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      Jude Bellingham mobbed by fans as Man Utd and Man City transfer target shows up at English football stadium

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM was mobbed by fans after he turned up at St Andrew’s to watch his former club Birmingham City.The Blues faced Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship season and lost 2-1.
      Jude Bellingham was swarmed by Birmingham fans outside St Andrew’sCredit: Twitter
      Jude Bellingham has been linked with a host of top clubsCredit: Getty
      Bellingham, who came through the ranks at Birmingham, was in attendance to watch younger brother Jobe play.
      Fans patiently waited two hours for Bellingham to appear outside the ground after the game.
      And the player was spotted greeting supporters and posing for photos as people swarmed him.
      The 19-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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      Manchester United and Manchester City are interested but Real Madrid are supposedly leading the race.
      The LaLiga giants have reportedly offered him a £12million-a-year deal.
      However, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are yet to agree a fee and they are demanding £124million.
      Liverpool were keen on the England star but have pulled out of the transfer race.
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      Bellingham is leading his side’s title push after scoring twice in a 6-0 demolition of Wolfsburg just the day before he returned home to Birmingham.
      Dortmund sit one point behind Bayern Munich with two games remaining. More

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      Paul Merson left totally lost on Soccer Saturday as Jeff Stelling steps in to clear things up

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      PAUL MERSON was left visibly confused as Burnley lifted the Championship trophy.The Clarets ran away with the second tier title under boss Vincent Kompany, finished ten points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United.

      Paul Merson was left confused by Burnley’s trophy liftCredit: Sky Sports
      Jeff Stelling was on hand to help outCredit: Sky Sports
      Burnley lifted their Championship title on the final day of the season at their home groundCredit: PA
      But Sheffield United lifted the second-place trophy at Bramall Lane last weekCredit: PA
      Burnley secured top spot last month with a win over bitter rivals Blackburn.
      But they opted to lift their trophy on the final day of the season in front of a jubilant sell-out crowd at Turf Moor.
      Yet second-placed Blades were also handed a cup of their own for finishing second in the league, and sealing automatic promotion to the Premier League, last week.
      And that left Merson confused on Soccer Saturday when Burnley stars celebrated, saying: “Sheffield United were lifting the trophy last week.”
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      Host Jeff Stelling tried to explain: “That was the second-place trophy.”
      To which Merson asked: “How do they pick that up before the first place people?”
      Stelling then replied: “Because they were at home last week and Burnley were away, so they wanted to have the trophy in front of their own fans.
      “Cause otherwise there might not be many celebrations.
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      “If they had given it to them at Blackburn [Burnley’s rivals] that would not have gone down too well.”
      Merson finally understood after a few chuckles with his fellow pundits.
      It was one of Stelling’s last times hosting the Sky Sports show.
      The TV favourite announced his decision to quit the popular programme last month.
      The 68-year-old has been in the hotseat for 25 years.
      And Stelling’s final show will come on May 28, with Adam Smith in pole position to take over. More

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      People are just finding out about Premier League star who could get promoted AND relegated in the same season

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      PEOPLE are just finding out there’s a Premier League star who could get promoted AND relegated this season.Joe Gelhardt, 21, started the campaign in the top flight with struggling Leeds.
      Striker Joe Gelhardt could find himself relegated from the Premier League with LeedsCredit: Getty
      Gelhardt has been on loan at Sunderland since January, and is now in the Championship play-offsCredit: Getty
      But he has spent the second half of the season on loan at Championship outfit Sunderland.
      And the striker has made a significant contribution to both team’s fortunes this term.
      Gelhardt played 15 times in the league for Leeds before his Stadium of Light switch.
      The Lilywhites have struggled for points all season long, sacking two managers in the process.
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      And they are now on the brink of relegation to the Championship, with Sam Allardyce drafted in to perform a miracle survival act.
      But Gelhardt could end up bringing Sunderland to replace Leeds in the top flight.
      The Black Cats dropped out of the Premier League in 2017.
      And they now have a chance to return after scraping into the final play-off place at the expense of Millwall.
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      Gelhardt has three goals in 17 games for Sunderland since January.
      And he could now be set for a rollercoaster of emotions at the end of the season.
      Gelhardt isn’t the only Leeds star bidding for promotion while out on loan.
      Defender Cody Drameh is also in the playoffs after starring for Luton Town.
      But unlike Gelhardt, Drameh has been there almost the entire campaign after playing just once in the league for Leeds. More

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      Man Utd fans call for Amad Diallo to start instead of Antony and Sancho as star scores worldie for Sunderland

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      FANS want Amad Diallo to replace Antony and Jadon Sancho at Manchester United after a worldie for loan club Sunderland.The Ivorian winger helped the Black Cats sneak the final Championship play-off spot with a 25-yard opener in the 3-0 win at Preston.
      Amad Diallo didn’t hesitate with this glorious first-time finishCredit: Twitter@SkySportsPL

      Diallo’s strike put Sunderland on the way to securing sixth place in the Championship, the last play-off placeCredit: Twitter@SkySportsPL
      Many United supporters believe it shows the 20-year-old has progressed enough to be a starter when he returns to Old Trafford for next season.
      Brazilian Antony and Englishman Sancho, both 23, have produced occasional magical moments rather than sustained consistency for Erik ten Hag’s men.
      And one fan said of Diallo, “Sell Sancho, bring in this kid” while another posted: “45x better than Antony”.
      A third wrote: “This loan deal to the Championship could be the best thing in his career, we’ll find out next season.”

