Lionel Messi is perhaps the best footballer to ever walk the planet and Aston Villa may well have had the new version of the great Argentine once upon a time. Fancy that, eh?

Scoring 737 times at club level with 109 goals for his country, and winning eight Ballon d’Or trophies, he was pretty damn good. The Barcelona legend finally won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, with many marking this occasion as the moment he became the undisputed best of all time.

With such high-profile names, many young players coming through the pipeline at the same club get bundled with expectation to become “the next” version of that player, which often hurts their progression, and puts an unfair pressure on young shoulders.

This has happened to many Premier League youngsters in recent years, with Charly Musonda at Chelsea, Adnan Januzaj at Manchester United, and even Rhian Brewster at Liverpool.

However, there’s one example who played at Villa Park many moons ago…

The early years of Adama Traore

Adama Traore is another player that suffered from this early labeling as “the next Messi”, being at Barcelona.

The 20-year-old (at the time) was compared to Messi when coming through the Barcelona ranks, and was told he was “the fastest in the club”.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

The “speed king” as he was dubbed by the Daily Mail, showed huge promise at a young age, beating players at his own peril. However, the end product had to improve to take a step forward, as Traore made the move from Barcelona to Aston Villa aged 20, for a reported £7m fee.

The winger only managed 12 appearances for the Villans’ first team, scoring once and assisting once in his 262 minutes played.

After not only being at the club for a year, the Spanish winger made the switch to Middlesbrough, joining them for around €8.25m (£7m), which is less than Villa bought him for just one year prior.

Adama's Traore's numbers since leaving Villa

Since leaving Villa back in 2016, Traore’s main problem has always remained, he has all the ability and physical traits to beat his man and get into dangerous areas, but the decision-making and final product continue to lack quality.

Traore has played for several clubs since leaving Villa Park behind, enjoying a two-year stay with Middlesbrough, before moving to Wolves, where he found a home for five years, making 194 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing 18 assists.

Adama Traore G/A over the years
Year	Goals	Assists
15/16	1	1
16/17	0	1
17/18	5	12
18/19	1	3
19/20	6	12
20/21	3	2
21/22	1	4
22/23	3	1
23/24	2	3
Stats taken from Transfermarkt

The 28-year-old also spent a short loan spell on loan with Barcelona during 2022, returning to his ex-club, before leaving Wolves permanently in 2023, to join Fulham on a free transfer.

As you can see from the stats, Traore always struggled to put up consistent goal/assist numbers, only achieving 10+ in two seasons, the highest after that being five G/A in multiple seasons (20/21, 21/22, 23/24). His best season came for Wolves in 19/20, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists in 3,838 minutes.

Looking at the career Traore went on to have, Villa won’t be too disappointed about their decision to sell him, but there will always be a huge “what if” factor around the rapid winger, if he could have added extra quality to his end product, to match that frightening build and speed.

Sold for £15m: Aston Villa hit gold over star who's now worth millions less

They sold him for just £15m

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 26, 2024

Well, Liverpool are back on track. It’s been a brilliant start to the Arne Slot era on Merseyside, with the Reds top of the Premier League – for now – and still buzzing from their midweek win at the San Siro against AC Milan in the Champions League.

Bournemouth employ an aggressive and exciting strategy under Andoni Iraola, and though they scared Liverpool with an early goal that was ruled out by VAR for offside, their efforts to hurt the Anfield hosts were paid for dearly, squashed like cherries.

Long regarded as a player of immense quality, Luis Diaz has frustrated some due to his lack of end product, but he bagged another brace this weekend to extend his fine run of goalscoring form to five goals and an assist from as many top-flight fixtures under Slot’s guidance.

21/09/24

Bournemouth (H)

Premier League

3-0 win

17/09/24

AC Milan (A)

Champions League

3-1 win

14/09/2024

Nott’m Forest (H)

Premier League

1-0 loss

01/09/24

Man United (A)

Premier League

3-0 win

25/08/24

Brentford (H)

Premier League

2-0 win

17/08/24

Ipswich Town (A)

Premier League

2-0 win

The Colombian, aged 27, is making significant strides under his new gaffer, having complemented his clinical strike rate with an average of two dribbles, 1.6 key passes and 4.8 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

He stepped into the limelight for his quickfire double against Bournemouth, but this certainly should not detract from the effort of Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park,

Ryan Gravenberch is thriving for Liverpool

Gravenberch operates with a kind of string-pulling way about him in Slot’s Liverpool. The 22-year-old reads the game so well, moves with balletic grace and knows exactly when – and where – to stroke passes forward.

