Aston Villa are now leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Julian Brandt, who could be available for a bargain fee in the January transfer window.

Villa have been much-improved since the end of September, winning eight of their last ten matches in all competitions, having started to be much more clinical in front of goal, as showcased in the 4-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend.

Emiliano Buendia was particularly impressive against the Cherries, receiving the Player of the Match award after opening the scoring with his third Premier League goal of the season, while the Argentinian also has two assists to his name.

UnaI Emery certainly isn’t short of top-quality options in attacking areas, and the manager will no doubt be extremely pleased that one of his key players recently put pen to paper on a new deal.

However, despite having a breadth of talent in forward areas, with Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen also getting on the scoresheet against Bournemouth, the Villans are now looking to sign a new attacking midfielder.

Aston Villa now leading race for Julian Brandt

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now leading the race for Borussia Dortmund star Brandt, who could be in line to leave the German club in the January transfer window, given that he is yet to extend his contract beyond the end of the current campaign.

Talks over a contract extension are ongoing, but the 29-year-old is open to a move, and he is regarded as a ‘creative upgrade in midfield’ by Villa.

With the German’s contract set to expire in the summer, he could be available for a bargain fee this winter, but there could be competition, as rival Premier League sides are also in the race, alongside clubs from the Serie A and La Liga.

The Bremen-born attacking midfielder is yet to test himself outside his home country, but he has proven himself as a reliable source of goals and assists over a number of years with Dortmund and former club Bayer Leverkusen.

Julian Brandt’s attacking record

Goals

Assists

Borussia Dortmund (279 games)

50

68

Bayer Leverkusen (215 games)

42

52

Lauded as “incredible” by journalist Manuel Veth, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man has averaged 0.47 assists per 90 over the past year, which places him in the top 2% of all attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues.

As such, Brandt clearly has the talent to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be a solid signing for Villa, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they miss out, considering Emery already has the likes of Rogers and Buendia at his disposal.

Aston Villa fighting Arsenal and Tottenham to sign new striker Aston Villa fighting to sign Samu Aghehowa amid interest from Tottenham and Arsenal

Recent reports have indicated that Aston Villa would be keen on signing Porto forward Samu Aghehowa.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 5, 2025

It’s been a confusing month or so for Chelsea fans.

One week, the Blues are beating Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, and then the next, they’re losing to Sunderland or dropping points against Qarabağ.

However, while Enzo Maresca’s side are far from consistent at the moment, it is full of sensational talent.

In fact, there is at least one player who feels destined to become one of the best in the world, alongside Cole Palmer.

Chelsea's world-class stars

While it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, Chelsea are blessed with several players who could become some of the very best in the world in their position, if they aren’t already there.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, while Moises Caicedo had a slow start to life in West London, he is now one of, if not the best six, in the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian is a monster when it comes to winning the ball back, has an underrated range of passing and can score his fair share of bangers.

Another star who is arguably the best in his position in the league is Reece James.

The Cobham gem is no longer suffering from injury after injury and, as a result, has been able to show the full extent of his exceptional ability on a consistent basis.

For example, in addition to being rock solid at the back, he is a genuine attacking threat due to both his impressive passing range and ball-striking ability.

Finally, while he’s out injured at the moment, Palmer is without doubt on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world.

He is the one who makes the Blues’ attack click, and in just 101 appearances for the club has already racked up a tally of 45 goals and 29 assists.

With all that said, there is another young Chelsea star who looks like he could be following in Palmer’s footsteps.

The Chelsea star on track to be one of the best in the world

While there are several exciting youngsters at Chelsea, like Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, and even Alejandro Garnacho, the one who seems destined for the very top is, of course, Estevao.

The highly promising Brazilian gem was signed by Chelsea last year, but due to regulations surrounding players under 18, he was unable to join the club until this season.

However, it looks like that extra year in his homeland has done him the world of good, as so far this season, he has looked every bit the “future Ballon d’Or winner” respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as.

For example, he was arguably the Blues’ most exciting player in pre-season and injected some real life into the side when he came on in the season opener against Crystal Palace.

