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      Christian Atsu funeral today as thousands to gather in state ceremony for ex-Newcastle star killed in Turkey quake

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      FOOTBALL ace Christian Atsu will be laid to rest in Ghana today after he was killed in the horror Turkey earthquake.The ex-Newcastle and Chelsea winger, 31, was found dead almost two weeks after a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake caused his apartment building to collapse in Antakya last month.
      Ex-Newcastle star Christian Atsu was found dead 12 days after the Turkey earthquakeCredit: PA
      The rubble of the apartment block where the football star Atsu was foundCredit: Splash
      A state-assisted funeral will be held today for the football star in the Ghana’s capital, Accra, with thousands expected to file past the coffin to pay their respects.
      A memorial service will be held after at the Forecourt of the State House for the dad-of-three and he is due to be buried in his hometown, Dogobome.
      Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Atsu’s devastated teammates are expected to attend.
      Atsu’s body arrived back home in Ghana to a guard of honour the day after he was found dead in the earthquake’s rubble on February 18.
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      Soldiers carried his coffin – draped in the national flag – past a crowd of mourners on the tarmac.
      The ex-Prem star played 65 times for Ghana’s national team and helped his side reach the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
      He had been due to fly out of Turkey hours before the quake struck at 4am local time on February 6.
      But Atsu decided to stay with Hatayspor teammates after scoring the dramatic winner in a Super Lig match the day before.
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      The Turkish club, who Atsu signed with in September, initially said he had been rescued from his luxury apartment building.
      But the team doctor then said he was still missing, and his agent and family members then spent more than a week in a desperate search.
      His body was tragically found – 12 days after the horror 7.8-magnitude quake after confused earlier reports wrongly said he had been found alive amid the chaos.
      Rescue workers discovered Atsu’s body where he was staying at Ronesans Residence – a 12-storey block of flats that toppled over in Antakya city in Hatay.
      Atsu’s wife Marie-Claire Rupio and their three children joined fans marking a minute’s silence in Newcastle before the side’s Premier League tie against Liverpool last month.
      He began his Prem career with Chelsea, before moving to Newcastle United and Everton.
      More than 50,000 were killed in Turkey and Syria after two earthquakes hit within hours.
      And freezing conditions and difficulty getting aid to remote areas is fuelled a further humanitarian disaster.
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      The Sun Earthquake Appeal has now raised more than £1.5 million to support the Red Cross.
      A military honour guard carried Christian Atsu’s coffin from a plane in AccraCredit: AFP
      Atsu will be buried in his hometown in GhanaCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I want to play more’ – Harry Maguire opens up on tough season at Man Utd but admits he’s revelling in ‘important role’

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      HARRY MAGUIRE has admitted his frustration over his lack of action at Manchester United and says he “wants to start more games”.The Red Devils booked their spot in today’s Europa League last-eight draw with a 1-0 win over Real Betis to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory last night.
      Harry Maguire has insisted that he wants to play more for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      United’s club captain Maguire, 30, led the team to a clean sheet in what is just his sixth start of 2023.
      The England international defender has lost his place to regular centre-back pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez but he has made it clear that he wants more.
      Maguire told BT Sport: “I work hard at the training ground and that’s all that you can do.
      “You can work hard in training, I put everything into training. We have good coaches at this club and they put on really good sessions for us the day after games.
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      “Listen, it’s not been too long since my last game, I think it is a couple of weeks ago. I have started five, six, seven since the World Cup.
      “Obviously, I want to play more, I want to start more games, but I’m playing my part on and off the field.
      “It’s nice to be out there leading the team and getting the victory, which is the most important part for myself and the club.
      “I’ve got an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try to make this club succeed, whether I’m playing or not.”
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      United legend Paul Scholes was full of praise for the way Maguire has handled being left out and says that the ex-Leicester City ace’s upcoming stint on international duty with the Three Lions would benefit his old club.
      “Harry’s in a difficult position not playing games but I think his attitude there with the interview saying ‘it doesn’t matter if I’m playing or not, it’s my job to make sure I can make the club as successful as they can be.
      “I think that guarantees him in the England situation as well. It’s a good thing. It’s good for Man Utd as well that he will go away and get a couple of games that will only bode well for Manchester United.” More

