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      Peterborough’s home clash against Barnsley plunged into darkness after power cut at London Road

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      PETERBOROUGH UNITED’s Championship showdown with Barnsley was plunged into darkness ten minutes before full-time.The Posh welcomed their fellow relegation battlers to London Road on Saturday afternoon looking to narrow the gap between themselves and 21st-placed Reading.
      Peterborough United’s Championship clash with Barnsley was plunged into darkness when the floodlights failedCredit: REX

      The duo ended up sharing spoils in the dull 0-0 draw, which will best be remembered for the floodlights failing in the dying embers of the match.
      Both sets of players were hauled off after the lights went out and fans were encouraged to remain in their seats.
      But they had to wait less than 15 minutes for the lights to come back on and play to resume.
      Barnsley fans, however, were more than happy fo to remain in darkness.
      Owls fans began chanting: “We’ll play in the dark, we’ll play in the dark.
      “We’re Barnsley FC, we’ll play in the dark.”

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      Barnsley fans keeping up with the game from the comfort of their homes also shared their thoughts on Twitter.
      One tweeted: “Nothing on that pitch today is worth seeing, so that’s not a bother really.”
      Another said: “We can’t even play when it’s light.”
      And another said: “More chance of scoring in the dark.”
      One remarked: “Might actually play better!”
      Another said: “Can’t concede if no one sees it eh.”
      The stalemate at London Road did neither side any favours in their bid to beat the drop, with Peterborough now on 16 points and Barnsley on 12.
      Peterborough will be back in action next Saturday, travelling to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.
      Barnsley, meanwhile, will welcome eighth-placed Huddersfield to Oakwell.
      The power at London Road went out with ten minutes of the match remainingCredit: REX
      Barnsley fans broke into chants of ‘we’ll play in the dark’ during the unexpected intermissionCredit: REX
      The match ended in a dull 0-0 drawCredit: REX
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      Andy Carroll scores for Reading on first start and performs amazing rowing celebration… with Drinkwater getting assist

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      ANDY CARROLL has scored on his first Championship start for Reading. The 32-year-old put the Royals 2-1 up on the half-an-hour mark against Swansea after the second-tier strugglers had gone a goal down just three minutes into the game.
      Carroll’s goal was his first for his new clubCredit: Huw Evans
      He started off with a rowing celebration on his ownCredit: Colorsport
      Carroll was then joined by the rest of his Reading team-matesCredit: Colorsport
      Carroll expertly took down a Danny Drinkwater long ball over the top into his stride before holding off the challenge of on loan Liverpool defender Rhys Williams.
      Carroll, also formerly of Liverpool, then cut inside onto his left foot and fired a low effort past Ben Hamer in the Swansea goal.
      He proceeded to celebrate by grabbing the corner flag out the ground and sitting down with his team-mates behind him, using the flagstick as a fake oar to imitate rowing.
      It’s his first goal and first start for the Berkshire club since signing on a TWO-MONTH contract earlier this month.
      His only prior appearances for the club have been cameos off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

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      Reading’s official Twitter account could barely contain their excitement after the goal.
      Describing the striker, they wrote: “How about that for a composed finish from @AndyTCarroll?
      “He beat the offside trap, before cutting in on his left, and firing in past Hamer! YES!”
      Drinkwater meanwhile is on loan at Reading after a miserable four years with Chelsea.
      He joined the Blues from Leicester for £34million in 2017 but has played just 23 games for the South-West Londoners.
      Carroll meanwhile been a free agent before joining the Royals since his second stint with boyhood club Newcastle ended in the summer.
      Andy Carroll speaks after signing for Reading on a short term contract More

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      Wayne Rooney set to STAY at Derby despite Rams looking doomed to Championship relegation after 21-point deduction

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      WAYNE ROONEY is ready to battle on as Derby boss despite already looking doomed to relegation.The Rams administrators agreed to take a nine-point penalty from the EFL for Financial Fair Play offences, putting their total to -3 in the Championship.
      Wayne Rooney is prepared to carry on at Derby despite the club appearing to be doomed to relegationCredit: Rex
      Derby have also dropped their appeal against a 12-point hit for going into administration, leaving them with a total loss of 21, with two further three-point punishments still hanging over their heads.
      One would be for the late payment of wages and the other for any further breach of FFP rules.
      Rooney’s under-strength squad have managed 18 points from 17 games, but are now 18 points from safety.
      Rooney, 36, was taking training when the punishment was announced Wednesday, but is expected to tough it out.
      Bidder Chris Kirchner is trying to complete a deal to takeover the Rams, while others have shown an interest.
      But administrators still have major hurdles to cross, the first being agreeing a deal with HMRC over a tax bill that spiralled to over £25million.

