English Premier League

TOTTENHAM are ready to hand Oliver Skipp an improved deal.The England Under-21 midfielder signed a four-year extension only last summer.
Oliver Skipp is developing into a regular first-team player this seasonCredit: Getty
But Spurs want to reward him for emerging as a regular first-team player under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
It is believed that the new contract will run until 2025 and is set to increase Skipp’s wages from about £25,000 a week to between £35,000 and £40,000.
Skipp spent last season on loan in the Championship with Norwich and was one of the stars as the Canaries returned to the Premier League as champions.
Norwich were keen on a permanent deal but Spurs have always rated the midfielder highly.
Skipp has started all four of Tottenham’s Premier League games so far this term and is set to hold on to his place for today’s Chelsea clash.

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He is keeping England international Harry Winks, 25, out of the team.
Such is Spurs’ faith in Skipp that they were willing to listen to offers for Winks in the summer.
But no club was prepared to meet their £40million valuation.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel talks about the similarities to Lukaku and Spurs Harry Kane More

ASTON VILLA’s Leon Bailey became the latest footballer to pay tribute to Steffie Gregg after breaking his goal duck on Saturday.The forward completed the scoring in Villa’s 3-0 victory over Everton, adding his effort to those of Matty Cash and a Lucas Digne own goal.
Leon Bailey joined Raheem Sterling in paying tribute to the late Steffie GreggCredit: Getty
After finding the net Bailey tore off his shirt to reveal a message to the late Twitch streamer Gregg.
It read: “Forever Love Steffi Gregg”
Bailey joined Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in paying tribute to the Jamaican social media star, who sadly passed away in August.
Man City and England winger Sterling marked his latest Three Lions goal against Hungary with a similar message on his shirt.
Sterling then shared several pictures of his goal celebration on Twitter, captioning them with a love heart and prayer emoji and the words: “This one was for you SVG.”
Gregg was a Twitch streamer whose death on August 31 shocked all of Jamaica.

She was also a well-known businesswoman and socialite and popular member of her community of Upper St Andrew in the country’s capital, Kingston.
Bailey made his tribute following his first goal for Villa since joining from Bayer Leverkusen last month.
The Jamaica international moved to Villa Park as part of preparations for life after Jack Grealish after the former skipper joined Sterling at the Etihad.
Bailey was booked despite the tribute, with ref Craig Pawson showing him a yellow card for removing his shirt.
Everton star Richarlison shows what he is made of in training More

LIVERPOOL face a nervous wait on Thiago’s fitness after the midfielder hobbled off in their win over Crystal Palace.The Spain lynchpin suffered a calf problem as the Reds notched a 3-0 victory at Anfield.
Thiago was replaced just after the hour mark at Anfield because of a calf problemCredit: Reuters
He was replaced on 62 minutes by Naby Keita and headed straight down the tunnel after leaving the pitch.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp later calmed concerns and said he hoped the injury would not be a long one.
He said: “He felt his calf but we hope it is not too serious.”
Klopp was already looking light in midfield options going into Saturday’s clash with Palace.
Teenage star Harvey Elliott faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines following the dislocated ankle he suffered against Leeds last Sunday.
The midfielder underwent surgery at a London hospital with doctors hopeful he will make a return before the end of the season.

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The absence of Thiago and Elliott is made worse by the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to PSG.
The Dutchman departed Anfield on a free transfer at the end of last season.
Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners over Palace despite the injury to Thiago, with Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and the sub Naby Keita on the scoresheet.
Reds fans wished Thiago well on social media and crossed their fingers he would make a speedy recovery.
‘FLAWLESS’
Fan ChrisOreos wrote on Twitter: “Big 3 points. Delighted for Naby lad. Solid debut for Konaté. Fingers crossed the Thiago injury isn’t too serious.”
Ozzyolamide added: “Thiago injury the only blemish in an almost flawless Liverpool performance.”
While Charlie__M23 wrote: “Thiago injured? It’s just over one month and the injuries have started already.”
Klopp says Harvey Elliott is doing ok after horrific dislocated ankle More

BEN WHITE was saved by VAR after replays overturned a Burnley penalty that resulted from his woeful backpass.The Arsenal defender misjudged a pass back to Aaron Ramsdale that was too short for the keeper to gather.
Aaron Ramsdale looked to have brought down Matej VydraCredit: Getty
Burnley striker Matej Vydra pounced to run onto the chance and Ramsdale looked to have taken him down in the box.
Ref Anthony Taylor initially blew for a Burnley penalty but was then told by the video assistant referee to go to the screen.
On closer inspection Taylor decided the Clarets man had dived and overturned his decision for a spot kick.
The call saved White’s blushes following his £50million summer arrival from Brighton but Arsenal fans were quick to voice their concerns over his mistake.
Fan ‘Paddygreen26’ wrote on Twitter: “Another brain fart from Ben White” while ‘T_Wayne100’ joked “Ben White defends like Aubameyang.”

