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      FA Cup third round LIVE RESULTS: 10 games now underway after Newcastle cruise past Sunderland and Stevenage shock exit

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      IT doesn’t get much better than an action-packed FA Cup weekend – with several blockbuster clashes happening right now and more on the way later.Newcastle cruised past Sunderland with a 3-0 win at the home of their bitter rivals, while League One Stevenage suffered a shock early exit to non-league Maidstone.
      But now, there are 10 more games underway before Chelsea welcome Championship side Preston to Stamford Bridge in one of four games at 5.30pm.
      And High-flying Aston Villa host Manchester United legend Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough.

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      Follow ALL the action from the FA Cup 3rd round with our live blog below…
      FA Cup half-time scores
      Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
      Gillingham 0-2 Sheff Utd
      Hull 0-1 Birmingham
      Newport 0-0 Eastleigh
      Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
      Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Sutton Utd
      QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
      Southampton 1-0 Walsall
      Stoke 1-1 Brighton
      Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
      Stoke 1-1 Brighton
      As the hosts fail to clear their lines, Brighton get back on level terms in the sixth minute of added time in the first half.
      Pervis Estupinan is the scorer for Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
      That might change what he has to say to his team during the interval.
      Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
      Sam Szmodics ends a perfect half for the striker as he completes his hat-trick.
      Breaking the hearts of the visitors, his form this season has seen him become the top scorer in the division.
      Great comeback by the Championship side after going behind twice.
      QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
      Sinclair Armstrong puts the Championship side in the lead.
      Armstrong bends one in the far corner, no more than they have deserved in this game.
      Lyndon Dykes then doubles their lead as QPR score two goals in the space of a minute after having only managed that feat in six games before today.
      Premier League Bournemouth are up against it now.
      Credit: Reuters
      Red card – George Langston (Eastleigh)
      Blackburn 2-2 Cambridge Utd
      Sam Szmodics has equalised for Blackburn Rovers.
      It is end to end stuff at Ewood Park.
      Don’t think we have seen the last of the goals in this one today.
      Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
      Joe Quigley has put the National League side ahead at Championship Watford.
      The visitors have taken a staggering 4,000 fans Vicarage Road.
      A trip being made well worth it by their team right now.
      Blackburn 1-2 Cambridge Utd
      Sam Szmodics has drawn the Championship side level.
      Just as it seemed they could be on the receiving end of an FA Cup upset.
      Jon Dahl Tomasson will be pleased to see his side get back on level terms at Ewood Park.
      However, it is all short-lived as Cambridge go straight down the other end to take the lead once again.
      Sullay Kaikai scores for the visitors to send their fans into raptures.
      Credit: PA
      Credit: Getty
      Hull 0-1 Birmingham
      Fresh from the departure of manager Wayne Rooney, Birmingham City take the lead in this one.
      Lukas Jutkiewicz heads home from the penalty spot to send the away fans wild.
      Rooney will no doubt be watching on to see how his old club do without him.
      Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
      Grant Ward has drawn the visitors level at Carrow Road.
      So much for that cup run for David Wagner.
      Bristol Rovers have been in free-scoring form this season and continue at their Championship opponents today.
      Stoke 1-0 Brighton
      Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has turned into his own net to give Stoke City the lead.
      Good pressure by the hosts but The Seagulls’ defender could not sort his feet out and beat his own keeper.
      We could be seeing a Premier League scalp in this one.
      Gillingham 0-1 Sheff Utd
      Will Osula has given the Premier League outfit the lead on the road.
      The keeper could have done better with the shot but the visitors take the lead.
      No cup upset on the cards in this one it seems.
      Norwich 1-0 Bristol Rovers
      No surprises in this one as the Championship outfit take an early lead.
      Ashley Barnes notches for The Canaries against their League One opponents.
      David Wagner will be hoping his side can go on a cup run this season.
      Credit: Getty
      Blackburn 0-1 Cambridge Utd
      League One Cambridge Utd have taken the lead at Championship Blackburn Rovers.
      Jack Lankester netted for the visitors after six minutes.
      Potential shock on the cards if they can hold onto this one.
      Southampton 1-0 Walsall
      Ryan Fraser has put The Saints ahead after only six minutes.
      The hosts start the game with lots of pressure on the visitors from League Two.
      They are up against it now, trailing to their Championship opponents.
      Stones head into fourth round
      Maidstone Utd of the National League South, become the first team to make it to the fourth round from that tier of the league since Havant & Waterlooville in 2007.
      Corne slotted home a penalty to put them in Monday’s draw.
      They will be hoping they can draw a big side at home in the next round.
      FA Cup actions comes thick and fast
      Here are the 3pm kick-offs this afternoon:
      Blackburn Rovers vs Cambridge Utd
      Gillingham vs Sheff Utd
      Hull City vs Birmingham City
      Newport County vs Eastleigh
      Norwich City vs Bristol Rovers
      Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton Utd
      QPR vs Bournemouth
      Southampton vs Walsall
      Stoke City vs Brighton
      Watford vs Chesterfield
      Bruno pulling strings in midfield
      Bruno Guimaraes was awarded the man of the match award against Sunderland today.
      It was a combative performance by the Brazilian, who covered a lot of ground for his side during the game.
      He bossed the Sunderland midfield and was the one of the differences between the two sides.

