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Many Sunderland fans have been reacting to footage of Benji Kimpioka, who is currently on loan at Torquay United in the National League.

The 21-year-old was playing for the Gulls on Sunday against Hartlepool in the play-off final. The match proved to be a tense affair as Hartlepool took the lead early on before Luke Covolan equalised in the fifth minute of added time. Eventually, the north-east club won 5-4 on penalties as they secured their return to the Football League as Torquay missed out.

Kimpioka didn’t start the match but he was brought on from the bench. It was after the clash that he made headlines, but for the wrong reasons, as footage of him emerged throwing a water bottle at a Hartlepool fan during a pitch invasion from the Pools faithful after the match.

The video was shared on Twitter by @Bsw1995, and it attracted plenty of attention from Sunderland supporters. These took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on Kimpioka’s loss of temper.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Kimpioka

“Love this”

Credit: @newtsfever

“Is there anything wrong with this? Don’t see an issue”

Credit: @SAFCGeorge6

“my winger”

Credit: @SAFCTylerr

“As usual Benji did it very fast but missed.”

Credit: @_toosb

“Obviously something been said to him.”

Credit: @pjennings73pj

“Silly boy… As if playing for the lads hasn’t grounded him for disappointment!!”

Credit: @Brytom67

In other news, Sunderland are hopeful of signing this in-demand winger.

Graham Thorpe has spoken of his delight at his selection in England’s Ashes squad following his decision to take a complete break from cricket earlier this summer

Stephen Lamb10-Sep-2002Graham Thorpe has spoken of his delight at his selection in England’s Ashes squad following his decision to take a complete break from cricket earlier this summer.Thorpe hasn’t played since the first Test between England and India at Lord’s back in July, and plans to make his Surrey comeback in tomorrow’s championship match against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl.”I’m delighted to have been picked having not played for five or six weeks,” Thorpe said. “There was a lot of doubt as to whether I’d go and it’s up to me now to repay the faith the selectors have shown in me.”I feel the break has given me the chance to clear my mind and address the off-field issues which were there before. Everything is now more settled in my private life and I’m looking forward to playing cricket again.”I’m hoping to play for Surrey tomorrow and I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. It will be nice to have a bat in my hand again and I know that I’m going to have to work hard in the run-up to the tour because Australia is a tough place to tour.”Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison is also thrilled by his selection alongside Glamorgan’s Simon Jones.”It’s everyone’s dream to play against Australia, and I’m no different to anyone else and I’m going out there to enjoy it,” Harmison said.”I got injured at a bad time and that didn’t help, but I was involved in four Test matches this summer and played in one that I really enjoyed and I thought I’d done well enough to be in with a shout of making the squad.”Australia will be tough. To be a great side you have to beat Australia and I think we can go there and give them a good game. I think this is the best chance we’ve had for a long time to beat them, with batters in form and firepower amongst the bowlers."Jones added: “It’s been very frustrating for me having this injury over the last couple of months and now I’m really pleased the selectors have shown faith in me – I’m going to be working hard over the next few weeks to make sure I’m fully fit.”I think the winter I spent with the Academy in Australia has prepared me well for what’s going to come and I know in my own mind what to expect. It’s going to be really hard work. They’re the best side in the world but I’m looking forward to it.”Essex wicket-keeper James Foster, who will go on the tour as understudy to Alec Stewart, was relieved to be selected after missing most of the summer with two successive injuries.”It has gone pretty badly to be honest. It has not been a summer cricket-wise because of injuries so this has been absolutely great news and a great relief. It was a tough one. I did have a lot of doubts but was delighted to hear the news today.”The way this year has gone I didn’t know what was going to happen. I have a lot to prove this winter. I was disappointed about getting injured but I am going to have to try to do my best as understudy to Alec and just be a professional on the tour.”Surrey fast bowler Alex Tudor admitted he was surprised at his omission, although he will still travel to Australia as part of the England academy.Tudor will still travel to Australia this winter, but only as part of the Academy side.”I am surprised and disappointed not to be included in the Ashes tour party,” Tudor said. “It is every player’s dream to tour Australia and I had hoped to retain my place in the England squad.”However, I am still only 24 and hope that if I continue to work hard on my game I can still fulfil my dream. I wish the team the best of luck and hope they can bring the Ashes back home.”

