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      Premier League cult hero lands first international manager job and describes ‘ultimate challenge’ as ‘dream come true’

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      A former Premier League star has been named the new manager of Australia.The ex-Crystal Palace centre-back, 51, has penned a two-year deal with the Socceroos as he looks to steer his country out of a crisis.Australia have announced their new head coach on a two-year dealCredit: AFPHe spent five years in England playing for Crystal PalaceCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe succeeds Graham Arnold after he resigned last week following a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia in their World Cup qualifying campaign.The results leave Australia fifth in a group of six – with only the top two automatically progressing to the World Cup, while third and fourth go into another round and a potential play-off.Yet despite their recent dismal run, the coach now taking charge, who earned 58 caps for Australia, is looking forward to the task at hand.That man is Tony Popovic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking about the job, he said: “This is the ultimate challenge, and I’m excited by it.”This campaign hasn’t started the best, but I know there’s enough time and enough games to really be aiming for that top spot to go through automatically.”He went on to add: “Five years ago, I wasn’t ready for this role. Three years ago, two years ago, I wouldn’t have looked at this role.”I’m ready, I want this job, so I’m here because I want to be here.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPopovic spent five years playing in England for Crystal Palace, four of which were spent in the Premier League.He also played in Australia, Japan and the Middle East, before he hung up his boots in 2008 – two years after representing his country at the World Cup in Germany.PREM RULE CHANGESPopovic went straight into coaching as an assistant at his former club Sydney FC where he stayed for a further three years.He then returned to England to become Dougie Freedman’s assistant at Palace.His first role as head coach came with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2012 where he won the A-League title.He also claimed Australia’s top flight with Perth Glory, while his other managerial stints have come at Turkish side Karabukspor, Greek club Xanthi, and most recently Melbourne Victory who he left in June. More

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      Cops probing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Helge Rasche ‘find ‘child porn’ at his home after coach died in car crash aged 33

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      GERMAN cops who investigated Eintracht Frankfurt’s Helge Rasche reportedly found “child porn” at his home.Earlier this month, police confirmed that Under-19 coach Rasche’s white Hyundai veered off the road before crashing into a tree.Helge Rasche died after a traffic accident aged 33Credit: https://www.eintracht.de/But he is said to have been the subject of an investigation from German cops before he diedCredit: https://www.eintracht.de/The U19 youth coach saw his car veer off the roadCredit: https://www.eintracht.de/The 33-year-old coach is said to have died from “serious” injuries at the scene, on a road between Dietzenbach and Rodgau, to the southwest of Frankfurt. There were no other passengers in the car at the time of the horror smash.Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt also confirmed the news of his death on the club’s social media pages on September 6.However, according to BILD, Rasche had been the subject of an investigation before his death following a report to the police. Read More in FootballThe German outlet claim that a search warrant was issued by the “Frankfurt am Main District Court on suspicion of distributing pornographic content in accordance with Section 184 of the Criminal Code.””Data storage devices were seized” in the search, BILD claim after “a large number of child pornographic image files were found on the data storage devices”.Pictures obtained by BILD showed that Rasche’s Hyundai was a write-off after the accident, with the front of the car caved in.The outlet also reported that according to police investigations, it is certain that the Frankfurt coach committed suicide.Most read in FootballFrankfurt players were informed about Rasche’s passing on the day of his death.”Eintracht Frankfurt is devastated by the loss of U19 head coach Helge Rasche,” the club wrote on social media at the time. “The 33-year-old lost his life in a traffic accident yesterday. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”Rasche began his coaching career with Hallescher FC before joining Frankfurt’s youth setup in 2020. He took charge of the Under-19 side in 2023 after previously coaching the Under-17s.He had joined Eintracht’s youth department in 2020. In 2023 he was promoted to U17 and then U19 head coach in the youth Bundesliga.Frankfurt’s Under-19 team has celebrated progress in the DFB Junior Cup just days before Rasche’s death. They beat Energie Cottbus’ Under-19 side by a goal to nil on August 31. More

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      Man City verdict in legal challenge to Premier League rules ‘set to be revealed in coming days’

