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The Houston Astros are the favorites at +100 to win the AL West in 2024.

Houston Astros +100
Texas Rangers +200
Seattle Mariners +300
Los Angeles Angels +4500
Oakland A’s +20000

According to FanGraphs, there are only three teams projected to win 90-plus games this season. Houston (+100) is one of those teams. The Dodgers (-450 to win the NL West) and the Braves (-240 to win the NL East) are the other two.

Now, whether you should tie up your bankroll for 162 games for the chance to double your money is a different question, but there are strong reasons why the favorites are a solid bet.

The Astros have won the AL West six of the last seven seasons, including in 2023, when they edged out the eventual World Series champion Rangers for the division title. The only anomaly was the shortened 2020 season, which went to the A’s.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank boasts a wealth of hugely impressive talents in his squad that have seriously impressed under him so far.

The Dane’s exceptional start to life in the Spurs dugout has yielded four wins from seven in all competitions so far, including just two defeats, and they were desperately unlucky to lose that UEFA Super Cup final to European champions PSG.

While a draw at underperforming Brighton last time out is hardly cause for major celebration, the Amex has been a very unhappy hunting ground for Spurs in recent years.

Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites blew a two-goal lead to surrender a 3-2 defeat on the south coast this time last year – losing 4-2 away to them the year prior – and history threatened to repeat itself again when Spurs found themselves 2-0 behind last Saturday.

However, Frank’s side displayed real dogged professionalism to claw themselves back to 2-2 — courtesy of goals from Richarlison and reported Spurs transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke (OG) — and had even more chances to score before the final whistle.

Xavi Simons missed a great opportunity to net his first Premier League goal for Tottenham, in what was a promising display of what is to come from the Dutchman, while Lucas Bergvall added to his ever-growing collection of excellent performances.

Lucas Bergvall’s career at Tottenham so far

Stats

Appearances

52

Goals

2

Assists

6

Bookings

8

Minutes played

2,714

via Transfermarkt

Spurs’ midfield is looking stacked right now, with summer loan signing Joao Palhinha also impressing as he eyes a 2026 permanent move to Tottenham.

Alongside the likes of Bergvall and Palhinha, a special nod has to go to the young Pape Sarr.

Tottenham told "important" Pape Sarr deserves much more credit

Speaking to Tottenham News, ex-Brentford boss Martin Allen has claimed that Sarr has gone unnoticed with his Spurs performances this season, and deserves more credit.

Signed by Fabio Paratici in 2021 for around £15 million, the Senegalese spent the rest of 21/22 back on loan at FC Metz before playing his way into the Spurs senior team.

The 23-year-old was awarded a new long-term contract last year as a result of his showings under Postecoglou, keeping him at the club until 2030, and Sarr has been equally as good since Frank replaced the Australian.

Prior to their draw at Brighton, Sarr was handed the starting nod by Frank in each of Tottenham’s first four Premier League games — bagging his first of the campaign in a 3-0 win at West Ham and assisting Brennan Johnson’s third against Burnley in a 3-0 opening weekend victory.

According to WhoScored, the ex-Ligue 1 sensation is Tottenham’s third-best performer by average match rating per 90 in the top flight, with only Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison sitting above him.

In truth, Sarr’s price tag from four years ago is now looking like chump change, and he could be a fixture of Frank’s midfield for years to come if he carries on performing when required.

Glasgow Rangers suffered their joint-worst defeat in a European match on Wednesday night when they were hammered 6-0 by Club Brugge in their Champions League qualifier.

“Rangers fans deserve a lot better” are the words that left Ally McCoist’s mouth in his post-game analysis on TNT Sports’ coverage of the match, and it was a fair comment to make.

Russell Martin has only won three, drawing four and losing three, of his ten matches in charge of the Ibrox giants he was appointed as the new head coach in the summer.

Why Rangers should sack Russell Martin

The Light Blues have conceded 17 goals, failed to win any of their Scottish Premiership matches, and been knocked out of the Champions League within the first month of the 2025/26 campaign.

However you want to spin it, whatever mitigation there is to add with signings or red cards, it has not been good enough, and the supporters, as Ally said, deserve better.