      Sunderland and Diallo have improved together over the campaign.
      The Black Cats nicked sixth place on Monday, ahead of Blackburn on goal difference.
      Millwall dropped a point below and out of the play-off zone after losing 4-3 at home to Rovers.
      And Red Devils’ supporters were impressed by the way Diallo sparked a decisive three-goal burst for Sunderland early in the second period.
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      Seizing on a half-clearance, he swerved a left-footer into the far top corner with virtually no backlift.
      Alex Pritchard and Jack Clarke then completed an 11-minute triple salvo for the Black Cats.
      Praise from Red Devils fans flowed in for ex-Rangers loanee Diallo, who arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta in 2021
      One insisted, “Need him back at United” and another argued: “He could be better than short tempered Antony.” More

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      Middlesbrough 1 Coventry 1: Sky Blues earn vital point to seal play-off spot… where pair face each other again

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      COVENTRY CITY and Middlesbrough will lock horns again in the play-offs after this draw ensured the Sky Blues a fifth-placed finish.And they will be joined by Sunderland, whose stunning 3-0 win at Preston, led to them pipping Blackburn on goal difference to snatch sixth.
      Coventry’s Gustavo Hamer celebrates after firing them ahead at MiddlesbroughCredit: PA
      Cameron Archer rifled Boro level in first half stoppage timeCredit: PA
      The Black Cats will now take on third-placed Luton in the other play-off semi as Millwall, who were beaten 4-3 late on at home by Rovers, and West Brom, who lost 3-2 at Swansea.
      Coventry flew out of the traps at the Riverside with Gustavo Hamer hammering a low drive across goal which was pushed wide by a solid hand from Zack Steffen.
      Josh Eccles rifled another effort past the post as they continued to look the most dangerous before they deservedly broke the deadlock on 22 minutes.
      Boro appeared to have rode out the early storm, but Hamer carried the ball from midfield and received it back from Viktor Gyokeres before firing a bullet across Steffen and into the bottom corner.
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      Sky Blues boss Mark Robins, who has guided the club up from League Two since taking charge in 2017, urged his side on as they pressed for a second but he was tearing his hair out at the slack defending Boro punished on the stroke of half time.
      Isaiah Jones caught the Coventry defence napping with a quick short corner to Riley McGree.
      The Australian international drove into the area and laid it off for Alex Mowatt to pull the trigger.
      His low shot hit Cameron Archer on the way before it pinged around the crowd off blue and red shirts, but the on-loan Aston Villa forward reacted quickest to hammer home the equaliser.
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      Coventry knew beforehand a point would do, and the nerves started jangling in the second period as scores from elsewhere started to filter through with Boro taking the ascendency.
      But with little action happening on the pitch, the travelling supporters burst into celebration late on as news filtered through of Blackburn taking the lead in that rollercoaster clash at Millwall.
      And as the final whistle sealed their play-off spot, they are now preparing to do battle with Boro again at home on Sunday lunchtime. More

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      Millwall blow promotion hopes in crazy 45-min collapse as delirious Sunderland sneak into playoff places

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      THE CHAMPIONSHIP did not disappoint as teams produced some thrilling drama on the final day.Millwall and Blackburn both battled for a spot in the play-offs at The Den.
      Millwall blew a two-goal lead to miss out on the top sixCredit: PA
      Blackburn may have beaten Millwall but both were in despair at full time as they missed out on the play-offsCredit: Reuters
      Sunderland had joy as they secured a spot in the Championship play-offsCredit: Reuters
      Champions Burnley finished with a winCredit: Reuters
      Rovers came back from 3-1 down to draw themselves level and give themselves some hope of reaching sixth place.
      Ben Brereton Diaz netted an 86th-minute winner, but results elsewhere meant heartbreak for the former Premier League Champions.
      West Brom and Swansea also suffered disappointment despite playing out their own tense match.
      Both sides had an outside chance of finishing in the playoff spots but needed to win and results to go their way.
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      However, the Swans won the game in the final moments with a Joël Piroe goal to make it 3-2 in Wales.
      The final play-off spot instead went to Sunderland thanks to their storming 3-0 win over Preston North End.
      Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo set the Blackcats on their way with a screamer.
      The win has set them up for a chance to get back to the top flight since relegation in 2017.
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      Burnley and Sheffield United both celebrated their automatic places in style as they won their final games matches against Cardiff and Birmingham respectively.
      Neither of the opponents had anything left to play for having confirmed their safety from relegation and were too far away from a playoff spot.
      Playoff duo Coventry and Middlesbrough shared the spoils while 3rd placed Luton Town played out a goalless draw against Hull City.
      Relegated Wigan and Blackpool gave good accounts of themselves despite their disappointing seasons.
      Blackpool managed a 1-0 win over Norwich thanks to an effort from Morgan Rogers, while Wigan battled to a 0-0 draw against Rotherham.
      Reading however limped out of the league to a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
      Elsewhere in the league, Watford beat Stoke City and Bristol City ran out winners against QPR. More

