Championship

JAMAL LOWE cheekily celebrated his equaliser against Watford today by running up to Ben Foster’s GoPro.
The Hornets goalkeeper has been filming from inside his goal all season for his YouTube channel.

Jamal Lowe cheekily pointed at the GoProCredit: Rex Features

His channel, called The Cycling GK, has proven to be immensely popular, gathering well over a million views in quick time.
So Lowe, having equalised for the Swans on the stroke of half time, couldn’t resist pointing to the camera as he ran past the net.
Tom Cleverley had given Watford a 20th minute lead, before Lowe hit back.
And the former Portsmouth and Wigan forward, 26, added to Foster’s woe in the second half by notching another.

Lowe’s brace was enough to bag Swansea a useful 2-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium.
And fans absolutely loved his celebration.
One Swan wrote: “Jamal Lowe pointing at the camera in Ben Foster’s goal.
“My number nine.”

Ben Foster puts a GoPro in his net to film each game for his YouTube channelCredit: Rex Features

The forward’s brace handed the Swans a crucial victoryCredit: Alamy Live News

Another added: “Excellent s***housery from Jamal Lowe. Can’t fault it”.
And a third joked: “This is Jamal Lowe’s world and we’re all just living in it.”
The win saw Swansea leapfrog Brentford into second, while also putting six points between themselves and Foster’s Watford – who fall to sixth.

Swansea coach Alan Tate facing potential ban after ‘chokeslam’ on Birmingham midfielder Jon Toral More

ROTHERHAM UNITED’S Championship clash with Cardiff City was called off just an hour before kick-off due to heavy snowfall.
Yorkshire has been layered in plenty of snow in the wake of Storm Bella.

The visitors shook off the disappointment by launching some snowballsCredit: Rex Features

Cardiff tried the pitch in vainCredit: Rex Features

And in a late flurry before today’s scheduled match, Rotherham’s New York Stadium found itself covered in enough to make a snowman.
But rather than do that, the visiting Cardiff players shook off the disappointment of not having a game to play… by having a snowball fight instead.
Rotherham’s official statement cited ‘player safety’ as their top priority in deciding to postpone the match.
But some cheeky Cardiff players could be seen taking theirs into their own hands on the pitch.

Masked stars were pictured having fun as they launched little snowballs at each other.
Players were also photographed getting a football out and giving the pitch a little try.
But already coated in white, it was never going to be safely playable.
The postponement means that the Millers, who already had two games in hand on their rivals, could go bottom of the Championship this afternoon – if Wycombe Wanderers manage to beat Middlesbrough at Adams Park.

The New York Stadium became a winter wonderlandCredit: Rex Features

The match was postponed with an hour to spareCredit: Rex Features

Rotherham could fall to the bottom of the ChampionshipCredit: Rex Features

Cardiff, meanwhile, will remain in a slightly disappointing 15th.
Rotherham played their first game in nearly two weeks on Tuesday, when they took on Yorkshire foes Barnsley at the New York Stadium.
It was a disappointing return to action for boss Paul Warne and Co, however, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat.
Their next match will be their FA Cup trip to Everton.

Pep Guardiola slams Everton’s response to postponement as he urges clubs to put safety first More

BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL has shared the ‘disgusting’ racist abuse he received after QPR’s 1-1 draw with Norwich.
The forward’s Instagram account was targeted by a poster who compounded a series of offences and disgusting messages by using monkey and banana emojis.

Bright Osayi-Samuel scored in the 84th minute of the clash against NorwichCredit: Rex Features

Rangers have urged Instagram to help uncover the full identity of “Youssef” to ensure he is punished.
Osayi-Samuel received the abuse after netting the late equalising penalty in the 1-1 draw which, in addition to the despicable language saw him accused of costing “Youssef” “a lot of money”.
The striker showed maturity with his response, writing: “It’s disgusting and painful to be receiving messages like this.”
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand and Rangers chief executive Lee Hoos proved the club’s determination to ensure significant action follows.