      FA Cup third round full-time scores
      AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Ipswich Town
      Coventry City 6-2 Oxford United
      Maidstone United 1-0 Stevenage
      Millwall 2-3 Leicester City
      Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
      FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
      Newcastle win the Wear-Tyne derby in comfortable fashion.
      It could have been a lot different but the Black Cats had a frustrating day at the office.
      They scored an own goal, gifted the second to the visitors and gave away a penalty for the third goal.

      FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
      The referee brings the game to a close.
      It is a comfortable win for Newcastle in the derby.
      Eddie Howe’s side head into the fourth round of the cup.
      Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
      90+2. Newcastle make a host of changes in added time.
      Dummett, Livramento and Ritchie all come on for the visitors.
      They will have limited time to have an impact on this game.
      Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
      90. Isak sends the keeper the wrong way and buries it in the bottom corner of the goal.
      It is the icing on the cake for Eddie Howe’s side.
      The rash challenge from Ballard on Gordon gave the penalty away.
      Sunderland fans head to the exits now.
      Goal – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
      Penalty to Newcastle More

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      Tottenham 1 Burnley 0: Pedro Porro’s ROCKET wins it but Amdouni misses sitter in stoppage time to force FA Cup replay

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      PEDRO PORRO showed Trent Alexander-Arnold he has some competition for the title of most electrifying right-back-turned-playmaker around.This game was looking like the first dull encounter of the Ange Postecoglou era and heading towards an unwanted replay.
      Pedro Porro produced the big moment of quality to send Spurs in round fourCredit: Getty
      Porro wellied it past Burnley keeper Aro MuricCredit: Getty
      Muric could only watch it fly past himCredit: Rex
      That was until Porro, Spurs’ shining light all game, stole the ball in the 78th minute and let fly from 25 yards.
      The Spaniard could not have hit it any sweeter, as it flew into the top corner with all the laser-like precision of a vintage Cristiano Ronaldo howitzer.
      Porro has been a revelation this season under Postecoglou, quietly undergoing one of the most impressive full-back transformations since Patrice Evra all those years ago at Manchester United.
      Evra famously struggled during his first six months in English football but then went on to become a United legend.
      It is fair to say Porro had a nightmare in the second half of last season, after arriving from Sporting Lisbon, amid the end of the Antonio Conte era and the chaos that followed it.
      Fans were left wondering just what Postecoglou was going to do with the Spain international, who did not start the first game of the season at Brentford.
      The answer has been to turn him into one of the most creative players in the league who, like Alexander-Arnold, makes a mockery of his alleged right-back position by popping up all over the shop and making things happen.
      Spurs badly needed him here as they looked out of ideas without all their injured players and particularly inspirational captain Son Heung-min, who has jetted off to the Asian Cup with South Korea.
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      In fairness to Postecoglou, he went as full strength as he could – not that he had an excuse not to, given how few games there are this month.
      Spurs were boosted by the return to the bench of star defender Micky van de Ven after two months out with a hamstring problem. Within a minute, fans were singing the Dutchman’s name.
      Unlike their hosts, Burnley did make changes – five in total – and it was fresh face Anass Zaroury who was the centre of attention in the early stages.
      First, the Moroccan risked giving away a penalty with a clumsy tackle on Destiny Udogie that VAR looked at but agreed with on-field ref Sam Barrott’s decision not to give a spot-kick.
      Then Zaroury stung the fingertips of Guglielmo Vicario with a fizzing drive from distance.
      In the 16th minute, nigh-on all of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including Postecoglou, were applauding in honour of 16-year-old Spurs fan Harry Pitman, who was tragically stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve.
      Without Son, the goal-scoring burden fell even more on Richarlison, who has finally found his shooting boots for Spurs over the festive period with five goals in as many games.
      But he still has a long way to convince the fanbase he is good enough to be a regular for them.
      Zeki Amdouni missed a sitter at the end after keeper Muric won a header in the Spurs boxCredit: Reuters

      And the way he squandered two first-half chances, weakly firing at the keeper, will have done little to persuade them.
      Burnley should have taken the lead when Zaroury impudently flicked the ball over the Spurs backline to play in team-mate Zeki Amdouni, who somehow got it stuck under his feet and then blazed over from a few yards out.
      Spurs tried to up the tempo after the break – during which Burnley’s star striker Lyle Foster was subbed off – but they lacked creativity.
      The absentee list, which also included James Maddison and Manor Solomon, was telling.
      Postecoglou took action by bringing on Bryan Gil for Gio Lo Celso and moving Dejan Kulusevski into the middle.
      It did not appear to have the desired effect and as Richarlison failed to make the most of another opening in the Burnley box, a replay looked inevitable.

