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Crystal Palace have announced the signing of former Sunderland goalkeeper Remi Matthews on a free transfer.

What’s the story?

Chairman Steve Parish confirmed the signing, saying: “Remi brings plenty of Football League experience with him, and we are really pleased to add him to our goalkeeping ranks, where he will continue to develop under the tutelage of Dean Kiely, alongside Vicente Guaita and Jack Butland.”

Remi told Palace TV: “I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to work with Dean Kiely again because he helps me improve, and I’ve got two great goalkeepers to look up to in Vicente Guaita and Jack Butland. It’s great to be a part of it, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Fans will be buzzing

The Eagles were in the market for another shot-stopper this summer after seeing Wayne Hennessey depart following a seven-year spell at the club.

Although Matthews might not seem the most glamourous or exciting arrival, news that the Palace hierarchy are making moves in the transfer market will surely have the supporters buzzing.

New manager Patrick Vieira will need to be backed over the coming months if he’s to achieve success next season, and the arrival of former Reading ace Michael Olise and Matthews is a solid start to their business.

Matthews made 14 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland last term, managing three clean sheets, and he will be tasked with providing cover and competition for Jack Butland and Vicente Guaita.

Adding some strength in depth will be crucial for Vieira this summer after several first team regulars departed the club following the expiration of their contracts, and the English goalkeeper’s arrival has gone some way towards that mission.

Roy Hodgson brought consistency and stability to Selhurst Park over his four-year reign, but Vieira faces a very tough task in taking Palace to the next level.

Bringing in Matthews on a free transfer frees up funds elsewhere in the squad and allows the former Nice manager to focus his resources on other acquisitions.

Intriguing prospects such as Kasper Dolberg, Eddie Nketiah and Victor Nelsson have reportedly caught the eye of the Palace hierarchy, and Eagles fans will surely hope that such quality players will soon be following in the footsteps of Matthews and coming to Selhurst Park.

In other news… Imagine him and Olise: Parish could form a dream duo with Palace swoop for 16-goal gem 

