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    West Ham star forced to make major wardrobe change mid-match after breaking little-known kit rule

    CRYSENSIO SUMMERVILLE was forced into a mid-match wardrobe change after breaking a little-known rule.The West Ham winger started the 2-1 victory against Wolves at the London Stadium on Monday night.Crysensio Summerville was forced into a mid-match kit changeCredit: Sky SportsHe had to remove his white sleeves due to a little-known ruleCredit: Sky SportsSummerville, 23, put in an impressive performance from the left wing but did have to exit the action in the first half temporarily.This was because the Dutchman broke a little-known Premier League kit rule. The former Leeds man started the game wearing white sleeves under his West Ham home shirt.However, the sleeve colour must match that of the kit’s sleeves.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWith the Hammers’ home kit having light-blue sleeves, the referee ordered Summerville to remove the extra layer.The summer arrival then ran off the pitch to the touchline to change before just whipping them off and returning to the action.Fans found the moment hilarious as they reacted on social media.One posted: “Summerville had to step off because his sleeves didn’t match the colour of his shirt, haha.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA second wrote: “Summerville not even wearing a base layer, just a couple of sleeves, is the funniest thing I’ve seen.”A third commented: “lmao they for real made Summerville take his sleeves off.”Tomas Soucek reveals heartwarming video call with Michail Antonio as he dedicates celebration to stricken West Ham starWest Ham stars paid tribute to Michail Antonio before the gameCredit: AlamyTomas Soucek dedicated his celebration to the forward after scoring the openerCredit: GettyCaptain Jarrod Bowen showed Antonio’s shirt to the fans after scoring the winnerCredit: AlamyWest Ham claimed a valuable victory against Gary O’Neil’s side to ease pressure on Julen Lopetegui.Reports claimed that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter was open to replacing the Spaniard should he be sacked at the London Stadium.Summerville was also involved in the Hammers’ players’ tributes to Michail Antonio before the game.The stars wore pre-match jackets in honour of the forward who was injured in a horrifying car crash on Saturday.Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen made their own touching tributes after scoring in the match.At full-time, tempers flared as a huge brawl broke out after Bowen and Mario Lemina clashed.Soucek also revealed that Antonio had a video call with the team before the match started, during which he was cracking jokes.FA rules on undershirtsHere is what the FA rules state about undershirts in football…Undershirts must be:A single colour which is the same colour as the main colour of the shirt sleeve; orA pattern/colours which exactly replicate(s) the shirt sleeveUndershorts/tights must be the same colour as the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts – players of the same team must wear the same colour. More

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    Former Premier League manager Nigel Pearson reveals he’s ‘learning to walk again’ as he opens up on shock health battle

    NIGEL PEARSON has bravely opened up on his battle with a neurological issue, which forced him to re-learn how to walk.The 61-year-old revealed he was battling the problem last October after being seated for several of Bristol City’s Championship matches.Nigel Pearson has been experiencing neurological issues for over 13 monthsCredit: REXThe former Leicester and Bristol City manager has had to re-learn how to walkCredit: PAPearson, 61, provided an update on his health on social mediaCredit: X@NIGELGPEARSONHe tried to perform his duties to the best of his abilities and even began using crutches to ensure he could stand in his technical area.The neurological issue, however, has seemingly got worse over the last year, so much so that Pearson has had to re-learn the most basic of functions.The former Leicester City manager wrote on X: “I would like to thank all the kind people who have continued to send their support during the last 13 months.”I’d like to update you. Learning to walk again has been an incredible challenge.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”My appreciation of support from family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and medical professionals has been profound.”I had the wonderful opportunity of travelling to the US with my dad to meet family for the first time, in Wisconsin.”Recently, I’ve been able to cycle in the Peak District, and swing golf clubs at the driving range, although my follow-through needs some work (I’ve not fallen over yet!)”Despite not receiving a prognosis on his debilitating ailment, Pearson remains optimistic.Most read in FootballNigel Pearson remains optimistic about his chances of recoveryCredit: RexHe continued: “Although my prognosis is still uncertain, believe me, that positivity and laughter can prove the best medicine as I experienced with old friends from school on a canal narrow boat on my birthday.”There is always light somewhere ahead… new possibilities, new challenges.’Leeds fans better than Sunderland’ plus bust ups and bug pranks | Jack Grimmer – What the EFL?!”Take care of each other, and enjoy a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. Cheers, Nige”Pearson was flooded with hundreds of messages of support after providing an update on his condition.One footie fan wrote: “Great to hear you are doing well. All the best.”Another said: “Delighted to see you on the mend Gaffer (Mr. Pearson).”Hope it continues apace and you and your family have a great Christmas.”And another said: “Good to hear. Onwards and upwards!READ MORE SUN STORIESOne remarked: “Keep going legend, we’re all behind you.”Another chimed in: “All the best Nigel. Amazing news, have a lovely Christmas and New Year.” More

