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      Inside EFL club’s stadium with police-seized LED lights from cannabis factory helping maintain pitch

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      POLICE have gifted LED lights to Crewe Alexandra after seizing them during a raid at a cannabis factory.The Christmas donation will help to maintain the League Two side’s pitch at their formerly named Gresty Road.Christmas lights of a different variety have arrived at Crewe Alexandra courtesy of Cheshire PoliceIt came after a police raid seized equipment at a local cannabis farmsCheshire officers arrived with a special delivery to Crewe’s ground last week, according to The Mail.LED grow lights are an efficient and sustainable option for illuminating stadium grass playing surfaces and reusing heat, according to HortiDaily.And Crewe’s snazzy new lights fit the bill for a fourth-tier side battling for promotion to League One.The sponsored Mornflake Stadium is currently kitted out with a set of modern-looking floodlights.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Crewe welcomed the extra utilities that could even be used on the training ground pitches.Multiple outlets have reported several successful million-pound police raids in the area of Crewe this year.And it seems they’ve run out of places to put the seized cannabis farm equipment.Items, including compost, garden canes, flower pots and fertiliser were donated to local gardening centres over the summer.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAuthorities have also donated some of the cultivation material to primary schools, including electric fans.Lighting was even provided to a pigeon flying club.If I was a painter or a builder I might not be here and now I’m back in EFL after open heart surgery saved my life In June 2021, the club agreed a £500,000 naming rights deal with its long-term shirt sponsor Mornflake.Dating back to 1906, the home of the Railway Men has a current capacity of 10,100 with a complete rebuild of all four stands occurring in the 1990s.Crewe dropped to third in the League Two table after drawing 1-1 away at Carlisle on Saturday. The club, managed by former EFL midfielder Lee Bell, confirmed the LED delivery to SunSport.Crewe have confirmed the delivery to SunSport More

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      Which teams have the most favourable fixtures this December?

