Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League chiefs fear ‘unprecedented and untested powers’ for regulator risks wrecking English football

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs fear “unprecedented and untested powers” given to the new independent regulator could wreck English football.The government’s Football Governance Bill will be introduced in the House of Lords today.Premier League chiefs have concerns about the new regulatorCredit: GettyA clause requiring the regulator to consider government “foreign and trade policy” when approving club takeovers — which threatened to see Uefa boot England out of the Euros over political interference — has been withdrawn.Prem bigwigs still fear “rigid, banking-style regulation could have a negative impact on the league’s competitiveness and the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth.”But the regulator has been backed by EFL chief Rick Parry.He said: “The bill has been framed in a way that will enable the new regulator to protect and achieve the sustainability of clubs across the entire football pyramid.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNew regulator powers in the bill include parachute payments for relegated clubs, consulting fans on ticket pricing and home stadium relocations, plus ­supporter representation at clubs.Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy declared: “English football is one of our greatest exports and a source of ­national pride.“But for too long financial instability meant loyal fans risked losing their cherished clubs as a result of mismanagement and reckless spending.“This bill seeks to redress the balance, putting fans back at the heart of the game, taking on rogue owners and crucially helping put clubs up and down the country on a sound financial footing.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSports Minister Stephanie Peacock added: “This strengthened bill puts fans firmly back at the centre of the game.”More than 200 fan groups signed an open letter from the Football Supporters’ Association earlier this year, calling on all parties to back  the new bill.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanUefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis had said the “foreign policy” clause would amount to government interference — risking the “ultimate sanction” of excluding teams from their competitions.England are due to co-host the Euro 2028 with the other home nations and Ireland. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Delia Smith steps down as Norwich City director after 28 YEARS and legendary cook given new role within club

      by

      DELIA SMITH has stepped down as Norwich City director and will take up a new role at the club.The TV chef agreed to hand over her majority stake to American consortium Norfolk Holdings in the summer.Delia Smith has stepped down from her role as Norwich chiefCredit: GettyThe TV chef and husband Michael Wynn-Jones are now honorary life presidentsCredit: GettySmith has not received a penny for passing on the reigns and gives up control to secure the “long-term financial security of the club”.The 85-year-old and her husband Michael Wynn Jones will reportedly still own ten per cent of the Canaries.And the duo will still attend games in their new role as “honorary life presidents”.Smith has been on Norwich’s board for 28 years after buying the team she supports in November 1996.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe was invited to invest in the club amid their financial struggles following relegation from the Premier League.The cook pumped in £2million before becoming the majority shareholder a couple of years later.Smith also revamped the catering at Carrow Road and famously tried to rally supporters in 2005 with a passionate half-time speech, saying: “Where are you? Where are you? Let’s be ‘avin’ you Come on.”With her at the helm, the Norfolk-based side have been promoted to the Prem six times and relegated six times.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut with Norwich’s debt thought to be around £59million, she has decided to step down from her role on the board.The club released a statement that confirmed the news and said: “It’s not goodbye, it’s just thank you.”Inside Grant Holt’s life after footballFans added: “They saved the club and were a couple of goldfish who were swimming with sharks in the Prem when, with the limited resources behind them, they had no right to be. Forever grateful.”Another commented: “Thank you Delia and Michael for everything you have done for this great football club and this fine city. We have been extremely lucky to have such passionate, lovely and down to earth owners.”Norfolk Holdings are led by businessman Mark Attanasio and they joined the board two years ago.He is the owner of baseball team the Milwaukee Brewers and he co-founded the Californian investment firm Crescent Capital Group.A general meeting was held at Carrow Road this week for shareholders to vote on Norfolk Holdings, with them expected to get the green light.Norwich currently sit seventh in the Championship. More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho is long past his prime but ex-Man Utd boss was like Robert De Niro in his pre-match press conference

