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      Watch comical Hull defending as goalkeeper takes out own player to gift Swansea a goal

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      HULL goalkeeper Nathan Baxter sensationally tackled his TEAMMATE before gifting Swansea a goal during Saturday’s Championship clash.Baxter, 23, was largely at fault for Swansea’s second goal which saw Luke Cundle slot the ball into the back of an empty net from close range.

      Hull made a huge defensive error to gift Swansea a goalCredit: Sky Sports
      Baxter was largely at fault for the goalCredit: Mike Jones/News Images
      In the 64th minute the Swans broke through on goal as Oli Cooper made his way into the box.
      The midfielder went to ground after making contact with Jacob Greaves, but the referee did not award a penalty.
      Instead the ball travelled through to Hull defender Tobias Figueiredo, who was about to clear the danger when Baxter clattered into the back of him.
      Cundle was in position to quickly pounce onto the loose ball before passing it into the bottom corner with ease.
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      Fans took to Twitter to react, with one writing: “What in the world?!”
      Another added: “Laughable.”
      A third said: “Sunday league isn’t that bad.”
      While a happy Swansea fan joked: “We (the Swans) normally give those sorta goals away. It’s nice to be on the other side of it.”
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      Swansea went on to win the game 3-0 courtesy of goals from Ryan Manning, Joel Piroe and Cundle.
      The result leaves the Swans 16th in the Championship table with 12 points.
      Meanwhile, Hull have one point less, but they are down in 20th. More

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      ‘I wasn’t dreaming’ – Chris Kamara thanks Middlesbrough fans for touching tribute as star battles speech apraxia

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      CHRIS KAMARA has thanked Middlesbrough fans after they unfurled a supportive banner amid his battle with speech apraxia.A tearful Kamara, 64, recently revealed that he felt like “a fraud” when watching his broadcasts back.
      Middlesbrough fans unveiled a touching message to one of their own KammyCredit: Twitter@chris_kammy
      Popular pundit Chris Kamara has opened up on his health battlesCredit: Getty
      The disorder causes difficulty speaking, with Kammy recently saying: “It feels like someone has taken over my voice box.”
      While appearing on the Diary Of A CEO podcast, a watery-eyed Kamara bravely discussed his condition, admitting: “I feel a fraud now in terms of broadcasting – I don’t bring to the table what I used to.”
      The Soccer Saturday legend, who left the show at the end of last season, remains an English football favourite – a point that Middlesbrough fans were keen to stress yesterday.
      During their match with Rotherham at the Riverside, Boro supporters unveiled a banner in response to Kammy’s comments.
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      It read: “You’re not a fraud. You’re unbelievable Kammy.”
      Local boy Kamara was moved by the fans’ gesture, writing on Twitter: “Wow that is “Unbelievable Jeff” Thank You.”
      This morning he was still feeling touched, tweeting: “I wasn’t dreaming last night did happen.
      “Thanks so much to all the Boro fans who made it happen.”
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      In a recent chat with the Daily Star, Kamara said: “Ten months ago, I could hardly talk.
      “The words hardly came out. My voice is my life at the moment. As a broadcaster, I need my voice and I need it to be spot on.
      “So I could have gone away and gone into the background. I wanted to pack it all in.
      “But ITV bosses wouldn’t hear of it. Channel 4, Channel 5 and the BBC were exactly the same.
      “Even now, some days I wake up and think, ‘Why am I doing this? There are people better than me out there who are more qualified’.”
      Despite quitting Soccer Saturday, Kamara has remained busy this season.
      He hosts ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK and works on the BBC’s Proper Football podcast with long-time telly partner Ben Shephard.
      Kammy co-hosts a podcast with old pal Ben ShephardCredit: Getty More

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      Cardiff City sack boss Steve Morison after three wins in ten games in dismal Championship start

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      CARDIFF have sacked manager Steve Morison after ten months in charge.The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at managerless Huddersfield yesterday, making it just one win in their last seven games.
      Steve Morison has been sacked by Cardiff CityCredit: Rex
      In a brief statement, the Championship side wrote: “Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that First Team Manager Steve Morison has been relieved of his duties.
      “We’d like to thank Steve for his efforts during his time at Cardiff City, stabilising the first team last season and helping to evolve our squad in line with the club’s philosophy this summer.
      “We wish him the best for the future.
      “Mark Hudson will oversee first team affairs at this time, assisted by Tom Ramasut, whilst the Club considers options for the position.”
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      Jordan Rhodes’ eighth minute strike consigned Cardiff to defeat at Huddersfield yesterday, with Callum Robinson missing a penalty that would have put them level.
      Morison, 39, hung up his boots in 2019 before joining the Bluebirds as Under-23s boss.