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      MANCHESTER CITY could hear the verdict on a huge legal battle with the Premier League within days.The champions are challenging financial rules designed to stop clubs getting an unfair advantage from massive sponsorship deals.Man City await the result of a big case over sponsorship dealings, but the matter of their alleged 115 fairplay breaches could take months more to resolveCredit: AlamyThe appeal is separate from the case over City’s alleged 115 breaches of Prem financial rules.But it too has big repercussions – as some rival clubs worry the top-flight’s global standing will be damaged if the Etihad club wins.Prem chiefs brought in “associated-party” transaction (APT) financial rules in December 2021 following Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover.The aim was to stop teams inflating sponsorship deals with organisations linked to the club owners.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe new rules were also intended to make sure transfers involving teams with multi-club ownerships remained fair.The Telegraph suggest many Prem opponents would be alarmed if City win their appeal.It’s also claimed a result is due imminently.Rivals reckon the Prem needs to keep the financial controls.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe fear is that losing them could create less interest in the English game at the top level across the world.That’s because it might get more difficult for so-called smaller clubs to compete financially with bigger rivals taking advantage of sponsorship arrangements.Furious Ian Wright calls Erling Haaland a ‘coward’ and says Man City star throwing ball at Gabriel ‘really boiled me up’ City launched their action in February – arguing that the rules were discriminatory.The Times revealed that Etihad chiefs want “damages for the losses which it [claims to have] incurred as a result of [what they alleged to be] the unlawfulness of the FMV [fair market value] rules”.City further say that other teams are just trying to “safeguard their own commercial advantages”Prem rules state the aim of the rules is to end the “reliance on enhanced commercial revenues” from “entities linked to the club’s ownership”.They want to ensure that such dealings don’t give clubs an “unfair advantage over domestic competitors”.Meanwhile, in the headline-grabbing other case, City could face points deductions and even possible relegation if they are found guilty of numerous financial fairplay breaches, relating to 2009-2018.The club deny all charges and say their case is backed by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe private hearing into that matter is likely to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict expected early next year.What City may face if 115 breaches are provedBy Martin LiptonMANCHESTER City’s fate lies in the hands of the independent commission hearing the financial allegations that have hung over the club for the past 18 months.But while it is theoretically possible that the Etihad club could be banned from any competitions if they are found guilty it is, simply, not going to happen.Yes, if the commission decides the Prem charges have been proven, any and all punishments are available.That would include expulsion from the League and relegation into the lower tiers.But nobody, seriously, in the real world, believes City will be banished from the top four levels of the pyramid and cast into the National League – the only way in which they would be ineligible to play in the Carabao Cup.And while the FA will ratify any punishment imposed by the Prem, the commission has NO remit that allows it to impose a sanction that applies to any other competition.As in so many potential scenarios, the word “may” can do an awful lot of heavy lifting.I, for example, at 57, “may” be a shock signing for Arsenal. It won’t happen. But, theoretically, it “may”. If I suddenly win a few billion and buy the club, for example. Which “may” happen. But won’t.What is more intriguing – and could cause a difficult series of conversations – is a scenario in which City, having been found guilty – a very big “if” given the club’s vehement and persistent denials of all the allegations – were to win the Champions League this season, after being given a points deduction that ensures relegation.Under Uefa regulations, the holders of the competition have an AUTOMATIC right to try to retain their trophy.But all representatives of a country can only play in European competition if their names are proposed by the national federation.In other words, while people often do not realise it, no club can play in Europe without FA endorsement – normally something that is guaranteed.It would therefore fall on the FA – after discussions with Uefa – to decide if City’s name should be put forward. Similar issues would arise if they won either this season’s Carabou or FA Cups.As for the looming Club World Cup, City are already confirmed as participating, by dint of their 2022 Champions League win.Fifa rules do not give holders automatic entry to competitions, so even if they win in the USA next summer, they would have to qualify through Uefa.And if they are relegated even to the Championship, meaning at least a two season Uefa absence, they would have to win the Champions League in 2028 to qualify.City fans are in for a nervous few daysCredit: Getty- More

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      AFC Wimbledon set to cancel all home matches for 19 days after stadium flooded and pitch left with sinkhole

