All posts by h716a5.icu

It’s been coming. Liverpool have enjoyed the most incredible of campaigns, FSG hitting the jackpot with their appointment of Arne Slot, but in keeping with the yearly routine, the season has produced a bitter pill for the fanbase to swallow.

Last year, it was a tired Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down after nearly nine illustrious years at the helm. 12 months earlier, Liverpool waved goodbye to Bobby Firmino, with the core of Anfield’s midfield all departing too.

Now, Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract this summer, and while it hasn’t been set in stone, he will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Why Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey has been synonymous with the club’s ascension under Klopp’s wing. The German gaffer birthed Trent onto the senior stage, handing him his debut across every competition for the Reds.

He’s won it all, but the 26-year-old’s decision to leave Liverpool and the peak of their (and his) powers is something that many fans aren’t going to be able to accept.

Premier League

257

18

67

Champions League

60

2

13

FA Cup

13

1

3

Carabao Cup

10

0

6

Europa League

5

0

2

Club World Cup

2

0

1

CL Qualifying

2

0

1

Community Shield

2

1

0

UEFA Super Cup

1

0

0

FSG did everything in their power to keep him on the books, reportedly offered him a healthy upgrade on his £180k-per-week contract, showcased an ambitious plan led by Slot, whose tactical grasp Trent has been dazzled by.

In the end, he just wanted to leave.

We could pick at it all day but the truth is that Alexander-Arnold feels he has given two decades of his life to his football club and won the lot. He believes that this is the right time for a change, and Real Madrid usually get what they want.

Sky Sports have even suggested that playing in Los Blancos white is something of a lifelong ambition for the England international, whose sights have likely been set on a move for a few years now, in one way or another.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will take his time in working with Slot and deciding on the best route forward at right-back. For now, though, he is looking to sign another defender nice and swiftly.

Liverpool lining up new defender

The Premier League champions are gearing up for a big summer, and the perfect way to put Alexander-Arnold’s decision in the background would be to win the race for Dean Huijsen.

Bournemouth’s star centre-back has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season, thriving on the South Coast. He has a £50m release clause in his contract and is being pursued by all of England’s heaviest hitters.

Certain reports have suggested Chelsea have the edge but according to Fabrizio Romano, the race is very much on, and Liverpool are in need of a new up-and-coming defensive star.

Why Dean Huijsen could be a bigger talent than Trent

Huijsen hasn’t been in the Premier League for long, but he’s already being head-hunted by the best of the best and this is all down to his performances on the pitch.

How Juventus must regret their decision to sell the 20-year-old to Bournemouth in a £15m deal last summer, for he has featured prominently in a Cherries side chasing Europe, with journalist Henry Winter even noting that he “shackled [Alexander] Isak on ground and in the air” back in January.

Sofascore record that Huijsen has won 61% of his aerial battles in the Premier League this season, also averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, so it’s clear he’s able to produce the goods against the best of the best with consistency. One analyst has already declared that he’s going to be “world-class” in the coming years.

His latest showstopping game, a 2-1 win over Arsenal away from home, highlighted many of the qualities that have piqued the interest of so many clubs, notably scoring the equalising goal.

It was a statement display, not just the architect of the Emirates fall through his headed goal, but an all-round display that negated much of the Gunners’ attacking play.

A big-game player, dynamic as they come, Huijsen is already demonstrating an ability that could see him slot right into Liverpool’s starting line-up, fostering his talents over the coming years to eventually become an even bigger star than Alexander-Arnold.

With some suggesting that he has everything he needs to become “the ultimate modern-day centre back,” Huijsen could actually rise to an even higher level than Alexander-Arnold, should he make the move to Liverpool.

That’s not actually to detract from the Three Lions star’s skill set: Trent is a one-of-a-kind player, with a celestial range of passing that has been so important across a sustained period of success at Anfield.

But Huijsen, too, is showing himself to be a unique player. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of defenders in the Premier League this season for goal contributions, the top 16% for progressive passes, the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for blocks and clearances per 90.

It’s not difficult to see why Liverpool (and all the rest) have a vested interest in securing his services as he steps toward footballing maturity.

Surpassing Alexander-Arnold’s legacy would take quite an effort from a young Spaniard like Huijsen (born in the Netherlands), but the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have already arrived as foreigners and established themselves as heroes for the ages.