Media Release: Report on Round 1 of QEA Trophy 2002-03

Pakistan Cricket Board24-Dec-2002LAHORE: Allied Bank and Pakistan PWD recorded victories in the first round action of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy but not a single ball was bowled in seven other matches on the final day on Tuesday because of rain.Allied Bank collected maximum points against Multan at Multan Cricket Stadium by an innings and 33 runs when they dismissed the home team for 251 in their second innings. Multan, who conceded a 284-run first innings lead, had resumed the day at 184 for seven. Off-spinner Arshad Khan picked up three wickets for 63 runs to finish the match with figures of seven for 117.Pakistan PWD outclassed Dadu at the UBL Sports Complex by 97 runs. Off-spinner Aftab Ahmad picked up four wickets for 13 runs while medium-pacer Shakeel-ur-Rehman bagged four for 52 as Dadu, chasing 246 for victory and starting the day at 117 for five, were shot out for 140.At the National Stadium in Karachi, hosts Karachi Whites were held to a draw by Bahawalpur, who after conceding a 160-run first innings, were 321 for five when the match ended. Opener Mohammad Rashid top scored with 80 that came after 205 minutes of batting during which he received 177 balls.Only 25 balls were bowled at the Saga Cricket Stadium in Sialkot where the home team progressed from an overnight score of zero for one to 10 for one against Gujranwala who had to settle with three first innings lead points.The second round action will begin from December 27.Scores in brief (close of play on day four of four):Group-IAt Sports Stadium, Sargodha:
National Bank: 171 (Sajid Ali 57, Akhtar Sarfaraz 39, Ahmad Hayat 4-50, Mohammad Sarfraz 3-21) and 89-4 (Saeed Anwar 22, Naumanullah 20, Mohammad Sarfraz 3-33)
Sargodha: 218 (Majid Saeed 62, Mohammad Farrukh 31, Mushtaq Ahmad 5-54)
Result: Match drawn (Points Sargodha 3, NBP 0)At LCCA Ground, Lahore:
LCCA Blues: 195 (Latif Gohar 40, Ali Hussain 39, Shahzad Butt 26, Farooq Iqbal 3-14, Moazzam Ali 3-65) and 28-0 (Musharraf Ali 17 not out, Ali Hussain 7 not out)
Faisalabad: 352 (Asif Hussain 121, Ijaz Mahmood 50, Sami-ul-Haq 42, Wasim Haider 42, Sajid Ali 6-82)
Result: Match drawn (Points Faisalabad 3, LCCA Blues 0)Group-IIAt Multan Stadium, Multan:
Multan: 158 (Zeeshan Khan 31, Arshad Khan 4-54, Ata-ur-Rehman 3-38) and 251 (Mohammad Fazil 91 not out, Mohammad Ali Niazi 82, Arshad Khan 3-63, Tanveer Ahmad 3-57)
ABL: 442-8 declared (Bilal Asad 151, Naved Latif 120, Aamir Hanif 50 not out, Usman Tariq 33, Azhar Abbas 4-114)
Result: ABL won by an innings and 33 runs (Points: ABL 12, Multan 0)At National Stadium, Karachi:
Bahawalpur: 167 (Ahsan Raza 31, Nasir Khan 3-42, Owais Athar 3-55) and 321-5 (Mohammad Rashid 80, Ahsan Raza 44, Hasnain Raza 36, Kamran Hussain 35, Bilal Rana 34 not out)
Karachi Whites: 327 (Maisam Hasnain 116, Fahadullah 85, Rizwan Saeed 36 not out)
Result: Match drawn (Points: Karachi Whites 3, Bahawalpur 0)At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi:
Pak PWD: 116 (Saad Wasim 53, Athar Laiq 4-39, Kashif Ali 4-46) and 196 (Iqbal Imam 34, Saad Wasim 31, Athar Laiq 6-34, Khair Ali 3-69)
Dadu: 66 (Shakeelur Rehman 5-15, Ali Raza 3-23) and 149 (Mohammad Saleem 52 not out, Shahid Qambrani 36, Aftab Ahmad 4-13, Shakeel-ur-Rehman 4-52)
Result: Pak PWD beat Dadu by 97 runs (Points: Pak PWD 12, Dadu 0)Group-IIIAt Lahore Country Club, Muridke:
Customs: 276 (Naseem Khan 92, Shadab Kabir 44, Azhar Shafiq 34, Danish Kaneria 5-71) and 165-8 (Naseem Khan 40, Hanif Malik 35)
Habib Bank: 244 (Akram Raza 43 not out, Khaqan Arsal 37, Atiq-uz-Zaman 33, Imran Ali 4-70, Abdul Rauf 3-86)
Result: Match drawn (Points: Customs 3, Habib Bank 0)At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:
LCCA Whites: 353 (Aamir Sajjad 153, Mohammad Hussain 51, Wahab Riaz 31, Waqas Chughtai 4-111)
Sheikhupura: 397-6 (Mohammad Salim Mughal 137 not out, Mohammad Islam 69 not out, Waqar Ahmad 40, Maqsood Raza 33)
Result: Match drawn (Points Sehikhupura 3, LCCA Whites 0)At Saga Ground, Sialkot:
Gujranwala: 280 (Kamran Younis 61, Iftikhar Ahmad 51, Imran Tahir 5-88) and 275 (Mohammad Khalid 60, Fayyaz Ahmad 42, Asim Munir Butt 38, Tahir Mughal 4-89, Shahid Khan 3-85)
Sialkot: 231 (Faisal Khan 88, Shahid Khan 44, Naved Arif 5-67) and 10-1
Result: Match drawn (Gujranwala 3, Sialkot 0)Group-IVAt Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi:
Rawalpindi: 133 (Babar Naeem 91, Rao Iftikhar 4-37, Saad Janjua 3-22, Mubashir Nazir 3-36)
ADBP: 311-8 (Hafiz Majid 83, Faisal Naved 62, Javed Hayat 57, Mohammad Fayyaz 3-59, Mohammad Akram 3-62)
Result: Match drawn (Points: ADBP 3, Rawalpindi 0)At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar:
Peshawar: 414 (Mohammad Jahangir Khan 168, Mohammad Fayyaz 68) and 125 (Imranullah 4-48, Sharif Asadullah 3-60)
KCCA Blues: 288 (Sajid Hanif 91, Khurram Manzoor 73, Imranullah 53, Nauman Habib 4-80)
Result: Match drawn (Points: Peshawar 3, Karachi Blues 0)At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi
PIA: 196 (Kamran Sajid 52, Bazid Khan 45, Mahmood Hamid 32, Jaffar Nazir 5-44) and 1-0
KRL: 238 (Saeed Anwer Jnr 93, Intikhab Alam 42, Umer Gul 6-97)
Result: Match drawn (Points: KRL 3, PIA 0)
On Monday:
Wapda beat Service Industries by 10 runs at At Gymkhana Ground, Okara:
Wapda: 136 (Tariq Aziz 64, Imran Adil 3-38, Mohammad Irshad 3-49) and 177 (Adil Nisar 69, Mohammad Irshad 4-38, Asim Butt 3-36, Imran Adil 3-50)
Service Industries: 110 (Hammad Tariq 24, Faisal Irfan 6-29) and 193 (Rizwan Ahmad 51, Rehan Raffique 30, Mohammad Irshad 30, Kashif Raza 4-48, Waqas Ahmad 4-58)
Points: Wapda 12, Okara 0
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A French football expert from Get French Football News says Liverpool should keep tabs on exciting winger Jeremy Doku – but not make a move just yet.

