Chelsea keen on £97.5m Martinez transfer, Covid postponements LATEST, Barcelona ‘meet Raiola to discuss Haaland’

ENGLAND FACE HUNGARY HEADACHE

England bosses have been given a huge headache after being drawn against Hungary in the Nations League.

Gareth Southgate must take his team back to Budapest, where players were subjected to racist abuse during a World Cup qualifier in September.

The Three Lions were yesterday handed a tough set of fixtures in their League A group, with Italy and Germany also featuring.

Matches will be played in June and September of next year, with the finals, which England reached two years ago, in 2023.

Hungary were hit with a fine of nearly £160,000 and a two-match ban, one of which was suspended, after the problems in September.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee acted after Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were targeted with monkey chants, while objects were thrown at players during the Three Lions’ 4-0 win.

Hungary were subsequently forced to play their World Cup qualifier at home to Albania behind closed doors.

Equally, the FA faces security issues for the return home game.

Hungary fans, aided by Polish supporters, caused problems in the away end at the start of the World Cup qualifier at Wembley in October, which finished 1-1.

The Metropolitan Police said there was ‘minor disorder’ from fans after officers entered the stand to make an arrest for a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The dates of the fixtures will be announced TODAY.

ALEXANDER THE LATE

Here’s Trent Alexander-Arnold’s match-sealing masterpiece in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat of Newcastle.

The Reds went a point off leaders Man City, rounded off by TAA’s late long-range laser.

MOUNTING A GOAL THREAT

Covid-hit Chelsea will be frustrated by their misses in tonight’s 1-1 draw with Everton.

But England midfielder Mason Mount at least helped make up for the absence of coronavirus suffers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner up front by netting for the fourth straight Prem game.

Here’s how he did it – and in some style!

TOON IN ‘£85M BID FOR UTD TARGET VLAHOVIC’

Newcastle could bid £85million for Manchester United and Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic.

Journalist Filippo Grassia told Passione Inter that the Toon will try to steal a march for Fiorentina’s Serbia striker.

Vlahovic, 21, has hit 15 goals in 17 Serie A matches this season.

RESULT: LIVERPOOL 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Liverpool cut Man City’s Prem lead to a point with a victory overwhelming in all but margin.

Jonjo Shelvey’s early Toon opener was overturned by Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late stunner.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner surely made victory safe for Liverpool.

RESULT: CHELSEA 1 EVERTON 1

Dominant but wasteful Chelsea are two points behind leaders Man City after this draw.

Mason Mount cancelled out Jarrad Braithwaite’s Everton opener as the Blues dictated this draw in both possession and chances but failed to find a winner.

GOAL! CHELSEA 1 EVERTON 1

Jarrad Branthwaite diverted in Anthony Gordon ‘s 73rd minute cross to stun Chelsea with an Everton leveller.

Toffees’ keeper Jordan Pickford then preserved that improbable 1-1 scoreline with a brilliant save from Thiago Silva’s bullet header.

GOAL! CHELSEA 1 EVERTON 0

Mason Mount finally rewards Chelsea’s pressure – with a counter-attacking opener on 69 minutes.

Reece James fed his England team-mate for a neat near-post finish.

H/T: LIVERPOOL 2 NEWCASTLE 1

Jonjo Shelvey putting the Toon in front early on only inspired the Reds.

Diogo Jota’s controversial leveller and Mo Salah’s rebound effort rewarded Liverpool’s domination.

H/T: CHELSEA 0 EVERTON 0

Somehow Chelsea are not in front at the break.

They dictated possession AND chances against a tame Everton side.

Thomas Tuchel’s title chasers had 81% of the ball and 13 attempts on goal – all without scoring.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2 NEWCASTLE 1

Mo Salah sets a Prem record of being involved in a goal for 15 games in a row by slamming home a 25th minute rebound as Liverpool came from behind to lead.

Newcastle scorer Jonjo Shelvey surrendered possession, with Martin Dubravka foiling Sadio Mane’s resulting shot.

But red-hot Salah nipped in to make it 2-1.

RON AND GEORGINA EXPECTING BOY AND GIRL

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s unborn twins are a boy and a girl.

The Man United hero and his five-month pregnant partner made their announcement on social media with a fabulous video.

They got their four children to pop balloons which released pink and blue confetti.

The two boys shouted: “It’s a boy” and the two girls: “It’s a girl” after Georgina gave a 1-2-3 countdown and then cheered and laughed as they revealed the sexes of the unborn children.

Cristiano wrote along the footage which the couple posted at exactly the same time: “Where life begins and love never ends” followed by heart emojis.

The video featured their three-year-old daughter Alana Martina and the footballer’s daughter Eva, also three, in pink pijamas to go with the pink confetti in the balloon they burst.