The Scottish Sun reports that a section, at least, of supporters were chanting in favour of Martin losing his job. Anyone who tuned in to watch the match or was there in the flesh would have heard some of the choice words that came from the travelling fans.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

There is no getting away from how disastrous the start to the season has been and, with a clash with Celtic at Ibrox on the horizon, the board should make the decision to brutally part ways with him.

The manager Rangers should replace Russell Martin with

Back in April, prior to Rangers appointing Martin, McCoist backed the Scottish giants to pursue a deal for Sean Dyche, who is currently out of a job.

He said: “I’d take Sean [Dyche at Rangers] all day. I think Sean Dyche is an excellent manager, excellent. His work at Burnley was nothing short of remarkable.”

With this in mind, the board should consider parting ways with Martin to pursue a deal for Dyche, who could solve the woeful defensive shortcomings that have been seen on the pitch this season.

The English tactician has clear principles in place for how he wants his side to be compact and defend spaces in a 4-4-2 formation, as explained in the video above.

A 4-4-2 system that can easily pivot to a 4-4-1-1 out of possession or a 4-2-3-1 in possession provides tactical flexibility without giving up numbers defensively or leaving the team overexposed in transition, as has been the case with Martin’s system.

24/25

19

16th

23/24

37

15th

22/23

18

17th

21/22

30

18th

20/21

38

17th

19/20

38

10th

18/19

38

15th

17/18

38

7th

16/17

38

16th

14/15

38

19th

As you can see in the table above, Dyche has enjoyed a very respectable career in the Premier League with Burnley and Everton, which also speaks to his defensive coaching because he has largely steered his teams clear of relegation with his hard-to-beat set-ups.

However, the out-of-work boss also coached a winning team with Burnley in the past when he racked up 93 points to win the title in the Championship in the 2015/16 campaign, his last season outside of the Premier League.

Having a manager who has a blend of experience in coaching a winning side, as Rangers need to be in the Premiership, as well as knowing how to organise and structure a defence effectively, could be exactly what is needed at Ibrox.

Therefore, Dyche, despite maybe not being an exciting appointment on paper, could be the silver bullet that the 49ers need to turn to after this horrendous start under Martin, if they decide to sack him.

Release clause triggered for £10m+ Rangers star as 49ers accept permanent transfer

The striker took drastic measures to secure an exit.

ByCallum Kemp Aug 27, 2025

The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.

Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.

He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.

Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.

This summer’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, though Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy’s replacement is ongoing.

Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs

Few chairmen have hired and fired as many notable managers as Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.

Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy’s only high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.

Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.

Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.

Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.

The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.

Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback against Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.

Though they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.

In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points – their best finish since 1963 – only seven points behind champions Chelsea.

And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

Matches

499

Wins

240

Draws

113

Losses

146

Points

833

It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”

The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “very good” relationship.

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.

His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.

It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.

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The Lilywhites chief announced his shock exit on Thursday.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 5, 2025

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano welcomed a bounceback 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders after back-to-back shutout defeats, with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba each producing a goal and an assist while Rodrigo De Paul impressed. Still, Mascherano admitted the squad lacks depth amid absences and missed signings, calling the last seven games ‘finals.’

Getty Images SportMascherano admits his squad lacks depth but vows to fight

Inter Miami entered Tuesday’s clash carrying the weight of two heavy 3-0 defeats – one in the Leagues Cup final against the Sounders and another against Charlotte. This time, though, Mascherano’s men delivered a strong response in a 3-1 victory over Seattle. Despite the win, the Argentine coach admitted his roster is thin after summer departures and missed signings before the trade deadline. The team is also missing star striker Luis Suarez, who will finish a three-game suspension after Miami face D.C. United on Sept. 20. 

“We have many absences right now, and of course, I’d love more resources and depth. But I’m the coach, and I will go to the end with the players I have,” said Mascherano in his postgame press conference. “We have seven finals left, and we want to win all seven.”

AdvertisementPushing for the top spot

Although Philadelphia Union remain eight points clear at the top, Inter Miami still hold three games in hand, leaving them with a real chance of climbing to first place. 

Getty Images SportNight of goals at Chase Stadium

Messi led the attack alongside Tadeo Allende on the right and Jordi Alba, deployed unusually high on the left. The Spaniard opened the scoring in the 12th minute after linking up with Messi. The Argentine nearly doubled the lead later but hit the post on a one-on-one. He made up for it in the 40th minute, slotting home Alba’s low cross for his 20th MLS goal of the season.