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    Tomas Soucek reveals heartwarming video call with Michail Antonio as he dedicates celebration to stricken West Ham star

    TOMAS SOUCEK has revealed the heartwarming call with Michail Antonio before West Ham took on Wolves.The Hammers star was the victim of a terrifying car crash that saw him airlifted to hospital.Tomas Soucek dedicated his celebration to Michail AntonioCredit: GettyHe also shouted Antonio’s name into the cameraCredit: AlamyAfter the match, Soucek admitted that the team spot to Antonio before the gameCredit: Sky SportsThe West Ham star was involved in a terrifying car crash on SaturdayCredit: GettyHis £260,000 Ferrari was left wrecked after colliding with a treeCredit: Steve BellAntonio, 34, had to be cut free from his £260,000 Ferrari FF after it hit a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on Saturday.He has since undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture in a London hospital.West Ham beat Wolves 2-1 on Monday night in their first match since the shocking incident.After the game, the Czech midfielder revealed that he and the rest of the team spoke to Antonio on a video call.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe told Sky Sports: “It was a tough week for us and his family. It’s really tough but we are happy he came to the position he can be.”We saw him before the game, we had a video call with him before the game.”I was so happy, he smiled to us and he gave us all the best and so happy for him. I can’t wait to visit him.”He’s a lovely guy, so happy. He had a few jokes and wished us all the best.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He’s the top scorer for West Ham, one of the best West Ham have had.”This was great we saw him today, I wish him all the best.West Ham fans pay emotional tribute to Michail Antonio with ninth-minute applauseJarrod Bowen also paid tribute to AntonioCredit: GettyMohammed Kudus also displayed Antonio’s shirt after his offside goalCredit: PAThe West Ham team wore pre-match jackets in honour of AntonioCredit: GettyMichail Antonio’s incredible riseBy Jon BoonThe outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.”So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game.”These things happen, but hopefully he will be even better soon.”Soucek, 29, opened the scoring with a header and dedicated his goal to his team-mate and showed nine fingers in reference to Antonio’s shirt number.He added: “I dedicated it to him, I said to myself that I want to score even more today. “Antonio has been here since I came and he’s been my favourite.”It’s tough not to play a long time without him. This is for him, he’s a massive player and he’s in my heart.”It was really tough. I was with the kids and I saw the information on my phone.”I messaged everyone what I could on how he is. I wish him all the best, I was so scared as to what was going to happen.”Mohammed Kudus made his own salute to Antonio as he scored and celebrated with his stool while also handing a shirt with the star’s name on the advertising board.However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.Matt Doherty equalised for the visitors in the 69th minute.However, West Hame star Jarrod Bowen fired in the winning goal just two minutes later.The captain made his own tribute to Antonio as he held up the forward’s shirt towards the stands.The whole team were involved in a tribute to their team-mate before kick-off as they warmed up in shirts with “Antonio” on the back.The whole crowd in the stadium rose to their feet in the 9th minute to applaud the Jamaica international.The victory would have eased some pressure on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, with the club now nine points from the bottom three.READ MORE SUN STORIESReports had claimed that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is open to replacing the Spaniard should he be sacked at the London Stadium.After the full-time whistle emotions boiled over as a huge brawl broke out after a disagreement between Bowen and Mario Lemina.Lopetegui dedicates win to AntonioJulen Lopetegui dedicated West Ham’s win over Wolves to star Michail Antonio.He said: “Mick is a very special player, a special guy, we love him a lot and we are very happy to be able to dedicate this victory to him. “It has been a tough few days for a lot of reasons. Today we are happy because we achieved three important points.”It was a very difficult match, as all the matches in the Premier League are, and we overcame different moments in disallowing the goals.”We had a lot of shots, the first very clear chances we had in the first half we didn’t take advantage of – we did the same against Leicester and in the end we lost. “Today after we started winning, making it 2-0 was more or less key, so the disallowed goal and them equalising was a trigger moment to be strong in our mentality. I think we did that. “I am happy for the players to have the possibility to dedicate this victory to Mick and his family. They deserve this.” More

