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      Arsenal loanee slammed as ‘a liability’ as Championship club’s fans beg club to ‘send him back’ after howler

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      CARDIFF fans have begged the club to cancel Runar Alex Runarsson’s loan after his howler against Birmingham.The Arsenal loanee has been slammed as a “liability” after the Bluebirds’ 1-0 loss on Wednesday night.
      Runar Alex Runarsson has been slammed as a ‘liability’ by Cardiff fansCredit: Sky Sports
      The Arsenal loanee’s howler allowed Juninho Bacuna to score for BirminghamCredit: Sky Sports

      Juninho Bacuna scored the only goal of the game after flicking the ball over Runarsson’s head as he rushed out to close him down.
      The midfielder then feinted to go past the last defender before rolling the ball into an empty net.
      Runarsson’s efforts to deny Bacuna were criticised by fans on social media after the match.
      One supporter took to X, formerly Twitter, writing: “I hope we send Runarsson back, he’s a liability.”
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      Meanwhile, others commented after footage of the goal later went viral.
      Another fan added: “Didn’t realise just how poor the goal was wow.”
      A third supporter wrote: “Even worse than I thought it was last night.”
      One more supporter also fumed: “He better not start the next game.”
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      Cardiff signed Runarsson on a season-long loan in the summerCredit: Getty
      Runarsson has kept one clean sheet in eight appearances since joining Cardiff on a season-long loan in the summer.
      He has started each of the club’s last five league matches after displacing Jak Alnwick in Erol Bulut’s side.
      Arsenal signed the Iceland international in 2020, although he has since made just six competitive appearances for the Gunners.
      The 28-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, spent the last two seasons on loan in Belgium and Turkey with OH Leuven and Alanyaspor, respectively, More

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      Jamie Vardy set to miss ‘El Grassico’ and awkward Wayne Rooney reunion in huge blow to fans

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      FANS are devastated with the news that Jamie Vardy is set to miss Birmingham vs Leicester which has been dubbed “El Grassico”.The match would have seen striker Vardy, 36, coming up against Rooney, who manages Birmingham.
      Both Vardy and Rooney appeared in court with their spousesCredit: Splash
      And it was Coleen that came out on topCredit: Splash
      It would have been the first time the two have met in a football setting since their wives went to court over the “Wagatha Christie” affair.
      The trial was a libel case in which Coleen Rooney accused Rebekah Vardy of leaking posts from her private Instagram account.
      And that saw fans dub the clash “El Grassico”
      But Vardy is set to miss the game due to suffering with a knee injury.
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      He hasn’t played since starting against Sheffield Wednesday on November 29 – the team he grew up supporting.
      Fan curiosity surrounding the off-field derby saw Sky Sports pick the game for TV.
      The game was handed a prime slot for Sky Sports’ Monday evening slot.
      Rooney has struggled since becoming Birmingham manager in October.
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      He replaced John Eustace following Birmingham’s American takeover which features Tom Brady as a minority investor.
      Rooney has won just twice so far in his 10 Championship games as he tries to implement a more attacking form of football at the Blues.
      Birmingham were sixth when Rooney took over but are now a lowly 16th and will be desperate to pick up some points to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
      Leicester, meanwhile, are flying high at the top of the Championship on 52 points, one ahead of Ipswich in second but 11 in front of third placed Leeds.
      Meanwhile Vardy has six goals and one assist in his 18 games for Leicester this season. More

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      Cardiff’s Perry Ng forced off after 13 minutes against Birmingham as ‘he couldn’t see’ reveals manager Erol Bulut

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      CARDIFF’S Perry Ng was forced off against Birmingham because “he couldn’t see”, his manager has revealed.Erol Bulut made the revelation following Wednesday’s 1-0 home defeat.
      Perry Ng was forced off against Birmingham after just 13 minutesCredit: Rex
      Ng was withdrawn 13 minutes into the match after going down twice at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      It was unclear why the 27-year-old had gone down at first, with no collision taking place beforehand.
      He then went down for a second time on 13 minutes before walking to the sideline.
      Ng was seen pointing to his head whilst speaking to the Cardiff medical staff.
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      It was after that conversation that the full-back was taken off and replaced by Mahlon Romeo.
      Speaking after the match, Bulut explained: “He said he couldn’t see.
      “I don’t know what it was and I hope it is not too serious but he just said he couldn’t see. I must speak to the medical staff.”
      Birmingham went on to grab the only goal of the game after Ng’s exit, with Juninho Bacuna scoring in the third minute of first half stoppage time.
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      Cardiff manager Erol Bulut revealed Ng ‘couldn’t see’ before being taken offCredit: Alamy
      The defeat was Cardiff’s third in their last four matches and sees the Bluebirds drop three places to 10th in the Championship.
      Ng joined Cardiff from Crewe in 2021 and signed a new three-year deal with the club in August.
      He had missed just two league matches this season prior to Wednesday night, scoring three goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this term. More

