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The Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate has been settled by Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, as he revealed how the Blues used to prepare in training.

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Mikel emphasized the unmatched difficulty facing MessiChelsea's tactical plan to stop forward revealedInsisted on Messi being superior to Ronaldo WHAT HAPPENED?

The former Blues midfielder weighed in on the Messi-Ronaldo debate and shared unique insights about facing the two legends in their prime. Mikel admitted that he is a fan of Messi and revealed Chelsea's tactical preparations, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to contain the Argentine, as defending one-on-one seemed impossible against the eight-time Ballon d'Or.

AdvertisementWHAT MIKEL SAID ABOUT MESSI & RONALDO

While speaking toRio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, Mikel said: "I’m a Messi fan. When we played against [Manchester] United when Cristiano was there we knew Ash (Ashley Cole) would deal with him. He is capable of dealing with him. I know the comparison is there but because I've played against both and Messi was close to me when we played against them. But for me, and I'm not going to say miles because of what Cristiano has done as well, but for me, I really don't see the comparison. I just think Messi is from a different planet. I just think he is that good."

WHAT MIKEL SAID ABOUT CHELSEA TRAINING

Mikel revealed that since Barcelona's gameplan was to get the ball to Messi, they would resort to kicking him and the whole week would be planned on how to stop the forward from getting into advanced areas. He said: "Every time it was against Barcelona, of my god, training the whole week was about Messi. We have to have two, or three players with him, you can't defend one-v-one against him. It's impossible. You're dead. And the way they play, the way they move the ball around with the sole purpose of getting the ball to him and all he's doing is watching the game. I know we all talk about how he walks around but it's just to find the space. Once that ball gets to him, the movement everybody is running and moving, it's so difficult [to play against].

"The game plan was just to kick him because we can't get the ball off him or get close enough. If you think he is there, he is gone. You can watch our games when we play them. JT (John Terry) is tackling, Frankie's (Frank Lampard) tackling, I'm tackling, everybody's putting in tackles. That's the only way we could stop him."

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WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & RONALDO?

Mikel's assertion that Messi is from a "different planet" adds a distinctive viewpoint to the ongoing debate. However, it is unlikely that it will be settled anytime in the future as the two legends of the game continue to conquer new milestones.

The Angel City sensation is heading to her first major tournament, with team-mate Julie Ertz also in after her shock international return in April

There are always surprises when a nation names its World Cup roster – and that was no different on Wednesday, when Vlatko Andonovski named the 23 players that will represent the U.S. women's national team, the reigning world champion, in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Sadly, injuries in recent months to several key players meant it was already known that a few big names were not going to be on this list. But, as the old saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens, and several players have been presented with huge opportunities on the biggest stage.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the USWNT roster announcement…

GettyWINNER: Alyssa Thompson

What an insane 12 months it has been for Alyssa Thompson. Last summer, ahead of the Under-20 Women's World Cup, she told GOAL she had her eye on a call-up to the senior national team. Since then, she's not only done that, she's also made the 2023 Women's World Cup roster.

Still only 18 years old, Thompson has been on the fringes of the squad since making her debut against England at Wembley last October. But then an injury to Mallory Swanson in April saw her called-up as a replacement mid-camp and probably forced Andonovski to take an even closer look at her than he already was.

Thompson is absolutely here on her own merit though. Her coach spoke in March about how she would absolutely "make a case" to be on this roster and she has. The forward might be young and raw but that's not a bad thing. She's already shown in her first few months in the NWSL for Angel City that she is ready to impact games, and she could be the USWNT's joker in the pack this summer.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Tierna Davidson

One of the most surprising omissions on this roster has to be that of Tierna Davidson. When Becky Sauerbrunn announced that she would miss the World Cup through injury last week, it felt like it increased Davidson's chances of making the roster, in order to add depth and experience to the back line.

But despite returning from her own ACL injury back in March, and playing plenty of meaningful minutes since, the Chicago Red Stars defender hasn't made the cut. There is a lot of competition in that area of the squad, but Davidson, who was the USWNT's best player at its underwhelming Olympic Games in 2021, will be massively disappointed to be left out.

WINNER: Rose Lavelle

There has been cause for concern around Rose Lavelle in recent months. She has not featured for club or country since picking up an injury during the April international break, and OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey fears that she won't play in the NWSL again before the World Cup.

That she was included on the roster on Wednesday was a positive sign, then. To be without Lavelle and Catarina Macario, another playmaking midfielder who misses out due to injury, could've seriously limited the creativity in the central areas of this team.

