Liverpool have made an approach for a Premier League player and Marc Guehi alternative – one who has been hailed for his “ambitious” nature.

Guehi "extremely unhappy" after failed Liverpool move

The Reds completed a superb summer transfer window by signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125m, but it could have been even better.

It looked as though Liverpool would also snap up Guehi, agreeing a long-term move with the Englishman, only to see Crystal Palace deny him his move at the eleventh hour. Manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to quit if the 25-year-old was sold to the Reds, with the Eagles not having enough centre-back depth without him.

It has made for an ugly situation, with Guehi thought to be “extremely unhappy” at the situation, according to journalist Ed Aarons, and he is now unlikely to sign a new deal ahead of his current contract expiring next summer. That will then allow him to depart on a free transfer.

Liverpool may need to look at different defenders looking ahead, should they feel that their chance of signing Guehi has been and gone, and another Premier League player has been linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool make approach for Nathan Collins

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have made an approach for Brentford captain Nathan Collins, potentially seeing him as a different option to Guehi moving forward. It’s worth stressing that a formal offer hasn’t been lodged, but the Premier League champions do see the £43m-rated Irishman as “on their shortlist of defensive targets”.

Collins would be a solid signing for Liverpool, having impressed as both a performer and a leader for Brentford, being hailed by Thomas Frank during their time working together.

“He can carry the ball out of defence and also has the composure to find the right pass during build-up play. His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player – hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn.”

With all due respect to the Brentford skipper, though, Guehi still stands out as the leading option for Liverpool, whether that be in January or beyond. He has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders, and has every chance of starting for England at next summer’s World Cup, and they shouldn’t give up on signing him after one hiccup.

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But Collins could be a shrewd alternative, and he is a year younger than Guehi, allowing Arne Slot to bring him in at a good age and turn him into an even more formidable all-round defender.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Kagiso Rabada’s transgression took place during the SA20

Firdose Moonda03-May-2025

Kagiso Rabada has admitted to testing positive for recreational drug use and serving a provisional suspension, which led to his departure from IPL 2025 on April 3. At the time, Rabada’s team Gujarat Titans said he had returned home to deal with a “significant personal matter,” and did not indicate if or when he would return to India.”ESPNcricinfo understands that Rabada’s transgression took place during the SA20 in January-February this year. He represented MI Cape Town in that tournament. While the exact length of his sanction has not been confirmed, he has since traveled back to India and his return to play is imminent. Rabada has not played a match since March 29.Related

Rabada sorry about drug use but 'won't be Mr-I-Apologise too much'

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SA hope Rabada puts ban behind him as WTC final beckons

Kagiso Rabada returns home from IPL 2025 for personal reasons

In statement issued by Rabada through the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), Rabada apologised for his actions and recommitted himself to the game.”As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons,” Rabada said in his statement. “This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug.”I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.”I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.”I couldn’t have gone through this alone. I’d like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I’d also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel. Most importantly I’d like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love.”Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.”SACA have declined to answer questions relating to the matter while the South African Agency for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) is expected to release a statement early next week explaining the situation. SAIDS is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which means that any sanction SAIDS oversees would need to be ratified by WADA.In the last four years, there has only been one instance of an athlete receiving a one-month ban from SAIDS: powerlifter Matt Bekker, who was banned in April 2021 for testing positive for THC, which is found in cannabis. In November last year, New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell was effectively banned for a month for cocaine use – a sanction that was reduced from three months after Bracewell satisfactorily completed a treatment program. ESPNcricinfo has established that Rabada’s case is expected to be similar.There are no concerns from sources close to CSA over Rabada missing any more cricket, including the World Test Championship final against Australia in June.

Manchester United are lining up a shock move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton as they gear up for a midfield reshuffle. United had looked to bolster in the middle of the park over the summer but were rebuffed in their efforts to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba. However, they have since turned their attention to Wharton, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro both on the Old Traffford chopping block.

