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      Newcastle to launch Moussa Diaby transfer raid with Bayer Leverkusen winger also being targeted by rivals Arsenal

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      NEWCASTLE want to launch a transfer bid for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, reports in Germany say. The Premier League side last summer tried but failed to prise the speedy forward over to Tyneside.
      Newcastle want to launch a transfer bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa DiabyCredit: Getty
      Now according to Bild, Diaby is a “dream” signing for Newcastle, who could be braced for a new bid this month.
      The Frenchman, 23, has scored six goals in 15 games this season, which has attracted attention from the likes of Arsenal.
      Eddie Howe’s Newcastle sit third in the league and look to challenge for a top four finish.
      They are out to improve their attack and as revealed by SunSport, are also contesting for the signing of Ben Brereton.
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      Clubs at home and abroad have made inquiries for Rovers’ Chile international, who is rated at £15million.
      But the price remains the same despite his contract expiring in the summer — meaning he can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club now.
      Newcastle are joined by Everton, West Ham and Leeds in not wanting to pay that fee.
      The 23-year-old striker enjoyed a breakout season last year in which he scored 22 goals in 37 Championship games.
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      While he has not been as prolific this season, he has still been in good form, having scored ten goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
      One of his goals even came as a late equaliser against West Ham in the Carabao Cup meeting between the sides.
      Blackburn went on to win the fixture by defeating the Premier League side on penalties at the London Stadium.
      Newcastle are linked with Blackburn’s Ben BreretonCredit: Getty More

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      Graham Potter admits Man City drubbing was ‘painful’ as Pep Guardiola urges Todd Boehly not to sack Chelsea manager

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is urging Chelsea not to sack Graham Potter.Guardiola’s Manchester City inflicted what Potter admitted was a “tough, painful” 4-0 FA Cup defeat.
      Cesar Azpilicueta shows the misery of Chelsea’s 4-0 FA Cup lossCredit: AFP
      Graham Potter says criticism and handling a poor run are all ‘part of the challenge’ and he’s been backed by rival boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: AFP
      But despite Chelsea’s fifth loss in seven games, the City chief told Stamford Bridge co-owner Todd Boehly his manager “needs more time”.
      Visiting fans chanted for old boss Thomas Tuchel after a three-goal blitz destroyed their men before half-time.
      Riyad Mahrez’s brilliant free-kick, a Julian Alvarez penalty and a neat Phil Foden finish on 38 minutes killed off dismal Chelsea.
      Midfielder Mahrez, who hit the only goal in Thursday’s Premier League clash between the same sides, then tucked home a late spot-kick.
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      Injury-hit Chelsea were booed off at both the interval and full-time as City outclassed them – just three days after their much tighter game.
      Potter said: “The first half was painful and tough for us all. We were second best to a very, very good side. 
      “We are not in a great moment and even though it was a cagey first 20 minutes we couldn’t attack the backline well enough.
      “Manchester City are very good at stopping you doing that but at the same time we struggled.”
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      And of Chelsea’s poor run, he added: “You can make excuses and look for reasons or say it isn’t good enough. Both of those answers are correct. 
      We have to keep improving and stick together because clearly we are suffering as a football club and it’s not nice at all.”
      “You understand the supporters’ frustration, we respect that.
      “There are always other opinions and negativity and criticism because the results haven’t been positive.
      “That’s part of the job and part of the challenge.”
      Englishman Potter believes Chelsea should be patient in the same way City were with Guardiola in his first season at City.
      And the Spaniard agrees.
      Guardiola said: “I would say to Todd Boehly, ‘Give him time’. I know in the big clubs the results are important but I would say give him time. 
      “What he has done in Brighton was outstanding, but all managers need time. We needed time in my first season.” More

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      I once snuck into Old Trafford dressed as a steward… now I’m back as Charlton boss, says Man Utd superfan Dean Holden

