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    Jose Mourinho is long past his prime but ex-Man Utd boss was like Robert De Niro in his pre-match press conference

    FRANK SINATRA never did perform in a crowded hut by the tradesman’s entrance of a football training ground in Istanbul.And Robert De Niro never fielded questions about the absence of a fit, recognised left-back for the fourth-best team in the Turkish Super Lig.Jose Mourinho’s press conferences remain box-office eventsCredit: GettyMourinho was at his Robert De Niro best with the way he entertained the gathered media – here in the film Raging BullCredit: AlamyBut had they ever done so, it would have gone something like this. An audience with Jose Mourinho never grows old. Even now that his vagabond shoes have strayed all the way to this outbuilding at Fenerbahce’s Can Bartu training complex.As a coach, he may be past his prime. Indeed, he claims he wasn’t even one of the ten candidates spoken to by the FA to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.But as a media operator, Mourinho is Ol’ Blue Eyes, he’s Bobby De Niro.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe’s a song-and-dance man and a box-office sensation. He’s the manager the Premier League craves because of his charisma, his take-downs, his mindgames and his wisecracks.Just not his football.Here he was, simultaneously spitting poison at Turkish journalists, who have been critical of his underwhelming start as Fenerbahce boss, while greeting the English press pack as if we were lifelong friends who’d never had a bad word to say about him. Which, believe me, was never the case.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTonight, Mourinho goes head to head with his former club Manchester United in a meeting of two once-great footballing institutions.Between them, United and Mourinho won 16 of the first 21 Premier League titles, as well as four European Cups during that same era. Inside Jose Mourinho’s £1,000-a-night Istanbul hotel as ex-Man Utd boss orders same three-course meal every nightBoth are now faded and in exile — Mourinho on the Asian side of this chaotic, sprawling, city and United in the bottom half of the table, a world away from the elite.A decade ago, both would have scoffed at the idea of second-tier Thursday night football. Yet here they are. Still, Mourinho, the old rascal with the glint in his eye, was shaking hands, slapping backs and throwing signed Fenerbahce shirts to a couple of English journalists.He’d read a newspaper story which claimed he had been ordering the same room-service meal every night in his Istanbul hotel suite — chicken soup, margarita pizza and ice cream.“You English guys know where I live,” he giggled, “you know what I eat. Come round and make yourselves at home. I’m staying here at the training ground tonight, so does anyone need a room for the night?”Mourinho saved his best jibe for Manchester City and his old El Clasico sparring partner Pep Guardiola — claiming he could yet win a title with United if City — who face 115 Premier League charges of financial wrongdoing — are stripped of their 2017-18 crown, when his Red Devils were runners up.Mourinho, wary of motivating tonight’s opponents too much, was selective in his criticism of United boss Erik ten Hag. He merely stated United’s ‘potential was far higher than their results’ and noted the Old Trafford board had shown more patience with Ten Hag than they did with him.There was also the assertion that United and another of his former clubs, Spurs, should be the two clear favourites to win the Europa League — given that the Premier League was ‘far superior in terms of quality, intensity and finance’ than any other league.While claiming that he wishes United well and believes ‘they will succeed sooner or later, hopefully sooner before one day I go back to the Premier League’, Mourinho suggested it was a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ he returns to England. But is that so?He is already being criticised for negative football here, Fenerbahce lost their first major derby, 3-1 at home to leaders Galatasaray and were beaten in a Champions League play-off against Lille to end up in the Thursday night club.Yet still Mourinho possesses the capacity to fascinate. Still, owners of Premier League club clubs, who should probably know better, will remain intrigued.When I asked about United’s decision to terminate Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2million-per-year role as a club ambassador, Mourinho was keen to plug a documentary about his life to be screened on Netflix next year.He said: “My relationship with Sir Alex was amazing, incredible, when my Netflix documentary comes out you will know more about the reasons I have so much respect for him. The ambassadorial role, I don’t know that situation. It doesn’t matter.“Sir Alex has the most important thing: the love and respect of every Manchester United fan around the world. That is more important than a few more pounds he doesn’t need.”It was very different when questions arrived from the Turkish media.Jose Mourinho explains reason behind his Man Utd exitBy NEIL CUSTISJOSE MOURINHO says a lack of trust from the top denied him more success at Manchester United.Mourinho spent two-and-a-half years in the Old Trafford hotseat, winning two trophies, reaching an FA Cup final and finishing second in the Premier League.But he was sacked in  December 2018 and believes he was not backed properly in the transfer market by then executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.Mourinho said: “What Erik ten Hag has in his time at United I didn’t.“I didn’t have that level of support or trust.“So I left sad, because I felt I was in the beginning of the process. I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience, things could be different.”Mourinho gave signed shirts to a few English journalistsCredit: ReutersTold that Fenerbahce were playing at a slower pace than last season, his response was simply: “That is your opinion and I respect it.” A line delivered with about as much respect as a cobra spitting venom from its fangs.There were sarcastic swipes at TV pundits ‘the specialists have all the answers’. If they told Jose to play his misfiring attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski at left-back then perhaps he’d do so to avoid criticism.When a TV reporter asked a perfectly-reasonable question, he was given a lecture about the need to stop showing endless replays of a ‘non-penalty’ incident involving Sofyan Amrabat, who will play tonight alongside a fellow former United midfielder, Fred.That was the modern-day reality of Mourinho’s career — an argument over the use of TV footage in Turkish domestic football.A spat he could never have imagined having when winning titles at Chelsea, Champions Leagues with Porto and Inter Milan or ruling the roost at the two most famous clubs on Earth, United and Real Madrid.Yet at 61, something still motivates him to keep going. Perhaps the prospect of returning to the Premier League — where press conferences now tend to be interminably dull and the whole soap opera is a need of a great brooding, anti-hero.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor now, he performs in a hut by the tradesman’s entrance and eats margarita pizza in his room.But one day he thinks he’ll be back in the bright lights. Like Sinatra, he’ll never truly retire.Aged 61, he is still a natural entertainerCredit: ReutersMourinho announced himself to United fans with his memorable run down the Old Trafford touchlineCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe Portuguese gaffer led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League gloryCredit: AFPThe Special One is living at the Four Seasons Hotel in IstanbulCredit: Free for editorial use More