Getty Images SportUnited targeted Premier League midfielder over the summer

United spent big over the summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens in a bid to improve upon their worst ever Premier League season. The Manchester powerhouse finished 15th as the club continues to go through a tumultuous period in what is a far cry from their dominance at home and abroad under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ruben Amorim was keen on adding a midfielder to the squad, but United were unable to strengthen in the middle of the park and the lack of investment in a key area has been telling. Indeed, they currently sit 10th in the Premier League after their 2-0 win over Sunderland prior to the international break as they kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Last season's Europa League runners' up had pushed to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton but a move for the Seagulls star failed to come to fruition and some reports had suggested that United would make another move for the youngster at the turn of the year.

AdvertisementWharton would fix problem position

However, United are believed to have turned their attention to Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the best ball progressors in the Premier League following his move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn in 2024.

And with his stock continuing to soar, Wharton has a number of high-profile admirers, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid all supposedly keeping tabs on the youngster. United, though, are looking to steal a march on their rivals as they look to bolster a problem position.

United have struggled to control games this season, with the midfield partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro coming in for criticism from fans and pundits alike. Casemiro, whose contract is up at the end of the current campaign, and Kobbie Mainoo both face the Old Trafford chopping block, with the latter linked with a January exit as he looks to rescue his chances of making the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Getty Images SportUnited readying £60m bid for Wharton

According to reports, United believe that a bid of £60m will be enough to convince Palace to sell Wharton, though it's likely the Eagles will demand a much higher fee in order to come to the negotiating table. Wharton, who was part of England's Euro 2024 squad but has made just one Three Lions appearance to date owing to injuries, has been instrumental since swapping Lancashire for London last year.

Wharton was crucial as Palace won the FA Cup in May, the club's first major piece of silverware in their history, and followed that up with the Community Shield as they beat Liverpool on penalties back in the season curtain raiser. The ease with which he transitioned to Oliver Glasner's favoured 3-4-2-1 setup in the capital is also an appealing quality for Amorim, whose own three-man system is failing to reap the rewards.

Amorim is believed to be a huge fan of Wharton, who he believes has the technical qualities to succeed for United.

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Where next for Casemiro and Mainoo?

Mainoo was crucial for England at Euro 2024, but his career has nosedived since playing a starring role in the Three Lions' progression to the European Championship final last year. The 20-year-old has struggled to build on his success on the international stage and has registered just 113 minutes of league action across five sub appearances for United this season.

The young midfielder had hoped to leave Old Trafford over the summer as he sought regular action yet any exit was blocked as United failed to strengthen in the middle of the park. Mainoo, though, is set to depart United in the New Year as he looks to breathe life into his World Cup hopes.

Mainoo may become the latest United outcast to depart for Napoli when the transfer window opens. Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund have both enjoyed a career renaissance since swapping Manchester for Naples under Antonio Conte, with the former instrumental in Napoli's Scudetto triumph last season.

Casemiro is another set for an Old Trafford exit before long with his contract up at the end of the season. United have the option to extend his deal for a year, but may be willing to cut their losses on the Brazilian, who is now considered a divisive figure among supporters after a strong start to life at Old Trafford having been key in the club's EFL Cup success in his debut season at the club.

علق محمد أبو تريكة نجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، على تصريحات لامين يامال نجم برشلونة، قبل لقاء الكلاسيكو الذي سيلعب على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو، في الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

وقال أبو تريكة عن تصريحات لامين خلال تواجده في استوديو “بي إن سبورت”: “أرى أنه يجب أن يبتعد لامين يامال عن بيكيه ونيمار، يجب أن يقتدي بميسي خارج وداخل الملعب”.

وأضاف عن نجم برشلونة: “لامين يامال يملك الموهبة، ولكن ما يثار حوله يتعلق بتصرفاته خارج الملعب، لازال صغير السن ويحتاج إلى من يوجه له تعليمات وتوجيهات، ليس هناك لاعب قادر على الوصول للكمال من سن الـ18 عامًا”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. لينكر ينهال بالمديح على لاعب برشلونة: المُفضل لي أكثر من ميسي.. ولا مثيل له

وأكد أبو تريكة: “الملعب هو من يعلمك ويوجهك إذا غاب من يقوم بذلك معك، اليوم هو قام بنقل الضغط عليه وعلى زملائه، رغم أن أفضل لغة للاعب كرة القدم هي الأقدام وليس الشفاه”.