Jesse Lingard should ‘be careful not to price himself out of the market’ by demanding a pay rise, Danny Mills has warned.

The former Leeds and Manchester City right-back was speaking to Football Insider about the 28-year-old situation with West Ham.

The lowdown

Lingard spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at the London Stadium and the move was a huge success. The Englishman was directly involved in 16 goals (nine goals, five assists) in as many appearances for the Irons.

Football Insider claimed that West Ham are hopeful of signing the 28-year-old on a permanent deal, and that Lingard himself is reportedly keen on such a move. However, one of his conditions is said to be a salary hike which could potentially make him the club’s highest-paid player.

Andriy Yarmolenko currently tops West Ham’s list of earners with £115,000-per-week wages.

The latest

Mills has said that West Ham must be careful not to alienate other players by acquiescing to Lingard’s demands. He also questioned whether the 28-year-old has done enough to merit the improved terms, having previously fallen well down the pecking order at Manchester United.

The 44-year-old told Football Insider: “Of course he’s going to ask to be one of the best-paid players because his stock is high at the moment.

“But can you expect to be paid more than Declan Rice for example? No, you can’t.

“There are other players who would have their noses put out of joint if he earns more than anyone else.

“There’s no reason why he doesn’t deserve what he’s on. But I’m not sure who else is going to give him a rise or a big rise.

“Yes, you have to do what’s best for yourself but just be careful not to price yourself out of the market.”

The verdict

It’s a little surprising that Lingard wants more money. While he made a vital contribution to West Ham’s successful European bid, he seemed like a player who recaptured a pure love of football, often wearing a beaming smile during his time with the Irons.

If anything, you would have anticipated a willingness to take a pay cut to make a move happen.

The beauty for West Ham, though, is that the revenue boost of qualification for the Europa League might enable them to not only hand Lingard a pay rise, but to offer wage increases to a number of other key players as well, which should quell Mills’ concerns about noses being put out of joint.

In other news, Noel Whelan is wowed by this West Ham target. 

Owais Athar, the 22-year-old fast bowler, extended his match haul to 11 wickets as KESC were in sight of a crushing victory against Pakistan Navy in the Kardar Trophy match at National Stadium here Tuesday

30-Oct-2002Owais Athar, the 22-year-old fast bowler, extended his match haul to 11 wickets as KESC were in sight of a crushing victory against Pakistan Navy in the Kardar Trophy match at National Stadium here Tuesday.Owais, who took seven for 69 Monday, claimed four for 19 to send Navy hurtling to 56 for six in their second innings after KESC had taken a substantial lead of 162 on the first innings.Resuming at the overnight score of 66 for two, KESC collected 369 for eight in the allotted quota of 80 overs with opener Agha Sabir blasting 13 fours in scoring 88 off 134 balls.Other notable run-getters were skipper Arif Mahmood (66 off 69 balls, 11 fours, one six) and Amin-ur-Rehman (63 off 61 balls, five fours, four sixes) and Tahir Khan (52 off 60 balls, five fours and one six).Pakistan Education Board (PEB), meanwhile, staged a spirited fightback after conceding huge first innings lead of 223 to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) at KCCA Stadium.Kamran Younis followed his first innings knock of 61 with a belligerent 77 off just 54 balls. He stroked six sixes and as many fours as PEB closed the second day at 203 for four.Earlier, Maisam Hasnain completed a fine century as KPT rattled up 374 for eight declared in 79 overs.Maisam scored 105 after Zafar Jadoon added nine to his Monday’s tally of 106. Fahadullah was the other major scorer with 80 off 72 deliveries.Sui Gas were denied an early win as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reached 115 for two in their second innings at PCB Regional Academy Ground.Sui Gas had earlier taken a first innings lead of 194 by making 297 for eight with Sohail Idrees (66) and skipper Saleem Mughal (52) being the main contributors.Our Sports Correspondent adds from Lahore: Speedster Tahir Mughal returned a magnificent match haul of 15 wickets for 74 runs as Saga thrashed Army by innings and 203 runs at Saga Cricket Ground in Sialkot.Tahir captured seven for 42 as Army were bundled out for a just 71 in their second innings.Saga, earlier, made 374 with Ashraf Ali going onto hit 130.Another outstanding bowling performance by former Test slow left-armer Mohammad Hussain guided PTCL to an innings and 221 runs win over PTV at Lahore Country Club Ground in Muridke.Hussain first took a remarkable six wickets for five runs in nine overs with seven maidens as PTV were spun out for 70 and then picked up another bag of six wickets.PTV fared marginally better in the second innings before being bowled out for 97. Tailender Nadeem Sikander top-scored with 44.Hussain’s match analysis were 12 for 21 in 18 overs.