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

5 (5)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

0

Touches*

28.8

81.2

Pass completion

83%

88%

Key passes*

0.6

0.4

Ball recoveries*

2.8

6.8

Dribbles (completed)*

0.9 (51%)

1.2 (60%)

Tackles + interceptions

1.5

4.2

Total Duels won*

2.8 (47%)

6.0 (59%)

He is now the Anfield side’s nailed-in number six, with Wataru Endo scarcely getting a look this term, and the table above highlights exactly why Slot has put so much faith in his robust compatriot.

Gravenberch signed for Liverpool in a £34m deal from Bayern Munich last summer after failing to break into the German giants’ starting side. He was Klopp’s final signing.

But the English side didn’t quite get bang for their buck. He ebbed and flowed and failed to spark the consistency required. Now, he’s reborn and looking like one of the finest players in the Premier League.

Ibrahima Konate is becoming undroppable for Slot

When Jarell Quansah received the nod over Konate on the opening day of the term, it felt like a significant show of faith in the homegrown talent’s qualities.

The 21-year-old had started ten of the final 15 Premier League matches under Jurgen Klopp, who clearly favoured him over his French positional peer, who had fallen from form like a rock off a cliff.

Make no mistake, Quansah is shaping into an elite young defender, hailed as an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for one redoubtable display against Arsenal last season, but Konate is the real deal and will not be permanently displaced. At his titanic best, he is one of the finest in the business.

Since Quansah was withdrawn at halftime on the opening day, with Liverpool struggling against Ipswich Town’s intense press and, as Slot put it, failing to win enough duels, Konate has been moored at the rear beside skipper Virgil van Dijk.

He scored Liverpool’s opening goal at the San Siro in midweek to restore parity in the first half and has carried that attacking quality into domestic action after lashing a ranged pass into space, behind the high Bournemouth line, which Diaz collected calmly, rounded Kepa, slotted home.

The 26-year-old’s ball-playing faculty sets him apart from the lion’s share of top defenders in the Premier League. Indeed, as per FBref, Konate ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 22% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Against Bournemouth on Saturday, Konate was an impressive attacking outlet from the back, claiming an assist, succeeding with eight attempted long balls and ludicrously taking 125 touches, more than any other player on the field. For reference, Van Dijk remarkably took 55 touches.

He wasn’t just an offensive dimension from deep though. Konate thrived in his defensive application, winning all four of his aerial battles, making five clearances, blocking two shots and making just one foul, highlighting his cool and composed approach.

The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle was certainly impressed with his display, awarding the Frenchman with an 8/10 match rating and writing: ‘Caused Kelleher concern with one overhit pass before better long ball sent Diaz away for opener. Defended stoutly second half. Booked.’

With West Ham United travelling to Anfield on Wednesday evening to clash in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Konate may well find that he is pulled back to the bench to usher in Quansah, who deserves another chance to shine.

But Slot knows who his star man is alongside Van Dijk. Konate was every bit as good as the likes of Diaz and Gravenberch in the Premier League this weekend, and he is now undroppable in the Premier League.

With more performances like that one, Liverpool might just be more than an outlier in this slowly brewing title race.

95 touches, 100% dribbles: Liverpool's 8/10 star was as unplayable as Diaz

The Reds returning to winning ways in the Premier League…

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 21, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Titular do Confiança na última temporada e confirmado no clube para 2022, o meia-atacante Willians Santana quer um ótimo ano no clube sergipano. Segundo o jogador, seu desejo é buscar números expressivos no Azulão.

RelacionadasSportAndré relembra passagem conturbada pelo SportSport07/01/2022Athletico ParanaenseDe olho na estreia do estadual, Athletico trabalha no CT do CajuAthletico Paranaense07/01/2022NáuticoHélio dos Anjos satisfeito com elenco do NáuticoNáutico07/01/2022

– Estou muito motivado para essa próxima temporada. Tenho certeza que será um grande ano para mim e para todos no elenco. Vou trabalhar muito para melhorar ainda mais meus números neste ano de 2022 – disse.