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    Inside Mikel Arteta’s bizarre pre-match methods with giant dominoes, pickpockets and squeezing lemons

    MIKEL ARTETA’S unusual pre-match methods have included lemons, giant domino pieces and an undercover waiter.But Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is confident the Gunners boss is close to “surpassing” mentor Pep Guardiola in their battle for the Premier League title.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has some unusual pre-match methodsCredit: AlamyArteta has been known to think outside the box when it comes to preparing his squad for big games in the past, using props such as lightbulbs, speakers and flipcharts.As Arsenal prepare for another title bout with Pep’s Manchester City, Zinchenko revealed: “We had one where every player was given a lemon, a knife and a glass.“Mikel said, ‘Guys, I want you to squeeze these lemons as hard as you can.“In the end, we will add all of it in a bowl and we will see how much we can achieve together. The juice is our team magic. Everyone starts cutting and squeezing.READ MORE IN football “Then Mikel calls time. ‘Let’s see how much you squeezed.’ He went to one of the players and said, ‘Did you squeeze enough?’ ‘Yes, boss.’ Okay, let me see.’“He took the lemon, squeezed it and a bit of juice came out, still. He said: ‘Guys, this is the message, you can always add more. “You can always give more.’ Simple but quite effective.”Zinchenko added: “Another one I really liked involved hundreds of big domino pieces. We came into the room and saw a ball next to a basket.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“There were very detailed instructions on what size dominos you could use and how they had to set up. Mikel asked us to work together and build this spiral of stones.“He said: ‘Pay attention to the details and get all your angles right, because if only one stone is out of place, the whole thing breaks down.’Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened“Each one of us felt the responsibility. You don’t want to be the one who lets the team down and have the chain reaction fail.“Again, a simple idea, but it worked so well to put everybody in good spirits before a big game and remind them that we were in this together.”At one group dinner, Spanish boss Arteta hired several professional pickpockets to steal phones and wallets from the players to teach them about always being prepared and alert.And in January 2023, before beating Manchester United at home 3-2 thanks to an injury time winner from Eddie Nketiah, Arteta produced another secret experiment in a lunch meeting.Oleksandr Zinchenko with manager ArtetaCredit: GettyZinchenko said: “Mikel announced it was going to be another players vs staff freestyle battle. “The other day, it had been me against Nicolas Jover, our set piece specialist, and I had won.“So, the manager says: ‘It’s rematch today. Alex, let’s see if you can do it again’.“So, I get up and do a few tricks and so on. Then it’s Nico’s turn. But he’s holding his hamstring, saying he’s injured and can’t play.Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this?Oleksandr Zinchenko“Mikel looks around the room and says: ‘We need a substitute. Anyone?’ At that moment, a waiter raises his hand. Mikel says: ‘Okay. You can try.’“And guess what? This guy is killing it. He’s basically destroying us. He even nutmegs [Bukayo] Saka. “Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this? Everyone’s cheering him on and laughing.“Turns out he’s a professional freestyler with millions of followers whom Mikel had planted at the hotel as a waiter.“You realise how much work must have gone into that behind the scenes.”That guy was there for at least three hours undercover, serving up coffee and cakes and waiting patiently for his big moment. “The mood in the camp was incredible after that. People were buzzing on the way to the bus. That whole thing really pushed the right buttons. “But it happens so often. Every one of Mikel’s meetings is special.”Zinchenko added: “Mikel is on a similar level to Pep and might one day surpass him. He is a winner and demands maximum intensity.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He likes to say: ‘Boys, you must do everything full throttle. Football, partying, or in the bedroom with your wives: everything at full throttle.’”Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/ABelieve by Oleksandr Zinchenko is published by Bloomsbury More