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      Middlesbrough and Wycombe have lodged compensation claims and peace talks are planned. Derby think they can win the cases, but it is uncertain.
      Boro owner Steve Gibson’s claim for around £45m is still to be addressed.
      They feel Derby’s financial irregularities helped deny them a play-off place in 2019 after the Rams pipped them to the top six by just one point.
      Wycombe say they were relegated because a previous points penalty was not imposed and want around £6m.
      Any takeover deal also needs an agreement with former owner Mel Morris to sell the stadium. He is looking for around £20m but that is also subject to negotiation.
      Derby’s doom is a massive scar on the EFL’s flagship division.
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      For the third season running, a club is likely to go down because of penalties.
      Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday both suffered the same fate when they had won enough points on the pitch.
      Worse still, it makes a mockery of the final 29 games of Derby’s season.
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      England manager Gareth Southgate praises Harry Kane for reaching 48 goals for England More

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      Wayne Rooney’s Derby hit with 21-POINT deduction after admitting to breaches of Football League’s financial rules

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      DERBY COUNTY will have another NINE points deducted from their Championship tally. It follows the 12-point deduction from September after the club entered administration, taking the total tally of deducted points this season to TWENTY-ONE.
      Rooney and co are already bottom of the Championship after the first points deductionCredit: Getty
      Derby are EIGHTEEN points off safety
      The latest deduction has a further three points suspended and is for breaching the League’s Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules.
      Those historical financial breaches at Derby came while former owner Mel Morris was at the club.
      It all but confirms Wayne Rooney’s side will be relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.
      Rooney’s side are marooned to the bottom of the table on -3 points, EIGHTEEN off safety.
      Like in September the deduction will be applied with immediate effect.
      But the club also face the suspended three points being applied too if they don’t follow the correct terms of their budget set out for the rest of this season.
      If that did come into effect their tally of deducted points would increase once again to a whopping 24.
      Derby’s official website published the news in a statement on Tuesday morning.

      It’s after the club and Championship bosses determined under an ‘agreed decision,’ ratified by an Independent Disciplinary Commission Chair that they would take the punishment.
      Last week Derby decided to drop their appeal against the 12-point deduction for going into administration in September.
      On the latest deduction Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive said: “The EFL’s objective throughout this ongoing process has been to ensure that the principles of the Regulations were upheld on behalf of all Clubs.
      “In order to assess the sporting sanction that was applicable to apply to these breaches, previous P&S cases have been carefully reviewed and guidance taken from them.
      “The EFL has also considered the P&S sanction guidelines as well as mitigation put forward by the Club.
      “Given the complex circumstances of the case and the various outstanding regulatory issues between the EFL and Derby County, the League is satisfied at the agreed outcome and the sensible approach taken by both parties in negotiating this outcome and in respect of the appeal withdrawal.
      “Our focus is to continue to work with the Joint Administrators to assist them in securing a long-term future for the Club.”
      Meanwhile Carl Jackson, from Derby’s administrators Quantuma, said: “This has been a difficult matter to navigate bearing in mind the various issues concerned.

      “Whilst point deductions are never ideal for any Club, it was critical to the Club’s future that all matters were concluded between the EFL and the Club in relation to historical issues.
      “This conclusion allows us to proceed with our restructuring strategy for the Club with prospective interested parties.”

      Wayne Rooney’s Derby enter administration and deducted 12 points by EFL amid financial crisis More

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      Arsenal wonderkid Folarin Balogun casts doubt on future and admits he is ‘open for a new challenge’

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      ARSENAL prospect Folarin Balogun has opened up the possibility of a January loan move away by admitting he wants a ‘new challenge’.The Gunners academy star cranked up interest in his services by scoring from the edge of the box in his first start for England Under-21s in their win against Czech Republic on Thursday.
      Forlain has long-been touted as the next big starlet to emerge from Arsenal’s academyCredit: AFP
      Forlain strengthened his growing reputation with a goal for England Under-21s last weekCredit: Getty
      The striker has been in great form in Arsenal’s youth ranks and his intelligent style of play has been likened to Arsenal legend Ian Wright by former Gunners defender Martin Keown.
      The 20-year-old, known as Flo to his team-mates, is yet to force himself into the regular first-team plans at in-form Arsenal, despite making his senior debut last season and impressing in six appearances.
      But Balogun’s progress has put him on the radar of several Championship clubs and he revealed he would be open to to a temporary spell away.
      Speaking after the win for the young Lions, he told Football London: “I have played youth football for a little while, I have obviously scored a lot of goals at that level and improved at that level drastically from when I started.
      “I do feel like I am ready for a new challenge but I am not sure what that might be, it might be a loan or if I am needed at Arsenal then I am here and the gaffer knows that.
      “I am definitely open to a new challenge but it is something that whatever that challenge is I will be ready.

