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Arsenal made a miserable return to Premier League action last night after losing 3-0 away against Crystal Palace following the latest international break.

Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew in the first half gave the Gunners a tough task in the second period of the game at Selhurst Park.

However, a penalty from Wilfried Zaha sealed all three points for Patrick Vieira’s side and put the nail in the coffin for the visitors on this occasion.

In terms of the individual performances for Arsenal, one figure that stood out for all the wrong reasons was midfielder Thomas Partey.

With 56 touches of the ball in total, the Ghanaian ended up giving the ball away for his side on 14 occasions, once every four touches.

From a defensive perspective, off the ball, the 28-year-old, who has been slammed for his “stupid” decision-making in the past, gave his side next to nothing, which is reflective of the scoreline.

The midfielder ended up failing to make even one tackle, block, interception or clearance, in addition to getting dribbled past twice and giving three fouls away, picking up a yellow card for his troubles, making him a real liability in the middle of the pitch on this occasion.

The former Atletico Madrid figure also managed to lose 78% of his duels, showing how easy it was for the Palace midfielders and attackers to play against him.

This display ultimately earned Partey a disheartening overall match rating of 5.9 from SofaScore, making him the joint-lowest rated player for Mikel Arteta’s side, lower than defender Nuno Tavares who was hooked at halftime after an abysmal showing himself.

Football.London also picked up on Partey’s poor performance by saying that he was “hideously loose in possession.”

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To make things worse for the midfielder on a personal level, he was forced off the pitch with an injury after 75 minutes, as just moments before he allowed the Palace offence to stroll past him before Martin Odegaard gave away a penalty.

Taking all of this into account, it was definitely a night to forget for Arsenal and their midfield man and despite his poor showing, everyone at the north London club will be hoping that his injury is not a serious one.

In other news: Arteta must ruthlessly axe “shocking” £18m-rated AFC liability, he’s “not world-class”

Scorecard

	Aaron Redmond is New Zealand’s latest opening batsman after re-inventing himself from a middle-order specialist © Getty Images

New Zealand may only have three-quarters of their squad assembled in England, but their new opening batsman, Aaron Redmond, got his tour off to a useful start with a solid 72 against MCC in the traditional opening match at Arundel. Rain interrupted the game throughout the day, and it dribbled into a draw after nine overs of MCC’s run-chase.Jamie How, New Zealand’s stand-in captain in place of Daniel Vettori – who is on leave with the Indian Premier League – shared in an opening stand of 91 with Redmond. How smacked 10 fours in his slick 46 from 56 balls before he was caught off Chris Cairns, his former team-mate, who was captaining MCC. Redmond, who played for Wigan in the Lancashire League last year, fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Paul Nixon for 72.New Zealand’s innings fell away thereafter, not helped by frequent rain interruptions, but Tim Southee clattered two huge sixes to lift their total to a challenging 239 for 7 from 47 overs. Mark Gillespie nipped out the MCC openers in quick succession before the final rain break terminated the match, and attention now turns to New Zealand’s first proper warm-up against Kent at Canterbury tomorrow.New Zealand have always struggled to find a reliable opening combination, and Redmond, 28, is their latest. He was once a middle-order batsman but reinvented himself as an opener when he joined Otago in 2004, and was awarded with a contract with New Zealand two weeks ago.”I was a little bit nervous at the start because it’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to play for a New Zealand side, but it was great to find my feet,” Redmond told PA. “It’s a great opportunity and the best thing I can do is keep performing and training hard. I thought it would give me a better chance to play for the Black Caps and I tried to work on my game and make it nice and tight and it’s worked for me.”Redmond is the son of Rodney who played one Test for New Zealand and was highly successful, scoring 107 and 56 against Pakistan in Auckland in 1972-73. However, he then struggled to adjust to new contact lenses on the visit to England later that year and managed only 483 runs at 28.41 and had to settle for being remembered as a one-Test wonder.The first Test gets underway at Lord’s on May 15.