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      Arsenal boss Arteta backs Martinelli to recover from penalty heartbreak after costly Sporting miss… just like Saka did

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      MIKEL ARTETA backed Gabriel Martinelli to get over his shoot-out heartache as Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League on penalties.Brazilian international Martinelli saw his spot-kick saved by Sporting Lisbon keeper Antonio Adan on a night of Emirates drama.
      Gabriel Martinelli suffered penalty heartbreak against Sporting LisbonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Bukayo Saka, pictured being consoled by Gareth Southgate, missed the crucial kick for England in the final of Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      But Arteta insisted: “When you take the decision to take a penalty, the possibility of missing is always there. But Gabi will learn from it like Bukayo Saka did two years ago.
      “This result is a huge blow. We really wanted to go through and fight for this competition. We tried for 120 minutes and penalties but it wasn’t enough.
      “The effort the boys put in even when we were not at our best and the hunger they showed to win was incredible.
      “Today was not our day. We gave the ball away many, many times and we need to look at ourselves because we can’t keep relying on the last 20 minutes to win these games.
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      “It’s true that in the last 15 minutes we had the chances and then in extra-time the chances to win it.
      “But when it goes down to the penalties there’s always a lot of uncertainty and tonight we lost it.
      “The disappointment of this result is not going to go away quickly, but at least it brings us clarity.
      “Now we have 11 games to play in the League and we have to recover our energy and pick ourselves up for a cup final against Crystal Palace on Sunday.”
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      But Arteta is now facing an Arsenal defensive dilemma after William Saliba and Takehiro Timiyasu were both forced off by injury in the first 20 minutes of last night’s tie.
      He said: “Tomi looks really serious from his immediate reaction and what he said to me when he came off. It’s very difficult to know how bad his injury is going to be.
      “Saliba had some discomfort and we had to take him  off but we’ve been carrying injuries throughout the season and we’ve always managed to deal with that.
      “When they came off so early we were really restricted with the changes because we only had one more window and one sub left.
      “So we had to take Gabriel Jesus off at half-time because he was coming back from injury and we knew the game could go to extra-time so we had to manage the subs. But he looked OK.”
      Skipper Martin Odegaard said: “It’s a big blow to go out of this competition but we have to remember it’s been a great season and all we can do now is look forward to the League.
      “We win together and we lose together. When we’re winning everyone is happy and when we lose we have to pick up the spirit.,
      “We did enough in some periods but for most of the game we weren’t on the level we should be.
      “We didn’t play our best football and we didn’t play with our normal energy but it was still a game which could have gone either way.” More

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      Graham Potter sends Chelsea fans wild with passionate X-rated Champions League promise.. but is he ‘trying too hard’?

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      GRAHAM POTTER has excited Chelsea fans with a Champions League rallying cry.The Blues progressed to the quarter-final last week with a 2-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.

      Graham Potter issued a Champions League rallying cryCredit: AP
      Chelsea will discover their opponents in Friday’s draw and Potter appears determined to win the competition.
      He has found it difficult adjusting to life at Stamford Bridge since his move from Brighton in September and has been criticised for being too nice.
      But at a meeting with fans this week he launched an expletive-filled declaration where he revealed his desire to win the Champions League.
      Asked what message he wanted to send to fans, Potter said: “Well firstly it’s thank you because they’ve been incredibly fair, incredibly fair with us.
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      “They’ve stuck with the team, the support we’ve had has been amazing.
      “And we’ll need them on Saturday. We’ll try and beat Everton, then we’ll take the draw, and then we’ll try and win the f***ing Champions League.”
      Some supporters loved the passion on display as it is one aspect of Potter’s character that has been lacking in recent weeks.
      One fan said: “That’s Chelsea mentality man 💙😂”
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      Another added: “His confidence is growing, I don’t expect him to win Champions League but I like it.”
      And a third wrote: “Finally acting like a Chelsea manager – that’s what we wanted.”
      But others were not easily fooled and claimed the Chelsea boss was trying to hard.
      A fan hit back tweeting: “Bless him 😭 he’s trying so hard to give us Chelsea fans what we want.”
      And another commented: “Why does it looks so unconvincing 😭😭 someone definitely wrote him a script and tell him to say it out loud at the press 🤣🤣”
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      Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira ‘could be SACKED by Crystal Palace before Sunday’s crunch clash against Gunners’

