Philippa Kaur

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    Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri set for mammoth pay rise as Gunners open talks over new contract

    ETHAN NWANERI has been lined up for a huge pay rise after Arsenal opened talks over a new contract for the teen sensation.Nwaneri is enjoying an explosive breakthrough season after stepping in following injuries to the Gunners’ main attackers.Ethan Nwaneri is set to be rewarded for becoming a virtual regularCredit: GettyArsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s faith in Nwaneri has reaped big dividendsCredit: GettyThe England Under-21 star’s current deal runs until the end of next season.But the BBC say Arsenal have “initiated contact” with the 18-year-old’s representatives on extending his stay.New sporting director Andrea Berta, as well as manager Mikel Arteta, is keen to tie down the Gunners’ hottest prospects.And with the possible exception of left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri is surely at the top of that list.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s understood no official contract offer has yet been made to Nwaneri.But there are unlikely to be any obstacles to the academy product agreeing a long-term deal and landing a huge wage increase.Formal negotiations with the Londoners’ representatives are expected to start in the next few weeks.Nwaneri signed his first professional deal – until 2026 – when he was still a Gunners’ youth player.Most read in FootballThat means his next contract is certain to be far bigger.Nwaneri has amassed 31 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions this term.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaps praise on ‘calm and composed’ youngster Ethan Nwaneri for Champions League victory And during his 21 Premier League games in 2024-25, he’s notched three goals and two assists.However, he remained on the bench in Tuesday night’s sizzling 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid.Instead, the same-aged Lewis-Skelly was a stand-out performer, although Declan Rice was Arsenal’s clear star man, scoring twice with stunning free-kicks.Nonetheless, Nwaneri has played more often this campaign than possibly even he would have hoped.Admittedly he’s profited from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus getting crocked, plus the injuries of wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who are both now fit again.Saka is tipped for talks on extending his contract beyond 2027.The Gunners also want first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes to agree new deals More

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    Can Marco Asensio play for Aston Villa in the Champions League against parent club PSG?

    ASTON VILLA will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals TONIGHT – pitting Marco Asensio against his parent club.After joining Aston Villa on loan from PSG in January, Asensio – a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – has been in sensational form.Marco Asensio has starred for Villa – who face his parent club PSG TONIGHTCredit: PAThe Spanish international has EIGHT goals and an assist in just 15 matches.Along with the loan signing of Marcus Rashford, Asensio has helped Unai Emery’s side become one of the most in-form teams in Europe.Villa have lost just ONCE in 12 matches since Asensio’s debut on February 9.They head into this game as underdogs, however, with PSG losing just once since November.READ MORE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUECan Marco Asensio play for Aston Villa in the Champions League against parent club PSG?Asensio has already played for PSG in this season’s competition.That has lead to questions about if he will be able to play against his parent club – with Premier League rules usually prohibiting such instances.However, Uefa rules are different to those in the Premier League.That means Asensio WILL be available for selection against PSG.Most read in FootballIn contrast, Marcus Rashford will not be able to play against Manchester United in May, and Axel Disasi, another loan signing, was not allowed to play against Chelsea in February.A notable example in the past of players eligibility against current sides was Thibaut Courtois, who was on loan at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Atletico reaching the final after defeating Jose Mourinho’s team, Uefa decided that Chelsea could not block Courtois from playing against themThe governing body stated “clubs are not allowed to exert “any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.” Emery, who led the French team from 2016 to 2018 before departing at the end of his contract, will benefit from Asensio’s availability to play against PSG in the quarterfinals.After joining PSG in the summer of 2023, Asensio could not reach the promise of his Real Madrid career, and he left the squad under Enrique before joining Villa. More

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    Joey Barton LOSES part of libel case against Eni Aluko after accusing ex-England footballer of ‘playing race card’

    ENI Aluko has won the first part of her libel case against Joey Barton after he accused her of playing the “race card”.Ex-Man City star Barton was taken to court by the pundit following a string of posts he made on X in January.Joey Barton has lost part of a libel case against Eni AlukoCredit: APEni claimed two of the posts were defamatoryCredit: AlamyShe claimed the two posts were defamatory – including one where he targeted her family and background.Barton, 42, branded her a “race card player” and accused her of playing the “victim card”, adding: “Cry me a f***ing river”.He also claimed “everyone is laughing at you” and said she knew “next to nothing about men’s football”.Eni has now won part of her case at the High Court after a judge found Barton made defamatory remarks.Read more newsMr Justice Lavender had been asked to consider the “natural and ordinary meaning” of the posts.Eni, 38, welcomed the ruling, saying: “The posts were an unwarranted attack on my personal and professional identity, my integrity and my family life – in particular my late father.”Barton could still appeal the decision and defend his statements if the case proceeds to trial.His lawyer William McCormick KC previously described the claims as “strained, forced and unreasonable”.Most read in FootballIn a separate case, Barton has denied sharing “malicious” posts about Jeremy Vine, Eni and her colleague Lucy Ward.The former footballer allegedly compared the pundits to Fred and Rose West and branded Radio 2 presenter Vine a “bike nonce”.He is due to stand trial later this year at Liverpool Crown Court charged with 12 offences.Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season – helping promote them to the Premier League.Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 – despite criticising some of his fellow players.The footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.Eni bought the case against BartonCredit: PAHe denied the posts were inflammatoryCredit: Getty More