      by

      FRANK SINATRA never did perform in a crowded hut by the tradesman’s entrance of a football training ground in Istanbul.And Robert De Niro never fielded questions about the absence of a fit, recognised left-back for the fourth-best team in the Turkish Super Lig.Jose Mourinho’s press conferences remain box-office eventsCredit: GettyMourinho was at his Robert De Niro best with the way he entertained the gathered media – here in the film Raging BullCredit: AlamyBut had they ever done so, it would have gone something like this. An audience with Jose Mourinho never grows old. Even now that his vagabond shoes have strayed all the way to this outbuilding at Fenerbahce’s Can Bartu training complex.As a coach, he may be past his prime. Indeed, he claims he wasn’t even one of the ten candidates spoken to by the FA to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.But as a media operator, Mourinho is Ol’ Blue Eyes, he’s Bobby De Niro.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe’s a song-and-dance man and a box-office sensation. He’s the manager the Premier League craves because of his charisma, his take-downs, his mindgames and his wisecracks.Just not his football.Here he was, simultaneously spitting poison at Turkish journalists, who have been critical of his underwhelming start as Fenerbahce boss, while greeting the English press pack as if we were lifelong friends who’d never had a bad word to say about him. Which, believe me, was never the case.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTonight, Mourinho goes head to head with his former club Manchester United in a meeting of two once-great footballing institutions.Between them, United and Mourinho won 16 of the first 21 Premier League titles, as well as four European Cups during that same era. Inside Jose Mourinho’s £1,000-a-night Istanbul hotel as ex-Man Utd boss orders same three-course meal every nightBoth are now faded and in exile — Mourinho on the Asian side of this chaotic, sprawling, city and United in the bottom half of the table, a world away from the elite.A decade ago, both would have scoffed at the idea of second-tier Thursday night football. Yet here they are. Still, Mourinho, the old rascal with the glint in his eye, was shaking hands, slapping backs and throwing signed Fenerbahce shirts to a couple of English journalists.He’d read a newspaper story which claimed he had been ordering the same room-service meal every night in his Istanbul hotel suite — chicken soup, margarita pizza and ice cream.“You English guys know where I live,” he giggled, “you know what I eat. Come round and make yourselves at home. I’m staying here at the training ground tonight, so does anyone need a room for the night?”Mourinho saved his best jibe for Manchester City and his old El Clasico sparring partner Pep Guardiola — claiming he could yet win a title with United if City — who face 115 Premier League charges of financial wrongdoing — are stripped of their 2017-18 crown, when his Red Devils were runners up.Mourinho, wary of motivating tonight’s opponents too much, was selective in his criticism of United boss Erik ten Hag. He merely stated United’s ‘potential was far higher than their results’ and noted the Old Trafford board had shown more patience with Ten Hag than they did with him.There was also the assertion that United and another of his former clubs, Spurs, should be the two clear favourites to win the Europa League — given that the Premier League was ‘far superior in terms of quality, intensity and finance’ than any other league.While claiming that he wishes United well and believes ‘they will succeed sooner or later, hopefully sooner before one day I go back to the Premier League’, Mourinho suggested it was a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ he returns to England. But is that so?He is already being criticised for negative football here, Fenerbahce lost their first major derby, 3-1 at home to leaders Galatasaray and were beaten in a Champions League play-off against Lille to end up in the Thursday night club.Yet still Mourinho possesses the capacity to fascinate. Still, owners of Premier League club clubs, who should probably know better, will remain intrigued.When I asked about United’s decision to terminate Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2million-per-year role as a club ambassador, Mourinho was keen to plug a documentary about his life to be screened on Netflix next year.He said: “My relationship with Sir Alex was amazing, incredible, when my Netflix documentary comes out you will know more about the reasons I have so much respect for him. The ambassadorial role, I don’t know that situation. It doesn’t matter.“Sir Alex has the most important thing: the love and respect of every Manchester United fan around the world. That is more important than a few more pounds he doesn’t need.”It was very different when questions arrived from the Turkish media.Jose Mourinho explains reason behind his Man Utd exitBy NEIL CUSTISJOSE MOURINHO says a lack of trust from the top denied him more success at Manchester United.Mourinho spent two-and-a-half years in the Old Trafford hotseat, winning two trophies, reaching an FA Cup final and finishing second in the Premier League.But he was sacked in  December 2018 and believes he was not backed properly in the transfer market by then executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.Mourinho said: “What Erik ten Hag has in his time at United I didn’t.“I didn’t have that level of support or trust.“So I left sad, because I felt I was in the beginning of the process. I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience, things could be different.”Mourinho gave signed shirts to a few English journalistsCredit: ReutersTold that Fenerbahce were playing at a slower pace than last season, his response was simply: “That is your opinion and I respect it.” A line delivered with about as much respect as a cobra spitting venom from its fangs.There were sarcastic swipes at TV pundits ‘the specialists have all the answers’. If they told Jose to play his misfiring attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski at left-back then perhaps he’d do so to avoid criticism.When a TV reporter asked a perfectly-reasonable question, he was given a lecture about the need to stop showing endless replays of a ‘non-penalty’ incident involving Sofyan Amrabat, who will play tonight alongside a fellow former United midfielder, Fred.That was the modern-day reality of Mourinho’s career — an argument over the use of TV footage in Turkish domestic football.A spat he could never have imagined having when winning titles at Chelsea, Champions Leagues with Porto and Inter Milan or ruling the roost at the two most famous clubs on Earth, United and Real Madrid.Yet at 61, something still motivates him to keep going. Perhaps the prospect of returning to the Premier League — where press conferences now tend to be interminably dull and the whole soap opera is a need of a great brooding, anti-hero.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor now, he performs in a hut by the tradesman’s entrance and eats margarita pizza in his room.But one day he thinks he’ll be back in the bright lights. Like Sinatra, he’ll never truly retire.Aged 61, he is still a natural entertainerCredit: ReutersMourinho announced himself to United fans with his memorable run down the Old Trafford touchlineCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe Portuguese gaffer led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League gloryCredit: AFPThe Special One is living at the Four Seasons Hotel in IstanbulCredit: Free for editorial use More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals he nearly lost his leg and was rushed into emergency surgery after ‘cage fight’

      by

      OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO came close to having his leg AMPUTATED as a teenager due to frostbite.The Arsenal full-back, 27, made his name at Manchester City from 2016 to 2022, winning four Prem titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup.Oleksandr Zinchenko almost lost his leg due to frostbiteCredit: GettyHe has also gone on to captain Ukraine at major tournaments and recently helped the Gunners become top-flight title challengers once more under Mikel Arteta.But at the age of 17, his entire life could have changed thanks to a dry ice incident that left the defender with a gangrenous foot and moments away from amputation.It came about following a call from German club Hoffenheim to attend a trial, having been frozen out of the Shakhtar Donetsk academy and trying to reignite his career while taking part in the Russian street leagues.He explained: “The day before I was due to fly [to Germany], FC Meteor, one of the non-league clubs I played for, called me. They had a big game and wanted me to fill in.READ MORE ON SPORT“These leagues were a bit rogue, sometimes more like a cage fight. Some opponent did a crazy tackle on me and caught my right ankle. It swelled up like a balloon.“There was no way I could play the next day in Germany. Just walking was causing me pain. I was in no state to do a trial. But I couldn’t cancel and lose this life-changing opportunity.“We decided I would go anyway and ask them to let me train a couple of days later, by which time the swelling would have hopefully gone down.“I was on the plane with Lufthansa and I remember thinking: ‘Let’s not waste time to get the swelling down. Let’s use the flight.’ So, I asked the stewardess for some ice for my ankle.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“She didn’t understand me at first because my English wasn’t great and I didn’t speak any German. But she came over with what looked like ice in a plastic package.“I wrapped it up, put it on my ankle and went to sleep. Problem solved. An hour or so later, I woke up and expected to see a bag full of melted water. But there was none.Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened“Then I looked at my ankle. All the skin had turned white. I put my sock back onand, within around 20 minutes, as it warmed up, it started to blister.“When we arrived in Frankfurt, an associate of my agent was waiting. ‘I have a little problem,’ I told him. I think I gave him the shock of his life when I showed him my ankle.“We drove to the Hoffenheim academy, taken immediately to a physio, who pulled down my sock and turned nearly as white as the skin on my ankle when he saw it.“His reaction told me this was bad. ‘We’re taking you to hospital, right now.’ I was rushed into an operating theatre and surgery commenced immediately.“They were removing gangrenous tissue. If that had spread, it could have affected the whole foot, requiring it all to be removed. The reason? I had frostbite.“It turned out that when the air stewardess gave me ice, it was dry ice, which is three times colder than normal ice, exposing my bare ankle to Arctic-like temperatures.“The German doctor looked at me gravely. ‘You are fortunate. You came at the right time. Any later, and you might have lost your leg.’“Only then did I realise quite how close my dreams had come to ending and my life changing utterly.”After his near-death experience and a spell in the Russian Premier League, Zinchenko spent six seasons at City before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for £35m.However, Zinchenko has also revealed he could have played for the North Londoners much sooner with Arsene Wenger keeping tabs on his situation back in 2014 following a Youth Champions League clash between Arsenal and Shakhtar.Zinchenko said: “I got a call from an agent who said: ‘Alex, I have a very good connection with Arsene Wenger. He called me after your game. He really wants to see you in the club.“I was speechless; my jaw was on the floor. When I gathered my thoughts after a few seconds, I said: ‘This is probably a joke. Someone is having a laugh here.’“For one reason or another, it never happened. I had sort of forgotten about this whole thing until Wenger came to the Emirates in December 2022 to watch us beat West Ham 3-1.“I shook his hand. I had never met him in person before… ‘Mister, eight years ago, I played for Shakhtar Donetsk in a Youth League game against Arsenal…’ I said, cautiously.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He interrupted me. ‘Yes, it was at Boreham Wood. Arsenal won 3-1. And after 20 minutes, I pointed at you and said: “I need this guy.”‘ It was all true. Incredible.“I sometimes imagine what would have happened if I had joined the first team as a 17-year-old.”Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City back in 2016Credit: AFP or licensors More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Mikel Arteta’s bizarre pre-match methods with giant dominoes, pickpockets and squeezing lemons

