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      Brits watching Boxing Day game love snacking on festive leftovers & taking a break from the family, survey finds

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      Boxing Day football is a beloved annual tradition – but are you an expert when it comes to results from years gone by?This tricky quiz will separate the Santa Stattos from the plain old turkeys and promises to test even the most committed footie fans.
      32 per cent of football fans will tune into women’s football this festive periodCredit: Getty
      A poll found the best things about Boxing Day football are being able to snack on festive leftovers, almost every team being in action – and having an excuse to take a break from the family.
      A survey of 2,000 football fans found that many love the congested calendar around Christmas as they watch their team several times over the festive break.
      23 per cent of fans were delighted at the sheer number of games while another 23 per cent were happy to say goodbye to “Christmassy TV finally”.
      While 12 per cent relish watching games with the anticipation of the January transfer window about to open.
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      Other reasons included 14 per cent of football fans using the football as the perfect excuse to get a “break” from the family – while 9 per cent were happy to see their team get a runout.
      A spokesperson for Lottoland’s Sportsbook, which commissioned the research, said: “Boxing Day is a sacred time for football fans.
      “While players and managers might occasionally moan about having to miss out on the Christmas pudding with games kicking off left right and centre, fans love it.
      “It’s not just the matches on the 26th, the festive period as a whole is jam-packed with games to watch, so there are plenty of opportunities to have a ‘break’ from the family as so many seem to want.”
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      On average, footie fans will watch five games live throughout December – one every six days – although some will sit through 10 or more.
      According to the survey over a third of fans will be placing bets on matches over the festive period, with 28 per cent believing they are luckier with their wins during the Christmas period.
      More than half will use the opportunity to bond with family members over matches, with 32 per cent more likely to watch games their team isn’t even playing in, just because they’re on.
      For one in four, watching football on December 26th is simply more enjoyable than any other time of year, with 54 per cent saying it even makes them proud to be British.
      While 59 per cent will catch a match on TV, 15 per cent will don hats and scarves to watch a game live.
      Around a tenth will head to the pub, while a similar figure will settle down at a relative’s house to watch some footballing action.
      However, 28 per cent admitted the prospect of their team losing could ruin the entire festive period for them.
      It also emerged that 43 per cent confessed to having no sympathy at all for Premier League footballers who have to play a match on December 26th, when most of the rest of the nation has the day off.
      The study carried out via OnePoll, found 34 per cent of people claim their partner knows full well not to make any social plans on Boxing Day – as it’s going to be devoted to football.
      And it’s not only the men’s game captivating fans over the festive period, with 32 per cent planning on tuning into women’s football.
      Lottoland’s spokesperson added: “From December 1st right through to New Year’s Day, the festive period is one of the most storied in the football calendar.
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      “And it’s no surprise to see that so many football fans will be betting on the action over Christmas, though the fact that nearly a third think it’s a ‘lucky’ time of year for them is interesting indeed.
      “Perhaps it’s something about the magic of Christmas, but either way, here’s hoping for lots of Sportsbook wins this Boxing Day.”
      The best things about boxing day football
      1.           Being able to snack on Christmas leftovers
      2.           The fact that every team plays
      3.           Having people around to watch the football with
      4.           The sheer number of games to watch
      5.           You can finally turn off all the ‘Christmassy’ TV and movies
      6.           Watching my team loads over the festive break
      7.           Gives you a chance to decompress from the Christmas craziness
      8.           Getting to go to the game live
      9.           Going to watch the games to escape
      10.         It’s the halfway point in the season
      11.         Having the perfect excuse to have a ‘break’ from the family
      12.         An excuse to see mates over family
      13.         Not having to take time off work to watch games
      14.         The anticipation of the January transfer window opening soon
      15.         With so many games you see some squad rotation and players who don’t normally start More

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      Wanda Nara and Mauro Icardi show off matching black eyes and Christmas pyjamas after Edin Dzeko and Fenerbahce spat 