Eva’s twin Matteo and Cristiano’s eldest son Cristiano Jr, nicknamed Cristianinho, were in darker outfits to match the blue confetti that appeared when they burst theirs.

Georgina, 27, exclaimed: “Ole! How lovely!” as she struggled to contain her emotions while the four kids played after revealing the exciting news.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1 NEWCASTLE 1

Diogo Jota cancelled out Newcastle’s shock opener on 21 minutes – in controversial fashion.

Toon midfielder Isaac Hayden was down with a head injury when Sadio Mane crossed for Jota to head goalwards.

Martin Dubravka parried but Reds’ winger Jota knocked home the rebound.

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GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0 NEWCASTLE 1

Jonjo Shelvey fired the Toon in front against his old club with a 25-yarder on seven minutes that got past possibly-unsighted keeper Alisson.

Ibrahima Konate put a free header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner wide as Liverpool inevitably, pressed for a leveller.

LUKAKU AND WERNER AMONG CHELSEA ACES WITH COVID

Chelsea have been rocked by a string of big-name positive coronavirus tests in their squad.

Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell missed tonight’s Everton clash due to Covid.

And Kai Havertz was left out while he awaits results.

Left-back Chilwell was still recovering from an ACL injury suffered in their 4-0 win against Juventus in November.

And in March 2020 Hudson-Odoi was one of the first Premier League players to test positive.

LATEST: LIVERPOOL 0 NEWCASTLE 0

Liverpool need victory from this 8pm game to move a point behind Man City, while Newcastle are second bottom

TONIGHT’S TEAMS – Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago, Henderson, Mane, Salah, Jota

Subs: Kelleher, Pitaluga, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Minamino, Tsimikas, Williams.

Newcastle: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Fraser, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton

Subs: Darlow, Clark, Wilson, Ritchie, Hendrick, Almiron, Willock, Gayle, Longstaff

LATEST: CHELSEA 0 EVERTON 0

With Chelsea needing victory to move one point behind leader Man City, Reece James fired a gaping early chance wide.

And Everton are being cut open at the back as they bid to end their run of poor form.

LIVERPOOL TRIO MISS TOON CLASH WITH COVID

Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones will miss Liverpool’s game against Newcastle on Thursday having tested positive for Covid-19.

The Reds revealed the trio will be absent from the 8pm kick-off and it comes after Jurgen Klopp called for more Prem players to reveal when they have Covid.

A Liverpool statement read: “Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Virgil van Dijk will miss tonight’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United after registering suspected positive tests for COVID-19.

“The three players are now isolating.

“As a result, the entire Reds’ set-up, including all players and staff, were tested for COVID-19 again today with no further positive cases being detected.

“Supporters attending the game at Anfield are reminded of the new entry requirements and protocols in place to protect public safety.”

Klopp this week urged clubs to ‘be more open’ when it comes to revealing which of their players have coronavirus.

The German gaffer, 54, has spoken of the rise in Covid cases as he declared that his squad are double vaccinated against the deadly bug.

Speaking of the recent crackdown on the rise in positive tests among footballers, he said: “I support new measures, absolutely.

“We get tested every day and before the games, absolutely fine.

“I’m here earlier than most of the players, tested before we arrive and then back to the cars.

“When lateral flows are negative, we are allowed to enter. 

“Yesterday we all were and we hope that is the case for today. We are like the whole world, concerned about it, absolutely. We do what we can.”

‘MARTIAL WAGES RULE OUT ARSENAL AND SPURS MOVE’

Anthony Martial’s wages could rule Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham out of signing the Manchester United target.

That’s the view of ex-Gunners frontman Kevin Campbell after Martial was also linked to a player-exchange deal with Atletico Madrid.

Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley told Sky Sports the France star wants to leave next month.

And Campbell told Football Insider: “There is no doubt about it, he has incredible talent. But he hasn’t played enough football.

“He has suffered with a couple of injuries and a lack of form. I don’t think we’ve seen enough of him lately.

“When you look at the top teams, I’m not sure they’d want him. Arsenal have [Emile] Smith Rowe, [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli playing great at the moment. Pepe can’t even get in the team.

“When you look at Spurs, who have Son Heung-min, [Harry] Kane and Lucas Moura, I cannot see him moving there. West Ham? I can’t see that either.

“Those big wages could be a problem.”

JOSE TARGETS LOFTUS-CHEEK

Jose Mourinho is set to raid Chelsea for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports.

And the Roma boss hopes Tammy Abraham can convince the midfielder to move to the Italian capital.

That is according to Il Romanista.

Roma have been pursuing several midfielders including Chelsea flop Saul Niguez – who is on loan from Atletico Madrid – and Bayern ace Corentin Tolisso.

Douglas Luiz and Denis Zakaria are also on the radar but all four are said to be too expensive.

