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    Goodison Park to be made smaller as Everton reveal what it could look like as women’s stadium

    GOODISON PARK will be made smaller as part of its conversion for the Everton Women’s team.The iconic stadium will be repurposed by the club after the men’s team moves to the new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.Goodison Park will be reconfigured for the women’s teamCredit: APGoodison Park was first opened in 1892 and has a capacity of 39,572.But that is set to be reduced as multiple parts will be reconfigured.This will be done by reducing the number of seats in each row in order to add space.Everton’s women’s team currently has an average attendance of 2,062 at their current home of Walton Hall Park.READ MORE EVERTON NEWSThe club has offered season ticket holders and hospitality members the chance to buy the seat that was theirs for this season.It would act as a souvenir of the historic stadium following Sunday’s home match against Southampton.The women’s side are excited about the prospect of playing their regular football at Goodison.Captain Megan Finnigan has insisted that the team will belong at the ground.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSShe said: “To walk out at Goodison Park as our permanent home will be a real honour.”It’s where we belong — and we can’t wait to create new memories there.”10,000 attend test event at Everton’s new stadiumMegan Finnigan is relishing the chance to captain her side in their new permanent homeCredit: GettyBrian Sorensen will mange the women’s team at GoodisonCredit: GettyWhile manager Brian Sorensen insisted that it can help the club’s dreams grow.He added: “Our players will now have a stage that matches their potential.”Our fans will have a place to build an even stronger matchday culture.”Young girls across Merseyside will see that this is a club where dreams can grow and come true.”Goodison Park will feature more branding of the women’s team on the upper tier of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End.Meanwhile, the new 53,000-seater Everton stadium has had its formal name revealed.Read More on The SunThe club has partnered with legal firm Hill Dickinson, which has taken the naming rights.The stadium will now be known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium.Everton’s men’s team are moving into their new 53,000-seater stadiumCredit: PAThe ground cost £802.1million to buildCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea cult hero, 46, looks unrecognisable as he finds creative way to watch team after ban

    DAMIEN DUFF looked unrecognisable as he found an ingenious way to watch his Shelbourne side play.The former Chelsea and Fulham star is now managing the League of Ireland Premier Division.Damien Duff tried to go incognito to watch his Shelbourne play BohemianCredit: SportsfileThe former Chelsea star covered his face and wore a capCredit: SportsfileHe could be seen watching the match from a hill overlooking the pitchCredit: SportsfileDuff has been the manager of Shelbourne since 2021Credit: SportsfileDuff, 46, was banned for Shelbourne’s Friday night trip to title contenders Bohemian.He picked up a suspension after being shown his fifth booking during the victory over St Patrick’s Athletic last week.But this did not stop him from finding a way to watch his side play.The retired winger was pictured standing on a hill overlooking Dalymount Park.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSHe had disguised himself with a face covering and a cap combo.However, some fans spotted him through the facade but found his actions brilliant.One posted: “Interesting viewpoint for Damien Duff at Dalymount Park.”A second wrote: “Possibly my favourite LOI picture of all time. Damien Duff serving his touchline ban during Shelbourne’s visit to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSA third joked: “Damien Duff in the ghillie suit.”A fourth commented: “Iconic already.”Cole Palmer eats sandwich and ketchup as Brit music legend makes cameo in brilliant Chelsea kit release videoA fifth said: “Suspended manager, on a hillside, desolate.”Another added: “Say what you like about him, but this guy’s brilliant entertainment.”Duff would not have been happy at full-time as his Shelbourne side lost 1-0 due to a Dayle Rooney penalty.He also had to watch on as the team was reduced to just nine players as Mark Coyle and Alistair Coote were sent off.Who are these famous footballers? More

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    ‘He’ll be a big loss’ – Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa’s final home game

