Manchester United are reportedly one of the clubs interested in completing the January loan signing of a new forward who has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Man Utd prepare for huge Liverpool clash

The Red Devils face a massive game on Sunday afternoon, making the trip to bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League, looking to dent their title hopes.

It is actually United who go into the game with a little more momentum, albeit not a huge amount, having beaten Sunderland 2-0 in their last match before the international break. On the flip side, the Reds have lost their last three games, in all competitions.

That’s not to say that Liverpool aren’t still the overriding favourites to prevail, however, and Ruben Amorim will know that his side will have to produce a big performance, in order to have a chance of getting a positive result at Anfield.

Amorim is still very much a man under pressure, with one win against newly-promoted Sunderland not doing a huge amount to change his situation. If he is still in charge in January, though, it looks as though he could potentially have a special talent added to his squad, having also been linked with a stunning move for England captain Harry Kane.

Man Utd pursuing loan move for Real Madrid's Endrick

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are interested in signing Endrick on loan from Real Madrid when the January window opens.

The Spanish giants are keen on giving him more playing time away from the club midway through the season and the Red Devils are waiting to pounce, as well as other unnamed clubs.

Endrick has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo by Football Transfers, which is enormous praise, and former Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been blown away by his brilliance in the past.

This says a lot about how special Endrick is, and while signing him on loan is far less preferable than a permanent move to Old Trafford, United should still see it as an exciting piece of business to pursue.

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The 19-year-old is a genuine superstar in the making – one who has already scored three goals in 14 caps for Brazil – and he could add extra magic to United’s squad halfway through the season. The fact that he will be hungry to prove his worth to Madrid can only be a good thing for the Red Devils, too.

Legendary former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Claude Makelele, has publicly called Marquinhos his “dream player” for the Spanish side, urging Los Blancos to sign the defender. The French icon praised the Brazilian’s rare defensive qualities and leadership, saying he represents the kind of character Madrid need in their post-Luka Modric era, even as he admitted PSG are unlikely to ever let him go.

Makelele’s ‘dream player’ for Real Madrid

Few midfielders in football history have influenced the game as profoundly as Makelele. The Frenchman’s name became synonymous with the defensive midfield role, so much so that his position came to be known simply as “the Makelele role.” Across a glittering career, he represented some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Madrid, Chelsea and PSG, and won almost every major honour available to a player of his generation.

At Madrid, Makelele was the quiet architect behind the club’s early Galactico era, anchoring a midfield that allowed stars like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Ronaldo to flourish. He helped Madrid win two La Liga titles, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. His departure in 2003 famously left a void so significant that Zidane once said, “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the engine?”

Makelele went on to become a Premier League icon at Chelsea, helping the club lift back-to-back league titles under Jose Mourinho. Later, he joined PSG, where he transitioned into leadership and coaching, first as a player, then as an assistant, helping guide the club through the early years of the Qatari ownership era. It was here that he crossed paths with a young Marquinhos, freshly signed from Roma in 2013.

That early impression seems to have stayed with him. Speaking at a recent La Liga event, Makelele revealed that Marquinhos remains, to this day, “his dream player” for Madrid as he is the kind of intelligent, disciplined defender he believes could elevate any team.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMakelele witnessed Marquinhos’ rise first-hand

Makelele's praise comes from experience. He was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff at PSG when a teenage Marquinhos arrived from Roma in 2013 for over €30 million — one of the costliest defensive transfers of its time. Even during this brief overlap, Makelele saw a spark that set Marquinhos apart.

"I've always wanted to see Marquinhos at Real Madrid. I love this kid. I worked with him at PSG, under Ancelotti. His quality, his work, his passion, his patience… He's progressed a lot, a lot," Makelele said to at the event.

The former PSG midfielder's admiration isn’t merely nostalgic. Madrid are in a leadership vacuum following the departures of Modric and Lucas Vazquez, with only Dani Carvajal remaining from their golden generation. While younger defenders like Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen are performing well, Makelele believes Marquinhos’ maturity and aura could restore balance and leadership to Madrid’s backline.