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      “I know the potential I could have and that I need to achieve is massive. I haven’t achieved it yet.”
      England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley believes ‘a lot of the clubs in Europe would be aware of Flo’s qualities’.
      He said: “Watching him in the U23s for Arsenal, it’s probably a little bit too easy for him and he’s passed that level.
      “I imagine he wants to play for Arsenal and pushing for a position but it’s such a big club with a lot of competition.”
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      Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker and Steve Cooper lead EFL’s rising managers aiming to follow Graham Potter to the top

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      I WAS scoffed at a couple of years ago when boldly suggesting Graham Potter could be a future England manager.“What has he won?” asked one. “He’s only managed Swansea and some team in Sweden that no-one has heard of,” suggested another.
      Graham Potter used the EFL as a springboard into the Premier League when managing Swansea
      In fact, barely anyone in Sweden had heard of Ostersund, never mind here, until Potter took them from the fourth tier to the top division and beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the Europa League. By the way, they beat Galatasaray en route.
      And he was also twice named manager of the year in Sweden.
      Then, at Swansea, he took over a club in disarray – relegated, under huge financial restraints and losing most of their stars players to balance the books.
      Potter almost got a young Swans squad, against the odds, into the play-offs.
      And at Brighton he continues to impress – first keeping the Seagulls in the Premier League and this season has them flying high.
      So much so that Potter is now being more widely tipped to become a future Three Lions coach.
      Nineteen players in Gareth Southgate’s squad have played in the EFL. Even the England boss himself briefly managed Middlesbrough in the Championship, after relegation from the Prem, and was controversially sacked in October 2009 with the club fourth, just one point off the top.
      But there is also a rich array of managerial talent in the EFL right now – and here are some of my picks to keep an eye out for the future.
      STEVE COOPER (Nottingham Forest)
      Steve Cooper has transformed Nottingham Forest’s fortunes this season since taking over
      FOR me, the Welshman is an outstanding manager.
      Like Potter, he did an unbelievable job at Swansea – even better than his predecessor.
      Taking the Swans to back-to-back play-offs, losing to Brentford both times in the semi-final (2020) and final (2021), was no mean feat.
      And now he has had an instant impact at Forest, with the team having won five of his nine games in charge, losing only one, since he replaced Chris Hughton.
      Cooper has the honour of already leading England to World Cup glory as well – taking charge of the Under-17s in 2017.
      I certainly can see the Welshman being a future Wales manager.
      SCOTT PARKER (Bournemouth)
      FORMER West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea ace has the Cherries on top in the Championship.
      I saw them ruthlessly swat aside Swansea 4-0 at the Vitality on Saturday and can’t see past them for a return to the Premier League.
      Bournemouth are topping the table under boss Scott Parker
      He led Fulham into the top flight in his first full season as a manager and although they were relegated they didn’t exactly get battered.
      You have to remember Sean Dyche got relegated in his first Prem season with Burnley yet he got them back up and performed miracles since.
      Still only 41 and into his third full season. He was a leader on the pitch as a player and most definitely is a leader off it.
      RUSSELL MARTIN (Swansea)
      Russell Martin is impressing as manager of Swansea CIty
      AGED 35, he is the youngest manager in the top four divisions.
      In just two short years, Martin is proving to be one of the outstanding young coaches in the game.
      During his first job at MK Dons, his team set a new British record for scoring after a 56-man move against Gillingham in March.
      The Dons last season enjoyed the third-best possession stats in Europe – only beaten by Manchester City and Barcelona.
      And after a sticky start in South Wales, the team have started climbing the table with four wins from their last six games.
      WAYNE ROONEY (Derby)
      STILL very young at 36 with a lot to learn but he is doing an excellent job with Derby despite the circumstances and is learning all the time.
      Kept the club up last season and has a fighting chance of doing so again – despite a 12-point deduction and transfer embargo.
      Wayne Rooney has had to deal with so much during his first managerial job at Derby
      He is a real people’s person with good man-management skills – popular with players, staff, fans and even the media because he doesn’t duck questions.
      Rooney is also not afraid to try new things out tactically. I expect him to climb the ladder regardless of what happens to the Rams this season.
      RYAN LOWE (Plymouth)
      Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe is aiming for his third promotion this season
      THE 43-year-old Scouser has already won promotion at Bury from League Two before they were booted out of the EFL – and taken Plymouth into League One too.
      The Pilgrims are punching above their weight in English football’s third tier now, sitting second, and I wouldn’t rule him out getting them into the Championship.
      If he performs well at that level, what a springboard he will have then.
      MATT GRAY (Sutton)
      Matt Gray got Sutton promoted into the EFL and now is eyeing a spot in League One
      THE 40-year-old won an historic promotion for “little old Sutton” into the EFL and now has them hovering near the play-off spots in League Two.
      Great recruiter, coach and man-manager.
      LIAM MANNING (MK Dons)
      Liam Manning is hoping to make a name for himself with MK Dons
      NOT many people outside of Milton Keynes will have heard of him.
      But aged 36 he is in charge of the Dons and doing well stepping into the departed Russell Martin’s shoes.
      Never broke through as a player at Ipswich but coached their youth teams and worked at West Ham, as well as in the States and Belgium.
      Derek’s ambition jibe
      BRADFORD boss Derek Adams missed the irony when he stated that Saturday’s FA Cup opponents Exeter don’t have the ambition to get promoted from League Two.
      This is the same Derek Adams who brilliantly led Morecambe to an historic promotion through the play-offs to League One in May – only to jump ship to take over Bradford in, er, League Two!
      Derek Adams left promoted Morecambe to take over at Bradford
      Winner Warnock is such old hat
      FRESH from breaking the record for most English league games managed, Neil Warnock got rewarded with the sack at Middlesbrough.
      He is 72 and, with 1,603 games under his belt, they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
      I mean that party piece of his – winning promotion eight times – is so old hat (rolling eyes emoji).
      Good to have Chris Wilder back, though, in management.
      He was also unfairly sacked at Sheffield United and will be busting a gut to get back into the Premier League.
      Neil Warnock may have eight promotions to his name but got the boot by BoroCredit: Getty More

