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      Kai Havertz reveals Chelsea squad left baffled after Thomas Tuchel was ‘sacked out of nowhere’ leading to dismal season

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      KAI HAVERTZ has revealed he was left baffled by Thomas Tuchel’s sacking “out of nowhere”. Just 16 months after leading Chelsea to the Champions League, the German boss was dismissed as the ownership looked to stamp their authority.
      Kai Havertz scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final but has struggled for consistencyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the Blues’ awkward start to the season under Tuchel was about as good as things would get in the entire campaign.
      Graham Potter’s failed to get things going as Chelsea languished in mid-table before he was dismissed after only eight months.
      Before Frank Lampard took over as caretaker and lost his first five games.
      Chelsea striker Havertz has given his assessment of the disastrous campaign and revealed that the early sacking did not help the squad.
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      He told Kicker: “Everything that can go wrong went wrong for us this year.
      “The season actually started relatively quietly. We had a change of ownership which was a big change for the club.
      “And then Thomas Tuchel was fired, which of course always makes a difference in a team like this when you’ve been successful with a coach and he gets fired out of nowhere.
      “Now we have our backs to the wall and are not [doing] very well in the table. 
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      “Of course it’s easy to find excuses. I’m not a fan of blaming everything on something else. At the end of the day, we’re all professional footballers and we have to win a game sometimes.”
      Chelsea travel to Arsenal tonight looking to put a further spanner into their London rival’s title dreams.

      And Havertz hopes to frustrate the Gunners.
      He added: “We hope to tease Arsenal a little bit. They’re in the title fight now, which is where we want to be. And if you can beat your opponent, that’s always good for the fans.”
      With nothing to play for, Chelsea have a further five dead rubbers before their miserable season ends.
      The Blues currently sit 12th in the table and risk falling further.
      Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to take over at Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks. More

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      Which teams have the most favourable Dream Team fixtures this May? Manchester City twice as busy as other teams

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      IT’S coronation season here in the United Kingdom and there’s a crown poised above Pep Guardiola’s head.Manchester City have finally overtaken Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and the Etihad residents have a game a hand on their title rivals as well.
      Not only that, City remain active in the Champions League and the FA Cup as they chase an historic treble.
      Naturally, Dream Team gaffers will want to stack their teams full of Guardiola’s troops this month but it’s always wise to analyse the schedule before committing to a strategy.
      With that in mind, let’s run through May’s fixtures for the current top eight teams…
      Guardiola is chasing three trophiesCredit: GETTY
      MANCHESTER CITY

      West Ham (h)
      Leeds (h)
      Real Madrid (a)
      Everton (a)
      Real Madrid (h)
      Chelsea (h)
      Brighton (a)
      Brentford (a)

      On current form there’s no possible match-up that will intimidate Erling Haaland (£10.2m) and company but a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, the undisputed masters of the competition, promises to be highly competitive.
      It’s worth noting that the Hammers’ visit to Manchester takes place on Wednesday night as part of Game Week 32, prior to May’s transfer refresh.
      Brace yourself for gargantuan returns for those fixtures against Leeds and Everton, those encounters could get very messy for the relegation candidates.
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      ARSENAL

      Chelsea (h)
      Newcastle (a)
      Brighton (h)
      Nottingham Forest (a)
      Wolves (h)

      Once again, the Gunners take on the Blues tonight in their first Game Week 32 fixture meaning they will have just four games remaining after this month’s transfer refresh.
      An away day at St James’ Park followed by a game against the free-scoring Seagulls represents a tricky double header for Mikel Arteta’s men but they should finish strong against Forest and Wolves.
      Many Dream Team bosses will be swapping their Arsenal assets for City equivalents this coming Friday.
      Bukayo Saka appears in 42.4% of teamsCredit: GETTY
      NEWCASTLE

      Arsenal (h)
      Leeds (a)
      Brighton (h)
      Leicester (h)
      Chelsea (a)