وتذكر أبو تريكة مدرب منتخب مصر السابق، حسن شحاتة وهتاف جمهور الزمالك له: “كان الجمهور يهتف له حسن شحاتة يا معلم خلي الشبكة تتكلم، ليس اللسان ولكن الأقدام، وأرى أن لامين ليس في الفورمة لكي يتحدث بهذه الطريقة”.

ووجه أبو تريكة نصيحة إلى لامين يامال: “يجب أن يتعلم متى يتحدث وكيف يتحدث لأن ما قاله عن ريال مدريد بأنه فريق يسرق، غير لائق، يجب أن تتبع الرقي في التعامل واحترام المنافس”.

وختم: “كبار العالم ينتظرون المباراة والجميع يتحدث عن تصريحات لامين، نرغب في الحديث فقط عن كرة القدم لأن الفريقين يمتلكان إمكانيات كبيرة”.

FC Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has named a 78-time England international as one of the “toughest” opponents he faced throughout his career, alongside Paolo Maldini.

Ronaldinho names ex-England star as "toughest" opponent

Famed for his skill moves, which included the elastico, rainbow flick and no-look pass, Ronaldinho is one of the most iconic players of his generation, winning the 2005 Ballon d’Or, 2002 World Cup and 2005-06 Champions League in what was an illustrious career.

Undoubtedly, one of the Brazilian’s greatest goals came against Chelsea in the Champions League back in 2005, with the Barcelona legend managing to leave Petr Cech completely flat-footed courtesy of a clever strike from outside the box.

The 97-time Brazil international always threatened against the Blues, picking up three goals and one assist in the six appearances he made against the west Londoners in the Champions League.

However, given that the 2002 World Cup winner has a completely even record against Chelsea, winning two, drawing two, and losing two, it is clear he had a tough time against José Mourinho’s former club.

"Massive fan" – Gerrard has named Man Utd legend among his "favourite players"

Steven Gerrard has made it clear he is a huge admirer of a former Manchester United star.

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The former Barca star has since confirmed that he found it particularly difficult to come up against one Chelsea legend in particular, saying:

Terry one of the best defenders of his generation

Terry won it all at Chelsea, playing a major role in the Blues winning five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three EFL Cups, the 2011-12 Champions League and the 2012-13 Europa League.

Consequently, Ronaldinho is far from the only person who holds the 78-cap former England international in very high regard, with ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho once saying: “For me he is the best. I know Sir Alex would say Ferdinand. I know Ancelotti will say [Alessandro] Nesta. For me it’s John Terry.

“He’s absolutely amazing. I saw him play in the national team, so not just with us where is the skipper and has other responsibilities, and the level is the same. For me he’s the most complete central defender.”

Not only was the Englishman a “complete” centre-back, but he was also a real threat going forward, scoring 41 Premier League goals, the highest number of any defender in the history of the competition.

The former Chelsea captain is undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever players, which has now been recognised, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2024.

Mitchell Marsh “has made an adjustment in his technique where he is really holding his shape going down the ground,” Varun Aaron says

ESPNcricinfo staff23-May-20252:23

Moody: Marsh has ‘golden ticket’ to just intimidate bowlers

Before IPL 2025, fans’ memories of Mitchell Marsh were invariably of the big Australian hobbling off the field, with headlines later confirming that he was out for the season. It could have been similar this year, but a batter-only deal appears to have worked wonders for both Marsh and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), “the golden ticket” freeing him up to focus on only one aspect of his game, as Tom Moody put it.”I think firstly he is fit. I think in previous seasons we’ve seen Mitch Marsh sort of start but then find himself injured. I think a lot of that’s the workload of trying to be the allrounder,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “He’s not bowling now, so he’s exclusively a batter that doesn’t field. So he’s got the golden ticket. Now he sort of understands his game. This is not just recent but the last three years, four years, he’s really come to terms with his game and what he needs to bring to the party.”And that’s what we saw tonight, just take the game on and just intimidate the opposition with his presence.”For the record, the 64-ball 117 he hit on Thursday night against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad took his season tally to 560 runs from 12 innings, placing him at No. 4 on the Orange Cap list for the moment. LSG are out of the race for the playoffs, but Marsh is in line to finish among the top few run-getters for the season.Related

