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Crystal Palace are expected to hand key midfielder James McArthur a new contract following his impressive performances this season, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

What’s the story?

The 34-year-old’s current deal is set to expire next summer, meaning he would become a free agent at the end of June.

However, following a string of standout performances in Palace’s engine room in the opening weeks of 2021/22, Barclay believes new manager Patrick Vieira will sanction an offer of fresh terms over the coming months.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He won’t get the assists, he won’t score the goals, he won’t do those raking passes here and there – that highlights reel kind of player. But, there’s a reason why Vieira likes him so much, and why he’s so effective in this team.”

Barclay added: “I probably expect them, despite being 34, to give him a new contract and keep him next season.”

McArthur has been with the capital club since 2014 following his arrival from Wigan Atheltic and could extend his stay into an eighth year if he puts pen to paper on a new contract.

Crystal Palace fans will be delighted

Despite the fact that the former Scotland international is set to turn 35 next October, Palace fans will still be delighted at Barclay’s latest revelation, given his importance to Vieira’s charges.

As per WhoScored, McArthur has averaged 2.3 tackles per Premier League fixture this season, 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 defensive dribbles, placing him in the top-four amongst his teammates for each metric.

His eye-catching displays in the middle of the park have caught the attention of several impressed onlookers, including his manager.

“He is valuable, he’s our captain, and so he has a responsibility to bring his leadership to the squad,” said Vieira after their recent victory over Wolves.

“He’s a fighter, he’s a warrior, he’s the benchmark for a professional. This is the same in training, he is no different.”

Injury kept McArthur out of Palace’s 3-3 draw with Burnley last time out, but the box-to-box dynamo had started every top-flight fixture prior to his fitness concerns, skippering the side on six occasions.

Therefore, news that a fresh deal could be on the horizon will please Vieira and the south London outfit’s supporters alike, providing some stability throughout the club’s transitional period.

And, in other news…Forget Gallagher: Palace monster who made 8 clearances was Vieira’s hero vs Burnley

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Lewis Morgan has revealed that he turned down offers to play in the English Championship to be reunited with former manager Jack Ross.

The on-loan winger made his debut for Sunderland in the weekend win over Wimbledon and made a favourable impression on the Stadium of Light faithful.

That victory ended a run of three consecutive draws that had frustrated Sunderland’s promotion hopes but after the weekend’s results they are only three points behind second-placed Barnsley with two games in hand on them.

Morgan was expected to start the match on the bench but ended up being called into the starting XI.

And the former Celtic youngster has since revealed he jumped at the chance to join the League One side, snubbing interest from clubs from the division above in the process.

“As soon as the chance came up to come here my mind was made up,” he said, as quoted by The Chronicle.

“I’m working with a coaching staff I’ve got massive respect for, a massive club, it’s something I’m excited about. I never thought about it in terms of the league I’m coming to. It was about the club – great facilities, massive club, that would interest everyone.

“I think it’s well documented that there was interest from the Championship down here and the Premiership up north, but it’s a massive club with great people. I’m very happy to be part of it. It’s an exciting time for the club, challenging at the top end of the table. I’m here to help us push up the table.”

Speaking about being reunited with his old St Mirren boss he added: “Jack and his staff improve every player. The training sessions are great and they give you that licence to express yourself in the final third. As an attacking player that’s what you want.

“Aiden [McGeady] and I are both very direct, we like to take our man on. Hopefully we can both dovetail and keep building on that performance on Saturday.”

On Saturday, Sunderland travel to face relegation threatened Oxford United, before hosting Blackpool in midweek, as they continue their quest to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

West Ham manager David Moyes has provided an update on the fitness of Aaron Cresswell, Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks as the east Londoners face a full-back crisis.

What’s the story?

Following the Hammers’ 2-0 defeat to Arsenal and ahead of their subsequently postponed fixture against Norwich City over the weekend, Moyes addressed the media and provided an update on the absent trio.