Sreesanth misses out once again © AFP

The Indian team had mixed news from the sick bay ahead of the second ODI against South Africa on Friday. While S Sreesanth has been ruled out of the match, and Gautam Gambhir was also deemed unfit, MS Dhoni and Ajit Agarkar appeared to be ready for selection.”Sreesanth is still not well. He’s definitely not well enough to play tomorrow (Friday)”, said Rahul Dravid, the India captain, after the fast bowler did not turn up for practice.Gautam Gambhir, the opening batsman, has also joined the sick list. “Gautam Gambhir has also had a bit of a viral fever so he’s in the hotel”.”Ajit Agarkar and Dhoni seem to have recovered but we would have loved to have had them practice today because they’ve not played cricket for a week and to have an idea of exactly how they are feeling”, Dravid addedHeavy rain meant that the Indian team could not have an outdoor practice session and instead had to settle for gym work.Dravid said that the flu-related illness within the Indian team was continuing to pose selection problems.”We have an idea but it’s all dependent on who is fully fit and available. We will have to wait on Gautam [Gambhir] and see how he is before we make a call on that.Meanwhile, Ranadeb Bose and Ishant Sharma, the emergency reinforcements, have joined the team after arriving on Wednesday.Dravid responded to comments from Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, that India would be weakened without the presence of a genuine allrounder in their squad.”In these sort of conditions we have used Sourav Ganguly, used Sachin Tendulkar a little bit and we used Yuvraj Singh in the last game because the spinners were bowling well and against the South Africans we thought he might be quite handy”.”You’ve just got to see who is best for the conditions. If there was one guy we were using all the time we wouldn’t need a part-time bowler”, he said.Arthur said Dale Steyn, the fast bowler, and Thandi Tshabalala, the off-spinner, could give the Proteas’ attack increased variety on Friday. They are struggling with flu but Arthur expects them to play – and possibly play a crucial role.”I’ve done a lot of analysis of our last performance,” Arthur said. “And the only thing I can think of is I still think between overs 20-35 we are still a little bit predictable, if you look at the likes of Andrew Hall, Vernon Philander and Jacques Kallis bowling in that area, they are all pretty much the same. I really want to see Steyn and Tshabalala tomorrow. We need to go home with some answers. We need them bowling at the Tendulkars, the Dravids the Sourav Gangulys and Yuvraj Singhs.”Spin has been a problem area for South Africa for some time and whether Tshabalala, known for firing the ball in at the stumps, is the answer against high-class batsmen, remains to be seen. Steyn is a more experienced cricketer and this season has also been playing for English county Warwickshire.”Maybe they will give us the variation we are looking for”, Arthur said. “We were criticised a lot in terms of the variation of our attack – and I think that criticism was true.We need to find a spinner, and the other variation you can have is express pace – which Dale Steyn does bring to the party.”

TEN Sports, the television channel who have the rights to West Indies cricket, have moved the Supreme Court in India in a bid to prevent Doordarshan from also telecasting the matches in India’s forthcoming tour live. They moved the court on Friday restraining Doordarshan from downlinking the live feed. The matter will be heard on Tuesday.TEN Sports’ move comes a step ahead of Doordarshan making the demand to have access to the live pictures, through a provision that was put in place by the Indian government in 2005. This provision makes it mandatory for private television channels to share content of national interest – and cricket falls in this purview – with Prasar Bharti, the parent company of Doordarshan.TEN Sports has argued that there is a petition questioning the constitutional validity of the 2005 provision, and has said that if a stay was not granted this petition would become infructuous as the series will be over before a verdict was passed. India begin their five-ODI, three-Test tour on May 18.The plea from TEN Sports also argued that the channel had paid more than US$ 100 million for the rights to broadcast cricket played in West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and that it would be unfair to force them to share the live feed with Doordarshan. TEN Sports also said that it had sold the country rights to Set Discovery Pvt. Ltd.Doordarshan offered to telecast the feed without deleting the advertisements TEN Sports has sold, reported, but apparently the channel was not satisfied with this and wanted to be paid for the feed.

