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      Arsenal vs Man City sets new Amazon Prime record as it becomes platform’s most-watched Premier League match

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      LAST week’s crunch Prem clash between Arsenal and Manchester City set a UK viewing record. Global retail powerhouse Amazon have revealed the top-two clash was the most-watched Premier League game on their Prime Video service.
      Manchester City star Erling Haaland enjoys bagging their third goal in a 3-1 win over title rivals ArsenalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It was a thrilling clash at the Emirates which saw City emerge with a 3-1 victory.
      The win was sealed by second-half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.
      It took Pep Guardiola’s defending champions to the top of the Prem that night.
      But Mikel Arteta’s Gunners returned to the summit with a 4-2 win at Aston Villa on the Saturday before City were held to a 1-1 at Nottingham Forest.
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      Amazon has revealed a record-breaking audience of more than four million tuned in to watch last week’s showdown between this season’s Prem frontrunners.
      It beat a previous high mark set in December 2021 when they broadcast a thriller which saw Manchester United win 3-2 against Arsenal.
      Amazon are also close to expanding their Champions League coverage in Europe.
      It already has the rights to show Tuesday’s top games over a three-year period starting in 2024.
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      The online giant has also recently renewed its Champions League contract in Germany until 2027.
      Now it looks set to retain exclusive rights to screen Wednesday’s first picks in Italy with a deal said to be close, according to The Athletic. More

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      Graham Potter has WORST record of any Chelsea manager in Premier League era after dismal defeat to Southampton

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      GRAHAM POTTER has the WORST record of any Chelsea manager in the Premier League.And it could soon get worse for the under-pressure gaffer as he prepares for a tough run of games.
      Graham Potter has the worst Premier League record of any Chelsea managerCredit: Alamy

      Potter’s Blues slumped to a dismal defeat against bottom feeders Southampton on Saturday – his sixth loss in 17 games.
      Of those matches, just five have been wins.
      And Potter has only managed to pick up two victories in his last 14 league outings.
      That leaves him with a dismal win percentage of just 29.4 per cent – lower than any other manager during Chelsea’s time in the Prem.
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      Even misfits like Rafa Benitez, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre-Villas Boas recorded better win percentages during their spells at the helm.
      All three were swiftly given the chop by ex-owner Roman Abramovich.
      And Potter also finds himself behind Chelsea’s calamitous British trio of David Webb, Glenn Hoddle and Ian Porterfield.
      The ex-Brighton boss now finds himself in a tough position after being roundly booed by those in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
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      Potter is trying to find the right balance in a bloated 33-man squad.
      And Todd Boehly’s lavish £326million January spending spree indicates he is not going anywhere for the time being.
      But until results improve, Potter may face more jeers from his own supporters.

      He can’t afford any slip-ups this weekend though, as Chelsea travel to fierce rivals Tottenham in a must-win fixture.
      The north Londoners have been quietly picking up results under ex-Blues title winner Antonio Conte, keeping their top four dream alive.
      And Potter knows he needs to find the right formula to deliver a victory fans can be proud of.
      But there’s another huge clash straight after when Chelsea host Leeds.
      Leicester and Everton round off a huge month for the Blues in the Premier League.
      And there is still a second Champions League leg against Dortmund to play too, with Chelsea chasing a 1-0 deficit in the last-16 tie. More

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      How Man Utd takeover will affect four stars’ futures including Marcus Rashford who is out of contract next summer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are hoping the ongoing ownership race does not impact the contract situations of four stars, including Marcus Rashford.Owners the Glazer family are open to selling the club and are demanding they receive £6billion to part ways with United.
      Marcus Rashford has been in incredible form this season, netting 24 goalsCredit: EPA
      The Glazers are open to selling Man UtdCredit: AFP
      Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, have both tabled offers.
      But the current uncertainty regarding the club’s future could influence players that see their deals expire soon like Rashford, 25, whose contract is up at the end of next season.
      However discussions over the sale of United are not thought to be a potential stumbling block when it comes down to the England attacker putting pen to paper.
      The Athletic claim that initial conversations over Rashford signing a long-term deal are well underway with more meetings scheduled soon.

