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      Martin Odegaard relishing ‘straightforward’ title charge and begs Arsenal pals to show winning mentality for 11 ‘finals’

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD called on his Arsenal team-mates to show how strong their winning mentality is after being knocked out of Europe.The Gunners’ Europa League campaign came to an end on penalties against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday and skipper Odegaard is keen to ensure it does not hurt their Premier League title chances.
      Martin Odegaard wants a change of mindset to prove Arsenal can last the pace and fend off Man City for the titleCredit: Getty
      Asked about their new mentality, Odegaard said: “We have to show it now. It is pretty straightforward for us now, it’s only the league.
      “We just have to focus on every game — it’s 11 finals for us. Just come back on Sunday, that’s all that matters now.”
      Arsenal suffered a blip after Manchester City knocked them out of the FA Cup in January, going three without a win.
      And with the chance to extend their Prem lead over City to eight points against managerless Crystal Palace on Sunday, the leaders cannot afford another slip-up now their only focus is on the title.
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      Odegaard added: “We just have to change the mindset again.
      “I think everyone is disappointed but we have to move forward and just be ready for Sunday.
      “Every time we have lost this season we have learnt something from it. Every time we have come back and changed the situation again.
      “That is what we are going to do again and the next game comes quick, so it’s a good opportunity to strike back.
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      “We are always together, even if we lose. We have to be together in the tough moments as well. That’s what we are going to do now.”
      Despite their disappointing performance against Sporting on Thursday night, Arsenal fans still applauded their side off the pitch at the Emirates.
      Odegaard said: “They have helped us so much this season.
      “Hopefully they can keep pushing us because it gives us so much energy.”
       ARSENAL (likely): Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli. More

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      Fans furious as Forest ace Niakhate performs ‘dumbest handball ever’ to gift Newcastle penalty before clutching his FACE

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      FOOTBALL fans were left fuming after Nottingham Forest ace Moussa Niakhate gave away a stoppage time penalty against Newcastle.The Forest defender blocked Alexander Isak’s goalbound header before proceeding to clutch his FACE.
      Moussa Niakhate gave away a stoppage time penalty for a handballCredit: Reuters
      Niakhate then proceeded to hold his hands to his faceCredit: Reuters
      Alexander Isak converted the penalty to give Newcastle a crucial winCredit: Getty
      But referee Paul Tierney wasn’t fooled, and quickly pointed to the spot.
      Fans on social media were left stunned at Niakhate’s “stupid” handball just moments before the end of the game.
      One wrote: “To be fair, that was the dumbest handball I’ve ever seen in my life.”
      Another said: “What a stupid handball…”
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      Part of a third tweet added: “What a pointless handball.”
      Meanwhile, others expressed their sympathy for Forest defender Niakhate on his first start since August.
      One said on Twitter: “Handball rule is so stupid in football, referees expect players to jump straight like a bullet.”
      On the other hand, Newcastle fans were left blasting Niakhate for the way he clutched at his face.
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      One said: “We deserve to win this solely because of the ‘acting’ after the handball.”
      Part of another said: “What an idiotic handball man… Then he holds his head to make it look like he hurt his head.”
      Isak stepped up to take the penalty after Niakhate blocked the Swedish striker’s header with his arm.
      And the Newcastle striker duly converted from 12 yards to give Eddie Howe’s side a vital 2-1 win.
      Emmanuel Dennis had initially put Forest ahead with a delicate chip over Nick Pope following Sven Botman’s horror gaffe.
      Isak then equalised on the stroke of half time with a first-time finish, before earning Toon all three points deep in added time at the end of the game. More

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      Furious Newcastle fans ask ‘how is that offside?’ as Elliot Anderson goal ruled out as rulebook says strike SHOULD count

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      NEWCASTLE fans were left fuming after Elliot Anderson saw his goal ruled out for offside despite the rulebook saying it SHOULD have counted. The Magpies thought they had taken the lead when Anderson headed home at the far post.
      Newcastle saw a goal ruled out for offside after the ball struck Sean LongstaffCredit: Sky Sports
      Elliot Anderson could not believe his header was ruled outCredit: AFP
      However, an apparent offside call on Sean Longstaff in the build-up saw the goal ruled out by ref Paul Tierney.
      Longstaff was deemed to be offside after the ball was booted against him by Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate after Felipe’s initial attempt at a clearance.
      Law 11.2 which details offside, states: “A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent.
      “A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).”
      Former top Premier League ref Mark Halsey branded the decision “nonsense.”
      Halsey declared: “The offside law is an ass. It’s a nonsense decision. Surely it’s a deliberate play by Forest defender Felipe.
      “The offside law is open to interpretation and Tierney has deemed it was not a deliberate play.
      “But goals being ruled out for something like this does not sit right with me.”
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      Angry Toon fans, including ex-star Steve Harper, took to Twitter to voice their frustration.
      Harper said: “That’s a dreadful VAR decision!
      “How is it offside when two Forest players have intentionally played the ball before Longstaff becomes active 🤷🏻‍♂️?”
      One user exclaimed: “How was this disallowed?
      “The ball was played to Longstaff by a Notts defender!”
      A second user admitted: “Someone will have to explain the rules to me, because I have no idea why that has been ruled out for offside.
      “The #NFFC defender plays the ball off Longstaff, no?”
      However, Newcastle were able to get their goal in the end, with Alexander Isak scoring an injury-time winner from the penalty spot.
      The win moves Eddie Howe’s side to within a point of the Champions League spots. More