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    Rio Ferdinand tells Man Utd chiefs to be ‘brutal’ with the ‘s*** players’ and ‘get them the f*** out quick’

    RIO FERDINAND has demanded that Manchester United get the “s***” players the “f*** out” of the squad.The former Red Devils defender has insisted that the club needs to be brutal with the playing staff.Rio Ferdinand wants Manchester United to axe the ‘s***’ playersCredit: xDan Ashworth was asked by the club after just five monthsCredit: AFPFerdinand has claimed the club needs a similar attitude with the playing staffCredit: GettyFerdinand, 46, is hopeful that the ownership takes the same attitude with the underperforming stars as they have with directors.His X-rated rant has come following the decision to axe sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months.He said: “Confusion is the first thing that comes to mind.”I just hope that they’re this brutal as they have been with the staff that have been there for years and that they’re culling.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I hope they’re this brutal with the s*** players that are there.”If there are any s*** players that are there, and ones that have either been there too long or the ones that just aren’t good enough, be as brutal as they’ve been.”Get them the f*** out quick.”I hope they’re like that. For better or worse, at least they’ve made a bloody decision.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”That’s the way I think about it. But you look at the things that are going on.”I think there’s a lot of noise around the club.Dan Ashworth leaves Man Utd after just five months with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ordering shock boardroom shake-upInside Man Utd chaos amid Ashworth departureTHE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game. Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.”Ticket price are now going up, there’s been laying off of 250 plus staff and again, they’re very definitive.”They’re like, ‘We’re doing this. We don’t care about the noise’.”Ashworth left the club after showdown talks with the club locked in a blame game for the poor start to the season.Manchester United announced the sacking with a blunt 53-word statement and insisted it was a “mutual decision”.Gary Neville slammed the statement as “not a good look” in his own brutal rant.The Red Devils’ shocking start to the Premier League campaign saw the end to Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager.The Dutchman was axed after the defeat to West Ham in October and then replaced by Ruben Amorim.Since the Portuguese coach was hired results have continued to be inconsistent.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis first game ended in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich before victories against Bodo/Glimt and Everton.However, the club is now winless in their previous three games with the latest ending in a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m More

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    Pep Guardiola set to throw ‘new Lionel Messi’ straight into Man City squad in desperate bid to reignite failing season