"Of course, he now plays for the best team in the world, Paris Saint-Germain. But he's the kind of player I'd like to see at Madrid. He's very intelligent. And right now, I don't see many defenders playing one-on-one. He does one-on-one. He's my dream player when Real Madrid improves. But I don't think Paris will let him go," said Makelele.

At 31 years old, Marquinhos is PSG’s all-time appearance leader, with over 490 games, 10 Ligue 1 titles, 14 domestic cups and a Champions League crown. His influence extends beyond trophies as he embodies PSG’s identity as both a leader and symbol of stability through years of transition.

Marquinhos wants to focus on his present with PSG

While transfer speculation is inevitable, Marquinhos appears firmly grounded at PSG. After recovering from a recent injury, he marked his return in a 3–0 win over Brest, just four matches away from 500 appearances for the club, a milestone that no player in PSG history has achieved.

Despite whispers about a future move to Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup, Marquinhos has been clear about his mindset. He said he wants to avoid “the season too many” and focus solely on performing at the highest level while he still can.

Under Luis Enrique, he remains a cornerstone of the defence, blending composure with leadership and setting the standard for younger players. With 48 appearances last season, leading PSG to both Ligue 1 and Champions League glory shows his continued value and consistency.

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AFPMadrid might not consider Makelele's request

Despite Makelele's endorsement, a Marquinhos-to-Madrid move remains improbable. Madrid manager Xabi Alonso already has a deep defensive pool with Militao, Huijsen, and Raul Asensio in rotation. Veterans Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have seen reduced involvement, while the team’s rebuilding phase focuses more on youth and long-term planning.

Still, Real’s management hasn’t entirely ruled out defensive reinforcements for the upcoming window. Club insiders suggest Madrid are monitoring Marc Guehi, who will be free to discuss potential moves and leave Crystal Palace for free next year and Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, who's contract also runs out next year making these options more younger and more financially accessible options than Marquinhos, who remains under contract with PSG until 2028.

Everton timidly exited the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

There’s been an overarching feeling of progressiveness since David Moyes returned to the club in January, but the Merseysiders reverted to their former type against Wolves.

There has been a collective drive at Everton to attack domestic cup competitions, and so this one will sting for the Toffees, with Wolves having started the Premier League season off dismally, losing all five of their opening fixtures.

It was an uncharacteristically shoddy defensive performance from the away side, and James Tarkowski was at the epicentre.

James Tarkowski let Moyes down at Molineux

Tarkowski has been a pillar of strength for Everton since joining from Burnley on a free transfer in 2022, but the skipper endured a tough showing last night.

Moyes, it must be said, wasn’t best pleased with the performance. But then, the weakened team the Scotsman put out were always going to be up against it.

While it wasn’t a terrible showing from the 32-year-old, he lost both of his ground duels, as per Sofascore, and ceded possession 12 times, seemingly hesitant to engage with the hulking Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The return of Jarrad Branthwaite from injury cannot come soon enough, and unless Tarkowski recovers his aggressive, solid nature in central defence, it may be Michael Keane – one of the better performers against the Old Gold – who keeps his starting spot.

However, while Everton flattered to deceive in defence, they were toothless in attack, and Dwight McNeil was among the worst performers. It’s quite likely the 25-year-old will be making a swift return to the bench.

Dwight McNeil has already lost his starting spot

McNeil battled against injury for much of the 2024/25 campaign, with his absence for most of the start of this new Moyes era especially frustrating given his emphatic form under Sean Dyche’s wing at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

He offers a potent threat when firing on all cylinders, but none of the playmaker’s vim and vigour was on display against a spirited Wolves side, and Moyes hooked him before the hour mark.

Given that McNeil has sat as an unused substitute across four of Everton’s five Premier League matches so far this season, he will be concerned about his playing time going forward, with Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye both in inspired form down the flanks.

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Statistician Tactically Matt put in no uncertain terms after the Englishman was hooked before the hour mark, saying, “Dwight McNeil has been a difficult watch for a while now.”

Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo branded McNeil with a 5/10 match score and drew attention to the fact that the overload of addition to the attacking midfield will have left the former Burnley man frustrated, having blown a good chance to stake his claim.

He completed only eight passes across the evening at a success rate of 62%, and that having failed to create a chance or complete a cross.

Moreover, McNeil lost four of his five duels, drifting out to the left to try and collect the ball and funnel it on through to the danger area – to no avail.

Moyes is almost certainly going to take the player’s starting place away from him, and it’s going to take a big effort for McNeil to make his way back into the ascendancy at Everton.

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Cole Palmer is set to miss the next six weeks for Chelsea with head coach Enzo Maresca warning that the club’s medical staff are “not magicians”.

The 23-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury for much of the season and has not played since being taken off 20 minutes into the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on September 20.

Maresca shares Chelsea injury blow on Palmer

Prior to the international break Maresca said he had hoped to have Palmer back for Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest but, when asked about the progress of the injury, he admitted:

The injury, which first presented when he was forced to withdraw from the line-up minutes before kick-off in the 5-1 win over West Ham in August, will not require surgery.

“He looks relaxed,” said Maresca. “He’s doing all the therapy that he needs to do. He looks good.”

Caicedo, Fernandez and Neto also Chelsea injury concerns

There was mixed injury news elsewhere in the squad with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto, who featured against Liverpool, all doubts for the trip to the City Ground.

However Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are set to return to ease Maresca’s selection issues in defence while Andrey Santos is also back.

England winger Bukayo Saka knows he has to bring his club form to the international stage – and his manager Thomas Tuchel agrees.

The 24-year-old, whose early season was curtailed by injury, returned to Tuchel’s side for the 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley and marked the occasion with a stunning goal.

That saw him become the top-scoring Arsenal player in an England shirt with 13, though Tuchel quipped it should be 30, not 13.

Saka has been one of the stars of the Premier League for the Gunners over the last few seasons, recently completing 100 goal contributions, but knows he has to do more in an England shirt.

“I have missed a lot of England games, especially under Thomas and I haven’t scored for a while either, so to come back and put the ball in the back of the net is a special feeling,” he said after he found the top corner with a brilliant effort.

“The way I perform for Arsenal I want to take it into England and perform better in games and be more effective. That is always my plan.

“Last camp I was really gutted I had to miss it, so coming back into the team today is a really nice feeling and to get that opportunity to put the shirt on again and score is an amazing feeling.”

Tuchel challenges Saka to score more for England

Tuchel has challenged the winger to bring more to his side, insisting he has all the conditions to perform.

Tuchel said: “How many goals did he score for England? Thirteen? One three? It has to be more, it’s not enough.

“He needs to keep on going. I thought it was 30, at least, and then I would have said it’s not enough, because I am never satisfied.

“He is such a threat for Arsenal in the most difficult league in the world, so why would he not be at international level?

“We have the position for him, he has the attitude, the stamina, the talent, everything to be a top player at international level, and that’s what he has to show.

“We can just encourage him to be influential, like he was today. Next game, he needs to try to repeat it.”

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة في تحقيق فوز مهم على حساب نظيره إلتشي، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وخاض فريق برشلونة مباراة إلتشي، مساء اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

واستقبل برشلونة نظيره إلتشي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”، على ملعب “مونتجويك”، في المباراة الجارية الآن.

وأحرز لامين يامال الهدف الأول بعد تمريرة ولا أروع من بالدي الذي اقتحم منطقة وسط الملعب ومرر إلى لامين الذي سدد الكرة ببراعة على يسار حارس المرمى، في الدقيقة 9.

وأضاف اللاعب فيران توريس الهدف الثاني لصالح برشلونة في الدقيقة 12 بعدما انطلق فيرمين لوبيز بالكرة إلى منطقة الجزاء وأرسل عرضية رائعة إلى فيران الذي وضعها بسهولة في المرمى.

اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة برشلونة القادمة بعد الفوز على إلتشي في الدوري الإسباني

ثم سجل رافا مير الهدف الأول لصالح فريق إلتشي في الدقيقة 42 وأضاف راشفورد الهدف الثالث لنادي برشلونة ليقضي على آمال إلتشي في العودة ويطمئن جماهير برشلونة.