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      English footie clubs racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since pandemic

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      FOOTBALL clubs in England have racked up tax debts of £140million-plus in the pandemic.Sixty clubs in the Premier League and English Football League have the debt, figures obtained by The Sun show.
      Footie clubs in England have racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since the start of the pandemicCredit: Alamy
      Premier League clubs owe £49.5million in unpaid taxes including VAT.
      EFL clubs owe £91.8million in accrued taxes, with £64million in the Championship, £24.9million in League One and £2.9million in League Two.
      The taxman would not identify any of the clubs involved but it is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Derby County owes £28million.
      HMRC confirmed that repayment agreements have been struck so clubs are not in arrears.

      It is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Championship outfit Derby County owe £28million to HMRCCredit: Getty
      Ninety-three footballers, nine clubs and 23 agents to be investigated over £56 million of unpaid tax More

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      Footie fan, 17, quizzed by cops as flare thrown at crowd injures boy, 7, & hits him in the face at Barnsley v Hull game

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      A 17-YEAR-OLD will be quizzed by cops after a flare injured a seven-year-old boy who was hit in the face during yesterday’s match between Barnsley and Hull City.The child, a Hull fan, was struck when the flare was fired into the crowd at the Championship clash at Oakwell stadium.
      Police have launched an investigation after a seven-year-old boy was hit by a flare at yesterday’s Barnsley v Hull City matchCredit: PA
      He suffered minor injuries in the horrifying incident as police urged anyone with information to contact them.
      It’s believed the flare was launched by another Hull supporter.
      The boy received treatment at the scene and was able to return to watch the rest of the match.
      A 17-year-old boy faces questioning over the incident after presenting himself at a police station last night.

      It comes after players at a match in Ireland were forced to flee when yobs launched fireworks that exploded over the pitch, raining down sparks.
      Humberside Police Chief Inspector Blake Neale said, “Behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated as families should feel safe to be able to go to watch their team’s play without the fear of this type of incident.
      “Police officers work closely with the ground’s stewards and tonight one supporter had been arrested on entry to the ground when he was found in possession of a flare.
      “We are working closely with our colleagues in South Yorkshire Police, Hull City and Barnsley Football Clubs to conduct a thorough investigation and whoever is found to be responsible will be dealt with robustly.”
      A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Shortly before half time, the fan threw a flare in to the crowd which hit another Hull fan – a 7-year-old child – in the face.
      “The child suffered minor injuries.We are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage but are asking for anyone who knows who’s responsible to contact us or the club.
      “The incident number to quote is 306 of 6 November and information can be reported through 101, online or using live chat.”
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