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    ‘No brainer’ – Man Utd fans demand club sign Liam Delap after discovering new release clause if Ipswich go down

    THE relegation release clause of Manchester United target Liam Delap has been revealed.Delap, 22, has impressed for Ipswich despite the club’s looming relegation from the Premier League.Liam Delap’s relegation release clause has been revealedCredit: GettyIt has been a breakout year for the former Manchester City star, scoring 12 goals and adding two assists in 33 Premier League games.His performances have sparked interest from a number of top clubs, including Man Utd and Chelsea.And SunSport understands Delap will be available for as little as £30million if Ipswich are relegated.The Tractor Boys signed the England Under-21 ace for £15m plus £5m in add-ons last summer.Any deal to sell Delap, the son of former Stoke star Rory Delap, will also see Man City earn 20 per cent through a sell-on clause in the deal which took him to Portman Road last summer. Man Utd are known to be admirers of him, alongside Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle.But the cash-strapped Red Devils will likely view this news as a huge bonus considering the estimated cost of other striker targets including Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike or Victor Osimhen.SunSport reported earlier this week how Man Utd transfer chiefs had made Delap their number one transfer target for the summer window. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordIpswich are thought to have slapped a £40m price tag on the striker, the same value as a Man City buy-back clause.However, with the club now looking likely to join Southampton in being relegated back to the Championship due to sitting 12 points off of safety, that fee will drop even lower.Why Ruben Amorim’s Man United system is brokenReacting to the news on social media, one excited fan begged United transfer chiefs to get a deal done, saying: “Delap for £30m is a no brainer.”A second said: “Would be an absolute bargain.”A third added: “Steal.”Another said: “Sign him up Idc.”SunSport analysed which striker Man Utd should try to sign last month.Delap was highlighted for his fit to the profile Ruben Amorim needs leading the line thanks to his quick and powerful runs in behind the opposition defensive line.However, there is a concern that United could face the same issues they have done with Rasmus Hojlund, who shares a similar profile to Delap, in that he is simply not ready to lead the line of a club like Man Utd where the pressure is huge. More

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    The Masters: The Legacy of the Black Caddies at Augusta National

    They would often form special bonds with the golfers that lasted decades. Carl Jackson caddied for Ben Crenshaw dozens of times, including for his two wins at Augusta.Thirty years ago this week, on the 18th green of the Augusta National Golf Club, a caddie comforted his weeping player, hugging him tight and supporting him. It was their second Masters victory together — 11 years after the first one. The player’s tears were of joy, but also of relief after a week where emotion off the course had been running through the tournament.Ben Crenshaw, the 19-time PGA Tour champion, and Carl Jackson, among the most famous Augusta National caddies, were that pair. Jackson had been on Crenshaw’s bag at the Masters since 1976, and the pair had been in contention several times since their first victory in 1984.But that week was different. The tournament started just days after Crenshaw’s mentor and teacher, Harvey Penick, had died, adding an emotional weight to what Crenshaw called his favorite tournament.The image of a tall Black caddie supporting a bent-over white golfer showed more than victory and relief. It captured the bond between two men who had become friends.“Ben was hovered over,” Jackson said in an interview last month. “I said to him, ‘It’s going to be OK. You just won the Masters.’ He had a lot to carry on his mind during the tournament that week, thinking about Harvey Penick.”Crenshaw said that the two were in sync at the 1995 Masters.“We’ve been in the heat many, many times,” he said in an interview last month, referring to that feeling of being close to victory. “It’s just so much fun. It’s what you strive for. To have pulled off winning the Masters twice, and with Carl, is one of my warmest memories.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans spot what ‘naughty’ Lewis-Skelly did to Bellingham and think he’s taking lessons from Ben White