Segundo Santana, o grupo que vem sendo formado é muito forte e tem tudo para ter uma grande temporada.

– Tenho certeza que o elenco vai fazer uma grande temporada em 2022. Vamos batalhar para ter um ano positivo e que termine com o acesso do clube para a Série B – completou.

Real Madrid have made somewhat of a habit of buying Tottenham’s star players over the years, having previously splashed out on both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.

Now, they’ve got their eyes on more Spurs stars. One of those is defender Cristian Romero, according to reports last month. A Spanish outlet reported that Madrid had sent their chief scout Juni Calafat to watch both Romero and Arsenal defender William Saliba play in the North London Derby.

The Frenchman came out on top, with Mikel Arteta’s side winning 1-0 on the day thanks to a second-half goal from Gabriel. The Spanish giants consider both Romero and Saliba to have “enormous potential” and believe they “could fit into the Real Madrid project.”

Real Madrid interested in Porro as well as Romero

Romero isn’t the only Spurs player Madrid currently have their eyes on. According to The Mirror, the 15-times European Champions are also interested in signing full-back Pedro Porro. The Spanish defender joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth around £40 million in January 2023 and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s top full-backs and a key player in Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The Mirror add that Porro “remains a focal part of Postecoglou’s plans and Daniel Levy is expected to drive a hard bargain, should Los Blancos come calling”.

The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana previously stated that while Madrid admire Porro, Spurs chairman Levy could be a roadblock in luring the former Manchester City defender to the Spanish capital in the near future.

“The most significant obstacles to any potential move are that he has a contract until summer 2028 and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is known to be a tough negotiator — something executives at the Bernabeu are well aware of, with Madrid having previously signed Luka Modric and Gareth Bale from the north London club,” he explained.

Porro open to Real Madrid move

While Spurs fans will no doubt be hoping they can keep hold of Porro, comments from the player himself suggest that they might not be able to if Madrid came knocking. Speaking with Relevo last week, Porro was asked how it feels to be linked with Madrid.

He replied: “It fills you with excitement, doesn’t it? You have to focus on your work, but the fact that Real Madrid is interested in you is because you are doing things well. That’s how I think about it on a day-to-day basis.”

Related Spurs want to sign £30m "wonderkid" who's better than Brennan Johnson

Tottenham are looking at strengthening their forward line.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Oct 13, 2024

“Well, if that moment has to come, it will come. And if it doesn’t, well, I’ll just keep working as I have been doing,” he added.

Asked if he sees himself playing for Los Blancos one day, Porro, on £85,000-a-week with Spurs, said: “Yes. Obviously, because as I told you, I try to work and give my best every day. If I get the chance to make that leap tomorrow, I’ll be prepared.”

Manchester City winger Jack Grealish took to Instagram to pay tribute to Kyle Walker as the defender heads for a fresh start at AC Milan.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Grealish honours Walker after loan exitDescribes the defender as his 'brother for life'Fresh start expected at AC MilanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Grealish posted a number of pictures of the pair together over the last few years, making clear his feeling for his team-mate and friend, who is already tipped to stay permanently at Milan next season.

AdvertisementWHAT JACK GREALISH SAID

Grealish captioned his post: "What an absolute LEGEND! I wish you all the best on your next chapter skip!! Been a pleasure to play with you these last 4 years! My brother for life."

Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Walker, having struggled for form this season at the same time as dealing with problems in his personal life, will finish the season at Milan, where he will wear the number 32 shirt in honour of David Beckham. But the deal includes an option to make it a permanent transfer in the summer, with Walker seemingly hoping it will represent a new chapter beyond just the football.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT?

