Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares30 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League stadium unrecognisable with pitch used for star’s epic gender reveal as fans demand ‘lifetime contract’

      by

      A PREMIER LEAGUE stadium looked unrecognisable this weekend as it went from staging the world’s best players to hosting a star’s gender reveal party.Nottingham Forest’s City Ground was used to host the friends and family of star centre-back Murillo, as he announced the gender of his first child with wife Mabili.Nottingham Forest star Murillo hosted his gender reveal party at the City GroundCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/The reveal took place on the City Ground pitchCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo and partner Mabili celebrated as smoke bombs revealed that they were having a girlCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/The pair wore all-white for their celebrationsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo gave a kiss to Mabili’s bumpCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Family and friends posed for photos with the happy couple on their incredible displayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo, 22, gathered with his loved ones on the pitch at the historic stadium and announced that he would be having a girl.The incredible gender reveal was fit with pyrotechnics, balloons, streamers and a whole stage for the happy couple to stand on during the moment it was announced.Forest fans loved that their star centre-half was using the stadium for his announcement, taking to social media to suggest it shows just how much he loves playing for the Tricky Trees.On X, one fan wrote: “Murillo loves this club. Gender reveal at the WFCG. Lifetime contract.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile another added: “Nobody decides to have a baby if they have intentions of moving across Europe in 6 months time…”And if he had any thoughts of actually moving, surely he wouldn’t have done this at the CG? Just saying…”Other fans flooded the comments section on Murillo’s Instagram post about the reveal, congratulating the Brazilian.One posted: “Congratulations my defender!” Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd a second wrote: “Congratulations Murillo! Best gender reveal ever”.Murillo was joined, not only by friends and family, but also by Nottingham Forest teammate Jota at the City Ground for the announcement.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsIt’s been a great weekend for Murillo, who helped Forest keep a clean sheet on Saturday as they beat Brentford 2-0 away from home.While the season as a whole has been superb for the Midlands club.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently flying high in the fourth spot in the Premier League.Forest are just four points off second place Chelsea and only two points behind Arsenal in third.While their impressive form sees them sit a comfortable four points ahead of Man City, eight ahead of Spurs and nine ahead of Manchester United.Murillo is having a superb season for Nottingham ForestForest continued their success on the pitch this season with a 2-0 win over Brentford on SaturdayCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares18 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham boss Postecoglou REFUSES to answer questions after his team ship another hatful of goals in Liverpool loss

      by

      ANGE POSTECOGLOU hit back at fresh scrutiny over his attacking style — as Tottenham shipped six to Prem leaders Liverpool.The fed-up Spurs boss argued with a TV reporter and was close to blowing his top following repeated questioning over tactics.Ange Postecoglou refused to answer questions after Spurs lost 6-3 to LiverpoolCredit: Sky SportsSpiky Postecoglou, whose dodgy defence has conceded 13 goals in the last three home games, snapped: “I’m just going to stop answering these questions.”Postecoglou pointed to the injuries to keeper Guglielmo Vicario as well as centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.Tottenham’s first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie also started on the bench as Arne Slot’s pace-setters ran riot in North London.The Aussie added: “If people can’t see the obvious, I’m not going to point it out. Make of it what you want, yes, we’re conceding goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and left-back . . . “I don’t know what to say any more.”Postecoglou was pushed over whether Spurs will benefit from his commitment to attacking football in the long term.He said: “I have been really patient the last 18 months sitting up here answering the same questions over and over again.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“If people want me to change my approach, it’s not going to change.“We are doing it for a reason, we are doing it because we think it will help us to be successful.”Tottenham fans protest ‘Levy out’ with black balloons as Spurs chairman akwardly watches on during Liverpool lossPostecoglou described this thumping defeat as “painful” which leaves Spurs 11th and eight points off the top four.Yet they have scored more goals than anyone else in the top flight with 39 and are in a Carabao Cup semi-final.Supporters even sang Postecoglou’s name at 5-2.Asked about the fans’ reception, the Tottenham chief replied: “I thought the fans were good today, very good, given it was a difficult day.“Maybe some of them understand the situation we’re in right now. It seems many don’t.“I hope they see what we’re trying to build here as I really believe it’s going to be something that gives the club and fans what they want.”Postecoglou said last month if his side were still tenth at Christmas then he would expect  people not to be “happy”.That was  pre-injury crisis but this defeat left his side in the bottom half.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “All I can do is navigate us through a difficult period.“If you’re saying tenth means I’m not doing a good job and I should be uncomfortable, well that’s for others to judge.” More

