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      Nottingham Forest star serenades team-mates after being bizarrely gifted guitar by Ed Sheeran following Ipswich win

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST star Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrated the victory at Portman Road with a guitar given to him by Ipswich Town super fan Ed Sheeran. Forest are one step closer to realising their dream of Champions League qualification after beating Ipswich 4-2 on Saturday and maintaining third place in the Premier League table.Ed Sheeran gifted Nottingham Forest star Callum Hudson-Odoi a guitarCredit: Instagram @olaainaHudson-Odoi played the guitar after Forest beat Ipswich TownCredit: Instagram @olaainaIpswich super fan Sheeran had a special signed inscription for Hudson-OdoiCredit: Instagram @olaainaHudson-Odoi, 24, handed pop star Sheeran, 34, a rather unpleasant evening as the Tractor Boys’ minority stake holder watched his beloved team plunge into deeper relegation trouble.According to The Athletic, however, the singer remains a big fan of the Nottingham star and gave him a special gift after the final whistle.Sheeran was absent at Ipswich as he is currently in the US for business.However, the artist had pre-arranged to have a guitar gifted to Hudson-Odoi in exchange for a match-worn shirt.Read More on FootballAnd Forest team-mate Ola Aina shared a clip showing the ex-Chelsea star serenading Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with his musical abilities.The winger paid tribute to Sheeran as he attempted to play his popular Shape of You song in the visitors’ dressing room.Aina then focused the camera on the signed inscription the singer left for the England international.It read: “Callum, loads of love mate.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHudson-Odoi and Co had a very good reason to celebrate after the final whistle.Forest are now seven points ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle, who have a game in hand.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalNuno’s side have a strong chances of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three decades.Sheeran, who is a fan of Hudson-Odoi, was gracious in defeatCredit: GettyHudson-Odoi helped Forest get one step closer to Champions League qualificationCredit: Rex More

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      Virgil van Dijk issues fierce warning to Liverpool team-mates to avoid the ‘world sinking’ after disastrous week

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK warned Liverpool must “work our a**es” off to stop the “world sinking”.Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle ended a miserable week in which Arne Slot’s side were also dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.Virgil van Dijk sent a rallying call out to his Liverpool team-matesCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak struck for Newcastle in the finalCredit: GettyOusmane Dembele helped knock Liverpool out of the Champions LeagueCredit: GettySkipper Van Dijk wants the Reds to react with five straight wins that would likely see them secure the Prem title by beating Tottenham on April 27.He said: “We have to turn this around. If you lose twice in five days it feels like the world is sinking. Two weeks before, everything was sunshine and rainbows.“In the Champions League, we couldn’t get it done, we lost this final and we got knocked out of the FA Cup.“We have nine games to go and I don’t think there’s any motivation needed to try to get the job done. We have to work our a**es off.READ MORE IN football“But now everyone goes to their respective countries and will all play and hopefully stay fit.“We then have a couple of days to settle down and be ready for Everton at home.“If we win five games — obviously a very difficult job — we’ll be champions of England.“If you keep these things in your mind it also can benefit you to make sure you’re working hard.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I can guarantee you right now there will be so many difficult moments in all of those games.”Liverpool are 12 points clear of Arsenal. The Reds need 16 points to be sure but five wins should be enough due to their better goal difference.Ant & Dec scream with joy and Alan Shearer loses his hat as Geordies go wild after Newcastle win Carabao CupYet inconsistent Arsenal are likely to drop points in their next few games, meaning Arne Slot’s team — who last won the Premier League in 2020 — could wrap up the title even sooner.Van Dijk, whose team face rivals Everton on April 2, revealed how Slot tried to pick up his stars.Dutchman VVD added: “He said everyone should be disappointed by not winning the cup — but that there is a title to win and, when we come back, we have a big game.”The centre-back insisted that the Euro loss to PSG on penalties had nothing to do with Liverpool’s lacklustre Wembley display.He said: “No, I don’t think there was any impact from that. We gave it all, I don’t think PSG had anything to do with it.” More

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      Champions League superstar, 22, turns up at Wembley to support Newcastle ace Tino Livramento

