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      Fans praise Jobe Bellingham for reaction after scoring against old club as he piles yet more misery on Wayne Rooney

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM received plenty of praise for refusing to celebrate after scoring against old club Birmingham City.The now Sunderland midfielder, 18, left his boyhood team for the Black Cats around the same time his brother Jude, 20, sealed his dream transfer to Real Madrid from Dortmund.
      Jobe Bellingham scored for Sunderland against his former team BirminghamCredit: Reuters
      Brum supporters praised their old star after he refused to celebrate the strikeCredit: Rex

      Today he came up against his and his elder sibling’s ex-team for the very first time as Wayne Rooney took Brum up to the Stadium of Light.
      And the inevitable happened when the midfielder broke the deadlock for Sunderland in the Championship showdown.
      A corner was whipped into the box in the 17th minute and was flicked on into the path of Jobe.
      He clinically stabbed home from close-range before turning away to seemingly go and celebrate as his team-mates raced around him.

      However, even though a wry smile appeared on his face, he remained subdued as the rest of Sunderland’s players embraced him.
      The Sky Sports commentator covering the game declared it as a “you know who” moment – but most viewers were pleased to see Jobe’s reaction to scoring against his old employers.
      “Pain, glad he didn’t celebrate too much,” responded one Birmingham fan.
      Another said: “Fair play Jobe not celebrating.”
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      A fellow Brum supporter said: “Respect Jobe for not celebrating, shows respect for his boyhood club.”
      As another added: “Fair play Jobe not celebrating.”
      Midfielder Jobe came up through Birmingham’s youth system before making 26 senior appearances.
      Brother Jude similarly became a club legend at the age of 17 before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
      He won the German cup in 2021 and went on to play 132 times in Germany, scoring 24 and emerging as an England star before joining Madrid.
      Jude Bellingham is now starring for Real Madrid after his mega summer transferCredit: Alamy More

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      Barcelona ‘lining up shock free transfer’ raid on the Championship with boss Xavi keen on Leicester star

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      BARCELONA are lining up a shock swoop for Wilfred Ndidi, according to reports. The 26-year-old currently plays for Leicester in the Championship.
      Wilfred Ndidi is being eyed by a number of top European sidesCredit: Getty
      Barcelona boss Xavi is said to be keen on a cheap deal for the midfielderCredit: Getty
      The midfielder’s contract with the Foxes expires next summer.
      And this could prompt financially-troubled Barcelona into making a move either in January or in the free agency market in the summer.
      According to Sport, the Spanish giants interest is not new either.
      In previous years there is said to have been an approach to sign the Nigerian with a price of £61million being quoted.
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      Ndidi was unable to secure a move away from England’s second tier over the summer, with Leicester reportedly wanting £20m to sell.
      That being said, the LaLiga outfit are not the only club interested in signing him, with Bayern Munich, Juventus and Atletico Madrid also in the running.
      He joined from Belgian side Genk in January 2017 for a reported fee of £15m.
      Ndidi was a member of Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes team who won the FA Cup in 2021, playing the full duration of the 1-0 win over Chelsea.
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      He also featured four times in Leicester’s Champions League campaign the season after they won the title.
      After a drop in form and injury issues during Leicester’s drop down the Premier League table before their eventual relegation, Ndidi has been a key component of Enzo Maresca’s side that sit top of the Championship.
      Ndidi has been sidelined since last month after picking up a muscle injury over the international break.
      Maresca has utilised him in a new role this season, though the manager has admitted he is unsure whether Ndidi is happy with this role.

      He said last month: “I don’t know if he’s more or less happy but the only thing I can say is that he’s very happy.
      “He’s enjoying it, and he’s open-minded. He’s trying to learn something new and he’s making the effort to try to understand it and learn.
      “He’s doing very well at arriving in the box. He’s doing not so good at staying in position and moving in the right way in the pocket.
      “Most of the time he’s higher, close to the opposition central defender and sometimes he has to drop a little bit more.
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      “But as I said, it’s new for him and it’s not easy. But for sure he’s always in the box.”
      In all, Ndidi has made 252 appearances for Leicester, scoring 14 goals and adding 16 assists. More