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S biggest fan will arguably be sitting in the Charlton dugout at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.For Addicks boss Dean Holden is a ‘forever Red’, a proud season ticket holder for 30 years.
      Ardent Man Utd supporter Dean Holden is hoping to leave Old Trafford with a shock Carabao Cup victory for his Charlton sideCredit: Rex
      Erik ten Hag is keen for the Red Devils to win silverware in his first seasonCredit: Rex
      And someone who also played for the club at junior level.
      But that deep connection will not stop Greater Manchester-born Holden from wanting to oust his heroes from the Carabao Cup.
      The two clubs meet in a quarter-final clash — and this time Holden will not have to disguise himself as a fake steward to watch the tie, either.
      Instead, he will proudly walk out from the tunnel where he once “worked” at a Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Borussia Dortmund.
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      Holden, 43, recalled: “My dad, uncle and brother-in-law were all stewards at Old Trafford.
      “I got let down once with a ticket for the Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
      “However, one of the stewards didn’t turn up for the game.
      “So, there was a spare hi-vis jacket and radio. I wore them and went and sat next to my old man by the tunnel.
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      “God knows what I would’ve done had there been a pitch invasion!”
      Holden has used that light touch and sense of adventure to help Charlton recover from a poor season following his appointment last month.
      Now after two successive wins in League One, including the 2-1 defeat of Lincoln on Saturday which moved them up to 12th place in the table, the club are starting to believe.
      So can they really KO United? Holden said: “I’ve told my players, ‘if you don’t believe it can happen, it won’t happen’.
      “I’m not just talking about beating Man United, either. It applies to everything.
      “My old man has been a United supporter all his life.
      “So it will be special for him also to see me coming out of the tunnel.
      “Old Trafford is the best stadium in the world, and we’re playing one of the best clubs in the world. My Charlton players can enjoy it, though — it’s a free hit for them.”
      Holden’s United dream came true when he also played for United’s junior teams before joining Bolton as a teenager.
      United are in my blood. If we don’t beat them on Tuesday, I hope they win the competition.
      He recalled: “I played alongside Wes Brown and current Leyton Orient boss, Richie Wellens.
      “United are in my blood. If we don’t beat them on Tuesday, I hope they win the competition.
      “I shall definitely try for a chat with Erik ten Hag, United’s manager. He has changed the culture at the club.
      “You can see that by the way he handled Ronaldo and also dropped Marcus Rashford for a disciplinary reason.
      “He’s put standards in place, and he’s got the team playing with confidence. He’s the right man for the job.”
      Holden is not the only Charlton figure with a United connection.
      Winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, who scored the club’s second goal after Scott Fraser’s opener against Lincoln at the Valley, has known first-hand about red-hot United striker Rashford since he was a kid.
      Blackett-Taylor, 25, said: “When I was nine or 10 in Aston Villa’s academy, we used to play against Rashford and Manchester United.

      “We all knew he was going to be a player. In those days, he played more as a No 10 or in centre midfield.”
      He added: “The game at Old Trafford is definitely winnable. I’ve never played there before and we’re going to enjoy it and express ourselves.” More

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      Stevenage brutally troll Philippe Coutinho on Twitter… BEFORE League Two side’s incredible last-gasp FA Cup comeback win

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      STEVENAGE gambled by slating Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho on social media – minutes BEFORE their incredible last-gasp FA Cup giant-killing.The League Two side taunted the ex-Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker online when he was taken off as Premier League Villa led 1-0.
      Philippe Coutinho was sunk by a Stevenage tweet as Prem side Aston Villa crashed out of the FA Cup to their League Two visitorsCredit: Rex
      Big-name Villa midfielder Coutinho was replaced by Emiliano Buendia on 66 minutes as the first of five Villa substitutionsCredit: Rex
      66′ – Philippe Coutinho comes off.The substitution took longer than usual as they had to dig him out of Luther James-Wildin’s back pocket.#AVFC 1-0 #SFC ⚪️🔵— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) January 8, 2023

