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      Phil Foden up to fourth in Dream Team rankings after 23-point haul in Gameweek 13

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      MANCHESTER CITY treated their supporters to a rare thimble of jeopardy last night.The Champions League holders went 2-0 down to RB Leipzig at the Etihad via Lois Openda’s brace to briefly introduce the possibility that they might not top Group G.
      Whether any of the home fans were duped is another matter as there was a sense of inevitability about the comeback from Pep Guardiola’s side, who ended up 3-2 winners to ensure a perfect start of five wins from five European games this season.

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      Tuesday night’s big winner from a Dream Team perspectiveCredit: Dream Team
      The star of the show was Phil Foden (£4.9m).
      City’s homegrown hero was credited with two assists, for Erling Haaland’s (£7.9m) obligatory goal and Julian Alvarez’s (£4.2m) winner, while also swooping three bonus points.
      Sandwiched in between his assists was a neat goal of his own, the latest display of his deft footwork.
      When all was said and done, Foden took the Bundesliga outfit for 17 Dream Team points, his best single-game return of the campaign so far.
      Added to the six he earned against Liverpool at the weekend, the 23-year-old finishes Gameweek 13 having plundered 23 points – the most among all assets at the time of writing.
      Naturally, this impressive haul has catapulted him up the Dream Team rankings, he’s now second among midfielders having moved to 128 points overall, eight short of Bukayo Saka (£6.5m).
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      Easy does itCredit: AP
      In fact, Foden is now the fourth-best performer among all players taking overtaken the likes of Kieran Trippier (£5.2m), Ollie Watkins (£4.8m) and Jarrod Bowen (£5.3m) this week.
      The latter is the only midfield asset to have scored more goals than Foden at this stage – West Ham’s top scorer has nine in all competitions to his compatriot’s six.
      Bowen and Foden are level with Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m) on 18 shots on target each, the joint-most among midfielders right now.
      The secret to Foden’s continued success is he’s so much more than just a goal threat.
      Only four assets in his position have created more big chances (seven) and only three have registered more than his six assists – he’s a top-tier creator.
      Foden and Doku have 51 bonus points between themCredit: Reuters

      The so-called ‘Stockport Iniesta’ is also one of the most passionate bonus point collectors.
      At this juncture, only Jeremy Doku (£4.2m) and James Ward-Prowse (£4.4m) have more and the leading pair are just one ahead on 26 to Foden’s 25.
      With an ownership of 28%, Foden is currently the second-most selected midfielder in the game but his popularity is likely to increase further after a sparkling spell of form.
      He’s notched 61 points in six outings across the last four Gameweeks!

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      VAR who gave controversial PSG penalty in Newcastle clash AXED for Champions League game tonight

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      THE VAR official who awarded Paris Saint-Germain a controversial penalty against Newcastle has been axed for a Champions League game tonight.Toon looked on course to do the double over Kylian Mbappe’s side as they led 1-0 in Paris with moments to go.
      The VAR official who gave PSG a controversial penalty against Newcastle has been axedCredit: Getty
      Tomasz Kwiatkowski instructed ref Szymon Marciniak to review the incident, resulting in a successful PSG penaltyCredit: Getty
      But disaster struck in the 98th minute when a point-blank shot was fired at Tino Livramento.
      The ball hit his chest before deflecting onto his arm.
      And PSG players went beserk as referee Szymon Marciniak refused to award a spot-kick.
      However, VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski instructed Marciniak to rewatch the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
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      And despite replays showing Livramento knew nothing about the handball, Marciniak decided to reverse his decision.
      Mbappe then fired home a penalty to seal a 1-1 draw, leaving Newcastle’s hopes of reaching the next round of of their hands.
      The decision from VAR was blasted by the wider football world, with many calling it a “robbery”.
      And the backlash has now been felt by Kwiatowski, who will no longer be on VAR duty for tonight’s Champions League clash between Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg.
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      The decision is sure to please Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who was left deflated after yesterday’s final whistle.
      He said: “Yes, I do (have a sense of injustice). It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first.