    EMI MARTINEZ broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to Aston Villa fans after the victory over Tottenham Hotspur.The Villans ended their last home game of the season with a 2-0 win over the North London side.Emi Martinez was in tears at the end of Aston Villa’s win over TottenhamCredit: GettyHe appeared to wave goodbye to the home supportersCredit: GettyUnai Emery could not give assurances over the goalkeeper’s futureCredit: GettyMartinez, 32, kept a clean sheet in the match against the Europa League finalists.But at the end of the game, there was little celebration from the Argentine goalkeeper.The Villa star could be seen teary-eyed as he applauded the home crowd.The former Arsenal ace has been linked with a move away from Villa Park with Saudi Arabia touted as a possible destination.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “What a signing he has been.”Amazing player, great goalkeeper, but it looks like he was waving goodbye.”Trying to find someone to fill that void will be very difficult.”Roy Keane insisted that he would be a “big loss”.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe added: “He has been a good character, some people like him.”He can be annoying at times with some of his antics.Argentina humiliate Brazil 4-1 with Emi Martinez even doing keepy ups in his own box in fiery World Cup qualifier “But he has been a great signing for them, he’ll be a big loss as it does look like he his saying his final goodbyes.”Manager Unai Emery was asked about the goalkeeper’s future in his post-match press conference.The Spaniard was unable to give any assurances that Martinez would be at the club next season.He said: “We will see.”Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don’t know.”We will see about the team, the players.”Of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match.”Martinez has been ever-present in the Villa team since his £20million switch from Arsenal in 2020.He joined the club after only a few months of regular first-team football in the Premier League.He has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football and won the World Cup in 2022.The goalkeeper was also awarded with the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024.Martinez also posted on Instagram a picture of himself looking emotional as he waved to the supporters.He captioned a post: “Thank you for all your support this season.”We finished strong at home but we got one more final to go.”Emery also mentioned Leon Bailey who was also in tears at the full-time whistle.He added: “Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well.Read More on The Sun”And we are going to play Manchester United for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody.”And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season.”Leon Bailey was also emotional at the end of the matchCredit: Reuters More

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    We’ve been to every FA Cup round – and now we’ve bagged Wembley final tickets thanks to The Sun

    A FOOTIE-mad family have been to every round of this year’s FA Cup — and will be at today’s final thanks to The Sun. Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 — all Colchester United season ticket holders — began a journey topping 2,000 miles by watching lowly local team Cornard United beat Fakenham. Phil Hart and sons Fin, 10, and Will, 13, set off on a 2,000-mile FA Cup adventure from the first round to the final at Wembley – with a little help from The SunCredit: Paul EdwardsFin and Will pictured at the start of their cup run – with a tin-foil trophy – as Cornard United beat Fakenham Town 3-0Credit: FacebookThe 3rd round saw the family watching Stockport County beat Brackley Town 3-1Credit: FacebookVowing to support whichever team won, they took in Stowmarket, Bishop’s Stortford, Braintree, Brackley and Stockport. In the Third Round, Stockport lost to Crystal Palace, and the family saw them then beat Doncaster, Millwall, Fulham and Aston Villa to set up the Wembley showdown with Manchester City. After The Sun contacted the FA, teacher Phil secured three tickets for the big game. Phil said: “I’ve watched my boys fall in love with football all over again.” READ MORE FA CUP FINAL NEWSPhil, from Great Horkesley, near Colchester, said: “As Colchester United season ticket holders I knew my sons and I are unlikely to see our team win the FA Cup. “So this year we decided to create our own road to Wembley with just one rule – we had to pick a team at random and follow the winner, wherever that may be and whenever the game was – all the way to the final. “It was pure grassroots — dodgy refs, questionable chips, but brilliant football. We were hooked. At the semi-final, to see Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0 – still with the tin-foil trophy in handCredit: Phil Hart“We stood on terraces in the rain at Braintree, Googled where Brackley was, and queued for pies in Stockport. Most read in Football“We cheered for unknown heroes and mourned for clubs we’d only met that day. The passion was real, raw and more fun than anything on TV. Fin said: “It’s been really fun visiting new stadiums and getting to meet some famous players.” Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyFAMILY’S ROAD TO WEMBLEYHere’s how Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 made their way to Wembley,Colchester to… 3 Aug Cornard 3 v 0 Fakenham 26 miles 1hr drive 17 Aug Stowmarket 1 v 5 Cornard 60 miles 1hr 30 mins drive 31 Aug Bishop’s Stortford 5 v 0 Cornard 75 miles 2hrs drive 14 Sept FA Cup 2nd qualifying round Hemel Hempstead 0 v 1 Bishop’s Stortford 150 miles 3hrs 28 Sept 3rd qualifying round Bishop’s Stortford 3 v 2 Hereford 75 miles 2hrs drive 12 Oct 4th qualifying round Braintree 1 v 0 Bishop’s Stortford 35 miles 1hr 2 Nov 1st round Brackley 0 v 0 Braintree (Brackley won 5-4 on pens) 240 miles 5hr 30 Nov 2nd round Stockport 3 v 1 Brackley 460 miles 8 hrs 12 Jan 3rd round Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Stockport 150 miles 4hrs 10 Feb 4th round Doncaster Rovers 0 v 2 Palace 344 miles 6hrs 45 1 March 5th round Palace 3 v 1 Millwall 140 miles 4hrs 29 March Quarter final Fulham 0 v 3 Palace 145 miles 4 hrs 26 April Semi-final Palace 3 v 0 Aston Villa 145 miles 3.5hrs 17 May Final Palace v Manchester City 145 miles 3.5hrs Total miles round trip 2,190 Total travel time 45 hrs 15 mins  More

