The German attacker earned the honor after a brace for the Galaxy in their dramatic 2-2 draw against crosstown rivals LAFC

Reus scored an impressive brace in a 2-2 draw against LAFCAward marks the first Player of the Matchday honor for ReusGerman has had six goal contributions in his last five matchesGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Major League Soccer has announced that Marco Reus had been voted Player of the Matchday for Matchday 14 following his two-goal performance in Sunday's El Tráfico derby. The German was the standout star in the derby as he opened the scoring for LA Galaxy and even netted an 87th minute equaliser to prevent a loss. The league's weekly honor is determined through votes from the MLS Player of the Matchday voting panel, consisting of select national media members and MLS communications staff.

AdvertisementWHAT THE MLS POSTEDTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The honor represents Reus's first Player of the Matchday award since joining the Galaxy midway through the 2024 season. He is also the first player since Gabriel Pec (Matchday 34 in 2024 season) to win the award for the Galaxy. Pec was the club's lone weekly winner during its 2024 MLS Cup championship campaign.

Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

The MLS Player of the Matchday award adds another accolade to Reus's illustrious career as he continues adapting to the top-flight in American soccer. The German will look to build on this recognition, although the Galaxy remain winless this season and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with just four points after another draw. They’ll travel to face San Diego FC on May 24 before returning home to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 28.

Looking to add to the likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham Hotspur have now reportedly made contact in pursuit of signing another two rising stars for Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham transfer news

Spurs’ struggles have been clear for all to see all season. Whilst they’ve suffered injury after injury to leave Postecoglou with no choice but to field makeshift backlines and blunt attacking trios, there’s an argument to be made that the Australian hasn’t helped himself at times.

Remaining stubborn over his tactics, the Lilywhites have been exposed over and over again, including in a recent 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Those in North London shouldn’t be too quick to put all of the blame on their manager, however, given how little squad depth he has been handed over the last year or so. It’s a problem that simply must be solved when the summer transfer window swings open and one which could once again be helped by the arrival of future stars.

Tottenham plotting move to sign "wonderful" ex-Real Madrid gem scouts love

He’s a rising star…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 28, 2025

According to The Boot Room, Tottenham have now made contact in the race to sign both Christos Mouzakitis and Charlampos Kostoulas in a double swoop from Olympiacos this summer.

Facing competition from North London rivals Arsenal as well as Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, Spurs should be desperate to get one over on their Premier League counterparts and land two impressive talents in the process.

Starting with Mouzakitis, the Lilywhites would be getting an 18-year-old midfielder who’s already an established regular starter for what is a massive club in Greece. He’s made 16 Super League 1 appearances for Olympiacos this season, scoring once and assisting once for the senior team.

Meanwhile, by adding Kostoulas, Spurs would be signing a striker who already knows exactly where the back of the net is. At just 17 years old, the Olympiacos star has scored 11 goals in all competitions – including six league goals for the first-team.

"Robust" Kostoulas has key versatility

Having already taken Greek football by storm, 17-year-old Kostoulas could find himself attempting to steal similar headlines in the Premier League sooner rather than later. Given that Spurs has been the land of opportunity amid their squad depth problems in the last year or so too, a move to North London would be no bad thing for the young forward.

Crucially, if those opportunities to impress were to arrive at Spurs, Kostoulas would also offer Postecoglou some key versatility in return. As highlighted by analyst Ben Mattinson when praising the teenager’s “robust” ball-carrying ability, Kostoulas has developed into an attacking midfielder in recent months, but is still capable of moving into the lone striker role.

With plenty of competition for both his and Mouzakitis’ signature in the coming months, the impressive young striker looks set to have quite the decision to make this summer.