Ferdinand said: “This type of abuse on social media is too commonplace and has to stop.
“In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?
“This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible
“I believe governing bodies across sport – not just football – need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”

Bright Osayi-Samuel shared a screenshot of the vile abuse that he receivedCredit: Instagram @brightsamuel21

Hoos, who said the club “completely deplored” the “abhorrent” abuse, added: “It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.
“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned.
“Social media platforms have a duty of care to its users who are victimised in this way.”

Former goalkeeper Shaka Hislop feels fourth official at PSG vs Istanbul match may have had a lack of awareness training More

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have sacked boss Tony Pulis after just 45 DAYS in charge with the club set to go after Jose Morais.
Former Stoke manager Pulis, 62, only joined the club in November but has been relieved of his duties after winning just one game in ten, leaving Wednesday second bottom in the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis has been sackedCredit: PA:Press Association

Jose Morais is reportedly in the frame to take over at WednesdayCredit: PA:Press Association

TalkSPORT reports Portuguese coach Jose Morais, formerly a trusted assistant of Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, is on the club’s radar as they look to appoint a permanent successor.
Morais was the Special One’s No2 at a host of clubs including Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Pulis took over at the Owls after Garry Monk was booted out last month.
He had spent a year out of the game after leaving Middlesbrough in June 2019 after two-and-a-half years on Teesside.

In a statement released late on Monday night, Wednesday said: “Sheffield Wednesday have terminated the contract of manager Tony Pulis with immediate effect.”
Wednesday will have their third boss of the season when first team coach Neil Thompson takes charge of the side for Tuesday’s game against Boro.
The club said Thompson will be in charge ‘until a permanent appointment is made’.

Chairman Dejphon Chansiri told swfc.co.uk: “The performances and results have not been of the level expected since Tony Pulis was appointed. 

“There are also other issues which have had a bearing on this decision.
“On the pitch, seven points from a possible 30 is not acceptable.
“It is vital we maintain our Championship status and I feel I must make a change now with over half of the season remaining to give us the best possible chance of doing so.”
Morais is without a club after leaving South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors this month.
He managed Barnsley in 2018 before leaving when they were relegated from the Championship.

Chris Waddle shows off funky new hair style during FA Cup coverage of Sheffield Wednesday v Man City More

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have sacked boss Tony Pulis after just 45 DAYS in charge with the club set to go after Jose Morais.
Former Stoke manager Pulis, 62, only joined the club in November but has been relieved of his duties after winning just one game in ten, leaving Wednesday second bottom in the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis has been sackedCredit: PA:Press Association

Jose Morais is reportedly in the frame to take over at WednesdayCredit: PA:Press Association

TalkSPORT reports Portuguese coach Jose Morais, formerly a trusted assistant of Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, is on the club’s radar as they look to appoint a permanent successor.
Morais was the Special One’s No2 at a host of clubs including Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Pulis took over at the Owls after Garry Monk was booted out last month.
He had spent a year out of the game after leaving Middlesbrough in June 2019 after two-and-a-half years on Teesside.

In a statement released late on Monday night, Wednesday said: “Sheffield Wednesday have terminated the contract of manager Tony Pulis with immediate effect.”
Wednesday will have their third boss of the season when first team coach Neil Thompson takes charge of the side for Tuesday’s game against Boro.
The club said Thompson will be in charge ‘until a permanent appointment is made’.

Chairman Dejphon Chansiri told swfc.co.uk: “The performances and results have not been of the level expected since Tony Pulis was appointed. 

“There are also other issues which have had a bearing on this decision.
“On the pitch, seven points from a possible 30 is not acceptable.
“It is vital we maintain our Championship status and I feel I must make a change now with over half of the season remaining to give us the best possible chance of doing so.”
Morais is without a club after leaving South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors this month.
He managed Barnsley in 2018 before leaving when they were relegated from the Championship.