Shortly after the restart, Ian Fray sealed the result with a powerful header. Seattle grabbed a late consolation through Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas, but the game had already been decided.

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Mascherano highlighted his team's unwavering confidence during its recent slump. 

“We couldn’t go crazy either. We knew that, above all, we needed to get back to winning. We needed to collect points. And we need to keep collecting points,” Mascherano said. “Nobody likes to be in this position, even if we have three games in hand compared to our rivals, because I truly believe the team doesn’t deserve it.”

Pat Cummins confirms just the one change to Australia’s XI but expects Scott Boland to play a role again

Andrew McGlashan13-Dec-2024

Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to play in the third Test against India in Brisbane with captain Pat Cummins confirming he will replace Scott Boland as the only change to Australia’s XI.Hazlewood missed Australia’s win in Adelaide due to a side strain he suffered in the opening Test in Perth with Boland taking five vital wickets across two innings in the second Test.Hazlewood underwent a couple of fitness tests during the week. With only short run-ups available in the Gabba nets and no spare centre wickets, Hazlewood went out to Allan Border Field on Thursday to bowl off his full run alongside Mitchell Starc, under the eye of bowling coach Daniel Vettori.Related

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“He’s had no hiccups,” Cummins said. “He had a really good bowl yesterday and a bowl in Adelaide a couple of days previous. The medical team are super confident.”It means that Boland, who averages 13.54 in home Tests, will again be carrying the drinks but Cummins expected him to have another opportunity across the final two matches of the series. There will likely be a debate about a horses-for-courses selection ahead of the MCG where he has an outstanding record, including the stunning 6 for 7 on debut against England, although he was overlooked against Pakistan last season.”It’s tough [leaving him out], he was fantastic in Adelaide,” Cummins said. “Unfortunately he spent quite a bit of time on the bench over the last 18 months and whenever he plays he’s fantastic. Shame for Scotty, but still a fair bit to play out in the series so I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get another crack at some point.””[We told him] it’s about preparing for the MCG because there’s a good chance we might need you. History suggests there’s always some form of natural attrition throughout a Test series. A good thing [is], he’s probably played a Test earlier in the series than he maybe thought. Showed that his standards still super high. [It’s] about trying to set him up for the last two Test matches.”Hazlewood explained on Monday that the latest injury was not “a typical side strain”, but was part of an ongoing issue he has had which has left him frustrated and searching for a solution.”You’re running in to bowl, and you just grab your hat and you’re off and you’re out for six weeks – it’s not that sort of side strain,” he said. “It’s from sort of repetitive use. It’s caused me a lot of trouble over the last few years, but [had] perfect prep this year, played the Shield game and ticked all that off.”I was very happy where I was, and it still happened. So I was pretty annoyed there for a few days. There was plenty of meetings from CA’s point of view [with] physios, doctors, all that stuff. So [we will] come up with a few options and see if we can stop it from happening again.”The fact Hazlewood has missed just one Test is likely down to him only bowling two more overs after he first felt some pain in Perth.”We’ve seen it a few times where Joshy has kind of pushed through a Test match and a little bit of soreness turns into a month or two injury,” Cummins said. “We kind of made the call it wasn’t worth the risk of keeping him bowling. Think he bowled an extra two overs leading into a tea break and said he felt okay, [but] I thought from there that’s enough.”

Newcastle United will now need to stump up £39m to sign a “complete” striker in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Newcastle still clinging on to Isak

The future of Isak has dominated the Magpies-related headlines of late, with Liverpool making it clear that they would like to sign the Swede in a potential British record transfer, whereas Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are also circling.

Newcastle are understandably holding firm, however, not wanting to lose not only their best player, but one of the leading strikers in the world currently.

A move to the Saudi Pro League for Isak would surely be a huge shock if the 25-year-old suddenly wanted to move to a far lesser league at the peak of his powers.

Should the unthinkable happen and Newcastle lose Isak this summer, it will then be a case of the best option possible coming in. Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez jumps out as a leading choice after recent links emerged, but now another player has been mentioned, too.

Newcastle need to pay £39m to sign striker after contact

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle will need to pay £39m to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani this summer.

