Romelu Lukaku has left Chelsea and joined Napoli in a deal worth €30m (£25m/$33m) plus add-ons.
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Lukaku heads to ItalyReunites with Antonio ConteChelsea bank significant feeWHAT HAPPENED?
Napoli have confirmed the signing of Lukaku in a deal worth €30m as Antonio Conte reunites with the striker who was so prolific for him at Inter Milan. The Belgium international has signed a three-year contract and the deal may open the door to Victor Osimhen leaving the club. He is of interest to Chelsea.
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Lukaku's sale represents a significant loss for Chelsea, who paid a staggering £97.5m ($128m) to secure his signature, but they have managed to shift his wages. Reports suggest they are interested in Osimhen but they face a battle to convince him to snub a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Chelsea made a bid for the Nigeria striker on Wednesday but he has been offered £25m ($33m) per year to move to the Pro League.
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Lukaku teamed with Conte at Inter Milan and his form was so electric it led to his return to Stamford Bridge. The Belgium international has scored 64 goals in 95 games under Conte's management and will hope to get back to that kind of form next season.
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Lukaku could potentially make his debut for Napoli this weekend against Parma. If not, he may make his bow after the international break, against Cagliari on September 15.
A club's star player has hinted at a potential summer exit, with Arsenal thought to be very interested in securing a deal for the star.
Edu planning to sign new striker for Arsenal this summer
Sporting director Edu is set to try and bring in a world-class new forward option at the Emirates Stadium when the window reopens, with reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano claiming this will indeed be the case.
Arsenal ready to sell Gabriel Jesus and replace him with £43 million star
Arsenal are looking to part ways with Gabriel Jesus this summer.
ByJosh Barker May 5, 2024
Both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus face uncertain futures at Arsenal, despite the pair standing out as Mikel Arteta's only natural senior striking options. The form of Kai Havertz in a makeshift forward role has thrown the latter's place into question, and some reports suggest Arsenal are ready to sell Jesus this summer and bring in a replacement.
The Gunners' current attackers haven't exactly failed to impress over 2023/2024, with no Premier League side scoring more goals than Arsenal this season. However, with Jesus and Nketiah potentially departing, the addition of a prolific alternative could be needed.
Bukayo Saka
16
Kai Havertz
12
Leandro Trossard
11
Martin Odegaard
8
Declan Rice
7
A few big names have been linked with moves to north London, as Arteta seeks an outstanding natural new number nine. Arsenal are in the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with Edu also registering interest in Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee.
“We still can't rule out Arsenal in the race for Osimhen," said journalist Ben Jacobs recently.
"It’s also true that PSG have Osimhen very, very high on their list of targets and can move in the market because they will free up money due to Kylian Mbappe’s departure. I'm still told by sources that Osimhen’s priority is the Premier League, which is encouraging for Chelsea and Arsenal. He would be looking for about £250,000 per week, which Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG would all be happy to pay.”
Another very interesting target is Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, who has enjoyed the season of his life after making the move to Portugal from Coventry City last year.
Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sporting
Called "unplayable" by former Coventry teammates, the £40,000-per-week Sweden international has bagged a quite incredible 41 goals and 15 assists across 47 games in all competitions this season.
His form has led to reports that Arsenal are preparing a bid for Gyokeres this summer, though it is unclear whether they'd be willing to pay his seismic £86 million release clause.
Gyokeres hints at possible summer exit as Arsenal allegedly prepare offer
Speaking to the press this week, Gyokeres has now hinted at a possible exit from Sporting, as Arsenal apparently target him.
“Stay next season? It's football, it's normal, I can't promise anything,” he is quoted as saying by A Bola (via Standard Sport).
“I really like being here, but in football everything happens very fast and we have to adapt. I can't make so many predictions, it's difficult, there are still games this season, then we'll see."
Even though there is a case to be made that the Premier League is a much more competitive division than the Primeira Liga, over 40 goals is impressive no matter where you're playing, so he could definitely bolster Arteta's ranks.
