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      Eddie Howe returns to Newcastle duties after spell in hospital battling pneumonia

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      EDDIE HOWE has returned to his managerial duties at Newcastle after suffering from pneumonia.The manager was admitted to hospital earlier this month and missed three matches.Eddie Howe is back working after being in hospitalCredit: GettyFans showed their support for the managerCredit: ReutersJason Tindall has been in charge in Howe’s absenceCredit: GettyHowe, 47, was missing from the dugout during games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.Assistant Jason Tindall had taken charge of the team in the absence of the manager.He led the Magpies to impressive romps against Man United and Palace before losing to Villa on Saturday.The club has now confirmed that he is back working at the training ground with the players.READ MORE ON SPORTA statement read: “Newcastle United are delighted to confirm that Eddie Howe has returned to his duties at the club’s training Centre.”Eddie had recently been hospitalised with pneumonia and has now returned to work after a period of recovery.”We thank supporters for their warm wishes.”Howe initially believed that he had flu but was later diagnosed with pneumonia by doctors.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe was admitted to hospital on April 12 after his condition deteriorated.The former Bournemouth manager is expected to be on the touchline when they host Ipswich Town this weekend.Watch Premier League manager rock up to press conference in golf buggy as fans joke ‘PSR hitting hard’ Fans have been left relieved with the news as they reacted on social media.One posted: “Fantastic news.”A second commented: “Wonderful news. Welcome back Gaffa.”A third wrote: “Welcome back Eddie!”A fourth added: “Great news!”Another said: “Great news! Demolition of Ipswich loading!”Howe will be hoping he can lead Newcastle back into the Champions League now he has returned.Read More on The SunAfter facing the Tractor Boys, the Magpies will have four games left of the Premier League season.They will take on Brighton, top five rivals Chelsea and Arsenal before finishing the campaign hosting Everton. More

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      Ian Wright’s touching £1,700 gesture to injured women’s football star revealed after Eni Aluko criticised Arsenal legend