The Magpies have already made contact regarding a move for the France international, which is again highlighted in the recent report. Kolo Muani is considered a potential option to replace Isak, should he move on. The report even states that Newcastle are “resigned” to losing current hero Isak.

Muani could shine in a Newcastle shirt, but it goes without saying that signing him will only be a positive if Isak has also stayed put at St James’ Park.

The 26-year-old has impressed many in recent years, not least Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has described him as a “complete” player.

“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play. We are happy with the game he played on Friday and I hope he scores tomorrow. Tomorrow we will try to get him to score a goal.”

Muani has scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, helping them reach the final of the 2022 World Cup, and he has also netted a combined 53 times in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Serie A, showing that he can make an impact in some of Europe’s top leagues.

He's Bruno Guimaraes 2.0: Newcastle considering move to sign £50m "machine"

Newcastle could consider a move for an English midfielder

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 22, 2025

The bottom line is that he is still a far cry from Isak as a player, though, so if the current Magpies ace departs this summer, a higher calibre of player such as Alvarez will need to come in over the PSG man, or as well as him.

Manchester City have held talks over a deal to sign an “exceptional” £100m star, with personal terms agreed, but he could now join Tottenham Hotspur.

Man City eyeing midfielder amid doubts over Gonzalez's future

Despite only signing Nico Gonzalez last winter, Man City are already thinking about sanctioning the midfielder’s departure this summer, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey saying: “I am told that City would be open to Gonzalez leaving this summer.

“Gonzalez is one to watch, we have been anticipating the likes of Ilkay Gundogan going, maybe even Mateo Kovacic – but Gonzalez could very well be looking at a quick-fire City exit.”

“It has been played down in some quarters, but his name has come up in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, intermediaries are working and have been told to look at it.”

Bailey also suggests that Gundogan and Kovacic’s futures are in doubt, which means Pep Guardiola may need to bring in at least one new midfielder this summer, and progress was made in the pursuit of a Premier League star.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, who stated Man City have agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, having been working on a deal behind the scenes.

The attacking midfielder has decided the Etihad Stadium is his preferred destination, but City are yet to reach an agreement with Forest, and it could be difficult to prise the midfielder away from the Tricky Trees.

Since then, it has been revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race for Gibbs-White, with new Spurs boss Thomas Frank keen on a deal and a £60m move appears to be progressing.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 8, 2025

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are reluctant to lose both Anthony Elanga and Gibbs-White in the same transfer window, and the former is now set to sign for Newcastle United in a £55m deal, but it looks as if it could happen.

Gibbs-White could be "exceptional" signing for Man City

Some previous reports suggested his current employers could hold out for £100m, but there are plenty of signs that he could be a good acquisition for Guardiola or Spurs.

Unlike Gonzalez, who has failed to kick on at the Etihad Stadium, the England international is already Premier League proven, which makes the deal less risky, having performed very well for Forest over the past three seasons.

Forest flirted with relegation in their first two seasons back in the Premier League, yet the maestro still managed to record very impressive attacking numbers, which indicates he could kick on considerably in a better side.

Gibbs-White is clearly held in very high regard by Guardiola, with the City boss lauding him as “exceptional” last season, so it is little wonder that City are pursuing a deal, however, they may miss out to Tottenham.

Rohit Sharma has hailed the processes and preparations India have gone through over the last few years, which culminated in them winning the T20 World Cup title in a tense final against South Africa in Barbados.”We wanted to win this, but I know to win a tournament like this, a lot goes behind the scenes,” Rohit said at the presentation ceremony. “A lot of effort, lot of minds need to come together, and I’m very, very proud of the bunch of boys that I have, and the management as well.”For giving us the liberty to go and play and execute and having that trust in each one of us. That has to start from the management, coach-captain, and the players go out there to do it. Throughout the tournament, we were fantastic.”Rohit praised India’s ability to come back from an extremely tough situation, when South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh pulled it back after that to secure a seven-run victory.Related

