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      Frank Lampard named Chelsea caretaker manager just two years after he was axed following Tuchel and Potter sackings

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      FRANK LAMPARD has been named Chelsea caretaker manager just two years after he was sacked by the Blues.The 44-year-old was in the stands at Stamford Bridge as his old side drew 0-0 with Liverpool under temporary boss Bruno Saltor on Tuesday night.
      Frank Lampard has completed a sensational return to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Lampard’s first five games in charge
      Lampard, who was sacked by Everton in January, has agreed to take charge of the Blues until the end of the season.
      Chelsea chiefs will rely on Lampard while they conduct a thorough new manager search after Graham Potter was axed last week.
      A statement from Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge. Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club.
      “As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season.
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      “We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all of the characteristics and qualities we need to drive us to the finish line.
      “We have an important game against Wolves on Saturday and then we will turn our attention to our Champions League quarter-final in Madrid next week.
      “We are all going to give Frank our full backing as we aim to get the best possible outcome from all our remaining games.”
      On his return Lampard said: “This is my club. I have a lot of emotions towards the club. I’m also a practical person.
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      “I’ve been on a different path since I left Chelsea, but to come back at a time when the club have asked me, with a belief I can help until the end of the season, I’m delighted to have this opportunity.
      “I’m confident in myself. I’ve worked with a lot of the players before. I understand what the Chelsea fans want and I will do my utmost to give them what they want.”
      The Blues legend has also hinted at potential tweaks to the line up to face Wolves on Saturday, namely Mason Mount.
      He added: “Mason has always been a fantastic player for me.
      “I know he’s had a few injury problems so it’ll be important for me to speak to him about that and find out where he’s at.
      “It’s an absolute pleasure to watch him, and other players like Reece James, Tammy Abraham and [Fikayo] Tomori to go on and be huge players here or elsewhere.
      “But I know what I get from Mason. I just want to see him perform on the pitch.
      “We have a good relationship. We talk a lot. He’s been a huge player for Chelsea.”
      The Blues have held talks with Luis Enrique over their top job.
      While ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is also in the frame.
      Frank Lampard had a 52.4% win record for Chelsea
      Chelsea have endured a dismal season, sitting 11th in the Premier League table and out of both domestic cups early.
      They are still in the Champions League, however, and will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals later this month.
      During his first stint in charge, Lampard guided the Blues to fourth place despite a transfer ban and the sale of Eden Hazard.
      But he was sacked mid-way through the 2020-21 season after a run of five defeats in eight matches.
      Lampard won 44 of his 84 games in charge between July 2019 and January 2021 – drawing 15 and losing 25.
      He was replaced at Stamford Bridge by Thomas Tuchel, with the German subsequently winning the Champions League during his first six months in charge.
      Tuchel was sacked in September by new owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, replaced by Potter.
      But the Englishman lasted just 31 matches in the job, winning only 12, drawing eight and losing 11.
      His final match in charge was Saturday’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
      After leaving Chelsea, Lampard returned to the game with Everton in January 2022.

      He last 12 months at Goodison Park, keeping the Toffees up last season before struggling this time around.
      In total he won just 12 of his 44 matches in charge of Everton, drawing eight and losing 24.
      Lampard was in attendance at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea took on LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      The 44-year-old was sacked by Everton earlier this seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Roman Abramovich refused to make any transfers with Tottenham, as Carlton Cole revealed he blocked move

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      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH refused to sell any of his former Chelsea stars to rivals Tottenham – and even blocked Carlton Cole’s switch.The former Blues striker revealed the Russian oligarch – who bought the West Londoners in 2003 – would not sanction any deal with Spurs.
      Chelsea”s former owner Roman Abramovich refused to do business with SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Carlton Cole, second left, in his Chelsea heyday, had agreed a move to Spurs but ex-Blues owner Roman Abramovich rejected itCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cole, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “I almost joined Spurs. I went and did my medical and everything.
      “Roman Abramovich found out and he said ‘you’ve got to come back, you’re not joining them’.
      “He said ‘you can’t go to Spurs, I don’t do business with them’.”
      The only Chelsea player in the Abramovich era to join Tottenham was Carlo Cudicini, with the reserve keeper allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2009.
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      Cole revealed that Abramovich tried to get him to move to Russia instead.
      He continued: “‘I’ve got an alternative for you’ [said Abramovich]. I drive back to Stamford Bridge with my uncle and my dad.
      “He had his interpreter with him. Roman Abramovich was there, we were talking. I was saying ‘where am I going?’
      “He said, ‘I will give you a new contract but you’ve got to go to CSKA Moscow. His other team.
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      “I was trying to get into the England team. Those days you could not go abroad. If you go abroad you don’t get in the England team.
      “So I said to him, ‘I ain’t going to CSKA Moscow, pal.”
      Spurs and Chelsea have had a bitter rivalry on and off the pitch.
      Feelings escalated on the pitch, resulting in the Battle of the Bridge in 2016 when several players from both sides clashed.
      Abramovich was close to buying Spurs before he took over at the Blues.
      He was thought to have picked Chelsea only when they qualified for the Champions League in the 2002-03 season under Claudio Ranieri.
      It started an obsession with the English Premier League which after two decades resulted in multiple top-flight crowns and two Champions League titles.
      But the party ended for Roman, who was forced to sell up last year.

