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    Anthony Taylor handed huge Premier League clash just hours after ‘stinking’ decision having been DEMOTED to Championship

    ANTHONY TAYLOR is set to return to the Premier League next weekend despite making a blunder in the Championship.Taylor will take charge of the game between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday.
    Anthony Taylor is set to return to the Premier League after being demoted to the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
    Taylor will take charge of the Chelsea vs Man City gameCredit: Getty
    His Premier League return comes despite making a “stinking” decision during the Championship match between Preston and Coventry on Saturday.
    Taylor awarded a first-half penalty to Preston when Milutin Osmajic raced through on goal before he was seemingly brought down by Coventry defender Kyle McFadzean.
    However, there was only minimal contact between the pair with Osmajic not appearing to be affected when striking the ball.
    But Taylor awarded a penalty anyway, which lead to fans calling for him to be demoted to League One.
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    Instead though, Taylor will return to England’s top tier to officiate the major clash between Chelsea and Man City on Monday.
    Taylor being demoted to the Championship in the first place came after a howler in the game between Newcastle and Wolves.
    The ref awarded a penalty to Newcastle in the 2-2 draw at Molineux last month, with the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel deeming the decision to be incorrect upon review.
    Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be Taylor’s assistants for the game with Craig Pawson the fourth official.
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    VAR will be headed by Jarred Gillett with Darren Cann on VAR assistant duty.
    Taylor does not have the best relationship with Chelsea fans due to some historical decisions against them, with fans even starting a petition to ban him from their games last season.
    However, earlier this season he failed to award a penalty against the Blues for an alleged handball in the match against Liverpool. More

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    Fierce rivals Sunderland and Middlesbrough to lock horns in transfer race for Championship wonderkid

    SUNDERLAND and Middlesbrough are in a North East tug-of-war for rising star Nathaniel Adjei.The battle for the talented 21-year-old is not solely limited to these two bitter rivals, however, with fellow Championship promotion rivals Preston North End also keen on the Ghanaian defender.
    Nathaniel Adjei currently plays for Hammarby in SwedenCredit: Getty
    Hammarby have only lost three league games with Adjei in the line-up this seasonCredit: Getty
    All three want the blossoming centre back on loan in January to help give their chances of reaching the Premier League an extra push.
    Adjei is currently with Swedish top-flight side Hammarby but has alerted scouts in England after already being tracked by Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.
    Rangers sent scouts to watch him play last month.
    But his options could come from far wider than just the UK, with teams in Belgium and Italy also interested, according to Sky Sports.
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    Adjei is enjoying a fine breakthrough season, having helped Hammarby reach sixth in the table after 29 games.
    A regular starter, he has played in all but nine league games to date, as well as in both of their UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
    In May, Adjei also netted his first goal as a pro.
    When in the lineup, Hammarby have only lost three league games, compared to five without.
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    Their season is set to come to a close following their game against Halmstad on November 12.
    Unfortunately for Hammarby, with fifth the highest possible finishing position in the league, a European berth is no longer on the table.
    The towering 6-foot-2 defender was signed by Hammarby TFF in the Swedish third division on loan in August 2022.
    Come June, he was signed permanently by their main team by manager Marti Cifuentes – who now calls Loftus Road home.
    Adjei’s current contract runs through July 2026.
    In June, he also made his debut for Ghana at the Africa U-23 Cup Of Nations. More

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    Millwall announce England boss and Frank Lampard’s former coach as their new manager to replace Gary Rowett