      The ex-forward took over as caretaker manager following Mick McCarthy’s sacking last year.
      He went on to pen a contract until the end of the season, before extending his deal to 2023 in March.
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      Morison felt that his side should have been awarded a second penalty during his final game in charge.
      In his last interview as boss, he said: “We didn’t start the game well, we grew into it and then obviously should have scored the penalty.
      “We should have had a second penalty too which we didn’t get, but we didn’t make the most of our moments.”
      Morison finished his Cardiff tenure with 16 wins, eight draws and 21 defeats from 45 matches. More

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      Sunderland to hand Tony Mowbray transfer funds in January if he manages to keep them in Prem promotion hunt

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      SUNDERLAND will give boss Tony Mowbray cash for a couple of signings if he keeps the club in promotion contention.Mowbray arrived too late to influence deals in the last window while the Black Cats snapped up emerging talents.
      Mowbray could be handed substantial funds in the January transfer windowCredit: Alamy
      That strategy can change if Mowbray thinks old heads would make a difference.
      But Sunderland may be forced to replace striker Ross Stewart as Blackburn eye up a move for the 26-year-old Scot.
      Rovers looked into a move for Stewart in the last window and could offer him the kind of contract he wants.
      Stewart’s deal is running out and new boss Mowbray will be keen for him to extend his stay rather than lose a star man.
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      However, Rovers are lurking and Sunderland may not be able to keep hold of him.
      Meanwhile, Newcastle are planning a £2.5million raid for Sunderland super-teen midfielder Chris Rigg.
      The England youth ace, 15, is starring for club and country and rated the best young prospect in the UK.
      He is impressing for the Black Cats’ Under-21s side and was the Young Lions’ skipper for a recent game in Italy.
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      Sunderland are desperate to keep Rigg but the demand for him is so great they may find that hard.
      If he is tempted away, the fee demanded will inevitably be a record for a player his age.
      Everton have been after Rigg for months but may not be willing to go high enough with their offer. More

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      EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales’ World Cup fixtures

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      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England and Wales’ World Cup games.A full schedule of fixtures is planned over the weekend of December 3 — when the Home Nations could be playing in the last 16 in Qatar.
      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they coincide with England or Wales games at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to glory in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Rob Page has been handed a new contract after guiding Wales to the World CupCredit: Alamy
      EFL and National League bosses both said clubs can decide whether they rearrange, though it is possible a collective decision could be made.
      England and Wales are in Group B with Iran and the USA — and feasibly both teams could progress.
      The top two to qualify will face rivals from Group A.
      That World Cup group is made up of hosts Qatar, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Ecuador.
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      Wrexham are due to visit York in the National League on the Saturday.
      But the Welsh side will likely postpone if Robert Page’s Dragons are in a first World Cup knockout game for 64 years.
      Then the next Saturday night could also see England or Wales play in the quarter-finals — hours after domestic games have finished.
      Argentina and France are both possible opponents for that one.
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      Although the leagues say they will expect teams to fulfil fixtures that day.
      England kick off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament, while Wales face the USA on the same day.
      The Three Lions take on the Dragons in their final group game. More

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      Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United have bounced back from play-off heartbreak to top of the Championship