Then, when Palmer picked up an injury ahead of the West Ham game, Maresaca handed the youngster his first competitive start, and he looked incredible.

The Franca-born gem was running rings around the East Londoners and even picked up his first assist after a mazy run.

Amazingly, his first goal for the club came in that incredible 2-1 win over Liverpool last month.

He then quickly followed that up with a goal against Ajax in the Champions League and another against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup.

As if he hadn’t already made his mark on the team, he then scored his second UCL goal against Qarabağ.

In doing so, he became the first South American 18 or under to score in consecutive Champions League matches.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it certainly feels like Estevao is on the same trajectory as Palmer and will soon join him as one of the best players in the world.

Big-money Chelsea flop is fast becoming their new Danny Drinkwater

Chelsea have a new Danny Drinkwater on their books.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 7, 2025

Ollie Pope’s quickfire 56 not out underlined a dramatic second day turnabout in fortunes with Surrey taking charge of their vital Rothesay County Championship match against Warwickshire at the Kia Oval.Dom Sibley also made an unbeaten 64 as Surrey cruised to 181 for 1 in their second innings, helping Pope add an unbroken 89 after initially featuring in a 92-run opening partnership with Rory Burns, who scored 54 before being bowled through the gate by Ethan Bamber.The efforts of Surrey’s top three, indeed, had wrenched a previously hard-fought contest Surrey’s way on a clearly easing pitch for batting, with Pope’s runs taking him just 78 balls while Sibley’s 160-ball knock anchored the innings perfectly.Both Pope and Burns made their second fifties of the match and by stumps Surrey had moved ominously into an overall lead of 179 after earlier in the day bowling out Warwickshire for 248 to keep themselves in the game.Gus Atkinson led a first session fightback with the ball with 3 for 53 as Warwickshire failed to capitalise fully on an overnight 132 for 4 in reply to Surrey’s first-innings 246, although Tom Lawes’ 4 for 42 earned him the best figures following his stellar three-wicket burst late on day one.New Zealand Test batter Will Young top-scored for Warwickshire with 72, while Ed Barnard also reached a half-century and last man Nathan Gilchrist hit an unbeaten 25 to earn the visitors a slender two-run halfway lead.Will Young frustrated the Surrey attack•Getty Images

Young and Barnard, who had put on 85 in defiant style towards the end of day one, added just four more runs to their overnight partnership before Atkinson had Barnard caught at the wicket for 50 with a magnificent delivery, lifting and leaving the bat from just short of a length on the line of off stump, that the Warwickshire allrounder did well to touch.Atkinson, bowling with pace and control, was a difficult prospect although Young did slightly top-edge a pulled six wide of long leg before pulling more confidently through midwicket for four to reach an excellent half-century.At 174, though, Dan Mousley’s 44-ball 19 ended with an edge to second slip off Jordan Clark and Atkinson, recalled for a second spell before lunch, responded by removing Michael Booth with his first ball back.Booth, on 10, pushed at a sharp, rising delivery and Pope held on to his second catch of the morning at second slip before Atkinson, in his next over, also had Bamber comfortably caught at midwicket for 2 by Lawrence as he flapped an attempted pull.That left Warwickshire 204 for 8 and, in the fifth over after lunch, it became 216 for 9 when Young’s superb innings was finally brought to an end by a quite brilliant catch by Surrey keeper Ben Foakes.Diving low to his right, Foakes somehow managed to get his right glove underneath a dipping edge off Dan Worrall and it was no surprise that Young, having batted for four and a half hours and faced 166 balls, took several disbelieving backward glances at replays on the big screen as he left the field.An assault by Gilchrist on Clark, taking four fours in an over via an outside edge, an inside edge and then two perfectly-struck drives either side of cover, took Warwickshire into the lead but – two runs short of a first batting bonus point – Lawes fired a low full toss through Olly Hannon-Dalby’s effort to flick it away to have him leg-before for 7.

Manchester City are being “left in the dark” when it comes to a final ruling in their long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga. With at least 115 charges hanging over the Premier League heavyweights, a verdict was “definitely expected by now”. No decision has been revealed, though, and that is keeping everybody guessing on what could be an explosive outcome.