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      CHRISTMAS is a time for friends, family and football.The games come thick and fast throughout the festive period and Dream Team managers will need to have their wits about them if they are to come out the other side with an improved rank.The festive period is a crucial juncture in the Dream Team calendarCredit: Dream TeamMany gaffers like to take each Gameweek as it comes but it’s often beneficial to plan further ahead.With that in mind, let’s analyse each Premier League team’s fixtures between Gameweeks 13 and 17 – some teams will play NINE games during this crucial period.LIVERPOOLManchester City (h)Newcastle (a)Everton (a)Girona (a)Fulham (h)Southampton (a)Tottenham (a)Leicester (h)West Ham (a)Everything’s coming up roses for the Reds right now.Arne Slot’s side are top of the league and well on course for safe passage through to the Champions League round of 16.And it’s a great time to play Man City with the defending champions in the midst of a rare crisis.No fewer than five Anfield residents have achieved 100+ points to date – they’re flying.Most read in FootballMANCHESTER CITYLiverpool (a)Nottingham Forest (h)Crystal Palace (a)Juventus (a)Manchester United (h)Aston Villa (a)Everton (h)Leicester (a)Pep Guardiola’s winless run has extended to six games in all competitions and so it has to be considered a terrible time to visit Anfield.Erling Haaland (£8.6m) addressed his minor blip with a brace against Feyenoord but points have severely dried up for the likes of Rico Lewis (£3.4m) and Josko Gvardiol (£4.6m).Dream Team’s transfer activity suggests many gaffers have lost patience with City assets… at least for the time being.Guardiola has problems to solveCHELSEAAston Villa (h)Southampton (a)Tottenham (a)Astana (a)Brentford (h)Shamrock Rovers (h)Everton (a)Fulham (h)Ipswich (a)The Blues are one of five teams with nine fixtures to fulfil from this weekend until New Year’s Day.However, Enzo Maresca has made extensive use of rotation in the Conference League so it’s likely to be Christopher Nkunku (£4.5m), Joao Felix (£4.4m) and Mykhailo Mudryk (£3.1m) who cash in against Astana and Shamrock Rovers.Those three league games at the end of the month could be profitable for Cole Palmer (£6m) backers if Chelsea’s talisman is in the mood.ARSENALWest Ham (a)Manchester United (h)Fulham (a)Monaco (h)Everton (h)Crystal Palace (h)Crystal Palace (a)Ipswich (h)Brentford (a)The Gunners won’t be leaving London until 2025 and one suspects minimal travel time will be an advantage when the schedule gets hectic.A double header against the Eagles has to be considered a stroke of luck (facilitated by the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw) given Oliver Glasner’s men are currently languishing 19th in the table.Bukayo Saka (£6.4m) could well be a must-have asset for December as ninth-placed Fulham is his toughest domestic opponent according to the league table.EssentialCredit: RexBRIGHTONSouthampton (h)Fulham (a)Leicester (a)Crystal Palace (h)West Ham (a)Brentford (h)Aston Villa (a)Just the seven games for the Seagulls but a string of bottom-half opponents (and Fulham) until the end of Gameweek 16 appears ripe with potential.Joao Pedro (£4.1m) averages 8.7 points-per-game at the time of writing, a rate only bettered by Haaland and Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) among forwards.Kaoru Mitoma (£3.7m) and Georginio Rutter (£3.4m) might prove to be smart differential midfielders.TOTTENHAMFulham (h)Bournemouth (a)Chelsea (h)Rangers (a)Southampton (a)Manchester United (h)Liverpool (h)Nottingham Forest (a)Wolves (h)There’s almost no point looking at Spurs’ schedule because their inconsistency defies the form table; as typified by their mighty 4-0 win over Man City in the wake of their defeat to Ipswich.Son Heung-min (£5.3m) and company will be busy boys in the coming Gameweeks though with plenty of points on offer.As well as the skipper, Pedro Porro (£4.4m), Dejan Kulusevski (£3m), Brennan Johnson (£3.7m), James Maddison (£4.5m) and Dominic Solanke (£4.3m) are all perfectly viable options.Plus, Fraser Forster (£1.8m) is a potential bargain while Guglielmo Vicario (£3.1m) recovers from a fractured ankle.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWNOTTINGHAM FORESTIpswich (h)Manchester City (a)Manchester United (a)Aston Villa (h)Brentford (a)Tottenham (h)Everton (a)After a flying start to the campaign, consecutive losses to Newcastle and Arsenal either side of the international break have come as a reality check for Forest.Chris Wood’s (£3.8m) owners will be hopeful of healthy returns at home to the Tractor Boys this weekend but the schedule takes a nasty turn from Gameweek 14.ASTON VILLAChelsea (a)Brentford (h)Southampton (h)RB Leipzig (a)Nottingham Forest (a)Manchester City (h)Newcastle (a)Brighton (h)In complete contrast to last season, the Villains have earned more league points away from home this time around.Unai Emery’s men are in a bad moment right now having gone seven games without a win in all competitions.Emi Martinez (£3.9m), Ollie Watkins (£5.3m), Lucas Digne (£3.5m) and Morgan Rogers (£2.8m) are all popular selections in the realm of Dream Team but gaffers will need to see an upturn from Villa sooner rather than later.Villa’s form has fallen away in recent weeksCredit: ReutersFULHAMTottenham (a)Brighton (h)Arsenal (h)Liverpool (a)Southampton (h)Chelsea (a)Bournemouth (h)The West Londoners have enjoyed a positive start to the campaign but their next four opponents are all within the top six of the table – a tough test.Fulham