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      Premier League icon unrecognisable without famous ponytail as he’s slapped with FIVE-YEAR ban for fake coaching licence

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      A PREMIER League icon has been rocked by a five-year ban – while you might be shocked by his change in appearance.The 51-year-old can’t take part in ANY football-related activity until 2028 after being penalised for a fake coaching certificate.
      The former superstar player has been booted out of all football until 2028Credit: AFP
      But his drastically-changed look might have even fans of his two old English clubs wondering who he is.
      Gone is the famous ponytail – replaced by a much shorter, sharper look.
      But unfortunately for him the African Football Confederation decided not to hand out a short, sharp penalty over a forged coaching licence.
      Instead CAF kicked kick him out of the sport for almost the rest of the decade.
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      It’s a dramatic decline for a man named the African Ballon d’Or winner in 1998, helped by his brilliant displays at that year’s World Cup.
      Moroccan Mustapha Hadji had already shone for Nancy, Sporting Lisbon and then Deportivo de La Coruna.
      And in 1999 he left the Spaniards for the Premier League – for three years at Coventry City followed by two with Aston Villa.
      In fact the stylish midfielder’s playing days only ended in 2010 after three years with Luxembourg team CS Fola Esch.
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      And until his suspension on Friday he was building a solid reputation as a coach.
      Hadji was assistant boss for Qataris Umm Salal SC before a similar role with the Morocco national side from 2014-2022.
      But now, like his long hair, that’s all gone.
      Mustapha Hadji, who won 63 caps as an all-time Morocco great, was a cult hero with Coventry from 1999-2001Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Thoma Partey after Arsenal midfielder forced to come off in FA Cup loss to Man City

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      MIKEL ARTETA says Thomas Partey will have an MRI scan after limping off during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester City.The Premier League leaders were knocked out of the competition as Nathan Ake sealed a 1-0 win for their closest title rivals.
      Mikel Arteta is sweating on the extent of Thomas Partey’s injuryCredit: Reuters
      The star will undergo an MRI scan after suffering a blow to his ribs at Man CityCredit: Rex
      However, the Gunners suffered a huge scare as their influential Ghanaian midfielder, 29, suffered a blow to his ribs during the opening period.
      Partey was taken off at the break and replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga.
      And afterwards his manager admitted he did not want to “take any risks” with his star.
      Arteta said: “He felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks, so he could not continue.
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      “He had some discomfort and it was getting worse and worse, so he could not continue. He wasn’t comfortable to continue.
      “Obviously tomorrow, the day after he will have to have an MRI scan and see what he has.”
      Arteta will now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the damage, especially with fellow midfielder Mohamed Elneny also out with a knee problem.
      Arsenal have been trying to bring in reinforcements to bolster the middle of the park this transfer window and have had an opening bid rejected by Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
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      The Ecuadorian World Cup ace, 21, has now begged the Seagulls via a bombshell social media post to leave him leave with talks between the two clubs set to continue.
      When asked about a move for Caicedo, Arteta added: “You know that I am not going to comment on any players until anything is done, and I will continue like that.
      “As I said before, we have been pretty active in the market.
      “We have some necessities and if something else is available, the club is willing to try to do it when it is reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad.” More

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      Watch as Arsenal star Zinchenko appears to lose his cool with Man City stars after FA Cup defeat