“I am hoping that maybe Ryan or Ben or Cressie [Cresswell] can get themselves available for us,” the Irons manager said. “It would help us in a period where we have some injuries and it looks like all the full-backs in the main are the ones getting injured or sent off.”

Right-back Vladimir Coufal has been included in the squad for West Ham’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham but will miss the next Premier League match through suspension after being sent off at Arsenal on Wednesday night.

This leaves 28-year-old Arthur Masuaku as the Irons’ only available senior full-back. However, 20-year-old right-back Harrison Ashby came off the bench against Arsenal and impressed on his debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League, which could form a pathway into the side for the youngster.

West Ham need full-back options

With a hectic festive schedule still set to be played, Moyes will need as many available options as possible, particularly in the full-back areas.

Should the likes of Cresswell, Johnson and Fredericks return in the near future, it will get West Ham fans buzzing again after their team’s recent dip in form.

Fredericks hasn’t featured for David Moyes’ side since their 2-0 win at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League last month and has only managed two minutes in the Premier League all season. However, both Cresswell and Johnson are regular fixtures in the side, with the latter working hard to maintain his place in the starting XI.

The 21-year-old right-back has been impressive this season, managing a run of eight consecutive starts in the Premier League before missing the trips to Burnley and Arsenal, and he will hope that a brief spell on the sidelines won’t halt his progress.

Moyes’ hopeful comments about having some, or possibly all, of his injured full-backs available for upcoming fixtures will at least give West Ham supporters a shot in the arm after a testing couple of weeks.

In other news: West Ham could spark top-four push with move for £16.2m-rated beast likened to Ribery

A big update has emerged regarding the short-term future of Rangers defender Jack Simpson at Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, the centre-back is primed for a loan move away from the club amid growing interest in his services.

The report claims that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will not prevent him from leaving, with Ross Wilson now tasked with sorting out the best solution to his situation.

Fans will be buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing with this news as it suggests that the club are willing to send Simpson out to obtain regular game-time without completely giving up on him.

The £3.1k-per-week outcast has not played a single minute of competitive football for the first team since the Dutchman arrived at Ibrox, suggesting that he is not in the 46-year-old’s immediate plans.

His last appearance came in a 6-1 win over Motherwell in October, when Steven Gerrard was at the helm. He has been named on the bench three times under Van Bronckhorst but was never used.

However, this does not mean that his future at the club is non-existent. Wilson previously heaped praise on the centre-back upon signing him for the club, saying: “His contractual situation at Bournemouth provided a natural and attractive moment for us to pursue Jack’s signature. It has been well publicised that he has been a much-coveted player south of the border but from our first discussion with Jack, we could see how the opportunity to join Rangers was one that was very appealing to him.”

This suggests that there is a good player IN there somewhere, as Wilson claimed that Simpson was ‘highly-coveted’; and going away to play consistently could be what he needs to discover his best form. If, for example, he goes to the Championship in England and catches the eye with consistent performances, that could tempt Van Bronckhorst into giving him a chance at Rangers.

Therefore, Gers fans will surely be buzzing as the club will potentially recoup money back in wages over the coming months for a player who is currently rotting away on the periphery, whilst still offering him the opportunity to go out and prove that he has more to give at Ibrox. A loan exit appears to be a move which suits all parties involved, and it could be a masterclass from Wilson if it works out.

AND in other news, “Money talks”: Journalist drops key Rangers prediction which will leave fans fuming…

Jordi Alba-to-Lionel-Messi is a combination that we've seen plenty over the years, but Inter Miami will be glad to have seen it again in Los Angeles.

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Messi teed up by AlbaArgentine scores late goalMiami seal 1-1 draw in LAWatch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Down a goal in the final moments of Sunday's clash with the LA Galaxy, Jordi Alba set up a crucial Lionel Messi equalizer in the 92nd minute. The strike was Messi's first of the season, and it sealed an unlikely draw for a Miami team that had been totally outplayed up to that point.