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      WHEN Nottingham Forest keeper Brice Samba broke Sheffield United hearts with his hat-trick of saves in a play-off penalty shootout, Paul Heckingbottom got straight to work.There was no moping about at Bramall Lane from anyone feeling sorry for themselves.
      Paul Heckingbottom and Sheffield United used play-off agony to inspire them
      Brice Samba breaks Sheffield United’s hearts at the City Ground
      Instead Heckingbottom and his team reflected on how close they had gone to making an instant return to the Premier League after overcoming a slow start to last season under previous boss Slavisa Jokanovic.
      And there was a steely determination in the red and white half of the Steel City to hit the ground running this time around — and they have certainly done that.
      Reda Khadra’s winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Swansea on Tuesday night consolidated the Blades’ position at the top of the Championship.
      Heckingbottom told SunSport: “I must give credit to everyone since that shootout against Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-final. That is where all the work started in regard to this coming season.
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      “Had we been sulking or slow to move on, we’d not have had as strong a start as we have had.
      “I just felt we had run out of time last season because we had such a strong finish. Had the season been a month longer, we’d have finished even higher than the fifth position we finally achieved.
      “Certainly at the City Ground, we just ran out of time. We managed to get ourselves from 3-1 down on aggregate to 3-3 and pushed for the winner.
      “Had we played another five or 10 minutes in that game, I’d have fancied us to have gone on to reach the final.
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      “We had nothing to worry about or anything to fear going into this season, other than maybe a hangover or feeling sorry for ourselves. That is what we guarded against.”
      Heckingbottom won the August SkyBet Championship manager of the month.
      And he said the club had to be shrewd during the summer — balancing the needs of strengthening the squad with keeping on top of finances being lowered due to a second season outside the top-flight.
      But he brought in Sweden centre-half Anel Ahmedhodzic from Malmo for £4million and worked the loan market by recruiting the likes of Man City duo James McAtee and Tommy Doyle, Ciaran Clarke from Newcastle and Khadra from Brighton.
      And the Blades chief was happy with a good pre-season build-up and said: “All those things were important in terms of getting us to hit the ground running.”
      Paul Heckingbottom won the SkyBet manager of the month for August
      I put it to Heckingbottom that three of their outstanding players so far have been striker Oli McBurnie, midfielder Sander Berge and Ahmedhodzic.
      Keeping Berge during the transfer window was as good and important as making a marquee signing — such is his influence on the team.
      Heckingbottom agreed and said: “It was huge to keep him. He is a great person, good player and if I am honest I expected him to go.
      “So I’m delighted I can still use him. He’s happy to be here. He has been fantastic with the way he has behaved. His performances have shown that.
      “He comes into training every day with a smile on his face, has trained harder than anyone and he’s reaping the benefits.
      “While he continues playing like that, there’s nothing you can do to stop someone coming in for him but hopefully that’s a while away yet.”
      McBurnie has been a frustrating player for Blades fans following his £20million move from Swansea in 2019.
      He had not scored a league goal since November 2020 until he finally netted against Luton last month, sparking three goals in successive games.
      His hard-working performances up top have been crucial.
      And Heckingbottom said: “I’m delighted for Oli.
      Oli McBurnie has been on fire for the Blades after a tough couple of years
      “He had bad luck when we took over. He suffered more injuries than most last season.
      “We could’ve seen the form he has been showing much earlier. 
      “To get himself fit, he has worked hard and when he has got over his broken foot he has had a few more weeks training and we’ve given him minutes in the under-21s and then when he has been called upon he has hit the ground running.
      “That is all the hard work he has put in and what the staff have put in.”
      Ahmedhodzic has been rock solid in defence and is looking like a bargain buy.
      The Blades chief said: “I’ve been impressed with him. I was convinced he’d be good otherwise I’d not have tried to get him.
      “The way he has stepped into it and hit the ground running. It’s a big bonus.
      Reda Khadra celebrates his stoppage-time winner at Swansea
      “He can be pleased and proud of himself. One of the reasons he came and we liked him, we felt he was someone who can kick on and play at an even higher level than this.
      “He’s determined to do that, we’re determined to do that and hopefully we can both achieve it.”
      Heckingbottom knows that the one thing you do need to get out of the Championship is consistency in a league that is consistent for being inconsistent.
      And he said: “The margins are so fine. There are clubs that will have a lot of talent in their squads — and we’re talking Premier League talent — who are not quite on it that day who will get turned over.
      “We’d like to think we have some good players but our best attribute is having that mentality who try to win every game and keep our standards high so when we do get beat a team will have to play well.
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      “The ultimate goal of every team is to get promoted with the prize at the end of it but we’re a long way from thinking about that, never mind talking about it.
      “We’re breaking the season into little phases and concentrating on getting the consistency of performance. Hopefully we will be there at the back of the season.” More

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      Oscar Estupinan idolises ex-Fulham and Wigan ace Hugo Rodallega and targets Premier League with Hull