    MILLWALL have named England Under-20s boss and ex-Chelsea coach Joe Edwards as manager following Gary Rowett’s exit last month.Edwards worked under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, having first coached there aged just 19.
    Joe Edwards has been announced as Millwall chief as the Londoners sit 18th in the Championship after pushing for promotion last termCredit: MILLWALL FC
    Former Southampton and Luton chief Nathan Jones was heavily linked with the job at the Championship strugglers.
    But the Lions have opted for 37-year-old Edwards – rated one of England’s top young coaches.
    Andy Myers – Chelsea’s loan player technical coach – arrives at The Den as his assistant boss.
    Ex-Stamford Bridge youth player Edwards told Millwall’s website: “It’s a really proud day for me and my family.
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    “Although I have been coaching for a long time, a lot of people will be aware that this is my first job managing as Head Coach.
    “Throughout the years, at various levels, you think you would like to have the opportunity to make the step up.
    “To do it at a club like this, to be Head Coach of Millwall Football Club – I don’t take that lightly at all. I’m really excited.”
    Lions’ chairman James Berylson hailed Edwards as a fresh thinker.
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    Berylson told Millwallfc.co.uk: “With Joe, I’m excited.
    “He is somebody who I think is very innovative and has some positive ideas about the progression we can make as a club.
    “It was a thorough process, with no stone left unturned, and Joe was engaging, attentive, and impressive throughout, and I felt that we could have a productive working relationship together.
    “We welcome both Joe and Andy to The Den with open arms and look forward to seeing the impact they can make on and off the pitch throughout what we hope to be a long relationship with Millwall.”
    The Lions confirmed assistant head coach Adam Barrett, who has been caretaker boss for the past four matches, and Andy Marshall will “remain part of the club’s backroom staff”.
    Edwards joined Chelsea’s coaching team as a teenager, helping them to FA Youth Cup triumphs.
    Stamford Bridge and England legend Lampard then promoted him to the first-team set-up.
    Tuchel – Lamps’ successor as Chelsea chief- kept him on from January 2021.
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    And 12 months later Edwards switched to Everton to again assist Lampard, before taking over England Under-20s.
    Millwall are 18th in the second tier after just missing the play-offs last season. More

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    Anthony Taylor makes another ‘stinking’ decision after Premier League howler as fans say ‘demote him to LEAGUE ONE’

    FANS have slammed referee Anthony Taylor after he put in another controversial performance in charge of Preston’s win over Coventry.Taylor was demoted to the Championship at the weekend as punishment for awarding Newcastle a questionable penalty in their 2-2 draw at Wolves a week earlier.

    Anthony Taylor came under fire for awarding Preston a controversial penaltyCredit: Getty
    The decision was not overturned by VAR but the PGMOL still decided to demote Taylor for the first time in four years.
    However, he fared no better in the Championship as his decision to award Preston a first-half penalty sparked outrage from fans.
    Milutin Osmajic raced through on goal and Coventry defender Kyle McFadzean tried to haul him down just before he shot.
    But there was minimal contact and Osmajic did not appear to be affected as he struck the ball, though he did appeal for a penalty.
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    Taylor awarded the spot-kick, leading one fan to suggest he should be demoted again to League One.
    One fan reacted saying: “Mental, not the only thing that was shocking yesterday.”
    Another added: “Jesus Christ that’s bad 🤣”
    A third wrote: “Poor decision. Also if that’s his decision, as the player wasn’t making a genuine attempt to play the ball, shouldn’t it be a red card?”
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    And another commented: “Probably even worse decision than Hwang’s, how is it possible to make another howler like that in the very next game?
    “I wouldn’t allow him back in the Prem again.”
    Taylor is not the first Premier League official to be demoted this season.
    Assistant referee Adrian Holmes officiated Millwall’s clash with Hull last month after incorrectly deeming Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham to be offside – a decision that was controversially not overturned by VAR in a shocking error. More

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    Daniel Farke will take Leeds to the Premier League and become a legend on par with Marcelo Bielsa