      Manager Erik ten Hag said after yesterday’s 3-0 win over Leicester that tying their star man down was a “priority” for the club.
      Man Utd have supposedly drawn up budgets for next year that include expenditure on new contracts and transfer business as they battle to not break Financial Fair Play rules.
      Other stars like David de Gea, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot are all nearing the end of their deals and talks are reportedly progressing well with all.
      De Gea, 32, sees his time up this summer and there are rumours he could be replaced despite contract negotiations happening.
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      Shaw, 27, has been vital for Man Utd this season playing at left-back and centre-back, and Ten Hag does not want to watch him walk away from Old Trafford next summer.
      Dalot, 24, is another that could become a free agent in July 2024, but he is seen as United’s long-term right-back.
      It is not uncommon for club’s undergoing a change of ownership to withhold contract talks as seen recently at Chelsea.
      Stars like Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen and Jorginho all departed for Barcelona and Arsenal respectively, following being unable to agree new deals.
      Yet Man Utd are keen to not see any on-field negative impacts of the ownership battle with Ten Hag claiming his team are not distracted by it. More

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      ‘He’s been rubbish’ – Arsenal star slated for his ‘lack of respect’ during win at Aston Villa

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      FORMER Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor has ripped into “rubbish” Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli for his “disrespectful” antics.The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the Premier League after claiming a 4-2 win at Villa Park on Saturday.
      Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal fourth against Aston Villa – and celebrated before it was even in the netCredit: Alamy
      Brazilian winger Martinelli started that game on the bench for Arsenal – the first time he’s not started in the top-flight this term.
      But he came on to score the clinching goal deep in additional time and even started celebrating before he had actually put the ball into the empty net.
      Martinelli, 21, has played a key role for Mikel Arteta’s side but his performances have dipped in recent weeks.
      And that has led to January transfer signing Leandro Trossard replacing him in the starting XI.
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      Now the star will be hoping his strike at Villa, which came on the counter-attack with opposition goalkeeper Emi Martinez caught up-field after going up for a corner, will earn him his spot back.
      However, Martinelli has found himself on the receiving end of some brutal words from Agbonlahor.
      He told talkSPORT: “I thought Arsenal were impressive second half.
      “They didn’t turn up first half but second half, they were relentless. Saka, getting at players. Xhaka, Odegaard was finding space and Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win.
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      “But there was part of the game I didn’t like. I didn’t like Martinelli for me, running through, empty net and he’s celebrating before he puts the ball in the back of the net.
      “He’s been rubbish for a month and he’s scoring a tap-in and celebrating before he’s even scored. [It’s a] lack of respect for your team-mates. I didn’t like it.”
      Boss Arteta said after the game: “It wasn’t dropping him [Martinelli] – he’s played every single minute.
      “We have three 21-year-olds leading the frontline – that’s unheard of.
      “Leo’s [Trossard] been doing really well and we needed impact. I was really worried about the last 20 or 25 minutes in this game because of everything we put in on Wednesday. We needed energy and I think [Martinelli provided] it.”
      Gabby Agbonlahor has ripped into a ‘rubbish’ and ‘disrespectful’ Arsenal starCredit: Getty More

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      What Declan Rice told Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in brutal three-word blast overheard after row during Spurs vs West Ham

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      PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG has revealed what Declan Rice said to him in a brutal three-word blast yesterday.The combative midfielders came face-to-face in north London during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over rivals West Ham.
      Declan Rice had some choice words for Pierre-Emile HojbjergCredit: AFP
      The result boosted Spurs’ top four hopes while leaving the Hammers fighting for their top-flight status.
      And tempers flared when Hojbjerg and Rice squared off after Ivan Perisic hacked down Vladimir Coufal.
      Referee Michael Oliver was forced to intervene as some choice words were exchanged.
      But Hojbjerg has now made it known what exactly Rice said to him in the heat of the moment.
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      According to journalist Carrie Brown, Rice told the Danish midfielder: “Nobody likes you.”
      However, it was Hojbjerg who was smiling at the final whistle.