will be desperate to get one over their local rivals on Boxing Day but their record against Chelsea is miserable – they haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1979!NEWCASTLECrystal Palace (a)Liverpool (h)Brentford (a)Leicester (h)Brentford (h)Ipswich (a)Aston Villa (h)Manchester United (a)Gaffers keen on backing Alexander Isak (£5.4m), an understandable inclination, might want to target the Magpies’ fixtures in Gameweeks 15 and 16 (Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich and Villa).Eddie Howe’s side looked to be heading the right direction after wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and Forest but an unexpected defeat to West Ham on Monday night has slowed their momentum.Truth be told, Newcastle games have been a tad light on Dream Team points this season.Always a tempting optionCredit: GettyBRENTFORDLeicester (h)Aston Villa (a)Newcastle (h)Chelsea (a)Newcastle (a)Nottingham Forest (h)Brighton (a)Arsenal (h)The Bees boast the best home record in the top flight but the second-worst away record.Given the nature of their away fixtures in December, their problems on the road could extend until the new year.That being said, Bryan Mbeumo (£4.3m) is a decent midfield option for Gameweek 13 – the Cameroon star averages 8.1 points-per-game this season.MANCHESTER UNITEDEverton (h)Arsenal (a)Nottingham Forest (h)Viktoria Plzen (a)Manchester City (a)Tottenham (a)Bournemouth (h)Wolves (a)Newcastle (h)The last of our teams with nine fixtures to fulfil.A match-up with the Toffees represents a relatively favourable first league game at Old Trafford for Ruben Amorim but the Portuguese tactician faces some tough tests in December.A trip to Czechia in the Europa League might provide some relief before a tricky Gameweek 15 (Man City and Spurs) but if the Red Devils come through relatively unscathed there could be healthy returns up for grabs against the Cherries and Wolves.Bruno Fernandes (£6.4m), Alejandro Garnacho (£4.2m), Noussair Mazraoui (£4.1m) and Diogo Dalot (£4m) have all provided their fair share of points across the first 12 Gameweeks of the season.Can Amorim get a tune out of Man United in the coming weeks?Credit: APBOURNEMOUTHWolves (a)Tottenham (h)Ipswich (a)West Ham (h)Manchester United (a)Crystal Palace (h)Fulham (a)Antoine Semenyo (£2.9m) is the only player in the squad to make any waves in Dream Team so far and he’s suspended for this weekend’s trip to Molineux.And with just seven games for the Cherries, let’s move on…WEST HAMArsenal (h)Leicester (a)Wolves (h)Bournemouth (a)Brighton (h)Southampton (a)Liverpool (h)The Hammers have just seven fixtures with testing match-ups bookending this run but a few Dream Team managers may feel Jarrod Bowen (£5.3m) is worth a whirl at some stage.The England international has amassed 105 points at an average of 7.5 per outing via four goals and four assists.Bowen has almost twice as many points as West Ham’s next best performers, Mohammed Kudus (£5.1m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£3.3m), who are level on 56 each.A reliable performerCredit: PAEVERTONManchester United (a)Wolves (h)Liverpool (h)Arsenal (a)Chelsea (h)Manchester City (a)Nottingham Forest (h)There’s no sugarcoating the Toffees’ December; it’s a brutal run.Dwight McNeil (£3.7m) has impressed this season but gaffers should probably stay well clear of all Everton assets in the run-up to New Year’s Day.LEICESTERBrentford (a)West Ham (h)Brighton (h)Newcastle (a)Wolves (h)Liverpool (a)Manchester City (h)The Foxes are in desperate need of a new manager bounce and they’ll probably need to get their points early in December as they face an extremely taxing end to the month.WOLVESBournemouth (h)Everton (a)West Ham (a)Ipswich (h)Leicester (a)Manchester United (h)Tottenham (a)Wolves are a tad light without European fixtures or a Carabao Cup quarter-final but six consecutive bottom-half opponents could yield plenty of points for Matheus Cunha (£4.8m).Gary O’Neil’s star player averages 8.3 points-per-game this season and is in particular strong form right now having banked over 50 points in his last four appearances.A strong wildcardCredit: RexIPSWICHNottingham Forest (a)Crystal Palace (h)Bournemouth (h)Wolves (a)Newcastle (h)Arsenal (a)Chelsea (h)Liam Delap (£2.4m) is the only Tractor Boy with an ownership above 0.3% and that’s unlikely to change any time soon, despite Kieran McKenna’s admirable efforts in Suffolk.CRYSTAL PALACENewcastle (h)Ipswich (a)Manchester City (h)Brighton (a)Arsenal (a)Arsenal (h)Bournemouth (a)Southampton (h)The Carabao Cup draw has cruelly given the Eagles a double header against the Gunners but at least they have eight fixtures, one more than nine other clubs.Palace have found it hard going this season but Eberechi Eze (£5m) is player to keep an eye on as he tends to collect Dream Team points for fun when fit – he’s due back from injury any day now.Palace need Eze back sooner rather than laterCredit: GettySOUTHAMPTONBrighton (a)Chelsea (h)Aston Villa (a)Tottenham (h)Liverpool (h)Fulham (a)West Ham (h)Crystal Palace (a)With all due respect to Saints, there aren’t many Dream Team bosses out there keen on a club rooted to the bottom of the table.READ MORE SUN STORIESTheir next six opponents are all top-half clubs too – it could get messy for Russell Martin and his troops.Target the right fixtures with the right players and you will surge up the leaderboard this Christmas!BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Everton had Premier League’s easiest start – now pressure is on for Sean Dyche with £600m takeover complete by Christmas

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      DAN FRIEDKIN is on schedule to make many despairing Everton fans’ Christmas wishes come true.The days are passing fast on his £600million Toffees takeover that will finally see the departure of debunked majority owner Farhad Moshiri, expected by the end of next month.Everton manager Sean Dyche could face a nervy yuletideCredit: GettyDan Friedkin is on the brink of completing the long-awaited takeoverCredit: GettyWhether boss Sean Dyche will be able to mark the Californian’s arrival as a season to be merry or not remains to be seen.For he is about to start opening the windows on an advent calendar from hell.By the time he has completed it, any thoughts he might have had  of landing a new contract from Friedkin could be mere humbug.Dyche goes into Saturday’s home clash with Brentford under growing pressure.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe game will signal the end of what Opta stats suggest was the easiest start of this campaign for any Prem club.Yet in 11 games Everton have scraped together only ten points, with just two wins and ten goals.And that after kicking off with four defeats in a row to mark their worst league opening in 66 years.And now comes the hard bit.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollowing the visit of the Bees is a trip to Old Trafford a week on  Sunday in what will be Ruben Amorim’s first home league game as Manchester United’s new manager.Wolves at Goodison follows on December 4 before resurgent title leaders Liverpool come calling in the Merseyside derby three days later.Everton legend Andy van der Meyde takes busty star Charlotte Michelle for a spin in his car It is not liable to get any easier, either, with Arsenal at the Emirates on December 14, Chelsea on the 22nd then a Boxing Day meeting with reigning champs Manchester City.Were Dyche and his players still standing after that lot then he would surely deserve backing from incoming chief Friedkin. But everything points to another winter of discontent among the majority of supporters and a third successive drop battle.Fans are grateful to the 53-year-old manager for keeping the club up against a backdrop of financial crises and sales of prized playing assets like Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana.A year ago Dyche and Co were left reeling by a ten–point penalty, later reduced by two points, over breaches of the  Prem’s Profit and  Sustainability Rules. Another two points were docked later.Throughout his near-two-year tenure, Dyche has been swimming against the Mersey tide.Transfer funds for new  players have not even been at the same level as most Championship clubs. And there is appreciation on the Gwladys Street End  for his efforts.But, increasingly, he is facing a revolt over his playing style.The faithful complain about dull, predictable, long-ball tactics, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin — who is refusing to extend his own deal that also expires next summer — as the only attacking option.If — and it is a big if — Dyche can keep Everton up, do they really want to kick-off Prem life in their new 52,888-seater  stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock playing that brand of football?As the takeover of The Friedkin Group has gained momentum, Dyche has repeatedly sounded off about the problems he has faced.Everton hope their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will be ready next yearCredit: AFPHe said: “There seems to always be that cloud waiting around Everton Football Club — on or off the pitch.”Before the 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in September, the ex-Watford and Burnley boss stressed, “Some day the truth will come out,” on how difficult his time in charge has been.He added: “After all that’s been happening, it would be nice just to talk about football.“That’s something that’s  happened about twice since I got here 21 months ago. I’ve worked hard to correct a lot of things and I think I’ve done a very good job.”But more and more, Dyche comes across as someone who does not see himself lasting too much longer.There is also his admission that, despite the mess he has been trying to clean up, “the fans want to see a winning team, no matter what”.And through no great fault of his own, Dyche has struggled to produce winning teams, having just hit the 550-game mark as a manager.Brentford’s visit will be his 77th game in charge at Goodison, with just 25 victories.READ MORE SUN STORIESHow many more he  gets over the next sequence that ends at the  Etihad — by which time Friedkin is likely to be in charge — will almost certainly decide his future.Dyche, facing that nightmare fixture schedule, may well need a Christmas miracle of his own to survive the entrance of Moshiri’s successor. More

