Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Every Premier League team to receive major cash windfall thanks to little-known rule after Southampton beat West Brom

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE football clubs are set to receive a cash windfall of £103milllion thanks to the Championship promotion battle.Leicester and Ipswich confirmed their spots in the top flight next season after finishing first and second in the table.Southampton’s win over West Brom will see the Premier League save £103mCredit: GettyPreviously relegated Leicester already secured their spot back in the top flight last seasonCredit: PALeeds or Southampton will be the third team to join them after securing their spots in the second tier’s play-off final following wins over Norwich and West Brom respectively.With the Foxes, Whites and Saints all being relegated from the Prem last season, it means England’s top flight will no longer need to hand parachute payments down to two of them.Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained the Prem will save £103m by not having to pay two of the clubs.He said: “Leicester & one of Leeds/Southampton will be promoted to the Premier League. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”This will save Premier League £103m in parachute payments to two of those clubs.”Maguire explained the Prem won’t have to pay £35m to two of the teams for their second season after relegation and will also avoid needing to pay £16.5m to each of them in their third season after relegation.What are parachute payments?TEAMS take a hit in every area when they plunge out of the Premier League and into the Championship.
      Relegated clubs will receive less money from broadcasting rights, matchday income and commercial revenue.
      The Premier League offers each relegated team a parachute payment to ensure that they can cope in the lower leagues.
      Clubs receive these payments – first introduced in 2006 – when they are relegated from the Premier League.
      It aims to ensure that the club can manage with the reduced income from not playing in the top flight.
      For example, the funds will make up for the loss in television revenue and matchday revenue.
      Teams receive to 55 per cent of the broadcast revenues in the first year after relegation.
      It then goes down to 40 per cent in year two and to 20 per cent in year three.
      To read more about how parachute payments work click here.

      The 20 clubs, including returning Leicester and the team who wins the play-off final, will split the £103m between them – meaning a windfall of just over £5m each.However, Maguire was critical of the rules and accused the Premier League of self regulating in with their own interest.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “That £103m will be split between Premier League clubs after a vote by Premier League clubs. Self regulation = self interest.”EFL chief Rick Parry described the widening gap between those with access to parachute payments compared to those without as a “major concern”.Southampton fans clash with West Brom supporters and stewards with ‘missiles’ thrown after pitch invasionParry wrote to MPs in 2023 to address his concerns, saying: “The impact of these payments on the competitive balance of the Championship, and on the sustainability of all other clubs, is a major concern for the EFL.”The issue of parachute payments remains one of the main reasons why so many football clubs are financially unsustainable and why the Premier League and EFL have not yet agreed the football-led solution that both the Fan Led Review and White Paper have called for.”In response to Maguire’s post, one social media user said: “Why isn’t this £103m fed into the rest of the pyramid as a windfall, where it would be a good purpose?”A second proposed: “Should be put in to Grass Roots or distributed into the lower leagues.”VAR: The great debate
      Martin Lipton’s pro VAR view
      FAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.
      After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.
      A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.
      And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.
      Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.
      But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”
      Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.
      Dan King’s anti VAR view
      THREE cheers and a hearty slap on the back for Wolves chairman Jeff Shi.
      For mentioning the unmentionable,  for speaking commonsense to deaf ears, for proposing that VAR should be scrapped.
      Shi is doomed to failure. His suggestion is unlikely to even go to a vote at next month’s Premier League AGM.
      And if it does get that far, it has a cat in hell’s chance of receiving the two-thirds majority required to carry such a radical proposal.But in one statement on Wednesday, Shi proved that he will be the brightest man in that meeting room.
      He claimed VAR ‘has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand’.
      And he is absolutely spot on.
      The argument against VAR is wide-ranging and yet completely basic.
      If you believe that football is a sport, to be enjoyed in all its spontaneous, high-tempo glory, then you are against VAR.
      If you believe that football is a business, that it is far more important than a mere game, that forensic evidence must be applied, that we must reach the closest point to ultimate justice at all costs — and if you also believe that match-going supporters are irrelevant — then you are in favour of VAR.