Now, it's about making sure Lavelle is back to full fitness properly – especially for that second group game, against the Netherlands.

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GettyLOSER: Adrianna Franch

Another unexpected omission on this roster is certainly Adrianna Franch, who had been included by Andonovski in each of the last four camps. The 32-year-old was part of the team that lifted the World Cup trophy four years ago, but has recently found herself on the bench for her club, the Kansas City Current.

That appears to have had an impact on her international career as Andonovski has chosen to alter his goalkeeper group for the first time since October by instead selecting Aubrey Kingsbury, the Washington Spirit shot-stopper whose sole appearance for the USWNT came in a 9-0 win over Uzbekistan in April 2022.

The Premier League's top scorer was shutout for the first time since August as Liverpool ended the champions' unbeaten start to the season

Manchester City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season against Liverpool as their brilliant start to their title came to a dramatic halt.

Anfield has never been a happy place to go for City, having won there just twice in the past 40 years, so it's perhaps not a surprise that City were beaten by their closest rivals of recent seasons.

The defeat did, though, come in controversial circumstances, with a Phil Foden goal ruled out by VAR in an incident that Pep Guardiola said ignited the home fans.

Mohammed Salah then scored the only goal of the game after an individual error from Joao Cancelo when he misjudged Alisson's clearance.

But who came out of the game with any credit for City? And for whom was it a day to forget? GOAL breaks it down…

The Winners

The title race:

In the build-up to Sunday's game, Jurgen Klopp claimed Liverpool were no longer challenging for the title. Of course, Guardiola dismissed those suggestions as rubbish, knowing exactly how difficult it is to win the Premier League, having done so four times in the last five years. Exciting title races have been one of English football's greatest selling points in recent years and it looks like we're set for another one all over again. Arsenal are four points clear of both City and Tottenham, with Chelsea just a further four points behind with a game in hand. And of course, Liverpool are now firmly back in the shake-up.

Ederson:

So often the focus is on Ederson's brilliant footwork while questions are asked as to whether he is a good shot-stopper. But on Sunday, he made one huge save with Salah bearing down on goal that could have had huge implications on the Premier League season. At first, it looked like the Egyptian had got his angles wrong as his shot rolled just the wrong side of the post and referee Anthony Taylor pointed for a goal kick. Only from the replays was the brilliant save from Ederson perceptible, as his outstretched fingertips diverted the ball inches off target. Unfortunately for City, he couldn't pull off the same trick twice.

City's fixture schedule:

Guardiola was set to take his side to Arsenal in midweek, but that game was postponed with the Gunners facing a rescheduled Europa League game against PSV. Perhaps that will play to City's benefit, as the squad can take a couple of days off before returning to training after a painful defeat. Anfield was electric, and the Emirates Stadium would have been the same with Mikel Arteta's side four points clear and sensing blood. Getting back on the pitch is often the best way to get a response, but a firing Arsenal would have been a major test at this stage of the season.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Joao Cancelo:

Cancelo has been outstanding all season, but he made City's key contribution for all the wrong reasons at Anfield. Isolated with Salah following a City corner, Cancelo misjudged Alisson's long clearance, allowing the Liverpool forward a free run at goal that he took full advantage of. The defender looked rattled by the mistake and it affected the rest of his match as City tried to chase an equaliser. He must put it behind him quickly and get back to the brilliant performances which have been so important to Guardiola's side this season, and Phil Foden could be seen reminding him of that shortly after full-time.

Erling Haaland:

Jamie Vardy's record of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches is safe – for now – after Haaland's blank at Anfield. Only 10 games into his City career, the Norwegian was threatening it already with goals in seven successive matches, but Liverpool shut him down for the second time this season, following the Community Shield curtain-raiser. Haaland had a couple of sights of goal in the first half, clipping a shot wide and sending a header straight into Alisson's arms. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were mostly successful in keeping him away from the width of the six-yard box, but when he got one big chance in that position, Alisson denied him again with a smart save.

VAR luck:

It's rare for City to fail to score and they've done it twice in a week, following their goalless draw in Copenhagen. Except they scored goals in both games, only for them to both be chalked off by VAR. Rodri's super strike in Denmark was cancelled after a slight handball in the build-up, and this time Foden's goal was ruled out for a perceived Haaland tug on Fabinho. Guardiola wouldn't be drawn into criticising either decision, but he's probably had enough of seeing referees called over to the monitor for a while.

