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    Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1: Gabriel’s bullet header seals crucial three points for Gunners in North London derby

    HERE was a thoroughly impressive display of Arsenal’s title credentials. Just four games into a season in which they might not even have to finish above Manchester City to win the crown, Mikel Arteta’s side entered a seething Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without two of their best players and strolled away with all three points. Arsenal made the trip across North London to take on their bitter rivals TottenhamCredit: APThe game was a tetchy and tense affair in the first halfCredit: GETTYGabriel Martinelli wasted a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the first halfCredit: GettyGabriel broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark with a towering headerCredit: RexShorn of injured captain Martin Odegaard and the suspended Declan Rice, Arsenal claimed a third successive win at the home of their bitterest rivals thanks to a second-half header from Gabriel Magalhaes. As in the corresponding fixture last year, Arsenal’s set-piece prowess – and Tottenham’s deficiency in the same area, proved decisive.   Back in April, Arsenal cruised into a three-goal lead here, courtesy of two set-piece goals and this time, it was a single corner which proved the difference. Tottenham were bold and aggressive, they dominated possession and the shot-count but were ultimately beaten by a calmer, more methodical team. READ MORE ON SPURS VS ARSENALAnge Postceglou’s men have now lost their last seven matches against top-half sides and the big Aussie’s position will come under serious scrutiny before long if he cannot reverse that trend.  But, with champions City facing trial over their 115 Premier League charges, Arsenal – runners-up in the last two seasons – know that this could be their best chance to land a first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger’s Invincible campaign 21 years ago. Their first two away fixtures show how serious they are – wins at Aston Villa and Spurs are outstanding results. Postecoglou’s team sheet was adventurous, potentially reckless, but certainly in keeping with his club’s ‘To dare is to do’ ethos. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWith an attacking front five supported by marauding wing-backs, there was no chance of this Spurs line-up trying to bore Arsenal to death. If Arsenal had an unfamiliar look it was not just the absence of Rice and Odegaard but the black away kit they were forced to wear after a bizarre edict that their traditional colours contained too much white.Premier League’s Biggest Spenders: Top 10 SeasonsThe derby-day spite was ramped up in the tunnel when a lone Arsenal mascot started kicking off at a gang of his Tottenham counterparts.On the pitch, it was Spurs who started as if the importance of the fixture had been drilled into their skulls. They pressed and harried Arsenal as if fed on red meat and twice in the first seven minutes, Dejan Kulusevski forced David Raya into decent saves. First, Son Heung-Min cut back and the Arsenal keeper denied the Swede at his near post.    Then Kulusevski’s cross evaded everyone and Raya was forced into a sprawling stop.Arsenal had started scruffily, their passing off-beam, but soon they settled. Gabriel Martinelli, whose pace was causing havoc down the left, crossed and a downward header from Kai Havertz forced Guglielmo Vicario into an excellent diving stop.  Soon after Leandro Trossard released Martinelli but the Brazilian’s shot was too close to Vicario. The bookings swiftly began to mount up, ref Jarred Gillett strictly following the early-season edict of clamping down on the delaying of free-kicks.  By the break, the Aussie had dished out seven yellow cards – five of them to Spurs, the obvious downside of Postecoglou’s fire-and-brimstone approach. At times, it resembled one of those mass pancake-day matches between rival villages – with occasional outbreaks of handbags.Gabriel’s header fired the Gunners into second place in the Premier League tableCredit: AlamyIn keeping with this, Kulusevski then ploughed through three Arsenal defenders to tee up Brennan Johnson, who skied his shot. As in the first half, Spurs were at it straight from the restart.Dominic Solanke, on his home debut, robbed Trossard with a full-blooded tackle, then got on the end of a Porro cross, his header deflected wide. After the corner was taken short, Micky van de Ven’s header was kept out by a diving Raya.  But Arsenal were calmer, more methodical than their rivals. Havertz led a counter-attack from which they won a corner and scored. Bukayo Saka delivered into a crowded dancefloor and Gabriel timed his run, nudging Romero out of the way, leaping above Kulusevski and heading home from close range. The atmosphere was transformed. From bearpit to teddy bear’s picnic. Except for one delirious corner hosting the Gooners.Soon the home crowd were getting on the back of James Maddison, who chose a poor pass to Solanke when he ought to have shot. After the horse had bolted, Postecoglou sent on Pape Matar Sarr in an attempt to gain greater discipline in midfield.READ MORE SUN STORIESSoon, Arteta introduced Raheem Sterling for his Arsenal debut, as well as Gabriel Jesus and the boy-wonder Ethan Nwaneri. Spurs continued to do most of the attacking and Kulusevski fired over from the edge of the box. Mikel Arteta embraces his staff after the final whistleCredit: REUTERS More

