Chelsea have received takeover interest from the Middle East amid a behind-scenes rift between Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly with a response given by the former, according to a new report.

Chelsea's mixed start to 2025/2026 under Enzo Maresca

Chelsea entered the campaign aiming to re-establish themselves as Premier League contenders and to make a strong impact in Europe, following what was a promising 2024/2025.

Enzo Maresca’s side qualified for the Champions League, won the UEFA Conference League and topped it off with a summer triumph at the Club World Cup, which banked the club a seismic £84 million in total prize money, according to the BBC.

However, there were real concerns surrounding Chelsea’s long-winded campaign and their inclusion in the controversial summer tournament, particularly around player fitness.

This appears to be coming to the forefront right now, with Maresca in the midst of a mini-injury crisis which has seen a host of key players sidelined, including almost all of their central defence for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool just prior to the international break.

Enzo Fernández

Knee

Unknown

Cole Palmer

Groin

November

Andrey Santos

Knock

Unknown

Dario Essugo

Thigh

Early 2026

Liam Delap

Hamstring

November

Levi Colwill

ACL

Spring 2026

via Standard Sport

Reece James caused a major scare when the right-back withdrew from England duty after an injury sustained against Liverpool too, but thankfully for Maresca, the decision was merely precautionary.

Chelsea’s much-needed wins over José Mourinho’s Benfica and Liverpool helped to calm suggestions of real tension between Maresca and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, with the Blues suffering a poor run of form between late August and late September.

Maresca’s side won just once in five games during that period — a nervy 2-1 victory away to Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup — and suffered humbling defeats against Bayern Munich, Man United and Brighton.

Chelsea really haven’t been helped by injuries and there are glaring weaknesses to address, particularly in defence, with BlueCo reportedly prioritising the signing of a star centre-back in January.

However, as per a new report by journalist Simon Phillips, Clearlake and the club’s ownership remain committed to the cause.

Clearlake respond to Middle East takeover approach over buying Chelsea

Phillips, via his Substack, reports that Chelsea have been subject to a takeover approach from the Middle East, with an unnamed consortium expressing interest in buying the club “outright.”

However, this enquiry to Clearlake was met with a clear response — Chelsea’s majority shares are not for sale.

Clearlake and Boehly have pumped hundreds of millions into Chelsea since their takeover from Roman Abramovich in 2022, particularly into new signings, and it would be a major shock to see either party sell-up now.

Even if a long-term acquisition is one to keep an eye on, Clearlake will surely want to end their tenure at the club by going out on a high with major silverware to look back on.

In stark contrast to this time last month, the mood around Chelsea at the moment is a good one.

Enzo Maresca has overseen three wins on the bounce, including an incredible result at home to defending Premier League champions Liverpool.

However, while the team has generally been performing well, there are a few players who continue to underwhelm.

One of those is undoubtedly Alejandro Garnacho, and therefore he should be dropped for someone previously compared to a young Callum Hudson Odoi.

Garnacho's slow start to life at Chelsea

It would be fair to say that the signing of Garnacho was not universally welcomed by the Chelsea support.

After all, while he’s an undeniably talented footballer, he doesn’t have the best of reputations and left Manchester United on poor terms.

Unfortunately, while there have been glimpses of the talent who racked up 21 goal involvements for a terrible Red Devils side last season, they have been nothing more than that, glimpses.

Garnacho in 24/25
Appearances	58
Minutes	3568′
Goals	11
Assists	10
Goal Involvements per Match	0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvements	169.90′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Overall, the Argentine international has been somewhat disappointing, as in his six appearances thus far, totalling 273 minutes, he has produced a grand total of zero goals and zero assists.

Worse yet, while some of the games have been against top opposition, he also failed to turn up in the EFL Cup game against Lincoln City and offered very little against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

In fact, he was so underwhelming against the Tricky Trees, that he was taken off at half-time with a combined expected goal and assist figure of just 0.01, no key passes, just seven accurate passes, zero shots and a match rating of 3/10 from the Standard’s Dom Smith, who wrote that he ‘ran down blind alleys and failed to produce anything dangerous.