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      Newcastle dealt cruel blow in race for Champions League with top scorer Miguel Almiron out for THREE WEEKS with injury

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      NEWCASTLE have been dealt a huge blow in the Champions League race with Miguel Almiron set to miss three weeks through injury.The Paraguayan has been a key player for the Magpies this season as they look to challenge the Premier League’s established order.
      Miguel Almiron has been a key player for Newcastle this seasonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But a knock in training has left him missing the Friday night trip to Nottingham Forest and set for a spell on the sidelines.
      He has also not be picked for his international team due to the injury.
      Paraguay manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto said: “Miguel Almiron was injured yesterday [Thursday] and will be out for three weeks and it is not necessary for him to come.
      “We received the report from his club and we saw the video of the injury.”
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      The development comes as a huge blow to Newcastle who have been fighting to get into the top four.
      Almiron, 29, has been leading the charge and can boast 11 Premier League goals this season, more strikes than in his previous four seasons put together.
      His latest was a crucial winner against Wolves at St James’ Park last week.
      The timing of Almiron’s injury means he may not miss too many games.
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      The international break spans two weeks and he may only miss the crucial home game against Man United at the beginning of April.
      Despite their lofty league position, Toon have struggled for goals this season and have not scored three in a game since Boxing Day.
      Injury-hit strikers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak have also not netted as many as they would like and only have 12 in all competitions between them. More

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      Man Utd outcast Mason Greenwood to tie knot with pregnant partner as they’re spotted on London city break

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      MASON Greenwood is spotted out with his pregnant partner — and plans to marry her.The £75,000-a-week Manchester United striker is expecting his first child with the university student this summer.
      Mason Greenwood was spotted out with his pregnant partnerCredit: Raw Image Ltd
      The couple were pictured at the five-star Langham Hotel, central LondonCredit: Raw Image Ltd
      Greenwood’s career hit the skids in January 2022 when he was arrested after a woman made allegations against himCredit: PA
      The couple were pictured at the five-star Langham Hotel, central London, where rooms cost £600 a night.
      The Sun understands that 21-year-old Greenwood, capped once by England, has told his family about his marriage plans.
      His career hit the skids in January 2022 when he was arrested after a woman made allegations against him.
      He was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
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      He appeared before magistrates and was told he would face trial later this year.
      But in February the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges after several alleged witnesses refused to co-operate.
      United, who had suspended him on full pay, announced they would hold an internal investigation into the circumstances around his arrest.
      The Sun revealed he has spoken to manager Erik ten Hag and met with club officials — but his future at the club remains unclear.
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      Before his arrest, Greenwood was valued at around £50million and regarded as one of the hottest young talents in European football.
      But Nike ended his multi- million-pound boot deal, while EA Sports removed him from its iconic FIFA 22 video game. More

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      Troy Deeney: It’s silly Ivan Toney was snubbed for England’s World Cup charge and Southgate’s right to pick him now

