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      West Brom 0 Arsenal 6: Aubameyang returns with stunning hat-trick as Gunners forget Prem hell to give Baggies a bashing

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG answered Mikel Arteta’s call to arms as Arsenal finally remembered how to win again.Arteta had urged his senior stars to step up and take responsibility after the club’s worst ever start to a top-flight season.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored three as Arsenal smashed West Brom 6-0Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet as the Gunners picked up their first win of the seasonCredit: PA
      And captain Aubameyang climbed off his sickbed to see off West Brom’s reserves and get the Gunners’ up and running.
      Starting his first game since contracting Covid two weeks ago, the £60million superstar scored three and set up Nicolas Pepe for another to put this Carabao Cup tie safely to bed.
      Bukayo Saka and Alex Lacazette were also on target as Arsenal racked up their biggest win since December 2017.
      And how Arteta needed this result after back to back Premier League defeats by Brentford and Chelsea had left him feeling the heat like never before.
      Of course the Spaniard is not out of the woods yet and Saturday’s trip to Champions Manchester City will certainly provide him with a much sterner test than Albion’s kids could manage last night.
      But you can only beat what is put in front of you and Arsenal are in no position to turn up their noses at any sort of victory right now.

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      It was the first time that Arsenal had appeared at this early stage of the League Cup since they last failed to qualify for Europe 26 years ago.
      And the fact that West Brom changed the entire team which had beaten Blackburn at weekend confirmed that boss Valerien Ismael wasn’t half as desperate for a result as Arteta.
      The Carabao Cup was clearly way down on his list of priorities as he handed debuts to six players after David Button and Callum Robinson tested positive for Covid and Rayhaan Tulloch was injured in the pre-match warm-up.
      Yet what Albion lacked in experience they more than made up for in enthusiasm as Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Nuno Tavares were all subjected to early bone rattlers.
      And anxious Arsenal supporters would hardly have been reassured by the sight of teenager Caleb Taylor at the heart of the home defence.
      Because it was Taylor’s father Martin who infamously broke the leg of Eduardo while playing for Birmingham against the Gunners back in 2008.
      No wonder Arsenal were a bag of nerves as Aaron Ramsdale was forced into the first save of the evening by Tom Fellows and Taylor Gardner-Hickman shot narrowly wide from the corner.
      Ramsdale was making his Gunners debut following last week’s £24million move from Sheffield United and quickly realised that he is going to have his work cut out at the Emirates.
      Nicolas Pepe was in top form and found the target in the first halfCredit: Reuters
      Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to score his first of the new termCredit: Reuters
      Martin Odegaard missed an open goal on his debut but made up for it with a gorgeous assistCredit: Reuters
      But just when it was shaping up to be the ultimate humiliation for the visitors, they bought themselves some much-needed breathing room with their first goal of the season.
      Midfield rookie Quevin Castro was caught in possession by Saka and though the England star’s 17th minute shot was saved by Alex Palmer, Aubameyang was lurking for a simple tap-in.
      It was a similar story just before the break, when he stroked home the rebound after Pepe’s shot had come back off a post.
      And Aubameyang returned the favour in first-half stoppage time when he hooked the ball across goal for Pepe to convert from close range.
      Saka was next up to make his mark, firing home after a beautiful backheel from Odegaard in his first appearance since completing his £30million permanent move from Real Madrid.
      But Aubameyang was not finished yet, cutting inside to complete his hat-trick with a beauty into the top corner before Lacazette came off the bench to complete the rout.
      Odegaard and Pepe also struck the woodwork as Arsenal’s superstars took full advantage of their opponents’ naivety to run riot.
      Yet Ismael won’t be too downhearted by this result as he focuses all his efforts on securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
      It was West Brom’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in May which confirmed their relegation and led to the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and half of the squad.