    PEP GUARDIOLA will throw the ‘new Lionel Messi’ straight into Manchester City’s creaking squad next month.Argentine starlet Claudio Echeverri, 18, arrives from River Plate — a year after a £12million deal was completed.Pep Guardiola is taking drastic action to tackle Man City’s plightCredit: GettyClaudio Echeverri is arriving from Argentinians River Plate to help CityCredit: GettyCity agreed to let him stay in his homeland for another season while  the South American giants hoped to keep him even longer.But boss Guardiola has decided he wants to be able to call upon the attacking midfielder during the second half of the campaign.So Echeverri is moving to England in the new year to spend the rest of the season training with the first team.He will be available to step in straight away but is likely to need time to find his feet in his new surroundings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity had previously considered sending the teenager to one of their sister clubs to gain some European experience.That remains a possibility for the summer if the feeling is he is still not ready to challenge for a spot in Pep’s team.But the Etihad boss admitted at the weekend he is desperately short of options after a pile-up of injuries.And Echeverri will be given every chance to show he can play a part in the set-up.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe reigning Premier League champions beat off competition from around the world as they clinched the signing of the Argentina Under-17s captain last winter.His position and style have seen him compared to his country’s World Cup-winning skipper and Barcelona legend Messi — who Guardiola helped mould into a superstar at the helm of the Spanish giants.’Who the f*** do you think you are?’ Man City told after ‘making outrageous bid for Lionel Messi by accident’Echeverri broke into River’s first team 18 months ago and has been playing regularly for them since.His arrival comes in the wake of the news that the  hearing into the 130 breaches of Financial Fair Play rules levelled at City by the Premier League is now over.A three-man panel, who have heard both sides over the last three months, will now consider the evidence before writing up the report.While the earliest an outcome is expected to be known is spring, there are fears it could run into next season.The hearing began on September 16 at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London and was originally scheduled to take ten weeks.It has overrun by around a fortnight but it is understood closing statements were heard at the end of last week.Abu Dhabi-owned City are also  accused of failing to co-operate with the investigation — which began in 2018 — of their alleged breaches of FFP.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf they are found guilty, they could face a huge points deduction which may condemn them to relegation.But both sides would have the option to appeal against the decision if they are not satisfied — meaning it could be several more months before any such   penalties are imposed.What will happen to Man City?MAN CITY began the season as favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future. More

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    Man Utd WON’T replace Dan Ashworth as club ditch sporting director role but axed chief already lined up by Arsenal

    MANCHESTER UNITED have ditched the role of sporting director after their failed Dan Ashworth experiment.Sir Jim Ratcliffe axed Ashworth following Saturday’s 3-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest.Dan Ashworth is being linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: PAHead of Sport Sir David Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada and techinal director Jason Wilcox will now fill Ashworth’s bootsAshworth, now a target for Prem rivals Arsenal, was United’s first ever sporting director.But he is gone after just five months — with the post consigned to history.Red Devils part-owner Ratcliffe decided that his Ineos right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, United chief exec Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox will share the responsibilities of the position.Ashworth, 53, was forced out of Old Trafford after losing a power battle with ex-City executive Berrada.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe pair had a huge fall-out over how the club should move forward in a bid to get back to the top of English football.But Ashworth, who worked at Newcastle, Brighton, West Brom and the FA, could be offered a swift return.Arsenal are assessing options to replace Edu as sporting director at the Emirates and Ashworth’s unexpected availability has caught their eye.Ashworth has a close relationship with Gunners managing director Richard Garlick, who is leading the search to land a new sporting director.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSInside Man Utd chaos amid Ashworth departureTHE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game. Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.The pair worked together at West Brom for three years.Garlick was legal director at The Hawthorns and worked under Ashworth before replacing him as the club’s sporting director when he left to join the FA in 2013.Man Utd cult hero Nani announces retirement with emotional video after tragic death of his fatherEverton are also monitoring Ashworth as they wait for The Friedkin Group to complete a takeover.The club’s prospective new owners are in the process of conducting a structural review, which will lead to new appointments including a chief executive and technical director.SunSport can reveal Ashworth’s axe will also open the door to further cuts at United.Ashworth fought against too many cutbacks despite Ratcliffe wanting more.In total, 250 staff have been made redundant.But that is not the end as Carrington is set to be targeted again — with the academy and women’s footballing section likely to be streamlined. More

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    Huge brawl erupts after West Ham beat Wolves with Bowen thrown to ground as tensions boil over following El Sackico