      Fans waded in to warn the “embarrassing tweet” could backfire – but instead Stevenage struck twice in the final three minutes to triumph 2-1.
      The minnows had posted on their official account: “66′ – Philippe Coutinho comes off. The substitution took longer than usual as they had to dig him out of Luther James-Wildin’s back pocket.”
      And at first Stevenage were deluged with comments criticising their timing and judgement.
      One poster said: “This is the most cringe and forced tweet I think I’ve ever seen, not to mention you’re losing.”
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      Similar points included: “Be cocky when you’re winning” … “you’re losing fellas” … and “Oh dear, this type of tweet does not work when you’re losing”.
      Some fans, however, applauded Stevenage’s boldness.
      One said: “Savagery mid game you gotta love it.”
      Another added: “I hate Stevenage but that’s funny.”
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      And when the Hertfordshire outsiders pulled off their amazing turnaround success, the tone changed online too.
      Fans feasted on Villa’s misfortune with jibes like: “Few people deleting tweets now” and “look at the comments hahaha”.
      Some Villa fans, though, applauded Stevenage – for their victory and even for spotlighting Coutinho.”
      One said: “Fair play. He was poor for us today… and last week… and last year.”
      Stevenage cheekily hailed their former non-League right-back Luther James-Wildin for keeping Coutinho at bayCredit: Rex More

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      Chelsea fans chant Thomas Tuchel’s name in away end during Man City FA Cup drubbing as pressure mounts on Graham Potter

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      CHELSEA fans chanted ex-boss Thomas Tuchel’s name as pressure rose on Graham Potter with Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup drubbing at Manchester City.Potter’s men have dropped to tenth in the Premier League since he took over in September and a weakened side was humiliated at the Etihad as they lost in the third round for the first time this millennium.
      Ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel got plenty of support from fansCredit: Getty
      Current manager Graham Potter commiserates with new signing David Datro Fofana after Chelsea were humbled 4-0 at the EtihadCredit: Getty
      Supporters in the away end made their feelings loud and clear during and following the third-round exit.
      Riyahd Mahrez, Julian Alvarez’s penalty and Phil Foden struck in a rapid first-half burst to spark discontent from Chelsea fans.
      And Mahrez notched a late spot-kick that underlined City’s domination.
      Chelsea fans chanted “We’ve got Super Tommy Tuchel”.
      And many supporters streamed out of the away end once the Londoners fell 3-0 down in the 39th minute.
      Pro-Tuchel shouts became more raucous in the second period.
      And there were even some chants for former club owner Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch.
      Support for Tuchel also flooded in on social media.
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      One observer posted: “Love this!!!!! Boehly sacked Tuchel’s for he’s own reason and imagination towards football which he’s doesn’t know about. Bring back Tuchel. He’s the only one who can get this club going.”
      Another said: “You only value something after you lose it.”
      And many believe Potter is already doomed.
      One supporter tweeted: “It’s kicking off the beginning of the end.”
      And another was even more direct over Potter’s future.
      He tweeted: “Luis Enrique and Zidane are available. They should approach one of them seriously.” More

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      Chelsea verdict: Potter must be sick of Man City but at least woeful Blues won’t face more cup final heartache this year