Batsman’s bid to earn a spot in West Indies first-Test line-up hit by washed out first day of final warm-up in Manchester
ECB Reporters Network29-Jun-2020Jermaine Blackwood believes he has something to prove against the world’s leading bowlers, should he find himself back in West Indies’ line-up for the upcoming Test series against England.A measured 112 not out against England in April 2015, in just his sixth Test, remains Blackwood’s only international three-figure score. Having been dropped two-and-a-half years after that century in Antigua, he was a concussion substitute last August and regained his place in the Test squad to tour England after topping the run-charts in the Caribbean’s domestic four-day competition.Earlier this month, Blackwood told ESPNcricinfo his “new way going forward” was to “bat as long as possible”. Now that he is in a position to make the XI for the first Test at the Ageas Bowl on July 8, Blackwood said that remained the plan, rather than going gung-ho from the off.ALSO READ: West Indies to wear Black Lives Matter logo”Over the years people have got the wrong impression about me, like I’m a ball-beater or whatever,” Blackwood told the Press Association after the first day of West Indies’ four-day intra-squad warm-up match at Emirates Old Trafford was washed out on Monday.”But it’s just natural for me, I’m from the Caribbean, it’s only natural for me to score runs. I want to add a little bit more to my game and bat time. I’m really pushing hard for that and I’m really putting the mental work as well in to bat time. Once I bat time, I will score runs.”It’s been two-and-a-half years that I’ve been out of the Test team. This opportunity has come out and I have to grab it with both hands. I have something to go out there and prove against all the best bowlers in the world, I want to score runs against them.”Blackwood’s ton came against an attack featuring James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes, a trio who will almost certainly line up for England in Southampton.A career average of 30.26 in 28 Tests swells to 55.33 in six matches against England, so it is little wonder Blackwood is relishing the chance to face the same opposition.”I always love to play against England because they are one of the best teams in the world and they have one of the best attacks in the world as well,” Blackwood said.”Anderson and Broad are two world-class bowlers so whenever I get the chance, once I bat some time against them I know I will score runs. They are wonderful bowlers but once I can wear them down and let them bowl spell after spell, that is going to be the key thing for me in this series.”Blackwood made 3 and 15 in West Indies’ first intra-squad warm-up last week and his hopes of pressing his claims in the second practice match were dented as intermittent showers conspired to frustrate the squad’s preparations. The match represents the final chance for those on the fringes of the side to push their case for the first Test.Whereas the first practice game between Kraigg Brathwaite’s XI and Jason Holder’s XI was played out amid a heatwave last week, several downpours and a strong gust were the order on a dreary Monday in Manchester.Any prospect of play was officially ended just before 3pm and it is understood that the idea to award the match first-class status has been scrapped, potentially allowing all 25 members of the squad to feature at some point.The initial team-sheet was missing wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich , who hurt his side in the first warm-up match, and fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Keon Harding, but there is now no reason why any of the trio should be ruled out of contention altogether. Harding suffered a facial cut when he was struck while attempting to field the ball during that earlier game.West Indies have announced that a Black Lives Matter logo will be displayed on their shirts in the series against England but, for this contest, they will line up in the maroon and navy training kit they wore last week.
Manchester City have been hit with a huge blow as defender Nathan Ake was stretchered off while playing for the Netherlands against Germany.
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Ake sustains injury against GermanyDefender had to be stretchered offMan City facing hectic scheduleAFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Ake was visibly emotional as he was stretchered off during the Netherlands' Nations League clash with Germany on Tuesday. The Manchester City defender pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and looked to be in agony. A stretcher was quickly called and the defender seemed distraught as he was taken off the pitch.
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Ake will now undergo tests to determine the severity of his injury, and Manchester City will be sweating on the results. The Premier League champions are facing a hectic schedule after the international break with games against Brentford, Inter, Arsenal, Watford and Newcastle to come before the end of the month.
DID YOU KNOW?
Netherlands went on to draw 2-2 with Germany in the Nations League fixture. The The Dutch side have now conceded at least two goals in each of their last three matches, their longest streak since October 2015.
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City will have to wait and see how much time Ake will miss with his latest injury. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's side return to Premier League action on Saturday at home to Brentford.
Rangers reportedly want to complete the signing of a "promising" 20-year-old ace in a permanent deal this summer, with talks set to take place soon.
Rangers transfer news
The Philippe Clement era at Ibrox has been a positive one to date, with the Belgian impressing in charge after coming in for Michael Beale earlier in the campaign. He has won the Scottish League Cup and could also seal Scottish Cup glory later this month, while pushing Celtic all the way in the Scottish Premiership from a poor starting position.
