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    Man Utd fans rage VAR is ‘taking the p***’ as ‘BLATANT’ handball not given in Crystal Palace defeat

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left raging at VAR after their defeat with Crystal Palace.The Red Devils were denied a penalty after a view by the match officials at Old Trafford.
    Manchester United were denied a penalty by VAR after the ball hit Joel Ward’s hand
    United players were fuming at the decision
    Untied supporters were convinced their side should have been awarded a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Joel Ward’s hand.
    However, Chris Kavanagh’s on-field decision was not overturned and a penalty was not awarded.
    Reacting to the decision, one fan tweeted: “The handball from Ward changed the direction of the ball. VAR useless again.”
    Another added: “Can someone explain to me why that wasn’t handball from Ward?”
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    A third supporter also fumed: “You taking the actual p***. How is that not a handball on Ward.”
    Meanwhile, one more commented: “Make the handball rule make sense, that travelled 30 yards before it hit Wards hand and still no penalty.”
    The decision proved crucial to the result, with United falling behind during the first half.
    Joachim Andersen’s goal after 25 minutes gave Palace the lead just days after they had been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by the same opponents.
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    Palace were able to frustrate their hosts and hold on to their advantage for the remainder of the match.
    The result gave Roy Hodgson’s side their third win of the season as they leapfrogged United in the table.
    As for the Red Devils, Erik ten Hag has now seen his team lose four of their first seven Premier League matches this term. More

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    Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 4: Gunners run riot on south coast to close gap on Man City to ONE POINT.. and even Havertz scored

    MIKEL ARTETA enjoyed a relaxing day by the seaside as his Arsenal team strolled to victory at Bournemouth.First-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were more than enough to maintain the Gunners’ unbeaten start to the season.
    Kai Havertz scored his first Premier League goal for ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    In fact it was so easy that even Kai Havertz broke his duck after an incredible act of generosity from his team-mates.
    Yet they barely had to break into a sweat to see off the tame Cherries, who have now failed to win a Premier League game in five months.
    Arteta might have been a boyhood team-mate of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola but there was no old pals act for his Basque buddy at the Vitality.
    It took Arsenal just 17 minutes to take control of this match when Saka was able to nod in from a yard out after Gabriel Jesus’ header had come back off the far post.
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    And captain Odegaard put the game beyond doubt just before half-time when he sent Neto the wrong way from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah had been taken out by Max Aarons.
    Bournemouth were in full self-destruct mode by now and presented the visitors with another spot-kick shortly after the break when Ryan Christie inexplicably ploughed right through the back of Odegaard.
    Saka stepped up to take the ball but then presented it to Havertz, who has been struggling to win over the Arsenal fans since his £65million mive from Chelsea in the summer.
    The German international might have been low on confidence after his stuttering start to life in north London, but there was nothing hesitant about his finish as he coolly sent Neto the wrong way before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates,
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    And they were not finished there, with Ben White heading home from Odegaard’s stoppage time free-kick to complete Bournemouth’s humiliation.
    It was all too easy for the Premier League’s away day specialists who won more points on their travels than any other team last season and have taken maximum points from their three games on the road so far this time.
    But it is already starting to look grim for Bournemouth and the ease with which they were brushed aside does not bode well for Iraola’s long-term prospects.
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    Man Utd fans react in surprising way to Ten Hag taking off Rashford with Man Utd desperately needing a goal

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans reacted in a surprising way to Erik ten Hag being substituted off against Crystal Palace. Ten Hag hooked Rashford in the 77th minute of the match with United chasing the game.
    Marcus Rashford had a disappointing game against Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
    However, while Rashford is considered by many to be the club’s talisman, Red Devils fans were surprised the sub had not come sooner.
    Rashford had endured a difficult game against the Eagles, whom United had beaten 3-0 in their midweek League Cup clash.
    When the England star was subbed, the Old Trafford crowd were audibly indifferent, when usually you would expect them to boo the move.
    Fans online also shared this sentiment.
    One fan said: “Rashford goes missing too easily in games man, the amount of times I’ve forgotten he’s playing.
    A second typed: “That Rashford sub is only 70 minutes overdue.”
    More to follow.
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    Match SUSPENDED as furious fans launch tennis balls onto the pitch in bitter protest

    READING’S match with Burton had to be suspended after fans launched tennis balls onto the pitch.The home supporters’ latest protest saw hundreds of balls fly onto the pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
    Reading’s match against Burton was suspended on SaturdayCredit: REX
    Reading fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protestCredit: REX
    It is the second time in as many home matches that fans have protested against owner Dai Yongge.
    Stewards were forced to come onto the pitch to clear the balls, prompting referee Sam Purkiss to suspend the match.
    Players from both sides headed down the tunnel whilst the protest was handled, with play only paused for a matter of minutes.
    The two sides had been level at 0-0 at the time, with neither side able to find a breakthrough before the interval once the action resumed.
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    Reading were plunged into further turmoil this week with the EFL placing them under yet another transfer embargo.
    The Royals were also threatened with a further points deduction if they failed to pay their players on time.
    Ruben Selles’ side have already been docked four points this season, leaving the club in the League One relegation Zone.
    Yongge is open to selling the club, though, in a potential boost to supporters.
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    Stewards and ground staff cleared the balls from the pitchCredit: REX
    A club statement announced: “The club continues to suffer significant cashflow issues.
    “In striving to establish external investment, we can confirm there has been significant interest.
    “Discussions and due diligence processes with a number of these potential investors continue apace.
    “Our owner, Mr Dai, is openly inviting further credible offers of interest and declarations of intent from parties eager to pursue a potential sale of the club.”
    Supporters stepped up their protests against owner Dai YonggeCredit: REX More

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    Reason why Chelsea transfer bid for top striker collapsed revealed by Juventus with Blues even offering Lukaku in swap

    THE reason behind Chelsea’s failed attempt to buy Dusan Vlahovic has been revealed. The Blues submitted a bid to Juventus to try and land Vlahovic in the summer.
    Chelsea saw an offer for Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic rejected in the summerCredit: EPA
    The Blues have spent more than £1billion on transfers since Todd Boehly bought the clubCredit: Rex
    It even saw them offer Romelu Lukaku as a part exchange.
    However, the deal fell through with Lukaku eventually joining Roma on loan and Vlahovic remaining in Italy.
    The reason for the failed bid has now been revealed by Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.
    Speaking to La Repubblica, he said: “There was an offer from Chelsea for Vlahovic.
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    “We didn’t want to sell Dusan, but given certain numbers we would have accepted.
    “Chelsea never reached that figure, and the exchange [with Lukaku] never took place.”
    Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been plagued by a lack of clinical finishing this season.
    They have scored just five Premier League goals, three of which came against newly-promoted Luton.
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    Meanwhile, Vlahovic has scored four goals in the Serie A.
    Having already spent more than £1billion on transfers under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have been linked with moves for both Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen in the January transfer window. More

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    Napoli striker Victor Osimhen BENCHED for Serie A clash amid TikTok mocking storm… but comes on to score in Lecce win

    NAPOLI benched Victor Osimhen against Lecce amid the controversial TikTok mocking of the striker.But he came off the bench to score with the Serie A champions winning 4-0 away from home.
    Victor Osimhen scored after coming off the benchCredit: Reuters
    Osimhen was subject to mockery from his own club as Napoli’s social media team called him a “coconut” in a TikTok video – widely seen as a racial slur.
    They taunted the Nigerian after he missed a penalty against Bologna – leading his agent to threaten legal action against the club.
    Osimhen then refused to take a penalty against Udinese and did not celebrate after scoring in the clash.
    Napoli boss Rudi Garcia decided to drop the forward against Lecce but insisted it was not because of the ongoing controversy.
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    He told DAZN: “There has to be squad rotation, it is almost a third of the team that changed since the game with Udinese, so it’s natural to look to everyone, including those who come off the bench.
    “The extra-sport issue is not important, I prefer to talk about what happens on the field and Osimhen has scored four goals in six games. The rest will take care of itself.”
    Napoli responded to the threats of legal action by stating “no offence was intended” and the bizarre clips were meant to be “light-hearted”.
    A statement read: “Calcio Napoli, wishing to avoid any exploitation of the issue, point out that we never wanted to offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure of this club.
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    “As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
    “Social media, in particular TikTok, has always used an expressive form of language with a light heart and creativity, without wanting to, as in the case with Osimhen as protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision.
    “In any case, if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended.” More