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      Premier League fines hit nearly £1MILLION after just 11 games with worst teams revealed as behaviour worsens

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      SO much for the Respect campaign — it is already starting to look more like Anarchy in the UK.Well, in English top-flight football, certainly.The biggest fine so far was £125,000 to Nottingham Forest after the spat with ChelseaCredit: PANottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is still serving a five-game banCredit: PAFor Premier League clubs to be approaching £1million in matchday misconduct fines before the Christmas decorations have gone up is the clearest possible signal that behaviour is heading in the wrong direction.Not just the players and managers are losing control, but assistant bosses, sporting directors and even one notoriously combustible owner.And with the most cluttered part of the entire season about to launch — clubs face as many as 12 matches in just five weeks across various competitions — the FA probably need to hire more staff for its fines department to cover for holiday absences.Whether it is behaviour falling, a response to perceived refereeing inadequacy, or that fines are an increasingly ineffective means of controlling tempers, is a question that may not be possible to answer.Read More on FootballBut what is clear is that almost every week brings another financial penalty or FA misconduct charge, with the current Prem aggregate standing at £917,500.The biggest single fine levied so far was the £125,000 Nottingham Forest were ordered to pay  after the spat sparked by Neco Williams’ shove on Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in the latter stages of October’s  Stamford Bridge draw.Defender Cucurella was pushed into Blues boss Enzo Maresca, leading to a fracas involving both benches  and players.The melee also cost Chelsea £90,000,  half of which was after the Blues picked up six yellow cards from ref Chris Kavanagh.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMaresca responded not with  any contrition, but praise. He said: “I like the way the team is fighting. I don’t see any problems with that.”Perhaps unsurprising then the Forest game was the second of THREE matches in which Chelsea picked up six bookings this term — costing them £150,000 in total.Premier League referee David Coote update after statement from UEFA and revelation that referees don’t get drug testedForest, in turn, really are walking a financial tightrope following their repeated offences. Last  season’s attack on VAR Stuart Attwell, ‘outing’ him as a Luton fan, cost them £750,000 — plus  a £40,000 fine for boss Nuno Espirito Santo and £24,000 for defender Williams.But it means that Forest started this season with their copybook already blotted.And that was before owner Evangelos Marinakis opted to spit towards officials in the  tunnel after their home loss by Fulham.Marinakis is still serving the five-game ban imposed by an independent commission and which was upheld on appeal.To be fair, so far at least, we have not witnessed the chaos that marred Fulham’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester United in 2023.Cottagers striker Aleksandar Mitrovic received an eight-game ban and the two clubs rattled up fines adding up to £180,000. PGMOL bosses want their officials to report any instances in which they are harassed or feel intimidated, on or off the pitch.More casesLeicester, Tottenham and West Ham have all been punished for collective misbehaviour by players.Southampton skipper Jack Stephens ended up with a five-match ban and £50,000 fine after his furious response to a clear red card against United.Man Utd coach Darren Fletcher and Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs have both been unable to keep a lid on their frustrations with decisions they did not like.And there have been 14 instances of clubs receiving six or more cards in a match, with Bournemouth and United both guilty on two occasions, each offence adding a further £25,000 to the standard fine.No wonder that within the FA there is a feeling that a light needs to be shone on the snarling petulance being shown time and again on the pitch, from the dugout and even the directors’ box.Wembley chiefs know that what happens in the Premier League is reflected across the country on grassroots pitches, leading to a worrying shortfall in referees.It is an ugly look for the beautiful game and there is little reason to think it will not get worse.READ MORE SUN STORIESMaybe the punishments need to become even more severe, even leading to points deductions. That might, at last, make people think. More