      A third user said: “It’s almost like it’s in the PLs interest for clubs to bounce straight back…”Leeds and Southampton will compete in the Wembley final on Sunday 26 May.Last night’s clash between Southampton and West Brom saw a major security breach as home fans clashed with away supporters and players following the 3-1 win.Footage filmed from the away end showed West Brom players trying to applaud their supporters get stranded in a tide of home fans invading the pitch.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd exclusive SunSport footage revealed a flare being thrown into the away end as stewards fought to separate the two sets of supporters.Police and security staff managed to restore order a couple of minutes before the pitch was cleared.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Southampton fans celebrate Wembley trip with puppets and a FALSE LEG as club come up with perfect caption

      by

      SOUTHAMPTON fans celebrated making the play-off final in hilariously unusual fashion.The Saints will play Leeds at Wembley on May 26 for a spot in next season’s Premier League.Fans were left baffled by one fan whipping out a puppet in celebrationOthers laughed as a supporter held a prosthetic limb aloftSouthampton will face Leeds in the play-off final at WembleyCredit: GettySouthampton were held to a goalless draw with West Brom in the first leg – but ran riot in the reverse fixture at St Mary’s as they won 3-1.Will Smallbone opened the scoring for Russell Martin’s side before Adam Armstrong found the back of the net twice.As the first goal went in, Sky Sports cameras panned to the stands erupting in celebration.And two fans were spotted enjoying the goal in brilliantly bizarre ways.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe first was seen using a puppet dressed in a red and white scarf.Before the second got so excited he held a prosthetic leg above his head and did a jig with it.Southampton posted the wild celebrations to their social media pages – with the upload cleverly captioned: “Limbs.”Fans loved it as one joked: “Well it was the second leg.”Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Legs in the air like you just don’t care.”A third laughed: “There is so much going on.”Fans invade pitch and missiles thrown after Southampton reach play-off finalAnd more commented: “Scenes.”Prime Minister and Southampton fan Rishi Sunak was at the stadium last night cheering on his team.But he was, of course, not one of the supporters who celebrated with a pitch invasion at full-time while goading the West Brom end. More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Southampton 3-1 West Brom LIVE RESULT: Pitch invasion mars big Championship play-off win – updates

      by

      SOUTHAMPTON have beaten West Brom 3-1 to charge into the Championship playoff final.Leeds United now await at Wembley on May 26 with the Premier League in sight.Though there were some scary scenes at the final whistle after Saints fans clashed with the visiting supporters.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat’s all from St Mary’s
      A night of jubilation on the south coast.
      But even the most optimistic of Southampton fans will know that the job is only half done.
      The Saints will head to Wembley in nine days to take on Leeds United for a place back in the top-flight – 12 months on from when both clubs dropped out of it.
      Only one can take the glory, and we’ll be there to follow every dramatic moment.
      Until then, thanks for joining us and goodnight.

      Copy linkCopiedRussell ready for Farke reunion
      Russell Martin is one game away from being a Premier League manager – and standing in his way is the man who almost called time on his playing days.
      Martin was an experienced right-back at Norwich when Daniel Farke – now at Leeds – arrived as the new Carrow Road boss in May 2017.
      And although the pair initially had a promising working relationship, it soon became clear that the German coach wanted to go in a different direction.
      Fans favourite Martin was shipped out to Rangers on loan, and then left for Walsall and MK Dons before announcing his retirement.
      And now the two will come face-to-face again – at Wembley on May 26 – when they meet in the game with the biggest prize of the lot.
      I didn’t envisage it happening five or six years ago when we worked together but it is what it is. I have a lot of respect for [Daniel Farke]. He has a great record in this division and it will be a tough game but it’s not about me or him, It’s about the two teams that step out on to the pitch.Russell MartinSky Sports

