Premier League

ROY HODGSON is a shock frontrunner to return to Crystal Palace after the Eagles axed Patrick Vieira.Arsenal legend Vieira was dismissed on Friday morning after a run of 12 games without a win, with Palace sat just three points above the relegation zone.
Roy Hodgson was in charge of Palace between 2017 and 2021Credit: Reuters
Academy coach and former captain Paddy McCarthy took training on Friday and will be in the dugout at Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
The Eagles will look to appoint a successor during the international break.
Chairman Steve Parish insisted the “difficult decision” was made in order to give them the best chance of staying in the top flight.
He said: “Sometimes it goes right for you, sometimes it just starts not going right.
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“When you don’t think that you’re going to get out of that rut, unfortunately, you’ve got to change something.
“Maybe we would have done anyway, but I couldn’t be sure of it.”
Parish insisted the club have not been speaking to managers while Vieira was still in post and that he was focused on giving McCarthy and assistant Darren Powell support ahead of Sunday, but that they would start working through their list of candidates.
One of those being considered is former boss Hodgson, who was replaced by Vieira in 2021 after four years at Selhurst Park.
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After a brief stint at Watford ended in relegation last year, the 75-year-old said he did not expect to return to Premier League management.
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But Palace are considering short term appointments to ensure their survival and the former England manager remains a popular figure with many first team players.
McCarthy holding the position beyond this weekend has not yet been ruled out.
Ahead of the game at The Emirates, McCarthy said: “Obviously it’s a massive moment for myself, but ultimately it’s not about me.
“My only focus at the moment is about getting the team prepared and ready for Arsenal in the short space of time that we have, so everything’s just going to be geared into that.
“I’ll push all of that emotion to one side. Yes, it’s going to be a great opportunity for myself and Darren to manage at that level, but the focus is solely on setting the gameplan and implementing that on Sunday.” More

CHELSEA have been handed a boost after it was revealed N’Golo Kante has a “chance” of featuring against Everton.The Blues are in action against the Toffees on Saturday having picked up three wins on the bounce.
N’Golo Kante has a ‘chance’ of featuring against EvertonCredit: Reuters
Kante has not featured in SEVEN MONTHS due to a recurring hamstring injury.
However, with him now close to returning, it will hand Graham Potter a major boost as he tried to identify his best side.
Speaking ahead of the Everton clash, Potter told reporters: “[He has a] chance of being in the squad. It’s the first time (since Potter took over) so it’s fantastic.
“Managers before me have spoken very highly of N’Golo because he’s a top, top player.
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“He’s been a huge miss for us. Great for us for him to be back. We have to be mindful.
“We have to take the steps to get him back up to speed.”
Potter was facing loud calls for to be removed from his post before Chelsea’s form picked up upon reverting to a back three.
Each of these games have seen record signing Enzo Fernandez partner Mateo Kovacic in midfield.
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In all likelihood, Kante will not start due to the current pairing’s form and his lack of fitness, but the Frenchman could be given some minutes late on to help step up his recovery.
SunSport understands Kante is close to signing a new two-year deal at Stamford Bridge despite his injury issues.
The 31-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season. More

LIVERPOOL legend Lucas Leiva broke down in tears after announcing his retirement from football.The 36-year-old has been forced to hang up his boots after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Liverpool legend Lucas Leiva has been forced to retire from footballCredit: Esporte Na Band / Gremio TV
Leiva made 346 appearances in a ten year spell with the RedsCredit: EPA
Leiva also spent time with Italian side Lazio, as well as Brazilian outfit GremioCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Routine tests last year detected a heart problem.
He was forced to temporarily stop playing for Brazilian side Gremio in December.
And now Leiva has confirmed in an emotional statement that he is retiring from the game.
In a press conference, he said, via Globo Esporte: “First I would like to thank Gremio for all the support in these three months. Today I am announcing my retirement. 
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“It’s been a difficult period, I think this is the first time I’ve cried over this case. But I can only thank you. I’m ending where I’d like, not the way I’d like. But I’m sure a new cycle will begin. 
“I had a lot of hope that it could reverse, but it was not the case. 
“My health comes first.”
Further tests were carried out on the midfielder in the time since he initially stopped training.
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And doctors advised that continuing to play would pose “serious health risks” to the midfielder.
Globo Esporte report that doctor Marcio Dornelles said at the press conference: “After the end of that three-month period, we started to carry out all the exams again to see how he was doing. 
“We finished yesterday, we finished all the exams. 
“And after evaluating this fibrosis and the risks we found for this pathology, we advised Lucas not to continue with high-performance activities because it could pose health risks, one of which could have arrhythmias, and serious health risks.”
Leiva’s club, Gremio, thanked the midfielder on social media following the news of his retirement.
A tweet read: “Thank you for everything, @LucasLeiva87.”
While another club post said: “You were always with Grêmio and we will always be with you, @LucasLeiva87!”
Leiva returned to boyhood club Gremio last June after a five-year spell in Italy with Lazio.
He initially left Gremio for Liverpool in 2007, and went on to play 346 games for the Reds in ten years at Anfield.
He won the League Cup with Liverpool in 2012, and helped Lazio to Coppa Italia glory in 2019.
Leiva was capped 23 times by Brazil, and represented his country at the 2008 Olympic Games.
He also posted an emotional statement to Instagram after confirming his retirement.
Part of it said: “Obviously I could write a book with the stories I’ve experienced in these three clubs and in more than 30 years of football, but I’m here to thank each and every person who helped me on this journey.
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“During my journey many people were important to me to have the career that I was able to build. I wouldn’t have to name them all.
“My family, who has been the foundation, the support and always believed and lived with me this dream; to the coaches, team-mates, my friends for the unconditional support always and to the fans who have always been with me!” More

ERIK TEN HAG met Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the British billionaire’s visit to Carrington amid takeover talks. The ownership battle continues to rage in the background at Old Trafford as investors with deep pockets look to get involved with one of football’s biggest clubs.
Erik ten Hag insists he and his players are keeping their eyes on their matches despite takeover talksCredit: Reuters
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among the frontrunners to be the next owners of Man UnitedCredit: PA
It was the turn of Qatar businessman Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani to visit the training ground on Thursday.
He took part in ten-hour talks at the club as they toured Carrington and Old Trafford.
And on Friday it was Racliffe who got his chance to see the club up close.
And unlike Sheikh Jassim, Ineos owner Ratcliffe met the United boss who was at the training ground doing his media duties.
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Ten Hag told reporters: “I just met them, we shake hands, I’m focused on the game, we play a big game on Sunday, all our focus is on that, others in the club are dealing with potential investors.
“My job in this moment is focus on the game so let’s talk about the game, it’s a big tie and we have to get ready for that.”
Ratcliffe was joined by Ineos’ director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford for the Carrington trip and he is also believed to have chatted to Ten Hag.
United were in Europa League action on Thursday night so ten Hag was not able to meet with Sheikh Jassim.
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But the prospective owners would have been impressed with what they saw as United kept out a determined Real Betis and won 1-0 to confirm a place in the Europa quarter-finals.
Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe are the clear frontrunners for the job but smaller parties could still be crucial to dictating what happens.
The Qataris are reportedly set to launch an improved second bid.
They have already put down a £5bn bid but could now up the offer to try and gain control of the takeover battle. More