In short, Garnacho is showing no sign of improving, and therefore, Maresca should take him out of the team for the game against Ajax.

The player who should replace Garnacho

Two names might stand out as potential replacements for Garancho against Ajax: Jamie Gittens and Estevao.

Chalkboard

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

However, the former has arguably been just as disappointing so far this season, and the latter is primarily a right-sided player and deserves another start in his favoured position.

Therefore, Maresca should do what he did against Benfica and bring Tyrique George in from the start, but instead of playing him up top, put him out on the left.

Now, it would be fair to say that the young Englishman hasn’t exactly blown anyone away this year, but it’s equally true that he has shown more in his limited minutes than the former United star.

For example, he was the one who saved the club from a massively embarrassing defeat to Lincoln by scoring and assisting a goal.

On top of that, he has also simply looked more engaged and threatening in games, which could be down to him being an academy graduate or him having a better attitude.

Moreover, despite being just 18 years old at the start of last season, the academy gem, who respected analyst Ben Mattinson once described as a “young Hudson-Odoi,” was able to amass a tally of three goal involvements in 12 Conference League appearances.

Finally, while Ajax are not going to be pushovers, they are also going to be one of the easier Champions League opponents the West Londoners face this season, so it makes sense to give youth players a run-out in these fixtures.

Ultimately, George might not end up being a better player than Garnacho, but at the moment, he is offering far more, and therefore, MarEsca should start him against the Dutch giants.

Chelsea have a "joke of a footballer" and he's now just "like Cole Palmer"

The Chelsea star is becoming as crucial to Enzo Maresca’s side as Cole Palmer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 21, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Internacional por 3 a 0 neste sábado (11), na Arena Barueri, pela 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Os gols da partida foram marcados por Zé Rafael, Endrick e Rony.

FICHA TÉCNICA
Campeonato Brasileiro – 34ª rodada
Palmeiras 3 x 0 Internacional

Data e horário:sábado, 11 de novembro de 2023, às 21h (de Brasília)
Local:Arena Barueri, em Barueri (SP)
Arbitragem:Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (Fifa-MG)(árbitro);Guilherme Dias Camilo (Fifa-MG) e Felipe Alan Costa de Oliveira(auxiliares);Vinicius Goncalves Dias Araujo (SP)(quarto árbitro);Marco Aurelio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira (MG)(VAR)
Cartões amarelos:Murilo, Dalbert, Aránguiz, Alan Patrick
Gols:Zé Rafael (1-0) (37’/1T), Endrick (2-0) (14’/2T), Rony (3-0) (43’/2T)

PALMEIRAS (Técnico: Abel Ferreira)
Weverton; Murilo, Luan (Naves, após o intervalo) e Marcos Rocha; Mayke, Richard Ríos, Zé Rafael, Raphael Veiga (Artur, aos 44’/2T) e Piquerez; Breno Lopes (Vanderlan, aos 18’/2T) e Endrick (Rony, aos 18’/2T).

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Eduardo Coudet)
Rochet; Bustos, Igor Gomes, Vitão e Dalbert (Nicolás Hernández, aos 32’/1T); Johnny (Carlos de Pena, aos 34’/2T), Aránguiz (Rômulo, após o intervalo), Maurício (Pedro Henrique, aos 33’/2T) e Alan Patrick; Wanderson e Enner Valência (Luiz Adriano, aos 18’/2T).