Marsh jumps to fourth spot on Orange Cap table after century

Marsh ton, O'Rourke three-for headline LSG's big win against GT

What must have made LSG happier is that they didn’t have to spend too much on Marsh, who has a history of injuries, at the last auction. He came to them at INR 3.40 crore (US$ 0.40 million approx.).”He was bought cheap – a steal – and sometimes that fires you up,” JioStar expert Aakash Chopra said. “Earlier, he had a big price tag and low returns. This year, he’s come in differently. The Ekana pitch [in Lucknow] suits him – ball comes on nicely. And his sixes? When he hits, they stay hit. Shot selection has also improved. He’s showing real class.”On Thursday, Marsh scored 60 of his runs down the ground, four of his eight sixes and three of his ten fours coming in that area, while the pull was his most productive shot, accounting for 32 of the runs he scored. Talk about power – only 12 runs came behind the wicket.”I think he had an issue with balls coming into him before. He would get out lbw [and] bowled quite a lot,” Varun Aaron said. “But now he has made an adjustment in his technique where he is really holding his shape going down the ground, and today we saw so many shots hit so powerfully down the ground. He’s always had the power. I mean, he comes from Perth. He’s always had the ability to play the short ball really well.”Taking over the thought from Aaron, Moody added, “The thing with Mitch, what makes him so devastating when he’s on, is that you can’t go upstairs [bowl the short ball]. From a fast bowler’s perspective, if that’s taken away from you – the short ball that can rush and hurry on to people – that’s taken away from you, and you have the ability to hit the sight screen like he can, he becomes so difficult to bowl you. Your length options are so limited. He’s brutal with the short ball. He really does hit the ball hard.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras precisou mudar completamente sua logística após o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira apresentar problemas técnicos na madrugada desta quinta-feira (24). A aeronave sairia de Pereira poucas horas após a goleada por 4 a 0 sobre o clube local pelas quartas de final da Libertadores, mas nem saiu do aeroporto. Com isso, a delegação precisou voltar para o hotel e reestruturar o retorno ao Brasil, que acontecerá apenas nesta sexta (25). E quem pagará todas as despesas adicionais será a presidente Leila Pereira.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Como o avião da Placar Linhas Aéreas ainda não tem permissão da Anac para fazer voos comerciais, a mandatária palmeirense tem bancado do próprio bolso essa viagens. Ao todo, o clube usou esse serviço em três oportunidades: na ida ao Rio de Janeiro para enfrentar o Fluminense, na ida para Cuiabá para enfrentar o time da casa, e nessa ida para Pereira, que acabou não completada com a volta.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

Somente nessa viagem para a Colômbia, o Verdão calcula ter economizado mais de R$ 1 milhão com fretamento. No entanto, com a mudança na logística causada pelo problema técnico na aeronave, os gastos acabaram superando as expectativas iniciais.

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Isso porque, na volta ao hotel, foi preciso pagar mais uma diária para que a delegação pernoitasse. Agora, com a ida de ônibus para Cali, o Palmeiras precisou bancar mais esse meio de transporte. Consequentemente, ao chegar na outra cidade colombiana, mais um hotel terá de ser pago por pelo menos uma noite, pois o voo de volta saíra de lá apenas na manhã desta sexta-feira (25).

+ Após ‘perrengue’, Palmeiras define logística para voltar de Pereira

Por fim, nessa conta entra também o voo fretado que sairá de Cali e chegará em São Paulo no fim da tarde desta sexta (25). Ou seja, todos esses gastos, mais alimentação e outras despesas foram em decorrência do impedimento da viagem com o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira. Assim, a presidente irá assumir com o próprio bolso todos esses valores investidos pelo clube nesse atraso na volta ao Brasil.

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Além do prejuízo financeiro, o Palmeiras precisará lidar com as questões esportivas. O treino que estava previsto para esta sexta (25) não vai acontecer. Dessa forma, o elenco terá apenas a atividade de sábado (26) antes de enfrentar o Vasco, no domingo (27), no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão. É possível que o time faça um trabalho leve na manhã do dia do jogo.