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      Shocked fans chant ‘where the f***’s the referee’ as match official goes missing for THREE MINUTES in Championship clash

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      REFEREE Matt Donohue stunned fans by disappearing for three minutes during the Championship clash between Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday.The match official raced down the tunnel shortly before the hour mark after appearing to suffer an equipment malfunction.
      Norwich’s win over Sheffield Wednesday was paused after the referee went missingCredit: Alamy
      Supporters could be heard singing “Where the f***’s the referee!” during the pause in play.
      After three minutes, Donohue returned to the pitch at Carrow Road to ironic cheers from the crowd.
      He was also reportedly met with chants of “he’s had a s*** from supporters.
      Reacting to the incident on social media, one fan wrote: “Farce at Norwich. Game held up due to a failure of referee’s ear piece. Embarrassed ref has run off the field into the tunnel.”
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      Norwich later confirmed on X, formerly Twitter, that Donohue had left the field to have his radio replaced.
      Wednesday’s match was his 14th of the season and 12th in the Championship this term.
      Donohue previously officiated Wednesday’s home draw with Huddersfield in October and their loss at Hull on matchday two.
      Norwich had been leading 2-1 at the time through goals from Borja Sainz and Ashley Barnes either side of Bailey Cadamarteri’s equaliser.
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      Jonathan Rowe made it 3-1 to the Canaries after the match restarted to add to the struggling visitors’ woes.
      Norwich are now up to 11th in the Championship with the win, whilst Wednesday sit eight points adrift of safety in 23rd. More

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      Premier League icon’s son suffers horror injury with blood gushing down face after scoring brave far post header

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      FORMER Premier League star Danny Cadamarteri’s son Bailey suffered a sickening face injury when scoring a spectacular header for Sheffield Wednesday.Blood gushed from the lip of Cadamarteri Junior as he rushed to celebrate his Championship equaliser with away fans at Norwich.

      Bailey Cadamarteri shrugs off his nasty-looking injury as he celebrates scoringCredit: PA
      Cadamarteri came crashing in to nod a temporary equaliser for struggling Sheffield Wednesday in the ChampionshipCredit: Alamy
      The striker, 18, needed treatment and a new shirt before play could resume.
      He appeared to crack his nose and maybe a lip on a home defender after leaping high to nod in at the back post following a flick from Michael Ihiekwe.
      One fan noted the hero’s bloodied lips as he posted: “Bailey Cadamarteri had to put his body on the line to score and was left looking like the Joker.”
      Another observer wrote: “Just give the lad player of the season now.”

      Bailey’s dad Danny, 44, launched his career with six years at Everton.
      He won three England Under-21 caps before featuring for several clubs including Bradford, Sheffield United and Huddersfield.
      Cadamarteri Senior quit playing in 2014 due to a knee injury after two years at Carlisle.
      The Owls had to avoid defeat at Norwich to move off the bottom of the table.
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      The Canaries, in contrast, were seeking the victory essential for reviving their play-off hopes.
      Cadamarteri junior’s soaring effort on 32 minutes cancelled out an early opener from Borja Sainz.
      But Ashley Barnes put the Canaries back in front soon after the interval and Jonathan Rowe made it 3-1. More

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      I have coached Jude Bellingham and sibling Jobe and here’s how Sunderland star can reach the top like his older brother

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM can follow big brother Jude all the way to the top.That’s according to Sunderland caretaker manager Mike Dodds, who coached the pair for years at Birmingham City’s academy.
      Jobe Bellingham celebrates Sunderland’s winner against LeedsCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham is already one of the biggest stars in EuropeCredit: Rex

      Jobe, as he prefers to be known since his summer move to the Stadium of Light, has played a major role in Sunderland’s two wins over Leeds and West Brom under Dodds, who has been in charge since Tony Mowbray’s shock departure.
      The 18-year-old had a goal disallowed starting as centre forward in the 2-1 win over West Brom, dropped to central midfield against Leeds and scored the winner when Dodds moved him up front for the last 20 minutes.
      Dodds and sporting director Kristjaan Spearman played a key role in Jobe’s move to the North East and the caretaker boss is convinced the teenager has all the attributes to follow in the footsteps of his Real Madrid star sibling.
      He said: “He can go to the very top. I’ve worked with a lot of young players and he would be up there with the very best.
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      “He made a really brave decision to leave Birmingham, the club he supported, where it was his life, he spent the best part of ten years at the academy and to leave showed character.
      “I know it was a really tough decision for him but he had to take the emotion out of it and think about what was best for his career.
      “Thankfully from our perspective it looks like he’s made the right decision, I’m sure he’d reiterate that, but it’s tough for him and it will only get easier as he starts to get credit in the bank for him.
      “We’ve seen a boy in the last two games play in two different positions against two of the best teams in the league and he’s been remarkable and shown what a talent he is, regardless of the name on the back of his shirt.
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      “He’s a second year scholar, just turned 18; I play him as a No9, he leads the line against a very good West Brom side.
      “I play him deeper, he executes the game plan to the level and quality he did, and then in-game, change him again to a different position and he scores – speaks for itself.
      “For an 18-year-old to do that is remarkable.” More