      Yet from the resulting move, as Muric threw the ball out to sub Ameen Al-Dakhil, Porro burst into action to change the narrative.
      He tackled Al-Dakhil, drove towards the box, took aim and let fly.
      It whistled into the top corner for a magnificent first goal of the season and one worthy of winning any game. 
      Spurs almost made it 2-0 when sub Ryan Sessegnon making a surprise return after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring problem saw Muric tip his shot wide.
      Muric then went up for a Burnley corner deep into seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs held out to ensure it was Porro’s day.
      The 24-year-old told SunSport in an exclusive interview that there is a saying in Spain that “the sun will come up tomorrow” – ie that better times will be ahead, no matter how gloomy things look.
      After last season’s misery, a new day has certainly dawned for Porro in N17.
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      Fulham 1 Rotherham 0: De Cordova-Reid screamer settles it for the Cottagers but brave Millers push them all the way

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      BOBBY DE CORDOVA-REID survived a mass rotation to fire Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup.The winger was just one of three players to keep his place in the starting XI that beat Arsenal last Sunday.
      Bobby De Cordova-Reid fired the only goal in the first halfCredit: Reuters
      De Cordova-Reid celebrates his FA Cup winnerCredit: Getty

      And after scoring the winner to down the Gunners last weekend, De Cordova-Reid scored again to see off stubborn Rotherham.
      But where Fulham showed power and panache to see off last season’s Premier League runners up with a brilliant fightback, they struggled against the Championship’s bottom team.
      De Cordova-Reid’s classy first half strike was one of few highlights in a gritty performance that nonetheless opens up a second cup front for Marco Silva’s in-form team. 
      With a trip to Liverpool high in the manager’s mind for next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi final first leg, Silva took the opportunity against such lowly opposition to rest most of his key men.
      In particular, the absence of midfield general Palhinha always leaves a hole and there is no doubt that the home team’s tempo was down a notch or two compared to recent games without him.
      Even so, you shouldn’t have to be on tip top form when hosting a side that hasn’t felt the thrill of victory on the road in any shape or form since November 2022.
      That is now 29 successive games for the long-suffering Yorkshire club’s fans who rallied around 500 hardy souls for a Friday night trip to South West London in faint hope of a rare away win.
      Silva made eight changes to the team which fought back from a goal down against Arsenal at the weekend to claim a spirited 2-1 victory.

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      He at least kept faith with De Cordova-Reid against the ailing Millers and it proved decisive.
      After 24 minutes of toying around, Fulham finally got the breakthrough but thanks to a defensive lapse.
      Left back Sebastian Revan, on loan at Rotherham from Aston Villa, cracked under pressure trying to play his way out of his goal area.
      His rash clearance only found its way as far as De Cordova-Reid on the edge of the box who hammered a right foot shot into the top corner with his second touch.
      Harrison Reed later hit the post and Wilson also went close but scuffed a shot from the edge of the area.
      Millers’ keeper Viktor Johansson then saved one-handed from a Tosin header and again stopped a powerful drive from Wilson as the struggling second tier side put up a surprisingly stubborn rearguard fight while failing to register a single shot on target.
      Despite their superiority, Silva still had to bring on fresh faces deep into the second half to inject some energy into the performance.
      Club captain Tom Cairney and Brazilian winger Willian came off the bench with 16 minutes left.
      With just thirty seconds of five minutes added time left, Fulham squandered a cracking chance to seal the game.
      They broke free from their own half with Willian on the ball and sub striker Carlos Vinicius in hot pursuit.
      But the two Brazilians failed to summon up any Samba soccer magic and Vinicius rolled a lame shot straight at the keeper when put clean through by his fellow countryman.
      Rotherham defender Sebastian Revan outleaps Fulham’s Rodrigo MunizCredit: AFP More

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      Crystal Palace 0 Everton 0: Calvert-Lewin given ‘disgraceful’ red card after VAR review in FA Cup snoozefest

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      DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN suffered the first red card of his career — after another VARcical call.The dullest of FA Cup third round snooze-fests at Selhurst Park was momentarily sparked into life as Calvert-Lewin was shown a bizarre straight red in the 79th minute.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off for his tackle on Nathaniel ClyneCredit: Getty
      The Everton striker will miss the next three gamesCredit: Getty