Alex McLeish has dropped an Everton transfer claim on reported target Denzel Dumfries.

The Lowdown: Dumfries latest

According to Bild (via Sport Witness), the Goodison Park faithful are among the ‘hottest contenders’ to sign Dumfries in the summer window, along with Inter Milan.

However, the news outlet also claims that the Merseyside club are looking to raise funds first of all by selling players before making their move for the PSV ace.

The Latest: McLeish backs Dumfries to Everton

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish, who is now a pundit after building a career as a manager in the Premier League, has claimed that Marcel Brands will want to sign Dumfries, and was particularly in awe of his displays at Euro 2020 so far with The Netherlands:

“Big, athletic player.

“Every time I watched that first game he was always in the box, coming in at the back post.

“Eventually he got a goal. I thought (he’s an) absolute massive talent in terms of athletic (ability). Good in the air as well.

“Another Dutch talent unearthed. Marcel will be heavily into that one.

“Coleman was an exciting player for Everton for many, many years.”

The Verdict: Sign him up

McLeish is not wrong when he claims that Brands will want to bring Dumfries to the Toffees, given his Dutch connections and the fact that there are already reports he is a big fan of the flying full-back.

Scoring two goals in the group stages from the right-back position (Sofascore), he has taken the Euros by storm so far, and will be looking to continue his fine form going into the knockouts.

Dumfries also scored four goals and supplied a further nine assists in 41 games across all competitions in the 2020/21 term at club level (Transfermarkt), further showing his attacking qualities and proving that this is not just a flash in the international tournament pan.

Nonetheless, being the captain of PSV at just 25 years of age, Dumfries would be the perfect long-term successor to Seamus Coleman with both his quality and leadership.

In other news, find out which transfer update has Blues raving here!

Crystal Palace are interested in a deal to bring Conor Gallagher to Selhurst Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that the incoming Palace manager Patrick Vieira will be looking to add a number of players to his squad in the summer transfer window, with the Chelsea central midfielder believed to be a potential target of Frenchman.

Indeed, a previous report by The Sun had claimed that the Eagles are preparing a £15m offer for the 21-year-old this summer, with it being said that Thomas Tuchel is unsure as to whether he believes the England U21 international as a future at the club.

Vieira must move

Considering just how much potential Gallagher appears to possess, as well as the fact that Palace are in need of a number of additions in the position this summer, it is unsurprising to learn that the south London side are considering a move for the Chelsea starlet.

Indeed, over his 30 Premier League appearances while on loan at West Bromwich Albion last season, the £13.5m-rated youngster scored two goals, registered two assists and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 0.7 key passes per game.

The £17k-per-week man also impressed in more typical central midfield metrics, making an average of 0.9 interceptions, 2.7 tackles and winning a whopping 6.5 duels per league fixture, with these returns seeing Gallagher earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74 – ranking him as Albion’s joint ninth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

For comparison, Crystal Palace’s outgoing centre mid James McCarthy failed to score a single goal, provide an assist or create a big chance over his 16 Premier League appearances last season, as well as making an average of 0.5 interceptions, one tackle and winning a mere 1.9 duels per league fixture, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.66.

As such, with Vieria having only the 33-year-old James McArthur as an option in central midfield at present, a move for the man Slaven Bilic dubbed a “massive” player would seem highly advisable for the 45-year-old this summer, as Gallagher would not only plug a gap in the Palace squad, he could also turn out to be the rock on which Vieira builds his Eagles’ midfield for years to come.