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      ‘You need to appease clubs’ – Scots Fifa referee who moved to England stunned whistlers turn ‘blind eye’ to simulation

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      BOBBY MADDEN has lifted the lid on the power English clubs hold over referees.The former Fifa whistler retired in the summer after a season taking charge of games down south.
      Bobby Madden quit the game in Scotland to go and further his career in EnglandCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Madden had achieved all he’d set out to as an official in Scotland and wanted a fresh challenge in EFL League One.
      But he hung up his whistle for several reasons, including being stunned at how the observer marking system is weighted in the clubs’ favour.
      Madden, 45, said: “There were challenges and a different mentality in how they manage situations from an FA and PGMOL point of view.
      “The clubs pay them, so they have control over officials.

      “One of the frustrations which didn’t affect me directly is the clubs have 40 per cent of the mark that’s given to a referee.
      “Essentially you need to appease the clubs to get on, so anyone going into that system needs to referee with that in mind.
      “It’s difficult when you’ve refereed to a level with an observer system then you have a club system like that. It’s difficult for the referees.
      “There were good referees in League One and Two, but would they turn a blind eye to obvious simulation or clear dissent or foul or abusive language? I saw it happen.
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      “I think that’s one of the challenges they have.
      “Each club has 20 per cent of their mark.
      “In Scotland it’s one observer and you receive one mark and it’s the same with Uefa.
      “In England the assessor only has 20 per cent. They also go to a panel and review it, so it was a new system.
      “The clubs and players and managers know they are marking you.
      “I’ve heard comments like, ‘Just remember who’s marking you’. The clubs know they have that power.
      “It’s a challenging environment for referees coming through.
      “I didn’t change my tactics, though. I just managed games the way I always have.
      “I was probably known for not showing that many yellow cards and I tried to follow that, but it’s probably a more difficult arena to do that in.”
      Madden was also disappointed by the quality of the game down south, despite its bold claims, and the lack of respect shown by players towards officials compared to Scotland.
      He said: “In England the football and the teams are very well organised. The surfaces and facilities are good.
      “But I was disappointed with the football.
      “League One there compares to the bottom three or four in our Premiership and League Two compares to the Championship.
      “But England are very good at marketing their leagues, so people believe it’s high level.
      “Of course it’s very well organised, but the level of football probably wasn’t what I expected.
      “I was still fortunate to referee some decent games in League One.
      “In Scotland teams play against each other four times a season or whatever, so there’s a lot of repetition and it’s the same with referees.
      “You’ll referee each team five or six times a year. Take that over ten years and you are in a lot of contact with the same people so you build up a relationship.
      “They might not agree with your decisions and players will use foul language and I’ll use the same type back.
      “In England that level of respect isn’t there because of their approach, but it was maybe because I was a new face that they didn’t know.
      “They’re also in that arena where they’re very well paid, they have a fantastic environment and there’s maybe a degree of entitlement.
      “I did find a lot of players difficult to deal with and they didn’t like to be challenged.
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      “In Scotland I liked the banter and to give a bit back and have that relationship.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      EFL confirm Anthony Taylor made WRONG decision after being demoted… but he’ll still referee Chelsea vs Man City

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      REFEREE Anthony Taylor was wrong to award Preston North End a penalty against Coventry City after being dropped down to Championship games, the EFL confirms.After being demoted from top-flight English football for a mistake in Newcastle’s game with Wolves, Taylor is set to return for the Chelsea v Manchester City game on Sunday.
      EFL confirm Anthony Taylor made the wrong decision in the Coventry City vs Preston North End clashCredit: AFP
      Despite making the wrong call Taylor is set to referee Chelsea vs Manchester City on SundayCredit: Getty
      However, it has now emerged that Taylor made a mistake when he refereed Preston North End’s 3-2 win over Coventry City on Saturday.
      This was the first time in four years he had officiated in the second tier and was involved in a controversial spot-kick decision.
      The 45-year-old ruled that Kyle McFadzean had brought down Milutin Osmajic in the area, but replays showed the Sky Blues captain had made little contact.
      After reviewing the officials’ decisions, the EFL has announced that the penalty should not have been given.
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      Coventry boss Mark Robins spoke on the injustice they faced against Preston.
      Robins said: “Now once or twice we have had decisions that have gone against us and again, we had one go against us with the penalty at Preston.
      “We have had confirmation that it wasn’t a penalty but there’s still a bit of ambiguity around that.
      “So we need to do a little bit more digging on that to get clarity on the decision they have made.”
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      And fans even deemed Taylor should be “demoted to League 1 next weekend” after his dismal performance.
      Taylor was forced to referee Championship football last weekend after giving Newcastle a controversial penalty in their 2-2 draw with Wolves.
      The English official deemed Hwang Hee-chan to have fouled Fabian Schar but replays of the incident showed minimal contact.
      But it has been announced he will make his comeback to the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea, who sit tenth in the league, host leaders City. More