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Miami were largely second-best throughout Sunday's match, with Messi and Alba's former Barcelona teammate Riqui Puig running the show. The Spanish midfielder saw an early penalty saved by Drake Callender, but was otherwise unstoppable as he dominated all night long.

Messi, though, made the difference, as he usually does, helping Miami make it four points from their first two matches of the season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

Inter Miami will now turn their focus toward a massive rivalry matchup as they prepare to host Florida rivals Orlando City on Saturday. After that, the club will begin its run through the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

A Headingley Test that had been marked throughout by cautious, disciplined cricket blazed into life with an unexpected England run chase and, ultimately, a draw.

The Report by David Hopps06-Aug-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsStuart Broad’s burst during the afternoon preceded a South Africa declaration setting England 253 to win•Getty ImagesA Headingley Test that had been marked throughout by cautious, disciplined cricket in morose weather ended with an unexpected and deeply uncomfortable England run chase as South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, with the happy daring of a man who had recently witnessed the birth of his first child, set them 253 from 39 overs to level the series at 1-1 with one to play.England’s chase, which turned abruptly into a battle for survival at 106 for 4 with 19.2 overs remaining, was cagey but not entirely artificial as they responded in kind. Kevin Pietersen accepted the role of gung-ho opener – the first time he had opened for England in Test cricket – and struck three boundaries off Morne Morkel’s first over before he spliced to mid-on. Matt Prior also came in at No. 5 shortly before England reached the final hour with 154 needed off 20. Then Prior was run out by Smith, of all people, from behind square as Jonathan Trott procrastinated over a second run.The presence of Andrew Strauss and Trott in the top four summed up the double think in England’s batting order; both would have been better reserved for calamity. It was a run chase England were obliged to flirt with, having lost the first Test in the series, but knew that the odds were they would end up blocking out.Smith then, with the game safe, delayed a while before he dared to attack in force and called things off at 130 for 4 with six overs remaining – the equivalent of two sessions lost to rain had had the final say. The pressures of Test captaincy hang heavily. But both sides deserve credit for dicing with danger and both will claim a psychological advantage. What is beyond debate is that we have two sides entering the final Test at Lord’s with appetites whetted. Why, oh why, is this a three-Test series?If Pietersen’s exhilarating century on the third day had first brought the Test alive, it was a more improbable achievement – three South Africa wickets on either side of lunch – that enlivened it again. But his biggest impact came after the match as he warned that his stand-off with the ECB was on the verge of bringing his England career to an end.It certainly revitalised Stuart Broad, who is looking more and more a mood player these days, and who responded to a shift in the game with a five-wicket spell broken by tea, including a rush of four wickets in 20 balls as the sun broke through and an excellent Headingley pitch finally began to show signs of wear.Broad, bowling full and straight, removed AB de Villiers, who had played regally for 44 from 45 balls, and JP Duminy with successive deliveries. Duminy got his feet in a tangle as he was dismissed first ball; Vernon Philander soon followed.Then as tea approached, Broad made it four as he banged the ball in short at Jacques Kallis and brushed his glove to claim a wicketkeeper’s catch as Kallis limbo danced in self-preservation. Alviro Petersen was also pressed into service despite a damaged hamstring that prevented him running with comfort. His last wicket, a slog by Morkel, was followed by Smith’s declaration. And until recently his captaincy was held to be ultra conservative.South Africa had begun the final day with a lead of 33 and crucially their opening pair survived until the last over before lunch, at which point, frustratingly for Jacques Rudolph, he was again immediately overcome by Pietersen’s lightly regarded offspin. Pietersen had Rudolph stumped in his first over on the second day, and this time he had him lbw in his first over on the final day. On both occasions, the ball turned sharply.Rudolph, the more skittish of the pair, released a few neat off-side drives but never looking content against the short ball. Several deliveries, against Anderson in particular, scudded through the slips, and he also took another blow on the shoulder as a short ball from Anderson forced him into evasive action.As Pietersen assembled his best Test figures, Graeme Swann, whose offspin was omitted as England opted for an all-pace attack, was preparing to join Nottinghamshire for a Championship match at Taunton. The conclusion that England had erred in selection could not easily be avoided – although Pietersen’s final wicket, a loopy full toss which Hashim Amla drilled to short extra, hardly ranked as evidence.Pietersen also uprooted Smith, whose battling half-century, which was reached from the last ball of a morning session, extended to two-and-a-half hours and was interrupted by two rain stoppages, had made Headingley’s first draw in 13 Tests all but inevitable.Pietersen had thought he had Smith caught at the wicket only to waste a DRS appeal finding out he hadn’t. But Smith fell in Pietersen’s next over, this time the South Africa captain failing with a review after an ungainly sweep was caught by James Taylor at short leg. Umpire Steve Davis was perhaps fortunate that the TV umpire, Asad Rauf, did not overturn his decision.Smith looked embattled. The look suited him, as it always does. It was a grouchy morning, with showers scudding across the outfield at regular intervals, his knee was strapped to try to combat a dicey cartilage and he had a Test match to save. As events subsequently suggested, it was not as straightforward as many supposed.Smith had a let-off in the penultimate over before lunch when he edged Tim Bresnan, but was dropped one-handed by Anderson, diving to his right at second slip. Anderson later waved past de Villers’ edge against Pietersen. He is England’s best slip fielder, but there is a malaise at present in their close catching.That escape apart, Smith was in his element. He has built a formidable Test record – more than 8,000 runs at an average over 50 – by grimacing and deflecting, working the leg side with an angled blade and putting his considerable bulk on the line to great effect. His record against England is a special one.For all his inelegance, he is a special breed of cricketer. He defended his wicket with the resolve and physical presence of a Greco-Roman wrestler imagining he was fighting himself.England attacked him predictably, with their routine two-slips-and-a-gully and run savers on the leg side. With quick wickets imperative, on this occasion at least, the lack of a leg-side catcher verged on the negligent. But England are committed to their disciplines and by the time they played fast and loose with Pietersen and Broad it was too late.

Steven Gerrard’s tenure as Aston Villa manager has got off to a pretty perfect start.

The Villans have played four times under their new boss and recorded three wins with their only loss coming against Manchester City.

It’s a run of form that proves NSWE’s decision to sack Dean Smith from his role was a wonderful decision with Sunday evening marking the finest night of Gerrard’s short time in the Midlands so far.

They beat a Leicester side so used to challenging for European places over the last few years and it was Ezri Konsa they had to thank during a 2-1 victory.

The central defender grabbed both goals but it wasn’t just the 24-year-old who had supporters on their feet this weekend.

Another triumphant performer was Matty Cash, a player who seems to be reaching new heights this season.

The right-back is now capped at international level by Poland and is improving all the time as he flourishes in the Premier League.

His performance against the Foxes was as good as it gets from a full-back, producing plenty in defensive scenarios and also striding forward to provide a useful option offensively.

Per SofaScore, Cash won a whopping ten tackles during the game, a tally that was considerably better than the 2.8 per game he’s won on average this term.

Furthermore, the defender produced four interceptions and made three clearances during what was a perfect defensive performance.

Going forward, he played two key passes, registered five crosses and also managed three shots, providing to be a real menace for the Leicester side.

His promising performance was summed up perfectly by Birmingham Live writer John Townley who wrote in his post-match player ratings: “Put in another impressive shift. Up and down all afternoon and had to be on top of his game to contain the dangerous Barnes.”

The aforementioned Harvey Barnes did find the net but fortunately, it didn’t come back to bite Villa.

It wasn’t the most perfect of displays from Gerrard’s men but Cash certainly helped it look more comfortable, battling hard for the ball and rampaging forward. He was undoubtedly a hero on Sunday evening.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Sanson: Lange can fix his Villa howler with “complete” £34m-rated “champion”…

Emma Hayes has explained why Fran Kirby did not start Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Paris FC on Thursday in the Women's Champions League.