      In real time, referee Chris Kavanagh saw nothing wrong with the Toffees forward’s lunged tackle on Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne. The ball was won and play carried on.
      Clyne rolled around on the ground for long enough that VAR reared its ugly head with a booming announcement on the big screen to the surprise of the entire ground.
      In slow-motion, studs were up but barely made any contact with Clyne’s shin, explaining the look of pure bafflement on Calvert-Lewin’s face when Kavanagh sent him off after a lengthy review on the pitch side monitor. Harsh is an understatement.
      Fans slammed the decision to send the striker off on social media.
      One posted: “No physical contact at all. Goodness what is going on.”
      A second wrote: “Discgraceful decision by a terrible ref.”
      A third commented: “An absolute joke. The beautiful game is finished RIP FOOTBALL.”
      Fortunately for Sean Dyche – who was both seething and perplexed on the sidelines – the first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career did not cost his team against Roy Hodgson’s toothless Eagles outfit, going close with a few Eberechi Eze attempts.
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      Dyche’s night got worse as he then watched Dwight McNeil also leave the pitch – carried off on a stretcher after an awkward fall late on.
      In truth, neither side deserved a fourth round spot with an unwanted replay on the horizon later this month. Hopefully that one will have more footballing quality on show.
      Hodgson made just two changes with Matheus Franca and Jeffrey Schlupp replacing Jordan Ayew – away with Ghana for the African Cup of Nations – and Michael Olise, who limped off with another hamstring injury at the end of Palace’s 3-1 Prem win over Brentford last week.
      Brazilian wonderkid Franca, 19, was making his first start for the club since joining on an initial £17m from Flamengo in the summer.
      Dyche also went strong but was clearly not happy with the manner of his side’s recent 3-0 thumping at the hands of Wolves. Jordan Pickford was dropped for the first time this campaign, ending a 24-game stretch, while Seamus Coleman and Arnaut Danjuma were chucked in too.
      A dour first 13 minutes were interrupted by a similarly woeful dive from Eze that earned him a deserved early yellow card.
      In the swirling wind and rain, Everton were dealing with the conditions far better. Danjuma went close twice, smashing the side-netting before forcing Dean Henderson into his first meaningful save, tipping over from a tight angle.
      Donning a tracksuit and old-school Copa Mundial boots, Hodgson was growing frustrated at Nathaniel Clyne’s inability to feed their Samba Boy down the right flank.

      It took 23 minutes for Franca to get his first real run at Toffees left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, skipping past the Ukrainian before being clobbered by James Tarkowski just outside the box.
      Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was living off scraps, but Eze showed magical glimpses, teeing up Jefferson Lerma from 18 yards for a shot that had Virginia worried.
      With what was on offer, there is a reason Palace came into this one with just one league win in nine and Everton had lost their last three.
      At least after the break there was a shot on target to lift the home crowd, who watched Virginia palm away Eze’s directed thump towards the top corner.
      Calvert-Lewin responded, galloping goalwards from Clyne’s error with his ponytail undone and his hair blowing in the London breeze, but the outcome was a tame effort on target.
      Danjuma’s rushed stab at goal was straight at an expectant Henderson, and then out of nowhere, VAR decided to make itself the star of this uninspiring spectacle.
      Mark Halsey on Calvert Lewin red cardIT was an extremely harsh decision to send off Dominic Calvert-Lewin
      Referee Chris Kavanagh had a great view of the incident and did not even give a free-kick initially.
      The Everton striker’s foot was high with studs showing but the contact was minimal on the side of Nathaniel Clyne’s shin.
      None of the players on either side reacted to the challenge.
      I do not understand why VAR Craig Pawson recommended a pitchside review and I’m surprised Kavanagh did not stick with his original decision.
      You can argue it was ‘reckless’ and worthy of a caution but it did not meet the criteria for ‘serious foul play’.
      It did not ‘endanger the safety of an opponent with excessive force or brutality’.
      Those challenges happen all the time and the slo-mo replays always make them appear worse than they are.

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      West Ham vs Brighton LIVE SCORE: Latest updates and team news as Hammers welcome the Seagulls

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      WEST HAM welcome Brighton to the London Stadium hoping to make it four wins from their last four in the Premier League.In-form West Ham have secured impressive victories over Arsenal and Manchester United over the Christmas period, while Brighton are looking to follow up on an excellent 4-2 win over Tottenham last time out.

      Kick-off time: 7.30pm
      TV channel/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event/ NOW

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      Wayne Rooney sacked LIVE: Latest as Birmingham ruthlessly AXE Man Utd legend and begin search for new boss