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“We have played a lot of high-pressure games in the past as well and been on the wrong side of it as well, but guys do understand when the pressure is on, what needs to be done,” Rohit said. “Today was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall what is required.”We stuck together as a team, all of us, even though at one point it was looking South Africa’s way, but I thought overall as a group, on the field, we wanted this really bad. It’s very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last three-four years.”We worked really hard as individuals and as a team, a lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and winning this game. It’s not what we did today, it is what we have been doing for the last three-four years, that’s the result that has come for us today.”The Player of the Final award went to Virat Kohli, whose 76 helped India score 176 for 7 after they were 34 for 3 in the fifth over. He had endured a tough T20 World Cup until then, scoring only 75 runs in seven innings, but Rohit said the team never was in doubt that Kohli would come good.”Nobody was in doubt about Virat’s form,” Rohit said. “We know the quality he has, he has been on top of his game for the last 15 years, come the occasion we know big players will stand up. Virat was obviously holding that one end which was very, very crucial for us, and the others played around him. For us to get to that total was a team effort as well. We wanted somebody to bat as long as possible.”These are not the wickets where you can come and bat freely and keep the scoreboard ticking straightaway. We do understand that, and we wanted somebody to bat as long as possible and Virat did that perfectly. That is where experience, all the years he has played, comes into the picture. And the other guys played really well, Axar’s [Patel] knock of 47 was very crucial as well.”While India appeared to be ahead during large parts of South Africa’s chase, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen plundered 38 runs off the 14th and 15th overs, from Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, to turn the game on its head. But with 29 to defend of 30 balls, Rohit turned to Bumrah, who gave away just four runs in his third over and then just two runs in the 18th over to heap pressure on South Africa.Bumrah finished the T20 World Cup with 15 wickets, second only to Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arshdeep Singh, at an average of 8.26 and economy of 4.17 to earn the Player of the Tournament award. “I’ve been someone who has seen him for so many years, playing alongside him, even I don’t know what exactly is with him,” Rohit said. “I know exactly what he brings to the table, but how he does that is just masterclass to be honest.”And he backs his skills, which is more than enough and he’s a very confident lad, whatever he wants to do, he executed that to perfection. In one word, he’s a class act. And Hardik was brilliant as well, bowling that over, no matter how many runs is required to book that last over, nerves and all of that, I’m very proud.”

Riley Meredith led the rout as Somerset bowled Middlesex out for 78 at Lord’s – their lowest ever score in the history of Vitality Blast cricket.The 27-year-old Tasmanian with six white-ball caps for his country took 4 for 12, while Craig Overton, Josh Davey and the competition’s leading wicket-taker Ben Green took two apiece in the nine-wicket romp.Middlesex only got within two runs of their previous worst score – 80 against Kent at Lord’s three years ago – thanks to as defiant 10th-wicket stand of 28 between Tom Helm and Noah Cornwell, who top scored with 15 apiece.Tom Banton, 49 not out and Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30 not out were both given lives as Somerset sealed a third win of the campaign. Middlesex remain bottom of the South Group.As well as Meredith and Overton bowled up top, Middlesex contributed to this debacle by batting with reckless abandon. Pinch-hitter Martin Andersson crashed two fours through the covers in the opening over after Middlesex were put in, but once he skied Meredith to mid-on in the next, the rot set in.Stephen Eskinazi fell to a cross-batted slog, before Meredith had Holden taken at mid-on to an even worse heave. Overton cranked up the pressure with a maiden to Ryan Higgins, during which the all-rounder failed to lay bat on ball and in the aftermath Joe Cracknell, back in the side for the sick Leus Du Plooy edged Meredith’s best ball of the match through to wicketkeeper Banton.Davies too had perished by the time the opening bowlers took their leave with the Lord’s tenants in tatters at 34 for 6.The competition’s leading wicket-taker Ben Green didn’t enter the fray until the score was 50 for 7 but made an instant impression taking the wickets of Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen with his first two balls.Cornwell saved the hat-trick before celebrating his call-up to the England U19s by clubbing Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory into the Grandstand but that was about the only cause for cheer for the beleaguered hosts.Will Smeed fell for only one caught on the fence off Helm and had Davies clung on to an inside edge from Kohler-Cadmore in the next over bowled by Cullen Middlesex might have made a fist of it, but the chance was grassed.Middlesex’s misery was compounded when Cornwell was forced from the field mid-over with a hand injury caused trying to take a return catch off one smashed back at him by Banton.Thereafter the Somerset duo settled down, both striking sixes into the Grandstand as the Cider-men romped home with 45 balls to spare.