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Kirby starts on bench against Paris FCHayes: Decision influenced by upcoming England gamesChelsea have one more game before int'l breakWHAT HAPPENED?

The England star was omitted from the starting XI against the UWCL giant killers at Stamford Bridge, with Hayes opting to field Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert and Jessie Fleming in midfield. However, with the scores level at 1-1 heading into half time, the Chelsea boss opted to introduce Kirby for Fleming, with the Blues going on to score three unanswered, second-half goals – two of which were registered by Sam Kerr as she completed a 55-minute hat trick.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT EMMA HAYES SAID

Asked why Kirby did not start, Hayes explained that she had one eye on keeping the attacking midfielder fit for England's upcoming games. "I felt there was a lot of work out of possession that over 90 minutes might have been too much for Fran I said this to Sarina [Wiegman] this morning. It’s so important we keep her healthy for England and Chelsea," she said.

"And while Fran always wants to play in every moment, I felt that was the perfect cameo for her. The team needed it. I thought we didn’t work close enough to Sam [Kerr] in the first half, I thought we struggled to build in a double pivot. I changed that shape after 20 minutes but we were sloppy in the first half."

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Kirby was recently named in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad for vital UEFA Women's Nations League clashes against the Netherlands and Scotland. Following an unexpected away defeat to Belgium in the last international break, England's chances of qualifying for the finals – and thus securing Great Britain's place at next year's Olympic football tournament – are out of their hands.

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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Kirby has earned 67 England caps during her career so far, during which time she's netted 18 goals. She made her Lionesses debut all the way back in 2014, scoring in a 4-0 friendly win over Sweden.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoyed a triumphant return to Old Trafford in 2021, but things turned sour long before he left the club on Tuesday

Cristiano Ronaldo's time at Manchester United has come to an end for good. The 37-year-old's departure from Old Trafford was announced on Tuesday in the wake of a scathing interview in which he revealed his lack of respect for coach Erik ten Hag and spoke of feeling "betrayed" by the club.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned for a second spell at the Premier League giants in the summer of 2021.

But after just one disappointing year which culminated in United's failure to qualify for the Champions League, Ronaldo made clear that he wanted to leave for a team competing in Europe's most prestigious club competition.

No deal came through in the summer transfer window, and instead he had to suffer on the bench for most of the first half of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Portugal star has finally been granted his wish, however, and leaves under a dark cloud, bringing an end to a partnership that was once so beautiful and fruitful but ends in bitterness and acrimony.

Here is the story of Ronaldo's second spell at the Red Devils…

GettyThe prodigal son returns!

The prospect of Ronaldo joining fierce rivals Manchester City late in the 2021 summer transfer window and then firing them to domestic and possibly European glory put the fear into the head honchos at Manchester United.

They jumped into action amid reports that their former star could soon be sporting the blue jersey of their city rivals and made sure to lure him back to Old Trafford.

United agreed to pay almost £13 million up front to Juventus and signed Ronaldo to a two-year contract with an option for a third.

And so it was. Over 12 years after he first departed for Real Madrid, the man who helped United to three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown was back.

AdvertisementGettySpectacular second debut

What a way to mark your return! Ronaldo grabbed all the headlines in his first game back for the Red Devils.

United had looked good in their first three matches of the season, but there was a feeling that Ronaldo would add some much-needed firepower to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

He appeared to prove that notion spot on when he struck in first-half stoppage time to give United a 1-0 lead against Newcastle in his first game back.

It may have been a tap-in but there was much more to come from the attacker, who came to his team's rescue just six minutes after Newcastle pulled level by restoring United's lead.

United went on to win 4-1 at Old Trafford, giving their fans belief that something magical could happen that season.

GettyA bittersweet Champions League return

Ronaldo also opened the scoring just a few days later as United began their Champions League campaign.

They were supposed to make easy work of a trip to Switzerland to take on Young Boys, and that seemed to be the case when Ronaldo broke the deadlock just 13 minutes in.

The home team fought back, though, and pulled level just before Ronaldo was substituted in the second half.

