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      Jamie Carragher says it’s a ‘toss-up between Cole Palmer and rival for Euro 2024 spot after Chelsea star’s stunning form

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has said it is a “toss-up” between Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon to make the England Euro 2024 squad.Chelsea star Palmer’s impressive performances this season landed him his Three Lions debut during the recent international break.
      Jamie Carragher has given his prediction on the England Euro 2024 squadCredit: Getty
      Carragher said it will be a ‘toss-up’ between Cole Palmer and Anthony GordonCredit: Alamy
      Newcastle’s Gordon has shone for Newcastle this seasonCredit: Alamy
      The battle between Palmer and Gordon is on according to England legend Carragher.
      Both wingers have had remarkable starts to the season and Newcastle ace Gordon put on a show in the Magpie’s 4-1 victory against the Blues on Saturday.
      The 22-year-old scored a goal and bagged an assist against Palmer’s Chelsea side.
      This term Gordon has scored five goals and recorded three assists across all league games.
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      And Carragher sees a head-to-head fight between the two players for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad in Germany next summer.
      He analysed the list of wingers and attacking midfielders who could make the final cut next year on Monday Night Football.
      Carragher said: “Saka will go in the squad. Foden, Rashford, Grealish, Maddison, they will go.
      “Now, Cole Palmer was in the last squad. He’s been outstanding since he went to Chelsea.
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      “But if you actually go back to the summer where this great form for Anthony Gordon actually started.
      “You can probably go back to the Under-21 tournament in the summer where England won the tournament, he was the best player. Cole Palmer was actually on the bench. 
      “So in some ways, Cole Palmer has actually superseded Gordon in terms of getting into the England squad.
      “Which maybe a little bit harsh or he might feel a little hard done by, Anthony Gordon, considering what he’s done for the national team in the summer. 
      “But, for me, if he continues how he’s going I think it could be a toss-up between him and Cole Palmer because.”
      Southgate’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation could mean players such as Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze’s and Raheem Sterling could miss out.
      Meanwhile, Gordon is the only one out of the winger contenders playing Champions League football this term.
      Newcastle face Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital on Tuesday night where Gordon will hope to elevate his chance of making the national squad in time for the Euros. More

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      Tottenham ‘battling Liverpool and Man Utd’ for January transfer of ex-Barcelona star as Postecoglou seeks new signings

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      TOTTENHAM have reportedly joined Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for Jean-Clair Todibo.Ange Postecoglou is desperate for new signings after seeing his side’s incredible start to the season fall away.
      Spurs have joined the hunt for Nice and France defender Jean-Clair TodiboCredit: Getty
      The Londoners were top of the table and unbeaten in their first 10 matches before facing rivals Chelsea at the start of the month.
      But Spurs ended up with nine men on the field as they lost 4-1 at home.
      The heartbreaking loss also saw them lose star players James Maddison and Mickey van de Ven to long-term injuries.
      And with Tottenham going on to lose their next two games against Wolves and Aston Villa as well, Postecoglou is demanding reinforcements.
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      It’s reckoned the Aussie would love to boost his midfield and attacking options.
      But he is also prioritising a new defender amid doubts over Eric Dier’s future.
      And the Standard claims ‘Big Ange’ has identified Nice centre-back Todibo as his top target.
      The 23-year-old, once of Barcelona, has helped his side to second place in Ligue 1 with some fine performances.
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      He has also become a regular at the back for Didier Deschamps’ France.
      And Nice are believed to only be holding out for a bargain £39million fee.
      Spurs also have interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly.
      But Todibo’s price tag and performances makes him the top choice right now.
      However, the Frenchman is wanted by Liverpool and Man United, who will not make things easy for Spurs.
      Todibo would also want guarantees of a regular starting spot, meaning one of Van de Ven or Romero would have to drop out of the XI.
      And he’s said to be comfortable at Nice until the summer as they mount a surprise title bid. More

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      Steve Cooper ‘wanted by two Premier League rivals’ if under-pressure Nottingham Forest boss leaves