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    Erling Haaland to be allowed compassionate leave by Pep Guardiola after death of Man City star’s ‘chief fixer uncle’

    ERLING HAALAND has been offered compassionate leave following the death of his father’s best friend and his ‘uncle’, Ivar Eggja.The Manchester City striker shared a touching message for his confidant who passed away on Wednesday, aged 59. Erling Haaland has been offered compassionate late by Manchester CityCredit: GettyFollowing the death of his close family friend and ‘uncle’ Ivar EggjaCredit: erling.haaland/instagramHaaland has been told he is free to take a bereavement break by Pep Guardiola.This means the Premier League’s top goalscorer could be absent for Brentford’s visit the Etihad at 3pm on Saturday. Haaland returned from his Nations League break in Norway to train with Man City on Thursday, but Guardiola stresses that family comes first.In March, Haaland bravely played through the heartbreak of losing his paternal grandmother against Copenhagen.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHer death happened on the same day that he scored a brace against Everton in the Prem.Eggja was best man at Alfie Haaland’s wedding, as they shared a friendship which lasted decades.Seen as a chief fixer for the Haaland family, Eggja was also known as ‘uncle’ to Erling.He became a mentor and adviser to the 24-year-old as he helped him adapt to life at Borussia Dortmund.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe golden boot winner took to Instagram to publicly pay his respects to the late Eggja, posting a photo of himself holding his hand as he lay in his hospital bed.Haaland’s caption read: “You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Fans ask ‘how can you not love him?’ after Haaland’s blunt eight-word response to reporter’s fantasy football question”Words cannot describe how much you will be missed. I don’t give a s**t! I don’t give a s**! That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace.”Eggja was present for Haaland’s unveiling at the Etihad in 2022 and attended last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Haaland came second behind Lionel Messi.The Norwegian star has enjoyed a sensational start to the season, scoring seven goals in just three games, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham.He bagged the only goal of the game when Thomas Frank’s side last travelled to Man City.Erling paid tribute to Eggja on Instagram this weekCredit: erling.haaland/instagramThe 59-year-old was best friends with Alfie HaalandCredit: erling.haaland/instagram More

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    Man City hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules to start on MONDAY

    MANCHESTER CITY’S hearing into their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules will begin on MONDAY.The club have been accused of breaches dating nine years from 2009. The hearing into Man City’s alleged 115 financial breaches begins on MondayCredit: GettyPotential punishments if they are found guilty include relegation, points deductions and fines. The investigation into the club started with Der Speigel publishing Football Leaks documents in 2018.It accused City of funnelling money from the club’s owners through sponsors in the United Arab Emirates.The League then charged City with a failure to provide accurate financial information and a failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity deny any wrongdoing and are defending their case at an independent inquiry.And after months of speculation into the potential starting date of the hearing, it is now confirmed that it will begin on Monday.However, the hearing itself could go on for two months.A final decision is not expected until next spring.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAmid the backdrop of the investigation, City are looking to defend their Premier League title as they search for an unprecedented fifth league victory in a row.Having won each of their first three games, they are back in action against Brentford on Saturday.Man City face Premier League EXPULSION or points deduction after they’re charged with more than 100 financial breachesWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.Premier League sides deducted points and others at riskNottingham ForestDeducted four points during the 2023-24 season for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Failed in their appeal with decision upheld.EvertonInitial 10-point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Were deducted a further two points later in the 2023-24 season. Appealed, but since withdrawn following Prem survival.Sheffield UnitedHit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022-23 EFL season. Will begin the 2024-25 Championship season on -2 points following their relegation from the Prem.OTHERS WHO COULD FACE PUNISHMENT…Manchester CityEtihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.ChelseaBlues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.LeicesterFoxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction for the 2024-25 season following their return to the top flight.Everton (again)The Toffees are again at risk of breaking PSR rules and are in a race against time to raise funds and balance the books. Not only could that lead to another charge but also administration. That would lead to an automatic nine-point deduction for the 2024/25 season. More

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    Erling Haaland in mourning as Man City star shares heartbreaking hospital pic after ‘chief fixer uncle’ dies aged 59