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      AFC WIMBLEDON will not play at home for at least another 19 days after severe flooding hit their stadium.The League Two side were going to face Newcastle in South West London tomorrow in the third round of the Carabao Cup.A huge sinkhole has formed in the corner of the pitchCredit: ReutersThe torrential rain has destroyed the surfaceCredit: ReutersOutside the ground is also floodedBut a huge downpour overnight saw their pitch destroyed and a sinkhole form in the corner.An area behind the stands where fans would usually congregate is also completely underwater.Wimbledon will now play Newcastle at St James’ Park tomorrow night after the EFL granted a venue swap.But the Dons’ next match at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday is in danger of becoming postponed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club confirmed they are “trying to find a solution – although there is no possibility that this can be at our stadium.”Should the match be called off, Wimbledon will have two games at Plough Lane to rearrange as they were going to play Crewe tomorrow if not for their progression in the cup.They are next set to be on their home turf against Carlisle on October 12.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDiscussing the further impacts of the storm, the statement read: “Staff encountered significant flooding of the ground level of the stadium, affecting our offices, the shop and museum, reception areas, lifts, and tunnel area, as well as all concourse areas at ground level.Most read in EFL”This afternoon, several independent contractors have visited the site and conducted surface level investigations.  Etihad Stadium appears to suffer LEAK during Man City vs Arsenal as Man Utd fans say ‘happens to the best of us'”More investigations are required in the coming days in order to plan for repair works to the pitch as a priority, and we are in regular contact with our insurers.”We have overcome many setbacks by working together and this one will be no different. “We genuinely appreciate all the messages of support and offers from volunteers and members to help us fix the damage.  “We ask for some patience whilst we complete our investigations and formulate our plans before getting to work. “We will advise further what supporters can do to help us soon; thank you.” More

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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal 250-man axe list includes Man Utd-mad comms officer, club historian & kit man of 40 years

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      IT all got a bit emotional down at Carrington last week.While there is talk about a reboot of Manchester United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe there are things going on behind the scenes which are genuinely affecting morale.Mann Utd comms officer John Allen got a shirt and a goodbye speech from Erik ten Hag but just wanted to stay at the club he lovesCredit: SuppliedUnited’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is making brutal decisionsCredit: GettyStaff are being fired left, right and centre, 250 of them.It has been talked about in this column before but it deserves a revisit following the exit of a good guy called John Allen from the communications team.John is 40 and has worked for United for 25 years, starting in the ticket office before moving into the media department in 2011.He is United through and through. Something he inadvertently showed when he amusingly failed to keep his emotions in check after the Red Devils completed a 3-2 derby day comeback from 2-0 down at the Etihad in April 2018.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSThe press seats are just behind City fans and they were less than impressed with his reaction to Chris Smalling’s winner as he let out a cheer.Still, that is John.So on Thursday,  at his last press conference, he was understandably struggling to keep his emotions in check for a very different reason as he said goodbye.Manager Erik ten Hag gave him a team shirt with the No 25 on the back representing his years at the club and made a little speech thanking him.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “John, 25 years is a very long time. You are proud of this club and proud that you worked here. You feel so connected with this club. It is a difficult moment to say goodbye.“I know you as a good colleague and a very good support for me.“I wish you all the best for what is coming, it will be great for you because you are so competent.Inside Man Utd’s wild two-day bender after winning Champions League as Paul Scholes admits he didn’t sleep for 48 hours“I wish you all the best in your work but also for your family, too.”The regular United press pack also gave him a present. It all had the air of a happy retirement but it wasn’t, this bloke was getting the shove and he didn’t want to go.Pausing to hold back the tears, John said: “It has been the biggest honour coming from Manchester to work with all these managers.“This is my club and to be able to do this, I am very lucky.”John doesn’t know why he has to leave, he is just one of those 250 Ratcliffe’s new broom is sweeping out to trim the wage bill.Also out this week was club historian Cliff Butler after 40 years working at United and Alex Wylie after the same time as kitman.Emotional goodbyes are being replicated all over the club while other members of staff are having their workloads, in some cases, doubled.That’s business, the new minority shareholder might say.But these are people’s lives.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. Ed Woodward, right, was seen as the Glazers’ man but wanted the bestCredit: AFPWith all the money that swills around football it all seems a drop in the ocean compared to the size of players’ contracts. But it is a drop which is continuing to have serious ripples.How can you aim to be the biggest and the best again when so many corners are now being cut?The man who used to run the club, Ed Woodward, came in for plenty of stick as he was seen as the Glazers’ man.But members of staff were well looked after under him. It may have been seen as largesse but it was Manchester United and he wanted everything to be the best.It was why so much money was spent on the pitch as well, not always on the best recruits in what was seen as a scattergun approach.Still, they showed the world they remained a major name.Of course the new financial rules are restricting everyone and things have to change.READ MORE SUN STORIESI’m not sure John’s departure was necessary in the grand scheme of things.And that can be said for plenty more at the self-proclaimed ‘biggest club in the world’.Man Utd ratings vs Crystal Palace as Andre Onana saves the day for wasteful Red DevilsMANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.Erik ten Hag shocked fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.And the Red Devils failed to make a breakthrough – dropping two more points.Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Man Utd player ratings…ANDRE ONANA – 8/10Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.DIOGO DALOT – 7Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.AMAD DIALLO – 6Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.SUBS:MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos. More