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Steve Cooper is being eyed by two Premier League clubs.Cooper has overseen a disappointing run with Forest who have only won one out of their last nine Premier League matches, of which they have lost four.
      Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has overseen a poor run of resultsCredit: Alamy
      West Ham and Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Forest boss CooperCredit: Alamy
      There are no indications pointing at a potential dismissal but results will have to improve and thus two Prem sides are keeping tabs on the Welsh tactician’s status at the Tricky Trees.
      According to talkSPORT, West Ham and Crystal Palace are both weighing a potential bid for the 43-year-old if he becomes available.
      Palace owner Steve Parish is a long-term admirer of Cooper and would seriously consider him as replacement for Roy Hodgson.
      Hodgson has been doing a good job at Selhurst Park this season with the Eagles 10 points away from the relegation zone but the ex-England boss’ contract runs out in June.
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      The same goes for West Ham manager David Moyes, and thus the Hammers may have to look for a replacement just in case the ex-Manchester United head coach doesn’t extend.
      Both teams are very keen on Cooper, who took over at Nottingham in 2021 when the team was bottom of the Championship.
      However, the ex-England Under-17 manager turned things around almost immediately as he led Forest to the play-offs.
      That in turn saw Nottingham returning to the Premier League after a 23-year absence during Cooper’s first season in charge.
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      The team struggled at the beginning of last season and there were rumours club owner Evangelos Marinakis was considering sacking the Welshman.
      But instead Marinakis maintained the faith and awarded the ex-Swansea boss with a new contract until 2025.
      Cooper returned the favour by avoiding relegation on Forest’s first season back in the Premier League.
      Nottingham haven’t been able to set the world alight this term either but are currently eight points away from the drop zone and are less likely to undergo another relegation scrap. More

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      Chelsea striker ‘lined up for shock transfer to London rival as Blues get go-ahead for Osimhen deal’

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      FULHAM are eyeing a surprise move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja, as the Blues receive a go-ahead for a deal for Victor Osimhen, a report claims.After losing Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer to Al-Hilal The Cottagers are desperate to replace the forward.
      Armando Broja is lined up for a shock transfer to West London rivals FulhamCredit: Getty
      Victor Osimhen is at the top of Chelsea’s transfer wishlistCredit: Rex
      Fulham have had a stuttering start this season with only four wins in their 13 league games.
      After securing a vital 3-2 victory over Wolves at Craven Cottage on Monday night Marco Silva is still keen to add more firepower to his squad.
      According to the Daily Mail, Broja is fit again after returning from a serious knee injury but Chelsea are still on the hunt for another striker.
      Chelsea’s West London rivals are interested in the 22-year-old, who could leave the Blues on loan in January, the report claims.
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      Although he scored against Silva’s side last month in the Blues 2-0 win, the Albanian international has still impressed his West London rivals.
      As a kid, Broja had trials at the Cottagers but was turned away before signing with Tottenham in their youth selection.
      But he might fall short of signing for them again as Fulham are also interested in Stuggart’s goal menace Serhou Guirassy who has netted 16 goals in ten Bundesliga matches.
      The 27-year-old will face plenty of competition meaning Fulham are keeping their options open with Wolfsburg’s Jonas Wind also on their radar.
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      Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad perpetual struggles go on as they faced a 4-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.
      They currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, 14 points adrift of the top spot.
      Blues chief Todd Boehly is itching to strengthen his frontline and Napoli’s Osimhen is at the top of his transfer wishlist.
      The 24-year-old is said to be made available in the January transfer window.
      However, the Serie A champions will likely demand £120million for him.
      Should Chelsea complete a deal to sign Osimhen, he will become the most expensive player in the Premier League.
      The Blues are among several clubs that have expressed an interest in signing the Napoli striker.
      Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with him. More

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      Five stars who could leave Chelsea in January transfer window as Pochettino is ‘handed one-in one-out policy’