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      WAYNE ROONEY has been brutally SACKED by Birmingham City just 15 games into his reign at St Andrew’s.The Manchester United and England legend, who only took the job on October 11, won just two games while in charge of Blues.
      When Rooney, 38, took charge of the club they were sitting pretty in 5th under John Eustace – but have plummeted down the Championship table and are now 20th after defeat to Leeds on New Year’s Day.
      Follow our live blog for all the fallout from Wayne Rooney’s sacking and the search for a new manager below…
      Eustace open to Birmingham return
      John Eustace is open to a return to Birmingham if approached – according to the Daily Mail.
      Eustace was replaced by Wayne Rooney in October with the club sixth in the Championship.
      Rooney’s disastrous tenure in charge has seen the Blues drop from sixth to twentieth in just 83 days.
      And despite his brutal sacking, Eustace would be prepared to return in an attempt to save Birmingham’s season.
      Credit: PA
      Birmingham approach Steve Cooper
      Birmingham City are set to meet with Steve Cooper to set out their proposal for him to take over from Wayne Rooney.
      But, they admit it will be an uphill battle – with Cooper attracting interest from Crystal Palace.
      Ralph Hasenhuttl, Reims head coach Will Still, Jesse Marsch, Paul Heckingbottom and England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley are all also being considered.

      Birmingham to approach Steve Cooper
      Birmingham are set to approach Steve Cooper to become their new manager after sacking Wayne Rooney.
      The out-of-work manager is as low as 1/1 in odds with some bookmakers to take over at St Andrews.
      He has long been admired by Premier League Crystal Palace, which could make a deal complicated for Birmingham’s owners to do.
      BBC forced to remove Wayne Rooney tweet
      The BBC were forced to remove a tweet announcing Wayne Rooney’s sacking after criticism from Gary Lineker.
      The official account tweeted: “By order of the Peaky Blinders, Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City.”
      The post was accompanied by a mocked-up photo of Rooney in a flat cap and suit – in full Tommy Shelby style.
      But the Match of the Day host was not happy with the way his employers announced the news.
      Lineker replied: “Delete this.”
      And his bosses promptly listened as the tweet was soon axed as it disappeared from their timeline.

      Where did it all go wrong for Rooney?
      Birmingham finally pulled the trigger on sacking Wayne Rooney after their 3-0 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road last night.
      The manager struggled to implement a more attacking style of play after taking over from John Eustace in October with the club sixth in the Championship.
      It was a disaster from the start, with the club winning just two of Rooney’s 15 games in charge.
      That’s a win percentage of just 13 per cent with the club now in real trouble of relegation – sitting 20th in The Championship table.
      Credit: Reuters
      What next for Roo?
      Here’s a look at five jobs Rooney could end up at after being sacked as Birmingham City boss.
      The Manchester United legend has said that he will take some time away as he considers his options.
      But the likes of Class of 92 owned Salford City and offers from Saudi Arabia could draw him back into management sooner than he expects.

      Next Birmingham boss odds
      Bettingodds.com have released their odds on who will become the next manager of Birmingham following Wayne Rooney’s departure.
      Former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch is the current favourite – with Birmingham’s American owners keen on the former RB Leipzig man.
      The shortlist is as follows…

      Jesse Marsch: 7/1
      Gary Rowett: 8/1
      Nathan Jones: 8/1
      Scott Parker: 9/1
      Steve Cooper: 9/1
      Lee Carsley: 10/1
      Will Still: 10/1

      Roo blocked out boos
      Just last night, Rooney insisted he was blocking out the boos and jeers from his own fans as he vowed to keep battling on as Birmingham boss.
      Speaking after the 3-0 loss at Leeds – where chants of “get out of our club” came from the travelling supporters – Rooney said: “I’m a fighter.
      “I get football is about opinions. I’ve spoken to the owners and that’s private.
      “What’s clear is we need some players to come in to help with the quality of the team.
      “We’re going through a difficult period, there’s no denying that, and we need to do everything we can to come out of that.
      “My career wasn’t always about success.
      “I scrapped through a relegation battle with Everton, so I’ve been through difficult moments as well. I believe in myself.
      “It’s important we stick together. I believe we will get through this.
      “The immediate goal is to get out this run of form.”
      Next Birmingham boss odds
      Sky Bet have put up the odds for the next permanent Birmingham City boss – and there are a few interesting inclusions.
      And it is Steve Cooper, recently axed by Nottingham Forest, who has emerged as the early favourite.

      Steve Cooper – 2-1 (F)
      Gary Rowett – 5-1
      Jesse Marsch – 6-1
      John Eustace – 6-1
      Tony Mowbray – 6-1
      Lee Carsley – 9-1

      Selected others:

      Frank Lampard – 12-1
      Graham Potter – 14-1
      John Terry – 16-1
      Neil Warnock – 16-1
      Robbie Fowler – 25-1

      What next for Rooney?
      Rooney admitted this sacking has hurt him personally and he will take some time away from football to recover with his family.
      But after that break, he does want to resume his management career.
      Where could he end up, though?
      While the Manchester United or England job may be a bit too far fetched, Salford City may be an option especially amid the Red Devils links.
      An MLS return with David Beckham’s Inter Miami is on the cards while he could follow fellow ex-Three Lions skipper Steven Gerrard to Saudi Arabia.
      Upcoming fixtures
      Birmingham are next in action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Hull in the FA Cup third round.
      However, the priority now is keeping the Blues in the Championship.
      Their upcoming Championship fixtures are:

      Swansea (H) – Jan 13
      Stoke (A) – Jan 20
      Middlesbrough (H) – Jan 27
      West Brom (A) – Feb 3
      Sheff Weds (A) – Feb 10

      Wayne’s final straw
      Yesterday’s defeat at Leeds proved to be the last game of Rooney’s spell as Birmingham boss.
      The Blues lost 3-0 at Elland Road.
      Patrick Bamford opened the scoring on 34 minutes before Dan James made it 2-0 in first-half injury time.
      Crysencio Summerville then wrapped up the goals midway through the second half.
      Credit: PA
      Credit: Alamy
      Credit: Getty
      Spooner takes temporary charge
      Professional development coach Steve Spooner has been placed in interim charge.
      He will take men’s first-team training, supported by the remaining coaching staff – including Ashley Cole and John O’Shea – who have been told they must stay put.
      Blues CEO has his say
      In the Birmingham statement, CEO Garry Cook helped further explain the decision.
      Cook said: “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St Andrew’s.
      “Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
      “The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
      Rooney believes he deserved more time
      Wayne Rooney has also put out a statement of his own following his dismissal.
      He said: “I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.
      “Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.
      “Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.
      “Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”
      Credit: Reuters
      Statement on Rooney
      Here’s what Birmingham had to say…
      Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.
      Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset.
      Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club.
      The Club’s Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.
      The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts.
      Birmingham confirm Rooney sacked
      The Blues have now released the statement to confirm that Wayne Rooney has indeed been sacked.
      The West Midlanders announced his departure at 11am with a statement.
      Roo’s wretched record
      Rooney took over on October 11 with Birmingham sixth.
      They are now 20th in the Championship – and are bottom of the table since Rooney took over, with just ten points earned.
      That came from two wins and four draws with nine defeats from his 15 games in charge.
      The Blues had a goal difference on -15 across his tenure and earned just 0.67 points per game.
      Eu were not wanted
      It was a match that just never worked for the former England captain.
      Rooney was brought in after the controversial sacking of Eustace in October.
      Eustace had the best win rate of any Birmingham boss since Gary Rowett, who was in charge at St Andrew’s from October 2014 to December 2016.
      And so when the new owners gave Eustace the boot, it did not go down well with the fans who were beginning to dream of a play-off finish after the strong start to the season.
      Still waiting for official confirmation
      Birmingham City are yet to officially confirm Rooney’s sacking.
      However, SunSport understands the decision has been made.
      And it is just a matter of when, not if, the news is made public by the Blues.
      Rooney SACKED
      We have all the latest news from Birmingham City’s brutal decision to axe Wayne Rooney just 15 games into his reign.
      The Man Utd legend won just two of those games and saw Blues plummet down the table after taking charge.
      Birmingham – who controversially sacked John Eustace while the club were FIFTH – must now start their search for a new manager. More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool 4 Newcastle 2: Mo Salah nets twice after early penalty miss as Reds go 3 points clear and Toon slump continues