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      Chelsea £200,000-a-week exile set for return from ‘bomb squad’ vs Barrow after being left out of Enzo Maresca’s plans

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      BEN CHILWELL will be brought in from the cold to face League Two minnows Barrow tonight.The Chelsea and England left-back has been frozen out by Blues boss Enzo Maresca so far this season.Ben Chilwell is set to return to Chelsea’s first-team after being frozen outCredit: GettyChilwell was only registered after the club failed to sell himCredit: GettyBut after the club failed to offload him last month, Chilwell, 27,  was eventually included in their 25-man Premier League squad.And yesterday Maresca confirmed the former Leicester man will be involved against a side who sit 64 places below Chelsea —  along with Mykhailo Mudryk to form a left flank worth £110million.He said: “Hopefully we can give him some minutes.“While he is here he is one of the squad and is training.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He was not in the team to face West Ham but he will be tomorrow.”Maresca denied Mudryk, who has failed to live up to the £62m fee Chelsea paid for him in January last year, is struggling for confidence. But he admitted the Ukrainian winger, 23, needs to improve. He said: “I can see he has confidence. Misha is Misha and you have to accept what he is.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Hopefully he can get minutes and do better.”Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are also set to feature.Fans in hysterics as they spot Cole Palmer’s gesture before West Ham clash as they say Chelsea star ‘didn’t even care’ Maresca added: “Misha, like Benoit and all the other players not getting too many chances [will play].”Tomorrow it is a good chance for them to get minutes and to hopefully win the game.”Mykhailo Mudryk is also set to return to the Blues squadCredit: GettyChelsea ratings vs Bournemouth as Sanchez and Sancho are heroes… and Palmer strugglesCHELSEA needed a late moment of magic from Christopher Nkunku to snatch all three points from Bournemouth.Marcus Tavernier crashed a super strike against the crossbar early on and Robert Sanchez saved an Evanilson penalty before the break.Jadon Sancho came on for his debut at half-time and made the difference for the Blues as he set up Nkunku’s winner.Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Nickless rated Maresca’s men…Robert Sanchez – 8Man-of-the-match show with first-half penalty save from Evanilson and a handful of excellent saves.But rather fortunate to stay on the pitch after denying Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate foul that led to the spot-kick.Axel Disasi – 5The right-back was given an uncomfortable night down the right side.Given the runaround by Cherries dangerman Antoine Semenyo and was replaced just after the hour.Wesley Fofana – 6Did his best to keep a clean sheet when run ragged by the home strikers.Luckily for the centre-back, he could rely on Sanchez to keep them out.Levi Colwill – 6Did his best to calm the storm that came the Blues’ way for most of the match.Made sure he kept record-signing Evanilson away from notching his first Premier League goal.Marc Cucurella – 7Always busy and making a nuisance of himself when he wasn’t being buffeted by Semenyo’s marking.But overdid it with one stupid, deliberate shoulder barge on the Bournemouth winger.Renato Veiga – 5Suffered like most of his team-mates to open up the home side’s defence.The Portuguese midfielder didn’t see enough of the ball to make an impact.Moises Caicedo – 7The captain was always looking for that defence-splitting pass when he wasn’t on defensive duty.Gave an example to others around him who weren’t putting in a decent shift.Noni Madueke – 5Was quite mad attempting an early shot at the home goal that ended up as a throw-in.And it didn’t get much better than that for the winger who was hauled off just after the hour.Cole Palmer – 5Rested by England for tired muscles and there wasn’t much energy in this performance.But the Cherries, worried by his reputation, did target him in the first half.Pedro Neto – 5Failed to make any impact on the wing but could claim he had little or no service.Boss Maresca had seen enough and brought on Sancho to replace him at half-time.Nicolas Jackson – 5Chelsea fans won’t want to suffer another nine years of this from the big striker.Had one shot comfortably saved and another blocked but will need to show more upfront for his ludicrous long contract.SUBSJadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8Was booked 11 minutes after coming on then, looked likely throughout second half and set up Nkunku’s equaliser on super debut.Tosin Adarabioyo (for Disasi) – 6Was seldom troubled.Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5Tidied up in midfield.Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner. More