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      Cole, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, eventually left the club in 2006 to join West Ham.
      He has previously revealed he left after a lack of first-team opportunities at Chelsea.
      Cole left Chelsea in 2006 to join West Ham, where he scored 68 goals in 293 gamesCredit: Getty More

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      Club spends entire season’s Premier League matchday revenue on sacking managers as dismissals reach record high

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      WATFORD spent their entire matchday revenue earned last season on sacking managers.The Hornets have become renowned for their ruthlessness, axing Rob Edwards and Slaven Bilic just this season.
      Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Watford last seasonCredit: Reuters
      The Championship side have had 18 managers in the past decade – including three last season.
      Roy Hodgson ultimately oversaw their relegation, although Xisco Munoz and Claudio Ranieri also had stints in charge.
      According to the Watford Observer, accounts show that the Hornets shelled out a staggering £7.81million in manager termination payments.
      This exceeds the £6.76m in matchday revenue the club brought in for games at Vicarage Road.
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      Despite being in the Premier League last year, Watford made a loss of £18m.
      Now managed by Chris Wilder, the Hornets are 11th in the Championship table.
      Sitting six points off the play-offs with seven matches left to play, another season in the second-tier appears to be beckoning.
      Should that be the case, Watford will likely feel pressure to sell top assets including Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr.
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      Xisco Munoz’s promotion success didn’t grant him much time in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
      The Premier League has experienced a record number of manager sackings this season.
      Graham Potter became the 12th English top flight manager to lose their job on Sunday, just hours after Brendan Rodgers was the 11th.
      Scott Parker, Thomas Tuchel, Bruno Lage, Steven Gerrard, Ralph Hasenhuttl, Frank Lampard, Jesse Marsch, Nathan Jones, Patrick Vieira and Antonio Conte have all been shown the door.
      Under-fire West Ham boss David Moyes could yet become the 13th, although SunSport understands he WILL take charge of this weekend’s trip to Fulham.
      Lampard, meanwhile, is set to take caretaker charge of Chelsea until the end of the season – while the Blues assess other targets including Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte.
      Graham Potter became the 12th Prem boss to lose their job this season last SundayCredit: PA More

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      Liverpool star Darwin Nunez’s stunning Wag leaves fans in stitches with X-rated sushi joke

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      DARWIN NUNEZ’S partner has left shocked fans in stitches with her X-rated sushi joke on Instagram.Lorena Manas, the ex of former Barcelona star Aleix Vidal, was out for a meal with the Liverpool striker when she shared a picture on social media.
      Darwin Nunez and Lorena Manas were at dinner when she turned the air blue with a dirty jokeCredit: Instagram
      Lorena Manas has been with Darwin Nunez since his days at AlmeriaCredit: Instagram / @lorenaamanas
      Darwin Nunez and Lorena Manas welcomed their first child together last yearCredit: Instagram / @darwin_n9
      Darwin Nunez’s partner Lorena Manas used to date ex-Barcelona striker Aleix VidalCredit: Instagram / @lorenaamanas
      The snap showed the former Benfica striker tucking into some food surrounded by plates.
      But Lorena turned the air blue around the Reds ace with her caption.
      The mum-of-two wrote: “The two things I like to eat the most.”
      Fans were left astonished by the post with hoards of supporters replying with cry-laughing emojis.
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      Lorena and Nunez met when the now-Liverpool striker was on the books of Almeria.
      She already has one daughter, Chloe, from her previous relationship with Vidal – now at Barca’s local rivals, Espanyol.
      The couple welcomed a child of their own – son Darwin – in January 2022.
      Darwin, who at just 23 is believed to be several years younger than Lorena, confessed after signing for Benfica that he dedicates all his goals to his family.
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      The Uruguayan striker moved to Anfield last summer in an £85million deal.
      Nunez has scored 15 times in 42 games for club and country this term since the move. More

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      Fabianski perfectly sums up West Ham’s night with ‘photo of the day’ as he WATCHES Newcastle goal with Isak

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      LUKASZ FABIANSKI summed up West Ham’s night as he stood and watched Alexander Isak’s goal float into the back of the net.The Hammers hosted Newcastle desperate for three points in their battle against the drop.