So Mourinho is said to have switched his focus to Loftus-Cheek, 25.

The England international’s characteristics are said to be appealing to the Special One.

His physicality, technique and experience all make him a snip at the price and wages required to pry him away from Stamford Bridge.

And Mourinho is hoping Abraham can help seal the deal.

Both were Blues team-mates in the youth and senior teams.

And with Loftus-Cheek struggling for game time under Thomas Tuchel, now is thought to be the perfect time for an approach.

GEORGINA SHOWS OFF BABY BUMP

Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez was spotted with her baby bump for the first time this week.

The Portuguese superstar was being filmed by Rodriguez – who is expecting twins – while he was training in the gym following the postponement of Brentford vs Manchester United on Tuesday evening.

Her growing bump can be seen in the mirror reflection behind the 36-year-old.

The couple announced on Instagram at the end of October that they are expecting with the caption reading “Delighted to announce we are expecting twins.

“Out hearts are full of love – we can’t wait to meet you.”

Ronaldo is already a father to four children.

His eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is 11-years-old and recently joined Manchester United’s academy.

The youngster is set to follow in his father’s footsteps after training with the illustrious academies of Real Madrid and Juventus.

NOU START FOR AUBAMEYANG?

Barcelona are keen on exiled Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.

But the Gabon superstar has previously stated his desire to play for their fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Barca are ‘desperate’ to boost their firepower in January, after Sergio Aguero was forced to retire due to a heart issue.

According to the Independent, Xavi’s side could swoop for Aubameyang, offering him an Arsenal escape route.

But the 32-year-old’s promise to his late grandfather could throw a spanner in the works.

In 2016, Aubameyang told L’Equipe, as per AS: “Before he died two years ago I promised him that one day I would play for Real Madrid.

“My grandfather was from Avila, not far from Madrid.

“It’s what I said to him. I know it’s not easy but it’s something I keep in mind.

“I celebrate my goals with a cartwheel in honour of Hugo Sanchez.

“I’ve seen many videos of him on the internet and I’ve been following him since I was a boy.”

ENGLAND FACE GERMANY & ITALY IN NIGHTMARE GROUP

England have been drawn against Germany, Italy and Hungary in a NIGHTMARE Nations League group, writes DYLAN TERRY.

Gareth Southgate’s men will get the opportunity to avenge their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy, while they will also face long-time rivals Germany.

Scotland and Republic of Ireland have been drawn TOGETHER in League B, while Wales face the tough task of taking on Holland and Belgium.

Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland are in League C and have been drawn alongside Cyprus/Estonia, Kosovo and Greece.

Here is the complete draw.

League A draw

• Group A1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France
• Group A2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain
• Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy
• Group A4: Wales, Poland, Holland, Belgium

League B draw

• Group B1: Armenia, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Ukraine
• Group B2: Albania, Israel, Russia, Iceland
• Group B3: Montenegro, Romania, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Group B4: Slovenia, Serbia, Norway, Sweden

League C draw

• Group C1: Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Turkey
• Group C2: Cyprus/Estonia, Kosovo, Greece, Northern Ireland
• Group C3: Kazakhstan/Moldova, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Slovakia
• Group C4: Gibraltar, Georgia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria

League D draw

• Group D1: Latvia, Andorra, Kazakhstan/Moldova, Liechtenstein
• Group D2: San Marino, Cyprus/Estonia, Malta

Here is when the fixtures for the Nations League 2022-23 will take place.

• Matchdays 1 and 2: June 2-8, 2022
• Matchdays 3 and 4: June 8-14, 2022
• Matchdays 5 and 6: September 22-27, 2022
• Semi-finals: June 14 and 15, 2023
• Final and third-place match: June 18, 2023

PREM CLUBS VOW TO CARRY ON

Premier League bosses have pledged to plough on with the weekend programme – ignoring calls for a pre-Christmas Covid shutdown.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank began a remarkable day of Prem frenzy by publicly calling on the League to postpone the entire weekend fixture list and urging the EFL to also put the midweek Carabao Cup last eight ties on ice.

Within hours, Spurs’ trip to Leicester last night was called off after the Foxes’ virus outbreak intensified, as was Manchester United’s game with Brighton tomorrow as the Old Trafford side were left with just SEVEN available players.

Norwich manager Dean Smith is also worried about getting a team together for his side’s game at West Ham.

Across the country, a number of top flight executives were privately suggesting that taking a break until Boxing Day might be the best way of providing a firewall against the virus spread.

But the Prem insisted there are no plans to even consider a temporary close down.

In a statement which confirmed “with regret” the second United match postponement of the week, the Prem said: “While recognising a number of clubs are experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks, it is the League’s intention to continue its current fixture schedule where safely possible. 

“The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority.”