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      Forgotten one-cap England international became Inter Miami coach but missed working with Messi to join Championship side

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      A FORMER England international missed out on working with Lionel Messi after returning to the Championship.The one-cap Three Lions star had been coaching Inter Miami II after hanging up his boots in 2022.
      Lionel Messi missed out on playing with a forgotten England star at Inter MiamiCredit: Reuters
      Ryan Shawcross’ only England cap came against Sweden in 2012Credit: PA
      However, he had left the club by the time Messi headed stateside this summer.
      The World Cup winner has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for Miami since then, claiming the golden boot as his side lifted the Leagues Cup.
      He could have worked with a Manchester United academy graduate had he made the move a year earlier, though.
      The ex-England defender in question is Stoke legend Ryan Shawcross.
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      His one and only senior international cap came in a friendly defeat to Sweden in November 2012.
      Despite failing to return to the England fold, Shawcross went on to make over 300 Premier League appearances for Stoke.
      He retired aged 34 at the start of 2022 following 11 months playing for Miami.
      Shawcross remained in Florida, working as an assistant manager for the club’s reserve side as he launched his coaching career.
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      Shawcross ended his career with Inter Miami before spending a year on their coaching staffCredit: Getty
      Come Messi’s arrival, though, he had already returned to England after leaving the MLS club at the end of last year.
      He is now back with Stoke, serving as assistant manager for the Potters’ under-18 side.
      During his playing days with the Championship outfit, Shawcross made 453 appearances.
      The defender was also the club’s captain for 11 years as well as winning promotion to the Premier League and appearing in their 2011/12 Europa League campaign. More

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      My dad is a Premier League cult hero and we both scored iconic goals at Wembley – now I’m making my own way

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      NOT many father-and-son combos can say they have scored game-changing play-off final goals.And not too many would say that their old man scored the better one – but Josh Windass admits his dad Dean’s Wembley winner was superior.
      Dean Windass’ Wembley volley sent Hull City to the Premier League in 2008Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Josh emulated his Dad’s Wembley heroics 15 years laterCredit: Rex
      Windass Jr, 29, scored the only goal in last season’s League One play-off final for Sheffield Wednesday to seal promotion to the Championship.
      The attacking midfielder nodded Lee Gregory’s cross home as the final looked set to go to penalties against Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
      The goal came 15 years after his father Dean scored an iconic volley as Hull beat Bristol City to confirm their promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
      Dean then became Hull City’s oldest ever goalscorer and the second oldest scorer in the history of the Premier League when he scored against Portsmouth aged 39.
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      When Josh spoke about the fact that he and his Dad had both scored crucial goals in play-off finals, he admitted to Sky Sports that Windass Sr “scored a better goal”.
      When he was asked about his Dad’s reaction to his son’s Wembley winner, with Dean watching from the stands, Josh said: “I don’t know, he’ll probably be five Jager bombs deep so I don’t know if he’ll say much.”
      When Dean spoke to The Daily Mail after the game he quipped: “I wasn’t actually because I don’t drink jagerbombs, so he obviously doesn’t know his old man, does he?”
      But he also spoke of how he was bursting with pride at son Josh’s achievement and said: “I can’t stop crying, man.
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      “I thought my crying days were over after 2008 and then he’s just gone and done it to me again. It’s just so emotional.”
      He added: “His goal was better than my volley because it was the last kick of the game. He will cause me a heart attack, the b******!”
      Wednesday have found it tough in the Championship, however.
      Darren Moore was sacked before the Owls even kicked a ball and his replacement, Xisco Munoz, was sacked last month after a disastrous start to the season that left the club bottom of the league.
      There’s also been off-field issues relating to Dejphon Chansiri with concerns as to whether staff were going to be paid on time.
      Windass has been in and out of the team this season as Wednesday look to stay in the second tier.
      He’s played ten times this season with the club still bottom on nine points after 15 games. More