    DANIEL FARKE will become a Leeds legend on a par with Marcelo Bielsa.I know that is a bold statement after just 15 games. 
    Daniel Farke has got the midas touch and will become a Leeds legend
    Marcelo Bielsa wrote a glorious chapter in Leeds history by winning promotion
    Yet everything I’ve seen and know about the German has convinced me he’ll not only take the club back into the Premier League but, if given time and support, will keep them there.
    It remains to be seen whether he’ll achieve that this season because Ipswich have thrown a huge spanner into the works with their incredible start after promotion from League One.
    But Leicester and Leeds are the two best teams I’ve seen so far by some considerable distance.
    Can Ipswich keep up their form? So far, they have overcome every hurdle in a start that has only seen them lose oncer. My concern is the depth of quality in their squad.
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    Farke had to deal with so much chaos when walking into Elland Road. The club had been relegated, the transfer window was open and players were queueing up to jump ship.
    And he was only able to field a rump of the squad he had available because some of the precious little lambs, responsible for the team’s demise, didn’t want to slum it in the Championship.
    It wasn’t until the end of the transfer window that Leeds started to recruit properly and once it closed they have a squad that is definitely a promotion-winning one in quality.
    He even managed to get Wilfried Gnonto back on side after the Italian handed in a transfer request — later apologising.
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    But Leicester got their act together much quicker and better than their fellow relegated teams Leeds and Southampton. 
    That first month of the season may end up biting the club come May — but if it does that cannot be attributed to the German.
    In fact, he did superbly with the resources available at the time. He managed to create almost a siege mentality and had a team of scrappers that won once, drew three and lost one of their first five games.
    Farke tactically outwitted Leicester opposite number Enzo Maresca on Friday night.
    Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter are monstering Championship defences. The amount of havoc they are causing is a joy to watch.
    Summerville, in particular, has been on fire. At times, he is unplayable in the second tier. I’ve not seen a better winger this season. Not only does he rampage on the flanks, he is deadly in front of goal. The Dutchman has netted six already.
    Rutter needs to add goals to his game because, once he does that, he can become a top European player. He is that good.
    Bringing in Joel Piroe from Swansea was a nice piece of business. His five goals from 12 games is  a promising start to his Leeds career. 
    When watching Leeds during their two Championship seasons under Bielsa, even as a neutral I’d despair at the amount of chances they would waste. In fact, they had one of the worst shots-to-goals conversion rates in the division and it cost them promotion in the Argentinian’s first season in charge.
    They have more goalscoring quality across the park now.
    Then you have the class of Ethan Ampadu and Glenn Kamara, who are just getting better and better in midfield.
    And what a wonderful young prospect Leeds have in right-back Archie Gray. Just 17, the Durham-born kid is already establishing himself in Farke’s team and started 12 of their 15 games this season.
    Watching him play, he looks a seasoned-pro at times.
    Farke also has the Championship’s best goalkeeper in Illian Meslier.
    The Frenchman made a world-class save to keep out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the death on Friday. And at 23 he has already made 130 starts for Leeds since signing three years ago.
    They did well to keep him after relegation.
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    Farke has got Elland Road rocking right and Leeds will not have to worry about being imprisoned in the EFL for 16 years like they did last time they went down.
    He will become a Leeds folk hero.
    Crysencio Summerville has been unplayable at times this season
    Joel Piroe was a good piece of business when he was brought in from Swansea
    Illan Meslier made a world-class stop from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on Friday More

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    I’m a former Premier League winner – now after retiring I work for a sweets company