      Lukasz Fabianski could only stand and watch Alexander Isak’s shot float inCredit: Getty
      The Pole’s botched touch was pounced on by IsakCredit: Getty
      Under-pressure David Moyes claimed that the weekend’s 1-0 win over Southampton could be “something to build on” for his side.
      But West Ham instead pressed the self-destruct button – conceding increasingly calamitous goals as the night went on.
      Kurt Zouma’s header had given the East Londoners hope going into half-time, coming after Callum Wilson and Joelinton had put the Toon 2-0 up.
      But disaster struck within seconds of the restart, when Nayef Aguerd was tackled in his own box to allow Wilson to net Newcastle’s third.
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      With eight minutes remaining, Fabianski came charging out of his goal to try and clear a long punt.
      The Pole botched his touch, however, gifting the ball to Isak.
      Newcastle’s star forward made no mistake, quickly controlling before passing the ball into the unguarded net.
      As it floated towards goal, Fabianski and Isak stood next to each other, both with their hands on their hips watching.
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      The anguish on the West Ham stopper’s face summed up their night, with one fan dubbing it “photo of the season”.
      Another chortled: “That’s the Fabianski I remember as an Arsenal fan.”
      Joelinton piled further misery on Moyes and Co by plundering a fifth late on
      West Ham are above the relegation zone on goal difference.
      But SunSport understands that Moyes will NOT be sacked before the weekend’s trip to Fulham.
      We’ve been given a spanking tonightDavid Moyes
      After the match, the Scot told the BBC: “I’m really disappointed. We gave away a terrible first and second goal, but not as bad as the third and fourth. That makes it difficult.
      “At 2-1 at half-time I’m saying we’re right in the game, then 20 seconds later we’d given ourselves a mountain to climb. Anyone can make an individual mistake as a defender but we got two tonight, which was a real shock.
      “As manager you always have to front up. I’m a big boy, I’ve left jobs at other times in the past and if that happens I’ll have to go with that.
      “But I really like my job here, I’ve enjoyed my time here greatly and I really hope we’ve got a couple of big days ahead in the future. But we’ve been given a spanking tonight.”
      David Moyes’ side endured a shocking evening against the ToonCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd vs Everton: Red Devils look for back-to-back wins to cement Champions League spot – stream, TV

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      MANCHESTER UNITED host Everton on Saturday as they aim to continue their push for Champions League qualification.The Red Devils ended their three-game goalless streak on Wednesday night when Marcus Rashford scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over Brentford.
      Rashford scored in Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Everton last timeCredit: Getty
      They take on a Toffees’ side coming off the back of a late Michael Keane screamer which equalised with Spurs.
      The last time these two sides met at Old Trafford it ended in a 3-1 victory for ten Hag’s men in the FA Cup.
      But the introduction of Sean Dyche since then has made Everton look a more forbiddable opponent.
      United’s crucial three points against Brentford last night put them three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place with a game in hand.
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      Everton have a battle of their own going on at the other end of the Premier League table, as they sit in 16th place only escaping the relegation zone by goal difference.
      When is Man Utd vs Everton?

      Manchester United vs Everton is on SATURDAY, April 8.
      The match will kick off at 12:30 pm UK time.
      It will be hosted at Old Trafford, Manchester.

      What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK, and coverage will begin at 11:30 am.
      It will also be shown on BT Sport Ultimate.
      BT Sport subscribers can download the free BT Sport app to live stream the game from their mobile or tablet.
      BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game live on the BT Sport website.