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    Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals he nearly lost his leg and was rushed into emergency surgery after ‘cage fight’

    OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO came close to having his leg AMPUTATED as a teenager due to frostbite.The Arsenal full-back, 27, made his name at Manchester City from 2016 to 2022, winning four Prem titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup.Oleksandr Zinchenko almost lost his leg due to frostbiteCredit: GettyHe has also gone on to captain Ukraine at major tournaments and recently helped the Gunners become top-flight title challengers once more under Mikel Arteta.But at the age of 17, his entire life could have changed thanks to a dry ice incident that left the defender with a gangrenous foot and moments away from amputation.It came about following a call from German club Hoffenheim to attend a trial, having been frozen out of the Shakhtar Donetsk academy and trying to reignite his career while taking part in the Russian street leagues.He explained: “The day before I was due to fly [to Germany], FC Meteor, one of the non-league clubs I played for, called me. They had a big game and wanted me to fill in.READ MORE ON SPORT“These leagues were a bit rogue, sometimes more like a cage fight. Some opponent did a crazy tackle on me and caught my right ankle. It swelled up like a balloon.“There was no way I could play the next day in Germany. Just walking was causing me pain. I was in no state to do a trial. But I couldn’t cancel and lose this life-changing opportunity.“We decided I would go anyway and ask them to let me train a couple of days later, by which time the swelling would have hopefully gone down.“I was on the plane with Lufthansa and I remember thinking: ‘Let’s not waste time to get the swelling down. Let’s use the flight.’ So, I asked the stewardess for some ice for my ankle.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“She didn’t understand me at first because my English wasn’t great and I didn’t speak any German. But she came over with what looked like ice in a plastic package.“I wrapped it up, put it on my ankle and went to sleep. Problem solved. An hour or so later, I woke up and expected to see a bag full of melted water. But there was none.Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened“Then I looked at my ankle. All the skin had turned white. I put my sock back onand, within around 20 minutes, as it warmed up, it started to blister.“When we arrived in Frankfurt, an associate of my agent was waiting. ‘I have a little problem,’ I told him. I think I gave him the shock of his life when I showed him my ankle.“We drove to the Hoffenheim academy, taken immediately to a physio, who pulled down my sock and turned nearly as white as the skin on my ankle when he saw it.“His reaction told me this was bad. ‘We’re taking you to hospital, right now.’ I was rushed into an operating theatre and surgery commenced immediately.“They were removing gangrenous tissue. If that had spread, it could have affected the whole foot, requiring it all to be removed. The reason? I had frostbite.“It turned out that when the air stewardess gave me ice, it was dry ice, which is three times colder than normal ice, exposing my bare ankle to Arctic-like temperatures.“The German doctor looked at me gravely. ‘You are fortunate. You came at the right time. Any later, and you might have lost your leg.’“Only then did I realise quite how close my dreams had come to ending and my life changing utterly.”After his near-death experience and a spell in the Russian Premier League, Zinchenko spent six seasons at City before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for £35m.However, Zinchenko has also revealed he could have played for the North Londoners much sooner with Arsene Wenger keeping tabs on his situation back in 2014 following a Youth Champions League clash between Arsenal and Shakhtar.Zinchenko said: “I got a call from an agent who said: ‘Alex, I have a very good connection with Arsene Wenger. He called me after your game. He really wants to see you in the club.“I was speechless; my jaw was on the floor. When I gathered my thoughts after a few seconds, I said: ‘This is probably a joke. Someone is having a laugh here.’“For one reason or another, it never happened. I had sort of forgotten about this whole thing until Wenger came to the Emirates in December 2022 to watch us beat West Ham 3-1.“I shook his hand. I had never met him in person before… ‘Mister, eight years ago, I played for Shakhtar Donetsk in a Youth League game against Arsenal…’ I said, cautiously.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He interrupted me. ‘Yes, it was at Boreham Wood. Arsenal won 3-1. And after 20 minutes, I pointed at you and said: “I need this guy.”‘ It was all true. Incredible.“I sometimes imagine what would have happened if I had joined the first team as a 17-year-old.”Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City back in 2016Credit: AFP or licensors More