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      Leandro Trossard explains Man City red card to devastated Arsenal stars as dressing room conversation revealed

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      LEANDRO TROSSARD’S words to his Arsenal team-mates after being sent off against Manchester City have been revealed, according to reports.Trossard was controversially shown his marching orders by referee Michael Oliver after barging into the back of Bernardo Silva and then booting the ball away and delaying the restart.What Leandro Trossard said to Arsenal team-mates in the dressing room after being sent off against Man City has been revealedCredit: AlamyTrossard was sent off for delaying the restart just before half-time in the 2-2 drawCredit: APThe latter offence – which Declan Rice was also sent off for against Brighton last month – saw the Belgian shown a red card, leaving Arsenal down to 10 men in trying to defend a 2-1 lead.John Stones eventually broke the Gunners’ stoic defence with a 97th-minute strike to see the fiery game end 2-2.However, according to the Mirror, Trossard told team-mates in the dressing room that he did NOT HEAR Oliver blow his whistle.The report claims Trossard explained how he was actually trying to play a pass and even told the referee about not hearing the whistle blow.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe sending-off was one of several incidents from the clash, with the antics of Erling Haaland, how much time was added on and the waste of time-wasting tactics also prevalent in the post-game discussion.Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey exclusively told SunSport series The Whistleblower that Haaland was lucky not to be sent off himself after he was seen throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head after City’s late equaliser.The Arsenal defender has since broken since silence on the incident – branded a “coward’s move” by Ian Wright – by issuing a chilling warning for the reverse fixture at the Emirates.Elsewhere, Opta stats revealed the ball was in play in the second half for 35 minutes, leading many to question where so much extra added time came from.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFourth official Andy Madley had originally signalled for six additional minutes before two more were played out – with City scoring their equaliser in the 97th minute.On the other hand, it was revealed Arsenal took 42.7 seconds to restart the game after being awarded either a corner, goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.’Stay humble,’ Erling Haaland tells Arteta who gives him brutal death stare before Gabriel Jesus confronts Man City ace We thought games like this had been lostSunSport’s NEIL CUSTIS hails chaotic Man City vs Arsenal clash as a return to the Premier League of yesteryear.FOR two teams who have done so much to take the game forward this really was a tremendous throwback.We thought these games had been lost.Real feisty encounters between two rivals fighting for the top honours.How we used to love it when Manchester United came up against Arsenal when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were in charge.When Roy Keane, watching on as a TV pundit here, used to clash with Patrick Vieira before a ball had been kicked.The Manchester derbies used to have it as well.In fact that were clashes everywhere throughout the league.Since then the emphasis on the beauty of the game, the tactical side, the ball playing centre-back, the false nine, the inverted full-backs have all come to the fore.But English football still loves something like this.Compare this to the two matches between this pair last season not least the really STALEmate here.Then along comes a blood and thunder classic.A match to set the tone for what we all hope will be a real title tussle to the end but with that added edge.While these two managers maybe good friends who knows we may even get the niggly comments in pre-match press conferences about each others teams.We knew we were in for something a bit different as straight from the kick-off Kai Havertz charged into Rodri and left him flawed.The first players’ melee ensued.Foreign coaches often scratch their heads as to why English crowds love stuff like this.Love a thumping tackle, or a bit of a barney.How that as much as any sweeping move gets them to the edge of their seats and there was plenty of that here.Jurrien Timber was employed on the right to combat the pace of Jeremy Doku.SO Doku just charged into him and floored him.Rodri was clearly seen as one of City’s key men so at a corner Thoams Party followed up Havertz’s early example and caught him behind the knee, and the player hobbled out of the action.Gabriel and Erling Haaland was a classic battle between a big centre-forward and an Arsenal centre-back who performs like greats of old like Tony Adams and Martin Keown.A player for whom a thumping tackle warrants the same high fives or celebrations as something defining at the other end of the pitch.Haaland did brilliantly to pull away William Saliba and slip behind Gabriel for his goal.Gabriel will have been fuming having kept the big Norwegian so quiet last season.He barely gave him another sniff of goal, barring a second-half header saved, as he stuck to him, the pair often pushing and shoving one another as Haaland became frustrated with his shadow.Leandro Trossard did not get his second yellow and therefore the only red for the actual barge on Bernardo as everyone first thought but for kicking the ball away after that.Both technical areas were a flurry of arm waving and shouting from the two managers.The staff on the two benches started having a go at each other and Guardiola had to intervene.In the press box one of Arsenal’s technical staff was losing it.As Arsenal players went down with cramp and played for time the boos went up.The fourth official was getting in the ear.Michael Oliver was being told he was not fit to referee by a large section of the home support.When Arsenal fans were spotted in the posh seats having been in the expensive tunnel club City fans shouted and pointed to try and get them ejected.Right at the end after City’s dramatic equaliser and the game restarted Haaland barged into Partey and every player on the pitch got involved even the two goalkeepers.At the final whistle the ref was harrangued.On the touchline Guardiola and Arteta hugged. More