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      Aaron Ramsdale got his first taste of Arsenal action between the sticksCredit: Reuters
      New defender Nuno Tavares impressed at right-backCredit: Reuters
      It was captain fantastic Aubameyang who walked off with the match ballCredit: Getty
      But now their supporters have a new spring in their step after watching their team challenge Fulham at the top of the Championship.
      And they certainly won’t be losing any sleep over this one as they responded to the taunts of visiting fans by demanding: “How s*** must you be, we’re playing our kids.”
      It was hard to argue with their logic.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Arsenal fans taunt West Brom with X-rated ‘we’re winning away’ song after Aubameyang scores opener in Carabao Cup tie More

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      Odegaard misses OPEN GOAL on second Arsenal debut… as fans joke they hope Gunners kept receipt after £30m transfer

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD fluffed an open-goal on his second Arsenal debut in tonight’s 6-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of West Brom.And the miss prompted Gunners fans to joke that the club should have kept a receipt for the £30million man.
      Martin Odegaard missed an open goal against West Brom on his second Arsenal debutCredit: Sky Sports
      Gunners fans joked the club should have kept a receipt for the £30m playmakerCredit: Sky Sports
      Odegaard, 22, rejoined Arsenal last week from Real Madrid, having spent the first half of 2021 on loan at the Emirates.
      The Norwegian playmaker was unable to make his first appearance as a permanent player in the 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
      And Odegaard was instead thrust into Wednesday’s starting XI for the second-round win at West Brom.
      Arsenal started well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired them ahead after recovering from coronavirus.
      But Odegaard could have the Gunners 2-0 up at the Hawthorns after taking advantage of a Baggies mistake at the back.
      Odegaard found himself in front of goal with the ball at his feet after a defensive mix-up.

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      But instead of playing a square ball across the box which would have absolutely guaranteed a successful strike, Odegaard instead decided to try his own luck.
      However, despite not being at a tight angle, the midfielder was unable to direct his shot into the back of the net, instead feebly hitting the side netting.
      And Arsenal supporters were quick to deride the effort from their new man.
      One quipped: “How am I going to tell my kids Odegaard missed from there?”
      Another said: “We spent £30million on Odegaard who’s just there for vibes.”
      One noted: “Ain’t no way Odegaard is being right now, my guy you played for Real Madrid.”
      Another tweeted: “Odegaard can’t be the same guy that played pro ball with Ronaldo at 15, he just can’t be.”
      One added: “Quick, get the receipt, this Odegaard guy is sus.”
      Odegaard’s miss was soon forgotten though when Aubameyang grabbed his second of the night before half-time.

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      And there were still seconds left for Nicolas Pepe to make it 3-0 ahead of the interval.
      Odegaard then bagged a sublime assist in the second half as Bukayo Saka hit the target.
      And Aubameyang netted his third hat-trick in a Gunners shirt with 30 minutes still on the clock before Alexandre Lacazette made it 6-0 with the final goal of the game.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Arsenal star Lucas Torreira signs Fiorentina contract on £1m loan transfer with £13m permanent option More

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      Neil Warnock slammed by Ref Support UK as ’embarrassment to football’ after Middlesbrough bosses latest rant

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      NEIL WARNOCK was labelled an “embarrassment to football” by a referee charity after the Middlesbrough boss’ latest rant. A furious Warnock marched onto the pitch following Boro’s 3-2 defeat to QPR and tore into ref Steve Martin, blasting him for missing an apparent headbutt from Rangers’ Charlie Austin on defender Grant Hall.
      Middlesbrough boss Warnock was furious because he felt Martin had missed a headbutt from QPR’s Charlie Austin on defender Grant HallCredit: Getty
      Warnock was blasted by a ref charity for “encouraging abuse”Credit: Getty
      But Ref Support UK hammered the 72-year-old, who is no stranger to dishing it out to officials, for encouraging others to do the same. 
      They said: “On the day that ITV run a two-day special report on ref abuse, this happens. 
      “This man is an embarrassment to football. Every season his pantomime show encourages ref abuse. 
      “Clubs that employ him, like Middlesbrough, need to take a hard, long look at themselves. Disgraceful.”
      Uche Ikpeazu gave Middlesbrought the lead at the Riverside from the penalty spot before Jonny Howson’s own goal made it 1-1. 
      Rangers then had Moses Odubajo sent off for a second yellow card before Lyndon Dykes put the visitors ahead. 
      Matt Crooks equalised for the Teessiders but Chris Willock, in front of his younger brother Joe who has just signed for Newcastle from Arsenal for £25million, won it. 
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      After Wednesday’s defeat, Warnock fumed: ”It’s just amazing really.
      “I thought he (Austin) headbutted Hall. It’s a straightforward headbutt. The ref saw it and thought it was a clash of heads but when you see the video it’s a bit different. I find it amazing they only see certain things. 
      “We have not been helped (by the officials). 
      “The linesman has given two offsides which are never offside in a million years and you expect better from that officials and I just told them that. I’ll have to write about it and I’ll get a report saying “yeah, you were right…”
      Neil Warnock in X-rated rant at referee at Middlesbrough youth game vs Leeds just 24 hours after Brentford loss
      Warnock, 72, has been the scourge of officials for over 40 yearsCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Salford boss Johnson says horror Covid battle was scariest time of life after suffering kidney failure & pneumonia