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA’S unusual pre-match methods have included lemons, giant domino pieces and an undercover waiter.But Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is confident the Gunners boss is close to “surpassing” mentor Pep Guardiola in their battle for the Premier League title.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has some unusual pre-match methodsCredit: AlamyArteta has been known to think outside the box when it comes to preparing his squad for big games in the past, using props such as lightbulbs, speakers and flipcharts.As Arsenal prepare for another title bout with Pep’s Manchester City, Zinchenko revealed: “We had one where every player was given a lemon, a knife and a glass.“Mikel said, ‘Guys, I want you to squeeze these lemons as hard as you can.“In the end, we will add all of it in a bowl and we will see how much we can achieve together. The juice is our team magic. Everyone starts cutting and squeezing.READ MORE IN football “Then Mikel calls time. ‘Let’s see how much you squeezed.’ He went to one of the players and said, ‘Did you squeeze enough?’ ‘Yes, boss.’ Okay, let me see.’“He took the lemon, squeezed it and a bit of juice came out, still. He said: ‘Guys, this is the message, you can always add more. “You can always give more.’ Simple but quite effective.”Zinchenko added: “Another one I really liked involved hundreds of big domino pieces. We came into the room and saw a ball next to a basket.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“There were very detailed instructions on what size dominos you could use and how they had to set up. Mikel asked us to work together and build this spiral of stones.“He said: ‘Pay attention to the details and get all your angles right, because if only one stone is out of place, the whole thing breaks down.’Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened“Each one of us felt the responsibility. You don’t want to be the one who lets the team down and have the chain reaction fail.“Again, a simple idea, but it worked so well to put everybody in good spirits before a big game and remind them that we were in this together.”At one group dinner, Spanish boss Arteta hired several professional pickpockets to steal phones and wallets from the players to teach them about always being prepared and alert.And in January 2023, before beating Manchester United at home 3-2 thanks to an injury time winner from Eddie Nketiah, Arteta produced another secret experiment in a lunch meeting.Oleksandr Zinchenko with manager ArtetaCredit: GettyZinchenko said: “Mikel announced it was going to be another players vs staff freestyle battle. “The other day, it had been me against Nicolas Jover, our set piece specialist, and I had won.“So, the manager says: ‘It’s rematch today. Alex, let’s see if you can do it again’.“So, I get up and do a few tricks and so on. Then it’s Nico’s turn. But he’s holding his hamstring, saying he’s injured and can’t play.Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this?Oleksandr Zinchenko“Mikel looks around the room and says: ‘We need a substitute. Anyone?’ At that moment, a waiter raises his hand. Mikel says: ‘Okay. You can try.’“And guess what? This guy is killing it. He’s basically destroying us. He even nutmegs [Bukayo] Saka. “Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this? Everyone’s cheering him on and laughing.“Turns out he’s a professional freestyler with millions of followers whom Mikel had planted at the hotel as a waiter.“You realise how much work must have gone into that behind the scenes.”That guy was there for at least three hours undercover, serving up coffee and cakes and waiting patiently for his big moment. “The mood in the camp was incredible after that. People were buzzing on the way to the bus. That whole thing really pushed the right buttons. “But it happens so often. Every one of Mikel’s meetings is special.”Zinchenko added: “Mikel is on a similar level to Pep and might one day surpass him. He is a winner and demands maximum intensity.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He likes to say: ‘Boys, you must do everything full throttle. Football, partying, or in the bedroom with your wives: everything at full throttle.’”Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/ABelieve by Oleksandr Zinchenko is published by Bloomsbury More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd blow as Mason Mount suffers yet another injury setback with TEN players out of Fenerbahce clash