وتم اختيار اللاعب الدولي الإنجليزي ماركوس راشفورد رجل المباراة نظرًا لتألقه المميز وظهوره الرائع في المباراة أمام إلتشي بالمباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وحصل راشفورد على تقييم 7.4 من موقع فوت موب بعد مشاركته في أهداف المباراة واستعادة برشلونة نغمة الانتصارات مرة أخرى.

بتلك النتيجة، أصبح برشلونة في المركز الثاني برصيد 25 نقطة في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني الممتاز، خلفًا لريال مدريد صاحب المركز الأول برصيد 30 نقطة.

Xabi Alonso has publicly addressed the growing frustration surrounding Endrick's lack of game time at Real Madrid, urging the 19-year-old to wait for his chance at the Spanish club. The young Brazilian, who is yet to feature under the new coach, is the subject of January transfer rumours as Los Blancos' established stars continue to perform.

• Endrick warned he must be 'patient'

  The Brazilian wonderkid was once again an unused substitute as Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, continuing his wait for a first appearance in any competition under the new coach.

  Speaking directly on Endrick's situation, Alonso acknowledged the forward's desire to play but pointed to the intense competition for places at the Santiago Bernabeu. The manager stressed that the teenager must be ready to seize his opportunity when it eventually arrives.

  "It's clear everyone wants to play. And a young player even more so," Alonso said to . "Given the context, we want to compete right now, and it's difficult depending on the match. He has to be patient, be prepared, and know that he's at Real Madrid. His time will come."

  That context has been unforgiving for the young centre-forward. Real Madrid have a perfect nine points from three matches and sit top of La Liga, with little room for rotation in high-stakes matches.

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• Mounting frustration?

  Endrick's frustration at Real Madrid has reportedly reached a boiling point, with the 19-year-old now "open to leaving" on loan in January. The Brazilian, who has not played a single minute in the 2025-26 season under Alonso, saw his integration hampered by an ill-timed hamstring injury and a subsequent relapse that cost him four months and a place in the Club World Cup. According to Fabrizio Romano, the planned move is "only a loan" with "no intention" of a permanent transfer, as Endrick's primary goal is to secure game time to make Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup. While numerous clubs, including Manchester United and Marseille, are linked, it has been reported that Real Sociedad are the "favourites" due to Real Madrid's preference for him to gain La Liga experience. Endrick's father has also fuelled speculation by suggesting his former club Palmeiras "should make an offer."

• Madrid dig deep to secure European win

  The 1-0 victory over Juventus was a game of perseverance. Real Madrid dominated possession with 66 per cent and registered 26 total shots, but found a resilient opponent and were grateful for their defensive leaders.

  Alonso admitted his side struggled to find the knockout blow, saying: "We had more of the ball and increased the pace. It allowed us to create chances… We couldn't kill him off, but we're leaving with three points. Courtois was also very good. Let's keep going."

  The manager also praised Eder Militao, who has returned to form after his own injury struggles, highlighting one moment of defensive jeopardy. "That play… As a spectator, it was a spectacle. I was praying he wouldn't get sent off, and then there was Thibaut… for everyone, having Militao back at this level is tremendous news."

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• AFP
  

  What next for Endrick?

  With every match he remains on the bench, speculation over a January loan for Endrick intensifies. The forward is reportedly keen to secure playing time to stake his claim for a place in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad.

  However, Alonso’s public stance remains firm: Endrick is part of the plan, but must wait for an opening. That opening seems unlikely to come this weekend, as Real Madrid face their most significant match of the domestic season.

  "We're doing well, let's see this week," Alonso said, looking ahead. "It's the Clasico, it means a lot… We're playing against Barca, and it has a significant impact on the standings. We're going to prepare well."

  For Endrick, the message is clear: breaking into a winning Real Madrid side, especially ahead of El Clasico, will require the patience his manager has demanded.