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    ‘I’m not being sarcastic’ – Pep Guardiola fumes at Premier League double standards after Man Utd clash moved

    PEP GUARDIOLA accused the Premier League of double standards after moving matches to help Euro finalists next week.And he has also been dismayed by the decision to make his Manchester City play their rearranged game with Bournemouth on Tuesday night.Pep Guardiola is set to lead his side at Wembley tomorrowCredit: ReutersThe Etihad chief has often grumbled about the schedule his team have been handed after key Champions League ties.Yet both Manchester United and Tottenham had their league matches moved to last night to give them more time to prepare for Wednesday night’s Europa League final in Bilbao.He said: “Tottenham played Aston Villa on Friday night ahead of  the Europa League final. Good decision.“I’m not being sarcastic. The Premier League made a good decision.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But we played all the time in semi and quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday away —  and then played on Saturday.“This season, when we didn’t play in those games, we played on  Sunday — when we didn’t need the extra day.”Meanwhile, City still need points from their final two Prem matches to ensure a top-five spot and secure Champions League football next term.And they have been given no favours, with their home game against the Cherries scheduled for Tuesday night — even though City are in today’s FA Cup final against  Crystal Palace.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGuardiola said they had not asked for it to be moved, but added: “I’d prefer to play Wednesday, definitely. It will be tough.“We’ve been nine years fighting against these situations, every single season and nothing goes.Pep Guardiola aims sly dig at rivals Man Utd hours after their heroic Europa League comeback “We are going to play Tuesday night against an intense, physical,  direct and powerful team like Bournemouth.“They are playing for the Europa League or Conference qualification. So we have to deal with that. But they decided we should play Tuesday.”For now Guardiola must focus on how to beat a Palace side looking to win a first-ever major trophy.By contrast, the City boss has won 38 major pots during his managerial career — but insists he will be just as motivated.He said: “When you have never won, it is special for Oliver Glasner, the players and the fans.“But I have incredible enthusiasm to win, so we’ll see what happens.”And Guardiola left the door open for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri — who has not featured since damaging his cruciate knee ligament in September — to appear at Wembley.Read More on The SunBut it seems unlikely — and Pep said: “I am waiting on the doctors.“When they tell me he’s ready, he’s going to start. We don’t want to take a risk.” More

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    Chelsea vs Man Utd pitch invader ‘SPEARED’ as Blues steward is likened to WWE icon

    A STAMFORD BRIDGE pitch invader was “speared” to the ground – as fans compared a quick-tackling steward to a WWE icon.Chelsea and Manchester United players looked on as a fan burst past them in the Prem clash – before being felled by a security staffer’s expert DIVE.The fan might have regretted his actions after this interventionCredit: ReutersThe pitch invader tried in vain to evade the stewardCredit: ReutersViewers were awed by the steward’s elite move, which came deep in stoppage time as the Blues held on for a vital 1-0 win.One observer posted: “The best thing about this game is the pitch invader being speared by the steward. Proper prime Goldberg spear.”That was a reference to WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg.The former wrestler, 58, was a five-time world champion.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSAnother fan said of the blue-topped turf intruder: “Bro got speared into a different species…. Unreal from the Steward.”And one viewer joked of the tackler: “I thought it was John Terry.”TV cameras caught the incident during live match coverage.The intruder zoomed into the middle – within yards of several players.Most read in FootballThe blue-topped fan was just about to receive a huge shockBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKManuel Ugarte turned round in surprise as the man went straight past the United substitute’s back.And Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia also swivelled to see what was going on within touching distance of him. Chelsea star Cole Palmer admits he threw up in the pool on holiday and got his hand stuck in a Pringles tubeSeconds later, two stewards caught up with the intruder.And when one plunged at the man to take him straight to the floor, Blues winger Noni Madueke was looking over the whole scene.TV coverage soon switched to a shot of Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.That might partly be because broadcasters often avoid showing pitch invasions.And the hold-up lasted barely a minute, with referee Chris Kavanagh blowing for full time 60 seconds later. More