The former Real Madrid star could only watch on from the sidelines as Young Boys scored a late winner to upset his side and prove that there was still much to be done to get the Premier League side back on top of domestic and continental football.

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GettyRonaldo stings Villarreal and Atalanta… TWICE

United recovered from their underwhelming start to the Champions League campaign and Ronaldo was at the heart of it.

Their second match in the tournament came against Villarreal and Solskjaer's team were shaky again as they fell behind.

Alex Telles pulled United level, though, and just as it seemed like the game was heading for a draw, Ronaldo popped up with a winner deep into injury time.

That was no one-off, though, as United found themselves 2-0 down at half-time in their following Champions League match – against Atalanta at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire brought them back on even terms before Ronaldo headed in another late goal to secure a 3-2 win.

That's not all!

They took on Atalanta again a couple of weeks later and yet another thriller ended with Ronaldo nipping in with a decisive goal in stoppage time to equalise for his side and earn a 2-2 draw.

And in the next game?

You guessed it! Ronaldo struck once more in the 78th minute to put United 1-0 up against Villarreal before Jadon Sancho added another in the dying minutes of the match to seal their qualification for the knockout stages.

Goal takes a look at the best classic World Cup matches of yesteryear in anticipation for this summer's tournament in Russia

GettyBelgium 3-2 Japan | 2018

It took until the 93rd minute for Belgium to claim a 3-2 victory over Japan in their last 16 fixture, staging an incredible comeback after finding themselves 2-0 down just after the break.

Belgium missed a host of chances throughout the game with Romelu Lukaku able to have a hat-trick but spurning every opportunity. Japan – outsiders to win the tie – scored twice in the span of four minutes in the second half to visibly shake Belgium, and were the superior team for large amounts of the game.

Roberto Martinez's side, however, were able to dig deep and score three goals after Japan's opening brace. Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini (the unlikely hero) netted to make it 2-2 before Nacer Chadli scored in the final minute of stoppage time to cap off a brilliant counter-attacking move by Belgium.

AdvertisementFrance 4-3 Argentina | 2018

It was the Kylian Mbappe show as the young forward slotted home twice and played an instrumental role in the build-up to the first goal to send Argentina and Lionel Messi home at the last 16 stage.

France opened the scoring through an Antoine Griezmann spot-kick but Argentina levelled through Angel Di Maria. Benjamin Pavard netted again to put Les Bleus in the lead before Gabriel Mercardo struck home to equalise – but Mbappe scored twice in the span of four minutes to put his side 4-2 up.

Sergio Aguero scored in stoppage time to make it 4-3 but it wasn't enough to force the game into extra time.

It was a thrilling encounter on all sides that fully allowed France to finally showcase their quality in Russia following underwhelming opening group stage performances.

The victory for France means that Argentina crash out disappointingly, and Les Bleus will face either Portugal or Uruguay in the quarter-final.

GettySpain 3-3 Portugal | 2018

Spain vs Portugal was always the match that would have the most build-up ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and it lived up to the hype and more. Enthralling from start to finish, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to put Portugal up under four minutes before Diego Costa netted shortly afterwards to equalise. Spain led eventually through a fine Isco screamer and another Costa goal, but it wasn't enough to keep Ronaldo quiet.

The Real Madrid star scored an incredible free-kick just before the end of regular time, bagging a hat-trick in the process and putting his name in the history books as he has now scored in four consecutive World Cups. David de Gea's goalkeeping blunder wasn't even the talk of the match as Ronaldo proved that he remains his country's talisman and could very well lead his team far in Russia. The group game between the rival nations has already earned classic status.

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GettySpain 1-5 Netherlands | 2014

Spain had all their hopes of defending their 2010 glory by being hammered 5-1 by the Netherlands in the group stages that sent shockwaves across football. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring through a penalty won by Diego Costa, but the Netherlands retaliated thick and fast through Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Stefan de Vrij to break the hearts of the three-time, back-to-back world and European champions.