That meant his trip to Dhaka to train with his childhood mentor was cut down to two days from the three he had initially planned

Mohammad Isam26-Oct-2023

Shakib Al Hasan returned to Bangladesh’s World Cup camp in Kolkata on Thursday evening, cutting short his three-day Dhaka trip to two days. Shakib had gone to Dhaka on October 25 to have a nets session with his childhood mentor Nazmul Abedeen Fahim.Bangladesh trained at Eden Gardens on Wednesday under lights, without Shakib of course, who had taken the evening flight from Dhaka. He reached the team hotel around 8.45pm where the team manager Rabeed Imam received him. Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, on his way out to dinner, also met Shakib at the reception.According to the team management, Shakib didn’t tell them that he was returning home for cricketing reasons. Team director Khaled Mahmud, who is the head of the Bangladesh delegation in India, said that Shakib had said it was for “personal reasons” that he was going to Dhaka from Mumbai the day after their 149-run defeat to South Africa.”We have no idea about this,” Mahmud had told the Dhaka-based on Wednesday. “He may have gone to Fahim since he is not batting well. But we didn’t know about this. [Wednesday] was travel and rest day. [Thursday] is optional training. That’s why coach gave him the two-day break. He said that he had some personal matters in Dhaka. We know that much only.”Shakib reached Dhaka on Wednesday morning, going straight to the Shere Bangla National Stadium nets where Fahim met him. Shakib batted under his watch for three hours.Shakib has struggled with the bat at this World Cup, having scored just 56 runs in four innings. He has taken six wickets so far.Bangladesh have an afternoon training session in Kolkata on October 27, with the match against Netherlands on the following day.

Leeds United’s attack has played a huge role in their success in the Championship this season, helping the Whites sit at the top of the table heading into the last few months of the season.

Daniel Farke’s side have netted 66 times in just 32 outings, 16 more than any other side in the division, with Middlesbrough the second-highest scorers on 50.

Joel Piroe has had his critics during his time at Elland Road but has proved countless people wrong this campaign, registering 14 goals and sitting as the club’s top scorer.

It’s safe to say he’s nailed down the number nine spot given his recent form, starring alongside Dan James and Manor Solomon within the final third as the Whites look to end their two-year Premier League exile.

Such a run of form will make it almost impossible for one player to dislodge him from the side upon his return to action from his latest injury setback in Yorkshire.

Patrick Bamford’s stats for Leeds United

Striker Patrick Bamford joined Leeds in a £7m deal from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2018, looking to provide that star figure at the top end of the pitch the club had desperately been hunting for.

He would register double figures in each of his first three seasons, two of which included the promotion-winning campaign alongside the Whites’ first year back in the Premier League.

The Englishman had taken his game to the next level under Marcelo Bielsa, so much so that it earned him his maiden England call-up to Gareth Southgate’s side because of his form in 2020/21.

However, he’s failed to reach the same levels since the Argentine’s departure, only scoring 17 goals across the last four seasons, failing to find the back of the net in any of his 11 outings during the ongoing campaign.

His lack of form coupled with his injury run has seen him linked with a move to Wrexham, potentially bringing his time at the club to an end, whilst also seeing another player’s value hugely surpass that of Bamford’s.

The player who’s worth nearly 6x more than Bamford

It’s been a sad decline for Bamford over the last couple of years after his heroics in the top flight, but the 31-year-old now appears to be third choice at Elland Road after his recent troubles.

Piroe undoubtedly remains the number one option for Farke, with 21-year-old Mateo Joseph the backup to the Dutchman, having the potential to develop into a key player in Yorkshire.

The Spaniard joined the club in a deal close to £1m from LaLiga side Espanyol in 2022, making six Premier League appearances after his move during his debut year with the Whites.

Last season saw the youngster gain more minutes after their relegation back to the second tier, featuring 26 times, scoring three goals, including two superb efforts against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

The form of Piroe in 2024/25 has again restricted him to substitute appearances, starting 11 times in the league, registering a combined total of six goal contributions.

Given his tender age, he still remains a long-term project for the club, having plenty of time to grow into a key player – already featuring for Spain’s under-21 side, highlighting the potential he possesses.

