Euro 2024

ANTHONY GORDON took a tumble on his bike during a recovery session – and is now sporting a shiner on his chin.The Newcastle star, 23, was pedalling away on Wednesday along with all the players who featured in the 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne the night before.Anthony Gordon fell off his bike during a recovery session after England’s 0-0 draw with SloveniaCredit: GettyThe star has been left with a nasty cut on his chinCredit: RexHis hands were badly scratched up tooCredit: PAEngland’s players ride bikes around camp as part of their post-match recoveryCredit: GettyBut he fell off and was spotted today with a graze on his chin, nose and some red marks on his wrists and hands.Luckily, he was wearing a helmet to avoid further damage and was not going very fast when he fell.The ex-Everton man still took part in full training on Thursday, allaying any fears that the injuries could impact his involvement for Sunday’s last-16 clash with Slovakia.Gordon got his first minutes at the tournament when coming on as a late sub against Slovenia.READ MORE ON ENGLANDEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYEngland players often ride bikes around their training base in Blankenhain, eastern Germany, to aid recovery on days after games, along with yoga.Gordon may have been involved in full training on Thursday, but three other players were not.Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier worked on individual programmes to aid their load, but are expected to play against Slovakia.While Phil Foden is back in England having returned for the birth of his third child.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSLuke Shaw still remains an unused member of the squad after being selected while still carrying an injury.But the Manchester United star has now declared himself fit and could feature against Slovakia.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesIt’s not known what Gareth Southgate’s plans are in terms of team selection just yet with the manager still experimenting in midfield.Southgate favoured Conor Gallagher from the off against Slovenia, taking Trent Alexander-Arnold out of midfield as a result.But Gallagher was hooked at half-time for Kobbie Mainoo, further hinting that the England boss is yet to find the right balance in the middle of the park.Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier were missing from full training todayCredit: ReutersLuke Shaw is expected to be available for England’s last 16 clash against Slovakia on SundayCredit: PA More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has come under-fire for his tactics at Euro 2024 – but his biggest mistake could be his wardrobe.And the England manager may want to look at the stats below ahead of Sunday’s last-16 clash with Slovakia.Gareth Southgate has ditched the tie so far at Euro 2024Credit: RexThe England boss made waistcoats cool at the 2018 World CupCredit: GettyHe ditched the waistcoat but kept the shirt and tie for the last EurosCredit: ReutersThe shirt and tie were gone for the 2022 World Cup in QatarCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunTwo beer cups were hurled towards Southgate after the drab draw with Slovenia on Tuesday.England were held to a stalemate by the Euro minnows but still managed to claim top spot in Group C.That was after they firstly struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia before last week’s dour 1-1 draw with Denmark.Despite the underwhelming displays, Southgate’s men now have a potential route to the final that avoids big guns Spain, Germany, Portugal and France.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut many feel that a potential triumph is a million miles away due to the Three Lions chief’s tactics.He put Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for the opening two matches – a decision that attracted huge criticism – and then chose Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher for Tuesday’s game, a switch that fans could see was not working even before half time.After their impressive late cameos from the bench, supporters want to see attackers Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon introduced to the fold.However, these stats seem to show that Southgate’s woes might have nothing to do with his players.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd if Southgate was superstitious, then he could be thinking about ditching his now more casual look in favour of going back to the look that made him a national hero.Southgate’s lucky waistcoat at the 2018 World Cup became a big hit as he led the Three Lions to the semi-final for the first time since 1990.Gareth Southgate reacts to England fans throwing cups and booing Three Lions team after drab drawAt the following Euros, he ditched the waistcoat but kept the shirt and tie as England went all the way to the final, only to be beaten on penalties by Italy.When it came to the 2022 World Cup, Southgate started to relax a little more when it came to his matchday attire.He opted for a quarter zip-up top and jacket for those games in the Middle East – but England were beaten 2-1 by France in the quarter final.Southgate wore a similar quarter zip-up and jacket for England’s opener against Serbia.However, the two bore draws that have followed have both seen him ditch the jacket as he watched on from the dug-out in a white zip-up.Southgate boasted a 57 per cent win record with the waistcoat and a 100 per cent one with just a shirt and tie at major tournaments.In fact, he has only lost once in 13 while donning a tie, while he has won just half of the eight matches he has gone for the quarter-zip.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo if you see him back in a waistcoat or even returning to a shirt and tie prior to kick off against Slovakia, now you might just know the reason why.But if he continues his current trend, expect another dismal display.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