Numerous players are reportedly in the mix to join the Gers in the summer transfer window, but perhaps the most exciting current target is Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, who also happens to have grown up supporting them. The 28-year-old has scored 31 goals in all competitions this season and could emerge as an option before the 2024/25 season gets underway.
Lawrence Shankland on international duty with Scotland.
The Scot isn't the only attacking target being looked at, however, with Rapid Bucuresti striker Albion Rrahmani also backed to join the Clement revolution. The 23-year-old has scored 17 goals in just 25 appearances for his current club, as well as winning four caps for Kosovo.
Meanwhile, West Ham defender Ben Johnson is viewed as Rangers' potential next Calvin Bassey, ahead of an exit from the London Stadium on a free transfer this summer. He is also capable of thriving as a midfielder, so he would immediately enhance the squad depth at the manager's disposal.
Ranger want move wrapped up for "valuable" ace
According to a new update from Football Insider, Rangers are set to hold talks with Oscar Corters over a permanent move to Ibrox at the end of the season.
The 20-year-old arrived on loan from Lens during the January transfer window, but he has seen injuries limit his playing time to date, with only three starts coming his way in the Scottish Premiership, and only six appearances overall in the competition.
Oscar Cortes
It has been difficult for Rangers supporters to make a fair assessment of Cortes to date, given his lack of minutes, but the fact that the club seem so keen on retaining his services could only suggest that they see him as an excellent long-term option.
The winger has managed one goal and assist apiece in the league in his aforementioned three starts, and considering his age, he should only grow as the years pass.The Rangers Journal have also lauded him as a "very promising young winger" recently, while Clement has said that "it’s clear already from the first training that he can help us with achieving our goals", and the hope is that a permanent switch to the Gers appeals to him more than staying put at Lens.
Clement must drop 4/10 Rangers man to unleash "tremendous" star
The Light Blues head coach should bring the experienced ace back into the starting lineup for the SFA Cup final.
ByDan Emery May 19, 2024
It is easy to forget that Cortes has already won one cap for Colombia, outlining his ability, and not sealing a move for him this summer could end up being a regret years down the line.
Next court hearing tentatively scheduled for August 17
Nagraj Gollapudi22-Jul-2020The question of whether the BCCI’s top two officer bearers – president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah – can carry on in their positions remains unanswered with the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday saying after a short hearing that it will take up the matter again in two weeks’ time. It has been listed “tentatively” for August 17.The BCCI has filed its plea – twice since last December – proposing several amendments to the board’s constitution, which, if adopted, could undo some of the most significant reforms recommended by the Lodha Committee. The case was listed to be heard on Wednesday by a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde and Justice L Nageshwar Rao. During a short hearing, conducted virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the court said it would sit again in a couple of weeks to discuss it.The questions now are: can Ganguly and Shah carry on as office bearers, and in case they do without the court’s nod, will it count as an offence? While Ganguly’s term reportedly comes to end on July 27, Shah’s term has ended in the past month or so, although an exact date could not be confirmed.Both Ganguly and Shah have been participating in all important BCCI meetings and have also been the board’s representatives at various ICC meetings since being elected last October. The next meeting where they could, potentially, make an appearance is the IPL Governing Council meeting this weekend.As per the BCCI constitution, an office bearer is allowed to serve for two consecutive terms spanning six years (at BCCI or state level or a combination of both) after which a cooling-off period of three years is mandatory. That rule was approved by the apex court in 2018, when it modified the clause concerning the cooling-off period to two terms (six years) instead of the just one (as stated in its 2016 order).In its second plea filed in April, the BCCI had requested the court to consider the amendments to the board’s constitution, including tweaking the cooling-off period of the board’s office bearers, modifying the disqualification criteria, giving unprecedented powers to the BCCI secretary, and stopping the court from having any say if the board wants to alter the constitution. The amendments were unanimously approved by the state associations that comprise the BCCI general body.
On Sunday the curtain came down on another enthralling Premier League season. This one was special for a number of reasons.
The title may have been wrapped up within 90 seconds at the weekend, Phil Foden crunching home a ridiculous effort from outside of the box but the chase for league supremacy between Manchester City and Arsenal was a joyful ride.