    LEONARDO ULLOA tasted the sweetest of victories as part of Leicester City’s miraculous 5,000-1 Premier League title win.And he is still getting a sugar rush in his new job at a confectionery company.
    Leonardo Ulloa won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016Credit: Getty
    Now he is working with Madrid confectionery company Sweet MonkeyCredit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline
    Ulloa, 37, arrived at the King Power for a club-record £8million from Brighton when the Foxes returned to the Premier League in 2014.
    He scored twice in the dramatic 5-3 win over Manchester United just a few weeks later before helping keep the club up with the greatest escape.
    Then in 2015-16, the Argentine striker played a key role in Claudio Ranieri’s incredible side that defied all odds and expectations to be crowned champions.
    Despite starting just seven Premier League games, Ulloa regularly replaced Shinji Okazaki around the hour mark, coming up trumps with six important goals.
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    However, it was his sliding finish in the 89th minute to secure Leicester a 1-0 win over Norwich that caused shockwaves – quite literally.
    Coming off the back of the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in February, Leicester’s third and final league defeat, Ulloa poked home in the closing moments to secure all three points and send the King Power wild.
    The celebrations were so intense that University of Leicester geology students detected a historic 0.3 magnitude earthquake on a nearby seismometer.
    Ulloa was at team-mate Jamie Vardy’s house for the “Vardy Party” as Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham confirmed Leicester as champions, then appeared for the Foxes in their Champions League run to the quarter-finals.
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    But as his minutes dried up following a public falling out with Ranieri, he returned to the Amex on loan in January 2018 then signed for Mexican side Pachuca that summer.
    He then finished his playing days in 2021 with two years in Spain at Rayo Vallecano, hanging up his boots after a bad knee injury.
    He told the Brighton Argus: “We were able to get Rayo back into the first division.
    “I’d had some offers from Argentina and Chile to go back but I decided not to because of the family, because of me, because of everything.
    “After retiring there’s a lapse when you need to adapt yourself because I’ve always been involved in football but I’m getting used to this new life.
    “Mentally, I was prepared for it. The injury worked against me but, in the end, it was still my decision.”
    LEO-VING IT UP
    However, rather than moving back to Argentina, Ulloa settled in Madrid with his wife and daughters.
    And that has opened the doorway to his unexpected career change.
    As well as staying involved with football through some player representation work, the 6ft 2ins ex-striker is part of Madrid-based desserts company Sweet Monkey.
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    The business, set up by pastry chef and chocolatier Javier Guillen, specialises in creating delicious ice creams and frozen pastries – packed full of flavour and using lots of fruit in the recipes.
    And this new venture certainly is the cherry on top of Ulloa’s wonderful cake of a career.
    The late winner against Norwich sparked an earthquake around the King PowerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The striker, left, had his last spell with Rayo Vallecano in SpainCredit: Getty
    Sweet Monkey specialise in ice creams and dessertsCredit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline
    Ulloa enjoyed the sweet taste of success on the pitch before retiring in 2021Credit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline More

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    John Eustace fears managerial return could be KO’d after being sacked and replaced at Birmingham by Wayne Rooney

    JOHN EUSTACE fears he has missed the boat on a managerial return at Bristol City.Eustace, 43, was the early favourite for a quick dugout comeback — just a couple of weeks after he was sacked by Birmingham.
    John Eustace was sacked with Birmingham sixth in the tableCredit: PA
    But the word from his camp is that he will not join the Robins and he now expects a rival gaffer to get the job.
    Bristol City sacked Nigel Pearson as boss last week.
    The former Leicester boss was axed following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.
    Pearson’s final defeat left Bristol City 15th in the Championship table.
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    Curtis Fleming was subsequently named the Robins’ interim manager.
    The former Ireland international led his side to a 1-0 win over Rotherham yesterday.
    Rob Dickie’s 64th minute effort saw Bristol City claim all three points, taking them to tenth in the table.
    After the match, Fleming was full of praise for his players.
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    He said: “I’m really proud of the guys, they worked their socks off.
    “We asked the lads to pass the ball more and they did that.
    “There’s definitely things we need to work on but, for the week that we have had, you couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players, their work-rate, trying to do what you want them to do, getting the result and moving five places up the table.
    “That’s the most important thing.” More

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    Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri makes takeover decision… even if club drop straight back into League One

    SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY owner Dejphon Chansiri has no plans to sell the club — even if they go straight back down to League One.Chansiri shocked fans by suggesting they might be asked to pay the struggling club’s tax bill last week, before eventually finding the funds.
    Dejphon Chansiri is determined to stay on as Wednesday ownerCredit: Getty
    And despite a growing battle with the supporters, Chansiri wants to carry on.
    Chansiri acquired Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in 2015.
    He initially targeted promotion to the Premier League, but in recent years has seen his side languish in League One.
    Last season they were promoted by the skin of their teeth via the League One play-offs.
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    Boss Darren Moore departed in the summer amid a disagreement with Chansiri.
    Wednesday replaced Moore with former Watford boss Xisco Munoz.
    The Spaniard lasted just 12 games, however, going winless before being given the boot.
    Danny Rohl was appointed as Munoz’s successor.
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    He lost 3-0 at Plymouth Argyle in his first game in charge, before claiming Wednesday’s first win of the season 2-0 against Rotherham last week.
    Yesterday ten-man Wednesday lost 1-0 at Bristol City.
    They currently sit bottom of the Championship table, already nine points from safety.
    Danny Rohl has been tasked with trying to keep Wednesday upCredit: Rex More