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      Newcastle star Matt Targett undergoes surgery on ‘completely bizarre injury’ picked up 90 seconds into Man Utd clash

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      NEWCASTLE full-back Matt Targett has provided an update on the “bizarre” injury he suffered during a match against Manchester United.The 28-year-old was forced off just five minutes into the Carabao Cup clash with a hamstring injury.
      Matt TargettCredit: Instagram
      Targett was forced off against Man Utd last weekCredit: PA
      Eddie Howe gave an update on his condition earlier this week, admitting: “It’s not going to be a short-term fix for Matt.
      “He’ll be out for, I’d probably say around three months but that’s a rough estimate.
      “It’ll be around that figure regardless of whether he has surgery or not.”
      Targett took to social media on Wednesday to confirm that he is now “on the mend” following surgery.
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      He wrote: “Still finding it hard to get my head around the injury… felt so good going into the United game!!
      “Completely bizarre injury to happen in a couple minutes of the game! Surgery went well yesterday so I’m on the mend. Determined to come back better then ever.”
      Targett has been limited to just seven appearances across all competitions so far this season.
      But he is now set to be unavailable until the new year.
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      In another huge injury blow to Newcastle, Dan Burn has also been ruled out for several months.
      The defender was forced off during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
      Howe has since confirmed that he suffered a spine injury.
      He said: “Dan will be out for some time I think. He landed on his spine, he’s got a problem at the base of his spine. It’s a huge blow.”
      Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, leaving them bottom of Group F.
      They now face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. More

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      South American giants in incredible display of ‘pettiness we can all get behind’ as arch rivals win Arsenal-style title

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      PERUVIAN fans witnessed unbelievable scenes of sporting success – and extreme pettiness – during the derby between Alianza Lima and Universitario.The two rivals faced off at Alianza’s Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in a crucial clash that would determine who would win the Liga 1 title.
      Universitario won the Peruvian title at rivals Alianza Lima’s groundCredit: LIGA1MAX
      Alianza then pulled a petty move as they turned the lights off during Universitario’s celebrationsCredit: LIGA1MAX
      The away team, Universitario, won 2-0 to seal their first championship title in 10 years.
      It was a victory reminiscent of Arsenal’s famous 2-0 win at Anfield in 1989 that saw them pip Liverpool to the Division 1 title on the final day of the season.
      Universitario’s victory saw the visitors break out into passionate celebrations the moment the referee’s final whistle blew.
      That was when Alianza appeared to pull an unbelievable act of “pettiness” against their foes.
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      The stadium lights went off and the ground was plunged into darkness in a bid to prevent the Universitario players and staff from celebrating.
      Fans around the world were left absolutely stunned by the move from the departing champions.
      SunSport columnist Piers Morgan joked the same could happen if Tottenham seal the Premier League title against his beloved Arsenal at the Emirates.
      Morgan tweeted: “I’d like to think we’d be just as petty if Spurs won the League at our place.”
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      And other fans took to social media to join in on the fun as they were left in stitches with that shocking display.
      One tweeted: “I want a 500 word statement on how the club are committed to lowering their carbon footprint and it was standard procedure.”
      Another commented: “Football is a game of passion, joy, and pettiness.”
      A third wrote: “Ahahahaha I hope we are not this petty, if Everton ever win league at Anfield.”
      This fan said: “They ain’t playing.”
      And that one stated: “Some pettiness that I think you can get behind?…”
      Despite the best efforts of Alianza to spoil the party, Universitario, didn’t care as they continued to celebrate in the dark. More

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      Arsenal legend Mesut Ozil’s dad wants to ‘turn the wheel back’ and refuses to accept the way his son’s career ended

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      MESUT OZIL’S dad has questioned the reasons behind his son’s decision to retire from international football.Ozil, 35, quit the Germany team in 2018 amid allegations of “racism and disrespect”.
      Mesut Ozil retired from international football in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      His dad, Mustafa, believes he should not have retired that soonCredit: AFP or licensors
      The midfielder also insisted that he was made a “scapegoat” following Germany’s early exit from the World Cup that year.
      However, his dad, Mustafa, has revealed he regrets the way things ended between his son and the national team.
      In an interview with Bild, Ozil senior said: “If I had a magic wand, I would turn the wheel back.
      “Mesut’s career couldn’t end like this. I still don’t accept it to this day. I am sad and disappointed. It hurts me.”
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      Mustafa went on to suggest that his son was “taken advantage of” before making the decision to quit the German national team.
      He added: “Mesut was influenced by his environment. That wasn’t good for him. You can’t say that Germany is xenophobic, that the country where he was born wouldn’t have given him a chance.
      “Such statements do not come from him, that is not him. Honestly: I have the feeling that Mesut was also taken advantage of.
      “I think he is being used to a certain extent.
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      Mesut Ozil left Arsenal in 2018Credit: Getty
      “But you shouldn’t read too much into it. Nevertheless, as a father, I wish that he would simply leave out social media messages about his origins, religion and politics. He’s an athlete.”
      Ozil’s dad also criticised his son’s agent, Erkut Sogut, for allowing him to resign, adding: “Mesut was looked after by Erkut Sögüt at the time. So I ask myself: How can you allow such a resignation?
      “Mesut was voted National Player of the Year five times by fans. He received the Bambi for successful integration.
      “These are great awards, a great appreciation for his achievements. And then such an exit? This should never have happened!
      “As an advisor, I have to act differently because he has a responsibility towards his player.”
      After retiring from international duty in 2018, Ozil spent two-and-a-half more years with Arsenal before his contract was terminated in January 2021.
      He then joined Fenerbahce, but left after two seasons to sign for Istanbul Basaksehir.
      And in March this year he made the decision to hang up his boots for good, citing a series of recent injuries as the main reason. More