      Copy linkCopiedFan clashes at full time
      Southampton’s Championship play-off semi-final win over West Brom was marred by incidents that took place after the final whistle.
      Thousands of home supporters poured on to the pitch to celebrate victory, but a small minority headed in the direction of the stadium section housing the away fans.
      A number of ugly clashes took place with bottles and flares being thrown between the two sets of supporters, prompting a number of physical confrontations.
      Police and security staff managed to restore order soon after before the pitch was eventually cleared.
      Copy linkCopiedArmstrong: We have been brave
      Southampton’s two-goal hero Adam Armstrong praised his teammates for tonight’s performance, and then reiterated that they deserve their place at Wembley because of the football they have played this season.
      Southampton have been praised – and criticised – for the passing and possession approach they have adopted Russell Martin, who has encouraged his team to play out from tight positions.
      “Something we’ve been working on all year is to get back to the Premier League,” Armstrong told Sky Sports.
      “What a win. We know West Brom are a good side over the two legs. We needed to put a marker down for the final and we’ve done that.”
      I’m proud of everyone. The way we play is not easy. You’ve seen the way we keep the ball, it’s brave. Exciting at times. It paid off today.Adam ArmstrongSky Sports

      Copy linkCopiedMatch Stats from St Mary’s
      Southampton took their time, but eventually struck to sink West Brom – scoring with all three of the shots on target in the second half.

      Copy linkCopiedFull time – Southampton 3-1 West Brom (Agg: 3-1)
      Southampton are in the Championship play-off final!
      Russell Martin’s team found the attacking impetus to add to their first half domination of the ball, and were eventually too good for an Albion outfit that battled to the end.
      Will Smallbone’s classy finish, and a brace from Adam Armstrong – one from the penalty spot – ensures it is Saints that will face Leeds for a place in the Premier League.

      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-1 West Brom (Agg: 3-1)
      90+7. Is this the least celebrated goal in the history of football? It has to be up there, surely.
      Cedric Kipre gets up to meet Mikey Johnston’s right-wing corner with a thumping header that loops in via the inside of the post.
      There’s barely a murmur as the ball nestles in the net save for some ironic cheers, and neither is there a reaction from the West Brom players as they jog back into position.
      It’s unlikely there will be time for them to touch the ball again.
      Copy linkCopiedConsolation

      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
      90+4. The songs are being belted out with incredible gusto inside St Mary’s. For football fans, moments don’t come much better than these final moments when you know you’ve got the job done.
      Que sera, sera…
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
      90+2. Albion are throwing men forward but, in truth, their belief has long done.
      On professional vibes only, they force a corner, and then Andreas Weimann gets on the end of a cross to head straight at McCarthy.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
      90. The board goes up to signal seven minutes of stoppage time.
      The home fans don’t like it, but that’s only because it delays the party for a little longer.
      Patience, boys and girls. Patience.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
      88. St Mary’s is rocking. I dare say the fans are preparing for the now obligatory play-off pitch invasion.
      Odds on Sunak and Le Tissier being first on?
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
      86. Adam Armstrong’s penalty was never in doubt!
      Standing over the ball, the Saints striker looks confident, composed and cool as ice.
      Right-footed, he pushes it into the right corner, and, although Alex Palmer dives the correct way, he is helpless to stop the spotkick.
      Armstrong is desperate to prove he’s a Premier League player. He’s 90 minutes away from doing just that.

      Copy linkCopiedIt’s three!

      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
      84. On the break, Manning bursts into the box to collect Stephen’s short pass and goes down under the challenge of two diving defenders.
      Again, Tim Robinson takes a lengthy stare…
      …and this time says penalty!
      It’s harsh on Albion, and nothing when compared to the previous shout that was turned away, but Southampton do not care.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
      81. West Brom almost pull one back in spectacular fashion.
      Mowatt’s raking pass over the top is watched all the way by Reach, whose delicate volley drops just wide of the far post.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
      78. Southampton are heading to Wembley – and their main man is leading the charge!
      Adam Armstrong has his goal in front of the home fans, and doesn’t he deserve it?!
      Flynn Downes breaks from midfield and feeds his striker on the left, at which points the Albion defence must feel they have the situation covered.
      But Armstrong puts his head down to come inside, switches back on to his left foot, then powers a shot through the legs of Darnell Furlong and into the bottom corner past Alex Palmer.
      The Saints go marching in…

      Copy linkCopiedSaints seal it!

      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
      75. FIfteen minutes remain.
      Southampton are 15 minutes from Wembley.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – Southampton substitute
      74. The home dugout returns in kind with a switch that sees Samuel Edozie on in place of David Brooks.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – West Brom substitution
      73. Adam Reach is on for the Albion. He can be good value for a spectacular goal out of nowhere.
      Conor Townsend makes way.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
      72. More substitutes are being prepared by the side of the pitch.
      But for now, it’s the players currently on the pitch trying to propel this semi-final in their favour.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
      70. There are a few signs that Albion are beginning to make their move.
      The visitors have started to trouble their opponents in the past few minutes, particularly from set plays.
      Swift swings a free-kick into the area from the right, and Kipre creeps in around the back to meet it with a shot into the side netting.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
      68. Adam Armstrong has the ball in the back of the net…
      …but the flag is up for offside.
      There’s no VAR in the Championship, remember, so this proper football match can continue without delay, confusion and frustration.
      Copy linkCopiedSouthampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – Southampton substitution
      66. Southampton have the fourth official reaching for his electronic board again, but just to make one change.
      Ryan Manning is on to replace he man who replaced him in the starting line-up: Ryan Fraser.
      Copy linkCopied More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Southampton 3 West Brom 1 (agg 3-1): Saints march into Championship play-off final & gear up for Leeds clash at Wembley

      by

      ADAM ARMSTRONG sealed Southampton’s place in next Sunday’s *£200MILLION* final at Wembley with a finish of Premier League qualityThe striker netted twice, once from the spot, to take his tally to 23 for the season and add to local lad Will Smallbone’s 49th-minute opener.Will Smallbone netted the go-ahead goalCredit: PAAdam Armstrong bagged a brace to make sure of the resultCredit: PA”One GIANT step towards the Premier League” 🤩Adam Armstrong with a brilliant finish to double the Saints lead! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rTeL3zsAHG— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2024

      Only Leeds ­– who swept past Norwich on Thursday night – stand between Saints and an immediate return to the top flight.And having beaten Daniel Farke’s men just two weeks ago at Elland Road to complete a league double will give them a huge psychological boostSouthampton came out all guns blazing in front of an electric St Mary’s atmosphere.The Saints went after the Baggies with a high press and Flynn Downes was causing problems early on without creating anything.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut they should have opened the scoring when Adam Armstrong got down the right and crossed for David Brooks, whose shot hit the outside of the post.However, had he left it, Smallbone was perfectly placed to score.Southampton had been completely dominating their visitors but needed keeper Alex McCarthy to be alert to push a looping Tom Fellows cross-cum-shot over the bar.Ryan Fraser almost got on the end of a wonderful pass over the top of the Baggies defence by Taylor Harwood-Bellis but Fellow just managed to nip in as the bounce beat the Saints ace.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBrooks got the first shot on target after half an hour when he left fly from the edge of the box but Alex Palmer got down well to save.There was a moment of concern when Downes went down injured and needed treatmentLaura Woods pulls out Fury vs Usyk coverage as TNT Sports host forced into emergency surgery after lampshade accidentThankfully for the Saints he was OK to carry on.Alex Mowatt got caught in possession in the Baggies half by Adam Armstrong.He advanced with a few touches but saw his effort from the edge of the box blocked.Jed Wallace was booed whenever he picked up possession because of his Portsmouth days between 2012 and 2015.West Brom were giving Southampton much space to play and would have gone in at half time the happier.After the break, Kyle Walker-Peters dragged a shot wide.But the Saints moved in front.Grady Diangana gave the ball away in the middle and Brooks raced down the right.He sent a lovely ball through to Smallbone who took a few touches before hammering his shot past Palmer.There was controversy when ref Tim Robinson waved away Saints penalty protests when Cedric Kipre went sliding in from behind on Brooks to send him tumblingTV replays showed the Baggies ace did make some contact with the ball although mostly with Brooks.Southampton were indebted to a superb fingertip reflex save from Alex McCarthy to deny Darnell Furlong’s blast that had goal written all over it.Adam Armstrong thought he had scored when he raced through after nice work from Smallbone to slot home.Yet he was just caught offside.Ryan Manning curled a free-kick over from a good position on the edge of the box.But Saints sealed their path into the final with 13 minutes left when Downes played through Adam Armstrong and he squeezed his shot through Furlong’s legs and into the bottom right corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd then Manning got bundled over by Fellows and Armstrong fired home the resulting penalty to get the party started.Kipre did add a consolation for the Baggies at the end as he fired past McCarthy, but it was too little too late for the visitors. More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Rishi Sunak stands out from crowd in replica shirt and hoodie as PM watches beloved Southampton in play-off clash

      by

      RISHI SUNAK stood out from the crowd in a hoodie as he watched Southampton in the play-offs.The Saints superfan took the evening off running the country to visit St Mary’s for the season-defining match.Rishi Sunak cheered on Southampton against West BromCredit: RexThe Prime Minister is a boyhood fan of the clubCredit: ReutersThere were plenty of celebrations as Southampton romped to victoryCredit: ReutersBut manager Russell Martin hasn’t given the PM the warmest of welcomesCredit: GettyThe South Coast outfit headed into the match against West Brom with aspirations of reaching the play-off final.Russell Martin’s side, however, had some extra support from the stands as the PM popped in from Downing Street to watch on.Sunak was pictured in the stands wearing a black club hoodie with “Saints 85” written on it.Eagle-eyed viewers were also able to make out that he was wearing the club’s shirt, from last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile most of the supporters in the stadium were decked out in red and white, Sunak looked slightly out of place in his particular section as all those surrounding him were wearing suits.Despite being a true blue conservative in politics, the PM has supported the red and white of Southampton since he was a boy.Sunak was born there in 1980 and hails Matt Le Tissier as his favourite club legend.He has previously admitted that he would be a “very happy man” if he had the opportunity to run the club.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSouthampton went into the game needing a result as the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns.The Saints finished fourth in the Championship in their first season back since relegation from the Premier League.The club accumulated 87 points but missed out on the automatic promotion spots to Ipswich Town and league champions Leicester City.Britain has to buckle up for “one of the most dangerous periods we have ever known”, the PM insistsBut it was not to be in vain as the Saints marched onto the final as they thumped West Brom 3-1 on the night.Sunak would have been delighted watching on from the crowd.However, despite his love of the club, the PM has not been too warmly welcomed by the manager.When he watched the team beat Plymouth 2-1 in December, Russell Martin said: “He might have come down [to see the players], but I have no interest in saying hello. “How’s that for honesty?“I hope he enjoyed himself just like anyone who comes here. I hope they enjoy themselves. “I have no interest [in chatting] because I’m a football manager. I’m not sure we’re aligned on too much politically but I know he’s a fan and I hope he enjoyed watching the team. “I’m sure some people would be excited about him being here but we had a job to do and we were here to win a football match and we did.”READ MORE SUN STORIESLast night, Leeds sealed their spot in the play off final with a stomping 4-0 victory over Norwich City.As a result, Canaries manager David Wagner was sacked by the club.Previous PM football alliengencesHere’s a look at what football teams previous UK leaders have supported. More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Sunderland announce release list with 14 players leaving including Love Island legend’s husband and ex-Man Utd starlet

      by

      CHAMPIONSHIP club Sunderland have revealed that Corry Evans and Bradley Dack will both leave next month when their contracts expire.The two stars were part of 14 players that were left off the Black Cats’ retained list.Sunderland have announced former captain Corry Evans is leaving the clubCredit: AlamyBradley Dack only signed last summer but injury restricted him to just 16 appearancesCredit: GettyDack is married to Love Island legend Olivia AttwoodCredit: InstagramEvans captained Sunderland to League One play-off glory in 2022Credit: GettyEvans, 33, and Dack, 30, both endured injury problems this season as the North East side failed to reach the play-offs.Versatile Northern Ireland international Evans, who has featured in both defence and midfield, started his career at Manchester United.After loan spells at Carlisle and Hull City, he joined the Tigers permanently in 2011. He spent two years there before Blackburn swooped to sign him and he enjoyed eight years at Ewood Park.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLEvans signed for Sunderland on a free transfer in 2021 and he captained the club as they won promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs.But the star suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2023 and only returned to training with the club in March.He managed to make three appearances in the closing stages of what turned out to be a miserable end to season for Sunderland.Meanwhile, Dack only arrived at the Stadium of Light on a free from Blackburn Rovers last summer.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut he has suffered a number of injury issues that have restricted him to just one goal in 16 appearances.The attacker was a fans’ favourite at Ewood Park, playing 173 times for Rovers over six years.Most dramatic Premier League’s final daysThe ex-Gillingham ace also hit the headlines when it emerged that he was dating former Love Island star Olivia Attwood.They had actually been introduced by mutual friends at a swanky London nightclub before she entered the villa, with the pair getting engaged in 2019.Dack finally tied the knot with Olivia following a series of Covid-related delays in a stunning ceremony last year after his switch to Sunderland.Sunderland have also released Jack Diamond, 24, with the club opting not to trigger a one-year extension following a loan spell at Carlisle United.Fellow academy graduate Ellis Taylor, 21, is also departing.Loanees Mason Burstow and Callum Styles have returned to their parent clubs, Chelsea and Barnsley.England’s new Euros WagsENGLAND football stars will be hoping their other halves will bring them good luck in Germany this summer and SunSport runs down the new faces to expect to see.
      Erica Correa: We exclusively revealed Man Utd star Marcus Rashford has been growing close to the Colombia-born model.
      Laura Celia Valk: The Dutch stunner is rumoured to be dating Jude Bellginham and staying in his Madrid mansion.
      Ellie Alderson: The interior designer is with Ollie Watkins, who will be hoping for a place on the plane after missing the last Euros and World Cup.
      Dani Dyer: The actor and reality TV star is going out with Jarrod Bowen, who is in fine form and in line for a Euros call up.
      Annie Keating: Girlfriend to Anthony Gordon, who is vying for a place in England’s competitive frontline.
      Iris Law: The model and daughter to actor Jude sparked romance rumours with Trent Alexander-Arnold after they were spotted together.

      And Ben Creamer, Callum Wilson, Connor Pye, Daniel Obolo, Harry Gardiner, Jayden Sekete, Joe Ryder, Kailem Beattie, Michael Spellman and Thomas Chiabi will depart the academy.Having led the club to the Championship play-offs the previous season, Tony Mowbray was surprisingly sacked in December with the club ninth in the table.He was replaced by Michael Beale – but after six defeats in his opening 12 games, including a 3-0 home FA Cup loss to rivals Newcastle United, he was also axed in February.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat led to popular coach Mike Dodds being placed in interim charge for the remainder of the campaign, where Sunderland ended up finishing a disappointing 16th.Will Still and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl are two of the names being linked with becoming a permanent successor.Who are these famous footballers? More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League boss David Wagner SACKED by Norwich just hours after play-off humiliation as club turn to Arteta No2

      by

      DAVID WAGNER is set to be sacked by Norwich TODAY.The German manager looks certain to leave Carrow Road after last night’s 4-0 thrashing by Leeds at Elland Road.David Wagner is set to be sacked by NorwichCredit: PAAnd it puts an end to a troubled spell at Norwich for Wagner who arrived in January 2023 but failed to win over the supporters who felt his style of play was negative.Even if Wagner had led Norwich back into the Premier League, he would still probably have been given the boot by new sporting director Ben Knapper, who joined from Arsenal earlier in the season.Norwich, who finished 13th under Wagner last season, had scraped into the play-offs with a sixth place but lost 15 games.And in the first leg semi-final against Leeds, Norwich seemed happy for a 0-0 draw before a thrashing in the second leg.Read More on FootballKnapper is now likely to look for a more progressive coach with Arsenal’s assistant boss Carlos Cuesta having been looked at.Yet former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been considered by he has already made it clear he would not be interested in an approach.On the playing side, Norwich are also set for an overhaul with star players Jonny Rowe and Gabriel Sara likely to attract interest. Norwich turned down £15million from Wolves in August of last year.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGoalkeeper Angus Gunn has also attracted interest from Rangers.The shotstopper has a market value of around £3million.Leeds Utd & England U-21 star’s £60k Land Rover smashes into cop car outside stadium just hours before Norwich playoff More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Leeds 4 Norwich 0 (agg 4-0): Whites run riot as they embarrass hopeless Canaries to book ticket to Wembley

      by

      LEEDS will go Marching on Together at Wembley after this romp at Elland Road.Daniel Farke’s men finally pulled out an A game when it mattered by blowing away an utterly abysmal Norwich to book a place in next Sunday’s £200million final.Ethan Ampadu tops celebrations as Leeds reached the play-off finalCredit: PAGeorginio fired the third goal that killed Norwich offCredit: RexInfluential Crysencio Summerville rounded off Leeds’ rompCredit: GettyHaving only won once in their previous seven games, it was expected to be a nervy night under the lights in West Yorkshire — given the club are bidding to finally win a promotion via the play-offs at the sixth attempt.They still must overcome the winner of Friday night’s game at St Mary’s between Southampton and West Brom.But this was all but won after a first-half rampage which saw Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter put them into a 3-0 lead.Crysencio Summerville added a fourth after the break and had it not been for some great goalkeeping from Angus Gunn this could have been a battering.This was the biggest win in a second-tier semi-final since Barnsley won 4-0 at Birmingham in 2000.It prompted chants from the Elland Road faithful of “Leeds are falling apart again” in response to all the rival fans mocking them in recent weeks before breaking into “We’re going to Wembley.”Norwich had history against them as only 15 of the previous 18 sixth-placed sides progressed in the play-off semi-final.And, although they almost pulled one back at 2-0 down when Josh Sargent was denied one-on-one by keeper Illan Meslier, they barely laid a glove on Leeds.Leeds were 3-0 up at the break on the way to a semi-final cruiseCredit: RexBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEverything Norwich were not on their home turf at Carrow Road, the West Yorkshire side were on theirs at Elland Road.They went after the opposition throughout and completely outplayed their opponents.Summerville makes the fourth goal look easyCredit: ReutersEFL fans demand ‘automatic relegation’ after goalkeeper and defender combine for ‘Sunday league’ own-goalLeeds came out flying and Summerville played a superb one-two with Georginio Rutter just inside the box — but fired an angled effort over the bar.Norwich’s game plan was to frustrate their hosts and get the partisan Elland Road crowd restless.But that was ripped up when Leeds moved into an eighth-minute lead. Winning a free-kick 35 yards out, Ilia Griev curled a low free-kick which bounced and beat the unsighted Gunn.It was the fastest goal Leeds had ever scored in a play-off and their first direct free-kick goal since Raphinha v Leicester in November 2021.And Piroe doubled their lead 12 minutes later.The Dutch striker was in the right place at the right time to meet a Wilfried Gnonto right-wing cross to plant his header past Gunn.Yet Sargent should have pulled one back.Ashley Barnes played a peach of a pass from inside his own half to send the Norwich striker through on goal after beating the sliding tackle attempt of Ethan Ampadu.But keeper Illan Meslier flung out his arm to block the chipped shot.Ilia Gruev slotted the opener for the rampant home sideCredit: PAJoe Rodon flicked a header just inches wide from a Gnonto corner.And it was game over when Leeds added a third.Piroe motored down the left and his centre to Summerville was stabbed across for Rutter to fire home off the crossbar.Leeds were now routing their opponents and Gnonto was sent one on one but his effort was blocked by Gunn.Then Piroe was played in 30 seconds after the restart but Gunn brilliantly saved.Summerville saw a header go over and then another angled effort blocked by the Canaries keeper.Piroe got slipped in by Summerville but Gunn came to Norwich’s rescue.But despite keeping out a stinging Gnonto effort, he could do little as Junior Firpo pulled the rebound back to Summerville to slam home. More