Man City Ratings: Defence

Ederson (8/10):

Made one huge save but couldn't pull off two when he was twice exposed into facing Salah.

Joao Cancelo (4/10):

Huge error defined his performance and he will want to forget it in a hurry.

Manuel Akanji (6/10):

Biggest game of his early City career and found it tough in the red-hot Anfield atmosphere.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Strong first-half but a slip in the second let in Salah and it could have been costly.

Nathan Ake (7/10):

Tasked with stopping a reinvigorated Salah after his midweek hat-trick and worked hard to keep him away from goal as much as possible.

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Midfield

Rodri (7/10):

Screened the defence with his expert reading of the game in a congested area of the pitch.

Bernardo Silva (8/10):

Started in a deeper role almost as a second holding midfielder and worked hard as a disruptor before moving further forward.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Tried to take up dangerous positions in the half-space behind the forwards and forced one good save from Alisson.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de vencer o Corinthians, o Botafogo passará por um teste crítico pela luta contra a zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro. Nesta quarta-feira, a equipe de Alberto Valentim tentará conquistar a primeira vitória fora de casa no returno diante da Chapecoense, às 19h30, na Arena Condá, pela 35ª rodada. A partida será transmitida em tempo real pelo site do LANCE!.

O Botafogo é o segundo pior time do returno, com nove pontos conquistados. Muito deste cenário se explica porque o Alvinegro não conquistou nenhum ponto sendo visitante. Em sete partidas, sete derrotas. Contra a Chapecoense, um resultado positivo será fundamental para colocar o Glorioso ainda mais acima da briga pela zona de rebaixamento.

> CONFIRA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

– A expectativa boa, a gente vem de vitória boa sobre o Corinthians, precisa dar uma resposta, não vai ser fácil, principalmente nessa reta final. Vai ser muito importante para alcançarmos o quando antes os números para permanência na Série A – analisou Alberto Valentim, ao programa “Seleção SporTV”.

A última vez que o Botafogo voltou para o Rio de Janeiro com algum ponto na bagagem no Brasileirão foi no empate em 0 a 0 com o Ceará, em 14 de setembro. O triunfo fora de casa, consequentemente, foi mais distante ainda. Coincidentemente, foi em uma partida em Santa Catarina: contra o Avaí, por 2 a 0, com gols de Alex Santana e Marcelo Benevenuto, no dia 4 de agosto.

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Com 39 pontos, a distância para o Cruzeiro, primeiro time na degola, é de três. Por mais que o Alvinegro leve vantagem na quantidade de vitórias, critério de desempate no confronto direto, com a Raposa, o risco ainda é existente. A comissão técnica traça a partida como chave para a sequência da equipe no Campeonato Brasileiro e Valentim projetou uma vitória.

Se o cenário em 2019 não é dos melhores, o histórico do Botafogo sobre o rival é animador. O Alvinegro não perde para a Chapecoense desde 2017 – nesta sequência, foram quatro vitórias e um empate para a equipe carioca. Na Arena Condá, o Glorioso acumula resultados positivos nos últimos dois anos: 1 a 0 em 2018 e 2 a 0 no ano anterior.

O objetivo do Botafogo é se afastar ainda mais da zona de rebaixamento, mas o da Chapecoense é lutar por sua sobrevivência na primeira divisão. Em caso de derrota, o Verdão D’Oeste será a segunda equipe rebaixada para a Série B do ano que vem, acompanhando os passos do rival Avaí.

Michael Vaughan believes it is time to replace Moeen Ali with Adil Rashid in the England Test side and for Gary Ballance and Ian Bell to swap the places in the batting order as England prepare for the start of the Investec Ashes.Vaughan, England captain when they won the 2005 Ashes, feels that Rashid’s legspin can help England cut through Australia’s tail and fears Moeen is not bowling with the confidence required to withstand the likely assault he will face. While Vaughan accepted that Australia would also target Rashid, he feels he is bowling with such confidence following the ODI series against New Zealand that he can come through such a challenge.”I certainly would have Rashid in the squad and I’d be looking to play him,” Vaughan said. “I just think it would be something that Australia wouldn’t expect. I think they’re expecting to face Moeen. “If England can surprise them and play just a little bit above the level they did against New Zealand, I think it will surprise Australia.”I just look at Rashid the other day flicking them out at Durham. If he does well in the four-day game at Durham as well, I’d just throw him straight in as a young chap who’s confident. He is on the crest of that one-day wave, so I’d just play him.”With the way that he bowls and the way England have really struggled to get rid of tails, it is something different that England might surprise Australia with.”Moeen Ali is the incumbent spinner in England’s Test side•Getty Images