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      FORMER Salford City boss Anthony Johnson revealed he almost died in a horror Covid battle.The 38-year-old  — who rose to fame in the BBC documentary about the Class of 92’s ownership of the club —  suffered kidney failure and pneumonia when he contracted the virus.
      Ex-Salford City gaffer Anthony Johnson was told his kidneys were failing whilst being treated in hospital for Covid-19
      He said: “It was the scariest time of my life. For a day or two, I thought that was it.”
      Johnson (left) tested positive for Covid last month — after his daughter, Bella caught it at school.
      He isolated and experienced flu-like symptoms but things took a turn for the worse and he was taken to hospital with serious breathing problems.
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      Paramedics arriving at his home were even forced to use a defibrillator to shock him back to life after they struggled to find a pulse.
      The father-of-three — who is now co-manager at Chester — had to wait five hours before he was taken in because the  Bury hospital was overwhelmed.
      He said: “At this point, I was thinking I could have been dead  — because if they hadn’t found my pulse, I wouldn’t have known any different.
      “I’d just had this defib and I’m in an ambulance bed thinking that I’m done.
      “Those paramedics were with me for nearly five hours. So while they’re sat with me — not being able to do anything apart from making sure I don’t die — there are other people not being seen to.”
      Johnson was eventually taken to the Covid ward where he was put in a bed next to elderly patients.
      I’m a nobody, I’m not a celebrity, I’m not a famous football manager. But I’ve had thousands and thousands and thousands of messages from peopleAnthony Johnson
      He was diagnosed with pneumonia, was forced to wear an oxygen mask and could not move without using a wheelchair.
      He said: “I was saying to the nurses and doctors, ‘I know I’m not as poorly as everyone else is in here.
      “And the doctor said, ‘You are, your kidneys are failing,  your blood oxygen level is lower than anybody else’s in here, you’re as poorly — if not worse — than everybody else’.
      “When he said that it struck a chord with me at how close I was to probably dying.”
      To make things even worse, Johnson could not see wife Kayla and kids  Lewis, 16,  Bella, nine, and Zac, seven.
      After seven nights in hospital, Johnson is now feeling “a million times better” — and was overwhelmed by the support of Chester.
      He added: “It has just been absolutely unbelievable. You realise how important you are to some people.
      Johnson said he has received thousands of messages from well-wishers as he recovers in hospitalCredit: Getty

      “I’m a nobody, I’m not a celebrity, I’m not a famous football manager. But I’ve had thousands and thousands and thousands of messages from people.
      “The players sent me a montage video with them and Bernard Morley, our co-manager.
      “I cried. Before that, I’d never cried in my whole life.”
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      Manchester United fan left fuming after link to match tickets takes him to the Liverpool FC website More

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      Watch bizarre moment referee Keith Stroud blows KISS to match ball at Fulham against Middlesbrough leaving fans confused

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      REFEREE Keith Stroud is clearly as delighted as anyone to see the new season – and bizarrely blew a KISS to the match ball ahead of his game on Sunday.The whistler took charge of Fulham’s 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
      Keith Stroud blew a kiss to the match ball ahead of Fulham vs MiddlesbroughCredit: Sky Sports
      The referee certainly kicked off the new Championship season in styleCredit: Sky Sports
      He completed the move with a swift throw and catch of the ball at Craven CottageCredit: Sky Sports