      by

      ON a night of chaos and confusion at Anfield, it was Mo Salah who gave Liverpool the clarity of a three-point lead at the Premier League summit. Now Jurgen Klopp must keep the Reds on top of the pile while his Egyptian magician makes a disappearing act to the Africa Cup of Nations. 
      Mo Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool’s clincherCredit: AFP
      Curtis Jones put Liverpool 2-1 in frontCredit: REUTERS
      Salah scored twice and set up two more, having been denied from the penalty spot by Newcastle’s outstanding keeper Martin Dubravka in the first half. 
      His opener, which set up a manic six-goal second half, was his 150th goal for the club. 
      How the league leaders will miss him when he heads off to the Ivory Coast, in search of international honours – missing up to seven club matches.   
      Newcastle’s visits to Anfield are usually a recipe for bedlam and this was no exception – two disallowed goals in the first half adding to the mayhem. 
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But after peppering Dubravka’s goal for so long, Liverpool began 2024 with a flourish.
      They have lost just once in 30 Premier League games – and that sole setback was a highway robbery courtesy of VAR at Tottenham.
      Eddie Howe’s Toon, meanwhile, have lost seven times in eight matches in all competitions and have plummeted out of Champions League contention. 
      The Magpies haven’t won away in the Premier League since September and they haven’t won at Anfield in three decades. 
      Most read in Football
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      This is not what Howe’s Saudi paymasters signed up for.
      Buoyed by Arsenal’s festive nosedive, and against out-of-form opposition, Liverpool knew this was a night to seize the initiative. 
      And they were soon at their visitors’ throats, Trent Alexander-Arnold drilling a shot which was deflected wide and Darwin Nunez seeing a scuffed shot saved from Dubravka. 
      Liverpool were swarming all over the Magpies in the frantic tempo which is the trademark of a Klopp team. 
      And twice in quick succession, the Reds thought they had made the breakthrough. 
      First, Curtis Jones scalpelled open the Toon defence to release Nunez, who slipped a pass to Luis Diaz to fire past Dubravka. 
      Yet linesman Gary Beswick correctly flagged Nunez narrowly offside – VAR catching up with the naked eye several minutes later. 
      Unperturbed, Klopp’s side launched another attack, Diaz darting into the box and being upended by Sven Botman.
      Mo Salah put the Reds 1-0 upCredit: AFP
      Alexander Isak levelled for NewcastleCredit: AFP
      Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot but Salah snatched at his spot-kick, which was too close to Dubravka, who saved. 
      From the rebound, Alexander-Arnold skied a close-range shot and the Magpies were off the hook again. 
      It was the fourth time Salah had missed from the spot in ten attempts – so perhaps one disguised blessing of the Egyptian’s absence is that Klopp can choose a more trusty penalty taker. 
      Next, it was Nunez’s chance to be wasteful, out-muscling Botman as he went for a long punt but thwarted by Dubravka, who stuck out a leg to save his shot, then denied the Uruguayan again from the rebound. 
      Just when it felt Howe’s men were being smothered into submission, they broke upfield and found the net – only to be frustrated by another offside flag. 
      Dan Burn nodded home a Lewis Miley cross but linesman Adam Nunn scrubbed it out for a razor-thin offside against Alexander Isak in the build-up.
      Alexander-Arnold, with extreme audacity, then crashed a shot against the far post from the narrowest of angles – and the shot count read 18-1 in Liverpool’s favour, the hosts rattling up the highest number of goal attempts by any team in the first half of a Premier League match this season.
      Yet none had counted and by half-time, Klopp and side began to lose their cool – Diaz booked for dissent after Joelinton twice avoided entries into Taylor’s book, while Klopp, typically, was doing his conkers at fourth official Andy Madley.

      Still, within four minutes of the restart all of that frustration subsided as Salah struck.  
      Nunez drove forward and fed Diaz who angled a pass back to the Uruguayan, who squared unselfishly for Salah to stroke home his landmark goal.  
      Dubravka was soon back to denying Nunez, smothering at point-black range after a delicious volleyed centre from Salah and then pushing the Uruguayan’s powerful shot wide. 
      Nobody saw a Newcastle equaliser coming but that’s exactly what we got. 
      Anthony Gordon played a cute through-ball down the left flank and with Van Dijk playing him onside, Isak latched on and tucked it past Alisson into the far corner. 
      Dubravka beat away a Diaz shot, then Nunez screwed a header wide from six yards out and promptly made way for Cody Gakpo, as part of a triple change from Klopp. 
      Salah had a curler pushed away by Dubravka, who soon blocked a fierce Gakpo drive. 
      But inevitably, the Slovak was eventually beaten again, Diogo Jota driving forward and collecting a sweet return pass for Salah before he squared for Jones to tap home. 
      Soon it was 3-1, a gorgeous pass from Salah with the outside of his boot, allowing Gakpo a simple finish – only for Botman to crash home a header from a Sean Longstaff corner to keep it bubbling. 
      Read more on The Sun
      Jota rounded Dubravka and dived horribly, fooling Taylor and his VAR, allowing Salah to fire home his second from the spot.
      Follow how the action unfolded in our live blog below… More

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      in Soccer

      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal LIVE RESULT – Gunners lose ground in title race AGAIN as De Cordova-Reid goal seals huge win – latest

      by

      ARSENAL finished 2023 with a defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.Bukayo Saka tapped in from close range to give Mikel Arteta’s side the lead inside five minutes.
      Raul Jimenez finished off a superb Fulham counter-attack just before the half-hour mark to put the Cottagers back on level terms.
      And De Cordova-Reid slammed home the winner after some abject Gunners defending in the box in the second half.

      TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
      Live stream: NOW
      Fulham team: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson, Palhinha, Cairney, De Cordova-Reid, Iwobi, Willian, Jimenez
      Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah

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      Follow our live blog below…
      Full time – Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      It’s all over! A huge result for Fulham – and an even bigger one for Arsenal as far as their season is concerned.
      The Gunners miss the opportunity to go top of the Premier League despite leading inside five minutes at Craven Cottage.
      However, goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid turned the game around, and the Cottagers defiantly saw out any Arsenal response in the pouring rain with courage and charisma.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      90+4. Arsenal win back-to-back corners, but towering headers from Tosin and Diop relieve the pressure.
      The ball comes back to Trossard on the right, but his deep cross is so deep that it soars over Bernd Leno and out for a goalkick.
      That could be the end of the road for the Gunners.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Jimenez yellow card
      90+2 . It’s not often you see a player yellow carded for being pushed over but it’s just happened to Raul Jimenez.
      Admittedly, he was trying to thump a dead ball into the Hammersmith End to waste time.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      90. Arsenal will have five minutes of stoppage time if they are to rescue something.
      These Fulham players have been magnificent though, and deserve all three points.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      88. Pereira curls the free-kick over the wall…
      …and on to the crossbar!
      Fulham so, so close to sealing victory.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      87. Saliba brings down Wilson as he races through on goal… is this going to be a red card?! No, it’s only yellow.
      The Fulham players and boss Marco Silva are absolutely furious, and feel the Arsenal defender denied a goalscoring opportunity.
      Saliba perhaps was helped by the fact that Gabriel was rushing back to support his partner.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      85. Fulham are looking the more likely to add to the score on the break.
      Arsenal just look out of ideas.
      Can they salvage something here? Can they salvage their season?
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      83. Saka has a sight of goal, but just as he’s about to fire past Leno, Palhinha arrives with a superb thumping challenge.
      The Portuguese boss lifts himself up from the turf and lets out a celebratory roar and fist pump.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Fulham double substitution
      81. A double change from the Cottagers brings Harry Wilson – on for his 100th Fulham appearance – and Issa Diop into the game.
      Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid make way.
      It will mean a three at the back for Marco Silva’s team in the final stages.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      79. A defensive header from Castagne brings Arsenal their first corner of the game, but it’s defended well by the home side.
      The Fulham defence are less convincing moments later when a cross from the left travels through everyone, only to evade Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel at the back stick.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Bassey yellow card
      78. Calvin Bassey – sent off for two bookable offences at Arsenal – is yellow carded against the Gunners again.
      And just like his first at the Emirates, it’s for supposed time-wasting.
      Back in August, he was booked for delaying a goalkick despite Saka still being inside the penalty area.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Arsenal substitution
      77. Another throw of the dice from Mikel Arteta.
      The Gunners haven’t found much width this afternoon, but maybe Reiss Nelson can change that. He replaces Kai Havertz.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      75. Tom Cairney continues to play a captain’s role for Fulham, keeping possession, making space and bringing others into the game.
      Just a really lovely footballer.
      The torrential rain has absolutely flattened his quiff, mind.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      73. As it stands, Arsenal sit fourth in the Premier League with Tottenham – currently 1-0 up against Bournemouth – breaking down their necks.
      Two goals would change it all though, and the Gunners would be back at the summit.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Fulham substitution
      71. The heavens have opened in south-west London and the rain is hammering it down now. It’s really windy too. We could be in for a chaotic end of this contest.
      Meanwhile, Marco Silva makes his first change, bringing on Andreas Pereira for Alex Iwobi, who departs to warm applause from both sets of fans.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      69. Fulham aren’t done attacking despite the arrival of Arsenal reinforcements.
      Raul Jimenez attempts a ridiculous 20-yard rabona (and clatters into Tomiyasu), but following up Cairney lets fly with an effort that forces Raya into a diving push away.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Arsenal double substitution
      67. Odegaard whips the free-kick up over the wall…
      …and the crossbar.
      That’s the cue for Mikel Arteta to make two further changes, introducing Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
      Off go Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White so it’s a rare opportunity for Jesus and Nketiah to play together.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Cairney yellow card
      65. The first booking of the game goes to Fulham captain Tom Cairney, who is late in his attempt to stop a spinning Saka.
      It’s a free-kick to Arsenal about 25 yards from goal. Odegaard stands over it.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      63. A chance for an immediate response!
      Robinson and Tosin make heavy work of dealing with Martinelli’s cross from the left, allowing it to drift through to an unmarked Saka at the far post.
      The Arsenal forward has to take it on the volley, but gets his connection all wrong, sending it high over the crossbar.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      61. Arsenal have less than half hour to rescue this one if they are to bring in the new year at the top of the Premier League.
      On the touchline, Mikel Arteta looks concerned.
      Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
      59. Fulham have come from behind to lead at Craven Cottage!
      But if the equaliser was stylish, their second is an absolute mess.
      Willian’s outswinging corner from the right is met by Palhinha’s header into the back of Declan Rice.
      The ball diverts towards Gabriel, whose attempted clearance hits Takehiro Tomiyasu and falls for Bobby Decordova-Reid to crash into the roof of the net from eight yards.
      Fulham in front!

      Fulham 1-1 Arsenal

      58. Fulham are having their best spell of pressure in the second period.
      A couple of crosses have had the visiting defence in trouble, and it brings the hosts successive corners.
      Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
      56. Excellent defending from Saliba cuts out a Palhinha through ball that would have had Jimenez through on goal.
      Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
      54. Arsenal are moving steadily into Fulham’s final third.
      But while they were breaking records for touches in the penalty area without scoring on Thursday, they are struggling to get into the home side’s box today.
      It makes you wonder how long it will be before we see Gabriel Jesus. More