Games played

31

Goals & assists

6

Pass accuracy

78%

Shots taken

2.9

Chances created

1.3

Duels won

4.1

Touches in opposition box

5.9

The hierarchy rejected an offer of £10m for his services from Real Betis during the closing stages of the window, undoubtedly not wanting to lose such a high-potential talent, but the fee does showcase the development he’s made in such a short period.

When taking the subsequent offer, he’s now valued at nearly six times more than fellow striker Bamford, with the injury-prone forward now only valued at £1.7m by Football Transfers.

The club certainly made the right call in rejecting the bid for Joseph, with the 21-year-old having all of the tools to continue his progression and be an important part of Farke’s side in their hunt for promotion.

Cost £7m, now worth more than Solomon: Leeds struck gold on "top-class" ace

Leeds United have completed some phenomenal business in the market over the last couple of years.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 13, 2025

However, the same can’t be said for Bamford, with the higher ups needing to cash in on him in the summer, with new options needed, especially if the club are to return to the Premier League in the coming months.

يستعد منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم، اليوم الأحد، لخوض مواجهة قوية وهامة ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين، أمام منافسه الكونغو الديمقراطية.

ويلتقي المنتخب المغربي مع الكونغو الديمقراطية على أرضية ملعب نيايو الوطني، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين.

وتقام بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين، في دول كينيا وأوغندا وتنزانيا، بمشاركة 19 منتخبًا مقسمين على 4 مجموعات، أول 3 مجموعات تتواجد بها 5 منتخبات، والمجموعة الرابعة بها 4.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | الجزائر تخطف تعادلًا قاتلًا من غينيا في كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين

وبتواجد منتخب المغرب في المجموعة الأولى التي تضم منتخبات كينيا وأنجولا والكونغو الديمقراطية وزامبيا.

وكان منتخب المغرب قد حقق الفوز على أنجولا بهدفين دون رد، كما استطاع الفوز على زامبيا بنتيجة 3-1، ونال الهزيمة من منتخب كينيا بهدف دون مقابل.

ويحتل المنتخب المغربي المركز الثاني في المجموعة برصيد 6 نقاط، متساويًا مع الكونغو لكنه يتفوق بفارق الأهداف. موعد مباراة المغرب والكونغو الديمقراطية في كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين

– تُقام المباراة في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصراً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة المغرب والكونغو اليوم

– تُنقل المباراة عبر قناة بي إن سبورت 6.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Chelsea have been urged not to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, with Premier League icon Chris Waddle aiming a dig at the Al-Nassr star.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea told not to sign Ronaldo
• Ex-PL star took a dig at Portugal legend
• Blues play first Club World Cup game on June 16

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea are all set to compete in the expanded version of the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. next month. They have been drawn in Group D alongside Flamengo and ES Tunis and will play their first match of the tournament on June 16 against the winner of the playoffs clash between Club America and LAFC.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There has been speculation over Ronaldo returning to England in the summer to sign for a club that is competing in the Club World Cup. With Manchester City and Chelsea representing the Premier League, there are rumours about the Al-Nassr star joining one of the two clubs. Former Premier League star Chris Waddle, however, feels that the 40-year-old returning to European football would only be a "gimmick" and has discouraged the Blues from making such a move.

• WHAT CHRIS WADDLE SAID

  Speaking to , the former Tottenham and England star said: "Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Chelsea, it would be great publicity for the football club, but no. I've seen him play for Al-Nassr, watched him play with Jhon Duran up front. He doesn't really run around a lot. We know he's got ability when he gets the ball to his feet, but this tournament would be a lot harder than what he's playing week in, week out in Saudi Arabia.

  "Let him rest there and have his holiday. He'll go again next season. But I think it would be all sort of a publicity stunt. Of course, he wants to play in some tournament where it's another goal, another tick. But listen, if it means resting players for the Premier League, then I'm all for it, but it’d seem like a gimmick to me."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Enzo Maresca's Chelsea side will be next seen in action on Thursday as they take on Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, having won the first leg 4-1 away from home.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet vitoria： Principal torcida uniformizada do Palmeiras, a Mancha Verde comandou gritos de protestos contra a diretoria após o empate sem gols do Verdão com o São Paulo, no último domingo (22), pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Paulista.