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      FORMER Arsenal striker Ian Wright continues to prove that he is just as much of a legend off the pitch as he was on it.The 61-year-old has been a huge advocate for women’s football over the years.Ian Wright is paying £1,700 out of his own pocket for a player’s ACL injury rehabCredit: GettyKayleigh McDonald has thanked Wright for his generosityCredit: GettyAnd last April, he showed just how much he cared with an incredible gesture to a player who had suffered a potentially career-jeopardising injury.After Stoke City defender Kayleigh McDonald suffered a ruptured ACL during a match against Burnley, she was forced to set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds when the club refused to pay for surgery.Stoke eventually backtracked – largely thanks to Wright, it has been revealed.The Telegraph has revealed that he paid for a sports lawyer to advocate for McDonald. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd when the club pulled funding for her rehab at the end of last year, Wright started paying for it out of his own pocket.The defender has revealed that her rehab costs around £1,700-a-month.McDonald has insisted that Wright deserves more recognition for his kind gesture.She told Telegraph Sport: “I wouldn’t be in a great place mentally if it wasn’t for Ian Wright.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEni Aluko has criticised Wright for ‘blocking’ opportunities for women in football broadcastingCredit: Getty”I would probably still be waiting for my surgery if it wasn’t for him.”For him to do this for me, someone he didn’t know, I think there should be more of a spotlight shone on him.”Emotional Man Utd icon Roy Keane is visibly moved by Ian Wright interview News of the Arsenal legend’s incredible generosity comes after he was criticised by former England Lioness Eni Aluko for “blocking” opportunities for women in football broadcasting.Speaking on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour earlier this week, she said: “I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that.”The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available.”If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all.”But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.”When asked to clarify if she thought it was wrong for Wright to be at the forefront of women’s football coverage, Aluko added: “I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.”It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.”Wright has continued to back the growth of women’s football in recent years.In 2023, he teamed up with Barclays to help create the Ian Wright Coaching Fund – an initiative created to increase the number of female coaches at grass-roots level.He made a £15,000 donation and paid for 664 female coaches to attend their Level One training course.And in 2022, following England’s European Championship semi-final win over Sweden, he insisted that all girls should have the opportunity to play football at school.Wright said: “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like the boys can, what are we doing?Read More on The Sun”We have to make sure they are able to play and get the opportunity to do so.”The former Arsenal striker started a women’s football podcast with Manchester City legend Steph Houghton last year and regularly features on ITV’s coverage of the Lionesses.McDonald was forced to set up a GoFundMe page when Stoke initially refused to pay for surgeryCredit: X @Kayleigh_McxWright is now paying £1,700 a month for her rehabCredit: X @Kayleigh_McxWOMEN’S FOOTBALL needs more people like Ian Wright.In a world where the “nobody cares” narrative is still all too common, the Arsenal legend remains a huge advocate for the sport both on and off our TV screens.So I was quite surprised to see that former England Lioness Eni Aluko had criticised him earlier this week for “dominating” punditry in women’s football.When it comes to women in football, it would be difficult to find anyone more supportive than Ian Wright.The much-loved former England star has invested both time and money in building up the game.And he is not just doing the bare minimum.From supporting a semi-pro player throughout her recovery from a severe ACL injury to helping hundreds of women earn their Level One coaching qualification, he cares.The question is – why would someone who cares so much be “blocking” opportunities for others?Having followed the game for so long, Wright clearly knows what he is talking about.If you ask me, that’s surely the No1 priority when it comes to hiring a pundit.What does it matter if he’s not a woman?Last year, the ITV pundit started a new women’s football podcast called ‘Crossways’ with Manchester City legend Steph Houghton.The insight that he and Houghton give is fascinating and fresh, a unique perspective on the WSL and international football.Speaking of England’s top tier, it would be fair to say that coverage is dominated by women as it is.The likes of Houghton, Ellen White, Anita Asante, Izzy Christiansen, Karen Carney, Jen Beattie and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk feature on coverage across the BBC and Sky Sports.Meanwhile, Wright only covers England games as a pundit for ITV Sport.His involvement is certainly not “blocking” opportunities for women.It’s a great thing that one of the most universally beloved figures in English football is an advocate for the sport.We’re lucky to have him. 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      Former European semi-finalists declared bankrupt and immediately thrown out of league

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      A FOOTBALL club has been declared bankrupt – with all players released immediately despite offering to play for free.Fourth-tier German side KFC Uerdingen will not be able to finish the 2024/25 season.KFC Uerdingen will no longer be able to complete the remainder of the season after being declared bankrupcyCredit: GettyOn Tuesday, an insolvency administrator ordered the immediate suspension of play.Thomas Ellrich declared that operations must be ceased so that players can apply for benefits.The administrator said: “At the same time, all players have been released from their duties as of today so they can apply for appropriate benefits from the employment agency.”Therefore, there will be no further matches until the end of the season.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe non-profit status of Uerdingen was revoked by tax authorities “some time ago” unbeknownst to the administrators.Club officials have therefore been unable to pay staff and players.They also cannot accept volunteers in a blow to any hopes of keeping the club running.Ellrich continued: “The revocation of non-profit status means that fewer, if any, donations of money and goods can be expected in the future.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Furthermore, it would make employing volunteers considerably more difficult.”The significant funds recently provided by supporters have since been exhausted, and no new payments are expected.”Angry Premier League flop says ‘I’ll probably get biggest fine in Bundesliga history’ as he swears in live TV interviewAs a result of the bankruptcy, KFC Uerdingen has been immediately relegated from the Regionalliga.However, the club plan to take legal action.KFC consultant Mehmet Eser was left shocked by the decision and told German outlet Kicker: “After the team learned that the season was being suspended, the players agreed to forgo their salaries until the end of the season and play for KFC Uerdingen for free.”Eser has also agreed to personally cover the cost of every league match until the end of the season.Uerdingen formerly played in the Bundesliga and enjoyed plenty of success in the 1980s.The German minnows reached the Cup Winners Cup semi-final in 1986, where they faced Atletico Madrid. More