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    Kai Havertz finally scores for Arsenal but fans think he’s ‘forgotten how to celebrate’ as team-mates mob him

    KAI HAVERTZ finally got on the scoresheet for Arsenal today – but fans have joked that he “forgot” how to celebrate it.The midfielder, who completed a £65million switch from Chelsea in June, scored Arsenal’s third goal against Bournemouth from the penalty spot.
    Kai Havertz scored his first Arsenal goal against BournemouthCredit: Getty
    The midfielder was instantly surrounded by his team-mates after converting a penaltyCredit: Getty
    After being handed the ball by captain Martin Odegaard, he stepped up and sent Neto the wrong way before slotting it into the bottom-left corner.
    However, before he got the chance to celebrate he was instantly surrounded by his teammates.
    Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes and Odegaard all jumped in to congratulate the midfielder.
    And Arsenal fans flocked to social media to react, with one person writing: “What a big moment for Havertz that is. Every single Arsenal player ran over to celebrate with him in front of the visiting fans. They are absolutely delighted.”
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    Another added: “That was very wholesome moment Saka & Odegaard giving the penalty to Havertz. Seeing the whole squad celebrate that goal to make it 3-0 was beautiful really was.”
    A third wrote: “FAIR PLAY HAVERTZ, great penalty and composure. I love the Arsenal players making him celebrate it properly. Nice move to get his confidence back.”
    However, some fans joked that he had “forgotten” how to celebrate.
    One person commented: “Havertz has forgotten on how to celebrate, good on captain O and Saka allowing him to take it #Arsenal.”
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    While another said: “Been so long since Havertz scored a goal. Bro forgot how to celebrate!”
    Arsenal led the match 3-0 following Havertz’s second-half strike.
    Saka opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Odegaard extended the advantage just before half time.
    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his support for Havertz during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
    He said: “We are trying to help him as much as possible. He needs to keep improving and with any player, the way he tries and applies himself.
    “If he doesn’t perform, it’s up to us. He needs to play within the team.
    “[We will] try to give him as much support and confidence as we can because that is going to help him for sure.” More

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    Bayern Munich chairman reveals REAL cost of Harry Kane transfer – claiming it was not £104million as widely believed

    HARRY KANE cost less than £104million according to Bayern Munich chairman Herbert Hainer.The German champions swooped to sign Kane from Tottenham in the summer.
    Harry Kane cost less than £104million according to Bayern Munich’s chairmanCredit: Getty
    It was widely believed that the England captain had joined Bayern in a deal worth £104million.
    However, Hainer has now claimed that the transfer cost much less after revealing the real price of the deal.
    Speaking to FAZ, he explained that Kane cost under £85million when he swapped London for Munich.
    “Harry Kane didn’t cost more than 100 million – unless we win this, this and that in the next few seasons. Excluding bonuses, we’re under 100 million.”
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    Asked if he meant Euros or Pounds, Hainer responded: “Euros.”
    Kane has settled into life in Germany since his move, attending Oktoberfest with his team-mates last weekend.
    He wore traditional lederhosen as he soaked up the festivities and even met his own doppelganger.
    Since joining Thomas Tuchel’s side in August, Kane has scored eight goals in seven appearances across all competitions.
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    However, a German rule means his hat-trick against Bochum earlier this month does not count.
    The England star scored three and grabbed two assists in a 7-0 thrashing, but the goals did not come consecutively so his hat-trick has not been officially recognised. More