Huijsen could repeat the trick, outstripping Alexander-Arnold in doing so.

Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star

Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 5, 2025

Manchester City have not set the Premier League alight by their lofty standards this season, but there are still some positive green shoots beginning to appear.

Indeed, the likes of Nico O’Reilly and Omar Marmoush have settled in swimmingly to first-team life in Manchester, with the exciting academy product a first-team regular now, alongside his entertaining Egyptian teammate who already has six Premier League goals to his name.

That’s the case despite the City number seven only being on the books of Pep Guardiola’s men since January, meaning there will plenty of optimism in the air that deals happening this coming transfer window can be equally as impactful.

How Man City could replace De Bruyne in the transfer window

The main area of the pitch that could do with some reinforcements is the number ten spot with Kevin De Bruyne edging ever closer to exiting the Etihad the more the season ticks away.

This has led City down the path of pursuing some statement buys with both names such as Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White on their agenda to try and adequately replace the constant heroics of De Bruyne.

But, Guardiola’s titans could plug the gap left behind by their iconic Belgian by snapping up Sporting winger Francisco Trincao instead, despite the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man’s main preference to line up down the flanks.

The Portuguese was linked with a move to the Etihad earlier this week but it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line.

That’s because top four rivals Newcastle United and Arsenal are also after the wide forward, while city rivals Manchester United have a vested interest too.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Why Trincao could replace De Bruyne's creativity

If Trincao were to relocate back to the Premier League, he would have a burning desire to prove any naysayers wrong after a turbulent stint at Molineux.

After all, the 25-year-old attacker – who was once hailed as “special” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – has proven himself to be an assist king ever since returning to his native Portugal, which could lead to De Bruyne’s sad exit being quickly forgotten about.

The on-fire Sporting number 17 was more cold than hot donning a Wolves strip, with Trincao only capable of picking up a mere three goals and one assist from 30 appearances for the Old Gold, before then retreating to a more comfortable environment in Lisbon.

Now, he is front and centre of Sporting’s devastating attacking arsenal alongside goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, with this season alone seeing the reinvigorated forward pick up a substantial 18 assists from 51 total contests.

His career total of 53 assists – away from this season’s count – is some way off eclipsing De Bruyne’s unbelievable 177 tally at the Etihad, but the powers that be at City will just pray he can be as classy as the departing 33-year-old when cutting defences open if he joins, having also once been openly praised as “really exciting” by Wolves technical director Scott Sellars.

RW

171

27

36

LW

53

11

6

SS

24

7

3

RM

11

0

1

CF

8

3

1

LM

6

1

2

AM

1

0

0

To further back up Trincao as a likely heir to De Bruyne’s playmaking throne, the Portuguese superstar has also shown across his career to date that he can shine in multiple different positions.

Of course, the assist-heavy Belgian is most commonly known as lining up as a number ten for Guardiola’s giants, but he has lined up in eight different positions during his lengthy stay at the club, including as a main striker in recent times, a role Trincao can fulfil too.

Therefore, this is yet another box that Trincao ticks if he’s going to be the next ace up Guardiola’s sleeve, similar to De Bruyne’s high standards.

Adding in a player of the 25-year-old’s creative calibre can only be a positive for those at City, with a further low price-tag next to his name of just £34m making this potential summer move a must to complete.

Their answer to Wirtz: Man City preparing bid for "world-class" £85m star

Manchester City could still win their answer to Florian Wirtz by signing this superstar instead.

ByKelan Sarson May 8, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has now dropped some early team news ahead of Bodo/Glimt, and he has hinted that a key player may not be available.

Europa League or bust for Ange

It was always going to be a daunting task travelling to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side that needed just one point to clinch the Premier League title, but it was yet another dismal performance from Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, suffering a crushing 5-1 defeat.

Courtesy of a third defeat on the spin, Spurs are 16th in the table with just four games left to play, but it appears as though Postecoglou’s job could be safe for the time being, given that his side are in a strong position to win the Europa League.

The Lilywhites picked up a rare clean sheet against Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the quarter-final, advancing to the final four after a 1-0 victory in Germany, and on paper they have a kind route to the final in Bilbao.

Tottenham serious contenders to sign Premier League star at £50m+ discount

Tottenham are among the main suitors for a winger, whose club are now willing to let him leave this summer.