Logo após o apito final os torcedores cantaram: ‘queremos jogador’ e ‘diretoria sem vergonha’.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Dudu tenta salvar o dia de um Palmeiras pouco inspirado em clássicoPalmeiras22/01/2023Futebol NacionalPalmeiras e São Paulo empatam sem gols no primeiro clássico paulista em 2023Futebol Nacional22/01/2023

da esport bet： +Dudu tenta salvar o dia de um Palmeiras pouco inspirado em clássico

Há um incômodo por parte da torcida palmeirense por conta da ausência de reforços, principalmente por conta da perda de alguns jogadores importantes, como Danilo e Gustavo Scarpa, que foram contratados pelo Nottingham Forest, da Inglaterra, nesta janela de transferências.

+ Confira as movimentações do mercado da bola no vaivém do LANCE!

+ Confira a tabela do Paulistão e simule os próximos jogos

O Verdão é o único dos quatro grandes clubes de São Paulo que ainda não anunciou reforços para esta temporada, o que tem gerado críticas especiais à presidente Leila Pereira e ao diretor de futebol Anderson Barros.

da gbg bet： Manchester City are now making strong moves to sign a “midfield maestro” who’s a key target for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta this summer, according to a report.

De Bruyne closing in on Man City departure

da poker： Kevin De Bruyne has been a fantastic servant to Man City, playing a major role in the unbelievable success achieved in the Pep Guardiola era, but it looks like the Belgian’s time at the Etihad Stadium could be coming to an end.

De Bruyne is now in talks over a move to San Diego FC, with his City contract set to expire at the end of the season, leaving Guardiola with a gaping hole in the attacking midfield area, although it is probably the right decision to sanction his departure.

The 33-year-old is now arguably in the twilight years of his career, given his age, and he looked a shadow of his usual self against Liverpool at the weekend, with City-supporting Daily Express journalist Amos Murphy questioning his performance.

As such, Guardiola may face the difficult task of replacing De Bruyne in the summer, and with The Boot Room reporting Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic’s futures are also uncertain, the Sky Blues are keen on a move for Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan.

City are said to be making strong moves to sign Nypan, and they remain hopeful they will be able to beat Arsenal to his signature, despite being identified as a key target by Arteta.

Initially, the plan was for the Norwegian youngster to be loaned out to Girona, but there is now a willingness to offer him a first-team spot in Guardiola’s side, and previous reports have detailed a deal could amount to just £10m.

Related Man City now interested in signing 19 y/o who could be available for £66m

Man City and Pep are keen on signing a young attacker to strengthen their forward line for next season.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Feb 24, 2025

The reigning Premier League champions are hoping the offer of a first-team spot could help them win the race for the 18-year-old, while they may also call upon Norwegian compatriots Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb to persuade him to join.

"Midfield maestro" Nypan impressing in Norway

Although still a teenager, the Rosenborg ace has already built up a great deal of first-team experience, making 60 appearances for the first team, during which time he has picked up 13 goals and 11 assists.

The Norwegian’s ability going forward suggests he could be capable of playing in an advanced role, much like De Bruyne, but he has featured slightly deeper in the majority of his appearances up to this point. Having impressed in that role, the starlet has been lauded as a “midfield maestro” by Ben Mattinson, who also deems him to have “world-class potential”.

As such, it is exciting news that Man City are now making strong moves to beat Arsenal to Nypan’s signature, and Guardiola will be hoping he is capable of slotting straight into the first team.