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      Chelsea’s 2008 schoolboy side produced James and Guehi along with Man City and Liverpool stars

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      CHELSEA’S prolific academy can be summed up in just one photo.In 2019, Blues assistant manager Joe Edwards shared an astonishing picture from 2008 when 15 youngsters had just signed their first schoolboy forms with the London club.

      Twitter / @JoeEdwards86

      Chelsea assistant boss Joe Edwards, back row, centre, shared a picture of his academy side in 2008 which now contains nine professional players Two of those – Marc Guehi and Reece James made their debuts for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup demolition of Grimsby in September 2019, while another was on the bench. Guehi has since signed for Crystal Palace for £20million and has been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge, with Arsenal watching closely.
      James, of course, is now Chelsea’s captain and plays for England.
      And the line-up of fresh-faced kids also boasts players who featured regularly in the Premier League.
      Rhian Brewster, bottom left, impressed at Anfield before joining Swansea on loan and then Sheffield United permanently.
      Ian Carlo Poveda, bottom right, made his City debut in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup before joining Leeds.
      It shows the huge strength of the academy system at Stamford Bridge which saw the club win five successive FA Youth Cups between 2014-18.
      While Mason Mount made a £60million move to Man Utd in the summer, after coming through the ranks.
      The previous sales of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori for £34million and £25million respectively certainly swelled the coffers to allow Chelsea to buy Romelu Lukaku for £98million, although the Belgium forward has since moved on loan tom Roma after falling out of favour. More

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      Ex-Premier League star, 34, plays for Liverpool U21s at alongside 16-year-old – 11 years since first leaving club

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      JAY SPEARING, 34, made a surprise appearance for Liverpool’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy last night.The midfielder made 55 appearances for Liverpool’s first team between 2010 and 2014 before leaving the club to join Bolton Wanderers.
      Jay Spearing is a player-coach for Liverpool’s under-21sCredit: Rex
      Spearing has made six appearances for Liverpool’s under-21s, including against former club BlackpoolCredit: Getty
      Spearing made 55 appearances for Liverpool’s first-teamCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      From there, he embarked on a journeyman career which took in spells at Blackburn, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers.
      Last year, he re-joined Liverpool as a coach for the team’s under-21s which also takes in a playing role.
      That’s seen him make six appearances for the side’s under-21s as a player.
      Despite being registered as one of the club’s three over 21s allowed to play for the youth side, his inclusion in the side still took Liverpool fans by surprise as they took on Barrow.
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      The veteran opted to pair himself alongside Trey Nyoni, 16, in the midfield, who recently made his England U-21 debut.
      Liverpool fans online were left confused by Spearing’s decision to include himself in the side, with one writing on X: “Jay Spearing playing in big 2023?”
      Another wrote: “Why is Jay spearing still playing for Liverpool lmao”
      A third wrote: “Jay spearing still at the club” alongside several crying emojis.
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      And a fourth commented: “I bet Trey Nyoni never thought he’d play with Jay Spearing.”
      Spearing’s inclusion in the XI was justified, however, as the midfielder pulled the strings in the middle of the park.
      The player-coach substitute came off in the 58th minute with the club leading 1-0.
      His withdrawal prompted a late turnaround for Barrow as they went on to win 2-1.
      The EFL Trophy appearance was the midfielder’s first start of the season but he has previously made cameos from the bench, including against former club Blackpool.
      Speaking about playing for the under-21s in his 30s, Spearing told Liverpool’s club website: “Any time I can get out on the pitch, get my boots back on and help the boys out, it’s an absolute pleasure and it’s good fun.
      “It’s fun and that’s part of my role as well to still play – whether that be on the training field or playing for the U21s. It’s been a really enjoyable time so far.” More