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      ‘I already mentioned that twice’ – Mikel Arteta takes issue with reporter’s question as Arsenal title hopes all but end

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      MIKEL ARTETA was left exasperated after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last night.The Gunners twice surrendered leads to Oliver Glasner’s side, with Jean-Philippe Mateta making it 2-2 with a brilliant strike late on.Mikel Arteta was interviewed by the BBC after last night’s matchCredit: BBCArsenal slipped to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the EmiratesCredit: GettyArsenal’s latest slip-up means that Liverpool require just one point from their remaining five matches to become Premier League champions.After the match, Arteta was interviewed by the BBC.When it was pointed out that Arsenal had made “uncharacteristic errors” leading to Palace’s second equaliser, the Spaniard said: “Yes, unfortunately yes.”Arteta, 43, was then asked if he gave Palace credit for their approach to the match.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSThe Gunners boss responded curtly: “I already mentioned that twice, yes.”With the Premier League title now gone, Arsenal’s season rests on the Champions League.The Londoners will host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final next Tuesday.Arsenal will remain without long-term absentees Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus for the tie.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFor last night’s match, inexperienced quartet Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Jimi Gower, Jack Henry-Francis and Ismeal Kabia were all named on the bench.Asked if the rest of his players had come through the game unscathed, Arteta added: “I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to a doctor so we will have to wait and see.”Mikel Arteta accidentally photobombs Sky Sports report as he takes Arsenal dog Win for a walkBukayo Saka featured as a substitute against the Eagles.The England winger, 23, was the subject of a heavy challenge against Ipswich last weekend which saw full-back Leif Davis sent off.Arsenal ratings vs Crystal PalaceARSENAL delayed Liverpool’s inevitable title celebrations but not in the way they’d have wantedThe Gunners only just managed to hold up the Reds’ coronation with a lacklustre draw at home to Crystal Palace.Jakub Kiwior got the Gunners off to the perfect start but Eberechi Eze brilliantly volleyed home the equaliser for the Eagles.Ex-Brighton star Leandro Trossard netted a goal he would have particularly enjoyed against the Seagulls’ M23 rivals.But it was not enough for Arsenal to win the game thanks to William Saliba dallying on the ball.Jean-Philippe Mateta took full advantage of the mistake to chip David Raya and earn Oliver Glasner’s men a deserved point.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners on a forgettable evening. More

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      Liverpool fans work out where guard of honour could be with Steven Gerrard humiliation in line to be avenged a decade on

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      LIVERPOOL fans have worked out that Chelsea will likely give them a guard of honour, should their side clinch the title this Sunday.Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last night moved Arne Slot’s Reds to within one point of the Premier League title.Liverpool edged closer to the title by beating Leicester last weekendCredit: GettyArsenal faltered again by drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace last nightCredit: GettyThe Anfield side will host Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday and would win the title with just a draw against Ange Postecoglou’s men.In the Premier League, it is customary for the new champions’ next opponents to give them a guard of honour as they walk onto the pitch, should they have sealed the title prior to the final day.Following this Sunday’s clash with Spurs, Liverpool travel to Chelsea on May 4.Should the Blues stick to tradition, they would give the Reds a guard of honour onto the pitch, if they have clinched the title by then.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe prospect has evoked memories of Liverpool’s unsuccessful title bid in 2014.Liverpool were dramatically beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Anfield in a costly match in April of that year.During the match, in which Mo Salah featured for the Blues, Steven Gerrard infamously slipped, allowing Demba Ba to run through and score.Liverpool subsequently went to Crystal Palace hoping to drum up their goal difference, only to surrender a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSteven Gerrard infamously slipped against Chelsea in 2014Credit: Sky SportsDemba Ba raced through to score following Gerrard’s slipCredit: Rex FeaturesLiverpool blew a three-goal lead at Selhurst Park to draw 3-3Credit: GettyManchester City went on to be champions that season.And the following year Chelsea won the league, with Gerrard and Co having to give them a guard of honour on that occasion.Mo Salah commits to Liverpool with new two-year contract Even in recent years, the Blues have beaten Liverpool to signing the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia.So the prospect of arriving at Stamford Bridge is a juicy one for those of a Red persuasion.Posting about the possibility, a Liverpool fan wrote on X: “Guard of honour at Stamford Bridge from Caicedo, Enzo and Lavia. HAHAHA we owe Chelsea Football Club.”While a second pointed out: “How ironic is it that Crystal Palace have helped us won the league and Chelsea will possibly be the first team to give us the guard of honour.”A Chelsea fan chimed in: “I do not want Chelsea to give Liverpool a guard of honour. Tottenham please be useful for once.”And another added: “Chelsea having to give Liverpool guard of honour is making me sick to the depths of my stomach. What did I actually do to deserve this.”Liverpool gave Chelsea a guard of honour in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Pep Guardiola wrong to claim Matheus Nunes is too dim to be a midfielder, says coach who launched Man City star’s career