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      THE only consolation for Chelsea was that they know only too well it could have been worse.Four years ago, they shipped six goals here at the Etihad – and maybe if Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne had played it could have been similarly embarrassing here.  
      Graham Potter has plenty to reflect on after another humblingCredit: AFP
      Chelsea new boy David Datro Fofana played the second half but could do little as Man City won easilyCredit: Getty
      Mason Mount shows the pain of Chelsea’s FA Cup maulingCredit: Reuters
      At least it was only four this time.
      But the sight of Chelsea fans streaming out of the exits in the 39th minute told you everything about where Graham Potter’s reign is right now.
      Maybe some were looking to beat the queues for the toilets or to get their half-time pie in early.
      However, the fact their team were 3-0 down to a rampant Manchester City and many of the seats were unoccupied when the second half resumed suggested some were already heading home.
      Potter must have almost wished he could join them too – he must be sick of the sight of the champions and their boss Pep Guardiola.
      The former Brighton boss now has only two wins in his last 10 matches – yet three of those have been against City.
      That is one of the mitigating factors which Potter must hope spares him the same fate as many of his predecessors.
      Even when they are not quite at their brilliant best, nobody wants to face Guardiola’s side three times in the space of six matches.
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      Phil Foden completed Man City’s burst of three quick goalsCredit: Getty
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      And when you are going in without a whole team of absent first teamers it becomes an even more daunting assignment.
      Yet they still had nine senior players in their starting line-up and the way heads dropped after Chelsea went behind will be a huge concern for Potter.
      The fact that some of the travelling fans sang the name of Thomas Tuchel – the man who Potter replaced in September – during the second half felt quite telling.
      The word from the Stamford Bridge board room before the game was the manager still has their backing despite the face they are in 10th place in the table.
      Well now they are out of both domestic cups too – at least their fans are spared the pain of losing in the final – as they experienced in both last season.
      To be Chelsea did OK for the first quarter here – keeping the ball for long periods without ever really opening the home side up.
      But the way the visitors seemed to fold after Riyad Mahrez’s stunning free-kick on 23 minutes shows this is a team with real problem.
      Fifteen minutes later it was 3-0 and the tie was over.
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      Potter now has to rally his troops for a West London derby at Fulham – who currently sit three places and three points above them in the table.
      Lose that and the calls for Potter’s head will be deafening.
      Kai Havertz struggled as an out-of-out striker as Chelsea slumpedCredit: Getty
      Man City scorers Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden celebrateCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea ratings: Experienced Mateo Kovacic fails to lead young Blues but Conor Gallagher shows flashes of finding form