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      CRYSTAL PALACE could sack Patrick Vieira before the club play Arsenal, reports suggest.The Eagles have slipped perilously close to the relegation zone after failing to pick up a single win in 2023.
      Patrick Vieira has been left disgruntled by the lack of investment into the squadCredit: Reuters
      But now his job is on the line with Crystal Palace without a win since DecemberCredit: Getty
      And now chairman Steve Parish is giving serious thought to ending Vieira’s tenure, according to the Guardian.
      Palace’s latest defeat came against Brighton, with Solly March’s strike condemning them to an 11th Premier League game without victory.
      Vieira is up against former club Arsenal on Sunday though, with the Gunners flying high at the top of the league, a win would be hard to come by.
      The report suggests both Vieira and Parish are disgruntled.
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      The former midfielder was upset by the lack of investment over the summer, while Parish is said to have been unimpressed with recent performances.
      Should he remain in charge by the time the clash against Leicester rolls around on April 1, Palace face a far more favourable run of fixtures.
      The next six games after Arsenal see them clashing with sides also in the relegation scrap.
      If Vieira and Palace do part ways, replacements have already identified.
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      Among the targets are Burnley’s Vincent Kompany and Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick, who have both led their respective clubs to promotion charges.
      Vieira succeeded Roy Hodgson in 2021 and guided Palace to a 12th place league finish and the FA Cup semi-final in his first season. More

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      Arsenal ‘disaster’ as TWO key stars limp off injured in first 20 minutes vs Sporting in blow to Premier League dream

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      ARSENAL were struck a big blow against Sporting Lisbon as two defenders were forced off injured in the first-half.Takehiro Tomiyasu had to be brought off after appearing to overstretch in a tackle, with Ben White taking his place.
      William Saliba suffered an injury and had to be taken off in the first halfCredit: Reuters
      Takehiro Tomiyasu also had to be withdrawnCredit: AP
      Things then went from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta as star centre-back William Saliba had to be substituted.
      Rob Holding took his place but Arsenal fans are concerned the injuries could derail their title bid.
      They took to Twitter to voice their worries with one Gooner saying: “Saliba and Tomiyasu getting injured in first 20min is really scary for Arsenal’s title hopes.”
      Another added: “Too many injuries man. Tomiyasu I’m okay with but Saliba is title challenge ending if bad.”
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      A third said: “Might be able to survive Palace on Sunday without Saliba and Tomiyasu, but if they’re both out beyond that, the title is done with. Can’t win the league with Rob Holding at centre-back.”
      Some Arsenal fans bemoaned Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and accused him of “bewitching” their side following his comments about the Gunners’ lack of injuries.
      One supporter tweeted: “What’s going on? Saliba and Tomiyasu off injured? Ten Hag bewitching us man.”
      Another said: “Tomiyasu injured. Saliba injured. Only a day after Ten Hag mentioned us regarding our squad fitness. Ten Hag is a witch!”
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      Ahead of United’s visit to Real Betis Ten Hag had compared his side’s injury record to Arsenal, revealing he has only had a fully fit squad once this season.
      He said: “Man City home [2-1 victory in January], it was the only time this season [that United had a fully fit squad], in other times, every time, every game is a player suspended, injured, illness. So we have to deal with it well, of course, you hope.
      “I see Arsenal, they almost have all the time a squad that is totally available.”
      Arsenal’s miserable night was compounded by their penalty shoot-out defeat to Sporting, with Gabriel Martinelli missing the decisive spot-kick that allowed their opponents to progress.
      And Arteta was frustrated by having to throw his gameplan out the window so early in the game.
      He said: “That happens. It happened with Tommy and Saliba and then we were really restricted to do the changes because we only had one window to do them and only one sub left.
      “We had to accommodate that and the team got better and better with the changes, especially in the last 15 minutes of the normal time and then we had big chances to finish it off but we didn’t do it.
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      Antonio Conte incredibly reveals he was JOKING when he said Tottenham could sack him