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      WANDA NARA joined Mauro Icardi in having a black eye just hours after her striker hubby was given a nasty shiner.The Argentina hitman picked up a face bruise in Galatasaray’s 0-0 draw with bitter rivals Fenerbahce on Christmas Eve.
      Mauro Icardi collided with the post in Galatasaray’s 0-0 draw with FenerbahceCredit: REUTERS
      The Argentina striker was left with a huge shinerCredit: INSTAGRAM@WANDA_NARA
      His wife Wanda Nara copied her hubby’s shiner with make-upCredit: INSTAGRAM@WANDA_NARA
      It’s not clear, however, exactly how the former Inter Milan man got his festive injury.
      Icardi collided with the goalpost in the first half while challenging for the ball, although he also had his face partially scraped by an opposition boot in another incident.
      Icardi’s black eye would, in normal circumstances, ruin an Xmas day family photo.
      Although Nara made sure her other half wasn’t out of place by giving herself a black eye – albeit it a fake one.
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      The usually blonde bombshell gave herself a boxer’s eye with a little bit of makeup.
      And she proudly showed it off in a selfie with the love of her life, which was included in a series of festive Instagram snaps.
      Her accompanying caption read: “Merry Christmas to all. We wish you from Istanbul, Health Peace and much Love.”
      Icardi’s black eye may have been the result of being struck by a Fenerbache player inside the box, a claim Galatarasary made in the aftermath of the match.
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      Edin Dzeko hit back at Galatasaray’s claim that Icardi’s black eye was the result of foul playCredit: GETTY
      A statement from the Turkish giants read: “Those who only want justice for themselves continued to manipulate Turkish football from every channel tonight!”.
      “VAR room and 26 cameras cannot see and we feel ashamed on their behalf.
      “Those who brought Turkish football to this point will be ashamed.”
      It didn’t take long for Galatasaray to get wind of the accusation, which they promptly hit back at.
      They said: “Trying to create victimisation through the player hitting the goal post.
      “We leave it to the discretion of the public.”
      Galatasaray hitman Edin Dzeko said of the claim: “Icardi hit the goal post with his head.
      “And they put him on Instagram and cry for the penalty… typical them. Embarassing”. More

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      Inside the luxury Christmas gifts for Saudi’s millionaire stars like Bugatti’s, £380k watches and private island trips

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      WITH some of the biggest salaries in the world offered in Saudi Arabia, Christmas has already come early for most.Superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez were all tempted to swap the top Leagues in Europe for the desert with eye-watering, mega million deals which simply can’t be matched elsewhere.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is set to for a special Christmas gift from his bossesCredit: Getty
      Karim Benzema might need to make more room in his garage for a new supercarCredit: Getty
      Bugatti’s are among the gifts coming the way of Saudi’s top players – with the motors costing well over £1millionCredit: Alamy
      Trips to the Maldives are amongst the pressies
      But SunSport has been given an insight into the Xmas gifts being handed out by League bosses to say thanks – and it’s certainly a massive upgrade on a new pair of socks or some comfy slippers.
      A luxury goods specialist who deals with high rollers in the Middle East, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has revealed what could be under Ronaldo and Benzema’s Christmas trees next week.
      And CR7 will need plenty of space in his mansion as our insider has revealed some of the top teams in the Saudi Pro League will be handing out a Ferrari SF90 Spider, Bugatti’s and Lamborghini’s.
      There have also been orders for ultra-lux watches from high-end companies – the Jacob and C Bugatti Chiron timepieces, which retail at a whopping £300,000 and Chopard L.U.C Lunar models which sell for around £53,000 – could be in some stockings next week.
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      “We have top level stars, and they deserve rare things, and we want to show them that they are treated as unique, because they are unique,” the source told SunSport.
      There was also a massive order for luxury bags from Yves Saint Lauren and a Globe-Trotter suitcase which retails at a tasty £5,500.
      “Christmas is going to be very good for some of the players and staff members,” he added with a smile.
      As the Saudi Pro League continues to grow and sell itself to more superstars – especially with the transfer window set to re-open next month – League bosses were keen to keep everyone, from players to staff, sweet during the festive period.
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      Packages at the Four Seasons George V in Paris have been boughtCredit: Getty
      The hotel is a fine example of Parisian style and luxuryCredit: Getty
      Kudadoo private island is where some Saudi stars will be heading
      A night on the island costs around £5,500
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      Another personal buyer who specialises in working with high powered businessmen and VIP’s, claimed he was given a £3.1million budget to ensure everyone has an extra spring in their steps this Christmas.
      Holiday packages to Paris, which include stays in the presidential suits of one the French capital’s most exclusive hotels, and London will be handed out, as well as sunshine trips to a private island in the Maldives.
      No expense has been spared.
      “For some holiday packages for stays in Paris for example, with one being a week long vacation in one of the presidential suites of Paris Four Seasons Hotel George V, which costs around £15,000 a night.
      “Another package being five nights at Hotel Le Bristol, also in Paris, in one of the suites called Suite Prestige Elysee, which costs around £6,600 a night,” said the source.
      “We also got them packages for luxury holidays in the Maldives, at the Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, where each night costs around £5,500, and also a very nice package of luxury week long holidays in London at The Ritz in Deluxe suites.
      “One of the packages ordered is for Monaco, and includes five nights at the Diamond Suite vue sur Mer at the Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo.
      “For Monaco, we also got some nice packages for yacht renting that cost around £4,000 dollars per day.
      “There are some very nice packages being given out.”
      Ferrari SF90 Spiders are among the presentsCredit: Getty
      As are bags from YSLCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea fans cheer when flop is subbed off as he endures Christmas Eve to forget against Wolves