Vaughan admitted that Rashid is not the finished article, though. He cautioned against too much expectation in him and suggested that Alastair Cook, as captain, would have to find a way to assist him, in first innings especially.”I wouldn’t expect him to whip through the Smiths and Clarkes in the first innings,” Vaughan said. “Any top-order player will probably attack him. And in the first innings, on good pitches, you would have to manage him very well. But with careful management and careful field settings he certainly can play a big part.”Vaughan suggested Moeen can still perform an important role for England in the future. “I think Moeen is terrific, I really do,” Vaughan said. “I think he’s going to have years and years with the England side. But he has had a difficult time of it of late. He has not quite been as consistent and he has not been having the long spells as he has not been taking wickets.”When you go into an Ashes series you have to be so confident in your own ability and you have to be on top of that confidence level to compete. I just don’t know if he’s got the confidence level. He’s not bowling enough overs for me to suggest that he’s bowling with that fizz like he did last year.”He bowled great against India. But you don’t pick someone for what was happening last year. And if they go one-nil down it’s going be a long series.”Vaughan believes Bell would benefit from the demonstration of confidence a promotion to No. 3 in the batting order would provide. Bell currently bats at No. 4, with Vaughan suggesting he could swap places with Ballance.”The way Ballance played against New Zealand was a concern but he’s tough,” Vaughan said. “He got good balls, but his feet weren’t moving as well as he can. So I’d make the change. I’d put Gary at No. 4 and Bell at No. 3. I just think that every now and again Bell needs a prod and a poke. He should gain a lot of confidence by someone telling him he’s No. 3.”That could knock Gary’s confidence, but I just think he’s better suited at four. I look at the whole order and you can have left hand, right hand down the order. At the moment, we have three lefties at the top of the order. If you have three of one suit in any position of the order, you can get used to captaining against it.”Hardys of Australia are proud sponsors of England cricket. Show your support this summer with #HardysENG or #HardysAUS to win prizes

Shakib Al Hasan and Wahab Riaz have been fined 30 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the final day’s play of the drawn first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Khulna

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2015Shakib Al Hasan and Wahab Riaz have been fined 30 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the final day’s play of the drawn first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Khulna.The incident happened in the 118th over of Bangladesh’s second innings when the duo halted play by arguing and pointing fingers at each other. The players were found to have breached Article 2.1.8 (a) of the code, which relates to “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.” An ICC release stated that both admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe.”Posturing and finger pointing in each other’s face is not what we expect from two senior international players and has no place in cricket,” Crowe said. “International cricketers should always remember that they are being watched and followed by millions and, therefore, need to always control their emotions and demonstrate respect.”All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.

Emerging batsman Travis Head will become South Australia’s youngest captain of all time after being handed the position following the resignation of Johan Botha

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Feb-2015

Emerging batsman Travis Head will become South Australia’s youngest captain of all time after being handed the position following the resignation of Johan Botha. Head, 21, has been confirmed as the state’s new captain as South Australia look to the future in much the same way Victoria did when a 20-year-old Cameron White was appointed in 2003-04.Wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman, 27, has been named vice-captain in the change of leadership. Botha made the decision to stand aside after two and a half years in charge, having replaced Michael Klinger during the 2012 off-season following a stint with the Adelaide Strikers that impressed state coach Darren Berry.”Johan has been working with the Redbacks to set up succession planning for the leadership of the team,” SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw said. “After considering the options during the Sheffield Shield break, he approached us to explain his position and propose a change of leadership.”We began a commitment with Johan to strengthen our young squad and develop leadership opportunities; his influence on the playing group on and off the field has been outstanding.”South Australia confirmed that Botha, the Redbacks’ leading Sheffield Shield wicket taker so far this summer with 13 victims, would stay on for the remainder of the season to assist with the transition to the new captain. The second half of the Sheffield Shield campaign begins on Saturday, with South Australia currently sitting in second-last position.Head has impressed the South Australia hierarchy since his debut for the state at the age of 18, and he now has 27 first-class matches to his name. Although he is yet to break through for a maiden first-class century, Head has been close several times, with five scores in the nineties and 12 fifty-plus scores in total.Head showed his leadership potential during the 2012-13 Under-19 National Championships when he led South Australia to the title and was named Player of the Championship. He was quickly identified as a future leader and has been part of the state’s leadership development programme.”Travis’ appointment demonstrates a long-term focus for our young Redbacks team. This is a long term decision with long term success in mind,” Bradshaw said. “Travis has demonstrated an ability to show resilience under pressure on the field in his short time paying for South Australia.”Off-field, Travis is already well respected by the entire cricket community both in South Australia and around the country. We are excited to appoint a young, capable leader who we believe can achieve higher honours in his cricketing career.”Head’s appointment is not the only change for the Redbacks in the second half of this season. Berry has taken leave from the role as coach due to family reasons and assistant coach Jeff Vaughan will take charge of the side in his absence.