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      I felt sorry for England team-mates who toiled while I spent Christmas sipping cocktails on a beach, says Harry Kane

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      HARRY KANE has urged Premier League chiefs to bring back a ­winter break to boost England’s dreams of winning trophies.The Three Lions captain insists players need time off during the ­season to avoid burnout and be at their best for summer World Cup  and Euros tournaments.Harry Kane says he benefited hugely from having last Christmas offCredit: MegaKane’s England colleagues like Cole Palmer face another busy XmasCredit: SplashBayern Munich striker Kane admits he “felt sorry” for Prem stars who had to play over Christmas last year — while he sipped cocktails on a beach.Ahead of Sunday’s Wembley Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland, Kane declared: “If we can get some sort of winter break for the Premier League boys it would have a big impact.“We had it for about two years in the Prem and it went down well with players.“It’s a shame they don’t get that break now. For a lot of the players it was important, even for a week to get away and recharge so they could finish their season and go into major tournaments. READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS”It’s going to be a hard one to change. But it’s a conversation that needs to be had.”Kane enjoyed  a ten-day family holiday during Bayern’s three-week winter break last season but would have played five games in that period at former club Tottenham.He will get similar time off next month, while Prem stars play four times.Kane’s plea comes after Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri threatened strike action over football’s “crazy” calendar — before an ACL injury ended his season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPlayers’ unions have also launched legal action against Fifa over next summer’s £600million 32-team Club World Cup in America which will involve City, Chelsea and Bayern.The Prem’s top stars face playing up to 85 GAMES for club and country this season but the PFA want a 60-match limit.England fans tear gassed by ‘heavy-handed’ riot cops as FA launch probeKane, 31, benefited from Germany’s winter break last season, ending up with 44 goals in 45 appearances in his debut campaign for Bayern.He  added: “In Germany, I get that winter break so I get a good block off in a tough period.“I did feel sorry for some of the guys when I was on the beach last year watching them play on Boxing Day and the 29th — and I am there with my cocktail.“It really helped me last year to recover.“Being in Germany gives you that luxury. I’ll have that next year as well.”England’s 68-goal record scorer wins his 103rd cap today after interim boss Lee Carsley dropped him to the bench in favour of Ollie Watkins for Thursday’s 3-0 Nations League win in Greece.Asked if that was a shock, Kane admitted: “A little bit. It was like, ‘OK’, getting my head around it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I wasn’t down about it, I wasn’t worried.“Lee wanted to give Ollie the experience in a tough away game we had to win and I understood his decision.”Ollie Watkins shone and scored when coming in for KaneCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd ‘cancel Christmas’ as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ruthless cost-cutting measures after 250 redundancies

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      MANCHESTER UNITED chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has axed the club’s Christmas party.The ruthless decision is the latest cost-cutting measure by the British billionaire.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has cancelled the club’s Christmas partyCredit: AlamyStaff at Man Utd normally enjoy a Christmas bash in the build-up to December 25.But the celebration for behind-the-scenes employees has been cancelled by Ratcliffe, according to The Athletic.The party for the players is seemingly still going ahead, should manager Erik ten Hag allow it after a nightmare start to the season.Ratcliffe’s plans to cut overheads at Old Trafford have seen him stop paying Sir Alex Ferguson his £2.16m-a-year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe legendary boss became the club’s global ambassador soon after he walked away from the dugout in 2013.But the deal has been torn up in an amicable decision between both men.Man Utd will continue to employ Fergie as a non-executive director and he will always be welcome at games.Since buying a 27.7 per cent of the club and taking charge of football operations, Ratcliffe has let 250 employees go.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIneos’ cost cutting methods have also seen private chauffeurs and company credit cards axed.Staff and the players’ Wags had to pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final in May.And other perks like lunch, accommodation, extra tickets and a post-match party were scrapped.Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealedWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