      And as he led the teams out of the tunnel, he performed the hilarious gesture before picking the Championship ball off the plinth at Craven Cottage.
      To top it off, Stroud did the classic collection – throwing it up and catching it with both hands.
      Even his assistants looked a bit confused by the antics – and unsurprisingly, fans on Twitter were also baffled.
      One wrote: “You just know he was practising it last night in the bathroom mirror.”
      Another said: “The strut, the kiss, the ball collection. Football referees are back.”
      A third simply added: “The Keith Stroud Show.”
      And a final user commented: “Keith Stroud is back, baby.”
      It is not the first time the 51-year-old from Hampshire has been spotted demonstrating his love of the beautiful game.
      In August 2019, Stroud kissed the ball as he walked out for Salford City’s Carabao Cup clash with Leeds.
      ‘MINI MIKE DEAN’
      And last September he was at it again ahead of Watford vs Middlesbrough.
      At least this time he was more Covid-safe by blowing the kiss rather than giving the ball a big smack with his lips.
      Many compared the move to the original celebrity ref, Mike Dean, who has forged a reputation for his eccentric style on the pitch.
      The Football Ramble said: “You thought Mike Dean was a showman, but bet he’s never blown a kiss to the match ball like Keith Stroud did today has he.”
      Paul typed: “Dean-esque showboating for the cameras. Makes me cringe.”
      Karl added: “Mini Mike Dean.”
      And James joked: “Oooooft he’s set the bar high on day 1 of the season. Can’t wait for Dean’s response.”
      With the Premier League not underway until Friday, Dean had the weekend off – and made the most of it by heading to Prenton Park to watch his beloved Tranmere take on Walsall.
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      But on the hour mark, when one of the assistants went down injured, Dean raced to the rescue by stepping in as fourth official.
      Dean could have a rival in the top flight this season, though, with fellow referee Kevin Friend showing early signs of form in pre-season.
      The Leicestershire-based official hilariously booked the crowd during Bristol City’s friendly against Aston Villa after the travelling fans chanted ‘You’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ at him.
      It is not the first time he has demonstrated his affection when leading the teams outCredit: Rex
      As well as a 2019 Carabao Cup clash, Stroud did it again at Vicarage Road last seasonCredit: Sky Sports
      Ref Kevin Friend gives crowd yellow card after they chant ‘you’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ More

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      Tom Lawrence’s late mum would be proud of him captaining Wayne Rooney’s Derby – and he’s matured after drink-drive hell

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      TOM LAWRENCE knows his late mum Deborah will look down proudly as he leads Derby out as captain on Saturday.The attacking midfielder has been handed the armband for the season by boss Wayne Rooney.
      Tom Lawrence, captaining Derby in pre-season against SalfordCredit: Rex
      It raised eyebrows in some sections of the Rams’ support, but it could well be an inspired piece of management from the England and Manchester United legend.
      Lawrence, 27, has just come through the most challenging time of his life.
      First he had the trauma of his mum being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and dying at the age of just 56.
      Then, not long afterwards, he and former team-mate Mason Bennett were involved in a car crash after drink-driving and left the scene.
      Both pleaded guilty and got driving bans and community service.
      But two years on, and having matured on and off the field, Lawrence has been given the opportunity by Rooney to not just lead the team but to be someone young players can learn from.
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      Lawrence told SunSport: “The ups and downs on and off the pitch, I’ve been through them all.
      “Now I’m at an age where I’m mentally in the right place, ready to lead this group of lads and my door is always open for anyone who wants to speak to me. 
      “There are plenty of people close to me, around Derby County, who helped me massively.
      “I’m forever grateful. I know how I can help other people and it’s a new chapter for me.”
      When Lawrence was going through his lowest time coming to terms with his mum’s diagnosis, treatment and then her death, he continued playing.
      He played in the Championship play-off final defeat by Aston Villa just after she died in 2019.
      Lawrence said: “When I went through it, I played the games but didn’t think about things.
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      “On the pitch was the best time in many ways because you’re not thinking about it.
      “The preparations were not ideal obviously, because I was going through stuff. But on the pitch you don’t think about anything else.”
      But what he did learn during that period was the importance of speaking to someone.
      His former Rams boss Frank Lampard in particular was a huge help — as he had gone through the same agony when he lost his own mum, Pat.
      Lawrence said: “When you are young and growing up in football, you’re under a lot of pressure.
      The ups and downs on and off the pitch, I’ve been through them all… now I’m at an age where I’m mentally in the right place, ready to lead this group of lads and my door is always open for anyone who wants to speak to me.  Tom Lawrence
      “It can be stressful in many difficult ways. There are always people around who you can speak to about it.
      “I don’t think enough players speak about it. The best message I can give someone is to speak to someone.”
      When he runs out at Pride Park against Huddersfield as captain on Saturday, Lawrence will be thinking of his mum.
      He said: “She would have been the proudest mum and I’m    sure she will be looking down.”
      Derby have been under transfer restrictions this summer after breaking EFL Financial Fair Play rules and were trying to sign eight new players this week on free transfers, with wages restricted by the league.
      The Rams only survived relegation after a dramatic 3-3 last-day draw with drop rivals Sheffield Wednesday last term and would have gone down had it not been for Cardiff scoring a late leveller against Rotherham.
      Lawrence said: “I don’t want to be involved in one of those games again to be honest — but we haven’t got the biggest squad and things aren’t happy at the moment.
      “However, we’ve worked hard and are ready for the first game and because of the squad size it’s important everyone stands up to be counted.”
      Lawrence has also been nominated by Rooney as the club’s penalty-taker.