Moeen Ali will no longer attempt to bowl the doosra for fear of being reported for a suspect action

George Dobell12-Nov-2014

Moeen Ali will no longer attempt to bowl the doosra for fear of being reported for a suspect action.Moeen was picked for England partly because of his ability – so rare in England – to bowl the delivery. And, so subtle was his change of action, that almost nobody noticed when he unveiled it in international cricket during the Headingley Test against Sri Lanka.But rather than risk incurring the wrath of match officials who have reported a coterie of offspinners in recent months, Moeen has decided to abandon the delivery.”I won’t bowl it,” Moeen said. “A lot of people and experts are saying you have to bend your arm to bowl it. I don’t think you do, but it is a tough one and I don’t want to risk not playing for England because of it.”It is a shame. Personally I think it is a great skill to be able to spin the ball both ways as an offspinner. I always felt the doosra was a great innovation.”While Moeen made a fine start to his international career with 19 wickets in the Test series against India, he may well find conditions in Australia, where the majority of the World Cup will be played, far less helpful. With that in mind, the ability to produce a ball that turns away from right-hand batsman could have proved priceless.”With one fielder extra coming up, it’s very tough to bowl offspin in ODI cricket,” Moeen said. “I think there was a period where offspinners felt they needed a doosra and everyone was bowling it. And because of that, there were some people with some different actions trying it.”I’m definitely more reluctant to bowl it. You can see that 16 first-class players have been banned in Pakistan because of their actions. I don’t think I will bowl it in the World Cup. I don’t want to risk not playing for England.”I haven’t spoken to anyone at the ECB about it. It is my decision. I was reluctant anyway because I don’t bowl it as well as the rest of the guys doing it [in international cricket] but definitely I won’t bowl it because of the scrutiny around the delivery. Besides, I had some success with offspin against India and that is another reason you won’t see me do it. At the moment I don’t feel that I need it.”At the forefront of Moeen’s mind is the suspension of his friend and mentor Saeed Ajaml. Ajmal had spent many hours while playing with Moeen as an overseas player at Worcestershire teaching him how to bowl the doosra and Moeen’s father, Munir Ali, is in the process of laying a net in the family garden in order to allow his son the chance to practise more often.But with the ICC clearly determined to crack down on illegal actions and some doubt as to the legality of the doosra since that decision, Moeen has pre-empted any possible trouble. While some will rejoice at the news – many never accepted the legality of the delivery – others will find the game a little less colourful and a little less entertaining. Batsmen, certainly, will not be complaining.

تعرف على حكم مباراة الزمالك وأرتا سولار في الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

كشف الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم عن حكم مباراة الزمالك وأرتا سولار الجيبوتي، المقرر إقامتها ضمن منافسات بطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

طالع أيضًا.. مران الزمالك | مشاركة فتوح وانتظام رباعي الفريق استعدادًا لأرتا سولار

وأخطر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم كاف مسؤولي نادي الزمالك باختيار طاقم تحكيم من غانا لإدارة مباراة أرتا سولار بطل جيبوتي.

الزمالك يواجه أرتا سولار، في السابعة مساء يوم السبت المقبل، على استاد القاهرة الدولي، في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

وكان الزمالك قد تلقى هزيمة من أرتا سولار، في مباراة الذهاب، بثنائية نظيفة، على ملعب عزام في تنزانيا. من هو حكم مباراة الزمالك وأرتا سولار في الكونفدرالية؟

حكم ساحة: دانيال لاريا نيي.

مساعد أول: كواسي برووبي.

مساعد ثان: ورولاند نيي آديي.

بحكم رابع: شارلز بولو.