      “It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event.
      “The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, it is down by his side but he is in a running motion.
      “I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us.” More

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      Rio Ferdinand taken ill while working on TNT Sports forcing disappearance during PSG vs Newcastle clash

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      RIO FERDINAND was forced to pull out of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage on Tuesday after falling ill, according to reports.The Manchester United legend was part of the coverage alongside Laura Woods, Jermaine Jenas and Shay Given for Newcastle’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
      Rio Ferdinand was forced to leave the match earlyCredit: Alamy
      However, having provided insight before the match and at half-time, he was absent after the game with TNT confirming he had left due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
      The Daily Mail now claim that Ferdinand was taken ill during the match and subsequently returned to his hotel to rest.
      He is now understood to be feeling better and will return to screens tonight to cover Man Utd’s match against Galatasaray from Rams Park in Istanbul.
      Rangers legend Ally McCoist stepped in for Ferdinand at full-time after commentating on Newcastle’s visit to PSG.
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      The match ended 1-1 following a controversial 98th-minute penalty.
      Eddie Howe’s side were seconds away from clinching a monumental away win when Ousmane Dembele’s flick bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his elbow.
      Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was unmoved and immediately waived play-on.
      But play was halted by VAR and Marciniak was called over to his screen to watch slow-motion replays before pointing to the spot.
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      Reacting to the incident, McCoist said: “That is absolutely never a penalty.
      “If we’re giving penalty kicks for that in the biggest club competition on the planet, it’s a disgrace.” More

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      Fans full of emotion as Premier League legends Rob van Persie and ripped Fernando Torres meet as managers for first time

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      FANS were left emotional after seeing Fernando Torres and Robin van Persie meet on the touchline.During Feyernoord’s Uefa Youth League clash against Atletico Madrid, the two Premier League shared an embrace.
      Fernando Torres, left, and Robin van Persie, right, met for the first time as managersCredit: Rex
      The two are former stars of the Premier LeagueCredit: Alan Walter – The Times
      The former strikers used to terrorise defences in England’s top flight during their careers on the pitch.
      Now, they are both making their own way as coaches.
      Van Persie and Torres are both in charge of their boyhood clubs’ U19 teams.
      Before the match in the Uefa Youth League, the two shared an embrace leaving fans to reminisce.
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      One commented: “Fernando Torres and Robin van Persie: From smashing in goals across Europe to managing against each other in the Uefa Youth League.”
      A second wrote: “I really miss these two players on the pitch.”
      A third said: “How time flies … what we were watching are now memories. Please! Take me back.”
      A fourth added: “What a journey for these legends! Respect for their passion and dedication to the game.”
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      Torres, 39, came out on the winning team as Iker Luque Sierra netted the only goal of the game.
      Van Persie, 40, made his name in English football at Arsenal before he made the controversial move to Manchester United in 2012.
      The switch paid off as he won the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford.
      Since retiring in 2019, the Dutchman has been working at Feyenoord as a coach.
      He started as the assistant manager before taking on roles with the youth teams.
      Torres, on the other hand, came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid before switching to Liverpool.
      The Spaniard became one of the best forwards in Europe while at Anfield.
      He left the club in a £50million switch to Chelsea in January 2011 and won the Champions League, however, he struggled to recreate his Liverpool form.
      Torres retired in 2019 and took up his current role at Atletico in 2021.
      He has also had a massive body transformation and now boosts the muscles of a bodybuilder. More

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      Uefa recommended handball rule change that would have stopped Newcastle heartache against PSG

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      NEWCASTLE felt hard done by after conceding a late penalty against Paris Saint-Germain. The Magpies were leading going into the final minute before the ball struck the arm of Tino Livramento in the penalty area.

      Newcastle felt hard done by after conceding a late penaltyCredit: Getty
      The ball bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest before it hit his armCredit: TNT Sports
      Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved away PSG appeals before VAR overturned the call, with Kylian Mbappe duly scoring an equaliser from 12 yards.
      However, replays showed that the ball had come off his chest first.
      Under Uefa rules, Livramento was deemed to have made his body unnaturally bigger with his arm.
      But in a series of recommendations for the 2023/24 season, Uefa’s Football Board – an independent advisory group – had in April proposed a change that would have saved Newcastle’s skin in the final minutes.
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      The statement on the organisation’s website, said: “With regard to the Laws of the Game, which stipulate that not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence, the Board issued the following recommendations for next season for better compliance of the Laws with the nature of the game:

      In their guidelines for the next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.
      On the same notice, the Board recommends that not every handball should automatically lead to a caution after every shot at goal, as anticipated by current guidelines.
      The Board encourages the referees to be more decisive in cautioning players who display unsporting behaviour, especially when attempting to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled.
      UEFA should launch an initiative towards the IFAB for the amendment of Law 12, which foresees that a player should be sent off for denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence. The Board feels players should be sent off only if they deliberately and intentionally touch the ball with their hand/arm. In case of other handball offences, the players should only be cautioned.”