IN the space of a week, we seem to have lost the Gareth Southgate who brought the feel-good factor back to English football.Here is a man who now looks battered and bruised from the fierce criticism he has received not only back home but also from a couple of former England players.Gareth Southgate dropped trusted lieutenant Jordan HendersonCredit: ReutersEngland are short of options at left-backCredit: ReutersWe live in a world where too many pundits are cheerleaders and while Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were correct in their evaluation of the Three Lions after the 1-1 draw with Denmark, it has nevertheless gone down badly with Southgate.The manager says he is on a mission to protect his players from all the s**t that is flying around but he must also ensure he does not lose focus.In his eight years as England manager, he had never appeared so chilled going into the opening two games.The mood was upbeat around the team’s Euro base in Blankenhain. Southgate was in good humour during all of his media duties.READ MORE EUROS NEWSHere was a man confident in the knowledge he had a group of players capable of winning Euro 2024.But in the fall-out of the two draws against Denmark and Slovenia, his mood has darkened spectacularly. He has had some tough spells but none like this.One of the 53-year-old’s big strengths has been the ability to tap into each and every England fan and create positivity.No supporter will ever forget the summer of 2018 when they finally fell in love with the England football team.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSYet Southgate knows he has lost the trust of virtually the entire English supporting public. He suffered abuse and ridicule after England lost 4-0 to Hungary in the Nations League in 2022 but this is at a different level.Southgate is acutely aware how the whole mood of the nation has changed.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY’They’ll get the shock of their lives’ – Gary Neville hands England stars stern warning after Slovenia bore drawAnd it is not just the poisonous echo chamber that is social media.The manager knows that many fans, not merely keyboard warriors but those who chat about football down the pub and at work, would be happy if the Football Association announced his dismissal today and put a caretaker in charge for Sunday’s last-16 clash.Even if there was previously a chance Southgate would stay on after this Euros in Germany, there is absolutely no way of it happening now. Not even if England win the tournament.During his media duties ahead of the Slovenia game, Southgate was far more subdued than normal.Following the 0-0 in Cologne, he came out fighting and vowed to protect his players — yet he also made some curious comments.He said: “I have to keep the players right on track. On the day of the game, I showed them pictures of Italy celebrating their qualification with their fans, of Hungary celebrating when they didn’t even know if they were through.“Denmark were celebrating a draw against us and they were on two points.“Our world is different at the moment and I feel that is probably because of me.“I have to help the players as much as I possibly can because we brought the joy back into playing for England and we have to be very careful of where we head with it.”Yet Italy were celebrating because of their 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia — and Hungary were going crazy because of a winner against Scotland in the tenth minute of stoppage time.Equally, Denmark were jubilant because they had deservedly taken a point off tournament favourites England. The Three Lions were booed off the pitch in Cologne because their gifted team had performed so poorly for 2½ group matches.England need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.Over these last few weeks, Southgate has made some strange decisions.It was a mistake to take Luke Shaw as his sole left-footed defender and only now is he anywhere near to being fit.Marc Guehi has been England’s best player over the three matches so far but Ezri Konsa and Lewis Dunk are not ideal back-ups.Southgate should have picked either Harry Maguire, despite his short-term injury issues, or Bayern Munich’s Eric Dier.Jordan Henderson — despite not having a great end to the season with Ajax — should have been included as he would have had a month to get up speed in terms of sharpness.Even if he was not ready to start, he is a winner — as he proved with Liverpool — and he would have been a steady, experienced influence in the dressing room. As for Southgate’s team selections, the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment did not work.Neither did putting Conor Gallagher next to Declan Rice against Slovenia.Although Marcus Rashford and James Maddison could not have too many complaints over missing out, Jack Grealish should have been included even if it was to come off the bench.Southgate went too far with his mixing and matching. Now, he is left with a squad lacking balance but equally, one which could go deep into this tournament.Southgate needs his big players like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden to play without fear.READ MORE SUN STORIESThose same players need Southgate to try not to be affected by public opinion, even if this includes some of his mates.Also, Southgate needs to get all of his team selections right. And maybe then, he will leave the England job on a high. More