      He said: “The manager has been so helpful and supportive to me. He is always good at giving me advice as a goalscorer — and after what he has achieved in the game, you take anything he says on board.
      “I am happy to be taking penalties.
      “I want to score more goals. I think I’ve only scored double figures twice in the last six years so I need to do that on a more consistent basis.”
      Lawrence has been through a tough two years following the death of his mum and his drink-driving convictionCredit: Rex
      Derby boss Wayne Rooney has shown his faith in Lawrence by making him captainCredit: Rex More

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      Neeskens Kebano hopes Fulham will bounce straight back into the Premier League after his Craven Cottage exile

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      WHEN Neeskens Kebano was dropped at Fulham after their opening Premier League defeat against Arsenal last season it seemed ruthlessly harsh.The winger had played a key role in getting the Cottagers there in the first place and had enjoyed a strong pre-season.
      Neeskens Kebano is hoping Fulham will be topping the table this season
      Neeskens Kebano’s only Premier League start last season was against Arsenal
      Yet after a 3-0 home loss to the Gunners, he only managed another four league substitute appearances totalling 54 minutes playing time.
      But Kebano, 29, is not someone who dwells on disappointments and tells me how he sticks religiously to the biggest piece of advice his dad Nestor told him while growing up in Montereau-Fault-Yonne on the outskirts of Paris.
      The French-born Congo ace said: “There’s a saying in the Bible which I don’t know the exact translation into English – but essentially it is, ‘You could be suffering today, smiling tomorrow then laughing the next day. Don’t be stuck in your mood, life goes on.’
      “You’ll have a good game, another good game, maybe a bad game. You can’t overthink things. Just do what you know and keep living your life.”
      His mum Brigitte and dad had a hard start to life growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and they both worked extremely hard to make ends meet when Kebano, his two sisters and brother were growing up.
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      And as he got older, he understood the significance of stories they told him of their upbringing in the Central African state and the sacrifices they made to make sure he got a better start in life.
      The winger said: “I didn’t grow up on the Champs-Elysees. I grew up in a suburb of Paris where you don’t have the new Nike trainers, the new branded jeans. You have to do what you have to do. 
      “Most of our parents from this community made sacrifices themselves just to make sure their children were not in need.
      “For example, I only saw my parents at home very early in the morning and late in the evening. You wouldn’t see them during the day because they’d leave around 5am and were not back until 8pm.
      “They worked in central Paris and had to commute every day, taking two trains there and two back – it was hard.
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      “So I’ve always seen them as role models. As a boy, I always looked up to my father and wanted to be like him. Even today he is always giving me advice.” 
      During the height of the pandemic last year, the Fulham star felt compelled to send food, essential goods and PPE to his parents’ home town of Kinshasa through a charity he set up called the Neeskens Kebano Foundation.
      He said: “The government forbade everyone from going outside of their homes but in Congo that’s hard because the only way they earn their money is by selling bread, fish and water in the streets.
      “If you’re asking them to stay indoors, how can they live, eat and drink? How do they feed their families?
      “We decided to send out some rice, oil, face-masks, hand-sanitising gels, that sort of stuff – just to give people there some sort of help.”
      Kebano often visits Congo – whether to see relatives or play for the national team – and is moved by the poverty people suffer and their way of life.
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      One of the most incredible things is how a mother can get into debt for simply having a child – something that is common across Africa.