      The Magpies’ testing fixtures against Arsenal and Brighton are offset by games against three teams who have desperately struggled in recent weeks.
      Eddie Howe’s men have scored 20 goals in their last six outings with the likes of Callum Wilson (£4.1m) and Alexander Isak (£4.2m) plundering plenty of points of late.
      MANCHESTER UNITED

      Brighton (a)
      West Ham (a)
      Wolves (h)
      Bournemouth (a)
      Chelsea (h)
      Fulham (h)

      Erik ten Hag’s side travel to the south coast this week so gaffers predominantly thinking of post-transfer refresh plans should focus on the fixtures from West Ham onwards.
      All things considered, it’s a favourable set of match-ups from Game Week 32 until the season’s end in the form of teams safe from relegation but too far from European qualification – on-the-beach teams tend to give up points at the end of term.
      Man United also have the FA Cup final to play in JuneCredit: GETTY
      LIVERPOOL

      Fulham (h)
      Brentford (h)
      Leicester (a)
      Aston Villa (h)
      Southampton (a)

      It’s a similar story for the Merseysiders who, aside from Villa, face nothing but unmotivated mid-table opponents or relegation fodder.
      The Reds have underwhelmed this season but the likes of Diogo Jota (£4.4m), Mohamed Salah (£8.5m) and Cody Gakpo (£4m) have shared loads of goals around between them this past month.
      Clean sheets remain elusive, however.
      TOTTENHAM

      Crystal Palace (h)
      Aston Villa (a)
      Brentford (h)
      Leeds (a)

      Just four fixtures remain for a club who desperately want the season to end.
      Harry Kane (£8.9m) continues to provide healthy returns for his backers but only a brave (or naive) Dream Team manager will be thinking about bringing in more Spurs players as the campaign concludes.
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      Ollie Watkins has blanked in three consecutive fixturesCredit: GETTY

      Wolves (a)
      Spurs (h)
      Liverpool (a)
      Brighton (h)

      Unai Emery’s side are in much better form than Spurs but still their point-scoring opportunities are limited to just four fixtures.
      And it’s a relatively difficult quartet of match-ups as well.
      Ollie Watkins (£6.4m) has been sensational since the World Cup but it’s worth flagging that he’s blanked in his last three games.
      BRIGHTON

      Man United (h)
      Everton (h)
      Arsenal (a)
      Newcastle (a)
      Southampton (h)
      Man City (h)
      Aston Villa (a)

      With seven fixtures to play (six after transfers are replenished) only Man City are busier before than Roberto De Zerbi’s side from now until the end of the season.
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      Brighton’s midfield crop of Solly March (£4.7m), Kaoru Mitoma (£4.6m), Pascal Gross (£3m) and Alexis Mac Allister (£3.4m) have registered 517 points between them in 2022/23.
      However, while the Seagulls have an appealing number of games at their disposal, the majority of them promise to be challenging tests in between respites against the Toffees and Saints. More

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      Fans convinced Erling Haaland FARTED next to Leon Goretzka after hilarious interaction between pair

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      FANS have been left convinced that Erling Haaland farted next to Leon Goretska after an exchange between the pair went viral. They were facing off in the second-leg of their Champions League clash last month, with Manchester City progressing 4-1 on aggregate over Bayern Munich.
      Goretska pinches his nose as he waits for a corner during Bayern’s second-leg clash with Man City last monthCredit: Twitter – Troll Football
      Haaland rubs his stomach apologetically and fans are convinced he fartedCredit: Twitter – Troll Football
      Goretzka: Haaland has no respect for the opponent or football. He farted every time we approached him. He did it more than once!!pic.twitter.com/0Oa2DRt9uL— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) April 29, 2023

      But a short video of Goretska marking the Man City man before a corner is doing the rounds on social media.
      Haaland, who scored his 50th goal of the season against Fulham on Sunday, is known to enjoy the dark arts of football.
      And he appears to have opted for his most bizarre tactic yet.
      Goretska can be seen puffing out his cheeks and holding his nose as he waits for the corner to be swung in.
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      The midfielder pulls a disgusted face while Haaland gives his own stomach a soothing rub and grins slightly.
      Some fans believe this moment is evidence that he let one rip to put his opponent off his game and could not help but make jokes.
      One said: “Holy crap. Is that why the defences of each team he has scored [against] couldn’t handle him??”
      Another said: “This explains the goals.”
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      While another joked: “Extra propulsion for additional speed.”
      But, defending the star, one fan said: “He touched his stomach to let him know he is not doing it intentionally.
      Haaland has not been shy about using untraditional tactics to get around opposition players.
      Brentford defender Ben Mee revealed that the 22-year-old pinches defenders to throw them off their game.
      While Haaland went viral last year as he attempted to wind up Everton’s Ben Godfrey.
      Whatever the Norwegian is doing is clearly effective with the striker equalling the Premier League record for most goals in a season – and City still have six games left to play. More

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      Watch Man Utd legend Van Nistelrooy bust out hilarious dance moves in wild dressing room celebrations after winning Cup

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY busted out his best dance moves in amazing dressing room scenes after PSV beat Ajax in the Dutch Cup Final. The Manchester United legend was in good spirits after winning his first major piece of silverware as a coach.
      PSV boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy broke out the moves to the delight of his playersCredit: Twitter / @PSV
      The PSV dressing room was in good spirits after a penalty shootout win against Ajax in the Dutch CupCredit: Twitter / @PSV
      The former Man United striker was coaxed into the centre by his players – and he did not let them downCredit: Twitter / @PSV
      He has been in charge since the beginning of the season and is looking to secure the Dutch club a place in the Champions League.
      But for now the 46-year-old is celebrating some silverware after leading his side to a penalty shootout win.
      Van Nistelrooy was so happy he even began cutting shapes in the PSV dressing room in footage the club have posted on their Twitter page.
      The victorious players started it off as they danced along to some music after the game.
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      They then erupt into cheers as their manager appears and starts shyly dancing in the centre of the circle.
      Van Nistelrooy then abandons his conservative arm movements and starts throwing his hands into the air as the players continue to encourage him.
      The former striker can’t keep a straight face as PSV stars, including ex-Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt, laugh along with him.
      Fans were enjoying seeing the Dutchman let his hair down.
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      One said: “Love the connection between coach and players.”
      Another said: “Gooo onn Ruud.”
      And another fan joked that they hoped that Van Nistelrooy’s former team-mate, the famously stern Roy Keane, does not see the video.
      Ajax stars Brian Brobbey, Jurrien Timber, and Edson Alvarez missed their penalties allowing PSV’s Fabio Silva to win the spot-kicks 3-2.
      PSV also have the edge on Ajax in the league and sit three points clear of their rivals in the final Champions League spot with just four games left. More

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      Shocking moment fan strolls around stand with CHAINSAW as riots leave stadium in flames during football match

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      THIS is the shocking moment a fan strolled around a stadium with a CHAINSAW during an African Champions League tie as riots erupted.The incident occurred at half-time of the match between Esperance Sportive de Tunis and JS Kabylie.
      A fan strolled around the stadium during crowd trouble with a chainsawCredit: Facebook
      He was spotted holding it close to other fansCredit: Facebook
      ES Tunis fans set fire to the stadiumCredit: Facebook
      After the first 45 minutes of play in the quarter-final second leg, trouble began that quickly spiralled out of control.
      An ES Tunis fan managed to get his hands on a chainsaw, casually walking around the ground with the machinery switched on.
      The man was seen holding it dangerously close to other supporters and attempting to cut something on the floor.
      Meanwhile, others trashed the stadium by breaking fences and starting a huge fire.
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      Reports suggest that ES Tunis hooligans managed to get their hands on a chainsaw, shovel, hammer and other equipment used in the trouble by breaking into the stadium maintenance room.
      Security is normally tough at big games and lighters are banned, yet a fan sneaking one in has been blamed for the fire.
      Police in Tunisia are searching for the yobs responsible.
      On the pitch, ES Tunis defeated their Algerian opponents 2-1 on aggregate.
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      They will face Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the semi-final.
      ES Tunis have won the CAF Champions League four times. More

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      Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0: Bruno Fernandes gives Ten Hag huge Champions League qualification boost in hard-fought win

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      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football is edging ever closer to making a return to Old Trafford.A club that contested three finals in just four seasons between 2008 and 2011 has been a bit of a stranger to club football’s elite competition over the last decade.
      Man United returned to winning ways against Aston VillaCredit: AFP
      Bruno Fernandes netted in the first halfCredit: PA
      The game ended Villa’s ten-game unbeaten runCredit: EPA
      Even when the Red Devils have qualified the quarter-finals is the deepest they have gone in the competition.
      But things could be different for the three-time winners under Ten Hag next season if this campaign is anything to go by.
      Two domestic finals and now a place in the top four close to being confirmed after this victory over inform Aston Villa shows real progress in just one season with the Dutchman in charge.
      Bruno Fernandes’ 39th-minute goal ensured victory over a Villa side who came here with an outside chance of getting into the top four themselves after an incredible run under Unai Emery.
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      The players came out to stadium which had the acrid smell of flare smoke in the air from protesters in the Munich Tunnel as opposed to The Glazers.
      The takeover to rid the club of the hated owners has still not gone through.
      On the pitch United began the game happy to keep firing long balls over the top of a Villa back four that was playing high up the pitch.
      It was working too as they constantly turned the visitors back line round.
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      Of course the United frontmen were having to time their runs perfectly to beat the offside flag.
      That flag in their attacking half in the first period was being carried by Constantine Hatzidakis.
      Nobody was going to be arguing with that imposing official who was on duty for the first time in the Premier League since the ‘elbow’ incident with Liverpool’s Andy Robertson.
      There were chances early on with Rashford looking back to his sharp best again after a recent groin injury.
      Put through by Tyrell Malacia he had a shot deflected wide of the near post by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
      Casemiro launched a ball forward for Fernandes which he hit across goal on the volley.
      It was neither a cross nor shot and went wide.
      There were cries for a penalty from the visitors when in the 19th minute Diogo Dalot tangled with Ollie Watkins at the far post and Alexandre Moreno’s follow-up was blocked by David De Gea.
      Ollie Watkins was denied a penalty after a tangle with Diogo DalotCredit: PA
      Fernandes netted the opener shortly after from a tight angleCredit: Getty
      The VAR decided there was no pen.
      United came close when Casemiro hit a shot that cannoned off the bar.
      Then the breakthrough came which Martinez literally had a hand in.
      When Rashford broke away his cross shot lacked power but the Argentine World Cup winner rather tamely palmed it to one side.
      Fernandes was following up and his shot deflected off Moreno and looped back over Martinez.
      The United stand-in captain raced straight towards the Villa fans in the corner and starred up at them.
      They had been giving him stick from early on after he had gone down with the visiting fans believing he was feigning injury to try and get a free kick.
      This was his response. The Portuguese ace’s 100th career league goal, six of which have come against Villa.
      The 100th goal of his careerCredit: AFP
      But the visitors were still very much in this game as the second period opened up.
      United had witnessed at first hand the immediate influence of Unai Emery having lost 3-1 at Villa Park in his first game in charge.
      That ended a nine game unbeaten run for Ten Hag’s team and gave Villa their first win at home over United since 1999.
      It began a run of 13 wins from his 20 games in charge turning them from a side threatened with relegation to one now knocking on the door of European football.
      They arrived at Old Trafford unbeaten since February 18 and having won eight and drawn two of their last ten.
      So it was always going to be a tough task for a United side who surrendered a 2-0 lead at Tottenham on Thursday to draw 2-2.
      But it was one they were handling well as they kept their advantage and went searching for a second goal.
      Rashford dribbled his way into the box before being met by Martinez as he shaped to shoot.
      Victor Lindelof pulled off an amazing clearance to protect the leadCredit: PA
      At the other end it was Victor Lindelof once again on top form as he had been at Wembley the previous weekend in the FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton.
      It was his flick header that denied an Ashley Young cross reaching in-form goalscorer Ollie Watkins.
      He was there again to slide in and deflect Jacob Ramsey’s shot over the bar.
      Then he headed a goalbound shot from Douglas Luiz off the line although an offside in the build-up would have ruled a goal out anyway.
      Still, he didn’t know that.

      United continued to keep Villa out to the final whistle.
      A big win.
      The result has boosted Erik ten Hag’s Champions League ambitionsCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a former Champions League winner who shared erotic pics of my pal’s ex-wife and was every mother’s nightmare

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      THIS former Champions League winner was one of football’s most notorious bad boys.And he even once shared erotic pictures of a teammate’s ex-wife in his autobiography.
      Stefan Effenberg was one of football’s most notorious bad boysCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The former Germany midfielder won the Champions League with Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      Stefan Effenberg, 54, used to be a household name in European football.
      The former midfielder enjoyed a glittering top-flight career, taking in two spells at both Gladbach and Bayern Munich.
      He won several league titles at club level, as well as the 2001 Champions League.
      Effenburg, who also played for Fiorentina and Wolfsburg, won 35 caps for Germany too.
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      And he was part of the squad which finished runners-up at Euro 1992.
      But off the pitch, his life was just as action-packed.
      Effenberg quickly gained notoriety for his rebellious behaviour and even branded himself “every mother-in-law’s nightmare”.
      During his first Gladbach spell, Effenberg reportedly smuggled an air rifle to Spain before shooting out street lights from his hotel bedroom window.
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      Effenberg once smuggled an air rifle to Spain and stole a jeepCredit: Reuters
      He was even sent home from the 1994 World Cup for swearing at fansCredit: AFP – Getty
      Effenberg published erotic images of a teammate’s ex-wife in his autobiographyCredit: Getty
      In another incident, he allegedly stole a jeep for a joyride — with the vehicle apparently belonging to his Gladbach and then-Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes.
      The World Cup in 1994 saw Effenberg sent home for swearing at Germany fans.
      But his most shocking incident came in 1998.
      Tabloid reports at the time claimed he had cheated on wife Martina with the partner of team-mate Thomas Strunz, Claudia.
      Effenberg later released his autobiography and included intimate pictures of Claudia, who had left Strunz by then, on the pages to leave Germans stunned.
      He also took aim at several national team players including Lothar Matthaus, leaving a chapter called “What Matthaus knows about football” completely blank.
      In 2004, after 111 goals in 550 club games, Effenberg retired from football with Qatari side Al-Arabi.
      That same year, he ended up marrying Claudia, with the couple relocating to Florida.

      Effenberg returned to football in October 2015 with second-tier German side Paderborn.
      But he was dismissed just five months later after winning only two of his 15 matches at the helm. More

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      Ollie Watkins lined up for massive £60m transfer to European giants that would see him star in Champions League

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      ASTON VILLA striker Ollie Watkins is a shock target for Bayern Munich.The German giants’ technical director Marco Neppe was at Villa Park on Tuesday to see Watkins’ side beat Fulham 1-0.
      Ollie Watkins is a surprise target for Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      And it is believed he was casting an eye over £60million-rated Watkins as part of Bayern’s search for a No9.
      Tottenham striker Harry Kane is also on the Bundesliga champions’ wishlist.
      But they are looking at a number of players as they seek to replace the goals they lost when Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona last summer.
      Watkins, 27, has spearheaded Villa’s unlikely charge into the European places.
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      The red-hot hitman has scored 11 times in his last 15 Premier League games as the team thrive under new boss Unai Emery.
      Watkins, who joined from Brentford for £32million in 2020, has two years left on his deal and is expected to enter talks over a new contract in the summer.
      Neppe’s presence at Villa Park prompted claims he was there to watch Fulham’s Joao Palhinha.
      New Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel would like to sign a defensive midfielder but it is understood that Palhinha, already a target for a number of Premier League clubs, is not currently being considered.
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      Bayern’s absolute priority is to find a striker after their Champions League beating by Manchester City and less-than-convincing defence of their Bundesliga title.
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      Lewandowski scored 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern and was an integral part of the team that was champions of Germany, Europe and the world in 2020.
      The German side were brushed aside 4-1 on aggregate by City in the Champions League quarter finals. More