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      Copenhagen 4 Man Utd 3: Ten Hag’s side throw lead away TWICE after Rashford red to go bottom of Champions League group

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      HALF an hour into this ludicrous game of football, Rasmus Hojlund was haring through on goal, looking to complete a hat-trick and propel Manchester United into a 3-0 lead.Yet there is one thing we know for certain about Erik ten Hag’s team – they never, ever do things the easy way.
      Man Utd twice threw away a lead to leave their Champions League hopes in tattersCredit: Alamy
      United stars were given a fiery welcome to DenmarkCredit: Getty
      As Hojlund’s shot was saved, VAR was pulling back play to the opposite end of the field where Marcus Rashford was found guilty of a red-card challenge on Elias Jelert.
      By half-time time, FC Copenhagen had levelled at 2-2 and despite Ten Hag’s ten men rallying to lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, they tossed away victory in a chaotic finale, ultimately losing to a bloke called Roony.
      You honestly couldn’t make this stuff up.
      Those of us in the Press box for Tottenham’s VAR-infested 4-1 defeat by Chelsea on Monday night, might at least have expected that to be the most chaotic game we covered this week.
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      Some hope – here we had two Copenhagen comebacks, two dodgy penalties, one sending-off, one pro-Palestinian pitch invader and one lengthy delay for a medical emergency.
      And at the end of all the bedlam, United were bottom of this Champions League group, staring elimination in the face and knowing they must defeat either Galatasaray in Istanbul or Harry Kane’s rampant Bayern Munich to stand any chance of making the knock-out stage.
      The Danish fans had promised ‘Welcome to the Theatre of Nightmares’ in a giant banner unfurled before kick-off.
      And in a nation where Hans Christian Andersen used to write tall tales, few could have been as fanciful as this one.
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      It’s on topsy-turvy nights like these when you wonder why UEFA have seen fit to scrap the current group-stage and replace it with an indecipherable ‘Swiss model’ next season.
      It started with Hojlund, the Dane playing in his homeland against his former club, giving United an ideal start.
      But Rashford’s controversial red card turned the match on its head before Roony Bardghji hammered in an 87th-minute winner.
      Copenhagen did their best to concoct the intimidating atmosphere they had promised.
      Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for UnitedCredit: AFP
      The striker celebrates with his team-matesCredit: Getty
      There was a blast of the Darth Vader theme tune during the warm-up, and that ‘Nightmares’ banner as well as another with a cartoon of a sleeping red devil dreaming about United’s 1-0 defeat here in 2006.
      “What the f***ing hell is that?” responded the travelling Reds.
      In truth, Danish people are pretty much the nicest in the world and it felt like the locals were trying a little too hard.
      Ten Hag restored Rashford to his starting line-up after an ‘unacceptable’ birthday party and a ‘minor knock’.
      Hojlund scored a secondCredit: Rex
      Hojlund kisses the United badge after grabbing his secondCredit: AP
      And before the sulphur clouds from the pre-match pyros had dispersed, United were in front thanks to a sweeping move the length and breadth of the field.
      Bruno Fernandes played a Hollywood cross-field ball to Rashford, who fed Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the full-back played a cut angled pass for Scott McTominay to centre low for Hojlund to tuck home.
      Soon, the match was twice delayed – first by a pitch invader with a Palestinian flag, who was bundled away by stewards.
      And then a fan close to the halfway line was treated by paramedics before being carried away on a stretcher, apparently conscious and ‘well in the circumstances’.
      Marcus Rashford was shown redCredit: Getty
      Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one backCredit: PA
      The game was back onCredit: PA
      During that stoppage, an injured Jonny Evans was replaced by Raphael Varane.
      The second goal came courtesy of a shocking error from Copenhagen centre-half Denis Vavro allowing Fernandes to release Alejandro Garnacho, who cut in and drilled a shot which Kamil Grabara spilled, leaving Hojlund to gobble up the chance.
      Within a minute, United’s Danish centre-forward might have completed his hat-trick, but his powerful left-footed shot was brilliantly pushed over by Grabara.
      This was looking like a rare, authentic Manchester United performance but the idea that nothing can ever go smoothly for Ten Hag’s side was confirmed minutes later when Rashford saw red.
      Diogo Goncalves levelled the gameCredit: Getty
      Copenhagen were back on level termsCredit: AFP
      Rashford was turning, trying to shield the ball from Elias Jelert when he appeared to tread on his opponent’s ankle and also make contact with his elbow.
      Lithuanian referee Donastas Rumsas was sent over to his monitor by his Polish VAR and an incredulous Rashford was walking.
      Copenhagen were instantly lifted and swiftly halved the deficit.
      Peter Ankersen centred, Diogo Goncalves volleyed a pass to former Southampton man Mohamed Elyanoussi, who fired past Andre Onana.