ByDominic Lund Apr 27, 2025

Postecoglou’s side are set to face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final, with the Eliteserien champions becoming the first Norwegian side ever to reach the semi-finals of a European competition after defeating Lazio over two legs in dramatic fashion.

The Norwegian side defeated the Italians on penalties at the Stadio Olimpico, progressing to the semi-finals despite losing 3-1 on the night, so they will be confident they are capable of causing Tottenham problems.

As such, Postecoglou will be hoping to have Son Heung-min available for the crucial match, but the manager has now hinted the forward may not be available for the first leg, saying: “It’ll be touch and go for Thursday. He’ll try hard. If [he’s not ready] for the first game we think he’ll be ready for the second game.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Bodo/Glimt (h)

May 1st

West Ham United (a)

May 4th

Bodo/Glimt (a)

May 8th

Crystal Palace (h)

May 11th

Aston Villa (a)

May 18th

"Incredible" Son would be big miss for Spurs

Tottenham may have seriously underperformed in the Premier League this season, but Son has continued to catch the eye with some of his performances, picking up seven goals and ten assists in 28 appearances.

The £190k-per-week forward has impressed throughout the Postecoglou era, with his manager previously lauding him as “incredible”, and he could be a big miss if he is unavailable for the crucial encounter against Bodo/Glimt.

That said, Spurs should have more than enough to progress past the Norwegians regardless, given the disparity between the Premier League and the Eliteserien.

There have been suggestions that Postecoglou is set to face the sack regardless of whether Tottenham win the Europa League, but if they come up short in the semi-final, it would surely be the end of the road for the Australian.

Newcastle United are on course to qualify for Europe for just the second time since the 2012/13 season.

The Champions League campaign in 2023/24 didn’t quite go to plan for Eddie Howe’s side, but if they do return, the club will be more mature in their bid to reach the knockout stages.

Prior to this, the last time Newcastle played on the continent was in the Europa League during the 2012/13 season, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.

Their star player back then was Yohan Cabaye and the Frenchman became something of a cult icon during his spell at the club.

Why Yohan Cabaye was a cult figure for Newcastle

In the summer of 2011, the Magpies signed Cabaye from Lille for a fee in the region of just £4.3m, and it soon proved to be a bargain.

His first season was a magnificent success, registering four goals and grabbing six assists in the Premier League as the Toon secured European qualification for the first time in nearly a decade after a fifth-place finish.

While the following season saw the club drop to 16th in the top flight, Cabaye continued to impress, and he was beginning to attract plenty of attention.

This ability to both score and create chances caught the eye of PSG, who swooped to sign him in January 2014 for £20m, ensuring Newcastle made a profit on the player.

18 goals and 12 assists in 93 matches for the club was impressive indeed but has Howe now found the club’s new Cabaye?

Newcastle's next Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle have made plenty of superb signings since PIF completed their takeover of the club, notably Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.

However, the underrated Sandro Tonali deserves his flowers too having now proven himself to be one of the best signings the club has made in years when he joined from AC Milan two years ago.

That being said, it did not start in the best possible way. Indeed, a ten-month ban came into force in October 2023 after he was found guilty of betting on matches involving Milan.

Since returning to the first-team fold earlier this season, however, Tonali has been in excellent form, proving himself to be well worth the reported £55m fee they shelled out.

Goals

3

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

0.4

Total duels won per game

3.7

Tackles per game

1.5

Across 38 matches in all competitions for the club, the Italian has scored five times and chipped in with two assists, the last of which came on Sunday against United.

Cabaye was the fulcrum for Newcastle during 2011/12 as they finished fifth, and it appears as though Tonali is embracing a very similar mantle under Howe, aiming to drive the Toon towards another stint in continental football..

The £120k-per-week midfielder has been dubbed as a “big game player” by talent scout Jacek Kulig previously, and he is exuding these talents this term.

His three league goals have all come during vital wins over Southampton, Brentford and Manchester United this season, highlighting how good he is when the pressure is on.

If he continues his recent form over the final few games of the campaign, Newcastle will secure a spot in the Champions League group stages for the second time in three seasons.

It’s safe to say they struck gold on this one.

8/10 Newcastle star who won 100% duels was even better than Barnes

Newcastle sealed a 4-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday evening.

ByConnor Holden Apr 13, 2025

Despite beating Real Madrid 3-0 on Tuesday night, it was another game that highlighted why Arsenal need a striker in the summer.

Mikel Arteta’s men were sensational on the night, but prior to Declan Rice’s first free-kick, there were multiple opportunities that a seasoned poacher would have likely put away.

The clearest was when Bukayo Saka played an inch-perfect ball across the Spaniards’ penalty area, and nobody was there to poke it in the back of the net.

The club clearly think the same, as there has been a near-constant stream of stories touting some of the continent’s most exciting centre-forwards for a move to the Emirates this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres perhaps the most consistent in recent weeks, although if he does join the Gunners, he’ll have to hit the ground running to see his valuation surpass one of his competitors for game time.

The latest on Gyokeres to Arsenal

Arsenal’s interest in the Sporting CP star has been relatively long held at this point, with reports coming out about it last summer and then again in the winter window, but it certainly seems to have stepped up a gear in recent weeks.

For example, it was late last month when a story claimed that the Gunners were planning to hold talks with the Swedish poacher and that he could be allowed to leave Sporting for up to £58m.

Then, earlier this week, more reports emerged revealing that the North Londoners were now the frontrunners for the 26-year-old and prepared to offer him a five-year contract worth about £192k-per-week.

Now, this is certainly a lot of money to spend on a player from the Portuguese league, but based on his performances over the last couple of seasons, it could prove to be worth it and then some.

For example, since moving to Lisbon, the Stockholm-born monster has scored 87 goals and provided 26 assists in 94 appearances, which comes out to an average of 1.2 goal involvements per appearance.

Appearances

94

Starts

83

Minutes

7689′

Goals

87

Asssists

26

Points per Game

2.23

Goal Involvements per Match

1.2

Minutes per Goal Involvement

68.04′

However, even if the Gunners get their man, they already have a forward, signed by Arteta, in the side worth considerably more than him.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Gyokeres

So, when we say Arsenal already have a forward signed by Arteta in the squad who is worth millions more than Gyokeres, that might not be an entirely accurate way of describing the situation, as Kai Havertz was initially signed as a midfielder.

Yes, the player in question is the ace who divides opinion perhaps more than anyone else in the Gunners’ squad, but he is still worth an enormous sum of money.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory prices the German international at €130.1m, which converts to about £112m or £54m more than Gyokeres could cost this summer.

Now, there will undoubtedly be many scoffing at such a valuation, and while it is on the high side, it reflects the fact that the former Chelsea star is an important part of Arteta’s squad.

For example, while his overall record of 29 goals and 12 assists in 85 appearances for the North Londoners is reasonably impressive, it becomes much more so when we look at just the games he’s played up top.

Appearances

85

47

Goals

29

19

Assists

12

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.48

0.65

In those 47 games, totalling 3974 minutes, the “sensational” talent, as dubbed by Mikel Arteta, has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists.

That means the 25-year-old has averaged a goal involvement every 1.51 games, or every 128.19 minutes when leading the line, which for a Premier League forward are not numbers to be sniffed at.

Ultimately, while Gyokeres would undoubtedly replace Havertz as Arsenal’s number nine were he to sign in the summer, the German would surely remain an important player in the squad, regardless of how some perceive him.

Better than Nico Williams: Arsenal plotting to sign "unstoppable" £86m star

The sensational player would make Arsenal far more dangerous.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 10, 2025

All the key numbers as UAE come from 1-0 down to take the T20I series against Bangladesh