    A HUGE brawl erupted at the London Stadium after West Ham edged past Wolves in the Premier League El Sackico on Monday night.Hammers captain and match-winner Jarrod Bowen was thrown to the turf as tensions boiled over after an emotional night for West Ham.A huge brawl erupted at the end of West Ham’s 2-1 win over WolvesSkippers Jarrod Bowen and Mario Lemina grappled at full-timeLemina pulled Bowen to the turfBowen got up to confront Lemina againBowen held Michail Antonio’s shirt aloft after his goalThe handbags came out at full time after Mario Lemina refused to shake Bowen’s hand.It caused both skippers to square up to each other and get involved in a grappling contest.Bowen appeared to say: “Shake my hand” several times, before shoving Lemina back and grabbing him by the scruff of the neck.Lemina in turn snatched onto Bowen’s shirt and flipped the England winger onto the grass.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPlayers from both sides rushed in and there was chaos on the pitch as West Ham celebrated a hugely important victory.Bowen and Lemina were both subsequently booked by ref John Brooks after VAR had checked for violent conduct.An enraged Lemina even pushed his own team-mate Toti Gomes and Wolves coaching staff member Shaun Derry.Both were trying to calm the Wolves captain down – as was West Ham star Jean-Clair Todibo.Most read in FootballThe Gabonese international was left fuming at full-timeLemina was pulled away by the Wolves coaching staffFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGary O’Neil said post-match: “Mario was annoyed with one of the West Ham players. His team-mates and Shaun tried to calm him down.”The last thing we need is him getting a suspension. He’s important to us.”West Ham fans pay emotional tribute to Michail Antonio with ninth-minute applauseLemina’s frustration comes after Wolves felt aggrieved by THREE VAR decisions.O’Neil’s side had a penalty appeal turned down by on-field officials and VAR after Emerson felled Goncalo Guedes.Explaining the decision, the Premier League match centre tweeted: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Emerson on Guedes was checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming that the contact was outside the box.”And Konstantinos Mavropanos appeared to foul Hugo Bueno in the build-up before Bowen put West Ham back in front.And Jamie Carragher agreed saying: “How is that not a foul?” before the home side’s winner.Wolves then had another penalty appeal turned down after Mavropanos felled Bellegarde.Fans at home were left fuming after believing that Tomas Soucek’s headed opener came after West Ham were awarded a corner incorrectly as the ball came off Aaron Wan-Bissaka.Mohammed Kudus also had two goals ruled out for offside.West Ham players wore Michail Antonio shirts ahead of their clash with WolvesEvery player wore Antonio’s name and numberBoth Julen Lopetegui and O’Neil came into the match on the brink of the sack.After last week’s thumping at Everton, O’Neil talked as if he would be gone by the morning, and now it seems inevitable after coming on the wrong side of ‘El Sackico’.Wolves sit 19th in the Prem, having won just two of 15 games this season.Meanwhile, West Ham, who are 14th, climbed one point behind Man Utd in the table.The Hammers showed their support to Michail Antonio following his car accident on Saturday, with both Soucek and Bowen paying tribute to him with their goal celebrations.Before the game, West Ham players warmed up in replicas of his shirt, while the crowd chanted his name at kick-off and again nine minutes into the game.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe team’s match-worn shirts are also being auctioned off to raise money for the NHS and Air Ambulances UK Charity.Soucek later revealed the West Ham players had a video call with Antonio before the game.Tomas Soucek put up nine fingers in honour of West Ham no.9 Antonio More

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    How Chelsea embarrassed Tottenham with Enzo Fernandez leading genius in-game tactical shake-up