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      ‘Pep will rue the day…’ – Man City fans demand return of forgotten Champions League winner after horror Rodri injury

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      HE’S a player who splits opinion – but sadly not often defences.Yet he could be a side-splitting answer to Manchester City’s problem of how to replace Rodri.Rodri has suffered a serious knee injury, which prompted many Man City fans into serious thinking over his possible replacementCredit: RexPep Guardiola has tough decisions to make if Rodri is ruled outCredit: GettyThat’s if you believe many fans online, who are mooting the return of a forgotten midfielder, currently loaned out of the Etihad for a second time.Some say he should plug the gap if star anchorman Rodri is ruled out for the season following a knee injury against Arsenal on Sunday.The Spanish Euro 2024 winner is already in Barcelona for tests that could confirm City’s fears he has torn a cruciate ligament.The 28-year-old is as close to irreplaceable as you can get for a club that has won the Premier League four seasons in a row.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSBeing without Rodri for so long would be an unthinkable problem.But fan reckon they’ve got a previously unthinkable answer – in the shape of an unfashionable player now trying to revive his career at the opposite end of the Prem.The same-aged ace in question, Kalvin Phillips, never won a regular place at City after arriving from home-town club Leeds in 2022 for £42million.And he remained on the bench during a 1-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan the next year as Pep Guardiola’s men sealed the Treble.Most read in FootballKalvin Phillips is on loan with the Tractor Boys but some fans reckon he should be thrown into the mix for a Man City returnCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHis England career stuttered, albeit mainly due to injury and then a miserable second half of last term on loan at West Ham.Now Prem new boys Ipswich have borrowed Phillips for the season – with encouraging hints so far he’s rediscovering his prime combative form.Fans all spot Wright’s reaction to Hart screaming in his face after Man City goal against Arsenal And a section of Etihad fans want him back – “pronto”.One posted: “Get Kalvin Phillips recalled, he’s got a title to win us.”Another claimed City chief Guardiola will “rue the day” he let the ball-winner leave once more.”Bring Kalvin Phillips back,” pleaded a third supporter, who added, perhaps mischievously: “Who says no?”A fourth supporter suggested he was “surely almost certain to be recalled?”That sparked the response: “Yeah, he’s definitely making a strong case for it!”   But another group of fans believe that if Phillips is the solution then the champions have really got a problem.A few pointed out ready-made alternatives – reliable Mateo Kovacic, returning legend Ilkay Gundogan, England starlet Rico Lewis and versatile John Stones.So how likely do they rate Phillips’ prospects of an early Etihad comeback?”Zero chance,” said one, with the explanation: “That’s why we recalled Gundogan.”Less tactical verdicts included “Absolutely not” … “Not a prayer” … “I can do a better job”… and “Let’s not lose our heads now”.Meanwhile, several fans suggested Guardiola would revert to the “double pivot” of fielding two No6s – if Rodri’s injury proves as severe as suspected.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs for neutrals, many will hope the likeable Phillips can turn his career around this term wherever he plays,And although he was forgotten by some, he was always remembered by ex-Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate – who insisted England never truly replaced the 31-cap ace at his grafting best.Rodri was helped off after the second of his two injuries on SundayCredit: Rex More