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have suffered a blow as Mason Mount has had another injury setback.The midfielder has struggled for consistent fitness since his arrival from Chelsea in 2023.Mason Mount has suffered an injury setbackCredit: GettyErik ten Hag has put his faith in his remaining playersCredit: GettyMount, 25, has only featured in five games in all competitions this season and has failed to score or assist a single goal.He was last in the Premier League squad in September for the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.However, he has since been out with an injury, his second of the season having had a hamstring problem.Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has now confirmed that Mount will not be back when expected.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe said: “I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that’s what we expected.”I think he will be back soon.”Mount joins nine other players who are absent for the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.Defenders Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are all out of the match.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore, and Toby Collyer will also miss out.Captain Bruno Fernandes is also unavailable for Ten Hag as he is suspended from the match after picking up two yellow cards against Porto.Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealedMan United squad to face FenerbahceHere is the Red Devils’ 20-man squad to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League…Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Habeeb Ogunneye. Midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Manuel Ugarte.Forwards: Amad, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee.However, the under-fire Dutchman remains optimistic about getting a good result.Ten Hag has insisted that the fit members of the squad are “capable” of getting a result.He added: “The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job.”I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced.”We’ve faced such situations more often.”I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience that’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us.”Man United’s missing starsHere are the ten players out of the game against Fenerbahce…Mason Mount – MidfielderKobbie Mainoo – Midfielder Toby Collyer – MidfielderBruno Fernandes – MidfielderDan Gore – MidfielderLuke Shaw – DefenderHarry Maguire – DefenderLeny Yoro – DefenderJonny Evans – DefenderTyrell Malacia – Defender More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe at centre of heated brawl as tempers flare after Luton clash with Sunderland

