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      Middlesbrough 4 Shrewsbury 3: Boro claim first home win since Boxing Day as Fletcher double seals Carabao Cup victory

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      MIDDLESBROUGH overcame a scare in a Carabao Cup thriller with Shrewsbury to seal a first home win since Boxing Day.
      Neil Warnock’s Championship side were pushed all the way by their plucky League One opponents before edging it 4-3 to reach round two.

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      Ashley Fletcher helped fire Middlesbrough to a first home win since Boxing Day against ShrewsburyCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Scott High stunned Boro by firing the visitors ahead with a 25-yard piledriverCredit: PA:Press Association
      And the veteran boss, who saved them from relegation last season, was delighted to end their miserable Riverside run.
      Warnock said: “I wanted the lads to score more goals but I don’t know about conceding like that.
      “We have to score more goals. I hate being the lowest scorers.
      “It’s nice to get a win at last at home and let’s take it forward.

      “It’s great to score four but disappointing to concede like we did.”

      Boro were stunned after a strong start on 13 minutes when 19-year-old Scott High unleashed a piledriver into the top corner from long-range.
      But any hopes of holding on to their lead ended quickly thanks to a howler from Town goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.
      Marvin Johnson’s shot from Lewis Wing’s cross looked to be a routine save for the stopper, but he somehow allowed it to squirm over the line at his near post.

      And just after the half hour mark they were trailing as Boro’s scorer turned provided for Ashley Fletcher to rifle home.
      Burgoyne was to suffer the wrath of his team-mates again moments after the break when his clearance from wide on the right fell straight to Wing.

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      Neil Warnock was delighted to end Boro’s long home winless runCredit: PA:Press Association
      The midfielder struck it from 30 yards past the scrambling goalie only for his effort to rebound off the post, but Fletcher reacted quickest for his second.
      Jason Cummings pulled one back for the Shrews with a great left-footed finish after collecting the ball at the back post from a corner.
      Marcus Tavernier’s deflected strike from 18 yards appeared to have ended their hopes of a comeback.
      But Pyke finished off a well-worked move to set-up a tense final 15.
      Sub striker Daniel Udoh was thrown on and almost made himself the hero late on only to be denied by ‘keeper Dejan Stojanovic.
      After guiding the Teessiders to safety last term, Warnock is now looking ahead to Friday’s league opener at Watford.

      But he warned his men they will be embarrassed unless they improve.
      The experienced veteran added: “It will be different at Watford next week and we will have to defend a lot better than that.
      “If we play like that they will get double figures.”

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      Marvin Johnson quickly levelled for Boro in the Carabao Cup clashCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Fletcher grabbed a second during the second halfCredit: Alamy Live News More

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      Roma snap up 16-year-old Cambridge United wonderkid Mbunya Alemanji in shock £70,000 transfer

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      ROMA have signed 16-year-old Cambridge United whizkid Mbunya Alemanji for £70,000.
      The teenage star has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Serie A giants but insists he is trying to “keep humble” after the mega move.

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      Roma have signed Cambridge United whizkid Mbunya Alemanji
      The Italian side have never seen the young forward play in the flesh but have signed him based on video footage.
      Alemanji will initially play with Roma’s Under-17s side but will eventually move up to the first team.
      Having completed the transfer, Alemanji said: “It is a big move but I’m just trying to prove why I’m there.

      “My friends have been saying to me: ‘Do you realise you’re at AS Roma?’ I’m just trying to keep calm.”

      Alemanji was born in Germany but moved to England when he was three.
      The teenager had only been with Cambridge for three years after an intial six-week trial as a 13-year-old.
      Alemanji shares an agent with former Manchester United and current Lyon star Memphis Depay.
      And thanks to highlight videos sent to Roma’s interim sporting director Morgan de Sanctis earlier this year the move has gone through.

      Four Premier League teams crack the top ten highest wage bills in Europe

      Alemanji added: “It was during lockdown – my agent contacted me and said: ‘Roma are interested in you.
      “They are such a big team that I didn’t really think much of it.
      “The next week he contacted me again and said you might have to travel to Rome in two weeks.
      “I was like, ‘Wow.’ It took longer for it to happen but I eventually signed.”

      Bayern Munich are now the joint-fifth-most successful team in Europe
      Alemanji’s deal will see him spend one year as a scholar before he turns professional.
      He will live at Roma’s training ground, where he will be surrounded by their first-team stars, which has already stunned the young star.
      He added: “I came out of my room – we had to do Covid tests – and I saw [former Chelsea winger] Pedro. I was shocked.”