• Man City FFP case: Timeline as saga drags on

  City were made aware of the charges being brought against them in February 2023, with an investigation being carried out into dealings at the Etihad Stadium between 2009 and 2018, An independent commission heard the case in September 2024, with that process running through to December. The panel is considering what happens next, with the footballing world being left on tenterhooks.

  Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to City, has told of the protracted saga – which appears to have no end in sight: “It looks to me as if they really have very little control of the process from the panel. They didn’t put in place the sorts of deadlines that maybe they should have done.

  “That’s left them very much in the dark as to when the decision is coming, and in that scenario, you have just got to carry on the business because what can you do? You can’t just sit around pausing everything. You have to make decisions, make progress and go about your business, so that’s what they’re doing.”

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• Getty
  

  Verdict delay: Why has no ruling been delivered?

  Borson added on the challenges now being faced when it comes to delivering a verdict in the middle of a season, with City expected to contest any sanctions that they disagree with – dragging a distracting episode on even further: “I do think it’s going to be very complicated timing wise to be putting the decision out during the season.

  “Also, if you look at it from a timing perspective, you start to put it out in December, we all know that the world slows down mid-December. People go into Christmas mode. And again, this does not feel like something that can be thrown into that mix.

  “I mean, ordinarily you would definitely have expected it to be out by now. You definitely would have expected it to be before the end of the year. If it doesn’t come in this international break, then honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think there’s any clear understanding as to why it would not be out by now.”

• Explosive outcome: Another storm is expected

  Premier League and European outfits are eager to know where they and City stand, so that long-term plans can be drawn up. Experts concede that the final outcome is likely to whip up another storm one way or another.

  An insider has previously told : “Everyone just wants a verdict now and some certainty over what comes next. It’s gone very quiet and because it’s been going on for so long it’s almost been forgotten about but all hell could break loose when it lands.”

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  Possible sanctions: What could happen to Man City?

  Various potential punishments for City have been speculated on over the course of the last two-and-a-half years. They range from points deductions and fines to transfer embargoes and expulsion from the top-flight of English football.

  City have maintained their innocence throughout, with the Blues adamant that they have done nothing wrong. It has been a case of business as usual at the Etihad across several transfer windows and trophy bids.

  Pep Guardiola admitted back in the spring that he considered a verdict in the FFP case to be imminent, but those claims proved to be unfounded. A matter of months later and City are still waiting to be made aware of their fate.

  The most severe penalties are expected to be avoided, with there little chance of City being dumped into the EFL, but they could be stung with sanctions that make sustaining a title challenge in 2025-26 difficult – as they sit second in the Premier League table at present – or limit their ability to spend big again in upcoming recruitment markets.

Vinicius Junior's relationship with Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is described as "strictly professional" amid growing discontent from the Brazilian winger over his role this season. The forward reportedly misses the close bond he shared with former manager Carlo Ancelotti after finding himself on the bench once again for the La Liga draw against Elche.

Xabi Alonso plays down Vinicius exclusion

According to a report from , Vinicius is not entirely comfortable with Xabi Alonso's management style. The Brazilian was a substitute for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at the Martinez Valero stadium, marking the fourth time this season he has been left out of the starting XI – three times in La Liga and once in the Champions League.

While sources close to the player indicate the relationship with Alonso remains professional, the atmosphere is a stark contrast to the "warmth and closeness" Vinicius enjoyed under Ancelotti. The current Brazil national team coach treated Vinicius with an almost "paternal" approach and considered him an "untouchable" member of the starting XI during the 2023-24 campaign, a season in which the winger found his best form.

Alonso addressed the decision to bench Vinicius against Elche, insisting it was a mutual understanding due to the player's heavy workload during the international break. Vinicius had just completed 180 minutes for Brazil in friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia during the final international window of 2025.

Speaking after the draw in Elche, Alonso stated: "There's no problem, we had discussed it as we often do. He understands and knew the role he would play. Today we're not happy, but everyone is eager to get back to winning ways."