    • 213 Shares28 Views

      in Soccer

      Hard-up Prem fans ‘priced out of buying club shirts’ fuelling boom in fake kit for Christmas gifts

      by

      CASH-strapped Premier League fans are fuelling a boom in fake team shirts for Christmas gifts.Data shows supporters have made 48,510 online searches for counterfeit top-flight club clobber from September to the beginning of December.Premier League fans are fuelling a boom in fake team shirts for Christmas giftsCredit: GettyIn comparison, there were just 4,230 searches from January to August, before the festive shopping season began.Fake Manchester Utd shirts topped the table, with 17,730 searches.The team’s official adult home shirt costs £80, and £55 for children, while both go for £12 on knock-off websites.Betting site Footy Accumulators, which analysed the search data, said: “It is sad to see that clubs have priced many loyal fans out of being able to afford a shirt which is leading them to use websites selling fakes to buy gifts for loved ones this Christmas.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Rising prices mean that a family of four who want new shirts will have to fork out around £370 from club shops whereas if they go to knock off sites the price will be more like £50.“We hope that clubs across the UK take note of these alarming figures and try to make merchandise more affordable in the future to help supporters not have to turn to counterfeit merchandise.”Demand for Arsenal fake shirts soared by 191 per cent over the beginning of the year from just 680 to 5,940 in the run up to Christmas making fake Gooners tops the second most in demand.Newcastle knock offs were third highest in demand with 4,830 searches compared to just earlier in the year – an incredible 419 per cent rise.Most read in FootballTottenham Hotspurs came fourth with demand up from 440 to 3,750 – a 184 per cent rise.Liverpool came fifth on a 169 per cent increase from 460 to 3,720.In sixth place came Manchester City on 3,150 knock off searches – up from 420 and a 150 per cent increase.Non-league club labelled ‘absolute class’ as they rock up to FA Cup tie in bizarre pina colada kit More

    • 225 Shares24 Views

      in Soccer

      Jamie Carragher slammed as ‘really, really unfair’ in heated scenes live on Sky Sports after Liverpool thrash Tottenham

      by

      JAMIE CARRAGHER was slammed as “really, really unfair” in heated scenes over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future.The right-back played a key role in his side’s 6-3 epic win at Tottenham on Sunday, helping the Reds sit top of the table at Christmas.Jamie Carragher clashed with Jamie Redknapp over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futureRedknapp was having none of what Carragher was sayingLiverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: AFPAlexander-Arnold has been one of Arne Slots’s most important players all season.But his future remains unclear as his contract enters its final six months.The defender has so far failed to agree an extension with Liverpool and is free to talk to foreign clubs next month.Real Madrid are reportedly favourites to sign Alexander-Arnold, with the England ace not commanding a transfer fee.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking on Sky Sports, Carragher questioned why Alexander-Arnold would not at least pen a new short-term deal with Liverpool in order to get his side a transfer fee.But this led to an amazing on-air clash with fellow former Anfield star Jamie Redknapp, who branded Carragher “really, really unfair” for his demands to Alexander-Arnold.Carragher initially said: “I just think as a local player, it is a long time living in that City. Trent has been at the club for 20 years.“I don’t think it would be nice for Liverpool supporters to feel like, ‘Han on, we are winning everything, what more do you want?’”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRedknapp replied: “I think it is negligence from Liverpool, the fact they are in this position. “If you are going to do that, you have to respect the decision he makes. A young player who has given everything, if he wants to try a different culture.Mo Salah drops yet another hint about leaving Liverpool win days after admitting he was ‘more out than in’ Redknapp wants Liverpool to sort out Trent’s situation NOW“If I was in the dressing room, I would go, ‘I would love you to sign, but good luck’. If there is a chance to go to Real, how do you turn that down?”Carragher fired back: “If I was advising Trent, a lot of it is to do with the free transfer.“It is that feeling that you are leaving us for nothing, where is our money to replace you? I would say, sign a contract, have a decent buyout clause and if Real want to buy you in 12 months…”But Redknapp was unhappy with that statement, saying: “I think you’re being really, really unfair. You can’t turn around and tell him to sign a contract.“If he gets injured after signing a contract, then what happens? He has got an opportunity for a five-year deal or whatever at Real and try something different.“I have total respect for whatever it is he wants to do because he has given everything to Liverpool.”READ MORE SUN STORIESCarragher ended the discussion by adding: “I am saying that Liverpool supporters, I am with them everyday on the streets of Liverpool and now how they feel.“It doesn’t matter if we agree with that.” More