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      ARSENAL star Oleksandr Zinchenko appeared to lose his cool with his former Manchester City team-mates after the 1-0 FA Cup defeat – and fans want to know why.Nathan Ake scored the winner for Pep Guardiola’s side to dump Arsenal out of the cup.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko didn’t appear to be happy at full-timeCredit: Twitter
      Zinchenko tried to pull away as his former team-mates greeted him
      The Premier League title holders will be hoping to unnerve the Gunners, who are occupying top spot with a five-point advantage and a game in hand.
      Friday’s FA Cup dust-up also happened to be Zinchenko’s return to the Etihad, where he spent six years of his career.
      Zinchenko won four Prem titles, four EFL Cups and an FA Cup during his time at the Citizens.
      He was, however, unable to help Arsenal get one over on City after coming off the bench in the second half.
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      The left-back also picked up a late booking for a foul, and was lucky to escape a second yellow for a challenge on Bernardo Silva.
      But at full-time as Zinchenko was surrounded by his former team-mates, he appeared agitated and emotional.
      He tried to break free of Joao Cancelo’s grasp after speaking with Riyad Mahrez, and fans aren’t sure whether he was happy or angry.
      One said: “Need to know what Mahrez said.”
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      Another tweeted: “Zinchenko getting bullied like the youngest brother.”
      A third questioned: “Why was Zinchenko so mad?”
      After breaking free, Zinchenko swapped shirts with Kyle Walker before disappearing down the tunnel.
      Arsenal meet Man City again in mid-February at the Emirates.
      That game could boost Mikel Arteta and Co’s chances of ending the season league winners.
      An away trip to the Etihad will follow in April. More

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      Sean Dyche has savvy clause in £5m-a-year Everton contract as he protects himself against the sack

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      SEAN DYCHE is Everton’s new boss after Marcelo Bielsa snubbed the Goodison Park job.Bielsa was owner Farhad Moshiri’s No 1 target but incredibly the Argentinian was only prepared to coach the club’s Under-21 side until the summer.
      Sean Dyche has agreed to become the new manager of EvertonCredit: PA
      Everton chairman Farhad Moshiri has agreed to a savvy clauseCredit: PA
      After talks broke down with Bielsa in London, Moshiri turned to Dyche to stop the Toffees tumbling out of the top flight for the first time since 1951.
      Dyche is understood to have agreed a contract worth around £5million a year until 2025. It contains a clause stating he will either dodge the sack — even if Everton go down — or Moshiri will have to pay up the remainder of his deal.
      Dyche, who beat Sam Allardyce and Ralph Hasenhuttl to the post, will be joined by old Burnley coaches Ian Woan and Steve Stone.
      The 51-year-old will also be reunited with former Turf Moor players James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Dwight McNeil at Goodison.
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      Burnley sacked Dyche after nine years in April as they sank towards the Championship.
      His first game back in the Premier League will be a baptism of fire at home to leaders Arsenal next Saturday.
      Bielsa, 67, appeared primed to take over from sacked Frank Lampard after jetting to London on Thursday for crunch talks with Moshiri.
      The former Leeds boss, who wanted a £6m-a-year pay packet, had already made it clear he had reservations about the balance of Everton’s squad and whether the players could adapt to his high-intensity style.
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      Bielsa then told Moshiri he wanted to work with Everton’s younger players for the remainder of the season while the club got used to his methods. He then planned to take over in the summer — leaving an interim manager battling to beat the drop.
      The club were unwilling to accept his proposal and turned to Dyche, who now faces a transfer scramble to bring in reinforcements for a relegation scrap before Tuesday’s deadline.
      He will have funds from the £45m sale of winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle.
      That deal could signal the £18m arrival of Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, 24, who has 12 strikes in 27 Championship games this season. More

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      ‘I’m not Harry Potter!’ – Ten Hag says Rashford is conjuring up his own magic rather than any tricks from Man Utd boss

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      ERIK TEN HAG claims Marcus Rashford has conjured up his own revival rather than any “Harry Potter” magic from the boss.The Manchester United chief wanted to play down his own part in the incredible turnaround of the player’s fortunes under his charge.
      Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag won’t take any of the credit for striker Marcus Rashford’s extraordinary form since the World CupCredit: Getty
      It was so different before Qatar 2022, with Rashford here showing his frustration after being substituted by Ten Hag in OctoberCredit: Reuters
      Instead, he puts it all down to the England international’s determination to find his very best form that has brought ten goals in his last ten games.
      Ten Hag said: “I’m not Harry Potter! It’s just confidence. Every player has to make  his own confidence. He fought for this, he invested in this.
      “Of course, with my coaching staff, we bring in structures, especially in the way of play, that give him routines  he needs to get into the right position.
      “But finally, it’s up to him, to the player, and when the player has the confidence then I’m convinced.
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      “The way of play is most important but the environment and  culture are also important, then the player can perform at his best.
      “It’s obvious that Marcus at this moment is in really good shape, really good form.”
      Rashford’s goalscoring run since returning from the World Cup is the best of any player in Europe’s top leagues.
      He scored another wonder goal against Nottingham Forest in the midweek on the back of his spectacular opener at Arsenal last weekend.
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      New on-loan signing Wout Weghorst also broke his duck in the Carabao Cup tie at the City Ground and with Antony on form in that game too, Ten Hag is confident in his attacking line-up — despite Anthony Martial’s ongoing fitness problems.
      Ten Hag said: “The front line now gives me a positive feeling, it’s getting stronger and they take benefit from each other.
      “In the first part of the  season, we had many problems in the front line.
      “Often we had games where we didn’t have players who were 100 per cent physically and mentally fit.
      “Now that’s not the case as much and Marcus can take even more benefit from such situations.”
      United take on Reading on Saturday night in the FA Cup fourth round as the only team in the country still fighting on four fronts.
      It means they are in a fixture run of ten games in 30 days but Ten Hag is not complaining.
      He said: “It’s tough but I think it’s always better to have games rather than training. Players like more games.
      “There is a good spirit and a good mood in this dressing room to cope with that.
      Antony and loanee Wout Weghorst are offering Rashford impressive support up front for the in-form Red DevilsCredit: Reuters
      “We want to stay in those competitions as long as possible so we have to fight for that. It is good for the development of this squad.
      “Every day we have to give our maximum, good is not good enough. We have to do better.
      “It’s never at an end. We want to win every game. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.”
      Tonight’s Cup game could give club captain Harry Maguire a chance to stake his claim for a regular first-team spot again.
      He is right down the pecking order for one of the centre-back spots given the form of those ahead of him.
       And Ten Hag told him to battle to get his place back.
      The Dutchman said: “It’s up to him. He has to fight for his position and things can change quickly. I have to say he’s training very well, I think he is making progress.
      “After the World Cup, he should have played but then he got ill. I can’t do anything about that and he knows that.
      For them (Reading) it’s a perfect chance, we have to be aware of that and be on the front foot.Erik ten Hag
      “Then he has to wait for his chance, you have to wait for a change and make sure you are ready if the chance is there.”
      Meanwhile, Ten Hag says Jadon Sancho is on his way back after being sidelined since October, with the manager believing he has not been physically or mentally right to play.
      The winger, 22, only recently returned to full training with the first team since his last appearance at Chelsea.
      Ten Hag added: “He is  training with the team and improving  and we will make a decision after training.”
      Sancho is more likely to make the bench for tonight’s game as United aim for two trips to Wembley this season.
      They look to be on their way  in the Carabao Cup after  winning the first leg of their semi-final  against Forest 3-0.
      But Ten Hag will not underestimate their opponents  this evening, despite Reading standing 14th in the Championship.
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      He said: “Every opponent will be tough, especially in the Cup.
      “For them it’s a perfect chance, we have to be aware of that and be on the front foot.” More

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      Moises Caicedo begs Brighton to sell him in bombshell statement after Arsenal have £60m bid turned down

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      MOISES CAICEDO has released a statement calling on Brighton to let him leave the club.Arsenal have reportedly seen a bid of £60million rejected by the Seagulls as Roberto De Zerbi looks to keep hold of the midfielder beyond the January transfer window.
      Moises Caicedo has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the January windowCredit: Getty
      But, with the window set to close on Tuesday, the Ecuadorian, 21, has now posted on social media in a bid to accelerate his exit.
      Speaking on Instagram, Caicedo shared a picture of the Brighton badge and said: “I am grateful to Mr. Bloom and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
      “I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador.
      “My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
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      “I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
      “The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity. 🙌🏽🙏🏽”
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted this week: “We need more cover in midfield but it’s pretty complicated to do that in this market”.
      Meanwhile, Brighton have also rejected a £55m bid from Chelsea for Caicedo.
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      The South Coast club have a history of holding out for the full asking price and previously refused to enter into negotiations before selling Ben White, Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma.
      And it is understood that they could be demanding as much as £100m for Caicedo, who cost them just £4.5m when they bought him from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle two years ago.
      Whether Arsenal would be willing to go that high remains to be seen, especially given they have only just signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton for an initial £21m plus up to £5m in add-ons.
      The Gunners have also bought Polish defender Jakub Kiwior for an initial £17.5m from Spezia.
      Arteta has been given the green light to spend big this month and selling clubs are aware that they were willing to pay as much as £88m for winger Mykhailo Mudryk before he recently signed for Chelsea.
      Everton’s Amadou Onana and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi are both being monitored as potential alternatives if Arsenal can’t get Caicedo.
      But they are expected to make at least one improved bid for the tough-tackling Ecuadorian World Cup star and are still hopeful a deal can be struck before the window closes. More

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      Arsenal player ratings: Trossard outshines new team-mates against Man City but Holding is hooked during Haaland battle

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      MANCHESTER CITY got one over on their Premier League title challengers Arsenal by dumping them out of the FA Cup.Arsenal may hold a five-point advantage and a game in hand in the league, but it was City whose FA Cup run continues thanks to a Nathan Ake winner.
      Leandro Trossard impressed on his full Arsenal debutCredit: AFP
      Rob Holding lost his battle with Erling HaalandCredit: Getty
      On his full debut, Leandro Trossard outshone his team-mates, giving Rico Lewis a torrid time in the first half.
      He created Takehiro Tomiyasu’s early shot on goal and even had a pop himself, but his effort was well saved by Stefan Ortega.
      Rob Holding, meanwhile, had an evening to forget as he went head-on with goal machine Erling Haaland.
      City’s tactic to isolate Holding with Haaland worked with the defender getting booked just before half-time before being subbed.
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      Pep Guardiola will be hoping Friday’s defeat will unnerve Prem table-toppers Arsenal in the second half of the season.
      Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Gunners.
      Matt Turner – 6
      Only his sixth start for Arsenal.
      Was out well to deny Haaland with his feet early on and made a good second half stop from De Bruyne.
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      Picked up a second half shoulder injury not long before he was beaten by Ake’s shot. 
      Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
      Early shot from edge of box tipped away by Ortega.
      Cleaned up Haaland’s overhead kick and was deputising well – but then allowed Grealish to wriggle away from him to create the opening goal.
      Rob Holding – 5
      A rare start with Saliba dropping down to the bench and what a test to be up against Haaland.
      Booked for pulling back the Norwegian and was in danger of getting a red so hooked at the break.
      Gabriel – 7
      Beaten to a loose ball by Haaland and relieved the Norwegian’s radar was off for once and looked more comfortable with Saliba alongside him.
      Would have been happy to help keep Haaland relatively quiet.
      Kieran Tierney – 6
      Given the nod ahead of former City man ZInchenko – and did well to keep the in-form Mahrez under wraps.
      Careless clearance almost put his team in trouble and replaced by Zinchenko after the opening goal.
      Fabio Vieira – 7
      Stepped in so Odegaard could have a rest.
      Fluffed a second half volley when he had more time than he realised shortly before City took the lead.
      Lovely cross almost created an equaliser for Nketiah.
      Thomas Partey – 7
      Great challenge on De Bruyne on edge of the box late in first half and helped the Gunners control City in the opening 45 minutes.
      Did not reappear after the break – leaving the visiting fans praying he is not injured as he was missed.
      Granit Xhaka – 7
      Sent off last time he played here 18 months ago but is a different player these days and showed some real authority in the first half.
      Found it more difficult after Partey had gone off at the break as City took command in the middle.
      Bukayo Saka – 5
      England ace was up against a makeshift full-back in Ake but got little change out of the Dutch centre-back.
      Guardiola is a big admirer but he had a frustrating night before being replaced by Odegaard as Arteta tried to salvage the game late on. 
      Eddie Nketiah – 6
      The hero against United on Sunday had a chance to repeat the trick but volleyed a decent chance wide on the half hour.
      So close to getting on the end of Vieira’s cross to level but was denied by Laporte’s last ditch tackle.
      Leandro Trossard – 8
      Very encouraging full debut.
      Some nice work to set up Tomiyasu for early strike at goal.
      Had a shot of his own that was well saved by Ortega and gave young Lewis a torrid first half.
      Surprisingly subbed when Arsenal needed an equaliser.
      Subs
      William Saliba (for Holding, 45 min) – 6
       Could have made himself bigger for the City goal.
      Albert Sambi Lokonga (for Partey, 45 min) – 5
      Came on for Partey at half-time but did not have the same impact.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Tierney, 65 min) – 6
      Replaced Tierney on 65 minutes and got a warm welcome back to his old club.
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      Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 66 min) – 7
      On for Trossard midway through the second half and also looked lively denied an equaliser by Ortega late on.
      Martin Odegaard (for Saka, 74 min) – 6
      Thrown on in place of Saka in the 74th minute but for once he could not find the answer.
      Man City play Arsenal again in February More

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      Graham Potter takes Chelsea stars to meet soldiers in bid to improve team spirit and embed new transfers

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      GRAHAM POTTER has turned to the army in a bid to build a better team spirit at Chelsea.Boss Potter took his troops to meet real soldiers as part of a bonding day to encourage more togetherness in the dressing room.
      Graham Potter is hoping the army can help transform Chelsea’s seasonCredit: Getty
      He also wants to use the experience to help the flood of new signings settle in quickly at the club while Chelsea have some down time.
      The whole squad were taken to an army base near to the town of Liss in Hampshire last Tuesday. 
      Bordon and Longmoor Military Camp is in the area and are operational training camps with a long history in the Armed Forces.
      But there was no rough stuff or hardcore drilling – instead Potter used the experience to train the minds of his players with a series of mental exercises to get them thinking and working together.
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      Deep thinker Potter is renowned for employing off-the-wall tactics to encourage team spirit in his squads and his offbeat ideas.
      While manager of Swedish minnows Ostersunds between 2011 and 2018 he got his players to perform ballet, write a theatre show about Vikings and perform traditional Finnish rap songs to an audience.
      With Chelsea already knocked out of this season’s FA Cup the team has a blank fixture weekend so Potter is using the time to work on mental matters as well as full physical training.
      He has another couple of ideas planned for next week but they remain a closely guarded secret.
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      Chelsea’s new American owners turned to Potter as manager in September as part of a long term project to transform the club following a £4.25billion takeover.
      Six new players have been signed this month alone at a total cost of £189.5million which includes the £9m loan fee for forward Joao Felix.
      Potter wants to harmonise the growing numbers as quickly as possible.
      He said only last week that he had plans to get his team out of its comfort zone with team bonding to try to improve results on the pitch.
      He said: “There will be an element of team bonding.
      “We need to try to bring the group together. There are a few new faces, we’ve got a bit of window now. It’s not just about the grass, it’s about how you interact as a team and as a group.
      “There are some things we can do, and we will use the two weeks to try to do that as best as we can.
      “We have a window to do it, and with a lot of players here, we need to build some togetherness, some understanding, and we have to be creative with how we do it.”
      Chelsea have won only two of their last ten games in all competitions and sit tenth in the Premier League table. More