Despite Alonso's public assurances, Marca reports that underlying tension exists. Vinicius was visibly angered by his substitution in the second half of El Clasico against Barcelona earlier in the season, a decision that reportedly caused a division of opinion regarding the coach's methods within the club's Valdebebas training ground.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRodrygo struggles continue despite starts

Alonso opted to start Rodrygo on the left wing against Elche, a decision that did not yield positive results. The former Santos forward's attacking contribution was described as "clearly subpar" by the Spanish report.

Rodrygo is enduring a difficult run of form and has yet to register a single goal or assist this season, with his goal drought now extending to 29 matches across all competitions. Like Vinicius, Rodrygo also featured heavily for Brazil during the recent international break, starting both matches, though he was substituted late in both games.

Contract renewal talks face uncertainty

The current dynamic between player and coach has reportedly cast a shadow over ongoing contract renewal negotiations between Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid. states that a new deal is "still far from being finalised," with the player's intermittent role adding a "cloud" to the proceedings.

Vinicius' current contract with Los Blancos expires in June 2027, and he holds a massive market value. Despite the recent omission from the first-team, the 25-year-old remains a key contributor statistically this season. He has started 10 of his 13 La Liga appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing four assists. 

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Getty ImagesWhat next for Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr?

Real Madrid are preparing for crucial fixtures immediately following the disappointing draw at Elche. They face Olympiacos in the Champions League group stage on Thursday before returning to La Liga action at home against Girona on Monday, December 1. Attention will focus on Alonso's team selection for these matches and whether Vinicius returns to the starting lineup as Real Madrid look to improve their recent form.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo deve assinar contrato com lateral-direito uruguaio Damián Suárez, que estava no Getafe (Espanha), nesta segunda-feira (5). A saída do atleta do clube espanhol foi confirmada neste domingo (4), pelo próprio presidente da entidade.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoTiago Nunes critica postura do time no empate do Botafogo com o Nova Iguaçu: ‘Deveria ter maturidade maior’Botafogo03/02/2024Fora de CampoMauro Cezar critica Segovinha, emprestado pelo Botafogo: ‘Folclórico e fraco de bola’Fora de Campo02/02/2024

– Ele pediu para sair. Decisão pessoal para estar mais perto de casa. Depois de nove anos, o Getafe o libera porque acaba o contrato em junho. Se tudo correr bem, amanhã (segunda) assinará por uma equipe brasileira, que não sei qual é. Temos um carinho especial por ele e sua família – disse Ángel Torres, presidente do Getafe, em entrevista ao canal DAZN, neste domingo.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

Damián Suárez foi procurado por representantes do Alvinegro para assinar um contrato por dois anos.

O lateral não esteve em campo pelo Getafe na partida deste domingo conta contra o Betis, pelo Campeonato Espanhol. O última partida do jogador pela equuipe na quinta-feira (1º), nna derrota para o Real Madrid por 2 a 0, pelo Espanhol.

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Damián Suárez, de 35 anos, estava há pouco mais de nove temporadas no Getafe, onde se tornou ídolo da torcida. Na carreira, foi revelado pelo uruguaio Defensor Sporting e em seguida foi para a Espanha, onde atuou pelo Sporting Gijón e Elche.

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BotafogoGetafe

حقق فريق الهلال السعودي فوزًا كبيرًا على نظيره الشرطة العراقي برباعية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الهلال والشرطة على أرضية استاد الأول بارك، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الخامسة من دور المجموعات لدوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة.

ونجح ماركوس ليوناردو في تسجيل الهدف الأول للهلال مع نهاية الشوط الأول في الدقيقة 45، قبل أن يعزز سيرجي ميلينكوفيتش سافيتش التقدم بهدف ثانٍ في الدقيقة 63، ثم عاد ليوناردو ليضع بصمته بهدف ثالث في الدقيقة 72 ويؤمن انتصار الزعيم.