City eventually prevailed by a margin of two points, much to the dismay of Mikel Arteta's side but they will be back next year, ready and waiting to topple Pep Guardiola.
There was also one last dance for Jurgen Klopp. It was back in January that the German announced he'd be stepping down from the Anfield hotseat but it wasn't until his final match, a 2-0 victory against Wolves, that the emotion truly began to pour out.
Doubters to believers: A tribute to Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp
Anfield will say goodbye to its esteemed manager after nine years of every emotion imaginable.
ByAngus Sinclair May 19, 2024
There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Klopp and Virgil van Dijk embraced warmly, Trent Alexander-Arnold couldn't hold back the tears. It's just a shame they fell out of the title race with a few matches left to play.
So, who deserves the plaudits from a captivating campaign of action? Well, Football FanCast's expert writing team have had their say and here's who we thought was deserving in each category.
FFC's 2023/34 Premier League award winners
FFC also put together their Team of the Season which included a few notable omissions, particularly Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland, Arsenal's effervescent Bukayo Saka and the aforementioned Van Dijk.
So why did they miss out? We have our reasoning. Read on to find out…
1 GK – David Raya Arsenal
Arsenal's goalkeeper position was a cause for great debate at the start of the season. Aaron Ramsdale hadn't done an awful lot wrong but Arteta sought to usurp him, bringing in Brentford stopper David Raya on loan.
The end result? A Golden Glove for the Spaniard who has been nothing short of exceptional between the sticks. His record of 16 clean sheets in 32 league outings isn't a bad tally, is it?
Games
32
Minutes Played
2,880
Clean Sheets
16
Stats via Transfermarkt.
2 RB – Ben White Arsenal
What a campaign this was for the £50m signing. He has undeniably been the best right-back in the division and even if his refusal of an England call-up caused a bit of a stir, there is no doubting his quality.
A centre-back turned full-back, his relentless approach alongside Saka on Arsenal's right-hand side was a joy to watch. He's become a true marauder, timing his runs to absolute perfection in the final third.
Games
37
Minutes Played
2,994
Goals
4
Assists
4
Stats via Transfermarkt.
3 RCB – William Saliba Arsenal
Three Arsenal players in a row, you say? It's hard to ignore just how good the club's defence was this season. They conceded just 29 goals in the Premier League, the best record in the division and had the third-best expected goals against (xGA) tally in all of Europe's top five leagues, only behind Juventus and unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.
A large part of that was down to William Saliba who ended up playing every single minute of the campaign on his way to being nominated for the Young Player of the Season award.
Games
38
Minutes Played
3,420
Goals
2
Assists
1
Stats via Transfermarkt.
4 LCB – Gabriel Arsenal
Let's continue the Arsenal trend. Saliba is the man who often takes the plaudits but Brazilian centre-back, Gabriel, deserves his flowers too.
Bizarrely he didn't start the first few matches of the season but since then has made the position his own again. Jamie Carragher said last week: "I think if this partnership stays together for the next three to four years, we are talking about this alongside Ferdinand and Vidic, Carvalho and John Terry."
We couldn't really go with any other two players, could we?
Games
36
Minutes Played
3,044
Goals
4
Assists
0
Stats via Transfermarkt.
5 LB – Josko Gvardiol Manchester City
lloyd-kelly-josko-gvardiol-tottenham-opinion
Now, this was probably the hardest position on the pitch to select. Plenty of our writers voted for Tottenham's Destiny Udogie but it was Josko Gvardiol who just edged things, largely for his remarkable end to the campaign during the title run-in.
The Croatian scored four goals and registered two assists in his last seven outings. Pretty decent numbers for a defender, we'd say.
Games
28
Minutes Played
2,329
Goals
4
Assists
2
Stats via Transfermarkt.
6 CDM – Rodri Manchester City
What a player the Spaniard is. He led the charge again for City and only missed one match when he wasn't ruled out through suspension.
Rodri even added goals to his game this season, ending the league campaign with eight having found the net on the final day of the campaign.
Also assisting nine goals, it was a pretty special campaign for a player who is the best in the world in his position.
Games
34
Minutes Played
2,938
Goals
8
Assists
9
Stats via Transfermarkt.
7 RCM – Martin Odegaard Arsenal
The Norwegian received plenty of votes for Player of the Season from FFC's panel of writers but just missed out after a scintillating season in the middle of the park.