    • 263 Shares30 Views

      in Soccer

      Love rat Man City ace Kyle Walker WILL spend Christmas Day with estranged wife & children after pair agree festive truce

      by

      FOOTIE ace Kyle Walker will be with estranged wife Annie Kilner on Christmas Day after they agreed to put their divorce to one side for the sake of their kids.The England and Man City star, 34, faces a blockbuster legal fight for a share of his £27million fortune in the New Year.Kyle Walker and estranged wife Annie Kilner agreed to put their divorce to one side for the sake of their kidsCredit: AFP or LicensorsKyle secretly fathered a second child with model ex-mistress Lauryn GoodmanCredit: AlamyAnnie booted him out after he secretly fathered a second child with model ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman.But they will call a Christmas truce for their four children — Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, six-year-old Reign and baby Rezon.A source said: “It’s been a horrible 12 months. But huge credit to Annie.”Despite everything Kyle has done, she couldn’t bear the thought of him waking up alone on Christmas Day without his children.READ MORE ON KYLE WALKER“They’re putting everything to one side to save the kids from any more heartache.”Kyle will spend Christmas morning with Annie and the kids before joining up with his City teammates ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Everton.Annie, 31, could then return to Sheffield to be with her family, including sister Sian.The £150,000-a-week defender was kicked out this time last year after Lauryn, 34, revealed the truth to a then heavily pregnant Annie.Most read in FootballIn a message sent on December 27, she wrote: “Hey it’s Lauryn. I just wanted to quickly tell you that Kyle is the father of our daughter.”Annie kicked Kyle out and he rented a mansion close to the family home in Prestbury, Cheshire. In his only interview, he told The Sun days later: “What I’ve done is horrible and I take full responsibility.”Kyle Walker and ex-lover Lauryn Goodman in fresh row over intercom security system at her £2.4m homeThe couple tried to repair the damage but looked worlds apart at the Euros as Kyle and his Three Lions teammates laboured to the final before defeat to Spain.He returned to the UK a day later and within hours was in court in London for a showdown with Lauryn over money for their daughter, Kinara.A judge accused Lauryn of using his desperation to keep it a secret as “leverage” to get what she wanted.Pals of Annie and Kyle hoped the scathing judgement would bring them closer together.But it pushed them further apart – laying bare the extraordinary sums of money Kyle had paid Lauryn in a bid to win her silence.Annie now wants a 50-50 share of his fortune as part of a “financial divorce”.Kyle will spend Christmas morning with Annie and the kids before joining up with his City teammatesCredit: BackGridKyle was kicked out by Annie this time last year More

    • 213 Shares25 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham fans protest ‘Levy out’ with black balloons as Spurs chairman akwardly watches on during Liverpool loss

      by

      TOTTENHAM fans protested against chairman Daniel Levy ahead of their defeat to Liverpool.Spurs were outclassed by the league leaders, who inflicted a 6-3 defeat to leave Ange Postecoglou’s side in the bottom half at Christmas.Tottenham fans protested Daniel Levy ahead of the defeat to LiverpoolCredit: GettyA small group of fans gathered outside of the groundCredit: GettyLevy Out balloons were supposed to be released during the matchCredit: GettyThe chairman watched on as his side were thrashed 6-3Credit: PAThe Tottenham boss has copped his fair share of flack this season, and he confronted the angry travelling support after an insipid defeat to Bournemouth.But ahead of the Liverpool match a small group of supporters marched against Levy.Banners were held up calling for the long-term club chief to leave his post, with supporters carrying black balloons bearing the words: “L£VI OUT”.One banner read: “I don’t care about Levy and he don’t care about me.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile another took a broader aim at the owners, saying: “To dare is too dear. ENIC out.”Organisers planned to release the black balloons onto the pitch in the 24th minute, but few reached the grass.Tottenham fans have put up with soaring prices since the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, yet results on the pitch have gone backwards.They sit 11th going into Christmas having lost eight of their 17 Premier League games.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTheir saving grace this season is their cup form, having progressed to the Carabao Cup semi-final this week following a win over Manchester United.But Spurs have not qualified for the Champions League since 2022 and there has been little return on the more than £1billion spent on transfers since the club last won a trophy in 2008.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou channels his inner Gladiator as he defends his gung-ho tactics More