      Tottenham dominated the stats in front of a roaring home crowd.
      And they finally took the lead in the 56th minute when Emerson Royal fired home against West Ham.
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      Son Heung-Min’s 72nd minute strike made sure of the result.
      And the pressure is now on David Moyes, whose game plan was criticised by Rice after the final whistle.
      The Irons captain said: “When you play with five at the back and the three, like we set up today, maybe our strikers felt a bit isolated when we got the ball up to them.
      “They didn’t really have enough around them, not enough support.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo moves into Saudi Arabian mansion after swapping luxury skyscraper hotel for first Middle Eastern home

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has swapped his upmarket Saudi skyscraper hotel for his first proper Middle Eastern home – so he can pamper his doting mum on a luxury holiday.The 38-year-old dad-of-five checked out of his suite at the plush Four Seasons hotel Kingdom Centre before Dolores Aveiro jetted to Riyadh from her ocean-front pad in Madeira.
      Loved-up Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez were enjoying their new surroundings at the mansionCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo’s mother Dolores Aveiro uploaded a snap that is believed to be from the new propertyCredit: Instagram
      And this weekend mum and son caught up on lost time with Cristiano’s partner Georgina Rodriguez and their children as the five-times Ballon d’or winner settled into his new upmarket surroundings following his abrupt departure from Manchester United.
      Sources confirmed the star had left the hotel where he was staying with his family.
      The mum of the world’s highest paid sportsman, now on a deal believed to be worth £173million a year, posted a selfie with Ronaldo’s oldest son online following her arrival in Riyadh and wrote: “Already with my boy.”
      It is not yet clear where exactly Ronaldo is living, although his new home is said to be in an exclusive compound with top-level security for him and his family and easy access to shops, restaurants, gyms and other amenities.
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      One of the neighbourhoods he was rumoured to be looking at before he announced his Prem departure was Al Muhammadiyah which boasts an incredible nightlife and some of the best restaurants in town.
      Al Nakheel – an area filled with the best international schools to educate their kids – was also billed as an ideal destination when the former Real Madrid man made his move.

      There is no suggestion he has bought the new mansion he has moved to and is understood to be renting. 
      The Portuguese superstar’s hotel accommodation up until now following his move to Saudi side Al-Nassr had been fit for a king with room sizes covering more than 3000ft.
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      Georgina uploaded this adorable snap from their new home days after Ronaldo’s four goal haul for Al-NassrCredit: Instagram
      Dolores enjoyed seeing her grandchildren as she jetted out to the Middle EastCredit: Instagram
      Doting grandmother Dolores spent time with the family at their new homeCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo booked into a giant-sized suite at the 99-storey Kingdom Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the country, when he signed for his new club at the start of the year.
      The photos he and his partner Georgina have posted on their social media, which have included an adorable photo of the footballer with his baby daughter Bella Esmeralda on his lap, were taken at the couple’s new pad.
      The first snaps the loved-up pair took together at their new mansion also included a Valentine’s Day photo Ronaldo captioned: “In love with you and what we are together.”
      Ronaldo is expected to retire with his family to a mansion near Lisbon when he hangs up his boots which is still being built and is not expected to be finished until the summer.
      His massive property portfolio also includes two apartments in Lisbon, two mansions on the outskirts of Madrid, and an eight-storey building in Funchal in Madeira where his mum and older brother currently live. More

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      Glazers offered financial backing to STAY at Man Utd by US billionaire hedge fund company Elliott Management