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE was right to select Ivan Toney.Not everyone will agree with that.
      Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been called up for England but was in just as good form ahead of the World CupCredit: Getty
      It is more a reflection of the world that people are saying he shouldn’t be in it because he’s got things hanging over his head — we all have things hanging over our heads at some point in life.
      We should also be asking why this FA process has taken so long?
      Why is Ivan still having to wait for a hearing date? It is leaving him in the lurch.
      Based on his form, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be picked — and there was no reason for him not to be picked last season.
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      The main question for me still is: why wasn’t he picked for the World Cup and yet he is picked for this squad?
      He was in exactly the same form, so is he going to get game time this time or are they going to completely ignore him again?
      It is easy to pick and play someone when there is no pressure, as opposed to a major tournament when you need to win.
      There is no point picking these players and then in pressurised moments just revert back to what you already know. I hope this is a sign there will be a change in approach.
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      Ivan managed not being picked for Qatar really well, he carried on scoring and everyone else is doing the talking for him now.
      Before a World Cup, it is all about picking your best squad but what did Holland do in the quarter-finals against Argentina in Qatar?
      They were 2-0 down and just decided to launch the ball into the box for a big boy like Wout Weghorst. When can we do that?
      The goal that knocked us out against France was a ball into the box and a header from Olivier Giroud as a targetman. We didn’t have that option.
      Harry Kane is decent with his head but in any major tournament you will never substitute him, so you need a back-up option to chuck in alongside him for when things go wrong and we need a goal.
      The main question for me still is: why wasn’t he picked for the World Cup and yet he is picked for this squad?Deeney on Toney
      That is what Ivan will bring.
      You can’t just have people who run in behind.
      That’s why Jamie Vardy wasn’t always a great option at international level.
      When your biggest threat is to run in behind, most teams would just drop off.
      And if that game against France went to penalties, you have one of the best, if not the best, penalty taker in Europe right now.
      All of that just makes it strange and a bit silly that he has not been given a chance.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold deserves to be in the Three Lions’ squad as cliched fears over his defending are getting tiredCredit: AP
      In his time as England’s first-choice striker and captain, Kane will not have had someone behind him who is as hungry to prove himself and as confident to take his place as Ivan.
      He will have the mindset, ‘I can score just as well as you can’.
      Kane has earned the right to be the man but you need to have that mentality of wanting to take someone’s position.
      But bigger than that for Ivan, it is just about getting regular call-ups to show he can do it all the time.
      Until he starts and scores for England, he is going to have to keep proving himself time and time again — and prove to Gareth he doesn’t need to play Marcus Rashford down the middle in Kane’s absence.
      And Ivan needs to do that sooner rather than later, because if that betting ban kicks in, he may not get back into the squad straight away.
      Who knows what he will come back like after a period out of the game.
      Everyone wants players picked based on how they are playing for their clubs. But someone like Maguire or Jordan Pickford have never let Gareth down. So, as a manager, why would you suddenly change that?
      I am not surprised that Trent Alexander-Arnold was not picked but I fear his lack of form and defensive issues are just becoming a narrative more than reality.
      Because he is good going forward and is going through a bad time, that scrutiny has risen.
      The narrative is he can’t defend at all and I question that.
      Is he a great defender? No, but I don’t think there are many about.Kieran Trippier, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier are not ‘great’ defenders but you don’t hear anything about them.
      If you offered Trent to Arsenal or Manchester City, you think they would turn you down?
      When you look at the squads, it is a difficult one.
      How everyone wants it is players are picked based on how they are playing for their clubs.
      But someone like Maguire or Jordan Pickford have never let Gareth down.
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      So, as a manager, why would you suddenly change that?
      If you bring in new guys based on how they are doing and they fall short, ultimately, your job will be on the line. More

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      ‘Dennis… Bergkamp?’ – Fans rave about Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis as he punishes Botman howler with beautiful dink

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      EMMANUEL DENNIS showed shades of Dennis Bergkamp with his sublime chipped finish following Sven Botman’s error.Dennis, 25, latched onto the end of Botman’s weak passback to Nick Pope before chipping Nottingham Forest into the lead.
      Sven Botman produced a weak pass back to goal
      Which allowed Emmanuel Dennis to intercept
      And score against NewcastleCredit: Premier League, Twitter
      With goalie Nick Pope unable to prevent the chip strike from going inCredit: AFP

      The Nigerian forward’s goal came against the run of play with Newcastle having the lion’s share of possession and shots.
      But it took just one long ball to throw the Toon defence into disarray as Forest pressure saw them force an error from Botman.
      Viewers rushed to social media to comment on the costly error.
      One user said: “STUNNING DENNIS GOAL 🌳❤️ Amazing chip from Forest forward. The audacity of the idea.
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      “The perfection of the execution. A modern Dennis… Bergkamp?”
      A second said: “Great assist from Sven Botman 😭.”
      A furious fantasy team boss declared: “Botman robbed of the assist.”
      “I only have Botman for his goal threat anyway,” admitted a fourth.
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      A fifth commented: “Botman assist at the wrong end of the pitch.”
      Newcastle managed to produce a comeback thanks to Alexander Isak, who scored in injury time of the first and second halves.
      It came as Toon were controversially disallowed a goal for offside after Sean Longstaff had the ball booted against him by a Forest defender.
      The win puts Eddie Howe’s men one point off the top four, while Steve Cooper’s side remain just two points above the drop. More

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      Frenkie de Jong deals Man Utd transfer blow as he drops huge hint about his Barcelona future

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      FRENKIE DE JONG has dealt Manchester United a fresh transfer blow as he admitted he hopes to stay at Barcelona ‘for many years’.The Dutch star was among United’s main targets last summer and the Red Devils went all out to try and land him.
      Frenkie de Jong has made 31 appearances in all competitions this seasonCredit: Rex
      But they could not spring the 25-year-old from the Nou Camp despite De Jong being involved in a pay dispute with Barca.
      Now any potential transfer looks even further away after the midfielder pledged his future to the Catalan club.
      He appeared to hint at a long-term stay in Spain as he made clear he wants to play at the newly renovated Nou Camp, which will not be completed until the 2024-25 season.
      De Jong, who signed for Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, told TV3: “I hope I will play at the new Camp Nou.
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      “Barcelona is the club of my dreams, so I plan to stay for many years.
      “It looks like it’s going to be nice. The plans for the stadium are very good.”
      Speculation has continued that United could try to land de Jong when the window opens this summer.
      His former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is known to be a big fan but eventually settled for Christian Eriksen when it was clear the deal could not be done.
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      Chelsea and their owner Todd Boehly are also reported to have interest in de Jong.
      United fans got a taste of what the Dutch international could bring when he starred in the Barcelona midfield for the Europa League play-off games last month. More