative Iman Beney and curled low and beyond the onrushing Ramsey.

Despite City taking a 1-0 advantage, you could not write off Brian Sorensen’s side, and with five minutes to go until half-time, Rebecca Knaak misjudged a long ball over the top and was left deserted in the middle of the park. Toni Payne took advantage and carried the ball wide before whipping in a low cross to Kelly Gago who, with a spectacular back-heel, flicked the ball cleverly into the corner.

The half-time break allowed Andree Jeglertz to have a word with his players, and City began the second period with added impetus. Ten minutes after the interval, Leia Ouahabi’s efforts down the left were finally rewarded when Shaw met her cross to the back post and thundered a header past the helpless Ramsey.

Looking to put the game beyond doubt, Shaw’s class began to show and on the hour mark, the talismanic forward’s deft flick sent Miedema in behind, but the WSL’s record goal-scorer could only flash wide. The visitors were almost punished moments later when Ornella Vignola left Laura Blindkilde Brown and Gracie Prior for dead with a beautiful Cruyff-turn and smacked the upright with a vicious effort from distance.

The Everton pressure continued and Yamashita produced a stunning stop from Hikaru Kitagawa to prevent the hosts grabbing an equaliser.

GOAL rates City's players from Goodison Park…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Ayaka Yamashita (8/10):

Read danger well and swept up passes sent through to Payne by Everton expertly. Made a number of top saves to resist the Toffees' pressure.

Kerstin Casparij (8/10):

The City captain worked tirelessly and was superb in attack and defence for the away side.

Jade Rose (7/10):

Was strong at the back and helped City maintain their lead in the closing stages. 

Rebecca Knaak (5/10):

Making her first appearance of the season, the German defender looked rusty and was caught out by Payne for Everton's goal.

Leila Ouahabi (8/10):

The left-back produced the winning assist for City when she chased down Fujino's pass.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):

Started well, but became overrun in the middle of the park when Everton grew into the game.

Yui Hasegawa (7/10):

As usual, Hasegawa was particularly tidy in midfield and helped City retain control late on.

Vivianne Miedema (7/10):

A constant threat with her intelligent runs into the box and took her goal well to give City the lead. Faded in the second-half.

Getty Images SportAttack

Iman Beney (7/10):

Provided a nice assist for Miedema's opener and was bright down the City right.

Khadija Shaw (8/10):

A menace for the Everton defenders and should have scored more than just the one. The striker's header proved to be the difference, but she will curse at least two chances that went begging.

Aoba Fujino (7/10):

The quietest of the City front-line, but never stopped running and almost set up Hemp for a late third.

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Subs & Manager

Gracie Prior (7/10):

Came on for the struggling Knaak and helped steady a previously shaky City defence.

Lauren Hemp (7/10):

Came on for the final 30 minutes and almost secured all three points with a late curling effort.

Sydney Lohmann (6/10):

Replaced Miedema to offer a more defensive option in midfield.

Grace Clinton (6/10):

Came on to carry the ball up the pitch when City were under pressure.

Andree Jeglertz (6/10):

The three points are most important, but the City boss will not be best pleased with how his side almost surrendered their spot at the top.