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      THE Glazer family have reportedly been offered the financial backing to STAY at Manchester United by hedge fund company Elliott Management. The current owners are looking to sell the club and are supposedly demanding £6billion in order to hand over the Red Devils.
      Man Utd owners the Glazers are open to selling the clubCredit: AFP
      Manchester United fans made it clear they want the Glazers gone during their side’s 3-0 win over LeicesterCredit: PA
      However, there is a chance that the Glazers stay at Old Trafford after being offered support by Elliott Management.
      They have entered the takeover race and presented a way for the current owners to stay.
      ESPN report that the US billionaire group do not want to buy Man Utd outright and their proposal is “possible financing, not a bid for the club.”
      They would instead look to help finance United, which means they may help clear debts, or obtain part-ownership, or potentially both.
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      This would help the Glazers remain at Old Trafford as Elliott Management’s cash injection could also assist them do things like renovate Old Trafford.
      The New-York based business supposedly has around £46billion in assets and was founded by Paul Singer.
      The company has experience at financing football clubs, having pumped funds into AC Milan before they were sold in 2022.
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville fears the Glazers will remain as significant shareholders and Elliott Management provides them with that exact opportunity.
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      Although, if Joel and Avram Glazer do want to step away from the club completely, then they have two bidders.
      One of Britain’s richest men Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, have both tabled offers.
      Ratcliffe, who also owns French side Nice, is a boyhood Man Utd fan and made his money via chemical company INEOS.
      Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim has pledged to get rid of debts but would need to prove he is not linked to the Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain or the teams may not be able to play in the same European competitions.
      Any deal that happens will be overseen by US bank Raine, who took control of the £2.5billion sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly last May.
      SunSport understands the Glazers are prepared to stay at the club if their valuation is not met.
      The American family want £6bn to sell the club in full.
      The Qatar bid is thought to be £5bn and Ratcliffe’s bid less than that.
      An insider said: “It’s still not clear if the Glazers actually want to sell and — if they do — it will only be for top dollar.
      “It’s possible they are keener on a partial sale rather than a full one at this stage — as that might value the club higher.
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      “What is obvious is that they want to maximise their profits by selling at their preferred price or not at all.
      “The other possibility nobody is discounting is they will simply decide that none of the bids is anywhere near what they want and call it off, in the hope that the market conditions change in their favour in a year or so.” More

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      Liverpool in Mason Mount transfer boost as Chelsea put contract talks on ice with star’s deal up next summer

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly received a huge boost in their transfer pursuit of Chelsea’s Mason Mount. The Blues academy graduate is out of contract next summer and attracting interest from Premier League rivals.
      Chelsea have shelved Mason Mount’s contract talks until the summerCredit: Getty
      Liverpool are believed to be leading the chase to try and sign the star at the end of the season once he has entered the final 12 months of his package.
      Chelsea are keen to tie the England midfielder, 24, down to a long-term deal.
      However, Mount’s camp are not happy with the terms that have been discussed and rejected one extension back in the autumn.
      Boss Graham Potter has stated that he hopes Chelsea can resolve Mount’s contract situation quickly.

      But Liverpool have now received a boost in their pursuit of the ace as The Athletic claim discussions have been postponed.
      They report that “interested parties may be encouraged to learn that, currently, talks about extending Mount’s Chelsea career have been paused”.
      And they claim that “they are not expected to resume until the summer”.
      It continues to add that “Chelsea’s intention is to secure the academy graduate to fresh terms or approve a sale” once they restart.
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      New Blues owner Todd Boehly, who has splashed out a fortune already on new additions, has also made it a priority to avoid any future scenarios similar to Mount’s.
      They do not want to allow any player to enter the final two years of a contract – “let alone their final one”.
      Mount signed for Chelsea as a schoolboy aged six.
      After an impressing spell on loan at Derby County in the Championship, he has since gone on to score 33 goals in almost 200 appearances for the club and helped them to Champions League glory in 2021. More