      Neymar ‘tests positive for coronavirus’ after Ibiza holiday as PSG confirm three cases just eight days before season More

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      Man Utd keeper Joel Pereira completes season-long loan move to Championship side Huddersfield

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      HUDDERSFIELD TOWN have sealed a season-long loan deal for Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira. 
      The 24-year-old stopper, who faced an uphill battle for an Old Trafford starting place, has completed a medical with the Championship side. 

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      Joel Pereira, who has made just two senior Man United appearances, has completed a loan move to Huddersfield TownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Pereira, who is a Portugal Under-21 international, has made just two senior appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
      And the young stopper is likely to face stiff competition at Old Trafford with rising star Dean Henderson signing a new five-year deal with United to compete with David De Gea.
      Henderson enjoyed an outstanding loan spell at Sheffield United last season and is earning £120,000 a week as part of his new contract.

      Huddersfield, who survived a Championship relegation battle last term, made their move for the 6ft 5’’ Pereira following an injury to their number two keeper Ryan Schofield. 

      And Leigh Bromby, the Terriers’ head of operations, believes the side are in need of another goalkeeping option who “fits” the team’s style of play. 
      Bromby said:  Following the injury to Ryan Schofield, we felt it was important to have another senior goalkeeper in the group.
      “Being able to attract a player with Joel’s ability shows the direction we are going in and that players believe they can develop under Carlos.
      “Joel is a really interesting option for us and fits the way we want our goalkeepers to play.

      Terriers head coach Carlos Corberan echoed Bromby’s views. 

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      Pereira would have faced stiff competition for a starting place at Man United with Dean Henderson signing a new five-year deal with the club
      And the 37-year-old Spaniard says the goalkeeper’s skill in “dominating” the penalty were key factors in the club’s loan move for the player. 
      Corberan said: “Joel Pereira is a player that covers all the demands we have from our goalkeepers. In terms of his reflexes, domination of the box, covering spaces and distribution of the play – all of these abilities are something that aren’t easy to find in a ‘keeper.
      “For me it’s a very positive reaction from the Club, in terms of getting a replacement from Ryan Schofield’s injury.” 
      Huddersfield have so far made one permanent signing with Danny Ward returning as a permanent Terriers signing after leaving Cardiff City as a free agent.

      And club officials may consider further loan moves following the successful temporary spells for several players including Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.
      The Gunners starlet was among a batch of loan players who helped the Terriers to avoid relegation last term. 
      The club finished in eighteenth place in the Championship table.

      Former Leeds assistant manager Carlos Corberán speaks about leaving Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion heroes to take over Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield More

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      Peterborough chairman MacAnthony calls on EFL chiefs to get fans back into grounds for first game of the season

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      DARRAGH MACANTHONY wants football fans back inside grounds for the START of the season.
      The Peterborough chairman has become frustrated by the government which looks set to wait until October to allow stadiums to partially reopen.

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      Darragh MacAnthony believes the time is right for fans to returnCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Non-League fans from the seventh-tier of English football will be allowed back today while some test events in the Premier League and EFL will be held next month. In Scotland, fans could be back on September 14.
      But England’s clubs – including League One side Posh – stand to lose a fortune by having the first few matches behind closed doors as the EFL campaign begins on September 12.
      MacAnthony, 44, said: “It was great to get live football back on TV.
      “Now it is absolutely vital we get supporters back inside grounds in the Premier League and EFL. Football without fans is terrible.

      “But we should not be waiting for some time in October. This is ridiculous.
      “The Government and football authorities should be making sure fans are on our terraces for the start of the season on September 12. I don’t know what we are waiting for.

      “It is good news that from today, some non-League clubs can have fans back for friendlies.
      “Although we desperately need the money, at least we get some TV cash. Non-League football clubs at that level get absolutely nothing.

      “If people are sensible going out to shops and restaurants, they will be sensible at football grounds. In the end, they realised there was no need for Premier League games to be played at neutral grounds. We have to trust football fans.
      “Do I want to go to our ground for the first few games and see loads of Posh fans over 60? Of course I don’t. They should be at home protecting themselves.
      “But do I want to see other fans who are being careful and wearing masks? Of course I do. We are all quite far down the line with Covid and we know how to behave.
      “Football is a massive part of the economy. With football fans, the British Government would lose a lot of money as lots of people would lose their jobs. So I don’t know what we are waiting for.

      We need to be told to do this now because clubs need two or three weeks to organise and prepare.
      Darragh MacAnthony

      “For the start of the season, we should be able to use between 30 and 40 per cent of our capacities.
      “If you can have bowling alleys open now, we should have football stadiums open. It is not as though we have any indoor football grounds.
      “At Peterborough our capacity is 15,000. So with season ticket holders and a few casual ticket fans, we could get 4,000 inside self-distancing.”
      Yet MacAnthony, whose side were cruelly denied a play-off place last season, says it is important they are given a date as soon as possible.