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      When are the EFL play-offs? Championship, League One, League Two dates, kick-off times and all the details you need

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      IT’S crunch time in the EFL as the agony and ecstasy of the play-offs is almost upon us – and the encounters have been finalised.Every year, in each of the three divisions in the Football League – Championship, League One and League Two – four teams compete in the play-offs with only one earning promotion in the final at Wembley.
      Nottingham Forest beat Huddersfield in last year’s Championship play-off final.Credit: Reuters
      For Championship sides fighting for a top-6 spot, they will be eyeing a place in the Premier League and all the cash that goes with that precious promotion.
      Burnley and Sheffield United have already booked their place in next season’s top flight, but one more space remains to join them.
      Luton Town and Middlesbrough will definitely be involved in the dramatic Championship play-offs this year, despite whatever happens on the final day.
      5th and 6th are still up for grabs with Coventry, Millwall, Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn Rovers all in the conversation.
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      When are the EFL play-off semi-finals?
      Here are all the confirmed dates for this year’s EFL play-off semi-finals:
      Championship:

      Semi-final, first leg – Sunderland vs Luton on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 5:30pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Coventry vs Middlesbrough on Sunday, May 14th – Kick off: 12pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Luton vs Sunderland on Tuesday, May 16th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Middlesbrough vs Coventry on Wednesday, May 17th – Kick off: 8pm BST

      League One:
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      Semi-final, first leg – Peterborough United vs Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, May 12th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 3pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Sheffield Wednesday vs Peterborough United on Thursday, May 18th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley on Friday May 19th – Kick off: 8pm BST

      League Two:

      Semi-final, first leg – Salford City vs Stockport on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 7:45pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Braford vs Carlisle on Sunday, May 14th – Kick off: 7pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Stockport vs Salford City on Saturday, May 20th – Kick off: 12:30pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Carlisle vs Bradford on Saturday, May 20th – Kick off: 3pm BST

      When are the EFL play-off finals?
      All of the EFL play-off finals will be hosted at Wembley Stadium.

      The Championship play-off final will be played on Saturday, May 27 – Kick off: 4:45pm BST
      The League One play-off final will be played on Monday, May 29th – Kick off: 3pm BST
      The League Two play-off final will be played on Sunday, May 28th – Kick off: 1:30pm BST

      What channel is the EFL play-offs on and can they be live streamed?

      Coverage of all EFL play-off games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
      Sky Sports subscribers can live stream all the action via the NOW app.
      The NOW app is free to download onto your mobile or tablet device. More

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      Tottenham blow in manager search as Vincent Kompany signs new five-year Burnley deal

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      VINCENT KOMPANY has signed a new five-year contract at Burnley.And that ends any speculation of him taking the vacant Tottenham job.
      Vincent Kompany has signed a new contract as Burnley bossCredit: Getty
      The Belgian took over at Turf Moor last summer and immediately led the Clarets back into the Premier League in his first season managing in England.
      His side have racked up 98 points with one game remaining.
      That led to links with Kompany replacing Antonio Conte in the White Hart Lane dugout.
      However, SunSport revealed last month that he had told his staff he would be staying put at Turf Moor.

      And now the 37-year-old has pledged his future to Burnley until 2028.
      The former Manchester City captain said: “Burnley and Turf Moor felt right pretty much from the start – so it also feels right to sign for the next five years.
      “Together with the fans we have made Turf Moor a fortress again and continue to look forward to the future and the job of making Burnley better with every step.”
      Chairman Alan Pace added: “We are ecstatic Vincent has signed a new deal.
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      “He is the perfect fit for how we all see Burnley Football Club moving forward.
      “An extraordinary leader, setting ever higher standards and driving our club to the levels we all want to achieve.”
      Kompany and his Burnley players will get their hands on the Championship trophy on Monday.
      The champions host Cardiff on what will be a celebratory day for the home side, who sealed the title at arch-rivals Blackburn.
      Kompany was praised for his classy gesture to apologise after midfielder Josh Brownhill taunted Rovers supporters.
      Tottenham had identified the ex-Anderlecht boss as their primary target when Conte was dismissed.
      But now they will have to turn thei attention elsewhere.
      Xabi Alonso is high on Daniel Levy’s wishlist after impressing at Bayer Leverkusen while a romantic return for Mauricio Pochettino is still a slim possibility.
      Julian Nagelsmann remains the favourite, though, with Brendan Rodgers also in contention. More