      Keith Hackett, former general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the English referees’ body, told the Daily Telegraph that this recommendation was not implemented by Uefa for its own competitions.
      The Premier League, meanwhile, operates under more lenient handball rules.
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      TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist suggested Eddie Howe’s side had been “robbed” by the decision.
      He said: “That is a shambles! Honestly, that’s not on. It hits his chest, goes off his left elbow. If that’s a penalty, we may as well give the game up!
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      “It’s never a penalty, we’ve been singing his praises all night. If he’s the best ref in the business, how has he given that?! There is no way that that penalty kick should be given.
      “That’s not on, I feel for Eddie Howe and those players, I genuinely do. It’s bordering on robbery, it really is.”
      Fellow pundit Jermaine Jenas echoed this sentiment while Toon legend Alan Shearer also shared an X-rated post on social media with his own thoughts on the matter.
      Jenas added: “I think that’s a shocker from the referee. He had such a good game and to give that right at the end, he’s caved to be honest with you.
      “I think the players from Paris Saint-Germain put so much pressure on him throughout the match, he’d performed so well, but for that to happen in that moment like that, it doesn’t feel right.
      “It’ll be a tough one to swallow for the players but Eddie Howe should be so proud of his team.
      “They’re down to their bare bones, they’ve worked their socks off and they should’ve left Paris with all three points.”
      Meanwhile, Shearer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Do me a f***ing favour man. What a load of s***.”
      Alexander Isak had put the Magpies ahead in the opening stages by taking advantage of a spilt save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
      However, Newcastle were soon penned back into their own half and defended resolutely before seeing their hard work undone by Kylian Mbappe’s 98th-minute spot kick.
      A 3-1 win for Borussia Dortmund at AC Milan means it is a one-game shootout for one of three teams to progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      PSG sit on seven points, while Newcastle and Milan both sit on five.
      The Toon host Milan in their final group stage game, knowing they must win to stand a chance of progressing to the Last 16.
      A defeat will see them knocked out of European football entirely. More

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      Football world blasts ‘ROBBERY’ and Shearer slams ‘what a load of s***’ after PSG’s controversial penalty vs Newcastle

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      NEWCASTLE were “robbed” of a win for the ages away to Paris Saint-Germain by a controversial penalty that legend Alan Shearer called “a load of s***”.Eddie Howe’s travelling side led for much of the game thanks to Alexander Isak’s 24th minute opener.
      PSG were awarded a penalty after this controversial handballCredit: Getty
      Ousmane Dembele’s flick bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his elbow
      The penalty was awarded after a VAR check
      They looked on course for a famous win in the French capital, which would have put them second in their Champions League group stage.
      But there was late drama in Paris when, deep into eight minutes of injury time, Ousmane Dembele’s flick bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his elbow.
      Polish referee Szymon Marciniak – who officiated the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France and last season’s Champions League final – was unmoved and immediately waived play-on.
      But play was halted by VAR and Marciniak was called over to his screen to watch slow-motion replays.
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      The clips clearly showed the ball bounce first off of Livramento’s chest which, in the Premier League, would not be deemed a penalty.
      But Toon star and fans were soon left in agony as, astonishingly, the referee signalled he had changed his mind and awarded the spot-kick.
      Kylian Mbappe lashed past Nick Pope to level the score.
      It leaves Newcastle third in Group F and needing victory when AC Milan come to St James Park next month for any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
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      A shocking decision from an elite referee, says HalseyBy Mark Halsey

      IT is a shocker that could cost Newcastle a place in the Champions League last 16.
      And it is so bad that Uefa’s refereeing chief Roberto Rosetti should come out and provide answers.
      Szymon Marciniak has taken charge of World Cup and Champions League finals and an official of that calibre has to have the confidence to stick with his original decision.
      Uefa’s own guidelines state “no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball has previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards goal.”
      Did both the VAR and Marciniak, who checked his decision on a pitchside monitor, miss the deflection off Tino Livramento’s chest?
      It was similar to an earlier incident where the ball glanced off Lewis Miley’s leg onto his arm when no penalty was awarded.
      Also Livramento was in close proximity to Ousmane Dembele for the PSG forward’s original cross which came at pace, his arm was in a natural position and it was not a deliberate act.
      It is just a really poor intervention from VAR and a shocking decision from an elite referee. 
      Until that point, the Polish official was having a good game.

      However, a win for PSG against Borussia Dortmund would knock Newcastle out whatever their own result.
      And legends of the game were left disgusted by the decision and none more so then Newcastle icon Shearer.
      He posted: “Do me a f*****g favour man. What a load of s***.
      “A superb battling away performance from every single player. Shouldn’t be spoilt by a disgusting decision. Well done.”
      Shearer’s former strike partner Michael Owen added: “Heartbreaking for @NUFC. Such a good performance.
      “Never in a million years is that a penalty. We are further away from applying consistency to the handball rule than we’ve ever been.”
      Somehow, Newcastle manager Howe remained level-headed when probed by TNT’s Laura Woods post match.

      What does the handball law say?Referees and officials have three key considerations when decision on a handball offence.

      Was it a “deliberate action” by the player – did they move their arm towards the ball?
      Is the hand or arm in an “unnatural position” – was it away from the body?
      How close was the player to the ball and was the speed of the ball too fast for them to avoid?

      He said: “I’m still coming to terms with it. I feel really flat but at the same time really pleased with what the players gave today.
      “Their commitment, execution. We rode our luck. We ran out of luck at the end. I didn’t think it was a penalty.
      “What you don’t take into account with those replays is how quick the ball goes. It hits his chest first.
      “If it hits his hands first, well it’s still not a penalty because he’s so close. But you can make more of a case.
      If we’re giving penalty kicks for that in the biggest club competition on the planet, it’s a disgrace.Ally McCoist
      “It’s not a penalty when it hits his chest first and then hits his hand which is low.
      “I’m not allowed to sum it up. I can’t say my inner thoughts obviously…
      “I thought the referee was having a good game up until this moment. He had been strong.”
      Pitch-side pundits Ally McCoist and Jermaine Jenas were far less diplomatic as they fumed over the decision.
      Commentator McCoist said: “That is absolutely never a penalty.
      “If we’re giving penalty kicks for that in the biggest club competition on the planet, it’s a disgrace.”
      Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jenas added: “What is Livramento meant to do with his arms? Wrap them round his back? I’m fuming.
      “The players threw everything at it and it should have been one of those historic wins. Newcastle have been robbed.”

      Joelinton looks on in dejectionCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd icon Rio Ferdinand forced to leave TNT Sports studio during PSG vs Newcastle as Laura Woods makes statement

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      RIO FERDINAND was forced to leave TNT Sports’ studio during Newcastle’s Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain.TNT Sports host Laura Woods revealed Ferdinand was not present due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
      Ferdinand was present before the game
      But he was missing due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ after the game
      Ferdinand had been present for the pre-game show and half-time coverage of PSG vs Newcastle.
      However, with the Manchester United icon missing from the post-match lineup of pundits, Laura issued a statement on his whereabouts.
      After speaking about TNT’s coverage of United vs Galatasaray on Wednesday, she said: “Rio would be here to chat about Manchester United now but we had to let him go [due to] unforeseen circumstances.
      “He is OK, don’t worry.”
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      Ally McCoist and Jermaine Jenas were on hand to provide game analysis alongside Woods.
      Both were left in disbelief at a late penalty decision which was awarded to the Ligue 1 side against Tino Livramento for handball.
      McCoist told Newcastle boss Eddie Howe that he felt his team was “robbed” of a win.
      Alexander Isak had put the Magpies ahead in the opening stages by taking advantage of a poor save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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      However, Newcastle were soon penned back into their own half and defended resolutely before seeing their hard work undone by Kylian Mbappe’s 98th-minute spot kick.
      A 3-1 win for Borussia Dortmund at AC Milan means it is a one-game shootout for one of three teams to progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      PSG sit on seven points, while Newcastle and Milan both sit on five.
      The Toon host Milan in their final group stage game, knowing they must win to stand a chance of progressing to the last 16.
      A defeat will see them knocked out of European football entirely. More

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      Micah Richards shocks in very bold outfit live on CBS Sports and is cheekily teased by Kate Abdo

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      MICAH RICHARDS wore a daring outfit for CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage on Tuesday evening.The American broadcaster jetted to Miami for a special edition of their European football programme.
      Kate Abdo, left, roasted Micah Richards, right, at the start of CBS Sports’ coverage
      Richards went for an interesting outfit choice for the Miami show
      Presenter Kate Abdo politely introduced pundits Thierry Henry and Clint Dempsey, before she turned her attention to Richards.
      And as is the custom, the host proceeded to roast the ex-Manchester City man.
      She said: “The bosses at CBS thought ‘This is Miami, we need more star power’. However it turns out that Lionel Messi is out of the country.
      “But then they thought ‘Well, why not a handsome, dashing Brit?’ But sadly David Beckham was also not available…
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      “So here he is, Mr Micah Richards.”
      Richards, who took the jibe in good faith as he laughed off the mockery, responded by getting the live crowd going.
      He shouted: “Big Meeks is here. Make some noise, baby.”
      Richards then received a huge cheer from those watching the CBS Sports coverage from just a few yards away.
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      But it was the former England defender’s outfit that drew a lot of attention on social media.
      Richards went for a white shirt, cream blazer, brown fedora hat and sunglasses.
      And it’s safe to say the fashion choice divided opinion.
      One Twitter user said: “Did Micah Richards convince Rick Ross to send him his stylist on loan for the week?”
      But another replied: “Micah Richards looking fly af on set today. Colours, sunglasses and the hat.”
      While a third added: “Micah Richards, I would rate your drip 100/10!!” More