واختتم كانسيلو رباعية الهلال بهدف مميز في الدقيقة الثالثة من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الثاني. أهداف فوز الهلال على الشرطة العراقي في دوري أبطال آسيا

وشهدت المواجهة سيطرة واضحة للهلال على مجريات اللقاء، وسط محاولات محدودة من الشرطة العراقي للخروج بنتيجة إيجابية، إلا أن خبرة لاعبي الهلال حسمت المواجهة لصالح أصحاب الأرض.

ترتيب دوري أبطال آسيا بعد فوز الهلال على الشرطة العراقي

وعقب المباراة وصل رصيد الهلال إلى 15 نقطة كاملة من 5 مباريات، محققًا العلامة الكاملة دون أي تعادل أو خسارة، وسجل لاعبوه 14 هدفا واستقبلت شباكهم 5 أهداف فقط.

Celtic are in the process of attempting to make Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, who left the club last month.

Fabrizio Romano claims that the Hoops are in talks with the French manager over a move to Parkhead, as they look to get a deal done in the days and weeks to come.

Celtic are due to play St Mirren away from home in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday and the club have already confirmed that Martin O’Neill will take charge once again as the interim manager.

Once Nancy is in the building, should a deal get done, it will be interesting to see which players fail to make the cut if he goes with the system he has played in the MLS.

Players Wilfried Nancy might drop from Celtic's squad

Per Transfermarkt, the Frenchman’s preferred formation is a 3-4-2-1 and that would be interesting to see play out with the wide and full-back options that Celtic have.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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Jahmai Simpson-Pusey played at right-back last time out, but is a centre-back by trade, and could drop into a back three alongside Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.

That would free up a right wing-back spot. Anthony Ralston, who has no assists in 11 appearances this season, does not have the offensive quality to play in that role, so Nancy could use a player like Forrest to be an attack-minded wing-back.

That could see Ralston drop out of the squad, as he is not suited to playing as a centre-back or as a wing-back in that system, but he was only on the bench against Kilmarnock, so it would not be a major change to the squad.

An even bolder move that could be made by Nancy would be to instantly ditch Sebastian Tounekti from the starting line-up for his first match in charge, whenever that ends up being.

Why Wilfried Nancy should drop Sebastian Tounekti

It may seem like a bold call to suggest that the winger should be dropped from the team, because he has provided the supporters with some excitement since his move to the club from Hammarby in the summer.

Earlier this season, pundit Michael Stewart described the Tunisia international Celtic’s “danger man” and claimed that he “unsettles defences”, thanks to his direct and aggressive play out wide.

However, Tounekti has only scored two goals and has failed to provide any assists in 13 appearances in all competitions for Celtic, per Sofascore, which shows that there has been a lack of quality in the final third to back up his exciting build-up play.

The 23-year-old forward started on the left flank against Kilmarnock for O’Neill last time out in the Premiership, and put in a rather dismal display for the Hoops.

Vs Kilmarnock

Sebastian Tounekti

Minutes

78

Shots

2

Goals

0

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

Crosses completed

0/2

Dribbles completed

2/10

Possession lost

23x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Tounekti lost the ball a staggering 23 times in 78 minutes on the pitch, without creating a single chance for his teammates in that time.

A wasteful performance like that could see Nancy immediately remove him from the starting line-up, on top of it potentially being a sensible decision for tactical reasons.

If the Frenchman goes with the aforementioned 3-4-2-1, Kieran Tierney or Marcelo Saracchi would offer the width as the left wing-back and Celtic would need a player to play more centrally as a left-sided ten behind the striker, which is not Tounekti’s style.

Instead, those two ten roles may be more suited to Arne Engels, as explained in the linked article below, and Daizen Maeda. This, along with his performance against Kilmarnock, is why Nancy should instantly ditch Tounekti from the starting XI if and when he has his first game in charge.

Related Nancy could turn "world-class" Celtic star into the new Matt O'Riley

Celtic have a “world-class” star who could explode under Wilfried Nancy at Parkhead.

Posts ByDan Emery Nov 16, 2025

Celtic are consulting the managerial market in an attempt to bring in a new boss and are reportedly now ready to present a formal approach to their preferred candidate.