      Bruno Fernandes put United back in frontCredit: Rex
      Fernandes led the celebrationsCredit: Getty
      After 13 minutes of first-half injury-time were announced, United made a meal of defending a routine cross, the ball cannoning off Varane’s arm and then handled by Maguire as he tried to hold off Goncalves.
      Rumsas pointed to the spot and Goncalves sent Onana the wrong way.
      Ten Hag sent on Sofyan Amrabat for Christian Eriksen and United’s luck changed midway through the second half.
      A free-kick was pumped into the box and Maguire headed into the out-stretched arm of Lukas Lerager.
      The VAR pulled play back, Rumsas awarded the spot-kick and Fernandes drilled into the roof of the net.
      But just as we readied ourselves to praise United’s resilience, Lerager made amends by beating a dozing Diogo Dalot to Rasmus Falk’s far-post cross and poking past Onana.
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      Then it got even worse for the visitors as Bardghji hammered a shot into the floor and inside the post.
      There was something rotten in the state of Denmark and it was United’s defending.
      Lukas Lerager put the game level againCredit: Getty
      Copenhagen turned the tie around againCredit: AFP
      Roony Bardghji scored a stunning winnerCredit: Getty
      The late sub wheels off in jubilationCredit: Getty
      Harry Maguire was left head in handsCredit: Getty More

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      Jonny Evans’ first Champions League game for a decade ends in agony as defender forced off injured after just 13 minutes

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      JONNY EVANS’ first Champions League game for a decade ended in agony after he was forced off injured. Evans was chosen over Raphael Varane to partner Harry Maguire in Erik ten Hag’s starting 11 against Copenhagen.
      Jonny Evans came off injured against CopenhagenCredit: Rex
      It was the Northern Irishman’s first Champions League game for United since December 2013.
      Evans was brought in on a free from Leicester at the start of the season following the Foxes’ Premier League relegation.
      He has played six games this season as Ten Hag was hit with defensive problems amid injuries to Varane, Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelof.
      And he was initially picked ahead of Varane in Denmark as Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “We trust this team and they did very well last Saturday.
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      “We have to have a consistent team and then you have to trust the team. They fought together and I know they can still do better.
      “They can still do better in possession, but they fought as a team and then you have to give trust.
      “They know what to today and they know how to deal with it [atmosphere].
      “Fulham, Burnley, also have such atmospheres and the players had some experiences last year in Barcelona, it’s great to play in such atmospheres.”
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      Striker Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring after three minutes and doubled his tally before the half-hour mark against his ex-side.
      But disaster struck for United when Marcus Rashford was sent off for a studs up tackle.
      The match turned on this moment, with Copenhagen dramatically going on to win 4-3.
      Rasmus Hojlund celebrates with Scott McTominayCredit: AFP More

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      Tottenham planning sensational transfer swoop to bring Marcus Edwards BACK to club thanks to secret clause

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      TOTTENHAM are considering a move to bring Marcus Edwards back to the club, according to reports.Edwards, 24, came through the North Londoners’ academy before making one first team appearance.
      Marcus Edwards has excelled for Sporting LisbonCredit: Getty
      The winger scored against Tottenham last seasonCredit: Getty
      After loan spells at Norwich and Excelsior, Edwards joined Vitoria on a permanent basis in 2019.
      Two-and-a-half seasons later he signed for Sporting Lisbon, where he has gone on to excel.
      Edwards came back to haunt Spurs last season, scoring against them in the Champions League.
      According to Portuguese outlet Correio de Manha, Tottenham are interested in bringing Edwards back to the club.
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      His contract is believed to possess a £52million release clause.
      Spurs are claimed to possess a 35 per cent sell on clause of their own, however, which would see them only need to pay £34m for Edwards’ services.
      Tottenham negotiated with Sporting earlier this year, agreeing a deal to sign full-back Pedro Porro.
      The Lilywhites are claimed to have waived a fraction of their sell-on clause in the Porro deal.
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      Edwards has made 80 appearances for Sporting, scoring 18 goals and laying on 20 assists.
      Last season he netted against Spurs and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, and Juventus in the Europa League.
      During his Vitoria days he also scored against Arsenal.
      Reflecting on his Spurs career last season, Edwards said: “I have grown up in a lot of ways, I’m 23 and last time I was at Tottenham, I was only 17, 18, I was only a baby so I have definitely grown up.
      “I was just a kid, you know what kids are like. I was just a kid growing up, so I could be like, whatever.
      “Of course I was naturally a bit of a Spurs fan but I was playing for the club and went to all the games and stuff.
      “Everyone has a different journey. For me it worked out, going over to Portugal. It took me a long time though.”
      Edwards made one first team appearance for Spurs as a teenagerCredit: Getty – Contributor More