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      CHELSEA fans cheered with joy after Nicolas Jackson was subbed off during the 2-1 loss at Molineux.The Blues endured another miserable defeat following goals by Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty, despite Christopher Nkunku scoring his first ever goal for the West Londoners.
      Chelsea fans cheered after Nicolas Jackson was subbed against WolvesCredit: Alamy
      Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino took Jackson off following a poor performanceCredit: Getty
      Mauricio Pochettino’s misfiring stars wasted another raft of opportunities, with Jackson specifically failing to beat the hosts’ goalkeeper Jose Sa in three different one-on-one situations.
      The striker should have scored in the eighth minute when he found himself in front of Sa but took way too long.
      The Senegal international then failed to get a touch in the penalty area on 21 minutes that would have set him up against the Wolves goalkeeper again.
      The 22-year-old also took ages after 55 minutes when he only had the Portugal international to beat.
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      Jackson’s frustrating performance came to an end in the 80th minute when he was subbed for Noni Madueke.
      And the Senegalese ace’s exodus was greeted by Chelsea fans ironically cheering as they were happy with Pochettino’s decision to take him off.
      Fans also took to social media to congratulate the Argentinian tactician’s move.
      One supporter tweeted: “Did the Chelsea fans just cheer Jackson getting subbed off there…? That would be deserved. He’s actively hurt the team today.”
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      Another commented: “For sure they deserved to cheer.”
      A third posted: “Nicolas Jackson exits the field, greeted by cheers from Chelsea fans.”
      And that one wrote: “CHEERS FROM THE CHELSEA SUPPORTERS AS JACKSON IS REMOVED.” More

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      Where teams who were top of Premier League at Christmas finished and what it means for Arsenal

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      THE Premier League title race is hotting up and Arsenal have put down a marker by guaranteeing their spot on top of the tree for Christmas Day.Each team will have played at least 17 matches by the time fans tuck into their turkeys – a near half-way point in the season.
      Man City didn’t top the festive table last year but ended up winning the title by four pointsCredit: AFP
      Arsenal’s draw at Anfield means they will be top at Christmas for the second year in a rowCredit: Reuters
      It is of course all about being top of the table in May – but leading the way at the festive time of year is often a good omen.
      In 30 Premier League seasons, the team top at Christmas has ended up lifting the title 16 times.
      That means 51.6 per-cent of the time the side maintain their spot in the new year.
      No team has been top on December 25 more than Manchester United, who have done so seven times but not since 2013.
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      Eleven teams in total have been first at Christmas, including four who have never won the league such as, Norwich, Leeds, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
      And only Villa have not managed to finish in the top four when top, coming sixth in 1998/99.
      The biggest advantage ever at Christmas was Man City in 2017/18, who sat 13 points clear at the top while Pep Guardiola opened his presents.
      They did win the league that season with 100 points.
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      Top of the Premier League at Christmas
      1992: Norwich City – finished 3rd1993: Manchester United – finished 1st1994: Blackburn Rovers – finished 1st1995: Newcastle United – finished 2nd1996: Liverpool – finished 4th1997: Manchester United – finished 2nd1998: Aston Villa – finished 6th1999: Leeds United – finished 3rd2000: Manchester United – finished 1st2001: Newcastle United – finished 4th2002: Arsenal – finished 2nd2003: Manchester United – finished 3rd2004: Chelsea – finished 1st2005: Chelsea – finished 1st2006: Manchester United – finished 1st2007: Arsenal – finished 3rd2008: Liverpool – finished 2nd2009: Chelsea – finished 1st2010: Manchester United – finished 1st2011: Manchester City – finished 1st2012: Manchester United – finished 1st2013: Liverpool – finished 2nd2014: Chelsea – finished 1st2015: Leicester City – finished 1st2016: Chelsea – finished 1st2017: Manchester City – finished 1st2018: Liverpool – finished 2nd2019: Liverpool – finished 1st2020: Liverpool – finished 3rd2021: Manchester City – finished 1st2022: Arsenal – finished 2nd

      And the biggest lead to not end in glory was Newcastle in 1995/96, who eventually failed to end their wait for a title and were pipped by Man Utd.
      Arsenal topped the table by two points last season but ended up throwing it away to City as they clinched glory by four points.
      And they’ll be hoping that something similar doesn’t happen this term with Mikel Arteta’s men sitting pretty in first place.
      The Gunners are just one point above Liverpool this year after the two heavyweights played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday night.
      But Arsenal fans might not be too pleased to see their team in first place with history suggesting that it is in fact bad luck for the North London outfit to be top at Christmas.
      All of the last five times they have been in first on the 25th, they’ve ended up not winning it in a horrid run that stretches back to 1986/87.
      Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can change their luck this season with a Christmas miracleCredit: Alamy More

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      Arsenal fans wind up rivals the most by gifting merch from their own club for Christmas – where does your club rank?