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    Man Utd blow as Mason Mount suffers yet another injury setback with TEN players out of Fenerbahce clash

    MANCHESTER UNITED have suffered a blow as Mason Mount has had another injury setback.The midfielder has struggled for consistent fitness since his arrival from Chelsea in 2023.Mason Mount has suffered an injury setbackCredit: GettyErik ten Hag has put his faith in his remaining playersCredit: GettyMount, 25, has only featured in five games in all competitions this season and has failed to score or assist a single goal.He was last in the Premier League squad in September for the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.However, he has since been out with an injury, his second of the season having had a hamstring problem.Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has now confirmed that Mount will not be back when expected.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe said: “I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that’s what we expected.”I think he will be back soon.”Mount joins nine other players who are absent for the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.Defenders Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are all out of the match.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore, and Toby Collyer will also miss out.Captain Bruno Fernandes is also unavailable for Ten Hag as he is suspended from the match after picking up two yellow cards against Porto.Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealedMan United squad to face FenerbahceHere is the Red Devils’ 20-man squad to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League…Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Habeeb Ogunneye. Midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Manuel Ugarte.Forwards: Amad, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee.However, the under-fire Dutchman remains optimistic about getting a good result.Ten Hag has insisted that the fit members of the squad are “capable” of getting a result.He added: “The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job.”I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced.”We’ve faced such situations more often.”I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience that’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us.”Man United’s missing starsHere are the ten players out of the game against Fenerbahce…Mason Mount – MidfielderKobbie Mainoo – Midfielder Toby Collyer – MidfielderBruno Fernandes – MidfielderDan Gore – MidfielderLuke Shaw – DefenderHarry Maguire – DefenderLeny Yoro – DefenderJonny Evans – DefenderTyrell Malacia – Defender More

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    Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe at centre of heated brawl as tempers flare after Luton clash with Sunderland

