Premier League

LUTON TOWN star Tom Lockyer has released his first statement since suffering the his cardiac arrest on December 16.Lockyer, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Hatters’ clash with Bournemouth earlier this month.
Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest against Bournemouth on December 16Credit: Getty
The Luton captain has released a statement thanking those who saved himCredit: Alamy
The defender collapsed in terrifying scenes at Bournemouth on December 20Credit: Reuters
Lockyer has now thanked the heroes who saved his life on the pitchCredit: PA
Last week, the Welsh centre-back was discharged from hospital as he continues his recovery.
Now he has posted a statement via his social media channels to provide supporters with an update on his condition as he thanked the “heroic” actions” of the people that saved him.
It began: “I would just like to say that I am doing very well and feeling very much myself after the cardiac arrest I suffered in Bournemouth. The reason I’m doing so well is all down to the heroic actions of the players, staff, doctors and paramedics.
“I feel thankful that this happened to me surrounded by these heroes. They saved my life. I will never forget what you did for me.
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LIFE OR DEATH How to perform CPR when someone goes into cardiac arrest

“While I’m sad not to be involved, I feel full of pride watching the boys carry on the battle without me.
“The fighting spirit I’ve seen in the last three games has given me a much needed lift. I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the Gaffer and the Club.
“In what capacity that is remains to be decided as I’m due to meet with specialists in the new year.”
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Lockyer, who underwent minor heart surgery in the summer after collapsing at Wembley in the Championship play-off final win over Coventry, continued: “I cannot stress enough how important it is for as many people as possible to know CPR. It literally saves lives, like mine.
“Please check out the British Heart Foundation website for basics or get yourself on a course. You just never know when you might need it.”
Lockyer then wrote: “I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes.
“Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.”
The star then signed off with: “Finally I would like to thank Bournemouth, Gary Sweet, Rob Edwards and Luton Town for the support they’ve given my family during this time.
“I hope that everyone has a very Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024. Locks.”
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, left, and Carlton Morris, right, holding Lockyer’s shirt up to the fansCredit: Reuters More

MANCHESTER UNITED have lost five games in December for the first time since 1933.The Red Devils’ 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday completed the set to end a disappointing month for United.
Manchester United lost five times in December for the first time since 1933Credit: Alamy
Ballpoint pens were one of the things that had not been invented yetCredit: Getty
Mobile phones were also decades away from being introducedCredit: Alamy
Erik ten Hag’s side were also beaten by Newcastle, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and West Ham this month.
It is the first time in 90 years United have tasted defeat five times in December.
A number of everyday items were not even invented the last time they achieved the feat, including Lego and instant coffee.
Here are some of the items that were not available back in 1933.
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Trampoline
Young United fans had to wait a year to get their hands on a trampoline the last time the club lost five matches in December.
The garden staple was not invented by George Nissen and Larry Griswold until 1934.
Ballpoint pen
Ten Hag would have been without a pen to make notes during his side’s losses, too.
Ballpoint pens were introduced five years later in 1938 by Hungarian inventor Laszlo Biro.
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Instant coffee
Instant coffee was also invented that same year by Nestle.
The company launched their new product as part of the Nescafe brand.
Instant coffee was not available for another five yearsCredit: Getty
Credit card
It would be almost two decades until credit cards became part of everyday life.
The bank payment cards have been in use since 1950 and were the brainchild of Frank X McNamara.
Lego
Children had to wait another five years before they could play with Lego, though.
Since its foundation in 1955, Lego has become the world’s largest toy manufacturer and expanded into films, games and amusement parks.
Lego was invented in 1955, 22 years after United last lost five times in DecemberCredit: Getty
Velcro
The name given to hook-and-loop fasteners came from the brand which invented them in 1956.
Velcro has a range of uses, including on shoes and attaching items to surfaces, but was not around until 23 years after United’s last five-loss December.
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Mobile phone
Unsurprisingly, mobile phones were still over four decades away from being invented when the Red Devils were beaten five times in December 1933.
Japanese firm NTT introduced the devices in 1979, which have now evolved into smartphones over the last 44 years.
Smartphone in male hands. Close up of hands with a phone. Outdoor photo More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are fuming with Bruno Fernandes following his performance against Nottingham Forest.The Red Devils captain was not at his best as United lost 2-1 at the City Ground – their ninth loss of the Premier League campaign.
Bruno Fernandes lost possession in the build-up to Nottingham Forest’s goalCredit: Sky Sports
Fans criticised the Manchester United captain’s performance against Nottingham ForestCredit: Rex
Fernandes, 29, lost possession 28 times during the match – at least eight more times than any other player on the pitch.
And some fans also felt he was at fault for Forest’s late winner, which was expertly finished by Morgan Gibbs-White.
United were pushing for a winner after Marcus Rashford cancelled out Nicolas Dominguez’s opener, and Rasmus Hojlund had an effort which was well saved by goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Amad Diallo followed up and played a square box to Fernandes inside the box but the Red Devils skipper bizarrely decided to step over the ball instead of taking a touch.
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Forest midfielder Ryan Yates picked up the ball and sprinted through the centre of the pitch unchallenged, before finding former United star Anthony Elanga.
He teed up Gibbs-White who whipped the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box, giving Nuno Espirito Santo’s side back-to-back wins.
United supporters slammed Fernandes for his role in the goal and his overall performance.
One said: “The Forest winner comes from a ludicrous decision by Fernandes to step over the ball in the box with no-one behind him when a shot, touch (& probably winning a pen) or playing it back to Diallo were 3 far better options.
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“Summed his performance up. Pathetic – again.”
Another added: “Bruno Fernandes cost us the game yesterday.”
A third wrote: “Bruno Fernandes shocking. No accountability, absolutely pathetic.” More