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      Newcastle 2 Man Utd 0: Well-drilled Toon secure huge win in race for Champions League as hosts leapfrog United to go 3rd

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      REVENGE was sweet for the Geordies as Newcastle moved into pole position to seal third at the expense of rotten Manchester United.The Toon Army’s big day out at Wembley was ruined in February when Erik Ten Hag’s side strolled to a 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final.
      Newcastle are up to third after beating Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Joe Willock scored the opening goal to seal a 2-0 victory at St. James’ ParkCredit: Getty
      Things got even worse for Erik ten Hag late on despite a raft of changesCredit: EPA
      Newcastle’s Callum Wilson headed home a second late onCredit: AFP
      But with the bit between their teeth, Newcastle steamrollered the Red Devils to thoroughly deserve this potentially seismic three points.
      Thanks to second half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson, Eddie Howe’s Mags leapfrog Manchester United into third as they go in search of a Champions League spot for the first time since 2003 under Sir Bobby Robson.
      Man United might be going great guns in the cups but their league form is stuttering. A 7-0 drubbing to Liverpool, a goalless draw at home to Southampton, and then this mauling which left Ten Hag shellshocked on the St James’ Park touchline.
      They remain a point of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand yet, based on this evidence, they have a mammoth task on to finish inside the top four. 
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      After their mid-winter wobble, including that heartbreaking defeat at Wembley, Toon were back on the trail of a top four finish following two straight wins.
      The locals were all revved up and ready to go and Manchester United could have been three or four down at the break but for David de Gea and some woeful finishing.
      The Spanish keeper’s double save kept out Alexander Isak and Willock early doors. Willock really should have done better with the rebound from point-blank range, and there were a good 50,000 heads in hands inside St James’ when the midfielder blazed over with the goal gaping just before half time.  
      Lackluster Man United failed to muster a shot on target by the break, the first time they had done so this season.
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      But the locals would have feared a repeat of the Carabao Cup final nightmare, where their side started like a steam train too.
      It all seemed set up for attacking trio Marcus Rashford, Antony and Bruno Fernandes to come to life and burst the Geordie bubble, but it was more of the same in the second.
      Livewire Allan Saint-Maximin and his box of tricks had Diogo Dalot on toast all afternoon. With the indispensable Casemiro still suspended, Brazil buddy Bruno Guimaraes bossed the midfield against Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer, while Wout Weghorst offered nowt up top.
      Ten Hag had seen enough with half an hour to go, hooking Antony and Weghorst.
      But the Dutchman was spitting feathers moments later when Newcastle took the lead via Willock after his sorry side were sliced and diced.
      Isak played in Guimaraes down the right hand side of the box, with the unmarked Samba star dinking it to the back post.
      Saint-Maximin nodded back across goal, Willock – making up for those earlier misses – headed home and the Gallowgate exploded.
      Toon sub Joelinton was only denied adding a second from a corner as the clock ticked on by a great De Gea save before Anthony Martial cleared Fabian Schar’s rebound on the line.
      But it was game over when sub Wilson got in front of Victor Lindelof to nod Kieran Trippier’s free kick home with two minutes remaining.  More

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      Thomas Tuchel raids former club Chelsea for shock transfer and reveals he’s ‘optimistic’ deal will go through

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      CHELSEA hope to delay coach Anthony Barry joining old boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.Tuchel is “optimistic” a deal will be made but Chelsea don’t want Barry at Bayern if the two clubs meet in the Champions League semi-finals.
      Chelsea coach Anthony Barry seems likely to join Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich but the big question is whenCredit: PA
      Tuchel wants to reunite with Barry but says the decision is out of his handCredit: Getty
      Stamford Bridge manager Graham Potter confirmed Barry is off work as talks continue.
      And Tuchel is keen to land the Englishman soon, with the pair having guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021.
      The German said: “It’s a matter between the clubs. It’s still my absolute wish for him to come.
      “The clubs have to reach an agreement. But I’m optimistic.”
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      But it’s thought the possibility of the two sides meeting in Europe this season remains a stumbling block.
      Barry, 36, would of course have inside knowledge on the Blues.
      Chelsea face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals in mid-April and Bayern take on Manchester City – with the winners meeting in the last four.
      Potter said: “It’s club to club, it’s not for me but I am pretty sure it is in the conversation for obvious reasons. 
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      “He is not with us at the moment and I think that’s best it gets resolved… it is between the two clubs. I am not involved in it.”
      But Potter stressed: “I have huge respect for Anthony. 
      He is a fantastic coach and person but these things happen in life and football.” More

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      Arsenal great Ray Parlour explains why Mikel Arteta can win title and where transfer target Declan Rice needs to improve

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      ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour believes his former club will win the Premier League because Manchester City may focus on other competition.The Gunners are top of the table with eight points separating them from second-placed City, who have a game in hand.
      Arsenal can win the Premier League title, claims club legend Ray ParlourCredit: Getty
      Arsenal legend Parlour believes Manchester City prefer the Champions LeagueCredit: The Sun
      Parlour, who won three titles with the North Londoners, believes manager Mikel Arteta can lead his team all the way to the trophy.
      That is because the reigning Prem champions will be preoccupied with the FA Cup and the Champions League, which remains the only major honour that still evades them.
      The former England international loves how Arsenal are playing and advised them to enjoy the challenge as that will help them win more matches and apply more pressure on City.
      Parlour told SunSport: “Well, there certainly is a long way to go. And I’ve always tried to play it down a little bit because the pressure will build on Arsenal because that’s what happens when they’re six or seven games to go but all they can do – and I know it’s a cliche – just keep playing the way you are. Enjoy it.
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      “And again, it’s a young team, so they look a little bit fearless at times. I know Man City beat them at the Emirates and the [Manchester] United game wasn’t great, but even then they had a few chances in the first half.
      “So all I can say is Mikel Arteta has got it really going. What I like about their play now is when they lose the ball they’re trying to win it back quickly. A little bit like City do sometimes, so I think they could do it. I really do.
      “I mean, Man City are gonna have the FA Cup. They’re gonna have the Champions League, which I think deep down Pep Guardiola really wants that Champions League for the club.
      “So hopefully that takes their mind off it a little bit and they’ve got a tricky game against Bayern Munich now with [Thomas] Tuchel going in. So I think Arsenal have a big game at the weekend with Leeds United at home fighting to avoid relegation.
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      “So if you’re getting another three points, it starts putting a little bit more pressure on Manchester City and we know that game against [Crystal] Palace was a big one because Man City didn’t play and went into the international break with an eight-point gap. You know that sometimes mentally that’s really good for you.”
      Arsenal are focused on the Premier League title race, but are also keeping an eye on the summer transfer window with West Ham superstar Declan Rice a top target.
      Parlour insists Rice would be a perfect fit for Arteta’s midfield if the Gunners manage to win the bidding war against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
      However, the former midfielder insists the England international still needs to improve and has to learn to get forward “a little bit more”.
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      West Ham star Declan Rice will have to learn to get forward, claims ParlourCredit: Getty
      Parlour added: “Declan is a super player, we saw him play for England the other night [against Italy] and he was brilliant again as he scored a goal.
      “But yeah, sometimes you have to get forward a little bit more because I always think [when it comes to] holding midfielders there’ll be occasions in a game where you do get past your other midfielder and it’s just a bit of common sense for me that the other midfielder fills in for you.
      “That’s what I used to do when we played for Arsenal, because you know, not everybody’s got a set position at times, you’ll see yourself in a different part of the pitch.
      “And that’s where the other team-mates have got to say, ‘Right, he’s out of position there but we fill in for him and then there’s no problem’. So I think Declan Rice definitely can get forward a little bit more.
      “At any team he goes into he would make them stronger, so if Arsenal have got a chance to maybe buy Declan Rice, especially if they can win the league this year, that would be a fantastic signing.
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      “But I’m sure there’s a big queue of people waiting to see where he’s going in the summer.”
      Ray Parlour was speaking to The Sun on behalf of Fairplay. Fairplay is a peer to peer, free to use betting app which is revolutionising the way people wager, collect and distribute funds. More

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      John Stones vows to play until he’s 40 as he makes most of second chance at Man City under Pep Guardiola

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      JOHN STONES would love to make the most of his second chance — by playing on at Manchester City until he is 40.The England centre-back’s time at the Etihad looked to be over when he lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer of 2020.
      John Stones has had a career resurgence under Pep Guardiola after looking like he was out in the cold three years agoCredit: Getty
      The centre-back has already won four Premier League titles under PepCredit: News Group Nrewspapers Ltd
      Yet he is back at the heart of the champions’ defence — and looking to make history in what could be a thrilling end to the season.
      It all starts with the visit of old rivals Liverpool tomorrow, when City will be aiming to keep themselves firmly in the title race.
      Stones, 28, could have been forgiven for fearing days like these had gone for good when he slipped out of Guardiola’s first-choice team three years ago.
      The manager picked wantaway Eric Garcia ahead of him for key games — and a few months later paid what was then a club-record £64.5million to sign Ruben Dias.
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      Guardiola strongly hinted that Stones may be allowed to go that summer — but the defender was determined not to give up without a fight.
      He knuckled down and won his place back and is looking to be part of a City team that makes history.
      Stones said: “This is home for me now and has been for seven years — I would love to play here for as long as I can. I would even love to finish at 40 if I could.
      “The time when I was out of the side was hard. I didn’t want to leave first and foremost. I didn’t want to give up.
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      “I’ve always been a fighter from when I had setbacks in age groups because they said I was too small.
      “I wanted to stay true to myself and show — not anyone in particular, but myself — that I could do it.
      “I believe I am here for a reason and I am good enough.
      “That seems a while ago now but I’m really proud of myself for what I did and what I’m doing now.

      “I’m trying to go from strength to strength. I want to achieve everything I can . . . trophies, make history.”
      Some might say he has done that already — as Stones is one of several players at the club to already have four Prem title medals in his back pocket.
      The former Everton defender has also lifted five domestic cups with City — but says the feeling in the dressing room is that they are by no means finished.
      Stones told Arab News: “We definitely want to be remembered among the great teams of the past.
      “I think we have already done that with some of the milestones we’ve achieved. I’d love to be in this club’s history — and go down as maybe the best-ever team.
      “That comes with time, though, and you don’t really think about that when you are in the moment.
      “It happens after you finish and I will always give 110 per cent to the team, to myself — and hopefully that shows out on the pitch.”
      But to have any chance of being remembered in those terms, City will have to end their long wait for a Champions League trophy.
      Stones has been part of the journey that took them agonisingly close in the last couple of seasons, only to come up short both times.
      They have reached the quarter-finals again but German giants Bayern Munich and then either Real Madrid or Chelsea — teams who have ended their dream in the last two years — stand in the way of reaching Istanbul in June.
      But Stones said: “We can achieve whatever we want.
      “We have got the ability, we’ve got the chemistry together and we all want the same thing as well, to be successful.
      “We have got that hunger, which is exciting. My aim is to win the Premier League again, then to make history and win the Champions League for everyone.”
      First, though, City have to get past Liverpool as the two old rivals line up for what could be another epic clash.
      Stones famously produced an incredible goalline clearance to deny the Reds what could have been a crucial goal in this fixture back in January 2019.
      That was a moment that cemented his place in the hearts of City fans.
      And he added: “I think the fans have always had a love-love relationship with me. I can’t thank them enough.
      “I hope they appreciate that I also appreciate them, I always give everything and fight right until the end.”
      As well as carrying on with City for at least another decade, Stones revealed his other target is to win 100 caps.
      Between November 2018 and March 2021, Stones made only two appearances for England — and did not feature at all in the last 17 months of that spell.
      Stones, on 66 caps, said: “I set my goal for England at 50 caps and didn’t think I was going to get to that when I wasn’t in the squads and I was on 42.
      “Now my next goal is to get 100. I’ve set the bar high, but why not? I think it’s achievable.”
      Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s own England ambition has stalled.
      The Liverpool right-back was left out of the last squad — and he is now concentrating on helping the sixth-placed Reds spring a surprise at City.
      He said: “We’ve got it in us. We haven’t shown that this season but we’ve been together long enough to know our qualities — we know we are able to put a run of great results together.
      “There’s no better way to go and start than against the reigning champs. We’re excited to go and try to get that started on Saturday.
      “We’ve got our aims — to make sure that we get Champions League football for next season.

      “This is a very important week to go on and secure it.
      “And every time you play against Man City, the motivation is there.”
      Stones says he wants to play until he is 40Credit: Getty
      The City star is also a key player for Gareth Southgate with EnglandCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea star Melanie Leupolz forced off with nasty injury as blood streams down her face and fans fume at ref

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      CHELSEA star Melanie Leupolz was forced off with a nasty injury during her side’s dramatic Champions League quarter-final clash with Lyon this evening.Leupolz’s face was severely bloodied after a clash with Danielle van de Donk.
      Melanie Leupolz was severely bloodied during her side’s Champions League clashCredit: AFP
      The German required four minutes of on-field treatmentCredit: Getty
      The incident occurred during the 65th minute of the tense second leg at Stamford Bridge.
      Play was allowed to continue after Leupolz and ex-Arsenal star Van de Donk collided, despite the Blues star clutching her head on the ground.
      When the game was finally halted by the ball going out of play, Leupolz rolled over to reveal a significant amount of blood streaming from her face.
      The German star required four minutes of treatment before the game could resume.
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      And she was eventually replaced by Welsh international Sophie Ingle in the 71st minute.
      One fan was left furious by the officials’ handling of the incident.
      They wrote on Twitter: “Leupolz will remember this game after that!
      “Nose absolutely streaming with blood & the ref reluctant to stop the game & telling her to get up! Been pulling this c**p the whole game!”
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      Leupolz, 28, was eventually replaced by Sophie IngleCredit: AFP
      Others winced at the amount of blood on Leupolz’s face.
      One wrote: “Horror film jump scare when Leupolz lifted her head from the turf there.”
      A second tweeted: “Holy lord Leupolz just got absolutely clattered in the face.”
      Another added: “How did the referee take so long to pause the game?
      “Leupolz down holding her head and is now bleeding like crazy from her nose.”
      Chelsea went into the match leading 1-0 from last week’s first leg at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, courtesy of Guro Reiten’s goal.
      They were pegged back on home soil this evening, however, with Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles levelling the tie for Lyon on 77 minutes.
      When Sara Dabritz scored Lyon’s second 20 minutes into extra time, it looked for all the world that the French side would advance to the semi-finals.
      But Maren Mjelde’s 128th minute penalty sent the tie to a penalty shoot-out, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger the hero as the Blues triumphed 4-3 on spot-kicks.
      Lyon celebrate Vanessa Gilles’ leveller on the nightCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea make Mason Mount transfer fee demands as Liverpool and Bayern Munich look to snap up Chelsea star

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      CHELSEA have revealed their transfer demands to sell Mason Mount, reports suggest. Amid ongoing speculation surrounding a new contract, Mount has been linked with the Stamford Bridge exit door.
      Thomas Tuchel could ask Bayern Munich to sign Mason Mount after his transfer fee was revealedCredit: Getty
      Mount is entering the final year of his deal at ChelseaCredit: Alamy
      The likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have been tipped to sign the Englishman.
      However, it now appears Chelsea have shown their hand in terms of what they want if they are to sell him.
      According to The Athletic, Chelsea have set a £70million price tag on Mount.
      This is despite the 24-year-old entering the final year of his deal this summer.
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      The report states interest from Liverpool is thought to be “serious”, while Thomas Tuchel could lobby Bayern chiefs into pushing for a move.
      Tuchel and Mount enjoyed a good working relationship while at Chelsea together.
      This included Mount setting up Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the Champions League final under Tuchel and Mount’s best output for goals and assists in a single season in his career so far.
      Indeed, SunSport took a look at how Bayern may line up after Tuchel has got his hands on some of his own players in the summer transfer window.
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      After the Blues announced losses of £121m in the latest financial year, a mass clearout is expected to occur, with Mount one player touted to lead the exodus.
      It comes as Todd Boehly and Co look set to try and navigate potentially tricky financial waters given the club’s likely loss of Champions League football.
      Tottenham are the latest team to emerge as a shock party interested in a transfer, though Spurs fans have laughed this off. More

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      Steven Gerrard reveals Jurgen Klopp had ‘two or three pints and a couple of smokes days before Champions League final’

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      STEVEN GERRARD has revealed Jurgen Klopp enjoyed a few pints and a couple of smokes with him at the pub just days before Liverpool’s Champions League final last season.The Reds came up short against Real Madrid in Paris 10 months ago as Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike handed Carlo Ancelotti’s men a 1-0 victory.
      Steven Gerrard has discussed his unplanned meeting with Jurgen Klopp in a local pubCredit: Getty
      Gerrard has praised Klopp for the warm and friendly reception he gave himCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But in the week leading up to the clash, Gerrard bumped into Klopp at the pub – a fortnight after the German’s team had added the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they won earlier in the campaign.
      The England midfielder has now spoken in depth about the coincidental meeting, praising the Liverpool manager for his warm welcome.
      And he also confirmed the pair shared a lengthy stint in the pub together as they discussed several topics.
      Speaking to the Anfield Wrap, Gerrard, who was Aston Villa manager at the time, said: “He was walking the dog. I was sitting outside with one of my friends having a couple of pints.
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      “I shouted over to wish him good luck, because he had a final days later. I thought he’d be in the zone.
      “He said to me: ‘No, no, no. Go the bar and get me a pint’. So we get him a pint.”
      The Liverpool legend continued: “He ended up having two or three, he had a couple of smokes, his dog waited patiently, and we had a good craic for probably over an hour.
      “About football, about life in Liverpool, his plans for the future.
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      “He was just really great company to have and it was different from a football environment, it was Jurgen in his plain clothes, his dog walking gear. 
      “He was fantastic with my mate, he made him feel part of the conversation and I think that just sums the man up.”
      Gerrard was sacked by Villa five months after his meeting with Klopp.
      And the Liverpool head coach has also come in for criticism this season as the Reds struggle for consistency.
      They sit five points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham in the Premier League table, albeit with two games in hand.
      Their defences of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup ended in disappointment.
      And earlier this month they were also eliminated by old foes Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League. More

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      Man Utd could be forced to MISS OUT on Champions League even if they get top four if Jim Ratcliffe secures £6bn takeover

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could miss out on the Champions League even if Jim Ratcliffe takes over and they finish in the top four.Fans already knew rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani might need to prove he has no influence on PSG should he buy out the Glazers.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns Nice and in one scenario that could mean Man Utd battling it out with the French club for a Champions League spotCredit: PA
      Manchester United’s owners the Glazers, including Joel and Avram, could yet remain at Old Trafford in some capacityCredit: AFP
      But the new revelation is a further blow to both takeover hopes and what comes after that.
      The issue stems from Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, owning Nice.
      Under Uefa rules, that would mean if United and the French top-flight club both finish in Champions League qualification spots, only the side finishing higher could be allowed to enter the competition.
      So if Nice come third in Ligue 1 and United finished fourth in the Premier League, then Ratcliffe’s Frenchmen would make it.
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      The Red Devils’ future remains up in the air, though.
      And Nice are currently seventh – 13 points behind Lens in third.
      United, meanwhile, are favourites to cling onto a top three place in the Prem.
      But the dilemma leaves Ratcliffe facing two tricky scenarios.
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      The biggest obstacle of course is that the Glazers are reportedly holding out for around £6nillion to sell up.
      The other issue is whether the Ineos boss would consider offloading Nice – to focus on the Red Devils and end potential hurdles like Champions League qualification. More