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      NEWCASTLE found themselves a shock new fan at Wembley as a Champions League superstar turned up to support the club.Eddie Howe’s men ran out shock 2-1 winners over runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool to claim a first domestic trophy in 70 years.Jamal Musiala posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley’s CJ Egan-RileyCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10The Bayern Munich star revealed he was there to watch Newcastle’s Valentino LivramentoCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10Musiala is still in with a chance of winning a Champions League and Bundesliga double with Bayern this seasonCredit: AlamyLivramento helped Newcastle to a first domestic trophy in 70 yearsCredit: GettyAnd enjoying the Magpies’ success in the Wembley stands was Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala.The Germany international posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley.And he was quick not to get Newcastle fans’ hopes of a bombshell transfer up, as he made clear on Instagram that he was there to watch one player in particular.Musiala tagged full-back Tino Livramento in a second Instagram post of himself watching the final at Wembley stadium.READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWSThe pair became close friends during eight years together in the Chelsea academy.And Blues fans may well be wondering what might have been if the club had retained the players.Musiala left Chelsea in 2019 at the age of just 16, as he joined Bayern Munich.And Livramento joined Southampton in 2021 in a £5m deal after failing to agree a new contract with the West Londoners.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBoth men also played for England U21s, though Musiala made just two appearances in 2020 before being picked for the Germany senior team.Winger Musiala was not the only player representing another club who went to support Newcastle in the huge Wembley final.Fans think the Wealdstone Raider is a time traveller after his incredible Newcastle Carabao Cup prediction goes viral Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson rocked up in a Newcastle scarf and was even applauded by the players as he watched them lift the trophy with the Toon faithful.Newcastle reluctantly allowed Whitley Bay-born Anderson to join Nuno’s Forest side in a £35m deal in order to ease spending constraints caused by PSR rules.Tino Livramento lifts the Carabao Cup trophyCredit: Getty More

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      Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-header

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      THOMAS TUCHEL shared a hug with England newbies Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly as the stars arrived at St George’s Park.Tuchel – who famously led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2021 – prepares for his first two Three Lions games in charge. Thomas Tuchel hugs Jordan Henderson as Dan Burn laughsCredit: GettyTuchel greets Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyMyles Lewis-Skelly hugs Aston Villa’s Morgan RogersCredit: GettyBellingham also embraces Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyEngland play Albania on Friday and Latvia next Monday – both at Wembley – in World Cup qualifying matches. And the players beamed as they reported to training for life under their new boss. Newcastle’s Burn – who was no doubt still on cloud nine after heading home in the historic League Cup final win over Liverpool – and Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly were greeted with big hugs by Tuchel.The defensive pair are in line for senior debuts in what could be a new-look England backline. READ MORE IN football There was also old faces in Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford – both left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad last summer. Rashford is without a goal since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United but he has four assists to his name. His last England cap came off the bench against Brazil in a March 2024 friendly – which ended in a 1-0 loss. Henderson – who has captained Ajax this season – has not played internationally since November 2023. Most read in FootballCaptain Harry Kane reports to trainingCredit: GettyBellingham flew in from Spain for international dutyCredit: GettyMorgan Gibbs-White got a late call upCredit: GettyKeeper James Trafford made the squadCredit: GettyLewis-Skelly looked stylish on his way inCredit: GettyJordan Henderson rocked an all-grey tracksuitCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe former Sunderland midfielder was seen sharing a laugh with Newcastle’s Burn. And Tuchel previously said: “I truly believe that Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every chance to be with us at the World Cup.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-up”Football in general and maybe even more international football is about team spirit, it is about building a team that loves to play with each other, that transports the spirit to the fans, the nation and the country.“It is about building a brotherhood so we cannot only do it with young players and we cannot only do with experienced players. “It has to be a good balance and a good mix in my opinion and that’s what we’re trying to do. “Without doubt, players like Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson bring something to a group from leadership and devotion and being humble and from setting the standards and taking care about the respect in the group. “I am surprised that Dan was never called up. He is such a tall guy but obviously it is easy to overlook him.”Eyebrows were initially raised when Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was left out by Tuchel. But Gibbs-White joined up with the squad in place of injured Chelsea star Cole Palmer – with the Forest man twice capped at senior level already. READ MORE SUN STORIESChelsea captain James – not capped by England since 2023 – reunited with ex-Blues boss Tuchel after making a return to club competition.The human tuchENGLAND’S new boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad – to mixed reaction.Reece James, with his old Chelsea coach Anthony Barry, was also named by old Chelsea boss TuchelCredit: GettyBurn is ready for his first England capCredit: GettyBurn and skipper KaneCredit: Getty More