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      PEP GUARDIOLA got it wrong by dismissing Matheus Nunes as too dim to play in midfield.So says the coach who put Manchester City’s goalscoring hero on the road to stardom from humble beginnings back home in Portugal.Matheus Nunes ‘might be lacking confidence’ after Pep Guardiola’s claimsCredit: AFPRui Costa nurtured Nunes at minnows Estoril Praia and reckons Pep is missing the point with the player who boosted City’s Champions League hopes with his late winning strike against Aston Villa on Tuesday.Costa told SunSport: “When Guardiola signed Matheus Nunes from Wolves and when he played him and praised him, it was always as a talented midfielder and never as a defender.“I characterise him as a physically strong player, a box-to-box player, with very high levels of quality and passing accuracy.“He’s a midfielder who can score and helps his teams a lot defensively.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Adapted to right-back, in my way of seeing the game, he fulfils but it’s not his natural habitat.“He might be lacking a bit of confidence after the coach’s statements about him.“He’s a clever player. He’s quick to think, move and execute.”City chief Guardiola claimed earlier this month that Nunes is better suited to defence where he does not have to think so much and can just use his strength.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKPep insisted: “He’s not a player to play in the middle because he’s not clever enough, in composure.”Nunes was played out of position again in the 2-1 Etihad win over Villa. Jack Grealish racked up £10k bar bill partying with pals in the wake Man City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace – despite playing 3 minutesYet he still swept home the 94th-minute clincher that fired City into third as they mount an end-of-season fightback after a disappointing year.Costa hailed the 16-cap Portugal international as a “warrior” who will never shirk a scrap — but he also needs a manager who backs him.Nunes, 26, even went on strike at Wolves to show his commitment to joining City for £53million in September 2023.Costa added: “He’ll develop into a right-back because Guardiola is a coach who will help him.“But he needs to feel more confident before he can develop.“He’s a player any manager would like to have.Read More on The Sun“He’s humble, a real warrior, very hard-working and never turns his back on a battle.“Whatever position, he’ll continue to shine. I wish him all the best.” More

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      Arsenal fans come up with wildest conspiracy theory yet as American VAR official makes big call in Crystal Palace clash