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      OSCAR ESTUPINAN would love to follow in the footsteps of his Colombian hero Hugo Rodallega by playing in the Premier League.The Hull striker grew up getting up early on Saturday to watch Rodallega in his pomp at Wigan and Fulham – as well as enjoying all the other top-flight English games.
      Oscar Estupinan has been on fire since signing for Hull with seven goals so far
      Ex-Wigan and Fulham star Hugo Rodallega was an inspiration to Estupinan
      And now the 25-year-old ace is hoping to get there with Hull.
      He has got off a flying start in English football — plundering seven goals already after just NINE games after signing from Portuguese club Vitoria.
      Estupinan told SunSport: “Hugo Rodallega was an inspiration and played in the Premier League.
      “I had the honour of playing alongside him at Denizlispor in Turkey when I was on loan there a couple of years ago.
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      “He is a great ambassador for Colombian football and I look up to him a lot.
      “It’s a dream come true to now be in England myself because, as a kid, I watched the Premier League. I used to wake up quite early on a Saturday because of the time difference between Colombia and the UK.
      “I was always so excited because it was the best thing to do after a whole week at school.
      “It’s now a privilege to be playing in this country too.
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      “My intention is to work hard for Hull and get them into the Premier League. Like every player, it would be a dream to play in that division.”
      His superb form won him the SkyBet Championship player-of-the-month award for August.
      Even Estupinan himself has been surprised by how well he has hit the ground running since moving to England.
      But he said: “The help of my team-mates has been crucial and the manager as well. I’m getting to know them much better now, and they’re getting to know me too.
      “It all helps. It helps become more natural for us to flow together.
      “The season has started well. I wasn’t expecting it. The hard work has always been there so this has just been the result of it.”
      Estupinan has been impressed by the standard of English football’s second tier.
      And he said: “For me the Championship is strong. For the first few games, it was hard because it’s a physical league. 
      “The pace of the games are incredible. You must to be fit to be able to maintain your rhythm in all the games. The players are good, the teams are very competitive.
      “You must work hard to be able to perform each weekend. The games are challenging. Every team in this league is tough. I’m impressed.”
      Estupinan says Hull were one of the teams he liked watching play in the Premier League so was fully aware of the club and its history before joining.
      He said: “I watched many games of Hull when I was a kid. When I heard about their interest, I was already familiar with the club and know that some South Americans have played for this club in the past. 
      “I was so excited to come here and although I’m having to get used to a new country and culture the football routine is the same. You train, you go home and rest. That is the same everywhere so I haven’t had to get used to anything new there.”
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      Estupinan believes the Tigers have enough talent in their squad to compete for a promotion spot but understands that it will be a challenge. After a good start, Hull go into today’s clash at Swansea on the back of three straight defeats.
      He added: “We must improve slowly but surely but our ambition is to get into the Premier League, that must be our aim.”
      Oscar Estupinan is loving life in England with Hull City
      Oscar Estupinan is thrilled to have got off to such a great start at Hull More

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      ‘This should be illegal’ – Fans all say same thing as Andy Carroll takes No2 jersey at Reading following free transfer

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      THE world of football has been shaken to its core after learning that a striker will wear the No2 shirt. Typically the shirt number is worn by a right-back, but as this becomes more and more obsolete the tradition of a player having a number relevant to where they play is a dying art.
      Andy Carroll holds a Reading shirt after signing for themCredit: JASONPIX
      Carroll’s shirt number is sure to entice some resentment from football puristsCredit: Twitter
      In his number reveal video, Carroll revealed he allowed his kids to decide his new numberCredit: Twitter
      And Reading FC have taken this to the extreme with new signing Andy Carroll.
      Perhaps ironically, Carroll has signed for Reading for the second time in his career, though this time his contract will only run until January.
      The 33-year-old’s squad number was announced via a clever video reveal on The Royals social media pages.
      But fans didn’t seem to take too nicely to his shirt number, with the ‘football purists’ among them left seething.
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      One user said: “This should be ILLEGAL,” while a second echoed this sentiment adding: “Ayo, this is mad.”
      Some praised the reveal but remained shocked at the number, with one user saying: “That’s one of the funniest squad number reveals I’ve seen. Dreadful, but funny.”
      Other users had some optimism over it with another user saying: “This could be historic,” only to receive a response saying: “History for the worst transfer ever.”
      The aforementioned football purists were outraged at the number reveal: “this cannot be allowed surely, the erosion of the sanctity of the modern game in front of our eyes…. what next?”
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      Another fan quipped: “Glad he has come in to fix the CB issue!”
      Carroll was a free agent after leaving West Brom at the end of last season.
      The former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham striker was involved in a car crash last weekend, where he wrecked his £130,000 Mercedes. More