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      Marc Cucurella breaks down in tears with wife and Mahrez’s Wag gets breast op in dramatic Married To The Game trailer

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      PREMIER LEAGUE stars – past and present – will be linking up with their Wags in a popular football-related reality show.Married to the Game has returned for a second season on Amazon Prime and will premiere on April 8.Famous football-related reality show Married to the Game returns for a second seasonCredit: YouTube/Amazon Prime Video UK & IEChelsea ace Marc Cucurella is seen crying to his wife Claudia RodriguezCredit: YouTube/Amazon Prime Video UK & IERiyad Mahrez’s partner Taylor Ward opens up about her breast reduction surgeryCredit: YouTube/Amazon Prime Video UK & IETaylor underwent surgery in Istanbul while Mahrez was awayCredit: YouTube/Amazon Prime Video UK & IEThe show promises drama and intrigueCredit: YouTube/Amazon Prime Video UK & IEManchester City hero Riyad Mahrez and Arsenal ace Jorginho return with their better halves Taylor Ward and Cat Harding respectively.They are joined by new signings Gabriel Magalhaes from Arsenal, Leon Bailey from Aston Villa and Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.Gabriel, Bailey and Cucurella will be coming with partners Gabrielle Figueiredo, Stephanie Hope and Claudia Rodriguez.And the new season promises some major drama and intrigue following the release of its first trailer.Read More on FootballCucurella is seen breaking down in tears next to Claudia as he tells the camera, “We need to learn a lot”.And Al-Ahli star Mahrez’s wife Taylor is seen getting breast reduction surgery in Istanbul while he’s away.The Wags are taking centre stage as they discuss their ambitions on camera.Some of them are also seen taking luxurious trips to glitzy destinations, such as Marbella.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe second season is covering the summer season as clips show Spanish fans celebrating Euro 2024.Cucurella was part of the Spain team that won the European title in Germany.Dramatic moment Prem ace Jorginho’s fiancee confronts woman in late-night doorstep showdown over Arsenal starThe Furia Roja did so by beating England 2-1 in the final in Gareth Southgate’s last match in charge of the Three Lions.Cucurella teams up with partner Claudia in the reality TV seriesCredit: Amazon PrimeArsenal ace Jorginho and Cat Harding return to the showCredit: Amazon PrimeMahrez and Taylor are also a returning couple in the showCredit: Amazon PrimeAston Villa star Leon Bailey is coming to the show with Stephanie HopeCredit: Amazon PrimeArsenal ace Gabriel Magalhaes will also debut with Gabrielle FigueiredoCredit: Amazon Prime More

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      Sergio Ramos jokes ‘I couldn’t leave this league without a red card’ after being sent off for booting rival in the bum

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      SERGIO RAMOS made light of a red card for Mexican side Monterrey after a 3-1 win at Pumas.The former Real Madrid captain was seen kicking opponent Guillermo Martinez Ayala in the bum in stoppage time of the match.Sergio Ramos was sent off for kicking his opponent in the bumCredit: AFPBut he did end up on the winning side after a 3-1 victoryCredit: GettyRamos joined Monterrey in February after leaving SevillaCredit: GettyAnd afterwards, Ramos took to X to make light of the situation.He posted: “Very important win away from home against a difficult team. Time to rest and prepare what’s next. “P.S.: It was obvious I couldn’t leave this league without a red card. +3 and onwards! ¡Arriba el Monterrey!”Sergio Ramos was known for often bending the rules during his time in Spanish football.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe defender tended to be loved by his own fans and disliked by supporters of the opposition.During the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool, Ramos received no punishment for a challenge that saw Reds’ star man Mo Salah dislocate his shoulder.And some claimed in the aftermath that injuring Salah had been an intentional move.Following the victory, Monterrey sit in eighth position in the Liga MX, which would see them qualify for the play-offs and give them a chance of reaching the Final Series.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd the Mexican side will also take part in this summer’s Club World Cup alongside the likes of Chelsea and Man City.Ramos and co will face Inter Milan, River Plate and Urawa Reds in Group E of the competition.Mum of Thibaut Courtois’ love-child reveals fear they will be made homeless over unpaid mortgage despite his huge salary More