Sampath Bandarupalli22-May-20251 Number of series wins for UAE against a Full Member team in any format, before their 2-1 T20I series win against Bangladesh. They defeated Ireland in a three-match T20I series in 2021. UAE won back-to-back games after losing the first match to clinch the series on both occasions.3 T20I series losses for Bangladesh against Associate nations, including their latest defeat against UAE. They lost a three-match series against the USA last year by a 2-1 margin and lost in a one-off fixture against Scotland in 2012.Namibia are the only Associate nation besides UAE and USA to win a series of three or more matches against a Full Member team in men’s T20Is. They defeated Zimbabwe twice in a five-match T20I series in 2022 and 2023.7 Runs conceded by Haider Ali in his four overs on Wednesday are the fewest by a player from an Associate nation while bowling his full quota against a Full Member team in a men’s T20I.The previous fewest was nine runs by Amir Hamza for Afghanistan against West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Only six bowlers have conceded fewer than seven runs in their four overs in a men’s T20I against Full Member teams.1 Haider Ali’s effort is the most economical return in a men’s T20I at Sharjah. Those seven runs are also the joint-fewest conceded in four overs in all men’s T20s at the venue, alongside Shahid Afridi in a PSL 2016 game.206 Target that UAE successfully chased against Bangladesh in the second T20I, the highest for an Associate nation against a Full Member in the format. The previous highest was 191 by Afghanistan against Zimbabwe in 2015.UAE’s chase of 206 was their highest in T20Is and also the highest for any team on UAE soil in this format.2 Number of Associate teams with 200-plus totals against a Full Member in T20Is, before UAE’s effort against Bangladesh in the 206-run chase. Afghanistan made 215 for 6 against Zimbabwe in 2016, while Scotland posted 213 for 6 against Ireland in 2023.78 Runs that Bangladesh added after the fall of their eighth wicket on Wednesday. Only three teams scored more runs after losing their eighth wicket in a men’s T20I. Bangladesh had partnerships of 44 for the ninth wicket and 34 for the tenth, both being their highest in T20Is.

Jesse Lingard delivered one of his finest performances in Asia as the former Manchester United star produced a stunning brace and an assist in FC Seoul’s 3-1 victory over Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League Elite. The 32-year-old dazzled on the continental stage once again, driving his side closer to the knockout rounds as his remarkable late-career revival continues.

FC Seoul win thanks to Lingard's brace and assist

FC Seoul earned a crucial AFC Champions League Elite win as Jesse Lingard inspired a superb 3-1 victory away at Chinese champions Shanghai Port, delivering two goals and an assist in a dominant second-half display. Lingard opened the scoring shortly after the break with a precise right-footed strike. Although Shanghai equalised rather quickly through Mateus Vital, Seoul regained control when the former Manchester United star set up Lucas Silva with an excellent cross. The visitors sealed the result when Lingard struck again with a composed first-time finish, capping a commanding performance that lifted Seoul up the eastern standings and brought them a step closer to progression.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Important' AFC Champions League Elite win for FC Seoul

Lingard emphasised the significance of the win and praised the collective execution of FC Seoul’s tactical approach. "It’s important. Any Champions League game, we know it's going to be a big game on the big stage," he said after the match. "We had a different game plan and it worked, the manager stuck to the game plan, the players stuck to the game plan and we got the win in the end."

Lingard enjoying life in South Korea

Lingard’s latest display comes just days after he reached a major personal milestone in FC Seoul colours, scoring his 10th league goal of the K League season in the defeat to Gimcheon Sangmu – the first time in his entire career he has hit double digits in a regular league campaign. His revival in South Korea has been one of the most unexpected career renaissances in recent years, considering he arrived in the K League after nearly eight months without a club and endured a difficult start marked by fitness issues and heavy criticism.

Lingard’s contributions against Shanghai only underline his evolution into Seoul’s heartbeat. Having already scored in the previous league match, he carried that momentum into Asia’s biggest club competition and controlled the game with maturity.

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Getty Images SportLingard's journey from Man Utd to Asia

Lingard's journey is the ultimate unexpected career pivot. He was a golden boy of Manchester United, scoring famous goals and dancing for England, but after leaving Old Trafford in 2022, he entered a brutal period of rejection and stalled ambition. After eight months adrift without a club, he took a leap of faith, signing for FC Seoul in early 2024.

His start was disastrous as he was unfit and criticised publicly by his manager, while he was then sidelined by a meniscus problem. But that injury became his turning point. Lingard returned sharper and fully committed, earning the trust of his teammates and eventually being named temporary captain, which was a rare honour for a foreigner. His presence sparked a frenzy, with attendance and shirt sales skyrocketing.

MLB announced on Tuesday that Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras will be suspended for six games, and he will be fined an undisclosed amount for his actions against an umpire on Monday.

Contreras has elected to appeal the suspension and will play until the appeal is resolved.

The incident between Contreras and plate umpire Derek Thomas occurred in the seventh inning of Monday night's 7-6 St. Louis win over the Pirates. The first baseman didn't agree with a called third strike during an at-bat, prompting him to look at Thomas. The umpire then ejected Contreras from the game, which sparked a heated reaction from the Cardinals player. As he was pushed back by the Cardinals staff toward the dugout, Contreras tossed his bat toward the field as he continued to yell at Thomas, and the lumber hit one of his own coaches.