    ERLING HAALAND has paid a touching social media tribute to his father’s late best friend and his “uncle”, Ivar Eggja.The Haalands are mourning the loss of the 59-year-old father-of-three, who passed away on Wednesday.Erling Haaland is mourning the loss of his dad’s best friend, Ivar EggjaCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDThe Manchester City star paid a touching social media tribute to his “uncle” after rushing to see him in the hospitalCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDThe late Eggja played a big role in Erling’s lifeCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDAnd Erling took to Instagram to publicly pay his respects to the late Eggja, posting a photo of himself holding his hand as he lay in his hospital bed.The heartbroken Manchester City hitman’s accompanying caption read: “You are a legend, Ivar.”Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed!”I don’t give a s**t! I don’t give a s**! That’s exactly what I’m going to do.READ MORE ON HAALAND”Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. “Rest in peace, Ivar.”Eggja – who was the best man at Alf-Inge’s wedding – was more than just a close friend to the Haalands, he was a regular helper of the family.He helped Erling seamlessly transition to life in Dortmund, Salzburg and Manchester by making sure his apartments were fully furnished so he could focus on his football.Most read in FootballThe late Eggja is survived by his two sons – Fabian and Felix – and his daughter Ine, who confirmed his passing on social media.The late Ivar Eggja is the best friend of Erling’s dad, Alf-IngeCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDEggja was the best man at Alf-Inge’s weddingCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDEggja is survived by his three childrenCredit: INSTAGRAM@ERLING.HAALANDShe wrote on Facebook: “The superhero of our lives has been taken from us.”At 3.30 p.m. we said goodbye to Dad for the last time and it feels a bit like the whole world has been put on ice.How to stop Erling Haaland: Five tactics every Premier League team must use vs Man City”He meant so much to so many people, but to us he was everything.”Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, also paid tribute to Eggja, saying: “Ever since I met you, I thought your power was to brighten up any room.”I didn’t know it was a superpower, and that you would go through so much, so soon, so fast.”In a way that is the best example of strength, dignity, tolerance and optimism that family and friends can only dream of. More

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    Man City ready to hand Pep Guardiola HUGE January transfer warchest with two Bundesliga wonderkids eyed

    PEP GUARDIOLA will be handed the keys to a £100million war chest if he feels Manchester City need to strengthen in January.Guardiola largely kept his powder dry in the summer, despite Julian Alvarez’ joining Atletico Madrid in an £81.5m deal.Pep Guardiola is set to be handed a £100million transfer war chest by Manchester CityCredit: GettyGermany playmaker Florian Wirtz is top of the champions’ January wishlistCredit: GettyCity are also keen on a move for Bayern Munich’s Jamal MusialaCredit: GettySpaniard Pep ran the rule over a handful of options but ultimately was happy to stick with what he had.Yet the Etihad boss has been told a hefty transfer kitty will be available again in the new year, if he wants to bring in new faces.For all the champions’ riches, Guardiola has always stuck to his guns in the market — refusing to go beyond his own valuation even if it means missing out on a player.City finished the summer massively in profit, after other departures — notably Joao Cancelo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis — brought in £160m in total.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn contrast, the only fee they paid was the £21m to sign Brazilian winger Savinho, already a huge favourite with fans, from sister club Troyes.Yet they pulled a rabbit out of the hat by bringing midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 33, back to the Etihad on a free from Barcelona.City are keen on Florian Wirtz, 21, the Bundesliga Player of the Season as Bayer Leverkusen won the double last season.Gifted Bayern Munich’ rookie Jamal Musiala, also 21, is another dream target but neither is likely to be gettable before next summer at the earliest.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSavinho’s £21million arrival was the only transfer fee spent by City in the summerCredit: GettyIlkay Gundogan also returned to the club on a free transfer from BarcelonaCredit: AlamyCity are keen to advance contract extension talks with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne before Christmas.Pep Guardiola refuses to rule out England manager job after Wayne Rooney tips him to succeed Gareth Southgate City are looking to extend both Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri’s contracts before ChristmasCredit: Getty More

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    Erling Haaland set for record-breaking new Man City contract but special clause is good news for Real Madrid