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User ‘SaidWatz’ said: “For once VAR going Arsenal’s way. Ben White is playing bad.”
Fan ‘MmKizzle’ wrote: “50 million for Ben White? We got robbed, he’s giving me (Shkodran) Mustafi flashbacks.”
Other fans were not so quick to judge and backed White to show his quality.
‘Gallant_me’ said: “Ben white is good, but you see that 50m will put pressure on him.”
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LIVERPOOL fans were left in disbelief after Diogo Jota fired over with the goal-mouth begging against Crystal Palace.The Portuguese latched onto a loose ball in the box after Palace keeper Vicente Guaita parried a powerful Thiago header into his path.
Diogo Jota could not capitalise on a loose ball in the Anfield box
The forward smashed his shot over from three yards outCredit: EPA
But the forward could not keep his strike down as he smashed his shot over the bar from just three yards out.
Reds fans were left open-mouthed, with some drawing unfavourable comparisons with Chelsea striker Timo Werner – notorious for his misses last season.
Fan ‘AnfieldAn’ wrote on Twitter: “Diogo Jota giving the Timo Werner experience to us Liverpool fans.”
User ‘Lusiseth’ wrote: “Has Diogo Jota been partying with Timo Werner lately because I really don’t understand that miss.”
‘WellyStark’ added: “Diogo Jota just pulled a Timo Werner with that miss”

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‘Bonalbio24’ wrote: Diogo Jota with a really bad miss! He is normally so reliable in front of goal! I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt us!”
Other fans joked Jota had already provided the Premier League with its miss of the season just five games into the new campaign.
‘DonJay07’ wrote: “Diogo Jota already got the miss of the season!”
Sadio Mane soon appeared to save Jota’s blushes with a tap-in from a corner to put Liverpool 1-0 up just before half-time.
But Liverpool fans were wary that Jota’s miss could end up costing the team points at Anfield.
‘DiogoMR123’ wrote: “If Liverpool ends up not winning today, I will definitely be haunted by Diogo Jota’s unbelievable miss in my dreams tonight.”
Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over AC Milan More

LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed AC Milan defender Simon Kjaer as a “hero” ahead of their Champions League clash at Anfield.Klopp paid tribute to the Dane in his programme notes for his part in helping to save international team-mate Christian Eriksen’s life after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
Simon Kjaer was praised for his leadership when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrestCredit: Getty
Jurgen Klopp was happy to dedicate his programme notes to the AC Milan defenderCredit: Getty
Kjaer was praised at the time for the way he led his Denmark team in such difficult circumstances and consoled Eriksen’s distraught partner Sabrina as the midfielder received treatment on the pitch.
Ahead of AC Milan’s Group B visit to Merseyside, Klopp wrote: “I am usually more keen to focus on my own players rather than an opponent, but tonight I must make an exception.
“This evening it is possible that Simon Kjaer will line up against us and this is a person who I think has the respect of the entire football and sporting world.
“Like millions of others, I was rocked by the scenes that unfolded at the European Championship in the summer when Christian Eriksen fell ill during Denmark’s opening group game.
“There were many heroes that night, not least of all the remarkable medical professionals for the Danish national team, in the stadium and subsequently at the hospital.
“But Simon shone that traumatic day for his own conduct.

“The image of the Danish players shielding their teammate as he was cared for will, in my opinion, forever be one of the most iconic in sporting history.
“It showed the best of humanity. Compassion, care and love for their friend.
“Honestly, I have no idea how he managed to not only keep his own composure in that situation, but to have the clarity of mind to make the decisions he did in that moment. His conduct humbles us all.”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has echoed the words of his gaffer as he prepares to face the 32-year-old Kjaer on Wednesday night.
The Milan veteran – along with the Danish medical team – is one of the recipients of the 2021 Uefa President’s award.
In a series of tweets referring to his own programme notes, midfielder Henderson said: “I’d like to welcome AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer to Anfield this evening.
“He set new standards of leadership during Euro 2020 when Christian Eriksen fell ill.
Kjaer supported Eriksen’s partner during the distressing scenes at Euro 2020Credit: EPA
The captain, No4, helped form a human shield to obscure the view of his friendCredit: Getty
“I can’t even begin to imagine what that experience was like for the Denmark players and I’m hugely relieved that Christian continues to make a recovery, but as a captain I couldn’t help but be impressed by the way Simon conducted himself and led his team.
“I have seen that Uefa have given Simon and the Denmark medical team the President’s Award, and that is both fitting and deserved.
“But I hope Simon also knows that he has the respect and admiration of everyone in football for what he did that night.”
Klopp reacts to Liverpool’s victory against Leeds More

CRISTIANO RONALDO had “considerable” talks about joining Manchester City before making his shock return to crosstown rivals Manchester United.So says City skipper Fernandinho as he revealed there were at least “a few conversations” between the Premier League champions and the Ronaldo camp.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Man United after 12 years awayCredit: Rex
Skipper Fernandinho lifted the lid on Ronaldo’s talks with CityCredit: Rex
The Portuguese looked set to join City this summer from Juventus before making an 11th hour move to former club United.
An intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to have steered the forward away from the Etihad and back into the Old Trafford fold after 12 years away.
The City hierarchy has so far remained tight-lipped over the saga but Fernandinho has now given a flavour of the discussions that took place.
“I think there was a chance, yes, good, considerable,” he told ESPN. “I think there were even a few conversations.
“Also because his agent was here at the club renewing Ederson’s contract, Ruben Dias’ contract, seeing the situation of Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo as well.
“So obviously if you’re there at the table, you can talk about everything and every possible player.”

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While Ronaldo at one stage looked likely to link up with City, a flurry of calls from Ferguson, United execs and former team-mates convinced him to return to the Red Devils.
He joined the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane as big-name arrivals at Old Trafford this summer.
The 36-year-old has continued his sensational goalscoring form on his return to the club he left for Real Madrid in 2009.
He has netted three times in two appearances so far but his latest European strike was not enough to seal victory against Young Boys on Tuesday night.
The result marked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s seventh defeat in 11 Champions League games in charge.
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