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      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard misses out on Championship job as 38-year-old Liam Manning beats him to role

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      FRANK LAMPARD’S wait for a new job continues after missing out on a return to the Championship.The former Chelsea ace, 45, was backed as one of the favourites for the Bristol City job after the Robins sacked Nigel Pearson.
      Frank Lampard remains on the lookout for a new job after missing out on the Bristol City openingCredit: Getty
      Liam Manning has been announced as the Robins’ new managerCredit: Getty
      Pearson was dismissed on October 29 after leading Bristol to just five wins in fourteen games this season.
      The then-fifteenth-placed Robins were placed under the temporary stewardship of assistant manager Curtis Fleming, who oversaw a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
      But while ex-Chelsea boss Lampard was backed by the bookies to return to the dugout as Pearson’s long-term replacement, Bristol have instead opted to bring in Liam Manning from Oxford United.
      The news of Manning’s appointment was revealed in a tweet on Tuesday.
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      Having previously managed MK Dons and Lommel SK in Belgium, Manning joined Oxford in March.
      He won eleven of his eighteen games in charge, guiding Oxford to second in League One.
      In August, Manning was named the league’s Manager of the Month.
      The 38-year-old will now look to guide Bristol to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
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      As for Lampard, his search for a new club continues.
      His managerial career kicked off in 2018, leading Derby County to the playoffs in his first season before taking the helm at Stamford Bridge.
      Despite a strong start, working academy starlets such as Reece James, Mason Mount, and Fikayo Tomori into the first team, Lampard’s tenure came to an end in January 2021 after a poor run left the club sitting ninth in the Prem.
      The following January he took control of Everton but won just twelve of his 44 games in charge before being dismissed just under a year later.
      Lampard returned to the Stamford Bridge dugout as interim boss the following April, replacing Graham Potter who had endured a torrid time since moving from Brighton.
      One win in eleven matches followed, with the former England star having remained unemployed since.
      Lampard last managed Chelsea on an interim basis earlier this yearCredit: Reuters More

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      Anthony Taylor handed huge Premier League clash just hours after ‘stinking’ decision having been DEMOTED to Championship

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      ANTHONY TAYLOR is set to return to the Premier League next weekend despite making a blunder in the Championship.Taylor will take charge of the game between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday.
      Anthony Taylor is set to return to the Premier League after being demoted to the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      Taylor will take charge of the Chelsea vs Man City gameCredit: Getty
      His Premier League return comes despite making a “stinking” decision during the Championship match between Preston and Coventry on Saturday.
      Taylor awarded a first-half penalty to Preston when Milutin Osmajic raced through on goal before he was seemingly brought down by Coventry defender Kyle McFadzean.
      However, there was only minimal contact between the pair with Osmajic not appearing to be affected when striking the ball.
      But Taylor awarded a penalty anyway, which lead to fans calling for him to be demoted to League One.
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      Instead though, Taylor will return to England’s top tier to officiate the major clash between Chelsea and Man City on Monday.
      Taylor being demoted to the Championship in the first place came after a howler in the game between Newcastle and Wolves.
      The ref awarded a penalty to Newcastle in the 2-2 draw at Molineux last month, with the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel deeming the decision to be incorrect upon review.
      Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be Taylor’s assistants for the game with Craig Pawson the fourth official.
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      VAR will be headed by Jarred Gillett with Darren Cann on VAR assistant duty.
      Taylor does not have the best relationship with Chelsea fans due to some historical decisions against them, with fans even starting a petition to ban him from their games last season.
      However, earlier this season he failed to award a penalty against the Blues for an alleged handball in the match against Liverpool. More