    ERLING HAALAND is poised to sign a new Manchester City contract that will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League, according to reports.The Norwegian striker, 24, has been sensational since arriving at the Etihad in 2022, scoring 97 goals in 102 games.Erling Haaland is set to pen a deal to make him the highest-paid Premier League playerCredit: AlamyBefore the international break he bagged back-to-back hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham to take his tally for the new season to SEVEN in just three matches.According to Marca, he is soon expected to put pen to paper on a new deal – with his existing contract expiring in 2027.And the fresh terms are set to make him the biggest earner in the Premier League.He currently rakes in £375,000 per week, placing him second on the wages list behind team-mate Kevin de Bruyne – who earns £400,000 per week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Real Madrid, who plan to go after Haaland in the future, will be boosted by the make-up of his new Man City contract.That is because it will reportedly include a release clause, although the fee is unknown.Man City triggered Haaland’s £51million release clause when they signed him from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.Real Madrid have no immediate plans to pursue Haaland following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHaaland’s new contract is set to take him above De BruyneHaaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta spoke about Real Madrid in 2023, saying: “There’s the Premier League and then there’s also Madrid.”They have something of their own that is also the dream for the players.Fans ask ‘how can you not love him?’ after Haaland’s blunt eight-word response to reporter’s fantasy football question”Madrid keeps this magic going. They don’t have the weekly competitions, but they have the Champions League.”Erling Haaland’s career in numbersAge: 24Club games: 302Club goals: 252International games: 34International goals: 31Trophies: Austrian Bundesliga, Austrian Cup, German Cup, Premier League x2, FA Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super CupIndividual honours: European Golden Shoe, Bundesliga Player of the Season, Bundesliga Team of the Season x2, Premier League Player of the Season, PFA Team of the Year x2, Premier League Golden Boot x2, Champions League top scorer x2, Uefa Men’s Player of the Year x2 More

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    Inside hidden meaning behind Man City star John Stones’ incredible leg tattoo that he says shows his ‘dreams come true’

    MANCHESTER CITY star John Stones has inked a very meaningful tattoo on his leg that takes him back to his childhood.Stones, 30, boasts a collection of tattoos with deep personal significance from his life and professional career as a footballer.Manchester City star John Stones has a series of tattoosCredit: GettyOne of Stones’ tattoos shows the importance of following his childhood dreamsCredit: Harvey Todd – AlamyStones always wanted to play for hometown club Barnsley and EnglandCredit: GettyNot all tattoos were a success as he had to erase an image of his ex-girlfriendCredit: Instagram @vividinkstaffsAnd one of the most special ones is placed on the back of the centre-back’s left leg.It shows the England international as a little boy staring at Barnsley’s Oakwell Stadium with Wembley behind it.The Barnsley-born star always wanted to be a Premier League player and dreamed about competing for his hometown club as well as his country.The defender realised both of his childhood goals and decided to hit that tattoo to always remind him that “dreams do come true”.Read More on FootballStones told the FA Cup’s official YouTube channel a year ago: “I ended up getting kind of me looking at Barnsley Stadium with Wembley behind that, which obviously is for England.”That was kind of a dream of mine [that] I wanted to do and never thought I would.”And then obviously they both happened so I decided to get that on me and remind me that my dreams do come true and to keep striving more and more.”Stones’ love for Barnsley is also shown on his left thigh as he proudly displays a portrait of club legend Norman Rimmington.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut not all tattoos proved to be successful as he had to erase an image of his ex-girlfriend Millie Savage from his arm after they broke up in 2019.But Stones still gets to live the meaning of the childhood dream tattoo in the Premier League with City where he has won a staggering 15 major honours, including the 2023 Treble.John Stones tattoos- What are the meanings behind the England & Man City defender’s body ink-And the ex-Everton star will be in action for England, where he has played in two Euros finals, in the Nations League against Ireland and Finland.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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    Premier League fans just accept their team rolling over for Man City – but everyone tried to beat Man Utd under Fergie

