Paul Merson lays into Chelsea for 'going out with a whimper' in dull Carabao Cup semi-final second leg and jokes Wesley Fofana cried at full-time because they 'didn't give it a go'
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (4-2 agg) - PLAYER RATINGS: Who won the stodgy midfield battle? Which Blues star lacked creativity? And who was anonymous and ineffective?
Arsenal survive a tense and ill-tempered battle of attrition against Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup final - it is another step forward in their bigger quest for a first Premier League title for 22 years, writes OLIVER HOLT
Pep Guardiola gets political: Man City boss criticises Donald Trump over killings by ICE agents and brings up wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan in extraordinary press conference - after making spending claim
Former Man United star Brandon Williams - once sentenced to 14 months after dangerous driving charge - released by Championship club after playing just FIVE minutes
Man United Confidential: Revealed: Big-money deadline day transfer weighed-up, Casemiro's next move, the Tyrell Malacia mystery and when Ruben Amorim intends to have his say on Old Trafford nightmare
Police SHUT DOWN major UK-based illegal streaming network used for Premier League football - and make string of arrests - after Sky Sports complained
Sandro Tonali's transfer denial unpacked: The reasons why deadline-day drama should not be ignored but it's not Alexander Isak all over again... plus the Newcastle stance revealed should summer offer arrive
Former France star labels Liverpool as 'suckers' who have 'lost their minds' over decision to sign £60m Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes
How Harry Brook unlocked a formula for World Cup success after 'awesome' Sri Lanka win - and why two unlikely heroes with the ball give England an edge, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH
Crystal Palace weigh up knee surgery for Jean-Philippe Mateta as France striker bids to be fit for World Cup - after £30m deadline day move to AC Milan failed due to medical issues
Football chiefs to vote on drastic new measures to clamp down on time-wasting by goalkeepers and during substitutions
How Liverpool beat Chelsea in the race to sign 'big gem' Jeremy Jacquet, why it wasn't about money, why experts say he's the next Virgil Van Dijk and is 'Premier-League ready' and the disease he's had to battle
CRAIG HOPE lifts the lid on Newcastle's transfer plans - and issues a big warning on Sandro Tonali, who is wanted by Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea - in his DailyMail+ Q&A
What Liverpool do next: LEWIS STEELE on plans to sign in two positions in the summer along with Jeremy Jacquet - and the future of Arne Slot in DailyMail+ Q&A
The 10 breakout stars set to light up the Six Nations: From the French wonder wings with pace to burn and the Welsh schemer at No 10 to England's emerging bulldozer prop and Ireland's giant lock
League One manager emerges as favourite to take over as Blackburn boss - as Championship strugglers bid to avoid relegation amid eight-game winless run
Revealed: Sky Bet's odds for Man United to finish in the top TWO in the Premier League after Michael Carrick's perfect start as head coach
Notorious Albanian criminal's 'despicable' brother jailed after footballer and his pregnant wife left suffer 'huge emotional distress' in 11.30pm raid at their luxury home
Meet the glamorous WAGs behind the star athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics... and their very surprising careers
Inside the sad decline of Kalvin Phillips: The problem at Man City from day one, being a 'foodie' and the real impact of 'weight-gate' with Pep Guardiola, the tearful telephone call to Marcelo Bielsa and his bizarre worries over drinking water
Revealed: Why Everton winger Dwight McNeil's £20m transfer to Crystal Palace COLLAPSED - as the Toffees complete loan to sign Tyrique George
Russia could RETURN to the Olympics: Games chiefs hint country banned since invasion of Ukraine may soon be allowed back
Mercedes are the big winners from F1 testing and their rocket ship makes George Russell favourite for the 2026 world championship... so will the Silver Arrows top brass finally show Britain's best some respect?

Flintoff return boosted by early wicket

Last updated at 17:18 18 July 2006

Andrew Flintoff's comeback from injury took a significant turn for the better when he took a wicket with his first ball in Lancashire's Liverpool Victoria County Championship clash with Kent.

Having earlier been dismissed for just four as Lancashire were bowled out cheaply for 218 after winning the toss, Flintoff was clearly fired up as he charged in for the first ball of his spell.

The 28-year-old produced a superb delivery that nipped back in to Robert Key and took his off stump out of the ground as the Kent captain shouldered arms.

Key's dismissal for 16 left Kent 28 for one in reply to Lancashire's disappointing first innings total.