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      CHELSEA could see five stars leave in the January transfer window after Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly handed a one-in, one-out policy.The Blues are in the market for more signings after a poor start to the new campaign.
      Chelsea could see five players leave in January as Mauricio Pochettino aims for new signingsCredit: Reuters
      Despite spending £1billion since Todd Boehly’s takeover in 2022, Chelsea sit tenth in the table with just four wins from 13 games.
      Pochettino’s new-look squad has also been hit by numerous injuries to key players.
      And the Argentinian boss is eager to reinforce with some fresh faces in January.
      Boehly and Co are also ready to dive back into the market, having smashed Chelsea’s transfer record several times already.
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      But the American does not want Pochettino to be dealing with a bloated squad like predecessor Graham Potter.
      And Chelsea have told their manager they will only sign players if current aces are axed in return.
      The Telegraph claims five stars are now sweating over their futures after struggling for minutes this season.
      Defender Trevoh Chalobah has not made a single appearance after suffering yet another injury problem.
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      Trevoh Chalobah has been injured this seasonCredit: Getty
      Malang Sarr is out of the loop at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Fellow centre-back Malang Sarr is also out of the picture and will be allowed to find a new home this winter.
      Meanwhile, academy product Ian Maatsen is edging towards an exit despite being hailed as a potentially important player by Pochettino over the summer.
      The left-back, whose nine appearances have mainly come from the bench and in a variety of different positions, is out of contract in 2025 and has so far refused to pen an extension.
      Finally, Chelsea’s attack could be streamlined amid reports Pochettino wants a new No9.
      That will see Armando Broja sweat over his future, with the Albanian already behind Nicolas Jackson and wanted by West Ham.
      Winger Noni Madueke is also down the pecking order after failing to impress Pochettino.
      And despite only joining Chelsea at the start of the year, he too could be on his way this Christmas.
      Ian Maatsen’s contract is winding downCredit: Alamy
      Armando Broja is wanted by West HamCredit: Getty
      Noni Madueke has slipped down the pecking orderCredit: Alamy More

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      Gary O’Neil reveals referee admitted crucial error that cost Wolves in Fulham clash

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      GARY O’NEIL claims that the referee Michael Salisbury admitted that he got a crucial decision wrong during Wolves’ defeat at Fulham.And the frustrated boss has called for change in how VAR is used after his team were on the wrong end of another controversial decision.
      Fulham were awarded a penalty for this challenge from Nelson Semedo on Tom CairneyCredit: Alamy
      Gary O’Neill claimed afterwards that ref admitted he had made a mistakeCredit: Twitter @SkySportsPL
      “Tonight has finally turned me against VAR.” Gary O’Neil reveals what he discussed with the match officials after full-time at Craven Cottage 🔊 pic.twitter.com/dknwqBFyEB— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 27, 2023

      Wolves dramatically lost 3-2 at Craven Cottage after three penalties were awarded during the game, two of which went to their opponents.
      But the key one came deep into additional time when Fulham’s Harry Wilson was fouled in the box by Joao Gomes.
      It was not initially given, but VAR eventually stepped in and then Salisbury, after viewing the pitchside screen, pointed to the spot.
      Although the ref insisted that decision was correct, O’Neil claimed afterwards that the official admitted to him that a mistake was made for the first Fulham penalty when Nelson Semedo was adjudged to have fouled Tom Cairney.
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      That left the Wolves manager fuming – but it was not the only decision that annoyed him.
      After speaking with Salisbury after the match, O’Neil then told Sky Sports: “We discussed a lot of decisions.
      “Vinicius should have been sent off for headbutting Max [Kilman]. Clear, he headbutts him on the nose. Isn’t sent off, is given a yellow.
      “Tim Ream should have been sent off for a second bookable offence on the penalty. They’re both my opinions on those, obviously everyone can have their own.
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      “The penalties that went against us, Nelson plays the ball, doesn’t touch Tom Cairney. I watched that back with the referee and, to be fair to him, he says he thinks they’ve got that wrong and he should have been sent to the monitor.
      “Doesn’t help me, doesn’t help all the fans that have travelled all this way to watch the team, doesn’t help the players who are feeling frustrated again.
      “So the Nelson one has pretty much been admitted by the referee that they made a mistake.
      “The one on Harry Wilson we disagree on a little bit. He thinks there’s enough contact there to give a penalty. I think it’s really soft.
      “So you could argue two of them could go against us, but for all four of them to go against us is a tough one for the lads, the supporters and myself to take because we’ve been here a lot of times this season. It’s tough because we didn’t deserve that.”
      O’Neil received an apology in August from the PGMOL after not getting a penalty in their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United
      There have also been several other debatable calls that have gone against his team this term.
      Now O’Neil says he has had enough and believes the string of bad decisions are having a huge impact on everyone at the club.
      He said: “Bad luck that it keeps going against us, but there are bad refereeing decisions in there.
      “I’ve had a real grown-up conversation with him in there, I’m trying to remain calm and I’m not angry with anybody, I’m not in there abusing people.
      Gary O’Neil says the bad calls are affecting everyone at the clubCredit: Alamy
      “It’s a conversation around, “come on guys it’s six or seven points now that have gone against us. I’m managing a big football club here. 
      “The difference that you’re making to my reputation, the club’s progression up the league, to people’s livelihoods is huge.
      “It can’t be with all the technology, all the time, the biggest league in the world that we’re getting so many wrong. It can’t be okay.
      “What can I do? I have two options really now. I keep behaving the way that I should and I make my players behave in the way that we should, we respect everybody and the decision making. Or we go, that’s not working, we’re going to have to make some noise.
      “I’d rather be a decent human being, answer things honestly and have honest chats with people but things need to get better because I can’t accept us being on the wrong end of decisions as often as we are.”
      O’Neil added that he had been a fan of VAR, however he has now changed his mind and thinks it could be time to step back from using it.
      He said: “I’ve always been for VAR but I think it’s causing a big problem at the moment.
      “The fact that the first one’s not deemed a clear and obvious error but the second one is, I just think VAR has cost us there.
      “If it was just a normal referee maybe we concede one penalty from a mistake, the fact that we’ve conceded two…for me, VAR is not helping much with subjective decisions.
      “Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR when I thought it would help but it doesn’t seem to be.” More