While Walker waits for an Italian work permit, life at Manchester City goes on. After a dramatic Champions league defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, having been 2-0 up in the second half, Pep Guardiola's side host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday evening. City have won three of their last four league games to end a blip that set in in November, but it will be a tough test following the nature of the PSG setback.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has gone viral after reacting angrily to a BBC reporter's question about his side's performance against Everton.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Spurs lose 3-2 to Everton
• Postecoglou reacts angrily to defeat
• Spurs sit 15th in Premier League

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs succumbed to yet another dismal defeat in the Premier League as they lost 3-2 to Everton at Goodison Park – prompting calls for the Australian to be dismissed. The hosts stormed into a 3-0 lead before the whistle for half-time was blown and, despite a couple of late consolation goals, sealed the result for David Moyes' first win back in charge of the Toffees.

  Speaking to after the game, the Spurs boss was asked: "Ange, familiar story, what are your assessments of that performance, please?”

  Postecoglou fired back, asking: "Familiar story?”

  The reporter clarified he meant "in terms of defeat," before the Spurs boss said angrily: "Yeah okay, great way to start an interview.”

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID ABOUT THE GAME

  On the result, Postecoglou added: "It was a tough result for us. Obviously in the first half we struggled to get control of the game. I made some changes in the team that probably weren't helpful in the end. I had players struggling to come to terms with it. Everton then capitalised on it. In the second half, the players put in the right response and you know, credit to them but we fell short."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Spurs have struggled with injuries throughout the season, particularly in the centre of their defence, but Postecoglou will know he is on borrowed time. Their victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final has given the Australian a sliver of hope, but defeat in the return leg and elimination from the competition could prove to be the final nail in Postecoglou's coffin. Of course, there is every chance that Postecoglou will not be in charge by the time of that game on February 6.

New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge, losing just two games in all competitions so far this season.

The Italian has only suffered defeats against Manchester City and Servette, with his side currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

As a result, the Blues currently sit fourth in the Premier League, sitting just four points off current leaders Liverpool – an example of the excellent work conducted by the 44-year-old since his appointment during the off-season.

Maresca has been rewarded with the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for September, following a run of three wins and a draw.

However, his recent success is largely down to one player who has starred in West London since his own move to the club last summer.

Cole Palmer’s stats in 2024/25

After joining Chelsea in a £40m deal from Manchester City last season, Cole Palmer wasted no time in demonstrating his talents, registering a total of 33 combined goals and assists in the league – the most of any player in the division.

The 22-year-old was subsequently handed the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award for his efforts in 2023/24, but he’s taken his game to the next level in the opening months of the new season.

Palmer has already registered six goals and five assists in his first seven league outings – including a four-goal haul against Brighton, which saw him become the first player in the league’s history to score four times in the first half of a match.

Like Maresca, the attacker has been recognised for his impact over the last few weeks, claiming the Player of the Month award, with the Englishman seemingly going from strength to strength in the capital.

His ability to create an opportunity out of nothing has the ability to get supporters off their seats, leading Maresca’s charge of hopefully securing a Champions League spot during the Italian’s debut campaign at the helm.

However, despite his excellent form since his transfer, he still earns less than one player who failed to impress at Stamford Bridge – despite earning himself a new contract just a couple of months ago.

The man who earned more than Palmer for Chelsea

During the summer of 2022, Chelsea splashed upwards of £300m on new talent as owner Todd Boehly looked to transform Thomas Tuchel’s squad after his takeover a couple of months prior.

One player who moved to Stamford Bridge during the aforementioned window was centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, signing for a reported £33m.

However, despite the high expectations around his transfer, the Senegalese international failed to impress during his time in West London, making just 32 appearances.

The 33-year-old scored twice during his only season at the club, including a fine volley against Tottenham Hotspur in a feisty affair at Stamford Bridge.

The 2022/23 season would be his only season with the Blues before departing and joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal – the club in which he still remains at today.

However, his one season at Chelsea was a costly one, with Koulibaly earning a reported £295k-per-week, as per Capology – taking home £15.4m in base wages alone.

1) Raheem Sterling

£325k-p/w

2) Kalidou Koulibaly

£295k-p/w

3) N’golo Kante

£290k-p/w

4) Kai Havertz

£250k-p/w

5) Reece James

£250k-p/w

His subsequent weekly earnings are over two times higher than current first-team star Palmer, who is currently earning £130k-per-week despite his recent sensational form.

When combining Koulibaly’s wages alongside his transfer fee, he cost the club around £48.4m in just 12 months – working out to around £1.5m per appearance he made.