Final days for the Kensington Oval © Getty Images

A farewell event has been scheduled at Kensington Oval on May 30 and 31 when Barbadians will pay tribute to the famous stadium before it is demolished and a new stadium is built for the World Cup games in 2007. A ground steeped in rich tradition, Kensington Oval is currently hosting it’s final Test, between West Indies and Pakistan, after which the renovation process will begin.The two-day event, called ‘Forever Kensington’, will feature historical narratives and live performances by Barbados’ top entertainers. “We wanted to pay tribute to Kensington on the eve of the redevelopment in a way fitting for her stature, history and contribution to the game of cricket and the life of Barbadians as we move from this to a new era,” Ricky Craig, chief executive officer of the Barbados Cricket Association, was quoted as saying in . Several memorabilia will be on sale in an exhibiiton that will take place on May 31.Kensington Oval has the distinction of hosting the first Test in the West Indies, when England toured in 1930. It went on to become one of the most impressive grounds in the Caribbean and was a West Indian fortress for many decades. After the ongoing Test, the ground is set to be demolished and a new stadium, with a capacity of 28,000, will be constructed.Meanwhile, the 40 living Barbados cricketers who have represented West Indies – including illustrious names such as Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Garfield Sobers and Gordon Greenidge – have formed a company to promote Barbados cricket around the world. There main purpose is to team up with international, regional and local sponsors to generate funds to promote Barbados cricket.

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said yesterday that the doors of international cricket were opening for Karachi and Peshawar. He also urged followers of the game to consider the Indian series on a national level rather than making it a regional or provincial issue.Shaharyar, in a statement, admitted that he felt sad for the people of Karachi and Peshawar from the bottom of his heart. “I am sad, there is no doubt about that. But I am happy that the Indian cricket team is coming to Pakistan after nearly 15 years, and has also agreed to play one-day internationals in Karachi and Peshawar which were previously branded as no-go areas by the top teams.”Referring to the itinerary for the Indian tour, he stated that he had two primary objectives in mind with regard to the forthcoming series. “The first was that the tour should proceed on schedule, and second that Karachi and Peshawar should not be bypassed again and matches definitely scheduled in these cities. Both these objectives had been achieved.”Initially, Test matches had been scheduled in both Karachi and Peshawar. However, with the announcement of the Indian elections, there was a clear indication that India would seek a postponement or cancellation of the tour in order to avoid the high-sensitivity cricket visit overlapping with the Indian elections.”Mr Vajpayee’s confirmation of the tour removed all doubts, but we needed to be sensitive to India’s security concerns. An Indian team paid a weeklong visit to all the centres where matches were scheduled, and indicated that while they were fully satisfied with ground and hotel arrangements, the 8-9 days’ stay of the Indian team in Karachi and Peshawar for Test matches would be a cause of concern for the Indian Board and government. On their return, the Indian position was confirmed. However, they agreed to play one-day matches at Karachi and Peshawar, confirming their earlier indication that these two cities would not be bypassed.”He added: “I am myself a resident of Karachi and wanted to schedule a Test in Pakistan’s largest city for my first series as chairman.”Karachi and Peshawar have not hosted any important series for three years – West Indies and Australia declined to visit Pakistan at all, and New Zealand aborted their tour because of a bomb blast just outside their hotel. South Africa also refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar last year.Shaharyar concluded: “India’s decision to play one-day internationals in Karachi and Peshawar is a welcome development since it opens the doors for India – as indeed for all other countries – to resume Tests and one-day internationals at Karachi and Peshawar.”He stressed that the itinerary, which includes Karachi and Peshawar for ODIs, should therefore be seen as the beginning of a welcome phase for cricket in these cities, and needs to be viewed at national rather than provincial level. He expressed the hope that the cricket-loving public of Karachi and Peshawar would show their discipline and sporting attitude in welcoming the Indian team, thereby ensuring that in future all reservations to playing in those historic cities would be dispelled.

PORT-OF-SPAIN – Hours before a row developed between West Indies players and their bosses on Tuesday, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) revealed it had secured sponsorship for the team for the forthcoming World Cup.The WICB announced in the morning that the LNM Group will be the official sponsor of the West Indies team to the World Cup 2003 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.The announcement was made yesterday at a news conference at the Trinidad Hilton.The LNM Group is the second largest steel producer in the world and its steel-making operations in countries make it the world’s most global steel producer with a high degree of product and geographic diversification."With this sponsorship, LNM is giving the West Indies cricket team a major boost of confidence ahead of the 2003 World Cup," remarked Lakshmi N. Mittal, chairman and chief executive officer of the LNM Group."We expect great things from the team and look forward to them personifying some of the qualities that the LNM Group truly admire like commitment, courage and boldness."WICB president Reverend Wes Hall welcomed the LNM Group on board and said that financial support for West Indies cricket from the private sector was always greatly appreciated."I would like to express our sincere appreciation for this commitment by the LNM Group to our West Indies team because this stands as an example for all those who care about West Indies cricket," Hall said."I have spent a few days with the team at their training camp in Antigua and I can tell you they are determined to make a big impression at the Cricket World Cup 2003 and the LNM Group will help to make sure that the dreams of these young men become a reality."The LNM Group, through the Trinidad & Tobago-based Caribbean Ispat, one of LNM’s global operations previously sponsored the West Indies team when they visited India for a series of Tests and One-Day Internationals almost a decade ago.During the Cricket World Cup 2003, the West Indies team will participate in promotional activities and display the LNM Group logo on their competition uniforms.On Monday, the WICB announced that Carib Beer had areached a five-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the West Indies four-day first-class championship.

Jonathan Dakin’s innings of 179 totally dominated Leicestershire’s easy victory over Wales at Swansea.Man-of-the-match Dakin thrashed 10 sixes and 15 fours in a score that is the fourth highest ever in the competition.He was pushed up the order as a pinch-hitter but outdid the other batsmen so well that only Ben Smith passed the half-century mark. Smith helped Dakin add 161 in only 15 overs for the fourth wicket.Dakin was particularly strong against Lyndon Jones as he struck him for five sixes. He reached his century from 108 balls before adding his other 79 runs from only 37 more deliveries.With Smith reaching his fifty from 39 balls and finishing unbeaten on 64, it left Leicestershire on a total of 332-4 which was far too much to ask of Wales.The Welsh bowlers were without Phil George as the medium-pacer injured his back and retired during the sixth over of the day. Yorkshireman David Towse worked hard to knock out the off stump of Vince Wells, and Nathan Gage clean bowled Aftab Habib.Wales lost their skipper and former West Indian all-rounder Phil Simmons after he played a lazy shot to point to leave Wales on 39-3.They were revived by Kristian Bell who was run out after scoring 33 but Ryan Sylvester then hit a six and nine fours in a knock of 73 off 99 balls before he holed out to Devon Malcolm in the 47th over.Wales ended with the respectable total of 199-8 and at least batted out their overs but still lost by 133 runs.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now revealed some fresh Newcastle United transfer news involving Sven Botman before the trip to Tottenham.

The Lowdown: Two-way fight

As per The Times, the St. James’ Park faithful are now set to battle AC Milan to sign Botman in the summer, after failing to land him in the January transfer window.

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Lille stood firm on their valuation of the Netherlands international, but could now be tempted to sell if the price is right.

The Latest: Botman update

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, Jones has revealed that Milan are ahead of the Magpies in the race for Botman, although that could change ‘very quickly’:

“Right now, AC Milan are up there, and Newcastle were still down here. That could change very quickly, but at the moment, they’re still up there.” The Verdict: Difficult

It will be difficult for the Tyneside outfit to beat Milan to Botman’s signature, based on where the two clubs are at.

The Italian giants are currently top of the Serie A, and look likely to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League for next season, if not win the league on top of that.

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On the other hand, the Toon are not guaranteed safety in the Premier League just yet, and are only at the start of their long-term project.

Nonetheless, it is likely that Botman would choose Milan over them right now, but that is not to say that the North East club could not come back in for him in the future.

In other news, find out who NUFC have now ‘agreed’ to sign here!

Scorecard

	Lance Klusener’s best efforts couldn’t put a stop to the Lahore Badshahs’ march into the final (file photo) © Cricinfo Ltd

Even a battling 91 from Lance Klusener couldn’t halt the undefeated run of the Lahore Badshahs as the Kolkata Tigers failed to surmount an imposing target of 183.Klusener’s 91 made for half of the Badshahs’ total of 182, but a remarkable spell by Shahid Nazir thwarted the efforts of the South African as the Badshahs sealed their place in the final against the Hyderabad Heroes with a seven-run win.The Tigers’ openers raced away while hunting down 183. Klusener, who’s been opening the batting in the 20-over format and not the finishing role he primarily played for South Africa, combined with Deep Dasgupta as 60 runs came off the first six overs, including 18 off one from Azhar Mahmood.Just then, Inzamam-ul-Haq brought on Shahid, who was drafted back into the side, and he did the job, by removing Dasgupta and conceding only two runs off his first over to peg back a run-rate that seemed out of control.Thirty-four runs came off the following six overs, and two wickets fell – including that of the dangerous Craig McMillan – as the required run-rate climbed up to over 12. Shahid had done the damage, stymying the run-flow in the middle overs with 12 coming from his four, and two wickets as a bonus.Klusener stepped on the pedal soon, and the Tigers kept in touch with the asking-rate in the next four overs. Mohammad Sami suffered the bulk of the onslaught, giving away 29 in two overs. However, only eight came off the 17th bowled by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, leaving the Tigers with 31 required off the final two.Not comfortable with trying any of his part-timers, Inzamam threw the ball back to Sami. When five wides were frittered away off the first ball he delivered, Klusener perhaps sensed the kill, and a four next ball brought the equation down to 22 off 10. However, Rohan Gavaskar squandered four balls for just three runs.Klusener managed a six off Azhar Mahmood, but he too couldn’t pull off what he’d done many a time in his international career, falling for 91 off the final delivery sent down.Inzamam had decided to bat at the toss, but the Badshahs suffered an early blow when Andre Adams had Imran Farhat trapped in the first over. Humayan replaced brother Imran, and along with Imran Nazir, resumed the Badshahs’ dominance witnessed through the tournament.South Africa’s pace bowlers may have floored India in Ahmedabad, but Nantie Hayward had no such luck as he was hammered for 27 off his first two overs. It was Klusener who finally got the breakthrough in the tenth over, Humayun Farhat top-edged one to short fine leg.Shibsagar Singh dismissed Hasan Raza for a duck in the next over, and suddenly the Tigers had clawed their way back to slow down the rampaging Badshahs – from 82 for 1 in nine overs to 95 for 4 in 13.Naved Latif hit three sixes to gain lost ground, before he was snapped up by Klusener. Mahmood then smashed 24 off just eight balls as Hayward was carted for 20 off the 20th over. Inzamam occupied one end with a sedate – by Twenty20 standards – 28-ball 33 as the Badshahs finished at 182 for 7.Shibsagar took 2 for 19 off his four overs. Klusener scalped two as well, but that, besides his two catches and 57-ball 91, could only earn him the match prize, as the Tigers missed out on a chance to win the big prize.