MatériaMais Notícias

Londrina e Ituano se enfrentam nesta quinta-feira (14), pela 28ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. A bola rola às 18h30 (de Brasília), no Estádio do Café, em Londrina, no Paraná.

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+ Confira a tabela completa da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

Enquanto o Londrina briga para somar pontos e sair da zona de rebaixamento, estando na penúltima posição da tabela com apenas 20 pontos, o Ituano está na 13ª colocação, com 32 pontos, cinco a menos que a Chapecoense, primeiro time no Z-4. Na última rodada, as duas equipes foram derrotadas. Os donos da casa perderam para o Ceará por 3 a 1, e os visitantes foram superados pelo Vila Nova por 2 a 1.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

O Londrina, agora no comando do técnicoRoberto Fonseca, poderá contar com os retornos do zagueiro Rafael Vaz e do atacante Paulinho Moccelin, que cumpriram suspensão contra o Ceará e voltam a ficar à disposição. No entanto, o volante Fabrício Baiano foi substituído com dores no início do primeiro tempo na última rodada e teve constatada uma lesão muscular na coxa. Dessa forma, ele deve ser vetado pelo departamento médico.

Do lado do Ituano, o treinador Marcio Freitas terá o retorno do meia José Aldo, que cumpriu suspensão na derrota para o Vila Nova na última rodada. Porém, o lateral Kauan Richard e o atacante Felipe Saraiva serão desfalques, já que estão suspensos.

FICHA TÉCNICA
LONDRINA x ITUANO

Data e horário: 14 de setembro de 2023, às 18h30
Local: Estádio do Café, em Londrina (PR)
Árbitro: Dênis da Silva Ribeiro Serafim (AL)
Assistentes: Rondinelle dos Santos Tavares (AL) e Karla Renata Cavalcanti de Santana (PE)
VAR: Philip Georg Bennet (RJ)
Onde assistir: SporTV (TV fechada) e Premiere (pay-per-view)

PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
LONDRINA:Neneca, Ezequiel, Gabriel, Luan Freitas e Marcos Pedro; Ariel, João Paulo e William Barbio; Fabricio Baiano, Higor Leite e Iago Dias. Técnico: Roberto Fonseca.

ITUANO:Jefferson Paulino, Iury, Claudinho, Marcel e Kauan Richard; Lucas, Rafael Carvalheira, Hélio Borges, Yann Rolim e Wesley Pombo; Matheus Cadorini. Técnico: Marcio Freitas.

A number of decisions made by TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the Barbados Test between West Indies and Australia have come in for scrutiny

Andrew McGlashan27-Jun-2025

West Indies coach Daren Sammy has raised questions about the work of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the opening Test against Australia in Barbados after the second day’s play involved a number of contentious reviews.Sammy met with match referee Javagal Srinath after play on Thursday to seek clarity over the decision-making, adding that he held concerns about Holdstock’s officiating from the recent ODI series in England, where he was TV umpire for two matches and on-field for the other.The two key decisions which West Indies felt went against them on the second day were an lbw against captain Roston Chase off the bowling of Pat Cummins, despite what they believed was evidence of an inside edge, and Shai Hope being brilliantly caught behind by Alex Carey off Beau Webster with the catch ruled clean after it was sent upstairs by the on-field umpires.Related

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“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said. “We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board.”I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in the decision-making.”When asked to clarify whether he was specifically referencing Holdstock, Sammy said: “Yeah, look, you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go in a Test match having that doubt.”So I want to have that conversation as to the process… so we could be all clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that’s not what our team is about. So we’re just looking for some clarity as to the decisions.”Asked whether West Indies would be lodging a formal complaint, Sammy said, “You’ll have to wait and see for that.”On Chase’s dismissal, which came at a crucial moment after lunch with the sixth-wicket stand with Hope on 67, he said: “In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad.”With regards to Hope’s wicket, an inside edge that was held to his left by a diving Carey, Sammy did not say he did not believe it was a clean catch but drew a comparison with the reprieve Travis Head received on the first day when a catch taken by Hope behind the stumps was ruled to not have carried.”I’m just saying, judge what you see,” Sammy said. “If you see the same thing and one is not out, there is even more doubt on the other one than you give it out. Again, I don’t know what he’s seen but from the images that we’ve seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. We’re all humans. Mistakes will be made. I just want fairness.”Australia also thought they had a decision go against them in the first over of the day when an lbw appeal against Chase was referred with the belief it was pad first, which initial replays suggested could be the case, before Holdstock determined there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Mitchell Starc questioned whether the images and audio on the replays were matching up.The Test is still in the balance with West Indies striking on the second evening after taking a lead of ten runs•Randy Brooks/Associated Press