Undoubtedly, the move was a huge mistake, looking well off the standard required to be a success in the Premier League.

However, the club made the right call to sell him when they did, preventing them from losing a huge chunk of money on a player who failed to provide the quality many expected upon his move to the Blues.

In contact: Chelsea pursuing £63m star who could make Palmer unplayable

The Blues could look to strengthen their ranks in 2025.

1 ByConnor Holden Oct 12, 2024

أعرب وائل جمعة، نجم النادي الأهلي السابق، عن مشاعره تجاه استاد الأهلي الجديد، مؤكدًا أن أول اسم يستحق أن يُخلَّد على جدرانه هو أسماء شهداء النادي الذين قدموا أرواحهم حبًا في الكيان الأحمر.

وقال جمعة في تصريحات خلال كواليس تصوير إعلان الاستاد الجديد: “إذا أتيحت لي فرصة كتابة اسم على جدار استاد النادي الأهلي الجديد، فسيكون لشهداء الأهلي، فهم الأحق بالتخليد”.

محمد بركات: الأهلي المرشح الأول في الدوري وأبطال إفريقيا.. ويجب الحذر من الهلال

وتحدث مدافع الأهلي التاريخي عن احتفاله حال أتيحت له فرصة تسجيل هدفًا على الاستاد الجديد: “بطبيعة مركزي في الملعب، احتفالاتي لتسجيل الأهداف تكون نادرة، لذا عندما أسجل أريد أن أفعل كل شيء دفعة واحدة”.

كما أعرب جمعة عن أمنيته في حضور لحظة تتويج الأهلي ببطولة داخل استاد النادي الجديد، موضحًا أن هذه اللحظات هي الأكثر سعادة لأي لاعب، وأضاف: “كنت أتمنى حضور لحظة رفع كأس البطولة في استاد الأهلي الجديد، فتلك هي اللحظة الأسعد دائمًا”.

وعن أبرز ذكرياته في مسيرته الكروية، أكد وائل جمعة أن لحظة الفوز بدوري أبطال إفريقيا عام 2006 من قلب تونس أمام الصفاقسي كانت من المحطات التي لا تُنسى في مسيرته، إلى جانب الفوز بنسخة 2012، التي وصفها بأنها “بطولة الشهداء” ولها مكانة خاصة لدى جميع لاعبي وجماهير الأهلي.

ويُعد وائل جمعة أحد أساطير الدفاع في تاريخ الأهلي، حيث ساهم في تحقيق العديد من الألقاب المحلية والقارية، وكان ركيزة أساسية في الإنجازات التاريخية التي حققها الفريق خلال حقبة ذهبية.

India fought hard to get to a competitive total and then with the ball, but Australia’s experience prevailed