      The Irish businessman said: “We need to be told to do this now because clubs need two or three weeks to organise and prepare. Don’ just drop this on us at the last minute. Don’t expect we can sort all this out in 24 hours.
      “We need to get portable toilets for outside the ground. We need to know how many stewards we will need.”
      MacAnthony is also hoping Posh can heal the wounds of last season as they were sixth when the season was suspended – but Wycombe took their place on points per game and ended up getting promoted.
      He added: “Our aim is to do our best to win promotion and repay all our loyal fans who now more than ever have supported us through this horrible pandemic.”

      English football ‘will cease to exist as we know it’ due to coronavirus crisis, warns Huddersfield owner More

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      Charlton fans protest over takeover shambles by storming club boardroom and refusing to leave

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      CHARLTON fans have stormed the club’s boardroom at The Valley in protest against EFL rules on club ownership.
      SunSport exclusively revealed how the Addicks face being booted out of the EFL unless current owners ESI sell the League One side.

      Protestor inside the Charlton boardroom tells me “Louis, we will not be leaving until demands are met from the letter issued to the police and media, some are leaving due to other commitments but majority are digging there heels in” #cafc pic.twitter.com/9bWDEIJnGR
      — Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) August 22, 2020

      Been sent this photo from within the boardroom and given permission to share it. The protesters are currently enjoying wine and cheese during their peaceful occupation #cafc pic.twitter.com/Vn8paf4EAO
      — Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) August 22, 2020

      Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard, who is worth more than £350million, has registered an interest in buying the Londoners.
      Yet current chairman Paul Elliott wants to take legal action against ESI majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer after insisting he had a written agreement the club would be sold to him.
      He is currently seeking an injunction to stop any sale – despite having failed the EFL’s owners and directors’ test.
      That all comes months after ex-chairman Matt Southall was removed from his post by Nimer in March and club lawyer Chris Farnell sacked last week.

      And Charlton remain in danger of going into administration if a takeover deal is not completed by the time the season kicks off on September 12.

      If this direct action does not bring about change for football clubs then we are left with no choice to attend the EFL Headquarters and in turn take direct action against them

      An estimated 500 supporters then gathered for a peaceful protest outside the club’s home on Saturday.
      Elsewhere, other fans were seen eating cheese and wine in the boardroom while displaying a notice that read: “Our pound is bigger and better than yours, #ESIOUT”.
      Some were even flashing £1 coins in reference to Roland Duchatelet’s infamous sale of Charlton earlier this year.

      The group Fans4Fans issued a statement to say some Charlton supporters “will not be leaving [the boardroom] until the current owners of Charlton Athletic Football Club formally request, in person, that we vacate the premises with immediate effect.

      “We also request an extensive update on why Paul Elliott has been able to formally lodge an injunction preventing the sale of Charlton Athletic Football Club and when this case is to be heard.
      “In addition, how can a man who has failed the owners and directors test, appeal the sale of a business he will not be able to sufficiently control or finance?
      “If this direct action does not bring about change for football clubs then we are left with no choice to attend the English Football League Headquarters and its sponsors offices and in turn take direct action against them.”
      Meanwhile, US-based businessman Sandgaard recently admitted he was desperate to avoid administration.

      He told SunSport: “I’m trying everything I can to get a deal done before the start of the new season to avoid a scenario of the club going into administration.
      “I’d rather pay more money now, than picking it up cheaper later, because there would be too many negatives involved.
      “We’d have a 12-point deduction and much more rebuilding would need to be done. I want to avoid that and we can.”

      US-based Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard is in talks to buy Charlton

      Charlton fan manages to take out one of their players in celebrations of winning goal against Accrington Stanley More

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      EFL seal groundbreaking Sky Sports deal allowing fans to stream ALL games next season – including 3pm kick-offs

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      THE EFL have agreed a deal with Sky Sports that will see ALL of next season’s games streamed online.
      Clubs from the Championship, League 1 and League 2 can now stream their matches live on their websites.

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      Sky Sports will allow EFL clubs to stream their own matches online next season
      Season ticket holders will be able to watch their club’s home games for free while anyone else hoping to tune in will be charged £10 per game.
      It is understood 3pm kick-offs will also be included in the deal for the first time.
      The move has been made in the hope of offsetting the loss of EFL clubs’ gate receipts while matches are played behind closed doors.
      Sky Sports pay £119million per season for exclusive rights to live EFL action, as well as the Carabao Cup, but are understanding of the financial difficulties many clubs are facing without ticket revenue.