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’s brother was at the centre of a heated brawl after Sunderland beat Luton Town.Jobe Bellingham clashed with the Hatters’ goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski at full-time.Jobe Bellingham was involved in a clash with Luton’s Thomas KaminskiCredit: GettyPlenty of players joined in on the brawlCredit: GettyJobe is the brother of Jude BellinghamCredit: PAMany more players joined in as the tensions escalated at Kenilworth Road.Bellingham and his Sunderland team-mate Luke O’Nien, as well as Luton’s Carlton Morris and Tom Holmes, ended the night in the book.But it was Sunderland’s night after they survived a gruelling first-half examination at the hands of the Hatters, who should have been ahead at the break.The Town’s failure to cash in rebounded as Chris Rigg, 17, fired the visitors ahead ten minutes into the second half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLuton made things difficult again when Elijah Adebayo headed his first of the season eight minutes later but the Black Cats got the cream when Mundle shot home in the 66th minute.Sunderland, chasing their second away win in four days after Sunday’s victory at Hull, were first into the attack with just a minute on the clock with a shot from Dan Neil.Seconds later, Belgian stopper Thomas Kaminski saved Alan Browne’s close-range goalbound back-heel with a leg.Luton, tails up after Saturday’s 3-0 win over derby rivals Watford, survived that nervy spell and went close with a shot by striker Morris.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis was breathless, all- action stuff, and Sunderland came under severe pressure midway through the half.First, Mackems keeper Anthony Patterson intervened to stop a header from home centre-back Mark McGuiness squeezing in under the bar.World Cup stadium lies half demolished next to rubble as it hosts second tier matches with no away end Chirs Rigg fired in the opener at Kenilworth RoadCredit: GettyCarlton Morris had a goal controvserially ruled offsideCredit: PAThat was from Alfie Doughty’s left-wing corner. Within seconds, Doughty’s next corner set up McGuinness for another header — and this time the ball hit the bar.Luton thought they had found a way through deep into first-half added time when Morris swept home yet another Doughty corner — but Town midfielder Jordan Clark was standing well offside.Two minutes into the second half, Patterson kept the score level with a save from Adebayo’s close-range header out after Clark’s cross from the right found the big striker.But Sunderland took the lead on 55 minutes.For once, Luton slackened their grip in midfield as Tahith Chong lost possession and Browne’s header sent Rigg on a run.As he headed towards the left of the area, the teenager swivelled and fired home a low left-foot shot.But Luton levelled eight minutes later. That man Doughty was at the root of things again, firing in a free-kick from the rightREAD MORE SUN STORIESMorris met it just past the far post and volleyed across goal for Adebayo to head home.Sunderland grabbed back the lead six minutes later. Chong claimed he had been fouled, ref Tom Nield disagreed, and Neil set up Mundle for a run across the box that ended with a low finish. More

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    Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can’t believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine

    MANCHESTER CITY put in a five star performance as they romped to victory over Sparta Prague.The Citizens ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola’s side bagging four goals in the second half.Phil Foden and John Stones both scored against Sparta PragueCredit: GettyErling Haaland scored a brilliant improvised goalCredit: GettyPhil Foden gave the hosts the perfect start as he fired in the opener inside just three minutes.Erling Haaland also got himself on the scoresheet in the second half.The Norweigian striker had plenty of attempts to score, but it was his improvised finish in the 58th minute that found its way past Peter Vindahl Jensen.John Stones made it three with a brilliant looping header to add to his solid performance at the back.READ MORE IN SPORTHaaland got his second in the 67th minute to make it 44 in the Champions League.Matheus Nunes was also impressed as he netted from the spot in the closing stages, which added to his two assists.SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of Pep Guardiola’s side…Stefan Ortega – 5 Almost a spectator, but at least it wasn’t cold or pouring down.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNathan Ake – 5Back after injury and unlucky to have City’s second chalked off.Manuel Akanji – 5Training games against his own team-mates are far harder than this was.Furious former Champions League finalists’ fans protest against club owner John Stones – 7Followed his winner against Wolves with another towering header.Rico Lewis – 6The young multi-tasker produced a typical all-action displayMatheus Nunes – 7Matheus Nunes set up two of City’s goals and netted from the spotCredit: GettyHe claimed two assists and bagged his first-ever Champions League goal from the spot late on.Savinho – 5Supposed to be the new Samba man but didn’t dance that great.Ilkay Gundogan – 7The midfielder cruised through the 100th Champions League game of his career.Bernardo Silva – 6Quiet, effective and a non-stop cog spinning the City wheel.Phil Foden – 7It was a slick early finish in only his fourth start of the season, but the spark faded.Erling Haaland – 9Even Pep Guardiola couldn’t quite believe his amazing airborne strike before he added his second.The striker reached 44 in the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersSubsMateo Kovacic (for Bernardo Silva 69) – 5Couldn’t have had an easier task by the time he emerged.James McAtee (for Gundogan 69) – 5A few minutes of Champions League experience with no strain.Josko Gvardiol (for Ake 74) – 5Just a pleasant walk in the park….READ MORE SUN STORIESRuben Dias (for Stones 74) – 5He won’t have minded stretching his legs for a bit.Nico O’Reilly (for Haaland 81) – 5The young attacker replaced a living legend. More

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    Man City 5 Sparta Prague 0: Erling Haaland defies physics to score wonder goal as Pep’s side run riot again