Chris Waddle shows off funky new hair style during FA Cup coverage of Sheffield Wednesday v Man City More

WATFORD star Etienne Capoue has reportedly agreed a deal to join Spanish side Villarreal.
RMC Sport reports the LaLiga side have brokered a deal with the Hornets for the transfer of the 32-year-old defensive midfielder.

Etienne Capoue could be set to leave Watford for LaLigaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And the report states that he is expected to arrive in Spain on Sunday evening with a two-and-a-half year deal in the offing- a day after he starred in Watford’s Boxing Day fixture at Vicarage Road.
Capoue played 85 minutes as Watford beat league leaders Norwich 1-0 and the victory could be his 11th and last appearance this season.
Former Spurs star Capoue would link up with ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery at Villarreal.
His side are looking for a midfield replacement after Vicente Iborra’s injury.

Iborra ruptured his ACL against Real Betis on December 13 and will miss the rest of this season.
Capoue has previously had interest from Spain, with Valencia said to be interested, but a move did not transpire.
He joined Watford in 2015 from Tottenham for £8million after arriving in the Premier League from Toulouse for £10m.
He was won seven caps and scored one goal for reigning World Cup winners France.

Villarreal sit fourth in LaLiga – six points behind leaders Atletico Madrid who also have two games in hand.
Barcelona are in fifth, two points back, but Lionel Messi and Co also have played one game less than Emery’s side.
Villarreal are next in action when they travel to Sevilla on December 29 after Spain’s Christmas break.

Troy Deeney says he and Watford will walk off the pitch if booed by Millwall fans More

CARDIFF midfielder Will Vaulks scored an outrageous goal from a ludicrous distance against Brentford.
With four minutes added on in first-half stoppage time of the Championship clash, many thought the whistle may blow when the ball broke from from a Bees attack.

Will Vaulks hit a first-time effort from 60 yards out in Saturday’s matchCredit: Sky Sports

Brentford’s David Raya was powerless to stop the stunning shotCredit: Sky Sports

However, Vaulks, who was yet to score this season, had other ideas.
The 27-year-old flicked the ball around an opponent and played a speedy one-two with Robert Glatzel.
From around 60 yards out, Vaulks launched a stunning effort into the stratosphere – that looped into the Brentford goal.
Bees goalkeeper David Raya was well outside his box when the shot was taken and was utterly helpless as it took one bounce into the top corner.

Sky Sports pundit Ally McCoist could not hide his delight at the audacious effort as he recounted it to viewers.
He told Soccer Saturday: “I was gonna destroy the first half – it was worth the wait.
“A wee give and go with the big centre forward… and have some of this!”
If the finish was spectacular, so was the celebration as Vaulks pulled off a neat cartwheel-and-somersault.

Vaulks teamed up his spectacular goal with an acrobatic celebrationCredit: Alamy Live News

Cardiff’s players revelled in the midfielder’s first strike of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was the first shot on target of Saturday’s meeting between the promotion-chasing sides, but far from the last.
Determined not to be outdone, Sergi Canos brought the visitors level after 50 minutes in the Welsh capital.
The Spaniard took charge of a looping clearance from 30 yards out and sent in his own magnificent lob that beat the goalkeeper.
McCoist was again left stunned by the quality of goal on display, and said: “Wait until you see this, what a goal from Sergi Canos. It’s unbelievable.”

Sergi Canos scored the first of his two goals from distance

A stunning lob made it 1-1 in the Championship match-up

Canos continued his work with a fine finish to put Brentford ahead before beating Alex Smithies again to bag a hat-trick.
Still not content with his own day’s efforts, Vaulks bagged once more – albeit from close-range.
But Brentford claimed the 3-2 win to round off a fantastic week for the West London club.

Man Utd given derby clash with Guardiola’s City in Carabao Cup semis as Tottenham face Brentford More