In other news: Bye-bye Sakho: Vieira must sanction Palace swoop for £17m-rated “leader” this summer

Over the years, the scintillating stroke-play of Ahmed Proverbs has been described as audacious and enterprising, and justifiably so

Ezra Stuart07-Nov-2002Over the years, the scintillating stroke-play of Ahmed Proverbs has been described as audacious and enterprising, and justifiably so.His entertaining and exciting batting has won him several admirers when he is on song but has also attracted anguish from fans should he be dismissed, attempting an adventurous stroke.This season, he has enjoyed a purple patch and his cavalier and calypso batting with a typically West Indian flavour, has seen him raise the bar to unprecedented heights as he established a new batting record for the most runs in a Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Division 1 season.With one series remaining, Proverbs, the BNB St Catherine stroke-making top-order right-handed batsman, has an aggregate of 928 runs at an average of 61.09 and is poised to become the first ever cricketer to score 1 000 runs in the BCA’s Division 1 season."It’s a great feeling. I must say thanks to God for giving me the strength to accomplish this feat and I am happy to have done it," Proverbs said after establishing the record on Sunday.It has been said "practice makes perfect" but remarkably, the 32-year-old Proverbs has not been in the nets this season as work commitments and studies have curtailed his outings to the crease, exclusively to match play on Saturdays and Sundays."I didn’t practise at all this season. It was just work, home and then classes. I have been playing cricket from natural ability and memory," he disclosed."But to do what I’ve done thus far (set the record) means that I always had it in me to do great things because I used to practise in the past," reasoned Proverbs.This accomplishment has been realised in only nine matches as he missed the first two series and was kept indoors during the 11th round when rain washed out his team’s match against Cable & Wireless BET.Since, the BCA became an entity and was fully incorporated in 1933, only two other batsmen, ironically both have ties with St Catherine and Banks, have scoredover 900 runs in a Division 1 season.Hubert "Ellis" Brathwaite amassed 918 runs in the 1983 season for St Catherine and Barry Callender, the previous record holder, scored 919 runs in 1994 for Banks.It should also be noted that during the early days when a Cup Committee ran local cricket and the Division 1 competition was played with "return" and "friendly" matches because of the paucity of teams, two batsmen reportedly scored over 1 000 runs.Pickwick’s batsman P.H. "Tim" Tarilton had an aggregate of 1 084 runs in 1913 at an average of 84 while Wanderers’ George Challenor is credited with having scored 1167 runs at an average of 97.25 in 1920.However, Proverbs’ aggregate remains the most by a batsman in cricket under the auspices of the BCA.He credits experience and patience in batting for this year’s heavy-scoring which has seen him smash centuries (155 and 102 not out) in both innings against Spartan, hammer a career-best 210 versus the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme and 116 against Pickwick."I am a lot more disciplined as an individual on and off the field," said Proverbs while noting his no-nonsense style of batting is a strategy he has adopted to get on top of the bowling."Maturity counts for a lot and I do believe you should try to rattle the bowlers in the first five to six overs, almost from the time you get to the crease."Let them know you are the person in charge. Be always authoritative as a batsman and you can take your innings from stride to stride and be confident about yourself," Proverbs said.Never too lateProverbs, who batted at either No. 3 or No. 4 for most of his 16 Division 1 innings this season, said his prolific run was not really surprising as "the tracks are now good for batting with the covered pitches"."I always believed I had the potential to score big runs. Unfortunately, I didn’t when I was a lot younger but it is never too late," he remarked.National teanHis prolific batting has led to discussions about whether he should be recalled to the national team or selected on one of the four teams to play a couple of four-day trial matches from which the Barbados squad for next year’s regional first-class championship, will be chosen."If it is a case of picking individuals based on performances this season, I would expect to be there but it is up to the selectors in the final analysis."I love cricket. There is nothing like playing for Barbados but if the chance doesn’t come again, there is nothing I can do," he said.Proverbs has had a chequered career as a Barbados representative, playing five first-class matches with an even 50 being his highest score while he averages 23.75 in six regional limited overs matches in the early 1990s.But the former Garrison Secondary student said a combination of factors resulted in his modest returns."I started among great players like Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner and those guys but most of the times, I went into bat, it was a case where we were struggling."I was always an opener or a No. 3 batsman but I would be batting at No. 5 or No. 6, sometimes No. 7. It was hard because you never got the chance to play your true game. You got to stay up and hold an end and that’s not my kind of cricket," Proverbs recalled.Despite his rich vein of form, he said the standard of bowling in the Division 1 competition "wasn’t too bad"."The bowling was relatively good but I find that the young batsmen weren’t concentrating long enough."Everyone in Barbados knows, I score my runs in quick time but the young batsmen need to concentrate more," he said.It’s a lesson, which Proverbs has surely learnt after making his first-class debut as a precocious 20-year-old over a decade ago.