    ERLING HAALAND continues to defy belief.Manchester City aren’t far off doing the same on night’s like this.Erling Haaland leads the Man City celebrationsCredit: EPAAn absolutely dominant display topped off by a goal from Haaland the likes of which The Etihad has never seen.More of that later.They were set on their way last night through the brilliance of his home grown favourite Phil Foden to give them a half time lead.Haaland seemed to defy physics, gravity and everything else to turn the ball homeon 58 minutes.READ MORE IN football John Stones with a looping header on 64, Haaland with his second four minutes later and Matheus Nunes from the spot two minutes from time completed the rout.First Foden who put his own name in the history books last season winning both the Football Writers and PFA players of the year trophies after bagging 28 goals for his club and country.The start to this season has not been without it’s problems, however, with many wondering why this was only his fourth start to the campaign.Particularly with Kevin de Bruyne out injured.Most read in FootballManager Pep Guardiola has tried to clear it up claiming injury niggles and ilness have been to blame for his stuttering start.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe showed with a cracking goal and an assist in the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava on mathday two of this season Champions League that he has lost non his skill for all that.He kept his place against Fulham and it was his ball in for John Stones last gasp goal after coming on as a sub in the second-half.Did officials cheat Arsenal with dramatic Man City winner and Saliba red card?As Guardiola says: “You realise immediately when he is happy and fit and mentally in the right moment, you realise immediately he’s getting better and better.”He showed that after just three minutes against Sparta.Receiving a ball from Manuel Akanji he ducked inside two men, moved the ball onto his left foot and arrowed a shot back arcoss Peter Vindahl into the far bottom corner.City off and running and immediately looking for a second.With his very first touch on 10 minutes Erling Haaland’s header was only denied by a spectacular save from Vindahl.Ilkay Gundogan was making is 100th Champions League appearance, only the 48th player in history to do so and second in City colours after Fernandinho.His corner on 27 minutes found Haaland again with a header but this time his effort was hacked away from in front of the goal.In an instant Sparta broke through Veljko Birmancevic and nearly had an equaliser but City number two goalkeeper Stefan Ortega dived full length to deny him with his finger tips.Phil Foden opened the scoring as he looks to recapture his best formCredit: PAFoden wheels off in celebrationCredit: AFPHe was one of five changes to the starting City side.You can change the names but the football always seems to stay the same.They were camped in the Sparta half for most of game and that dominance showed in the scoreline after the break.Just three three minutes into that second period from Foden’s corner Angelo Preciado headed the ball off his own post.In the ensuing scramble Nathan Ake turned it in but the VAR also spotted a handball by the City player.No worries, City kept at it and when Savinho crossed another Haaland header was denied by another fine save.Then the two combined again and this time the net bulged and the crowd gasped.Savinho raced to the byline and chipped the ball back across goal and then this happened.Haaland soon doubled City’s lead in the most acrobatic of stylesCredit: PAHaaland was in fine form and will look to continue this into the weekendCredit: GettyJohn Stones got in on the goalsCredit: ReutersStones celebrates his strike – becoming a regular occurrence nowCredit: ReutersHaaland took to the air like a karate champion with his back to goal and in mid air flicked out his  left boot out to connect with the ball on the volley and send it past a stunned Vindahl.Nobody in the stadium was quite sure at first how he had scored it.Even Pep Guardiola who has seen it all was checking with his bench what had happened.As the feat was replayed on the stadiums big screens the roars were replaced by expressions and sounds of disbelief.Wow just wow.Sunday’s hero Stones popped up with the third, a towering header from Matheus Nunes cross.The fourth was another thing of beauty for different reasons as City glided their way upfield sharing the ball between the players.Rico Lewis, having a fine game turned and began it all finding Foden who strode down the centre of the park like he owned.He offloaded the ball to Nunes, and as the Sparta players looked this way and that the ball came back inside for Haaland to curl a low shot in.Nunes got the goal his performance deserved after two assists as he was allowed to take the late penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIESCity exceptional.Haaland, unbelievable.The powerful striker was just unplayable at the EtihadCredit: AFPIt was most certainly Haaland’s night under the lightsCredit: GettyMatheus Nunes capped off the routCredit: RexNunes converted from the spotCredit: Getty More

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    RB Leipzig 0 Liverpool 1: Darwin Nunez winner makes it 11 wins from 12 for Arne Slot ahead of crunch Arsenal clash