      What is the team news?
      For United, Casemiro will miss the match as he serves the final game of his four-match ban after being sent off against Southampton.
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      Luke Shaw is a major doubt as he came off after just 37 minutes against Brentford with a hamstring problem.
      Christian Eriksen has returned to training this week after an ankle injury but won’t be back in time for the Everton game.
      Garnacho is still out with a severe ankle problem.
      The Toffees will be without Doucoure after he picked up a three-match suspension for violent conduct against Spurs last game.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also miss the game due to a hamstring injury.
      Odds:

      Man Utd – 1/2
      Draw – 16/5
      Everton – 11/2

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at the time of publication. More

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      Could Jack Grealish be the man to decide Dream Team mini-leagues as the season reaches its climax?

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      IT’S generally accepted that most attacking players need at least a few months to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s specific requirements.This is particularly true of individualistic talents who essentially had free rein at their previous club.
      It’s no wonder then, that Manchester City supporters are only now seeing the best of Jack Grealish (£4.1m) since his move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021.
      The 27-year-old had arguably his best game yet in a sky-blue shirt at the weekend when he assisted one goal and scored another as the Citizens came from behind to beat Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad.
      Grealish’s probing dribbles caused all kinds of problems for the Reds, not least Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m) who looked all at sea against his compatriot.
      In the groove
      A £100million price tag was always going to weigh heavy on a player who operated in the Championship just two years prior to the record-breaking transfer and he copped plenty of criticism last season for not hitting the ground running.
      However, like Leroy Sane, Joao Cancelo, Rodri (£3.8m) and a few others before him, something has clicked in Grealish and he’s now able to harness his natural attributes in a way that suits Guardiola’s grand plan.
      Since returning from the World Cup, he’s provided five assists and scored three goals in 14 Premier League appearances.
      Naturally, this surge in goal involvements has resulted in healthy Dream Team returns.
      A ten-point return at Liverpool’s expense – his second double-digit haul of the campaign – means that Grealish has produced 50 points across the last nine Game Weeks.
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      He’s now level with James Maddison (£5.6m) on 97 points overall, though it’s worth noting the Leicester playmaker has played far fewer games this term.
      Grealish has been all smiles of lateCredit: GETTY
      Incredibly, Grealish is just the fifth-best midfielder among his team-mates as Rodri, Riyad Mahrez (£6.1m), Phil Foden (£5.1m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£7.7m) are all on 100+ points at this stage.
      The brilliant Belgian remains the best option for Dream Team gaffers keen on a Man City midfielder (as all should be) but his points come at a significant cost – he’s the most-expensive asset in his position by a wide margin.
      With Mahrez also a costly recruit and Foden sidelined while he recovers from having his appendix removed, the in-form Grealish may be a popular man once April’s allotment of transfers are available from Friday morning.
      There are certainly worse strategies than doubling up on City midfielders this month with Guardiola’s men active in the Champions League and FA Cup as well as the bread and butter of the Premier League.
      A two-legged affair with Bayern Munich will be hotly contested and Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad towards the end of April could decide the league title but it’s a favourable set of fixtures elsewhere: Southampton, Leicester, Sheffield United, Fulham.
      Experienced Dream Team managers will remember that an in-form Grealish is a force to be reckoned with… More

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      I accidentally leaked my own Man Utd transfer after sending a snap to my village WhatsApp

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      NEMANJA MATIC has admitted to accidentally leaking his own Manchester United transfer in 2017.The midfielder joined the Red Devils from Chelsea in a £40million deal.
      This photo of Nemanja Matic circulated before his Man United transfer was announced
      Fans knew of the transfer before it was formally announced, after a picture of Matic wearing his new United training shirt circulated on social media.
      Appearing on the Red Devils’ UTD podcast, Matic revealed how the snap came to light.
      He said: “It wasn’t ‘someone’… I took the picture!
      “I took it, obviously not to put it on social media, but because I have a [WhatsApp] group with 50 people, more or less, from my village [in Serbia].
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      “In that group are the guys I grew up with.
      “To be honest, they were texting every two minutes [to ask me] ‘Is the deal done? Did you sign?’
      “For two days, I didn’t reply to anything. But that day, I woke up and saw 70 messages.
      “They sent me reports from newspapers saying the deal was done. So I sent them a selfie.
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      “I was doing the medical test then and of course, they probably sent it [the selfie] to some friends. The power of social media did the job.”
      The deal was announced by Man United the day after his photo leaked.
      Matic, now 34, went on to play 189 times for the Red Devils.
      He scored four times, including their goal of the season in 2017-18 for an effort against Crystal Palace.
      The Serbian departed last summer to reunite with his former boss Jose Mourinho at Roma.
      Matic has been a regular in the Italian capital, so far appearing 37 times for the Serie A club.
      Matic played 189 times during five years at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty More