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      Ballon d’Or judge RESIGNS after admitting he didn’t vote for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr due to ‘technical error’

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      A BALLON D’OR judge has resigned after admitting he FORGOT to vote for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.Vinicius, 24, was considered the favourite to win the esteemed award last month in Paris but missed out to Manchester City star Rodri.Ballon d’Or judge Juha Kanerva resigned after admitting he forgot to vote for Real Madrid star Vinicius JrCredit: X/KanervaJPVinicius was considered a favourite to win the Men’s Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyManchester City star Rodri won the Ballon d’OrCredit: RexThat led to a furious response from Real who boycotted the event and refused to send any representation in France claiming they were disrespected.According to The Mail, only three out of 99 journalists from different countries – with Syria abstaining – did not include the Brazil international in their top 10 picks for the Men’s Ballon d’Or.One of them was Juha Kanerva, who works for Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat – the other two were Bruno Porzio of El Salvador and Sheefeni Nikodemus from Namibia, according to France Football.According to Marca, Kanerva picked Rodri as the winner followed by City star Erling Haaland and England international Jude Bellingham.Read More on FootballBut he admitted that he forgot to include Vinicius in his top 10 due to a “technical fault”.And now the journalist has announced that he will be stepping down from his position as a Ballon d’Or selector.Kanerva tweeted: “This was my technical fault, for which I take responsibility. “I am leaving my place as Ballon d’Or selector.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSReal released a furious statement before the awards explaining the collective boycott.The reigning Spanish and European champions stated: “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to [Dani] Carvajal as the winner.Rodri and Harry Kane lead footy stars and Wags arriving for lavish Ballon d’Or ceremony despite Real Madrid ‘boycott'”As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”Ballon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine More

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      Jude Bellingham posts X-rated rant on Instagram after ending Real Madrid drought, blasting: ‘Giving up is not an option’

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM went on an X-rated rant on social media after ending a six-month goal drought.Bellingham, 21, netted in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Osasuna, with his first-half strike seeing him lob the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.Jude Bellingham launched into an X-rated rant after ending his Real Madrid goal droughtCredit: GettyThe midfielder had already assisted Vinicius Jr. before the Brazilian went on to score a hat-trick.The emphatic win ended a nightmare week for the Spanish giants on a high following the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona during El Clasico and 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League.Bellingham had reacted angrily by kicking a water bottle when he was substituted in the 74th minute of the latter.But after getting his goalscoring tally for the season underway, Bellingham posted a defiant message on Instagram, slipping in some X-rated language in the process.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe former Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham star said: “Even in s*** times, giving up is not an option. “Madridistas, thank you for your incredible support in the good moments and the bad ones.”While Bellingham has taken 14 games to get up and running this season, by contrast he scored 23 goals in his debut season.His goalless period has coincided with the arrival of superstar Kylian Mbappe.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSpeaking on CBS Sports, Thierry Henry explained how he thought Bellingham was doing too much trying to support frontman Vinicius and Mbappe.Henry said: “It’s always Bellingham trying to make the run, trying to make the team play, running in behind, trying to break the line.How to cure England’s Bellingham, Foden and Palmer headache”I think there is a little frustration. Your nine isn’t going, and your 10 is going. I know it can happen sometimes, but not all the time. Every single time.”I know he (Mbappe) is not a [natural] number nine and that this maybe is not what he likes to do.”Do you think he (Bellingham) likes to make those runs, try and stretch the team? He’ll do it because he has to do it, because his desire speaks, his will speaks.”You don’t win games like that. You don’t win games with your 10 breaking the line, coming back, trying to bend his run, trying to defend, trying to go the other side.”On his angry reaction to his substitution, he added: “I would have been upset too. I saw him kicking a bottle. I would be upset also, of course.”His return to goalscoring ways on the pitch comes after Bellingham seemed to drop a hint about his relationship status off of it.Bellingham was seen liking Instagram posts of model Laura Celia Valk.The Sun exclusively revealed in April that the pair had begun dating.In the summer, Bellingham faced claims that the relationship was a “publicity stunt” – with the pair having not been seen together in public.But the midfielder does follow Laura on Instagram.Earlier this week, Laura posted a photodump, which included a snap of herself in a pink corseted dress.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpotting Bellingham’s like, one fan commented: “Hey Jude Bellingham.”While a second added: “Jude liked it”.Bellingham has been seen liking the posts of model Laura Celia Valk, who he was rumoured to be dating earlier this yearCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliav More

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      Jude Bellingham ends Real Madrid goal drought as ‘world class’ Vinicius strike vs Osasuna finishes horror week on a high

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM finally got himself off the mark for Real Madrid this season and ended a horror goal drought.The England star was involved in the humiliating 4-0 El Clasico defeat with Barcelona last weekend before he was hooked as Madrid fell to a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League.Jude Bellingham ended his six-month Real Madrid goal drought in a 4-0 win for Real MadridCredit: GettyBellingham lobbed the goalkeeper to put his side 2-0 upCredit: GettyHe reacted angrily by kicking a water bottle when he was substituted in the 74th minute of the latter.However, the 21-year-old finally had something to smile about as Los Blancos cruised to a 4-0 LaLiga win over Osasuna.And the game came with personal vindication as he brought an end to a six-month goal drought.Having already assisted Vinicius Jr for 1-0, Bellingham had raced through on goal with a late curved run down the middle when Raul Asencio played an exquisite pass over the top into his path.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBellingham then lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to score his first goal of the season after 13 games.By contrast he scored 23 goals last season after a transfer from Borussia Dortmund as Madrid went on to win the La Liga and the Champions League.His goalless period has coincided with the arrival of superstar Kylian Mbappe.Speaking on CBS Sports, Thierry Henry explained how he thought Bellingham was doing too much trying to support frontman Vinicius and Mbappe.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHenry said: “It’s always Bellingham trying to make the run, trying to make the team play, running in behind, trying to break the line.”I think there is a little frustration. Your nine isn’t going, and your 10 is going. I know it can happen sometimes, but not all the time. Every single time.Moment Jude Bellingham video chats sick child in hospital after ex-team-mate calls him out of the blue”I know he (Mbappe) is not a [natural] number nine and that this maybe is not what he likes to do.”Do you think he (Bellingham) likes to make those runs, try and stretch the team? He’ll do it because he has to do it, because his desire speaks, his will speaks.”You don’t win games like that. You don’t win games with your 10 breaking the line, coming back, trying to bend his run, trying to defend, trying to go the other side.”On his angry reaction to his substitution, he added: “I would have been upset too. I saw him kicking a bottle. I would be upset also, of course.”The Osasuna win saw Vinicius Jr grab a hat-trick, including one featuring a peach of a pass from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin as he set the Brazilian forward away on a counter-attack after retrieving the ball from a corner.However, Madrid suffered injuries to Rodrygo, Eder Miliato and Lucas Vazquez before half-time, adding to a list already containing Aurelien Tchouameni, Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.The win moves them six points behind league leaders Barcelona, who will play Real Sociedad on Sunday.His return to goalscoring ways on the pitch comes after Bellingham seemed to drop a hint about his relationship status off of it.Bellingham was seen liking Instagram posts of model Laura Celia Valk.The Sun exclusively revealed in April that the pair had begun dating.In the summer, Bellingham faced claims that the relationship was a “publicity stunt” – with the pair having not been seen together in public.But the Real Madrid midfielder does follow Laura on Instagram.Earlier this week, Laura posted a photodump, which included a snap of herself in a pink corseted dress.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpotting Bellingham’s like, one fan commented: “Hey Jude Bellingham.”While a second added: “Jude liked it”.Bellingham has been seen liking the posts of model Laura Celia Valk, who he was rumoured to be dating earlier this yearCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliav More

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      Jose Mourinho ‘identifies shock Premier League manager’s job he is ready to take straight away’

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      JOSE MOURINHO has taken talk of a Prem return to a new level.The Fenerbahce chief blasted Turkish football last week and is reportedly targeting one high-spending English club in particular.Jose Mourinho is eyeing an English top-flight returnCredit: AFPMourinho fancies making waves in the Premier League once more after landing in hot water in Turkey.The ex-Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham chief has been banned for one match as well as fined after scorching comments about officials and fighting “the system”.The Portuguese 61-year-old suggested the Turkish League “smells bad”.He also questioned why international fans would watch it when there are exciting alternatives such as the Prem.READ MORE TOP STORIESNow The Guardian reckon the two-time Champions League winner is paying extra attention to one Prem team.It’s reckoned the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager has been eyeing the situation at Newcastle.St James’ Park chief Eddie Howe is under pressure as the club’s Saudi owners are itching to qualify for the Champions League football.Howe has eased the short-term strain on his position with victories over Chelsea and Arsenal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut ahead of Sunday’s trip to third-placed Nottingham Forest, Newcastle still sit just 11th.It’s understood Mourinho met Newcastle chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan socially at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.Jose Mourinho jokes that he could become Millwall manager as he says ‘it’s just across the bridge from my house’And The Guardian say the three-time Prem winner has “maintained the connection” since then.Mourinho’s recent outbursts included a frank admission he was keen to boss again in the Prem – albeit at a STRUGGLING team.He said: “So you find a club in England from the bottom of the table (that) needs a coach in two years, I’m ready to go.”Ironically, Mourinho appears to have grown ever more outspoken since picking up a red card against old club United last month.He was banished for his touchline antics in a 1-1 Europa Conference League draw at Fenerbahce.Now it appears he’s eager for a chance at another United in England – with the Magpies potentially becoming his first swoop on the North East. More

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      ‘Cristiano Ronaldo got quicker, stronger and learned after being humiliated by AC Milan.. that game changed his career’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s career changed forever and put him on the path to superstardom after a disastrous performance against AC Milan in 2005.Ronaldo, 39, joined United in 2003 at the age of 18 from Sporting Lisbon and struggled to adapt to the Premier League due to his lack of physicality and end product.Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s career turned after a disastrous display at AC MilanCredit: GettyMan Utd greats Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were frustrated with Ronaldo at firstCredit: PA:Press AssociationBut Scholes and Butt insist the Milan humiliation is what put Ronaldo on the path to superstardomCredit: GettyFellow Man Utd greats Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt still remember CR7’s rough start to life at Old Trafford that “frustrated the life” out of them and other esteemed team-mates.And there was one Champions League match against Milan at the San Siro that saw the star forward getting dominated by Gennaro Gattuso and Paolo Maldini so much that his peers lost their patience.The Red Devils suffered a heartbreaking elimination in the Last 16 as they lost 1-0 across both legs.According to Scholes and Butt, though, one good thing came out of it was the wake-up call Ronaldo desperately needed to turn things around.Read More on Man UtdThe Portugal captain got bigger, quicker, stronger and smarter, which eventually led to him winning the Ballon d’Or with United and four more at Real Madrid.Scholes told Butt on the Football’s Greatest Eras podcast: “I always remember a game at AC Milan and he frustrated the life out of me.”We were playing them away. But Gattuso kept running over to him and taking the ball off him and it was doing my head in. “He was playing against Maldini anyway, but Gattuso just kept coming over, taking the ball off him, taking the ball off him.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We were having a right go at him. ‘Look, you’ve got to pass the ball, pass the ball before he gets to you. It’s quite obvious what’s happening’. “And I think it was after that game that he realised and he thought, ‘Right, that’s the game, that’s the biggest stage, and I wasn’t quite up to speed’.Cristiano Ronaldo breaks young fan’s phone with wayward penalty and sends him collapsing to floor “Now, whether he thinks that or what, I don’t know, but he wasn’t game intelligent enough. “But I think from that point on, he just excelled. He got bigger, he got quicker, he got stronger and he learned more.” More

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      Fifth place in Premier League set to get Champions League football as England lead way in Uefa coefficient table

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      ENGLAND remain in pole position for an extra Champions League place next term – despite the Prem’s worst European week of the season.Liverpool were the only Champions League side to taste victory, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa all slipping to defeats.Liverpool’s dominance in the Champions League has helped England to the top of the national rankingsCredit: AlamyChelsea are also dominating the Conference LeagueCredit: GettySpurs then lost for the first time in their Europa League campaign at Galatasaray, although Manchester United and Chelsea recorded home victories.But since the start of the new league phase in September, the Prem sides have won 18 matches – more than any other nation – and lost the fewest, those four defeats this week.Italy and Germany, both with eight teams in Europe at the start of the season, have won 16 and 15 respectively, with 13 Spanish victories and 11 for French sides.The Bundesliga and La Liga sides have lost 11 matches, with Leipzig pointless from four Champions League fixtures and all four Spanish sides in the senior competition having lost at least one game.Read More in FootballIt leaves England top of the pile at the half-way stage of the initial phase, with a current coefficient score of 9.428, when the points gained by the Prem’s teams are divided by the seven competitors.Portugal, who only have two teams in Uefa’s biggest competition, are next with a score of 9.2, followed by last season’s top two, Italy – on 8.75 – and Germany, with 8.375.France, on 8.071, are fifth, ahead of Spain – 7.857 – and the Czech Republic.Uefa’s revamp means the two nations with the highest score at the end of the season will earn an extra berth in the Champions League next term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEngland currently top the UEFA nations tableAll teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw but their club and national tally is also boosted by bonus points accrued through the three competitions.Each of the 36 clubs in the Champions League starts with six bonus points, with the possibility of earning up to six more if they finish top of the eight-game table, although there are no pre-competition bonuses for either the Europa or Conference Leagues.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett runs the rule over England’s squad after two players are given first call-upThe top eight sides in all three competitions at the end of the first stage – the Conference League, with just six matches, ends before Christmas but there are two match rounds in each of the others in January – automatically make the last 16 knockout stage.Teams ranked ninth to 24th are then drawn in a knock-out round to join them.Currently, all seven Prem sides are on course to qualify for the knock-out stage, with Liverpool top of the Champions League standings, Villa eighth, City 10th and the Gunners in 12th.In the Europa League, Spurs slipped from second to seventh with United now up to 15th, while Chelsea are romping away at the top of the Conference standings.While things are almost certain to change, if all clubs finished in their current positions, England would extend their lead by picking up a 4.036 in bonus coefficients, taking the Prem tally to 13.464.That would give England an advantage of fractionally under two full points – the equivalent of eight team wins – over Italy, swap places with Portugal, ahead of France, Germany and Spain.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Heartwarming moment PAOK star asks Paul Scholes to sign his shirt live on TV after defeat to Man Utd

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes was asked for an autograph from a PAOK ace after Thursday’s Europa League game at Old Trafford.United finally won their first European fixture in over a year when they beat the reigning Greek champions 2-0 thanks to a brace by Amad Diallo.Manchester United legend Paul Scholes took part in a heartwarming moment after the PAOK gamePAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev asked Man Utd great Scholes for an autograph on his shirtScholes, 49, seemed pleased with the result and his night got even better at full-time when he took part in a heartwarming moment with one of the opposition players.PAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev approached the legendary midfielder at pitchside as he prepared to go live on air for his post-match analysis of the game.And Ozdoev, 32, asked the former England international to sign his shirt for his father who is a big fan.Of course the United great happily obliged, and even shared a cheeky joke on camera as he looked back at that beautiful moment of sportsmanship.Read More on Man UtdScholes told TNT Sports: “He [Ozdoev] did [ask for an autograph].”I wasn’t sure he’d remember me, it was such a long time ago. “But he asked one for his dad, so I obliged. I think I spelled it right as well.”United hadn’t won a game in Europe since last year on October 24 in the Champions League when they beat Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballSince then, the Red Devils had amassed a miserable record of two losses and four draws in six matches.The Manchester giants are now 15th in the League Phase table with three points separating them from the top eight and automatic qualification for the Last 16 of the Europa League.’That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanThis was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final European match in charge of Man Utd as interim boss as new manager Ruben Amorim will be taking over on Monday when he leaves Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Galatasaray 3 Tottenham 2: Postecoglou pays price for much-changed side as Turkish giants go top of Europa League table

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      VICTOR OSIMHEN’S move to Galatasaray was one of the stranger moves of the transfer window.Osimhen? Eh? The world-class striker for Napoli? Shouldn’t he be joining the best of the best in Europe?Ange Postecoglou watched on as his Spurs team were taught a lesson by GalatasarayCredit: RexVictor Osimhen bagged a brace as the Turkish side got the better of an inexperienced Spurs teamCredit: EPA19-year-old striker Will Lankshear was sent off in the second halfCredit: ReutersRather than, with respect, a move to the Turkish league which, according to Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, nobody watches?Seeing Osimhen rip apart Ange Postecoglou’s injury-hit Tottenham in the first half here, it only reinforced that view over his curious loan switch to Istanbul.The Nigerian centre-forward had two goals by half-time and could have had six overall were it not for a number of fine saves from Fraser Forster.It was too much for a Spurs backline shorn of the crocked Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to cope with.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey were not helped either by Yunus Akgun rifling in a bullet of a shot to give the hosts the lead.There was a brief reprieve when 19-year-old Will Lankshear netted his first professional goal by finishing off a quality move to level things up.But then even the teenager’s night was spoiled when he was sent off for two yellow cards inside seven second-half minutes.Sub Dominic Solanke’s backheeled finish to give the ten men hope, but in the end Osimhen proved the difference.Most read in Champions LeagueYunus Akgun scored a stunning goal to open the scoringCredit: ReutersFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis was always going to be Tottenham’s toughest test of the Europa League ‘league’ phase.And with three wins out of three already on the board, it felt like a bit of a free hit.Chelsea fans LOVE Eden Hazard’s reaction as Blues legend is pranked by barber with Tottenham shirtA chance for “growth”, as Postecoglou might put it, for his young side to experience.There were no ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners in the stands, as Manchester United were greeted with in Galatasaray’s old stadium in 1993.But Postecoglou’s team were treated to deafening whistles every time they were in possession.Honestly, it was so loud, that if it was anything like the noise at Besiktas when the played RB Leipzig in 2017, you could understand why Spurs loanee Timo Werner, playing for RB the German visitors at the time, asked for earplugs during the match.Werner was one of six players missing through either injury or illness for Postecoglou.It meant back-ups Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies started at centre-back and, boy, did they have a challenge on their hands.Not just with Osimhen, though he was every bit as dangerous as expected, but also with the evergreen Dries MertensStill going strong at 37, the Belgian was threading through balls at will and had a hand in all three Galatasaray goals.The hosts made a blistering start when Akgun let fly from just outside the box.It was a rocket of a strike that Forster could do little about, despite getting a hand to it.Spurs looked to be wilting in the atmosphere, frequently giving the ball away.But then, out of nowhere, they were level on 18 minutes and it was a goal of real quality.Will Lankshear scored his first goal for Spurs to level the scoresCredit: GettyVersatile Archie Gray clipped a delightful ball over the defence which Brennan Johnson volleyed back across for Lankshear to turn into the net.It was a landmark moment for the 19-year-old, who was released by Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal aged 16, and on only his second appearance.Lankshear and Gray were two of three teenagers in Postecoglou’s starting line-up, plus Lucas Bergvall, while there were another three on the bench.One of those was attacker Luca Williams-Barnett, who only turned 16 on October 1 and was due to be in school on Thursday until his club pulled him out for this fixture.It would be a tad harsh to say the rest of the half felt like men against boys, but Galatasaray’s experience and quality certainly took hold.Forster denied Osimhen twice with two good stops but could do nothing about the ex-Napoli man’s excellent first-time finish when seizing on a Mertens pass for his first.Nor could the ex-Southampton man prevent a clever volley from Osimhen back across him to make it 3-1.There were more fine stops from Forster to deny Osimhen and a host of Galatasaray players after the break, leaving home fans baffled as to how they had not scored five or six.Even more so when Spurs were reduced to ten men, after Lankshear was booked for a stray elbow and then again shortly after for a trip on ex-Norwich man Gabriel Sara.The youngster looked gutted as he walked off the pitch.But £65million striker Solanke, who came on shortly afterwards, made an instant impact by flicking home Pedro Porro’s cross.It was hard to believe given the amount of chances the hosts had had, but Spurs suddenly sensed a leveller might actually be possible.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey had a decent chance for it too when sub Pape Sarr could have sent Dejan Kulusevski through but his pass was poor – leaving Postecoglou raging on the touchline.Galatasaray were somehow hanging towards the end, but ultimately they got the win – thanks to the world-class centre-forward they are lucky enough to have.Lankshear was sent off in the early stages of the second halfCredit: RexVictor Osimhen bagged a brace to put Galatasary out in frontCredit: GettyDominic Solanke’s second half goal wasn’t enough to earn Spurs a pointCredit: Reuters More