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      Chelsea legend reveals boozy Christmas party tactic that stopped him ‘being in a coma for seven days’

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      CHELSEA legend Gus Poyet has recalled the sneaky Christmas party tractic he used to avoid drinking too much booze.The former Blues star jokingly explained how he cleverly avoided “being placed in a coma for seven days” during Chelsea nights out.Gus Poyet recalled his brilliant party trick to avoid getting too drunk at ChelseaPoyet reckons he mastered the practice of safe drinking during his five years in West London between 1997 and 2001.In fact, the Uruguayan finally held his hands up to admit that he would turn up hours late to avoid a deadly hangover.Poyet told The Times:”For Christmas nights out in London the players would get together at two o’clock, so I would get there at seven. “If I start at two — I’m not going to name names but the way some could drink was unbelievable. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”And the next day, they train — no problem. Me, I would be in a coma for seven days.”When asked about his social life at Chelsea, he said: “Top. But the drinking culture — I was shocked. I remember being injured, my first night out.”They gave me a beer and I’m holding it, I don’t know if I’m going to drink. And then they bring me another one and put it in my other hand.”I adapted. I knew you have to give something of yourself and even if I wasn’t a big drinker I needed to be present. Part of the team.Most read in FootballPoyet won the FA Cup and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup during his stint at Chelsea – with Dennis Wise and Roberto Di MatteoFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So I never missed a night out, but did it my way.” When asked about the football, Poyet said: “It was physical. I liked it. Away from home, north, it was always tough. Leeds!Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror show”A typical question they ask me everywhere in the world is: ‘who was the toughest player you play against?’ “Well, every time you were facing Roy Keane you needed to be prepared. Because you knew he was coming.”Poyet scored 49 goals in 145 Chelsea midfield appearances after joining as a free agent.He joined Tottenham in May 2021 for around £2.2m and scored 14 goals in his debut season, helping Spurs reach the League Cup final where they lost 2-1 to Blackburn.His time at Spurs was blighted by injuries after he sustained cruciate ligament damage for the second time in his career in August 2002.After hanging up his boots in 2004, Poyet began his coaching career as assistant coach of Swindon Town.He later managed Brighton, Sunderland, AEK Athens and the Greece national team until his contract ended in March this year. More

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      Sean Dyche set to be handed January transfer war chest as incoming Everton owners put faith in under-fire manager

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      EVERTON’S prospective new owners have committed to giving Sean Dyche significant transfer funds in January.Friedkin Group representatives held talks with Toffees’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell since the £500million takeover deal was revealed last week.Sean Dyche will get a transfer-kitty boost if a takeover goes throughCredit: RexUS billionaire Dan Friedkin is closing on a buy-outCredit: GettyThe American investment group, who also own Italian side Roma, are understood to have provided assurances that cash will be  available for boss Dyche.And Everton are hopeful the Friedkin Group’s takeover will be approved by the Prem before Christmas. The Merseyside outfit have no short-term funding problems as they have received most of their Premier League TV money for the season up front.But a prompt takeover would give them extra spending power in January. READ MORE TOP STORIESThe Friedkin Group spent heavily at Roma and indicated they are willing to provide similar backing to Everton, as long as the club remain within the Premier League’s PSR limits.The new owners are also committed to investing in Everton’s non-football departments and increasing the size of their executive team.Everton were docked points twice last season after being found guilty of overspending. But the club are confident they will not face charges for last term and have room to sign players in January’s window.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThere is one outstanding issue relating to the previous case, with the Premier League claiming Everton’s PSR breach for the 2022-23 season was £6.5m higher than the £16m overspend the club admitted to.The Prem is alleging the breach was much higher as interest payments related to the club’s new stadium were not included in Everton’s spending and could charge them again.The mess Everton are in explainedMeanwhile, incoming TFG will look to clean up the club’s balance sheet and cut debt of about £600m.They will also oversee the opening of the Merseysiders’ new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock which will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. More