ويراقب مباراة الزمالك وأرتا سولار الليبي عمر جمعة عبد الصادق في حين يراقب الحكام الزامبي ستانلي هاشيوا، كما وقع اختيار الاتحاد الإفريقي على محمد سلطان ليكون المسؤول الطبي في اللقاء.

A few days after being dropped for Friday’s T20 Blast outing, Davies channelled all his resolve into manufacturing a first Championship century of the season

Ryan Bailey at Derby16-Jun-2014
ScorecardSteven Davies led Surrey into a big lead•Getty ImagesSteven Davies’ decision to renounce wicketkeeping duties at Surrey, on the back of an uncomfortable start to the season, took many by surprise – particularly given the uncertainty over the England berth at the time – but, when the runs dried up, it also led to him being overlooked. A few days after being dropped for Friday’s T20 Blast outing, Davies channelled all his resolve into manufacturing a first Championship century of the season and helping Surrey assume control of this Division Two encounter.On a day short of highlights, a punch through cover off Tony Palladino – having tottered through the nineties for almost three-quarters of an hour – late in proceedings sparked cock-a-hoop celebrations on the balcony but the reaction in the middle was far less impassioned; a simple acknowledgement to the spectators that had persevered into the dying embers. This was a nothing more than a job that needed to be done for Davies.If he was restrained on reaching three figures, Zafar Ansari’s delight was palpable. Expectations can weigh heavy, especially on young shoulders, and having stumbled at the final hurdle last week at Bristol, Ansari ensured there would be no mistake this time around as he constructed a plucky, yet striking, maiden first-class ton.”It was pure relief, above anything, when the runs came because obviously I’ve had a few near misses,” Ansari said. “It takes the pressure off.”Ansari and Davies, who came together the over before lunch, put on 140 for the fourth wicket and by the time Ansari, continuing as a makeshift opener, fell two deliveries after tea for 105, any hopes of Derbyshire limiting the damage of Sunday’s batting calamity were extinguished: the lead at the close stands at 239.For all the apparent adversity, Davies had scored three fifties in four Championship innings hitherto but there was a point that needed to be proved. From the moment he strode out to the middle, after Vikram Solanki had tamely chipped the part-time offspin of Scott Elstone to mid-on, there was a sense of purpose about his batting.Once he cut Palladino the fence, the wheels were set in motion. While Ansari was typically watchful at the other end, steadily accumulating in ones and twos, Davies pounced on anything loose and played with plenty of swagger allied to a steely determination.He reached his fifty off just 74 balls and continued to accelerate thereafter, as Derbyshire’s bowlers flagged with every passing boundary. Ansari was first to reach his landmark, guiding Alex Hughes down to a vacant third man before being embraced by Davies; the significance was evident but Davies’ moment was still to come.While the pitch remains slow and rewarding for bowlers who put the ball on a good length consistently, Derbyshire were unable to muster any measure of pressure to make the inroads they needed after being dismissed for 153. Davies negated any lateral movement the lively Mark Footitt was extracting from the pitch and the incessant shuffling of his pack by Wayne Madsen during the afternoon did little to worry Davies.That Ansari and then Davies went about their business, especially after lunch, so comfortably will irk Graeme Welch, Derbyshire’s head coach. Both Footitt, who picked up three wickets, and Tom Taylor were lively in spurts but once again Madsen’s hand was limited, often turning to part-timers in an attempt to find something from somewhere. Tim Groenewald, dropped after indicating he will leave at the end of his contract, leaves a big hole in the attack.Taylor, however, looks highly promising. He bowled with great maturity and confidence during an opening spell that made it difficult for the batsmen to settle. He was duly rewarded with a maiden first-class wicket as he got one to nip back and clip Hashim Amla’s pad – certainly one to tell the grandchildren about for Taylor.But, that was about all that awoke the Derbyshire faithful from their slumber. Solanki ignited proceedings in an abrupt burst before lunch as he crunched successive boundaries off Taylor and then lifted him over midwicket in the same over. His departure, for 52, only provided the platform for the two centurions.Footit provided some late inspiration with a hostile new-ball spell that hinted at a measure of frustration, as he sent Jason Roy’s off stump cartwheeling and then trapped Gary Wilson, the Surrey captain, in front. It did little to stem the flow and halt Surrey’s charge as a lively innings from Chris Tremlett – including a couple of hefty blows for six – saw the visitors near 400. Davies’ moment of recklessness at the end, bowled attempting to send Marcus North into Derby town centre, could do little to take the gloss off his, and Surrey’s, day.