Martin Odegaard closed out the term with two assists against Everton on the final day to outline his qualities as one of the best creators in the division. Only Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins registered more assists than the Arsenal skipper's ten, but more on them later.
Games
35
Minutes Played
3,104
Goals
8
Assists
10
Stats via Transfermarkt.
8 LCM – Declan Rice Arsenal
Declan Rice
Arsenal weren't just battling City during the season but they also slugged it out the signing of Declan Rice last summer.
The former West Ham man eventually moved to the Emirates Stadium for £105m where he has been nothing short of a revelation. Like Rodri, he's added more attacking numbers to his game and celebrated the best offensive season of his career.
Games
38
Minutes Played
3,231
Goals
7
Assists
9
Stats via Transfermarkt.
9 RW – Cole Palmer Chelsea
Cole Palmer celebrates for Chelsea
Man City may have won the title but they will surely have regrets over the departure of Cole Palmer, the man who was voted FFC's Signing of the Season.
No one expected his career to soar like it has but what a campaign it was for a man who finished second in the running for the Golden Boot. He surely has to be a shoo-in for a place in the Euros squad this summer.
Games
34
Minutes Played
2,628
Goals
22
Assists
11
Stats via Transfermarkt.
10 LW – Phil Foden Manchester City
The official Premier League Player of the Season confirmed himself as one of the most elite talents in the world throughout 2023/24, scoring a staggering 27 goals and supplying 11 assists in all competitions.
With him and Jude Bellingham in the same squad this summer, there is surely no reason England cannot with the Euros.
Signing off with two goals on the final day as City won the title, there were few better players around than Foden this season.
Cricket team caught in crossfire of dispute between a private firm and the Pakistan government
Umar Farooq in Lahore27-Jul-2020The PCB has played down reports that a company based in the Isle of Man may seize assets owned by the Pakistan team currently in the UK, as part of an old legal dispute between the firm and the Pakistan government. A report in the Pakistani daily the quoted a letter from Broadsheet LLC to the Pakistan government in which it said it would “seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team” because of longstanding dues owed to it by the government.The PCB has been in touch with the Pakistan Embassy in the UK and is believed to have been satisfied that there is little prospect of this actually happening. That belief lies in the legal opinion that the Pakistan team is representative of the Pakistan Cricket Board, an autonomous body, and not of the Pakistan state or government, and so is not a party to the case or liable for the damages. In the letter, Broadsheet says that the Pakistan team is “by the very nature, an asset of the defendant and that monies due to the team and assets of the team are assets of the defendant to the litigation”.The PCB, however, said the ordinance under which it was established makes it clear it is autonomous.”The PCB has no nexus whatsoever with the arbitration and/or recovery proceedings between Broadsheet LLC and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan & National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan,” the PCB said.”Moreover, the PCB stands established under the Sports (Development and Control) Ordinance 1962 as a body corporate having perpetual succession with exclusive authority for the regulation, administration, management and promotion of the game of cricket in Pakistan. The PCB operates through its Constitution as an autonomous entity.”The PCB operates and functions independently from the Government, generates its own revenues and receives no grants, funds or monies from either the Federal or Provincial Governments, or the Public Exchequer.”The legal dispute dates back to the early 2000s, when Broadsheet was hired by General Pervez Musharraf, who was the head of state of Pakistan then, to trace out hidden assets of Pakistan nationals in foreign countries. Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) signed an agreement with Broadsheet, which was eventually terminated in 2003. The termination led to a legal dispute, one resolved in 2018, when an international arbitration court in London ruled in favour of Broadsheet, and established that the NAB was liable to pay damages. It is this payment that remains outstanding.The letter quoted in the was written by Broadsheet to Allen & Overy, the firm that represented the Pakistan government and the NAB in the case, and said that Broadsheet was owed “more than USD 33 million” after it won the arbitration.ESPNcricinfo reached out to NAB for comment, but the body has not confirmed or denied any threat to the cricket team’s equipment being seized. The Pakistan team will play three Tests and three T20Is against England, with the first Test scheduled to start on August 5 in Manchester. The final T20I will take place on September 1.
Erik ten Hag has hailed Alejandro Garnacho after his electric cameo performance for Manchester United against Southampton.