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Leila PereiraPalmeiras

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham all earned nods from Harry Kane in an exclusive quickfire question session with GOAL that saw the Bayern Munich striker name the best player he has played against and his boyhood idol. The England captain also picked out the best passer of a ball that he has ever seen and the young talent that he is most excited about watching develop.

Best in the business: Kane has graced the grandest of stages

Kane has faced some of the finest talent in world football over the course of his career, with outings for club and country pitching him into direct competition with the very best in the business. He has represented Tottenham and Bayern Munich with distinction on a domestic stage, while becoming captain of England at international level.

The prolific 32-year-old has graced the Premier League, Bundesliga, Champions League, European Championship and World Cup. Having rubbed shoulders with the great and good, he is well placed to pass judgement on who stands out from the crowd.

Indeed, when asked to pick the best player he's ever played against, Kane couldn't separate Messi and Ronaldo, even when pushed to pick between the two GOATs.

AdvertisementWatch Kane picks his toughest opponent & boyhood heroMessi, Beckham, De Bruyne & Musiala earn praise from Kane

Kane was asked by GOAL to name the players that he holds in the highest regard, with several categories being worked through. Unsurprisingly, the Three Lions skipper lauded a couple of GOATs, an iconic fellow countryman and a current club colleague at the Allianz Arena.

After giving his answer for the best player that he has come up against, Kane went on to name another England captain, Manchester United legend David Beckham, as the retired player that he would most like to have played with and his favourite player growing up.

Former Premier League opponents Kevin De Bruyne and N’Golo Kante, who once lined up in title-winning squads at Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, were selected as the best passer of a ball that Kane has seen and the toughest midfield enforcer. And in the England captain's eyes, exciting Germany international Jamal Musiala, who plays alongside Kane at Bayern, is considered to be the hottest prospect on the planet.

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Getty ImagesHow Beckham helped to inspire Kane

Kane is from the same area of east London as ex-Three Lions talisman Beckham. He has previously told England's of being able to follow in illustrious footsteps: “David Beckham had also played for Ridgeway Rovers growing up and with Beckham being Beckham, growing up he was my idol, and it was the same for a lot of young kids in that area. I knew he had played for the same team as me, went to the same local secondary school in Chingford Foundation School, and grew up in the area, so whilst Beckham was obviously a huge figure across the world, for those of us in Chingford, where he came from, that was all people used to speak about. It was nice to have that link and looking back, having two England captains from Ridgeway Rovers and Chingford Foundation School is an amazing achievement.

“Seeing Beckham go on to achieve what he did made it seem a little bit more real. If I didn’t have that you might have felt it was out of reach or an impossible task, with so many people and potential footballers out there, but it gave me that little bit of extra belief that I could go on and achieve the same.”

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named one of his former teammates as the “worst” signing in the club’s history, branding him “so unprofessional”.

Scholes names former teammate as "worst" Man Utd signing

It would be fair to say that very few of the signings Man United have made since Sir Alex Ferguson retired have worked out, with YouTuber Adam McKola particularly critical of one of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s additions on The Overlap earlier this month.

McKola said: “I think Jadon Sancho is the worst signing Manchester United have ever made. There’s big competition for it. We spent £80m on Antony who is useless.

“For me Jadon Sancho is the biggest waste of space I’ve ever seen in a United shirt. I think he’s a disgrace and I can’t wait to see the back of him.”

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Sancho has been widely reported to rake in £300k-a-week, yet he has never managed to deliver in a United shirt, being shipped out on loan to Chelsea last season, with the west Londoners agreeing to pay a £5m penalty fee to avoid having to sign the winger permanently.

You may expect Scholes to name one of the Red Devils’ current players as their worst signing ever, off the back of finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, but the club legend believes one of his former teammates is at the top of the list. The legendary midfielder said:

Bosnich undoubtedly one of Man Utd's worst signings

Bosnich was signed as a successor to the legendary Peter Schmeichel, but the goalkeeper was unable to make the step-up, making 23 Premier League appearances in the 1999-00 season before being snubbed by Ferguson.

Fabian Barthez was ultimately brought in to replace the Australian, who ended up moving to Chelsea, and the Frenchman fared a lot better, spending three full seasons at Old Trafford and winning two Premier League titles.