      The Fulham winger explained: “In Congo, when a mother gives birth – and no-one can afford to settle the medical fee – she and the baby must stay there until someone comes and pays and they only then can leave.
      “My friend Chancel Mbemba – who used to play for Newcastle – went there to pay for some mothers.”
      I put it to Kebano that it seems crazy that in 2021 we should have such poverty and that the situation he describes – which is effectively blackmail and hostage-taking – is still rife in the world.
      And that the African continent appears as far away as ever from being a good home for its inhabitants.
      But Kebano explains: “In Congo – and Africa in general – I think one problem can’t just be resolved. The trouble is there are many more problems than just one. 
      “What needs to happen is you must go through the whole foundation of these countries.
      “You need to start with a good education because poor children don’t go to school.
      “I look at the health for people to be in good condition to live their lives or to work. I think you have started with a good foundation.
      “I want a fair world but we don’t live in a fair world.”
      Kebano was named after Dutch football legend and three-time Ajax European Cup winner Johan Neeskens, his dad’s favourite player of all time.
      “I was always destined to be a footballer,” he laughs.
      Kebano – having spent a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough in the second half of last season – is back in the picture at Craven Cottage and raring to help them bounce straight back to the Premier League after relegation.
      With former Everton, Watford and Hull boss Marco Silva now at the helm, it is a fresh start for everyone as Fulham open their campaign – ironically – against Boro at home on Sunday.
      I like the idea of yo-yoing back into the Premier League – then it must stop!Neeskens Kebano
      He said: “I enjoyed my time at Boro because I was playing and an important player. 
      “It was one of the best dressing rooms. There was a good mix of older and younger players. Sometimes an experienced player doesn’t want a younger one to show their potential because that makes him a threat to his position in the team – but that wasn’t the case at Boro.  
      “I like how Neil Warnock managed it – even players who weren’t playing were positive. I was playing cards and things. It was a good vibe.”
      So what does he make of his new boss in West London, Silva? Without hesitation, Kebano answers: “He’s demanding. That’s the main thing. Before talking about tactics and the work we do, he knows what he wants from each of us.

      “We speak about fine margins that can give us the edge – even just to draw a game when we can’t win. They’ll make the difference and help if we go up again.”
      How can Fulham stop being a yo-yo club as this will be their fourth season in a row starting in a new division in the top tiers?
      Kebano laughs: “Oh, let’s not stop yet. I like the idea of yo-yoing back to the Premier League. Then we must stop!”
      Neeskens Kebano met up with SunSport’s Justin Allen ahead of the new season
      Neeskens Kebano shows off Fulham’s new home kit for the 2021-22 campaign More

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      Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill urges fans to get vaccinated and help each other out this season after his Covid hell

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      STEVE COTTERILL has urged fans to help each other boot the worst of Covid-19 out of our lives once and for all.The Shrewsbury manager likened his own harrowing experience with the deadly virus as having a go on every ride in a fairground.
      Steve Cotterill back managing Shrewsbury in pre-season after his Covid hellCredit: Getty
      And after being lucky to live to tell the tale, Cotterill – who will manage his side at home to Burton today – wants fans to consider two important things as they return to matches this season after almost 18 months locked out.

      Show kindness and respect to one another inside and outside stadiums, whether it be by keeping socially distanced or wearing face coverings where possible, to help keep a lid on the disease

      Get vaccinated to help not only protect themselves but their fellow supporters who may be more vulnerable if they catch the virus.