      by

      JUDE BELLINGHAM’s brother was at the centre of a heated brawl after Sunderland beat Luton Town.Jobe Bellingham clashed with the Hatters’ goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski at full-time.Jobe Bellingham was involved in a clash with Luton’s Thomas KaminskiCredit: GettyPlenty of players joined in on the brawlCredit: GettyJobe is the brother of Jude BellinghamCredit: PAMany more players joined in as the tensions escalated at Kenilworth Road.Bellingham and his Sunderland team-mate Luke O’Nien, as well as Luton’s Carlton Morris and Tom Holmes, ended the night in the book.But it was Sunderland’s night after they survived a gruelling first-half examination at the hands of the Hatters, who should have been ahead at the break.The Town’s failure to cash in rebounded as Chris Rigg, 17, fired the visitors ahead ten minutes into the second half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLuton made things difficult again when Elijah Adebayo headed his first of the season eight minutes later but the Black Cats got the cream when Mundle shot home in the 66th minute.Sunderland, chasing their second away win in four days after Sunday’s victory at Hull, were first into the attack with just a minute on the clock with a shot from Dan Neil.Seconds later, Belgian stopper Thomas Kaminski saved Alan Browne’s close-range goalbound back-heel with a leg.Luton, tails up after Saturday’s 3-0 win over derby rivals Watford, survived that nervy spell and went close with a shot by striker Morris.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis was breathless, all- action stuff, and Sunderland came under severe pressure midway through the half.First, Mackems keeper Anthony Patterson intervened to stop a header from home centre-back Mark McGuiness squeezing in under the bar.World Cup stadium lies half demolished next to rubble as it hosts second tier matches with no away end Chirs Rigg fired in the opener at Kenilworth RoadCredit: GettyCarlton Morris had a goal controvserially ruled offsideCredit: PAThat was from Alfie Doughty’s left-wing corner. Within seconds, Doughty’s next corner set up McGuinness for another header — and this time the ball hit the bar.Luton thought they had found a way through deep into first-half added time when Morris swept home yet another Doughty corner — but Town midfielder Jordan Clark was standing well offside.Two minutes into the second half, Patterson kept the score level with a save from Adebayo’s close-range header out after Clark’s cross from the right found the big striker.But Sunderland took the lead on 55 minutes.For once, Luton slackened their grip in midfield as Tahith Chong lost possession and Browne’s header sent Rigg on a run.As he headed towards the left of the area, the teenager swivelled and fired home a low left-foot shot.But Luton levelled eight minutes later. That man Doughty was at the root of things again, firing in a free-kick from the rightREAD MORE SUN STORIESMorris met it just past the far post and volleyed across goal for Adebayo to head home.Sunderland grabbed back the lead six minutes later. Chong claimed he had been fouled, ref Tom Nield disagreed, and Neil set up Mundle for a run across the box that ended with a low finish. More

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can’t believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY put in a five star performance as they romped to victory over Sparta Prague.The Citizens ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola’s side bagging four goals in the second half.Phil Foden and John Stones both scored against Sparta PragueCredit: GettyErling Haaland scored a brilliant improvised goalCredit: GettyPhil Foden gave the hosts the perfect start as he fired in the opener inside just three minutes.Erling Haaland also got himself on the scoresheet in the second half.The Norweigian striker had plenty of attempts to score, but it was his improvised finish in the 58th minute that found its way past Peter Vindahl Jensen.John Stones made it three with a brilliant looping header to add to his solid performance at the back.READ MORE IN SPORTHaaland got his second in the 67th minute to make it 44 in the Champions League.Matheus Nunes was also impressed as he netted from the spot in the closing stages, which added to his two assists.SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of Pep Guardiola’s side…Stefan Ortega – 5 Almost a spectator, but at least it wasn’t cold or pouring down.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNathan Ake – 5Back after injury and unlucky to have City’s second chalked off.Manuel Akanji – 5Training games against his own team-mates are far harder than this was.Furious former Champions League finalists’ fans protest against club owner John Stones – 7Followed his winner against Wolves with another towering header.Rico Lewis – 6The young multi-tasker produced a typical all-action displayMatheus Nunes – 7Matheus Nunes set up two of City’s goals and netted from the spotCredit: GettyHe claimed two assists and bagged his first-ever Champions League goal from the spot late on.Savinho – 5Supposed to be the new Samba man but didn’t dance that great.Ilkay Gundogan – 7The midfielder cruised through the 100th Champions League game of his career.Bernardo Silva – 6Quiet, effective and a non-stop cog spinning the City wheel.Phil Foden – 7It was a slick early finish in only his fourth start of the season, but the spark faded.Erling Haaland – 9Even Pep Guardiola couldn’t quite believe his amazing airborne strike before he added his second.The striker reached 44 in the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersSubsMateo Kovacic (for Bernardo Silva 69) – 5Couldn’t have had an easier task by the time he emerged.James McAtee (for Gundogan 69) – 5A few minutes of Champions League experience with no strain.Josko Gvardiol (for Ake 74) – 5Just a pleasant walk in the park….READ MORE SUN STORIESRuben Dias (for Stones 74) – 5He won’t have minded stretching his legs for a bit.Nico O’Reilly (for Haaland 81) – 5The young attacker replaced a living legend. More