Immediate on-field issues aside, both teams will have Champions Trophy qualification and Delhi’s air quality on their minds

Madushka Balasuriya05-Nov-20233:48

Finch wants to see Shakib at No. 3

Big Picture: Problems to address for both teams

This may not be the must-win scenario either side would have envisioned towards the tail-end of this tournament, but the ICC’s confirmation that the top seven finishers (and hosts Pakistan) will gain qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy has given what would have been a largely inconsequential game some much needed purpose.Both sides’ troubles are well documented. Since their opening game win against Afghanistan, Bangladesh have lost six on the trot. Only England have a worse record, and Bangladesh have lost to them too. For a side that had won 24 of 39 ODIs since the start of 2021, this has been the most underwhelming of tournaments, especially in conditions that on the face of it looked like it might have suited them.The unsettling of a settled batting order could be pinpointed as one of the key reasons for this downturn in fortunes. They will be hoping to regain enough lost ground to overcome a Sri Lankan side that has its own set of issues.Related

• 'Asthmatic' Bangladesh players skip training on eve of Sri Lanka match due to air pollution in Delhi

Sri Lanka, for their part, have done what they’ve always done – at least in the recent past – mixing in brilliance with despair, jubilation with fatalism. Whichever way you splice it, this was an undercooked Sri Lanka side at least in terms of ODIs – one geared towards a T20-style and rediscovering its ODI bearings. It was also one seemingly caught up in muddled thinking.”I want them to be aggressive to be honest,’ stated head coach Chris Silverwood prior to their defeat to India, and after an oddly timid display against Afghanistan. “I want them to play their game and obviously do things their way but have a positive mindset.”All sound in theory, but words that were betrayed by the fact that their sole aggressive opening option – Kusal Perera – was dropped for both losses to Afghanistan and India, in favour of the conservative Dimuth Karunaratne. Whether they stick with that will almost certainly speak towards the approach they’re likely to take.And this is all without getting into the crux of the off-field issues, where the fallout from their campaign has seen a public back-and-forth between the country’s sports minister and Sri Lanka Cricket, while there have been questions posed of the impact of the coaching staff and whispers of a selection committee shake-up. Hardly ideal when trying to play fearless, aggressive cricket.Both teams will also have the Delhi air to deal with.

Recent form

Bangladesh – LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka – LLWWL

In the spotlight: Mushfiqur Rahim and Dilshan Madushanka

Mushfiqur Rahim started this tournament at No. 6, a position he had played in for the previous seven months, though not one he had occupied for the five years prior to that. But with just 171 runs at 28.50 across this tournament, he is now back at his favoured No. 4 slot. Of his 7577 ODI runs, 4372 have come at four, while his average in that role of 42.03 is a significant uptick from his career average of 36.78 and the 37.35 he was producing at six. This may have been largely a World Cup to forget for Mushfiqur but now back in a familiar role against familiar opposition, Bangladesh will be banking on him to help end their tournament on a high.Sri Lanka’s tournament might have been one largely to forget, but you don’t have to strain hard for the silver linings. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are a couple of positives, but it’s Dilshan Madushanka that has firmly left his mark. In seven games, he’s picked up 18 wickets – the second best in the tournament so far – and gone wicketless just once, taking at least two in every other game including a maiden five-for against India – a game in which his impact trumped that of an attack that ransacked their opponents for just 55. His list of victims is already a veritable list of modern-day greats, and he’s still only 23.AFP/Getty Images

Team news: Kusal Perera back?

Bangladesh rejigged their batting order against Pakistan and it’s likely to stay the same.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Litton Das, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Towhid Hridoy , 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Shoriful Islam.Sri Lanka might opt to bring Perera back into the fold after Karunaratne failed to impress in his stead. Dushan Hemantha could also make way for Dunith Wellalage if Sri Lanka opt for more batting strength.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera/Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk) 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Angelo Mathews 7 Dushan Hemantha 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Kasun Rajitha, 10 Dushmantha Chameera 11 Dilshan Madushanka

Pitch and conditions

The top two highest scores at Kotla have come during this World Cup, and Sri Lanka will be keenly aware of the nature of this surface having leaked 428 runs against South Africa last month.The overall weather conditions in Delhi though have worsened since then, with both sides cancelling scheduled practice sessions over the past few days owing to poor air quality. Any call on the match perhaps not taking place will only be taken on the day of the game.