The scene didn't end there. Once Contreras returned to the dugout, an entire bucket of Hi-Chew was thrown onto the field, but i's unclear whether Contreras tossed the bucket of candy or not.

As of now, Contreras will compete in Tuesday night's game vs. the Pirates as he's appealing his suspension. Hopefully he can keep his temper under control during this game.

Aaron Boone is in the process of rapidly backtracking his latest update of Aaron Judge's injury.

On Tuesday, the New York Yankees manager went on WFAN and said superstar Aaron Judge's throwing could be compromised for the rest of the season due to a right elbow injury.

"I don’t think we’re going to see him back to throwing like he normally does at any point this year, but that’s OK, too," Boone said. "We’ve got to feel like he can go out there and be able to protect himself and represent himself."

Judge seemed puzzled by those comments later in the day. The two-time AL MVP said, "I don't know why he said that. He hasn't seen me throw for the past two weeks, so I'm pretty confident I'll get back to [100 percent]."

For his part, Boone then admitted he may have gone overboard with his comments on WFAN saying, "Maybe I overstated that."

So it's unclear whether we'll see Judge throwing normally this season or not.

Aaron Judge Elbow Injury Timeline

Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain on July 27 after initially injuring it on July 22. Luckily for the Yankees, there was no damage to the 33-year-old slugger's ulnar collateral ligament, so he avoided Tommy John surgery.

On August 5, Judge returned to New York's lineup and has been working solely as the team's designated hitter since. He has not looked like his usual self since coming off the IL. While he does have an OPS of .854 in those 11 games, he's only hitting .229 with two home runs and six RBIs.

The injury put a damper on what has been another incredible season for Judge. He currently leads all of MLB in batting average (.333), on-base percentage (.447), slugging percentage (.687), OPS (1.134), WAR (6.9), fWAR (7.4), and wRC+ (200). He's a shoo-in to win his third MVP.

Judge seems confident he'll be able to return to the field this season and now it sounds like someone clued his manager in to that fact.

He rescues visitors from 87 for 4 in their second innings before rain ensures a draw at Lord’s

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Sep-2025Brooke Guest’s unbeaten half-century steered Derbyshire to safety against Middlesex and kept their promotion hopes alive ahead of next week’s vital Rothesay County Championship meeting with Glamorgan.Guest finished on 65 at Lord’s, having added 66 with Martin Andersson (31 not out) after third-placed Derbyshire had slumped to 87 for 4 in their second innings, an advantage of just 72 over their hosts.An afternoon downpour brought the contest to a premature close and left Derbyshire 27 points adrift of second-placed Glamorgan, who they host in the penultimate round of Division Two fixtures.Middlesex, a further three points behind Derbyshire, still retain a slim chance of promotion following the draw, which was also enough to confirm Leicestershire’s elevation to the top flight after 22 years.The home side’s hopes of forcing a victory were boosted after the opening four overs of the day, in which they captured two wickets to leave Derbyshire three down with a slender lead of 31.Luis Reece added just five to his overnight 17 before he was given out lbw to a Ryan Higgins delivery that zoomed some way back down the slope and Wayne Madsen soon followed in similar fashion to Toby Roland-Jones.Guest rode his luck at the start of his innings, with two inside edges off Higgins (2 for 49) that zipped just past the stumps and rolled to the rope, as well as surviving a persuasive lbw appeal by Olly Stone to a ball that kept low.The England pace bowler, in the first of a two-match loan from Nottinghamshire, was unlucky not to gain greater reward for an impressive pre-lunch spell, although he did remove Harry Came with a beauty that cannoned in to send middle stump flying.Having given away just six runs in his first eight overs, Stone conceded the same from one short-pitched delivery after the interval as Andersson pulled him into the Mound Stand to stretch Derbyshire’s lead to three figures.A brief rain stoppage with Guest on 47 could not derail the Derbyshire wicketkeeper, who punched Stone through the covers for four to complete a fifth half-century of the campaign soon after play resumed.Although Guest got away with a mistimed pull off Higgins that looped up and fell to safety, his work was already done and the dark clouds menacing the ground duly unloaded an hour into the afternoon session to confirm a stalemate.