It is with much regret that Lancashire County Cricket Club announce that David Byas has declined the Club’s offer of a further contract to cover the 2003 season

Lancashire CCC Press Release04-Dec-2002It is with much regret that Lancashire County Cricket Club announce that David Byas has declined the Club’s offer of a further contract to cover the 2003 season.David commented Lancashire Cricket Manager, Mike Watkinson, added Byas made a number of vital contributions for the Club including 101 againstWarwickshire and when he was awarded his County Cap at the end of the 2002season, he became the first player to have scored a century and be capped byboth Roses Counties.

Glasgow Rangers ace Christopher McKee has been banned for four games after being found guilty of homophobic abuse.

The Lowdown: McKee in hot water

McKee spent last season on loan at Brechin City, and was in action for the club against Kelty Hearts back in May (Glasgow Live).

The 19-year-old was given a straight red card at the time, with then Brechin player-manager, Michael Paton, saying the teenager was in tears.

The Latest: McKee receives ban

A Scottish FA hearing was held into the allegations, and an outcome has now been confirmed.

McKee has been banned for four games, with two of those suspended until the end of the new season (BBC).

The Verdict: Last chance

Even at 19 years of age, it feels like McKee is now on his last chance. It is disgusting to utter homophobic abuse on a football pitch – or anywhere else for that matter – and his age cannot be an excuse to stop him from living with the consequences of his actions.

For a player previously called “worth his weight in gold” by Noel Whelan (Football Insider), it feels he has let a lot of people down.

In the long-term, it is not necessarily the end of his budding career. However, it is absolutely essential that he receives the proper education. This is something that he just cannot repeat – otherwise, the punishment will no doubt be even harsher.

In other news, Rangers fans are delighted by news on this 4-goal ace.

ADELAIDE, Dec 20 AAP – Justin Langer finally capitalised on what he believes is his career-best form to score his first first-class century of the season, handing Western Australia first innings points and control of its Pura Cup match against South

Sam Lienert20-Dec-2002ADELAIDE, Dec 20 AAP – Justin Langer finally capitalised on what he believes is his career-best form to score his first first-class century of the season, handing Western Australia first innings points and control of its Pura Cup match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval today.At the end of day two, the Warriors were 2-299 in their first innings, with Murray Goodwin on 108 and Mike Hussey on nine, holding a first innings lead of 73 after SA was dismissed for 226 in its first innings on day one.The highlight of the day was WA skipper and Australian Test opener Langer’s 164, which included 16 fours and two sixes from 263 balls, and ensures he will head into the fourth Ashes Test, starting at the MCG on Thursday, in absolute top form.While Langer’s performances have been overshadowed by his run-guzzling Test opening partner Matthew Hayden this summer, he said he had been batting better than ever, despite failing to notch a hundred until today.”I’ve got a lot of starts and I’ve been batting probably as well as I have in my whole career,” Langer told reporters.”I said a number of times for the last three or four weeks ‘someone’s going to pay soon’ because I felt like I was due for a really big score.”Batting’s about getting momentum and it doesn’t matter whether you play in a grade game, a Pura Cup game, or a one-day game, if you’re scoring runs the momentum usually goes with you, so I’ll be looking to take that momentum into Boxing Day.”Langer and Goodwin shared a 247-run second-wicket stand, dominated by Langer, which carried WA past SA’s total and was only one run short of the highest second-wicket partnership for WA against SA, scored by Greg Shipperd and Mike Veletta here in 1984/85.It was eventually broken by Paul Rofe in the third over with the second new ball, when Langer got a thin inside edge to keeper Shane Deitz with the total on 267.But by then WA was in command, and Langer said he expected SA would find it difficult to get back into the match on a pitch that is likely to get tougher to bat on.He said young left arm spinner Beau Casson, who took six wickets in the first innings in just his second first-class match, was likely to pose an even bigger threat in the second innings.”We’re in a great position now, I imagine it’s going to get harder and harder to bat on,” Langer said.”We saw it spin in the first innings, so young Beau Casson will be confident and for our other guys it will be a bit up and down, it will be tough to bat on.”In the one bright spot for the Redbacks, 19-year-old debutant paceman Shaun Tait showed promise and captured the wicket of WA opener Chris Rogers for six in the 10th over of the day.The fiery teenager also struck Langer on the shoulder with a short ball during his opening spell.