    EAGLE-EYED Arsenal fans reckon Myles Lewis-Skelly must be taking lessons with Ben White after spotting what he did to Jude Bellingham on Tuesday night.The makeshift left-back, 18, has been a revelation for the Gunners this season and has already made his England debut, as well as scoring his first international goal, in 2024-25.Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jude Bellingham got tangled up after a crunching tackle from the Arsenal youngsterCredit: Amazon PrimeThe England team-mates clashed and ended up on the deckCredit: RexLewis-Skelly appeared to leave a little something on Bellingham’s leg after the tackleCredit: Amazon PrimeLewis-Skelly – best mates with another Colney wonderkid, Ethan Nwaneri – put on a masterclass to help nullify the threat of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Co.Even the Spanish media were quick to recognise his “performance to remember” at the Emirates.But there was one moment in particular which caught the eye of Gooners – who were in dreamland for the full 90 minutes as Declan Rice deadly double of free-kicks saw them seal a 3-0 win over the 15-time champions.Arsenal were cruising at 3-0 up, thanks to Mikel Merino’s cherry-on-top of a strike.READ MORE SPORT STORIESBut Lewis-Skelly showed the passion and intensity of a team desperately chasing another goal.As his own England team-mate Jude Bellingham picked up the ball in the middle of the park, Lewis-Skelly refused to give him a moment to breathe.The Arsenal left-back delivered a crunching tackle which sent them both crashing down to the turf.As their legs tangled, Lewis-Skelly appeared to leave a little something on the back of Bellingham’s right leg.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBellingham vented his frustration and appeared to point out what had happened after hopping back up, but Arsenal fans spotted Lewis-Skelly telling him to get on with it.One fan, taking to X, wrote: “Myles Lewis-Skelly is NAUGHTY. He clamped Bellingham and asked him to get up.Thierry Henry’s blunt six-word statement to Kylian Mbappe before Arsenal’s incredible win over Real MadridAnother posted: “That kid… his confidence level is so high.”A third said: “That kid has no fear, he’s a special talent.”One suggested fellow full-back Ben White may have “been a bad influence on him”.Another joked: “MLS becoming a young Ben White.”Meanwhile, one claimed he must have graduated from White’s “Dark Arts Academy”.Arsenal fans will be riding high this week, but know they risk becoming the latest club to fall foul of an incredible Champions League second-leg comeback if they’re not careful.The Gunners are still chasing their first-ever major European trophy, having come closest to winning the Champions League in 2005-06, when they lost to Barcelona in a controversial match.Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More

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    The Masters: Bernhard Langer Returns to Say Goodbye

    A pickleball injury sidelined him last year, but he is returning to a course he loves.Bernhard Langer, barring a miracle, won’t win the Masters Tournament this year, which gets underway on Thursday.Langer, 67, who was born in Germany and now lives in the United States, hasn’t made the cut at Augusta National Golf Club since 2020.But he’ll receive his share of attention as he plays for the last time on the course that has meant so much to him. Langer, who made his first appearance in 1982, won the tournament in 1985 and 1993. He planned to say farewell last year but couldn’t participate after tearing his Achilles’ tendon playing pickleball.Langer, who has won a record 47 tournaments on PGA Tour Champions, spoke recently about his affection for the Masters. The following conversation has been edited and condensed.Are you playing any pickleball these days?No. I haven’t played since my injury, and I was told not to but maybe when I’m retired I’ll try it again. I don’t know yet. I’ll see how my leg feels.What would be a successful week for your last time at Augusta?From a professional standpoint, if I could make the cut, that would be unbelievable, but it’s very unlikely. I’ve gotten shorter [with his drives off the tee], and the injury didn’t help. This golf course, it’s meant to be hit with short to medium irons into the greens, and I’m coming in with 3-irons and 3-woods [clubs that hit the ball much farther]. It’s extremely difficult to hit these small targets, and I can’t do that with long clubs.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    The Masters Helped Turn Ely Callaway Into a Golf Club Maker

    He invented the Big Bertha driver, which changed the game of golf. Bobby Jones, a creator of the tournament, was a Callaway cousin.Ely Callaway, founder of the namesake golf club company, did something few golf enthusiasts could imagine doing. He declined an invitation from Bobby Jones to join the Augusta National Golf Club in 1957.Jones, a revered amateur golfer who won the Grand Slam in 1930 and was a co-founder of Augusta National with Clifford Roberts, was Callaway’s distant cousin and hero. Over the family’s mantel, long before the Masters achieved the major status it has today, hung a lithograph of Jones winning the Amateur Championship, also known as the British Amateur, and completing the Grand Slam. Across it was a personal handwritten inscription from Jones to Callaway and his first wife, Jeanne.Bobby Jones teeing off at St. Andrews in Scotland in 1928. Jones was Callaway’s distant cousin and hero.Getty ImagesNicholas Callaway said his father had practical reasons to turn down Jones.“Ely’s rationale later in life when he became the Callaway of Callaway Golf was that since Augusta was only open for a portion of the year, most of the year he would spend fielding calls from friends angling to get an invitation to play,” he said. His father’s posthumous memoir, “The Unconquerable Game: My Life in Golf & Business,” is being released this month.It worked out fine for him. “In the 1990s, he attended the Masters for many years and would get invited to play often in the days following the tournament,” his son said.The decision had to have been difficult. Something that comes across in Callaway’s memoir was the impact Jones had on him.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More