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      How 11th place in the Premier League could get into Europe thanks to Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win

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      THE Premier League could have as many as 11 teams competing in Europe next season.Newcastle secured a place in the Europa Conference League on Sunday after winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley.Newcastle secured a space in the Europa Conference League by winning the Carabao CupCredit: GettyHowever, Eddie Howe and Co are aiming for the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyShould Newcastle qualify for Europe’s elite competition, as many as 11 Prem teams could get European footballCredit: GettyThe Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 to end their 70-year trophy drought and take home the first piece of silverware on offer this season.Although Conference League qualification is already in the bag, Eddie Howe and Co will be hoping to go one better come the end of the Premier League campaign.Newcastle currently sit sixth in the Prem table, just one point behind fifth-placed Manchester City.As things stand, five clubs are set to earn Champions League football due to the performance of English teams in Europe this term.Read More in FootballConsequently, if the Magpies do earn a spot in Europe’s elite competition in May, their Conference League place will be passed down.It is part of a domino effect that could see up to 11 clubs qualify for European football ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.How could 11 teams qualify for Europe?There are a few varying scenarios that could lead to the 11th-placed team in the Premier League earning European qualification.For example, Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Man City may all qualify for the Champions League as the top four teams, leaving Newcastle as the fifth.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBournemouth could qualify for the Europa League by winning the FA CupCredit: GettyMeanwhile, Man Utd could finish 10th and still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyBrighton could then find themselves taking a Europa League place by finishing sixth.Bournemouth may earn a spot in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup one week before the Prem season concludes.Eddie Howe fights back tears as he dedicates Carabao Cup to late mum as Newcastle hero Dan Burn says ‘don’t wake me up’In addition, Chelsea could bag a place in the competition by winning the Conference League.And by finishing eighth or lower in the Prem, that would likely open up another place.Should Aston Villa finish even lower but win the Champions League, they would retain their spot in the elite competition without costing any other English team a place.And finally, if all of the above were to happen and either Manchester United or Tottenham finish 10th and qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, the team in 11th would be allocated the final Conference League place.In that scenario – although it is unlikely – the top 10 teams would have all qualified for Europe themselves, leaving the 11th-placed club with the final position.Carabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe’s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break.The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players. More

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      Chelsea ‘willing to let Geovany Quenda play AGAINST them next season despite spending £42m on transfer’

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      CHELSEA new boy Geovany Quenda could find himself playing AGAINST the Blues next season due to Uefa rules.The 17-year-old agreed to join Chelsea in a £42million transfer from Sporting Lisbon last week.Geovany Quenda could face Chelsea next season despite signing for the Blues last weekCredit: AFPQuenda is set to pen a seven-year deal with the option for an eighth, but will not make his debut until next year at the earliest.The Blues have agreed to loan him back to Sporting for the 2025-26 campaign.And should both teams qualify for the Champions League this season, the winger could find himself playing against his new club.In Uefa competitions, parent clubs have no say on whether or not a loan star can play against them.Read More in FootballTherefore, if Sporting do face Chelsea then manager Rui Borges can decide to play him.Rules in the Champions League and Europa League differ to those in the Premier League, where loan players are not permitted to face their parent clubs.Quenda has made 44 appearances for Sporting this season, contributing to 10 goals.Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for him given Ruben Amorim’s links to the Portuguese club, but the Red Devils never submitted a bid.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSQuenda has made 10 appearances in the Champions League this seasonThey had even sent scouts to watch the teenager.But Quenda is now set to join fellow wonderkids Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez in West London.Enzo Maresca defends lacklustre Chelsea after Conference League progress More