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Garnacho scored third goal in 3-0 winFouled by Jack Stephens, who was sent offTen Hag delighted with Argentine's impactWHAT HAPPENED?
Garnacho was benched against Southampton but came on in the second half and had a serious impact. Firstly, he was fouled by Stephens, with his knee-high challenge being met with short shrift by the referee and resulting in a red card. Then, in injury-time, he scored his side's third goal.
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Garnacho started against Liverpool but has been on the bench for all of United's other three fixtures. And his manager was delighted to see the impact the winger had from the bench, using his performance as a way to implore future substitutes to adopt the same attitude.
WHAT TEN HAG SAID
Ten Hag told United's official website: “I think we should have scored earlier on, we had the chances and we had the control, and we create some good chances to score the third goal earlier on.
“Of course, we are happy when you bring a sub on who has an impact and he (Garnacho) was the one who downsized the opponent to 10 with a good action and then a good finish.
“I think also the rest (of Garnacho’s performance), I was happy with this sub and that is how players should act from the bench and we need more of this.”
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Garnacho will hope to play a role in Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley at Old Trafford. They then return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next weekend.
Captain leads way in chase after allrounder Green claims maiden T20 haul
ECB Reporters Network01-Sep-2020Ben Green announced himself as a T20 player for Somerset with 4 for 26 in an eight-wicket Vitality Blast Central Group win over Glamorgan under the floodlights at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The 22-year-old Devonian seamer, making only his third appearance in the competition, numbered Glamorgan’s top-scorer Chris Cooke among his victims as the visitors were restricted to a modest 133 for 8 after losing the toss. Josh Davey claimed 2 for 17 in an impressive Somerset bowling performance.The hosts then made short work of their target, racing to 134 for 2 from just 16.1 overs, skipper Tom Abell leading way with 74 not out and James Hildreth contributing an unbeaten 34. Their unbroken stand of 110 assured Somerset of their a win in the group, while it was a second defeat for a Glamorgan side comprehensively outplayed.The Welsh county’s tepid batting effort began with Dan Douthwaite falling for a first-ball duck to Max Waller’s second delivery of the match, a flighted googly that pinned the batsman lbw.By the end of the six-over power play, the visitors were 39 for 3, Andy Balbirnie having miscued a pull to be caught at midwicket off Ollie Sale and Billy Root carving a catch to Green at cover off Josh Davey.Cooke, on whom his side rely heavily, did his best to raise the tempo with sixes over deep square off Sale and Green, but there was little support at the other end. Kiran Carlson fell for 5, caught at deep mid-wicket to become Green’s first victim and at the halfway point of their innings Glamorgan had posted 62 for 4.Cooke and Callum Taylor then added 26, with 11 of the runs coming off the 12th over, bowled by Waller. But the next one saw Taylor mistime a ramp shot to be caught off Green for 12.Ben Green claimed a four-wicket haul•Getty ImagesAny hope Glamorgan had of reaching a respectable total disappeared when Cooke, who had eased his way to 42 off 34 balls, drove a catch to extra cover off Green in the 15th over. Andrew Salter was caught at long-off for the second first ball duck of the innings and Green, who had been the sixth Somerset bowler used, could reflect on a good night’s work from the River End.Marchant de Lange produced some belligerent blows, including a six over long-on off Waller, but it was too little too late to give Glamorgan a competitive total.Somerset immediately had more momentum to their batting, despite losing George Bartlett and Steve Davies in the opening six overs to Salter and Timm van der Gugten respectively. By the end of the Powerplay their score was 47 for 2, with the experienced Hildreth and captain Abell running well between the wickets and content to wait for a loose ball.At the end of ten overs, Somerset were coasting on 81 for 2, needing only 5.3 runs an over for victory. Having played largely textbook shots, Abell moved to a fluent half-century from 30 balls, with a classic back-foot forcing shot off Salter through extra cover for four.Hildreth was content to play a supporting role, one superbly timed reverse sweep for four standing out in his 36-ball knock.Abell brought up the century stand by hitting Salter over long-off for six and soon his side were celebrating victory with 23 balls to spare. The skipper had faced 45 balls, hitting nine fours and a six, while Hildreth’s innings occupied 36 deliveries. The partnership was an object lesson in scoring quickly without resorting to unorthodox shots.