Doku caught the eye during Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, with him putting in a stunning performance in the narrow defeat to eventual finalists Italy.

His call-up came after making 44 appearances for French side Rennes last season, with him scoring four goals and contributing eight assists in the process.

Doku’s impressive form has resulted in Jurgen Klopp taking a keen interest, with Liverpool reportedly submitting an enquiry ahead of potentially making a bid.

Rennes will be keen to hold onto the 19-year-old, but a big-money offer may result in the French club being willing to negotiate a deal.

Adam White, who has seen a lot of Doku in the early stages of his career, believes a move to the Premier League this summer would hamper his development.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “He’s still very young and Rennes spent more than £20million on him. For a club like Rennes, that’s huge.

“If I’m Doku, I want to be playing. If he goes to Liverpool, he won’t be starting games any time soon. As a teenager, he needs that development. 

“Doku is on that trajectory and it’s a level he should be aiming towards given his talent, but he hasn’t got the end product yet or shown the consistency with Rennes to warrant a move to Liverpool any time soon. It would stunt his growth. He needs at least one more year but is a player Liverpool should be keeping an eye on.”

Many West Ham United fans have had their say on Twitter regarding an update involving alleged striker target Adam Hlozek.

The 18-year-old is reportedly on the Hammers’ radar this summer, with various claims in the media backing up their interest.

The Athletic reported last month in their Euro 2020 scout report that West Ham are interested in the forward, who bagged 15 goals and eight assists in 19 Fortuna Liga appearances for Sparta Prague over 2020/21 (Transfermarkt).

Meanwhile, the same outlet also claimed that Czech Republic teammates Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek have both personally recommended the 18-year-old to Irons manager David Moyes (The Athletic).

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French journalist Salim Baungally has also backed West Ham’s interest in the past, saying that they are ‘completely on’ Hlozek (via TEAMtalk).

The player’s agent Pavel Paska has now come out with an admission which could be of real encouragement to the Irons. He claimed that Hlozek’s market value of around €17m (£15m) is ‘very real’ and his exit from Sparta Prague is ‘possible’ this summer (Aktualne.cz).

Flocking to this claim on the teenage forward, many West Ham fans have urged GSB and co to make a move immediately. Check out some of their best comments, in reply to West Ham News & Views and West Ham Central, below.

West Ham fans flock to news on Hlozek

“Shame we didn’t see more of him at the EURO’s but it’s probably been a blessing for us as it means his price hasn’t sky rocketed!

Hlozek for £15m is a crazy bargain! It would allow us to spend more on the squad, adding Pereira & Johnstone with Hlozek for the cost of Anderson!”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

“THAT IS SO CHEAP I BEG YOU”

Credit: @AkiW_M

“Please Please sign him”

Credit: @PalazonMark

“Pleaseeeeeee”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“If this is the case I’d be all over this.”

Credit: @thatboied

“Pay it then”

Credit: @Tommb22

“Got to bring this man in”

Credit: @westhamhour

“sign him up”

Credit: @whujoe

In other news: ‘We understand’…Sky Sports drop live Tv claim as West Ham eye ‘powerful’ striker, find out more here.

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts insists that there is next to no chance of Harry Kane leaving the club in a swap deal with Manchester City.

Kane is said to have asked to leave the club, per Sky Sports News, amid interest from City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

A report this week, though, claims that City have already tabled the first bid in what is likely to be a long-running summer saga.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano claims it could be worth a minimum of £100m to Spurs, while City have also dangled the prospect of including players in a deal; Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte are two of the highest-profile players mentioned.

Roberts, though, doubts that there is any chance of the City players making their way to Spurs, such are their wage demands.

Sterling, for example, is said to earn £300,000-per-week at the Etihad Stadium, per Spotrac, and Roberts feels such a deal is simply too complicated.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “It’s alright them saying ‘you can have him’, alright, you pay three quarters of his wages and we’ll take them.

“We’ll pay them what we think they’re worth. It’s not going to happen.

“Swap deals are not going to happen.”

Somerset Under 13’s travelled to Ponthir C.C. on Sunday where they played against Gwent.Batting first the home side scored 164, with Ben Lyons being the pick of the Somerset bowlers ending with 3 for 20 in his 8 overs.In reply Somerset were bowled out for 109,Bradley Derrick top scoring with 25 to give Gwent victory by 59 runs.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to the news that the Anfield Road expansion has been given the go-ahead.

The Reds ended up salvaging a season that threatened to be a disaster in 2020/21, securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.

It was a campaign that no Reds supporters will have particularly fond memories of, with empty stadiums, VAR and talk of a European Super League all low points.

Liverpool’s owners, FSG, rightly received criticism for their involvement in the Super League and they have also often been accused of not spending enough money of taking the Reds forward.

They financed the impressive new Main Stand, however, and according to the Liverpool Echo, the club’s plans to expand the Anfield Road end too have now been approved.

The £60million plan will see Anfield’s attendance rise a further 7,000 to 61,000, making Liverpool’s world-famous ground even more formidable.

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Liverpool fans react to Anfield Road expansion news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the news, with one supporter calling it ‘awesome’.

“Nice, now it’s time to sign some players for that extra 7k to watch”

Credit: @TheHendoEffect

“Love that, can’t wait to be back!”

Credit: @LFCVik2

“So glad we stayed at Anfield instead of going to a new stadium”

Credit: @Sean_PD

“This is so awesome! We are so lucky to have FSG! Where are all the haters now??!!”

Credit: @Greg_YNWA1

“Ain’t no one stopping us next season”

Credit: @conradbeckham

“Yessssss bois, criticise FSG if you want but at least they invest in the infrastructure”

Credit: @RobintheRed598

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after a key update regarding a Reds star. Find out who it is here. 

It was almost a tragic century from Sridharan Sriram on the fourth day of Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Railways on Friday at Delhi.

Staff Reporter09-Feb-2002It was almost a tragic century from Sridharan Sriram on the fourth day of Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Railways on Friday at Delhi.Railways, having taken a first-innings lead of 147 runs, are almost sure-fire semi-finalists; the only way they can be eliminated is for Tamil Nadu to win this match, and Sanjay Bangar’s mammoth ton may have brought that probability down to an almost non-existent number.Finally dismissed as the last wicket to fall, Bangar, at the top of the order, made 212 off 487 balls, with 19 fours and three sixes. Tamil Nadu then started their reply, and although the first-wicket stand of 68 provided a decent start, the visitors will have to do a lot more to win this match.Sriram and J Madanagopal then put on a second-wicket stand of 133 runs. Madanagopal made 56 off 103 balls, hitting five fours and a six in his knock. Sriram completed his century shortly before the close of play.At stumps, Sriram was unbeaten on 107 off 171 balls, with 13 fours. He was accompanied at the crease by S Sharath on 2. Tamil Nadu reached 204/2 at the close of play, having wiped out the first-innings deficit and leading by 57 runs.

According to The Daily Record, former Glasgow Rangers player Kevin Muscat will not make a move to the Gers’ fierce city rivals.

The Lowdown: Muscat linked with Glasgow move

Muscat, who spent one season with the Ibrox outfit, had been linked with a move to Celtic recently (SEN).

He was said to be in line to be the assistant manager of Ange Postecoglou, who is expected to be the next Celtic manager (The Scotsman).

The Latest: Muscat will not join

However, an update has now been provided on that potential move.

Now, The Daily Record believe Muscat will not be involved with the Bhoys in any capacity, be it this summer or any time in the near future.

The Verdict: Would have been the ultimate betrayal

Muscat only spent one season with the Gers, the 2002/03 campaign, but that proved to be a very successful one for the 55-time Scottish champions.

Rangers completed the domestic treble that term as they won the Premiership, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

While he may not be a club legend with the Gers, it would still feel like a betrayal if he were to join Celtic. There are few rivalries in world football as fierce as the one in Glasgow – once you have an affiliation with one of the two clubs in the city, it is very difficult to then have a connection with the other.

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this ace with 24 goals and assists last term.

Unbeaten centuries by Skipper N Kumar and DK Singh on the final day saw Biharforce a draw against Orissa in their East Zone Under-22 match at the BarabatiStadium in Cuttack on Wednesday

Natarajan Sriram27-Dec-2000Unbeaten centuries by Skipper N Kumar and DK Singh on the final day saw Biharforce a draw against Orissa in their East Zone Under-22 match at the BarabatiStadium in Cuttack on Wednesday. Bihar got five points while Orissa had to becontent with three.Opting to bat first, Bihar put up 285 on the board with N Kumar leading from thefront with a fine 63. Kumar shared a 83-run fifth wicket stand with DK Singh(52). Then with the help of the tailenders, K Abhimanyu (50 not out) took thescore past the 250 run mark. Saurav Sahgal (4 for 61) and Barman (3 for 39) werethe pick of the Orissa bowlers.In response, the Orissa batsmen struggled to face up to the Bihar attack andwere shot out for 150. RR Das (100) was the topscorer in an innings which sawonly one other batsman getting into the double figures. During a 183-minute stayat the crease, Das faced 157 balls while finding the boundary ropes eight times.Bihar in their second innings were cruising along and reached 183 for six when NKumar and DK Singh took firm control of proceedings. The duo put on an unbeaten203-run partnership in 44.4 overs. They batted for nearly three hours before thestumps were drawn on the final day. Kumar remained unbeaten with 100 (151 balls,10 fours) while Singh was on 102 (134 balls, 15 fours).