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    Mikel Arteta ready to break the bank for a top striker – even if it costs more than Arsenal’s transfer budget

    MIKEL ARTETA hinted Arsenal could break  the bank for the right striker — comparing this summer  window to overspending on a lavish wedding.The Gunners need an elite No 9 and are eyeing up Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.Newcastle’s Alexander Isak would surely attract the biggest feeCredit: PASporting ace Viktor Gyokeres has long been on Arsenal’s radarCredit: AlamySome observers reckon Leipzig hero Benjamin Sesko is still rawCredit: GettyBoth Gyokeres, 26,  and Sesko, 21, could cost £60-70million while Isak, 25, is valued as high as £150m by Toon chiefs.Arsenal splashed out £105m on midfielder Declan Rice in July 2023 — and could splurge up to £200m in this window.Boss Arteta said: “The budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan with your wife and give her a budget.“It’s never less — it’s always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS“There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget.”Arsenal appear to be favouring Swedish striker Gyokeres — who has 95 goals in 100 games for Sporting in Portugal.Slovenian Sesko is seen as a top talent but there are fears he is still raw.Arteta will get another close look at his dream target Isak on Sunday when they host Newcastle.Most read in FootballMikel Arteta is finally ready to splash out big on a frontmanCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe Emirates chief has signed a number of stars with Prem experience — such as David Raya, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino.Asked why, Arteta added: “Sometimes it has been a thoughtful decision and sometimes it has been an opportunity.Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior turns director as he films twerk queen Wag doing raunchy dance routine in water “Sometimes it has just been luck. But there’s an element of understanding the league that brings the adaptation time lower and the risk lower.”Meanwhile, the Gunners have also been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.The Brazilian has bagged 12 goals and 10 assists in 50 games for the Spanish giants this season.Rodrygo is reportedly a potential option for the GunnersCredit: Getty More

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    Marc Guehi ready to land dream free transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona in blow to Premier League suitors

    MARC GUEHI is ready to run down his contract to land a dream move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.Crystal Palace’s captain, 24, has a year left on his deal — with   Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham all chasing him.Marc Guehi has excelled for Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe Toon are favourites to land the England defender this summer — but a free transfer to a Spanish giant in 2026 is on the cards.Guehi  , who was born in the Ivory Coast, has recently renewed his Ivorian passport — which makes him more attractive to LaLiga clubs.And both Real and Barca have kept tabs on his progress.Spanish sides are restricted to just three non-EU players in their matchday squads.READ MORE CRYSTAL PALACE NEWSSince Brexit, British stars now count as non-EU, with Jude Bellingham having applied for an Irish passport since his move to Real.However, players with African nationality are effectively classed as Spanish nationals due to the Cotonou Agreement — agreed between the EU and  Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.Palace signed the defender from Chelsea four years ago for an initial £18million and his rise has been rapid.The Eagles accept Guehi will move on and have long been comfortable with selling young players for the right price.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBoth Newcastle and Spurs have seen bids of up to £70m rejected in the last year and Palace will be tested again this summer — or risk losing him for free a year later.The Blues have considered bringing Guehi back to the club, where he moved through their famed academy.Cole Palmer eats sandwich and ketchup as Brit music legend makes cameo in brilliant Chelsea kit release videoStamford Bridge chiefs were also interested in Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, 20. But he is set to join Real who activated his £50m release clause. Asked about his future yesterday ahead of today’s FA Cup final, Guehi said: “I’m still on a contract, so my focus is always at this football club.“The most important thing is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds.“As far as I’m concerned, I’m a Palace player.”Palace boss Oliver Glasner is also out of contract next summer. But the Austrian said: “It’s the wrong time to think about your future.“It’s the same reason I didn’t talk to any single player as it’s not the time to talk about it.“And if you start to talk about it, you get distracted, and this is what we can’t allow.Read More on The Sun“We need 100 per focus, 100 per cent energy, 100 per cent togetherness to win this title — otherwise it’s not possible.“Let’s play this game and we have two more games in the league and then I will switch off my phone.”Oliver Glasner has discussed his Palace futureCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More