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      CHELSEA’S week went from bad to worse as they suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City.Jorginho and Kai Havertz had games to forget as Chelsea exited the FA Cup in the third round for the first time since 1998.
      Kai Havertz senselessly gave a penalty away by punching a corner awayCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were poor with the latter subbed at half-timeCredit: EPA
      Kalidou Koulibaly also conceded a penalty with a clumsy foul on Phil FodenCredit: PA
      Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden both got on the scoresheetCredit: Reuters
      City showed their quality and tore Chelsea apart in a scintillating first-half display.
      Riyad Mahrez scored a free-kick and Phil Foden scored from close range either side of a Julian Alvarez penalty as a youthful Blues side trailed 3-0 at half-time.
      Graham Potter wrung the changes for the second half including Havertz, who once again was awful and gave away a very silly penalty.
      Chelsea prevented the scoreline from becoming embarrassing but it was another day to forget for the West Londoners.
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      Here is how SunSport rated the Chelsea display.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
      Could do nothing about Mahrez’s inch-perfect free-kick.
      Mind-games didn’t work on Julian Alvarez for City’s first penalty, although he did come close to saving.
      Conceded twice more on a frustrating evening.
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      Trevoh Chalobah – 4
      Found life difficult up against Cole Palmer and Foden in an unfamiliar right-back role.
      Looked more assured when Chelsea switched to a back five mid-way through the second half.
      Bashir Humphreys – 5
      Was caught out by City forwards running in behind on a couple of occasions but should be cut some slack given it was his debut.
      Kalidou Koulibaly – 3
      Was supposed to be the experienced head in a youthful backline but he did not organise the defence well or lead by example.
      Dived in recklessly to foul Foden and concede a penalty which allowed City to make it 4-0.
      Lewis Hall – 6
      Built on his two impressive performances against City over the last few weeks with another solid display.
      The youngster was very positive on the ball but Mahrez did get the better of him on a few occasions, though that is probably to be expected.
      Jorginho – 3
      Anonymous first half as the hosts dominated the ball – Chelsea barely got a touch and could not even get their counter-attack going.
      His awful display was summed up when he passed the ball out of play for a City corner under no pressure at all.
      Mateo Kovacic – 3
      Should have helped out Hall in the build-up to City’s third as Kyle Walker found far too much space to assist Phil Foden’s goal.
      He looked leggy throughout the first half and lacked his usual sharpness on the ball so was unsurprisingly taken off at half-time.
      Conor Gallagher – 5
      Provided energy in midfield as he did after coming off the bench against City on Thursday.
      But he lacked a little quality at times and his final ball let him down.
      Hakim Ziyech – 4
      Some nice touches in and around the area but lacked bite up-front, though he also lacked support from his team-mates.
      Mason Mount – 4
      Quiet game from the England star as he struggled to impact play from the left flank.
      Mount has now only scored one goal in his last 11 games and Potter is struggling to get a tune out of him.
      Kai Havertz – 3
      Stupidly gave away a penalty by punching clear a Foden corner, which was converted by Alvarez.
      Offered little up-front in terms of link-up play or holding the ball up and was hooked at the break.
      Subs
      Denis Zakaria (for Kovacic, 45mins) – 6
      Shored up Chelsea’s midfield and offered some much-needed protection. Should have started.
      David Fofana (for Havertz, 45mins) – 5
      Difficult game to make his debut in but he was bright and showed glimpses of quality.
      Cesar Azpilicueta (for Jorginho, 63 mins) – 6
      Added some much-needed energy and fight and helped give his side a foothold in the game – though City did take their foot of the gas.
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      Omari Hutchinson (for Ziyech, 63mins) – 5
      Some sloppy touches from the youngster but he did at least try to make things happen.
      Carney Chukwuemeka (for Mount, 73 mins) – 4
      Struggled to get into the game with Chelsea accepting defeat by the time he came on. More

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      Man Utd told to ‘break the bank’ for Harry Kane transfer who can make them Champions League contenders, says Paul Merson

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to “break the bank” for Tottenham star Harry Kane.The Red Devils are in the market for a new striker following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in October.
      Manchester United have been told to sign Harry KaneCredit: Getty
      Paul Merson reckons that Kane would help United challenge Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      The Portuguese striker left the club following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      This has left Manchester United short of options upfront and former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes they should go all out for Kane.
      The England international is a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League having netted 265 goals and 62 assists across 412 games for Spurs.
      And Merson thinks that a potential signing of Kane would help them close the gap to cross-city rivals Manchester City.
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      He told the Daily Star: “In an age where clubs spend money for fun and world-class centre-forwards are a rarity, I would find it crazy if Manchester United did not break the bank for Harry Kane.
      “You can look all around the world, rack your brains and round up every scout within your network and the answer is right there in front of you. There is nobody that comes close to Kane that is currently available.
      “If United ever want to catch Manchester City, they’ve got to go and get Kane. Everybody wants a striker and is searching far and wide but the best centre-forward is staring everybody in the face.
      “He plays for a team in Tottenham that are going to win absolutely nothing and surely, sooner or later his head is going to be turned by a move again.
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      “I don’t know what I’m missing here. Even if he costs £150million and it’s a four or five-year contract, you are buying over 100 goals. Who else is going to give you that?”
      Merson also revealed that he thinks Kane would be able to produce the same impact as Erling Haaland if he was at Manchester City.
      He goes as far to say that if the Red Devils signed Kane that they would have a chance to win the Champions League.
      He added: “Everyone talks about Erling Haaland but for me, Kane could deliver similar numbers in that Manchester City team and even add more assists.
      “Call me silly but Kane would even give United a chance of winning the Champions League in my opinion.
      “He is a machine. Tottenham are only where they are because of Harry Kane, it really is that simple. He is the difference.” More