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      Alejandro Garnacho slammed over celebration for Man Utd wondergoal and told to ‘make his own name’

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has been slammed for his celebration against Everton by former Bayern Munich player Arturo Vidal.The Manchester United star scored a spectacular free-kick three minutes into the clash to open the scoring.
      Alejandro Garnacho scored a brilliant overhead kick against EvertonCredit: PA
      He celebrated in the style of Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Rex
      Garnacho could barely before his effort as a look of bewilderment etched across his face.
      Cameras picked up his shock but first the youngster celebrated in the style of one of his rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He jumped and swivelled before letting out a ‘Siu!’ in the style of the Al-Nassr superstar.
      Vidal was critical of the celebration and said on his Twitch stream: “The only bad thing or what I didn’t understand is why he celebrates like Cristiano?
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      “He has to make his own name. He is an already great player. It’s good that he is his idol, respect for that, but then he has to make his name.
      “How are you going to celebrate a goal and remember it? I don’t know, celebrate it another way. But it was a great goal, it was a great goal.”
      Garnacho’s overhead kick is already being spoken about as potentially the best goal ever scored in the Premier League.
      Even Roy Keane was full of praise for the Argentine, who has scored seven goals in 53 games for United.
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      He said: “It’s very hard to talk about it because I’ve never done it myself!”
      “I’m usually critical of goalkeepers, but I’ll let him off with this one, brilliant goal and a brilliant start from United. Brilliant goal.” More

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      I played for Man Utd in Welcome to Hell clash vs Galatasaray… a policeman pushed me down some STAIRS