Undoubtedly, the feeling around Parkhead has changed dramatically in the last couple of weeks since Martin O’Neill was appointed in interim charge to lead the Scottish Premiership champions.

Joyous scenes against Falkirk and Rangers were tempered by a disappointing first-half collapse against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League last Thursday. However, Celtic signed off for the international break with a 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian to seven points.

Furthermore, a game in hand will serve as an opportunity to move within four points of the league leaders, though, who will be in charge to lead the Bhoys’ defence of the Scottish top-flight crown?

Wales boss Craig Bellamy has ruled himself out of the Celtic vacancy. Nevertheless, Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy is the latest name to enter the running after his strong start to the campaign at the League One outfit.

Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Nicky Hayen, and Efrain Juarez are also on the Bhoys’ radar. Meanwhile, Wilfried Nancy is the wildcard choice after his sterling work at Columbus Crew.

With several pivotal fixtures to come and off-field tension between supporters and the hierarchy continuing to linger, there is a feeling that Celtic must get this appointment right to move forward in unison.

Difficult away clashes against St Mirren, Feyenoord and Hibernian linger on the other side of the international break, so it is fair to say time if of the essence if the Bhoys are to bring someone into the fold on a full-time basis, and they may just be about to pull off that feat.

Celtic readying formal approach for Kjetil Knutsen

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic are readying an official approach for Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen after discovering that the 57-year-old is keen to take on a new challenge and is excited by the thought of taking over at Parkhead.

The report make it clear that he is still the standout foreign candidate, albeit the Bhoys also want an interview with Ipswich boss McKenna despite the fact Dermot Desmond may have to pay £5 million to secure him from Portman Road.

Kjetil Knutsen’s record at Bodo/Glimt

Wins

209

Draws

72

Losses

70

Trophies

Eliteserien x4

Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane, a former Celtic player, has yet to receive a phone call regarding the vacant position. Still, it is said that he would ‘sprint to the table if asked’ to succeed O’Neill at the helm of the Scottish champions.

The Bhoys want to come to a resolution by December at the latest and they could now be closer to finding their next permanent manager if Knutsen was able to finalise contract terms.

An alternative Celtic manager candidate has a secret release clause

Nevertheless, nothing is signed and sealed until ink physically exists on paper, so there is still a long way to go before supporters know who their next leader will be.

Rain again thwarts visitors’ push for victory on same day that they receive points deduction

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Sep-2025A bad day for Hampshire ended with them flirting with first division relegation after rain frustrated their attempt to beat Sussex at Hove.Only 21 overs were possible on the final day at the 1st Central County Ground and between the showers Sussex, who needed 278 to win, reached 84 for 3 before a final downpour at 4pm ended play with opener Tom Haines unbeaten on 40. Both teams took 11 points.That at least covered the eight points Hampshire had been deducted earlier in the day for preparing a poor pitch when Sussex won at the Utilita Bowl in May.Hampshire have a trip to Somerset next week before they finish the season at home to title-chasing Surrey.Having been up against it after two days, Sussex will be relieved with an outcome which stretches the gap between them and the bottom two. They host ninth-placed Yorkshire next week before finishing the season against the side currently bottom, Worcestershire, at New Road.After the entire third day was washed out, more rain delayed the start until 2pm, leaving Sussex 51 overs to score a further 241 at 4.7 runs per over.On a pitch which was becoming more comfortable to bat on, Hampshire needed to take every opportunity going but in the third over of the day wicketkeeper Ben Brown put down a chance low to his right offered by night watcher Sean Hunt off Kyle Abbott. In the next over Hunt edged Keith Barker between second and third slips.Just 27 minutes were possible before another shower drove the players off with six overs lost but Hampshire then struck twice in successive overs to give themselves hope. Hunt had done his job, using up 61 balls in making 19 before left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin pinned him lbw half forward.In the next over Barker picked up a deserved wicket when Ollie Carter was bowled by a delivery which nipped back onto his off stump. But only 8.4 overs more were bowled either side of tea before another downpour was quickly followed by handshakes on the dressing-room balcony.