POLICE are hunting for a woman who allegedly BIT a fellow fan in a fight over Croatia star’s shirt.The bizarre incident that took place following Croatia’s 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday.A Croatia fan was bitten in a fight over a shirt on Monday nightCredit: RexA woman allegedly bit a 20-year-old fan to try and get Luka Ivanusec’s shirt from himCredit: ReutersThe bite left the young fan with a horror gash that required him to go to the hospitalEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYTravelling Croatia fan Lenard Barisic says he was BITTEN by a fellow matchgoer after Feyenoord and Croatia forward Luka Ivanusec threw his shirt into the crowd.The shirt was intended for Barisic who was then reportedly “fought” by three other fans who tried to steal it off him.A woman who was part of that group is said to have bitten the 20-year-old on the shoulder, forcing him to ditch the jersey and leave empty handed.The nasty squabble left Barisic with a horror gash that forced a trip to the hospital.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSaxony Police told The Mirror: “We can inform you that a robbery happened around 11:10pm. “A 20-year-old man caught the jersey of a player and unknown suspects tried to take it from him. “An unknown woman bit him on the shoulder, causing the 20-year-old to release the jersey and the suspects to steal it.”The 20-year-old was injured and taken to a hospital. The criminal police is now investigating on suspicion of robbery.”Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSHowever Barisic won’t be left with nothing.It’s understood that Ivanusec has since reached out to the fan personally and will be sending him a signed shirt.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesThe Croatia star is said to have sent Barisic a message that read: “Greetings Lenard, I’m sorry for the situation that happened after the game!”I hope everything is okay. Let me know how we can solve it for you to get the jersey!”Unfortunately for both Ivanusec and Barisic, Croatia’s time in Germany at Euro 2024 came to a heartbreaking end on Monday.The Croats had looked as though they had booked a spot in the last-16 as they led 1-0 heading into the dying embers of the game.But a gut-wrenching 98th minute equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni meant Italy progressed and Croatia were heading home early.Croatia were heartbreakingly dumped from Euro 2024 at the hands of ItalyCredit: Getty More

ENGLAND is sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier.The two stars were absent from training with the rest of the squad ahead of the round of 16 clash against Slovakia.Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier missed trainingCredit: ReutersPhil Foden was also missing from training, but that was due to him flying home for the birth of his third child.Rice and Trippier also missed training and have been doing their own individual programmes.The Arsenal midfielder has been a regular for England since breaking into the team during his West Ham days.Gareth Southgate has struggled to find a partner for Rice in midfield and could not have another problem if he is not fit.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The boss could now look to Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo to step up and start in the midfield.In the draw against Slovenia, Southgate started with Rice and Conor Gallagher so one of the youngsters could line up next to the Chelsea man.Trippier’s potential injury from the clash against Slovakia could be softened by Luke Shaw.The Manchester United defender confirmed he is ready to play after missing the entire of the group stages.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTrippier had been filling in at left-back during Shaw’s absence but came under fire for his performances at Euro 2024.Shaw is the only recognised left-back in the Three Lions squad as Southgate refused to call up another as back-up.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesEngland take on Slovakia in the last-16 clash on Sunday at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.The team have been fortunate enough to be on the side of the draw that avoids the likes France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain until the final.Should England get past Slovakia then they would face either Italy or Switzerland in the quarter-finals.England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs SloveniaENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.Jordan Pickford – 6Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.Kieran Trippier – 6The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.Marc Guehi – 7Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.John Stones – 6One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.Kyle Walker – 5Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.Conor Gallagher – 4Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.Declan Rice – 7Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.Phil Foden – 7Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.Jude Bellingham – 5Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.Bukayo Saka – 6Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.Harry Kane – 6Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.SubstitutesKobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More