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      IT was the journey to Hell that still brings a shudder to those who set foot in the Ali Sami Yen inferno.The night which began with threats, descended into mayhem and madness and finished with the champions of England simply glad to escape in one piece.
      Manchester United players had to be escorted from the pitch by police in fiery Galatasaray atmosphereCredit: Getty
      Paul Ince pulled his shirt on as he emerged at the Ali Sami YenCredit: PA
      Manchester United had ended the 26-year title wait six months earlier. Now the target was to emulate the heroes of 1968 and conquer Europe, in its new guise as the Champions League.
      They didn’t get beyond the second round and three decades on November 3, 1993, still sends chills down many a Mancunian spine.
      Galatasaray had shown they were no pushovers with a 3-3 first-leg draw at Old Trafford a fortnight earlier and an ominous message from manager Reiner Hollmann.
      Vowing “they’ll be waiting for you,” for the return leg was a huge understatement. The “Welcome to Hell” banners at Istanbul airport were more accurate.
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      United’s coach was pelted with missiles en route to their plush hotel and even the walk to reception was menacing. Once there, a young bell boy drew a finger across his throat.
      The Red Devils were not short of battle-hardened warriors. Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel were all in the side.
      But nothing they had faced before came close to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. The match itself was a drab 0-0, which KO’d United on away goals. Yet that didn’t tell half of it.
      A red card for Cantona, tunnel scraps with police and a Turkish mob that arrived five hours before kick-off baying for blood.
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      Paul Parker had played in the biggest games of all, a World Cup semi-finalist with England. Little fazed a man raised in the East End — but that night did.
      Parker recalled: “We stayed in a lovely hotel on the river and everyone was fine. The morning of the match, it all changed.
      “The shoe shiners, the shops inside the complex, suddenly it was all very eerie. At the ground, the noise was incredible.
      “I’d played at places where they really hated you, when it was their cup final, but this was quadrophonic, from all four sides — and they’d been in there for hours.
      Then it all went off near the end with Eric, and then Robbo in the tunnel. Even Sir Alex had his jacket off ready.Paul Parker
      “It was one of those games when you sort of knew it wasn’t going to happen but afterwards it was crazy. I was shoved down the stone steps at the top of the tunnel by one of their own police.
      “Only the big goalie stopped me going over — Schmeichel blocked me or I’d have slammed straight down. It was really nasty.”
      Cantona was hit with a police truncheon, Robson waded in to support and needed eight stitches in an elbow that was gashed when he was thrown against a metal hook on the wall.
      Even Sir Alex Ferguson had his jacket off ready to defend his boys. Security? They were more up for trouble than the fans.
      At 32, centre-back Bruce had been around the block more than most. Yet he had never seen anything like it — and never came close for the rest of his career.
      Sir Alex Ferguson vowed never to return to the stadiumCredit: Getty
      Bruce said: “It was pandemonium. The crowd was in hours before and never stopped. They were jumping up and down, screaming, the noise you wouldn’t believe.
      “It started when we got off the plane and followed us all the way to the hotel on the bus. It was not very pleasant!
      “When we came out of the tunnel it was another level and, for me, that is what pushed them over the line. It seemed all of Turkey wanted to beat us.
      “Then it all went off near the end with Eric, and then Robbo in the tunnel. Even Sir Alex had his jacket off ready.
      “He was saying to us, ‘None of my players have been fighting, have you?’ Then he went out and did the press conference. He always made it us against the world.
      “We left that night and I often say I don’t know how we got out of Istanbul in one piece. Probably because they beat us!”
      Fans even pelted the bus with stones and bricks. It was pure luck that no one was seriously injured.
      NOT VERY PALLYBy Neil Custis
      GARY PALLISTER knew Manchester United faced problems at Galatasaray when a hotel worker greeted him with a throat-slitting gesture.
      The former centre-back  still winces at memories of the ‘Welcome to Hell’ match 30 years ago.
      Pallister, 58, said: “I was picking up my bag from  the coach and walking through by myself.
      “It was a beautiful place, a stunning hotel on the Bosphorus Strait which used to be a  Prince’s palace, we were told.
      “Most of the lads are  20-30 yards ahead of me and I walk past this  bellboy pushing a trolley that carries suitcases.
      “As I’m walking past him, I just said, ‘Afternoon’ and he went like that (throat-slit gesture).
      “I just carried on walking but was like, ‘Wow, this is  different’.”
      Once inside their rooms, the unsettling tactics went on. Pallister added: “Brian McClair said he had banging on his ceiling.
      “So him and Jim McGregor, our physio, went upstairs and found a cleaner sat there  banging.
      “He just looked at them and walked off.”

      Parker added: “We had to drive through masses of people, they were throwing all sorts at us and there was no security.
      “We were kept in the coach on the runway for ages.”
      Fergie vowed never to return — but drew Galatasaray again in the next year’s groups, that time  a 0-0 passed without incident.
      Tomorrow United visit the Turks again — albeit in their new Rams Park home — and must win to keep their Euro dream alive.
      Galatasaray beat them 3-2 at Old Trafford in October and Parker added: “If Galatasaray do the double over them, those players will become immortal.
      “It isn’t as nasty as when we went but it won’t be any easier.” More