    ERLING HAALAND sauntered out of Stratford on Saturday night clutching a match ball under his arm, leaving behind 60,000 comatosed Cockneys.West Ham had duly fulfilled their role in the annual turn-up-and-take-three-points parade for Manchester City.Erling Haaland with the matchball after his hat-trick at West HamCredit: RexThe Hammers at least used to give Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United a gameCredit: RexIn itself, this is fine. There’s no doubt that having a planet-sized Viking battering ram spearheading a team of magicians gives City a certain edge over their rivals.But in conversation with some Hammers-supporting friends in the aftermath, one of them shrugged off the latest surrender by admitting ‘our season won’t be defined by Man City at home’.And that is the state of the Premier League in a nutshell.A declaration of defeat being totally acceptable — indeed, expected and irrelevant — long before kick-off. By the fans, not the players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere was a time when a visit to West Ham for teams at the top of the table was a football minefield.When Manchester United were the dominant force here in the Nineties and Noughties, wherever they went they mostly got a game on the field.Even if they didn’t, the home team’s supporters would whip it up so that whichever of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 title-winning squads came to visit, they played in fevered stadiums.Everyone just wanted to give the champions  a bloody nose. And back in 1995,  United were defending the  title right up to the last day, when they rocked up at West Ham’s old Upton Park ground.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe atmosphere was so hostile that the very air became a performance-enhancing drug for the mid-table Hammers, who built a wall around their goal to deny a very red-faced Fergie his win and the title went to Blackburn — by a point.That season, the Red Devils lost at Everton, Leeds, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday in the league.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsLesser teams who were up for landing a punch on the best team in the country for the sake of it — or because they simply couldn’t stand United.Ferguson toughened up his team to wrestle back the crown 12 months later but even then they lost at Leeds again, Aston Villa and Southampton.In the past two seasons, Brentford and Wolves are the only teams from outside the traditional Big Six to  have found enough gumption to beat Pep Guardiola’s City at home in the Premier League.West Ham have moved grounds since 1995 but the apathy among what was once  a ferocious fanbase is not entirely down to the vast oval-shaped ground they now play at.It’s become the mindset of the  fans that, come what may, City will stroll up, pass their way around  the West Ham players and help  themselves to a few goals.If this is the feeling on the terraces in the East End of London, be sure it’s the same at Southampton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth,  Nottingham Forest, Leicester. The list goes on.West Ham have not beaten City  at home in the Premier League  since 2014.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.No wonder Guardiola’s team have been able to plunder four titles on the spin with diehard home support diluted to a point of disappearing and those that remain resigned to defeat.It’s not games against closest rivals that should count. Clashes between the top teams have always guaranteed uncertainty because of the smaller skills gap between the players.It should be the less glamorous surroundings of the relative minnows or the also-rans where English leagues are ultimately won and lost.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.ANDREW DILLONAt grounds where world-class footballers like Haaland tremble, even if just momentarily.The players of those teams need their supporters to believe — foolishly  or not — that everything depends on beating City.That even if they go down, they go down fighting.Not knowing that the vast majority of the home crowd are checking their watches to see if there’s time for a crafty pint if they leave early enough and that losing to City at home is ticked off for another year.GREEN WITH ENVYOF course, the Irish have a point about Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and, to an extent, Lee Carsley.With Rice in particular, three senior caps for the Republic of Ireland before jumping ship to England in 2019, means he should rightfully expect a coating from the fans in Dublin on Saturday. Grealish is the same, having represented the Boys in Green at Under-21 level.Lee Carsley won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland but will manage England against them on SaturdayCredit: GettyEngland’s interim boss, former midfielder Carsley, played 40 times for the Republic, so is Irish in football parlance.Yep, pretty dodgy, isn’t it? The Irish must be fed up as hell to have lost those three to their colours — and it’s England’s gain.For those old enough to remember Sunday afternoons watching quiz show Bullseye on the telly, the words of compere Jim Bowen spring to mind, ‘Look at what you could have won’.THE D’OR IS WIDE OPENTHE Ballon d’Or has been pretty much a two-horse race for 15 years.With the odd exception, it has been either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo winning the poll of the planet’s best player.So it’s refreshing that neither Messi nor Ronaldo has even been nominated for the 2024 award.Can’t see past Erling Haaland as the winner but seeing Jude Bellingham’s name on the list suggests there could be more competition from now on.However, we need the likes of fellow nominees Kylian Mbappe and Phil Foden to make sure the competition doesn’t just slip back into its old ways.Otherwise, it will be no more interesting than Scottish football.MAKING A BEELINE FOR ITI DO rather bang on about climate change and annoy the hell out of my editor by doom-mongering about the environment.Yet it’s always better to see something good happening and reading this week’s ‘Sport Positive’ bulletin, a little initiative by Brentford lifted my mood.The Bees travel to Manchester City for their next match a week on Saturday.And they have teamed up with Trainline so that anyone in possession of an away ticket can save 20 per cent on the rail fares to Manchester.It’s part of the ‘I Came By Train’ campaign to curb car journeys and it’s wonderfully simple.Though it does make me think why nobody has thought of it before?LIFE GOES JONNORTHERN IRELAND began life without Jonny Evans in their squad last night.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter 107 caps, one of the best defenders and nicest blokes in the game has retired from international football.Just hope the Irish FA don’t let him slip away and give him a role shaping the next generation in their tiny but productive football outpost. 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