Shashank Kishore09-Oct-2021Australia were given a mighty scare by a spirited Indian team before nerves and inexperience came in the way of a famous win. From the depths of 78 for 8 batting first, India found a way to take the game deep with Australia needing 24 off 16. Then in the space of six deliveries, they conceded four boundaries, with Tahlia McGrath, dropped on 5, remaining unbeaten on 42 to give Australia an unassailable 9-5 lead in the multi-format series. The series, though, has been much-tighter than that scoreline would suggest.Vlaeminck leaves her mark
Medium pacer Tayla Vlaeminck left a mark with both her speed and strikes. Touching close to 120kph consistently, her blows in first two overs stunned India. First, she had Smriti Mandhana chipping one to midwicket and then Shafali Verma heaving across the line to mid-on. She could have had a third in her third over had Ashleigh Gardner hung on to a tough chance. But Jemimah Rodrigues couldn’t capitalise on the reprieve, managing to add just one more before holing out to Hannah Darlington at mid-on. At 24 for 3 in the sixth over, India needed solidity.Harmanpreet shines amid a collapse
Harmanpreet Kaur found the boundaries almost immediately. She used Vlaeminck’s pace to flick her for back-to-back fours and then threw Ellyse Perry off her lengths by picking her for two more fours to signal signs of a counterattack. But in trying to play one big shot too many, Harmanpreet yorked herself against Georgia Wareham’s legspin to stall India’s recovery. She made 28. Then India handed two run outs on a platter, saw Richa Ghosh out bowled after a wild heave and then had a ripper of an off break from Gardner that spun viciously to crash into Shikha Pandey’s stumps. India had collapsed from 50 for 3 to 78 for 8.Vastrakar’s cameo
Strong bottom hand, powerful wrists and some muscle – Pooja Vastrakar used a fine cocktail of all these to pepper the boundaries at regular intervals with partners running out. She launched Nicola Carey straight over her head for a six, and then drove on the up nonchalantly over cover as a follow-up. Then with three balls to play out in the 19th, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, with a highest score of 5*, held her side of the bargain. This allowed Vastrakar to go after rookie Darlington, who was clubbed for 16 off the final over as India finished strongly on 118 for 9, having regained some momentum.Australia rocked early
Alyssa Healy was victim to a Shikha Pandey magic delivery that cleaned her up two balls into the innings. The ball swerved in a long way and then deviated a bit more after pitching to beat her inside edge and crash into the stumps. An advancing Beth Mooney, at the other end, was kept honest with some terrific outswing, surviving a peach that she nearly nicked. With Renuka Thakur, bowling for the first time in T20Is, also deadly accurate, Australia needed a release.Lanning, Perry fall to spin
In trying to do precisely this, Meg Lanning, who survived a series of miscues over the infield, fell to Gayakwad’s guile as she was stumped after being drawn out by the flight. In the next over, India had a slice of luck when Gardner smashed a Harmanpreet long hop to Gayakwad at point. Australia were 38 for 3 in the eighth over, with Perry having to revive the innings. But that didn’t materialise as she was brilliantly caught by Harmanpreet at extra cover to give Deepti Sharma her first wicket.McGrath’s costly reprieve
Fifty-five for five. India’s spinners choking Australia for runs, the asking rate touching seven. And Australia showing signs of cracking. Then Vastrakar drew a thick edge as McGrath slashed at a short ball. Part-time wicketkeeper Ghosh was moving down leg when she had to change directions; not even a full stretch could help her hang on. From agony, Ghosh was soon ecstatic as a full Gayakwad ball beat Carey’s defence to ricochet off her onto the stumps for a streaky stumping. But McGrath wasn’t giving up, picking the odd boundaries to take it down to 25 off the last three. Then India cracked as Wareham crashed two boundaries in a 11-run Pandey over.With 14 to defend, India went to Thakur, and her inexperience showed as McGrath clubbed her for back-to-back boundaries off the first two balls. The first a full toss hit over mid-off, the second a slower leg-cutter carved between cover and mid-off. Those four boundaries in the space of six deliveries swung the game decisively in Australia’s favour, McGrath seeing home the tense chase.

Brisbane Heat 2 for 138 (Harris 57*, Hinkley 49*) beat Hobart Hurricanes 8 for 132 (Johnston 47, Jonassen 3-14, Sippel 3-25)Brisbane Heat went top of the still early WBBL table with a thumping eight-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes led by a fine new-ball spell by the recall Courtney Sippeland a half-century from Grace Harris.Hurricanes had an added concern when Rachel Priest, who had been cleaned up first ball of the match by a beauty from Sippel, injured her hand keeping early in the chase when trying to take a quick delivery from Tayla Vlaeminck and had to leave the field with Richa Ghosh taking the gloves.After Sippel had removed Priest with a sharp inswinger, and Mignon du Preez in the first over, Nicola Carey fell to a stunning catch by Laura Kimmince at backward point. Jess Jonassen, who became the second bowler to take 100 WBBL wickets, then began what would be a terrific spell by removing Sasha Moloney to leave Hurricanes 4 for 15 in the fourth over.The first three powerplays of the double-header day, previously involving Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, would finish reading: 2 for 18, 4 for 13 and 4 for 33That Hurricanes got as far as 132 was notable. Ruth Johnston anchored the fightback with 47 before Molly Strano hit 33 off 24 balls.Heat made a strong start to the chase as Harris and Georgia Redmayne added 52 in seven overs but Carey gave Hurricanes some hope when she struck twice in four deliveries.However, the rest of the innings was marshaled superbly by Harris and Mikayla Hinkley with the pair not letting the asking rate get ahead of them. A 14-run over in the 16th sealed the game and in the 19th Hinkley ended it with a six