    WATCHING from his holiday home in Majorca, maybe even with a half-and-half scarf, Jurgen Klopp will once again have been hugely impressed by the club he has left behind.Klopp will be Red Bull’s ‘head of global soccer’, whatever that truly means, starting from January 1.Darwin Nunez fired Liverpool to a 1-0 winCredit: APThe striker scored the decisive goal with a tap-inCredit: AFPAnd when Klopp begins his £10million role which looks like a glorified PR-job, it will be absolutely fascinating to see where Liverpool will be under his Arne Slot.Right now, it is looking pretty damn good.Darwin’s Nunez’s first half winner made it 11 wins in 12 for the Dutchman with that only blip coming against Nottingham Forest.While Liverpool were forced to withstand some fierce pressure in the second half, keeper Caoimhin Kelleher delivered a couple of big saves.Read More in FootballWhile Liverpool’s opening schedule was extremely kind, the level of opposition has gone up a notch in the last few days. Firstly against in-form Chelsea and here, against a team who are unbeaten in the Bundesliga and share the lead with Bayern Munich.Yet Slot has seen his team overcome both these difficult matches and now, an even bigger test awaits, against Arsenal on Sunday.There will clearly be a wobble for Slot at some stage, But while he is new to English football, the team he inherited is certainly not and at times here, they played some excellent football despite living dangerously at the back. Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNunez was denied a penalty before half-timeCredit: GettyCaoimhin Kelleher delivered some big savesCredit: EPANunez’s close-range effort came at a time when Liverpool were lucky not to be trailing by a couple of goals let alone still be level.A header from Mo Salah looked to be going in before Nunez helped it over the line but it will still have been good for the Uruguayan’s confidence as he had only struck once this season.Chelsea Player Ratings vs LiverpoolHe was only playing due to an injury to Diogo Jota and while Liverpool do have a few fitness issues ahead of the weekend, title rivals Arsenal seem to be having even more issues.At the Emirates, Slot’s team cannot afford to be as open in central midfield as they were here.Man-of-the-match at Anfield on Sunday was Curtis Jones and while he started on the bench, his replacement, Alexis Mac Allister, initially failed to give Ryan Gravenberch enough support defensively.Mac Allister was also booked for a theatrical dive while home defender Castello Lukeba was lucky to avoid only a caution when sinking his studs into the foot of former Leipzig favourite Dominik Szoboszlai.Leipzig, having lost their opening games against Atletico Madrid and Juventus, started with real purpose although they were made to pay for failing to take those early chances which fell to Benjamin Sesko and Amadou Haidara.It was competitive match between the two teamsLois Openda thought he had scored but his goal was disallowed due to an offsideCredit: AFPKelleher will remain in goal for a few more weeks as Alisson is injured. But Slot will not want to see any repeats of the moment he rushed out of his area and failed to head the ball into touch. Although from distance, Sesko had an open goal and should have scored but floated a shot wide.Leipzig’s Belgian striker Lois Openda thought he had scored a cracker from outside the area but despite wagging his finger at the officials, he was miles offside.And within 60 seconds, Nunez finished a smart move from the visitors Until then, Liverpool’s only effort had been a shot wide by Salah but on this occasion, the Egyptian star headed Kostas Tsimikas’ cross into the bottom corner with Nunez making sure to nudge the ball over the line.Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi, who spent five years at Liverpool without making an appearance, kept his team in the game by keeping out headers from Nunez and Virgil van Dijk.Nunez was then furious with the officials as the striker thought he should have been given a penalty and there was definitely contact from Willi Orban.Cody Gakpo wasted a good chance by firing straight at Gulacsi while Mac Allister curled a shot against the bar.Yet Kelleher made those crucial saves to deny both Sesko and Xavi Simons and while Openda once again had the ball in the net, he was offside for a second time.For Slot, it is now three wins out of three in the Champions League – only pipped into top spot by Premier League rivals Aston Villa on goal difference. Even though former midfielder Xabi Alonso brings Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield next month, while Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid will also visit, Liverpool looks as though they could finish in the top eight and avoid a play-off. READ MORE SUN STORIESAlready, there will be a few Liverpool fans booking their hotels for Munich on May 31.And to think many thought they would fall apart when Klopp packed his bags. More