While Bosnich was undoubtedly a terrible signing for Man United, it may be a little harsh to suggest he is the worst-ever, considering the goalkeeper arrived on a free transfer from Aston Villa.

Sancho, on the other hand, is widely reported to have cost £73m, which is the fourth-highest fee Man United have ever shelled out on a player, making it even more criminal the 25-year-old mustered up just 12 goals and six assists in 83 matches.

Northamptonshire lose regular wickets while attempting to build second-innings lead

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-May-2025Northamptonshire 238 and 140 for 6 (Balderson 2-36) lead Lancashire 276 (Harris 121, Hurst 59, Conway 3-48, Procter 3-70) by 102 runsMarcus Harris continued his fine form for Lancashire, recording his third century in nine innings on day two of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.The Australian international extended his tally as county cricket’s leading run-scorer this season to 706 with a magnificent 121 (230 balls) including 18 boundaries, making Northamptonshire pay for a rash of dropped catches.Harris stretched his overnight fourth-wicket partnership with keeper Matty Hurst (59) to 125 after both were dropped off difficult chances on Friday evening, on 28 and 0 respectively. Liam Guthrie’s determined, probing seven-over morning spell accounted for Hurst before Northamptonshire’s fielding again let them down, the slip cordon shelling three chances off his bowling, including Harris on 82.A hostile Luke Procter finally accounted for Harris and saw the Northamptonshire skipper move past 100 first-class wickets for the county before Harry Conway wrapped up the tail. Lancashire closed on 276, taking a first-innings lead of 38.Lancashire’s seamers were relentless on a wicket still offering assistance, with Northamptonshire stumbling to 65 for 4 before rallying. However, a wicket in the final over saw them finish on 140 for 6, the game hanging in the balance.Earlier Hurst pulled Ben Sanderson for four to bring up the 100 partnership with Harris before reaching his own half-century off 94 deliveries. Harris was finding the boundary too, clipping Guthrie behind square and punching Conway through point. Their partnership was finally broken when Hurst chopped a wide ball from Guthrie onto his stumps.Luke Wells was reprieved on 0 when he pushed at a short ball outside off stump from Guthrie only for James Sales to shell a simple catch at first slip.Harris played a sumptuous on drive back past Guthrie for four but flashed at a wide one on 82, the ball flying to Ricardo Vasconcelos at second slip who parried the ball for four. The luckless Guthrie then squared up Wells, but Harrison could not hold onto a low chance at third slip.Sales made amends with the ball, making the breakthrough when Wells steered him straight to Saif Zaib at gully who held a sharp, tumbling catch.Harris, meanwhile, duly advanced to his ton with a backfoot punch through backward point.Procter struck on the stroke of lunch, nipping one back to pin George Balderson lbw and send Lancashire into the interval on 242 for 6 with a narrow four-run advantage. He snared a second soon after the break when Tom Hartley was bowled, playing down the wrong line to another that nipped back.Harris was struck on the head on 117 by a short ball from Procter but recovered to clip him stylishly off his toes through midwicket for four before his near three-hour vigil ended in Procter’s next over, the ball again nipping back to trap him lbw.Conway made short work of the last two wickets, Anderson Phillip and Tom Bailey both failing to catches by a relieved Vasconcelos in the slips.Bailey gave Lancashire a dream start with the ball though, drawing the edge of Vasconcelos’ bat with some late movement, the opener caught behind without scoring. Will Williams then got one to rear up from back of a length to take the splice of George Bartlett’s bat, the ball flying to gully to leave Northamptonshire 19 for 2.Sales joined Procter in a gutsy stand of 42 to erase the deficit before they were parted. Procter edged Philip behind off the back foot before tea, with Sales following soon after the resumption, lbw to Balderson, trying to whip a straight one through midwicket, Northamptonshire now 65 for 4.Rob Keogh and Zaib showed patience as they sought to rebuild, also adding 42, Keogh playing Williams through cover for four to take Northamptonshire past 100 in the 34th over before he departed turning Williams to Harris at short square leg.Zaib (26 not out) however dug in admirably with first-innings half-centurion Lewis McManus, the pair adding 33 for the sixth wicket. Lancashire went into stumps elated though when Balderson had McManus caught behind in the day’s final over.