    CHELSEA have been flying under the radar in the Premier League this season.But Sunday’s stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Tottenham 4-3 has left many asking: Have the Blues entered the title race?Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround for ChelseaCole Palmer was the main man in an incredible victoryAfter a pretty underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge, it seems as though £107m signing Enzo Fernandez has finally been unlocked by Enzo Maresca.Here, our tactical expert Dean Scoggins — from SunSport YouTube show Tactics Exposed — dissects how Chelsea shook things up to deliver another classic at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.1) The double Enzo A TALE of two Enzos saw the Chelsea manager make a tactical switch when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was down receiving treatment.Many thought the tweak occurred after Romeo Lavia was removed at half-time, but it actually came once Chelsea went 2-0 down.READ MORE ON CHELSEAIt saw Blues captain Fernandez start to drop back in into the inside left position to give Chelsea an alternative out ball. Spurs missed a flurry of chances, with Son Heung-min the main culprit, before Jadon Sancho’s 20-yard goal gave the visiting fans hope in the 18th minute.But the solution came when goalscorer Fernandez dropped into a much deeper role and Chelsea abandoned their usual box shape.Once Malo Gusto replaced Lavia, the Blues dropped into a back-four allowing Fernandez to pick the ball up deeper next to Moises Caicedo. Most read in FootballThe Argentine had 23 touches – the most touches of any player – and provided more forward passes while being tasked with switching play.He’s usually the furthest forward midfielder, but in their new shape he came much deeper to collect the ball.Chelsea typically play with a box shape in midfieldBut they moved to four at the back when Gusto replaced Lavia and Fernandez dropped deeperChelsea ratings v Tottenham: Chelsea came from two goals to beat Spurs 4-3 away from home 2) Fernandez’s genius run for Sancho goalTAKE nothing away from Sancho’s exquisite strike, but the Man Utd loanee’s goal doesn’t get scored without Fernandez’s run. It came moments after his fellow Argentine team-mate Cristian Romero went down injured and was replaced by Radu Dragosin.Fernandez started the move inside his own half after receiving the ball from Sanchez and played it wide while continuing his run down the pitch. He then dragged Dragosin out of the way while Sancho came inside and smashed it in the far corner past Fraser Forster.Yes, it’s a little naive from Dragosin who didn’t communicate well enough with Pedro Porro – but the run was clever.Fernandez was instrumental in setting up Jadon Sancho’s goal3) Don’t cry for me, Argie screamer!JUST like Dimitar Berbatov and Teddy Sheringham, Fernandez is a master at reading the game.Just when everybody is running in one direction, he knows when to stop, which opened up space for his stunning goal.Tottenham were, quite rightly, primarily interested in stopping Cole Palmer on the ball, so Fernandez waited for room to open up for him.The Argentine earned his luck when Palmer’s pass deflected in his path because he waited for the space. Fernandez completed the turnaround with a stunning volley in the 73rd minute4) Palmer, the best penalty taker ever?WHO would you pick to save your life by scoring a penalty? It’s hard not to go with Palmer. In fact, I’d like to see a better taker.The England star’s Panenka saw him break the Prem record for the most spot kicks with a 100 per cent strike rate by netting 12 out of 12.He overtook former Man City ace Yaya Toure on Sunday, as well as the likes of Berbatov and Alan Shearer.And it’s not luck – the angle run up is the same with every spot-kick, but his placement differs.5) Colwill’s Solanke nightmare – Great No9 performance and great goalBELIEVE it or not Levi Colwill often has the most touches of any Chelsea player – but he fell victim to Dominic Solanke.Solanke led from the front and sprung Spurs forward in their early attacks by his clever off-ball movementThe 27-year-old’s run for his goal makes him a worthy successor to Harry Kane.The former Bournemouth striker’s growing connection with Brennan Johnson came off after Marc Cucurella slipped.Solanke looked to his left to take Colwill away before changing direction with an inward darting run across the Chelsea defender to collect the ball and shoot.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe repeated those zig-zag actions for the rest of the game, and could’ve scored again if only for better deliveries from Son.That’s the Ange Postecoglou tactic. It’s balls passed into the inside channels and fast crosses. And so they’ll do that all the time.Dominic Solanke first took Levi Colwill away after Brennan Johnson capitalised on Marc Cucurella’s slipThe Spurs No9 then darted across Colwill to pick up Johnson’s passSolanke scored his sixth Spurs goal since joining in the summer More