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      ARSENAL fans have leapt to the top of the table – for conspiracy theories!Gunners’ supporters noted an unusual twist as a huge VAR call in a 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace helped put Liverpool on the brink of the Prem crown.Gabriel Martinelli had the simple task of putting the ball in the netCredit: RexJurrien Timber hooked the ball back in for Martinelli to volley inCredit: Sky SportsBut VAR ruled the ball had gone out before Timber crossed itCredit: Sky SportsBelow-par Arsenal were 2-1 up midway through the second period when Jurrien Timber hooked the ball over Eagles keeper Dean Henderson for Gabriel Martinelli to volley home from point-blank range.An assistant referee ruled it out for offside against Timber – but after a lengthy delay VAR decided that was the wrong call.Unfortunately for Arsenal, the video assistant also spotted that the ball had gone out of play just as the defender crossed it in, so the goal was disallowed after all.And having levelled brilliantly once, through Eberechi Eze, Palace went on to do it again, and arguably even better, through sub Jean Philippe Mateta’s long-range chip.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSIt means Liverpool need just a point at home to Tottenham on Sunday to seal the title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.But if the Gunners were disappointing on the pitch, their fans dazzled online – with their VAR conspiracies.One pointed out that the video assistant was an American – former Major League Soccer referee Alex Chilowicz.The New Jersey official, 37, who is also known to be a musician, switched to officiating in England two years ago.Most read in FootballDefenders William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior show Arsenal’s dejectionCredit: ReutersBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe became one of the first non-Brits to take charge of an EFL match in December 2023.And he finally oversaw a game on Premier League turf in August 2024, as Brighton took on Sussex rivals Crawley in the EFL Cup.Viktor Gyokeres responds as he is asked if he ‘likes London’ amid Arsenal transfer linksBut on Wednesday night he found himself under a far more intense microscope in a cagey contest refereed by Michael Salisbury.One fan described Chilowicz and Salisbury as a pair of “unknowns”.The supporter then added to his wacky thinking – with a surprise question.He posted on X: “I find it hilarious that the referee and VAR tonight for #Arsenal game are unknowns. None of the usual clowns. “Is it because @FA_PGMOL  are all with the Liverpool players ready to celebrate their title win if we lost tonight?”Another supporter was more blunt with his observation.He wrote: “VAR always works correctly when it’s against Arsenal lol.”A third claimed: “Now that the league is decided, they take their time on VAR calls involving Arsenal.”And a fourth hinted that, apart from terrible luck with injuries to strikers, the Gunners have had equally miserable misfortune up front – albeit off the pitch.With an apparent touch of suspicion, he lamented: “So many goals disallowed from VAR for Arsenal this year.”Other fans blasted the “ridiculous” length of time waiting for VAR to deliver a verdict.But at least one viewer suggested the incident was a VICTORY for the technology.He wrote: “You have to give the Premier League credit.”That Timber goal was inconclusive 3 months ago… VAR is awful but getting the tech in place to see an out ball is super stuff… Nobody hates VAR more than me, but credit where it’s due.”  Meanwhile, Prem chiefs acted to clear up debate over the disallowed goal with an explanation on social media.Read More on The SunThey posted: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Arsenal for offside against Timber – and established that he was in an onside position in the build-up. “However, the VAR also determined that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up and the goal should be ruled out.”  Boss Mikel Arteta was frustrated by Arsenal’s two dropped pointsCredit: Getty More

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      West Ham are training aces to breathe better with innovative machine which boosts lung function

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      WEST Ham are training star players how to breathe better through an innovative machine which boosts lung function.Hammers aces like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta are enhancing their endurance by using the gadget WellO2.This device, developed by Finnish entrepreneur Aulis Kärkkäinen, is sold online in the UK for £239 by Well PharmacyIt helps them in Prem matches by combining resistance breathing with warm steam to strengthen muscles and moisten airways.A hi-tech mouthpiece which connects to a phone allows analysts to track performance to ensure athletes complete up to 60 breaths a minute.Richard Collinge, Director of Performance at West Ham United – whose fans sing I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles – said: “This has been a valuable addition to our performance toolkit.“The WellO2 breathing device has become a go-to adjunct for players, helping clear airways and supporting their recovery.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe device, developed by Finnish entrepreneur Aulis Kärkkäinen, is sold online in the UK for £239 by Well Pharmacy.Jamal Butt, of WellO2, said: “Our simple yet powerful device is designed to support better breathing for everyone.“We are excited that it is now available to more people in the UK than ever before.”’Give Fullkrug the manager’s job’ – West Ham star launches expletive-laden rant at team-mates for ‘not playing football’West Ham are training players how to breathe better through an innovative gadget called the Well02, which boosts lung function More