    • 213 Shares25 Views

      in Soccer

      Michael Owen the ‘only person in football who saw this coming’ as incredible Premier League prediction resurfaces

      by

      MICHAEL OWEN’S bold Premier League top-four prediction resurfaced and has led to immense praise for the England legend.Owen, 45, left football fans stunned in August when he claimed reigning Premier League champions Manchester City would finish FOURTH after winning a record four titles in a row.Michael Owen predicted Manchester City would finish fourthCredit: GettyOwen’s bold prediction has resurfaced and led to immense praiseCredit: GettyThe ex-Liverpool and Manchester United star even suggested that City could struggle to make the top four, especially if they endure a rough start to the campaign.Owen told Casino Hawks last summer: “Arsenal and Manchester City will go in virtually everybody’s top-four predictions and I think Liverpool will probably be in there as well despite there being some questions over how well Arne Slot will fit in.”I had a thought about Newcastle but Aston Villa are solid and look to be still improving.”In terms of the order, my thought process is if City are not gonna win it, they could actually drop away a little bit.Read More on Football”It’s almost like if City are not gonna be really in the race after 10 games then their priority could go elsewhere – I think there could be a big surprise this season.”I’m going to go for Arsenal first, Liverpool second, Aston Villa third and Manchester City fourth.”After Owen’s prediction City experienced a shocking collapse that saw them dropping to seventh place in the table and losing a staggering nine out of their last 12 matches across all competitions.And fans took to social media to resurface the legendary striker’s bold prediction, that would see Man City manager Pep Guardiola enduring his worst ever finish if it comes true.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOwen caught wind and tweeted: “Glad you noticed.”And fans stormed Twitter to praise the pundit’s brave call at a time when many continued to back the Citizens for a fifth straight Premier League title before their unbelievable breakdown.Pep Guardiola looks battered and bruised in interview after Feyenoord draw as fans ask ‘what’s happened in dressing room?’ One fan tweeted: “He’s probably the only person in football that saw this coming.”Another commented: “He got slated for this, but fair play. He saw their struggles before a lot of us.”A third wrote: “The king is back.”This fan said: “Best pundit in town.”And that one stated: “You saw it coming bro.”Manchester City have endured an unbelievable collapse after four straight titlesCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares38 Views

      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim refuses to confirm Marcus Rashford return date as Gary Neville gives damning verdict on ‘inevitable ending’

      by

      RUBEN AMORIM will not offer a return date for Marcus Rashford, as United legend Gary Neville insists the England star may have played his last game for the club.For a third time in eight days, Rashford was left out of Amorim’s match day squad for the catastrophic 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.Marcus Rashford’s return to Man Utd’s first team is still unclearCredit: GettyRuben Amorim let him out of the 3-0 defeat to BournemouthCredit: GettyHe was in attendance at Old Trafford on Sunday, in a club tracksuit, but has yet to be re-integrated into the squad – unlike Alejandro Garnacho who was, like Rashford was axed for last weekend’s Manchester derby win but has come on as a sub in the last two games.And former United skipper Neville believes the Rashford situation is in danger of becoming a distraction for Amorim and the club.He said: “It is not really big team news any more.“It is something of a norm, a pattern has developed over the last week. It was a surprise last weekend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It is getting to the point where you leave him out three games on the bounce something really is obviously going wrong or has gone wrong.“And it is not looking great for both Marcus’ future at the club or Manchester United keeping him either.”I suspect it is getting to that point in the journey where it has got an inevitable ending.”It is a distraction for the manager. It does become obvious that he probably has to leave and that the club want him to leave – it will probably work for both parties.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWith the January window barely a week away, that prospect may come into focus in the coming days, with Neville citing recent examples of players who have benefitted from a move away.He said: “There are good examples as well of players who have struggled at United.Old Trafford starts LEAKING midway through Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd press conference as fans say ‘perfect metaphor’Gary Neville reckons the signs are clear that Rashford will goCredit: AFP“Jadon Sancho has gone to Chelsea and is doing better, Scott McTominay wasn’t struggling but he left to go to Napoli and he is doing well, so Marcus might think it is the right thing for him as well.”Amorim, meanwhile, still insists there is no disciplinary aspect to the decision to again leave him out – and simply cites the reason as a “selection” matter.Amorim said: “It’s my decision and it always will be.“It is selection. I want to see the best of my players and I try different things with different players. That’s my focus.”Amorim insists he has not ruled Rashford out of the Boxing Day visit to Wolves but did not offer any clarity.He said: “It depends. We will see.” More