“There’s been some interesting ones,” Starc said. “Obviously a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. One for us [against Chase] looked like there was a gap between the bat and the ball, it cost us 40-odd runs, but then a contentious one to then get the wicket.”As players, you can only ask a question. We don’t use the technology to make that decision. It sort of felt like, or looked like, that the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity.”Starc added that the Australians thought that Head’s edge through to Hope the previous day was out.Sammy, meanwhile, was aware of the risk of commenting on the match officials and had not wanted his players speaking on the decisions after play. “We know the rules. We know fines going all across the board,” he said. “I don’t want them to focus on that. Yes, we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by dropping so many catches, but look at the Test match, [us] against our own selves, some of these decisions, and we’re still in a position to win.”

Nottinghamshire 120 for 3 (James 43, Haynes, 43, Aitchison 1-10) beat Derbyshire 162 for 9 (Donald 50, Patterson-White 3-20) by seven wickets (DLS method)A powercut could not deny Notts Outlaws victory over local rivals Derbyshire Falcons in an extraordinary Vitality Blast North Group match at the Central Co-op County Ground.The Outlaws were 108 for 3, chasing the Falcons 162 for 9, when the floodlights went out midway through the 13th over. When power was restored, the visitors were set a revised target of 120 and they easily sealed victory by seven wickets under the DLS method.Before the late drama, Aneurin Donald hammered 50 off 22 balls and Wayne Madsen passed 5,000 T20 runs in the Falcons total with Liam Patterson-White taking 3 for 20 and Dillon Pennington 3 for 40.Lyndon James and Jack Haynes both scored 43 and after the lights came back on, Tom Moores and Freddie McCann saw the Outlaws home to consign the Falcons to a third defeatThe Falcons lost two wickets in the first three overs of the powerplay before Donald found his range in spectacular style. He pulled Pennington for two consecutive sixes, the second smashing into the scoreboard, before swatting another maximum over cover to end an over which cost 22.Daniel Sams was dispatched high over the mid-wicket ropes and Conor McKerr was slashed over cover for a fifth six as Donald roared to a 21 ball 50 which also included three fours.His pyrotechnics took the Falcons to 65 for 2 at the end of the powerplay but he drove the next ball to long off and that sparked a mini collapse.Samit Patel pulled McKerr to deep mid-wicket before Martin Andersson was bowled coming down the pitch to Liam Patterson-White to reduce the hosts to 77 for 5. Ross Whiteley responded by sweeping Calvin Harrison and pulling Patterson-White for two sixes but then picked out deep mid-wicket.Wayne Madsen and Brooke Guest added 41 from 30 balls but three wickets fell off the last three deliveries, one to a run out, to leave the Outlaws chasing 163. Patel was unable to take the field because of a calf injury which left the Falcons a bowler down but they started well with Ben Aitchison having Joe Clarke caught at slip in the first over.James and Haynes regrouped and both cleared the ropes as the Outlaws moved to 48 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. The pair took 15 from a Whiteley over and put on 81 from 54 balls before Haynes pulled Pat Brown to deep mid on in the 10th over.James dispatched Andersson for six but next ball fell in identical fashion to Haynes before the ground was plunged into darkness. The power came back on in time for the game to resume at 10.10pm with a revised target leaving the Outlaws to score 12 from 15 balls.Tom Moores and Freddie McCann ensured there were no more twists before Pat Brown bowled a wide to put the lights out on the Falcons fading hopes.