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      MORE than half of Premier League fans wind up rivals with merchandise gifts from their own club for Xmas.Arsenal supporters topped the table in buying friends the wrong scarf or cap a poll found.
      Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City fans topped the list of fans getting ready to wind up their mates on Christmas DayCredit: Getty
      Sixty-five per cent of them gave Gunners gear to mates who follow Spurs.
      Next were Liverpool supporters, with 62 per cent buying Everton pals merchandise from Anfield.
      Man City fans came third, with 60 per cent winding up United muckers.
      At the bottom end, Fulham were 18th with 30 per cent admitting joke buys, and Brentford 19th on 28 per cent.
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      Bournemouth fans on 26 per cent were least likely to prank their pals, according to a poll of 2,200 supporters by BettingTips4You.com.
      Spokesman John Pentin said: “Our survey brings to light the lighter side of football fan culture.” More

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      Fans convinced Liverpool star Van Dijk asked referee very cheeky question after fuming with decision against Arsenal

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      FOOTIE fans are convinced Virgil van Dijk asked referee Chris Kavanagh if he’d “BEEN DRINKING” during Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal.The Kop defender was far from happy with the official’s decision to award the Gunners a free kick in the 52nd minute of the Anfield clash.
      Virgil van Dijk was far from happy with referee Chris Kavanagh in the second half of Liverpool’s clash with ArsenalCredit: EPA
      The Reds star appeared to ask the official if he’d been drinkingCredit: SKY SPORTS
      And he appeared to ask Kavanagh if he’d a pre-Christmas beverage after the call had gone against him.
      The Dutchman made a drinking gesture with his right hand before seemingly asking the ref if he’d had a cheeky tipple.
      One footie fan said: “Van Dijk has just asked the referee if he’s been drinking?”
      Another said: “Van Dijk has definitely had enough of this ref.”

      And another said: “Has Van Dijk just asked if the refs been drinking.”
      One remarked: “Virgil van Dijk to the referee – ‘Have you been drinking?’
      “Complete with hand gestures and all.
      And another said: “Captain Van Dijk asked the ref if he’s been drinking and got no booking.”
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      Mohammed Salah rescued a point for Liverpool in the 72nd minuteCredit: ALAMY
      The crunch Anfield clash ended in a 1-1 draw – which meant the visitors will top the Premier League table at Christmas.
      Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock in the fourth minute with a well-placed header into the far corner.
      Mohamed Salah drew the Merseysiders level in the 29th minute with a sumptuous near-post finish after jinking past Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      Jurgen Klopp’s troops should have sealed the three points in the 72nd minute following a breakneck speed counterattack.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold had the goal at his mercy after being put through by Salah.
      But the fullback somehow managed to hit the crossbar – much to the frustration of the Anfield faithful.
      Mikel Arteta will have no doubt been happy to leave Merseyside with a point as it’s ensured his charges will top the Premier League table at Christmas.
      Arsenal will be back in action on Thursday, welcoming the in-form West Ham to the Emirates.
      Liverpool, meanwhile, will travel to Turf Moor on Boxing Day to take on Burnley. More

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      Arsenal star picks up avoidable yellow card in Liverpool clash to become fourth Prem star suspended for Christmas

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      ARSENAL ace Kai Havertz has been suspended after picking up a yellow card against Liverpool.The Gunners and the Reds were embroiled in an intense encounter that saw them draw 1-1 at Anfield.
      Arsenal ace Kai Havertz committed a needless foul on Liverpool’s Wataru EndoCredit: Alamy
      Arsenal will be without Havertz in their next Premier League match against West HamCredit: AFP
      And it seems like Havertz may have got a little overexcited in the first half as he was booked for a foul on Wataru Endo.
      Endo and the Germany international fought for the ball and the versatile midfielder fouled the Liverpool ace by putting his arm across him in a needless manner.
      The 24-year-old picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will miss Arsenal’s next Premier League match amid a busy holiday schedule.
      The North Londoners are set to host West Ham on December 28 at the Emirates.

      And Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is now facing a difficult tactical decision with other midfielders Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira also injured.
      Havertz became the fourth Prem star to be suspended during the festive period.
      Aston Villa’s Matty Cash and Sheffield United’s Jayden Bogle have also been banned after picking up a yellow card during Friday’s 1-1 draw.
      Cash committed a tactical foul at Villa Park during a counter-attack by the Blades, whereas Bogle went to the book for a strong challenge on Jacob Ramsey.
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      Willy Boly, on the other hand, was controversially sent off with a second yellow card against Bournemouth at the City Ground.
      Boly went for a tackle and got the ball before Adam Smith stepped on his opponent’s ankle and went down to the ground.
      The Cherries went on to win 3-2 in Nuno Espirito Santo’s first match in charge of Forest after replacing Steve Cooper. More