KSCA is looking at alternative venues, including its own facility in Alur as well as the Wadeyar Ground in Mysuru

Shashank Kishore01-Aug-2025

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is one of the venues for the Women’s ODI World Cup later this year•BCCI

The Bengaluru police is yet to give clearance to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host the Maharaja T20, the state’s franchise-based T20 competition, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament is scheduled from August 11 to 27.The non-clearance by police is primarily due to the ongoing investigation into the June 4 stampede around the Chinnaswamy premises during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. An independent state police crime branch investigation into the incident, which resulted in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries, is ongoing.Anticipating potential hurdles, the KSCA had announced on July 11 that the Maharaja T20 would be played behind closed doors. The association is now looking at alternative venues, including its own facility in Alur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, as well as the Wadeyar Ground in Mysuru. While Alur has excellent drainage and infrastructure, the absence of floodlights and spectator seating is an issue, especially for broadcasters and franchises.Related

Venkatesh Prasad: 'Want to bring cricket back to Chinnaswamy'

Karnataka government holds RCB accountable for stampede

Deaths, injuries to fans mar RCB's homecoming

Probe deems Chinnaswamy 'unsafe' for large events

As things stand, Alur is set to host the group matches of the six-day women’s competition – the Maharani T20 – from August 4. The KSCA was considering the idea of hosting the women’s final at the Chinnaswamy, but that seems unlikely with police approvals yet to come.While the KSCA grapples with the possibility of a late venue switch, the franchises have voiced frustration and concern about the financial losses they now face. They have already made hotel bookings for players and staff on the understanding that the entire tournament would be held in central Bengaluru (Chinnaswamy).The issue puts the KSCA in a tough spot. Bengaluru is also the venue for the opening game of the women’s ODI World Cup, as well as one semi-final and possibly the final. India play Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on September 30. The Chinnaswamy is also set to host two warm-up games ahead of the competition.Last week, a one-man committee appointed by the Karnataka government to investigate the stampede deemed the Chinnaswamy “unsafe” for large-scale events. The commission “strongly recommended” that large-scale events be relocated to venues that are “better suited” to handle significant crowds.India’s domestic season-opening Duleep Trophy will be played entirely at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The board had earlier considered hosting the final at the Chinnaswamy, but those plans were cancelled owing to preparations at the venue for the women’s World Cup.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are targeting Gary O’Neil as a replacement for Vitor Pereira, and the former manager’s stance on a return has been revealed.

The 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday spelled the end for Pereira, with his side putting in yet another disappointing performance, barely laying a glove on the Cottagers and recording a total xG of just 0.24.

Moreover, the Old Gold were also very poor at the opposite end of the pitch, conceding three goals, which means they now have the worst defensive record in the league.

As such, it is no surprise that Fosun finally had enough and sacked the 57-year-old, who penned a new three-year contract less than two months ago, with Wolves’ Premier League status now under serious threat.

After the latest defeat, which was their eighth in ten Premier League games, the Wanderers are now eight points from safety, leaving the new manager with a lot of work to do to dig them out of the relegation zone.

Gary O'Neil pulls out of Wolves manager race

According to an update from reliable reporter John Percy on X, Wolves entered “advanced talks” to appoint O’Neil, who emerged as a “very strong contender” for the job.

However, the former Old Gold boss has on Monday evening withdrawn himself from the running.

Appointing a manager who was sacked less than 12 months ago could be viewed as a backwards step, and the ex-AFC Bournemouth boss doesn’t have the greatest of records in the Premier League, averaging a little over one point per game.

Games

88

Wins

25

Draws

16

Losses

47

Points per match

1.03

However, the Beckenham-born manager does have experience in relegation battles, successfully guiding the Cherries to safety in the 2022-23 campaign after taking over from Scott Parker, before going on to secure a 14th-place finish with Wolves the following season.

Percy also hailed O’Neil for the job he did at Molineux, after taking over from Julen Lopetegui at a difficult time.

In truth, with Wolves eight points from safety, top managers are unlikely to be queuing up for the job, so to miss out on their former boss is a blow.

Wolves also targeting Brendan Rodgers as Vitor Pereira replacement Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

The Old Gold have made a very poor start to the season.

2 ByDominic Lund Oct 29, 2025

Tottenham are believed to be in the market for new forwards as we slowly approach the January transfer window, as co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange reportedly set their sights on a La Liga star.

Thomas Frank has led the north Londoners to a solid start this season, even if there are some concerns surrounding their general creativity in open play.

Spurs succumbed to a dismal 1-0 loss at home to Chelsea in their last Premier League match and failed to lay a single glove on the away side — attempting just one shot on target all game as a frustrated Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence snubbed Frank’s handshake at full-time.

Frank’s men went off to a chorus of boos and were largely chastised for their toothless display, but a 4-0 midweek rout of FC Copenhagen in the Champions League came as a much-needed hangover cure as van de Ven sent a clear message with his Puskas Award contender.

Summer signing Xavi Simons, who’s faced wave after wave of criticism since joining in a £52 million deal from RB Leipzig, put in a Player of the Match performance too. Simons also perhaps should’ve had even more assists to show for his efforts, with Randal Kolo Muani missing two glaring chances after being set up by the Dutchman on both occasions.

While Spurs made a serious statement with their display against Copenhagen, this one-off attacking masterclass shouldn’t paper over the cracks too much.

According to recent reports, Paratici and Lange could attack the January market in search of final third reinforcements, with Tottenham described by some as the favourites to sign former Brentford star Ivan Toney on a loan-to-buy deal.

1. Cristian Romero

£42.5m

2. Dejan Kulusevski

£25.5m

3. Rodrigo Bentancur

£21.5m

4. Pedro Porro

£40m

5. Djed Spence

£20m

Journalist Mark Brus also reported earlier this week that Paratici is working on a behind-the-scenes deal for Brentford’s Kevin Schade, with a winger seen as one of the club’s top priorities heading into winter.

Now, as per Spanish media sources, one of the names they’re considering is Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo.

Takefusa Kubo wants to join Tottenham with Spurs prepared to pay release clause

Indeed, Kubo has apparently emerged as a priority target for Lange and Paratici.

According to reports from Spain, Tottenham are now prepared to match the £53 million release clause in Kubo’s contract, signaling their serious interest in bringing him to the Premier League. Kubo also views Tottenham as an ideal next step in his career, and one which could offer him the “competitive boost he so desires”.

The 24-year-old, who joined Sociedad from Real Madrid in 2022 after failing to break through at the Bernabeu, has been subject to “several” failed transfer attempts from Spurs in recent years, but the club are now “determined to go all out” for his signature.

Interestingly, this potential transfer could give Spurs huge commercial gains in the Asian market once again following the departure of South Korean icon Son Heung-min last summer, with Kubo having a large fan base of his own in Japan.

On the field, Kubo has racked up 24 goals and 18 assists in 146 total appearances for Sociedad, fairly modest numbers, but his versatility could be very attractive from Frank’s perspective.

The winger also has fantastic one-v-one ability, completing more successful take-ons per 90 than any other Sociedad player in La Liga last season with an impressive 2.1 per game (WhoScored) — which is also more than any Spurs player managed in 2024/2025.

What’s more, former Mallorca CEO Maheta Molango tipped Kubo to become an eventual superstar during his loan spell there in 2019/2020.

أصدر نادي باريس سان جيرمان بيانًا ناريًا فيما يخص نجم فريق ريال مدريد، كيليان مبابي، بسبب تصاعد النزاع القضائي بينهما، بعدما عُقدت جلسة استماع بين الطرفين أمس.

وتصاعدت حدة النزاع القضائي بين باريس سان جيرمان وكيليان مبابي والتي بدأت منذ رحيل الفرنسي بشكل مجاني إلى ريال مدريد في صيف 2024.

وطلب مبابي من باريس سان جيرمان الحصول على تعويض يتجاوز 260 مليون يورو، بينما طالب الطرف الآخر بمبلغ قدره 60 مليون يورو كتعويض، إلى جانب مبلغ آخر يبلغ 180 مليون يورو (لمطالعة التفاصيل كاملة من هنا).

من جانبه، أصدر باريس سان جيرمان بيانًا رسميًا، جاء به: “مثلنا اليوم أمام مجلس Prud’hommes في باريس من أجل الاعتراف بالأضرار الكبيرة التي لحقت بالنادي نتيجة للانتهاك الخطير من قبل كيليان مبابي فيما يخص التزاماته التعاقدية الملزمة قانونًا والمبادئ الأساسية لحسن النية والولاء”.

وأضاف: “يود النادي أن يؤكد مجددًا أنه، على مدار أكثر من عام، بذل كل ما في وسعه من أجل التوصل إلى حل ودي يُمكن جميع الأطراف من المضي قدمًا، بما يتماشى مع علاقة التعاون والثقة التي ينبغي أن تكون بين النادي ولاعبه”.

وواصل: “وساهمت المناشدات العديدة المقدمة في إطار هذا النزاع في التوصل إلى اتفاق ودي، وهو ما سعى إليه النادي دائمًا بحسن نية، ولكن على الرغم من هذه الجهود المتكررة، واصل السيد مبابي مهاجمة النادي في كل مناسبة، بما في ذلك خلال الإجراءات المتخذة اليوم، وهو وضع مؤسف للاعب نفسه وللكرة الفرنسية ككل”.

وأردف: “لقد قدمنا أمام المحكمة أدلة تثبت أن اللاعب تصرف بطريقة غير مخلصة عن طريق إخفاء قراره بعدم تجديد عقده لمدة 11 شهرًا تقريبًا، بين يوليو 2022 ويونيو 2023، وبالتالي حرمان النادي من أي إمكانية لترتيب عملية انتقاله”.

واستكمل: “وتساءل اللاعب بعد ذلك عن الاتفاق الذي تم التوصل إليه مع النادي، في أغسطس 2023، والذي ينص على تخفيض راتبه إذا قرر الرحيل بحرية، من أجل الحفاظ على الاستقرار المالي للنادي بعد الاستثمار المالي الاستثنائي الذي قامت به الإدارة”.

واسترسل: “وقد تسبب هذا الإخفاء، إلى جانب الطعن في هذا الاتفاق الواضح والموثق، في أضرار جسيمة لـ باريس سان جيرمان، وهو ما ينوي النادي المطالبة به أمام السلطات المختصة، كما أن هذا السلوك يُظهر، إلى جانب اللامبالاة بالوضع المالي للنادي، إساءة للثقة التي منحها إياه باريس سان جيرمان، والتي حرص اللاعب على تعزيزها بتصريحاته، كما حدث في 3 يناير 2024، عندما صرّح في المنطقة المختلطة بعد مباراة باريس سان جيرمان في بارك دي برانس (لم أتخذ قرارًا بعد، ولكن بالاتفاق الذي توصلت إليه مع الرئيس هذا الصيف، ومهما كان خياري، فقد نجحنا في حماية جميع الأطراف والحفاظ على استقرار النادي في مواجهة التحديات المقبلة، وهو الأهم، قراري يُعد ثانويًا)”.

وشدد: “كما ينفي النادي بشكل قاطع أي نوع من المضايقات أو الضغوط، مشيرًا إلى أن اللاعب شارك في أكثر من 94% من المباريات الرسمية لموسم 2023/2024، وأن غياباته كانت لأسباب رياضية، واتخذ هذه القرارات المدرب الذي فاز مع الفريق بدوري أبطال أوروبا، والذي لطالما التزم بميثاق كرة القدم الاحترافية”.

There were also call-ups for legspinner Shariz Ahmed and left-arm pacer Ben Fletcher

Mohammad Isam20-Aug-2025Vikramjit Singh is one of three players poised to make a return into the Netherlands squad for their three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, to be held later this month. The left-handed opener wasn’t in the side during their T20 World Cup qualifiers at home, having last played in the tri-series in Glasgow in June.Apart from Vikramjit, there were call-ups for legspinner Shariz Ahmed and left-arm pacer Ben Fletcher, who also last played in the Glasgow tri-series. Shariz returns after his last international in Muscat last year.Left-arm quick Fred Klaassen and left-arm spinner Tim Pringle have also been included in the squad, with both having last appeared for Netherlands in the format in 2024.Netherlands will be without experienced allrounders Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe, both having excelled with the ball during the World Cup qualifiers. Batter Michael Levitt misses out, as do Zach Lion-Cachet and Hidde Overdijk.Netherlands, however, have most of their squad members from the previous assignment. Captain Scott Edwards is their batting lynchpin, along with Max O’Dowd, who top-scored for Netherlands in the T20 World Cup qualifier.Pacer Kyle Klein, who took seven wickets in the qualifiers, is in the squad alongside Paul van Meekeren and Aryan Dutt. Shariz is also an interesting choice, if he can master the conditions in Sylhet, where the three T20Is will be played on August 30, and September 1 and 3.IN: Vikramjit Singh, Shariz Ahmed, Ben Fletcher, Fred Klaassen, Tim PringleOUT: Bas de Leede, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Hidde Overdijk, Roelof van der MerweNetherlands squad: Scott Edwards (capt, wk), Noah Croes, Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Saqib Zulfiqar, Ryan Klein, Kyle Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Shariz Ahmad, Ben Fletcher, Daniel Doram, Fred Klaassen, Tim Pringle

The Portugal U16 women’s national team experienced the surprise of a lifetime as they came face-to-face with Cristiano Ronaldo and the senior men’s squad during a special visit to training. The young players were left speechless as they stood only steps away from their idols, witnessing the global icons up close in a heart-warming moment that instantly went viral.

• Portugal U16 Women's team meet Ronaldo and Co.

  The Portugal U16 girls’ team were invited to watch the senior men’s national team train during the current international camp. The session quickly turned unforgettable when Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and the rest of the senior squad made their way over to greet the young players. The girls, visibly stunned as the stars approached, reacted with wide-eyed smiles, nervous laughter and complete disbelief as they met the players they had grown up admiring.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Ronaldo closing in on his final year with Portugal

  For the U16 girls, meeting Ronaldo was particularly emotional, given the forward’s status as the country’s greatest sporting icon and the inspiration behind countless youth careers across Portugal. The entire event was captured on camera, showing the young team freezing in awe before gradually breaking into excitement as each senior player greeted them.

  The timing of the encounter also adds significance, as Ronaldo is nearing the final chapter of his legendary international journey. The 40-year-old has publicly stated he expects the 2026 World Cup to be his sixth and final tournament, marking an extraordinary milestone no other male footballer has reached. Despite his age, he remains a key figure in Portugal’s squad and continues to score at an elite level, proving he still has much to offer in the national colours.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Ronaldo meeting to serve as motivation for the future

  Beyond his on-field achievements, Ronaldo has spoken openly in recent interviews about preparing for life after football. He admitted that retirement is “soon,” saying he expects to step away from the sport within one or two years and focus more on his family, hobbies, and business ventures. His perspective reflects how long he has lived in football’s spotlight and how meeting young players today represents passing the torch to the next generation.

  For the U16 girls’ team, the experience is likely to serve as long-lasting motivation as they continue their national-team development. They now return to their training camp with newfound inspiration and a firsthand glimpse of the professionalism, charisma and humility that define Portugal’s biggest stars.

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• Portugal prepare for WC26 qualifier with Ireland

  For Ronaldo and the senior squad, focus now shifts back to sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Portugal need a win on Friday against Ireland to qualify, and the veteran icon is determined to make his final tournament one to remember. As retirement moves closer, Ronaldo’s influence off the pitch becomes just as meaningful, and interactions like this show the lasting legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Suzie Bates staged a batting masterclass as Durham beat Somerset by 105 runs in a one-sided Metro Bank One Day Cup contest at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.The 37-year-old Kiwi registered a superb career-best innings of 163, eclipsing her previous highest List-A score of 151 made for New Zealand against Ireland in Dublin in 2018, as Durham raised an imposing 315 for 9 after winning the toss. At her imperious best, Bates amassed 18 fours and three sixes and shared in stands of 71 with Hollie Armitage, 66 with Beth Heath and 78 with Phoebe Turner for the second, fifth and sixth wickets respectively to make it a day to forget for Somerset’s bowlers, who conceded 38 boundaries in all.The pick of Durham’s bowlers, Phoebe Turner claimed 3 for 45, Katie Levick took 3 for 57 and Mady Villiers 3 for 30 as Somerset were dismissed for 210 in 40.2 overs, Jess Hazell top-scoring with a 55-ball 50 and Bex Odgers contributing 47 in a losing cause.There was little evidence of what was to come when Mollie Robbins had Emma Marlow held at backward point with the score on 22 in the fifth over. Initially playing and missing on a surface offering early assistance to seam, Bates had to wait six overs to post a boundary, scoring the majority of her runs in an arc between point and third man as she battled to establish herself.But Somerset’s seamers found the going tougher thereafter, Bates and Armitage posting a 50 stand in 56 balls to build momentum and advance the score to 93-1 inside 20 overs. Only when Somerset turned to spin, did they begin to make headway, Chloe Skelton bowling Armitage and Emily Windsor and Liv Barnes having Mady Villiers stumped, three wickets falling in four overs as the visitors lurched to 107 for 4.Beth Heath announced herself by plundering sixes at the expense of Alex Griffiths and Elllie Anderson as Durham quickly reasserted themselves, the fifth wicket realising 50 in just 39 balls as the pendulum swung back again. By the time the hard-hitting Heath chopped on and lost leg stump to Laura Jackson, she had contributed a run-a-ball 32 and helped force the home bowlers onto the back foot once more.Having raised 50 from 64 deliveries, Bates then moved up through the gears, dominating a partnership of 78 with Phoebe Turner, who expertly rotated the strike in contributing 25. By now hitting through the ball cleanly, Bates moved to three figures via 112 balls, raising that landmark with a leg-side single off Mollie Robbins. By the time Anderson had Turner held in the deep, Durham were 251 for 6 in the 45th and flying.Bates lifted Robbins over the rope behind square to equal the 148 she scored for Hampshire against Warwickshire at Basingstoke in 2018 – her highest score in England – and then hit the same bowler over the mid-wicket boundary to go to 150 in fine style.Having faced 140 balls and scored more than her team’s runs, Bates succumbed in the 48th over, holing out to short fine leg off the bowling of Laura Jackson with the score 290 for 7. Even then there was no respite for the hosts, lusty hitting from Katherine Fraser and Sophia Turner serving to carry Durham out of sight.Somerset made a decent start to their reply, reaching 49 for the loss of Niamh Holland in 10 overs, but their progress was slowed by spin thereafter, Katie Levick and Villiers restricting scoring to build pressure and force the required rate up above seven an over for the first time. Villiers then struck an important blow, pinning Sophie Luff in the crease for 19 with the score 75 for 2.Odgers had played nicely in raising three sixes and a brace of fours and advancing her score to 47 when she was bowled by a startling Phoebe Turner yorker. Turner struck again later in the same over, Fraser taking off to hold a brilliant diving catch at backward point and send back Fran Wilson as the home side slipped to 88 for 4 in the 18th.When Fraser found the outside edge and Griffiths was caught at the wicket, Somerset were 108 for 5 in the 23rd, requiring a further 208 to win at just under eight an over. It proved too big an ask, despite Hazell and Jackson staging a defiant sixth wicket stand of 53 to hold up Durham and deny them a bonus point.