Stats and trivia

• Dilshan Madushanka is five wickets away from equalling Chaminda Vaas and Muthiah Muralidaran – 23 – for the most wickets by a Sri Lankan in a World Cup. He currently is level with Lasith Malinga on 18.
• Of active players, Shakib Al Hasan has the fourth most runs in ODI World Cups with 1250, and the most of any Bangladesh player.
• Shakib’s 41 World Cup wickets is the second-most taken by a spinner. Muralidaran has the most with 68.

Quotes

“Our doctor has kept a close eye on players. Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice because they are asthmatic so they stayed in indoors. And even for practice, we’re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and they go back into the dressing room. They don’t spend time unless they’re bowling or batting.”

Fifteen wickets fall on opening day as Hampshire blink first at Ageas Bowl

ECB Reporters Network25-Jul-2023Jamie Porter claimed a five-wicket haul as Essex rolled title rivals Hampshire out for 120 in the LV=Insurance County Championship.Fast bowler Porter took 5 for 37 on a bowler-friendly Ageas Bowl pitch, with Simon Harmer assisting with 3 for 26.Essex replied by reaching 145 for 6 before close, to take a 25-run lead into day two, with two wickets apiece for Kyle Abbott and John Turner kept the visitors in check.Essex won the toss and Tom Westley gleefully put his hosts into bat first on a pitch on which appeared to have been prepared to promote a positive result.That outcome is needed for both sides, placed second and third coming into this round of fixtures, in their quests to chase down runaway leaders Surrey – who led Essex and Hampshire by 14 and 29 points with four matches to go.Hampshire are 50 years without a Championship title and is the only trophy Rod Bransgrove hasn’t won in his 23 years as chairman – this will be his last chance after announcing his decision to step down at the end of the season before play.Hampshire openers Ian Holland and Fletcha Middleton were both snared out by Porter before seven overs had been completed.But Essex’s early joy was tainted by Shane Snater – who had replaced the ill Doug Bracewell – limping off after five balls, having pulled out of a delivery just before reaching his stride.The loss of a main bowler mattered little as Paul Walter stepped up and angled across James Vince, and with Hampshire eventually bowled out inside 39 overs it meant fewer miles in the legs.Ben Brown was well caught at first slip by Simon Harmer, Nick Gubbins was loose on the drive off Porter and Liam Dawson top-edged a sweep to fine leg to leave Hampshire 79 for six at lunch.Porter is back to his destructive best this season after a series of lean seasons, by his high standards.Having put himself on the England radar with Championship wicket tallies of at least 48 between 2015 and 2019, Porter claimed 34 scalps in 2021 and only 19 wickets last season, with Sam Cook rising to lead the attack.His five at the Ageas Bowl took him to 42 wickets for the season – only spinning team-mate Harmer and Nottinghamshire’s Brett Hutton have more.Porter was rewarded for his potent accuracy with his second five-for of the season by spearing into Felix Organ’s back pad, before James Fuller advanced and slapped the next ball he bowled to deep cover.Harmer wrapped up the tail with Turner edging to slip and Mohammad Abbas slogged to long on as Hampshire were bowled out for 120.In reply, Nick Browne was bowled by Abbas in the fifth over. as the pitch remained unmoved in its bowling friendliness.Abbott picked up Alastair Cook and Paul Walter in a double wicket maiden to see Essex to 16 for three and in danger of copying Hampshire’s low score.But Essex did something Hampshire couldn’t do; form partnerships.Only Gubbins and Vince’s 39-run stand had topped 20, while Tom Westley and Matt Critchley added 41 before Critchley and Michael Pepper scored 36 together before Pepper and Adam Rossington joined forces for 25.Vince, who managed to negotiate his way to three replacement balls, only called on Vitality Blast hero Turner in the 34th over.The wait had Turner raring to go as he bounded in to crash into Critchley’s pads first ball before later finding Pepper’s outside edge.Essex edged into a first-innings lead with Rossington and Harmer reaching the end of the day with a platform to secure an important first-innings lead.