      Consequently, Sky will allow clubs to stream all games due to be shown live on TV for as long as fans are shut out of stadiums.
      The Mail claims this arrangement will be reviewed regularly but is expected to last until stadiums can be filled to 50 per cent capacity.
      An October return date has been mooted as the earliest fans can expect to be allowed back into stadiums but this would be at 20 to 30 per cent capacity initially.

      In the Championship, the money raised through streaming matches will be retained by the club selling the service.

      Due to the varying sizes of clubs’ fanbases, a different revenue-sharing formula will be used in League 1 and League 2.
      Premier League clubs this week rejected the opportunity to stream their own matches next season.

      English football ‘will cease to exist as we know it’ due to coronavirus crisis, warns Huddersfield owner More

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      Fulham complete Antonee Robinson transfer from Wigan on £50k-a-week deal after USA star snubs Everton return

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      FULHAM have signed Antonee Robinson from Wigan on a four-year £50,000-a-week deal.
      The USA star has snubbed the chance to return to Everton as he joins the mass exodus at the crisis-hit Latics.

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      Fulham have signed Antonee Robinson from Wigan
      The fee is believed to be £1.9million.
      Left back Robinson headed to London from Wigan on Sunday to finalise the deal.
      And once the move was confirmed, Robinson, 23, said: “I am made up to be a Fulham player.

      “I was really excited to get down here and get everything signed. When the lads get back in here, I can’t wait to get going.

      “I heard a few days ago that Scott Parker was interested in me and wanted to speak to me personally.
      “We had a zoom call and he was really keen to get the deal done and for me to be a Fulham player.
      “Fulham play a really nice style of football and I can see myself fitting in perfectly.
      “As soon as I heard of the ambitions of the Club it was an easy decision for me.”

      Fulham offered £1.9m on Friday but Robinson’s former club Everton had a 48-hour window to match the bid and speak to the player.
      Goodison transfer chief Marcel Brandts told Robinson he wanted him back – a year after selling him to Latics – but he has chosen Fulham instead.
      Sheffield United and West Brom were left disappointed in the chase for the defender who is one of many leaving troubled Wigan.
      The Blades originally offered £3 million, but dropped the bid when they found out he had a relegation release clause.
      Back in January, Robinson was on the verge of a dream £10m move to AC Milan but it fell through just before the transfer deadline.
      Fulham boss Parker is also thought to be looking at a loan move for Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu.

      Frank Lampard wants the Wales international to gain Premier League experience after spending last season with Champions League semi-finalists RB Leipzig.
      Norwich are also keen but will miss out after being relegated to the Championship.
      Ampadu made just seven appearances at Leipzig and Fulham will be expected to give him plenty of minutes.

      Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder welcomes new goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Bournemouth More

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      Charlton invite Love Island star Dennon Lewis to train with club as Lee Bowyer considers signing non-league striker

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      LEE BOWYER is running the rule over non-league striker Dennon Lewis.
      SunSport revealed Charlton’s interest in the Wealdstone forward back in June.

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      Charlton are running the rule over non-league striker Dennon Lewis

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      SunSport revealed Charlton’s interest in the Wealdstone forward back in June
      Addicks’ fans were alerted to ex-Love Island contestant Lewis’ involvement in training yesterday from pictures sent out by the club online.
      Charlton boss Bowyer knows Lewis from his days helping out Watford‘s Under-21 side and is ready to seal a deal and bring the 23-year-old to the Valley.
      Ipswich, Sunderland, Huddersfield, Oxford and Leyton Orient have all shown interest in the striker, who scored 14 and set up another 11 as Wealdstone won the National League title.
      League One Charlton will hope 2019 reality TV show contestant Lewis can follow in the footsteps of Macauley Bonne, who has shone at Charlton since taking the plunge from non-league.

      Meanwhile Preston are eyeing up a cut-price move for Charlton’s striker Macauley Bonne.
      Alex Neil’s side, who finished four points off the play-off places, could make an opening bid of £500,000 plus add-ons next week.
      Former Leyton Orient striker Bonne jumped three divisions last season but more than held his own in the Championship, scoring 11 goals.

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      Ipswich, Sunderland, Huddersfield, Oxford and Leyton Orient have all shown interest in Lewis

      Preston are waiting to see what happens with crisis club Charlton’s financial situation.

      As SunSport revealed earlier this week, the London club are facing being booted out of the EFL unless current owners ESI sell.
      Preston see 24-year-old former non-League striker Bonne as a rough diamond with bags of potential.

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