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      ANTONIO CONTE says he does not believe Spurs are considering sacking him.The Tottenham chief told Italian TV after last week’s Champions League exit to AC Milan that the club hierarchy could “send me away” before his contract expires in the summer.
      Spurs chief Antonio Conte claims he decided to quip while he was aheadCredit: Rex
      It followed a miserable week in which the North Londoners also crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship side Sheffield United and lost at Wolves in the league.
      Yet Conte now insists his response was a joke – what is known as “una battuta” in his mother tongue – after being provoked by his interviewer and he does not think Daniel Levy is thinking of wielding the axe.
      The ex-Chelsea boss said: “This was a provocation, you understand, about my future. A provocation, a joke, ‘una battuta’. 
      “When you tell something, to joke. You asked me about the future and I said to you that you don’t know what happens. Because maybe the club can sack me. 
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      “But I repeat: I don’t think the club is thinking this. The club sees every day what me and my staff are doing for this club. It was only an answer about my future.”
      Asked if the club have told him whether he is safe until the end of the current campaign, Conte replied: “There is not one club that can tell the manager you stay here until the end of the season. 
      “You know football is really strange. You don’t know what happens tomorrow, you understand. But I repeat: in my opinion we try in every moment to do everything, me and my staff. And I think the club appreciates this. 
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      “Because if you continue to ask me if I sign a new contract, it means that maybe the club appreciates what we are doing, the work that we doing, in this one year and a half.”
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      While all routes to silverware are now closed off this season, Conte is still hoping to replicate last term’s top-four finish during this campaign.
      His side are currently in the box seat, holding a four-point gap over fifth-placed Newcastle who are a spot below them in table, though Eddie Howe’s men have two games in hand.
      Spurs travel on Saturday to basement boys Southampton, the side from whom they pinched goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a freebie last summer.
      The England stopper, 34, has been in fine form since deputising for the injured Hugo Lloris over the last month, prompting questions over whether he could keep his place when the Frenchman returns.
      Yet Conte added: “We’re really happy with Fraser but at the same time when Hugo is ready he is our first keeper.”
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      ‘Agent Jack Grealish at work’ – Fans catch England ace begging Man Utd and Liverpool target to join him at City

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      FANS have caught Jack Grealish sneakily trying to lure Jude Bellingham to Manchester City.The pair know each other from playing together with England and Grealish is trying to make the most of that connection.
      Jack Grealish is keen fo Jude Bellingham to join him at Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Sharp-eyed fans noticed Grealish telling Bellingham to join City on social media.
      The pair have a mutual friend, City centre-back Manuel Akanji who joined from Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund last season.
      Under his latest Instagram post Bellingham commented: “He’s changed,” while tagging his Dortmund pal Gio Reyna.
      Grealish quickly seized on the midfielder saying: “Come to City xx.”
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      The winger is a huge fan of Bellingham, describing him as “scary” after he was named man of the match for England in a game against Ivory Coast last year.
      He praised the 19-year-old’s technical ability and said he was the best teenager he’s ever seen – and was most impressed by Bellingham’s maturity.
      The Birmingham pair appear to get on well and could be a match made in heaven at The Etihad.
      But City face a difficult task to lure him to Eastlands as rivals Manchester United are keen on signing the wonderkid.
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      It is believed United could soon emerge as frontrunners after throwing their hat in the ring.
      Erik ten Hag has “genuine interest” in bringing Bellingham to Old Trafford.
      Liverpool are reportedly leading the race currently as Jurgen Klopp plans an overhaul of his midfield.
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