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      Man Utd ‘joined by City, Spurs and Liverpool in sending scouts to watch England Under-21 wonderkid for 2024 transfer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED must battle THREE other top-six Premier League clubs for Hayden Hackney, according to reports.The England U21’s midfielder will likely leave Middlesbrough in the summer.
      Hayden Hackney is on the radar of both Manchester United and Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Hackney was called up to the U21 squad in SeptemberCredit: Alamy
      United must fend of interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham – who all have their eye on the defensive midfielder.
      The Mail report that talent-spotters were in attendance at Boro matches in recent months, and Spurs are among those most interested.
      Premier League scouts attended his last game away at Bristol City before he picked up a hamstring injury.
      Interestingly, most of those top six clubs have not watched the team during his three game absence.
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      Both Manchester clubs are monitoring him, with United said to be more keen.
      Hackney’s manager is United legend Michael Carrick, who guided Boro to fourth in the Championship last year.
      The England star signed a new four-year contract in the summer, but there is an acceptance he will snapped up if Boro fail to win promotion to the Premier League.
      United midfielder Casemiro failed to replicate last season’s form before his injury, and Sofyan Amrabat will likely miss out on a permanent move.
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      While Liverpool are also interested with Wataru Endo and Thiago Alcantara both in their thirties.
      Hackney has made 16 league appearances this season, and a further four in the EFL Cup.
      He also won five caps for England’s under-21s over the autumn, playing alongside current Liverpool star Harvey Elliott.
      Despite a good start, Middlesbrough have dropped to 12th, losing three of their last five.
      However, the club remain six points away from the playoff spots. More

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      I collapsed on the pitch at Wembley in biggest game of my life – luckily the hospital had Sky so I could watch the match

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      LUTON TOWN star Tom Lockyer has opened up about his terrifying Wembley ordeal that led to him watching them seal promotion from hospital.The defender, 29, collapsed during the first half of last season’s Championship Play-Off final victory over Coventry City.
      Luton star Tom Lockyer collapsed in Luton’s Play-Off Final win over Coventry in MayCredit: PA
      The defender has now opened up on his terrifying ordealCredit: Sky Sports
      The star posted this shot of himself and family celebrating from hospital after the winCredit: @SL_Cardiff
      Lockyer has now revealed all about that fateful day under the archCredit: Getty
      Lockyer was conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch in tears before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.
      Speaking to The Central Club podcast, he has now revealed all about his scare.
      The Welsh international said: “I remember walking out with the boy and it was so hot. We were warming up in the sun and I remember thinking ‘wow’.
      “I remember trying to find the shade and warm-up in the shaded bit and looking up at Coventry warming up in the shade and thinking ‘that’s unfair’.”
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      Once the game had started, he revealed how he successfully won his first battles with Coventry’s striker Viktor Gyokeres and then had an effort cleared off the line as he thought he’d made “the perfect start” to the game.
      But then the terrifying moment came, as he explained: “I’m back-pedalling, and as I’m back-pedalling my head went really light-headed like nothing I’ve ever had before.
      “It’s like when you stand up real quick but worse and then my legs went like jelly almost instantly and I remember falling backwards and the next thing I know I woke up and there were paramedics all around me.
      “I remember waking up from a dream, I couldn’t tell you what it was about, but I remember having a dream.
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      “As soon as i came round i was like sweet again,”
      Having unsuccessfully trying to convince the medics and physios that he was “good” to continue playing, Lockyer was rushed to hospital after first being checked in a medical room at Wembley.
      He said: “It was a weird feeling of let-down, like I was letting the team down. There was nothing I could’ve done, but in that moment, I just felt like I’d let the boys down by getting stretchered off the pitch.
      “I had the oxygen mask on and I just couldn’t stop crying.”
      Lockyer was taken straight to a medical room at Wembley where his heart rate was “going through the roof” which caused a spike in blood pressure that caused him to collapse.
      “Someone came running in that room screaming ‘tell him Jordan Clarke has scored,” revealed Lockyer.
      “The weirdest thing was we were in Wembley still but I didn’t hear a thing when we scored.
      “But I burst out crying again. I got whizzed off to hospital then in the ambulance watching it on my phone with my mum in the back of the ambulance.
      “We got to the hospital, a really nice hospital, and it had Sky in the room. We watch all of extra-time in my room and then it went to penalties.
      “That’s when my old man took the photo of me in my bed and my family celebrating with me. “But even then it was like a half-hearted celebration, no pun intended, because i hadn’t been told what was going on and I didn’t wanna raise my heart rate.”
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      Fortunately, after a minor heart surgery, he was given the all-clear to return to action and is now competing for the Hatters in the Premier League.
      He has made 15 appearances for the club so far this season, and he has even managed to score his first top-flight goal, helping Luton win 2-1 at Everton in September.
      Tom Lockyer is now starring for Luton in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More