      Cotterill, 57, spent 33 days in hospital, including a spell in intensive care, after contracting the killer bug in January.
      And the former Burnley boss was readmitted for another 16 days after his condition worsened in March.
      He told SunSport: “I had a tube inserted just under my bicep, directly down to my heart.
      “It ended up puncturing my lung. Imagine trying to blow a balloon up after you’ve put a pin prick into the neck of it. It doesn’t matter how good you are, you’re not going to blow that balloon up because the wind is escaping all the time.
      “So when oxygen was pumped into me, it was actually coming back out into my body, which gave me emphysema – causing shortness of breath.
      “The air was in between the layers of my skin, which had a choking effect that made things even more difficult.
      “I remember one night being really poorly. I was staying up longer because I didn’t want to sleep as I wasn’t sure if I’d wake up again.
      “Eventually I slept but woke at 4am. Normally, when you wake that early, it’s the end of the world because you want to stay asleep.
      “Yet that morning I couldn’t have been more delighted because I was still alive and thought, ‘Maybe I’m going to be all right after all.’
      “But I remember there was a day I had a lot of chest pains about 2am and they came out and did an ECG on me there and then.
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      “If the Bristol Royal Infirmary was a fairground, I remember having a go on every ride going that day. I was here, there and everywhere – there were X-rays, scans, echocardiograms, the lot.
      “When you’re in intensive care, you’re so unwell, you just leave it to the brilliant doctors and nurses. My specialist Dr Katrina Curtis and all the staff there, I’ll always be thankful for how they looked after me.”
      The government has been in discussion with the EFL and Premier League about a much-debated and controversial vaccine passport scheme – where fans will only be allowed into stadiums if they have been double jabbed.
      Regardless of that outcome, many clubs will still encourage fans, where possible, to social distance and continue to wear facial coverings.
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      Stadium capacity will be down to each club’s local authority – assessed on safety and the Covid situation in the area at any given time.
      And Cotterill said: “Now the government has relaxed rules, someone will wear a mask in a supermarket, while another person won’t.
      “Already you’re seeing someone queuing, who isn’t wearing one, coughing and spluttering.
      “Then all of a sudden someone will be giving them a funny look and that escalates into an argument.
      “That’s not what we want in stadiums.
      “It would be great if we could get back to full capacity but must bear in mind that the situation with this virus can change at any moment.
      “So if we can’t – or at a later date must restrict numbers – it’s important fans respect social distancing and whatever rules are laid down by the authorities at the time.
      I remember one night being really poorly. I was staying up longer because I didn’t want to sleep as I wasn’t sure if I’d wake up again.Steve Cotterill
      “It doesn’t matter how crazy we all are about our teams, the most important thing is our health.
      “If you haven’t got your health, it doesn’t matter how much you love your club because you’re not going to be watching them.
      “So everyone has to be safe and respectful to the man, woman or child sat next to them – or the older lady sat two seats away.
      “If we can all look after each other during this time – because it won’t be forever – we can get the best of both worlds, stay healthy and get to watch football.”
      More than 38 million people have been fully vaccinated – which is almost 60 per cent of the population.
      The government has already announced that partying Brits will need a vaccine passport from the end of September with fears that there are still many youngsters who have not been jabbed.
      Cotterill said: “I think the younger age group have been really good. When you look at it, we have had 87 per cent of people who’ve been jabbed in our country. So there are 13 per cent that are left and that might be some of the younger age group.
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      “The younger ones still want to go out night-clubbing and be here, there and everywhere. So my advice to them would be, ‘Having the jab is a good thing otherwise you’re not going to enjoy your lives like you did a year or two ago.’
      “Yes, it’s true the vaccination can make you poorly for a day or two – but, trust me, it’s nothing like the real thing.
      “There are a lot of people who’ve caught Covid only had symptoms for a few days or none at all – but it’s only when it grabs hold of you, like it did with me, that you’re a lot more passionate about things.
      “I’m not telling people they must get it done but I’ll certainly try to persuade people why they should get it done.”
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