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      Newcastle ‘line up sensational double transfer swoop for England stars Jarrod Bowen and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’

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      NEWCASTLE are preparing a sensational double bid for West Ham star Jarrod Bowen and Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to reports.Bowen and Calvert-Lewin, both 27, feature prominently in the Magpies’ recruitment meetings and club chiefs know both moves are complicated as well as expensive and will require player sales.West Ham star Jarrod Bowen is a top target as Newcastle are prioritising a right wingerCredit: RexEverton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin is seen as Callum Wilson’s replacementCredit: RexAccording to The Telegraph, the Toon’s interest in both forwards is “genuine” and they are part of a “very short list” of summer transfer targets.Signing a right winger is a “top priority” for manager Eddie Howe and thus the Geordies have turned to longstanding target Bowen.Newcastle are also keeping tabs on Crystal Palace star Michael Olise but fear they will miss out on him ahead of an imminent bidding war for the Frenchman.That is why the Tyneside outfit are looking at the West Ham star – who scored 20 goals across all competitions this season.Read More on FootballThe Premier League giants almost signed the England international four years ago when he left Hull as he agreed terms with then-St James’ Park manager Steve Bruce.However, former owner Mike Ashley pulled the plug due to the winger’s £22million release clause, with the player now expected to be worth three times that figure.West Ham will be reluctant to let Bowen go but the player could be tempted to finally make the move following David Moyes’ departure from the the London Stadium.Calvert-Lewin is also a long-term target for Newcastle, with the club keeping tabs on him for the last two years.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the club’s interest is expected to increase ahead of Callum Wilson’s imminent departure.Wilson is increasingly likely to be sold this summer, a year before his contract runs out.Footie For All Campaign With West Ham Player Jarrod BowenSaudi clubs have already been in talks with Newcastle over a potential deal for the striker.Calvert-Lewin is considered the perfect replacement but the club would first have to sell Wilson.DCL has been hit by various injury problems but still made 38 appearances for Everton this season, including 32 in the Premier League.And Howe believes the centre-forward will score a lot more goals as part of his attack-minded team.Bowen scored 20 goals across all competitions for West HamCalvert-Lewin played 32 Premier League games this season despite his injury woes More

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      Scott Carson, 38, set for shock new Man City contract as former England keeper’s incredible trophy haul is revealed

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      MANCHESTER CITY are ready to hand third choice keeper Scott Carson another 12 month contract.The former England man, 38, has spent the last five years at the Etihad but has made only two appearances for them.Scott Carson is set to sign a new contract with Man CityCredit: GettyThe goalkeeper has made just two appearances for Man CityCredit: PAOne of those was a start in a Premier League game at Newcastle three years ago when City already knew they had won the league.The other came 10 months later when he replaced Ederson as a second half sub in a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon when the team were comfortably ahead on aggregate.However he is a big part of the first team squad at City and boss Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of him.And the club have decided to extend his stay until next summer with a fresh deal expected to be confirmed in the coming days.Read More on FootballGuardiola’s two first choice keepers are Ederson and Stefan Ortega but there are question marks over the future of both this summer.Sunsport revealed earlier this week that Carson has been given Prem title medals for the last four seasons.He did not take a medal following City’s latest title win on Sunday as he did not feature in a single game for the champions over the course of the season.However he is expected to receive one from the club in the coming weeks – just like he has done in each of the past three seasons.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCarson has won several trophies since joining City five years agoEngland midfielder Kalvin Phillips made four league appearances for City before heading out on loan to West Ham – and will also get a medal.However Aymeric Laporte (12 mins), Cole Palmer (10 mins) and James McAtee (1 min) are likely to miss out.Pep Guardiola drops Man City bombshell moments after winning title as he reveals ‘I’m closer to leaving than staying’Carson also got a Champions League gong when City lifted the trophy in Istanbul last year.Carson WILL receive Prem medalSCOTT CARSON is in line to receive another Prem title medal – to add to his impressive collection.
      The former England keeper was one of the first to the podium on Sunday as he was on the bench as Manchester City clinched a fourth straight crown.
      He did not take a medal at the time as he did not feature in a single game for the champions over the course of the season.
      However he is expected to receive one from the club in the coming weeks – just like he has done in each of the past three seasons.
      Anyone who makes five appearances in the league over the course of a season is guaranteed a medal from the Prem.
      However the champions usually receive around 40 and in recent years City have made sure they look after players who have not reached that figure – but play their part.
      Despite only making two appearances in his five years at the Etihad, Carson, 38, is a much loved member of the first team squad.
      He was filmed leading the celebrations among the City squad back in the dressing room minutes after the final whistle of Sunday’s final game against West Ham.
      Boss Pep Guardiola is also close to Carson and has spoken before of the important role the ex-Derby keeper plays with squad morale.
      The veteran keeper also received a medal when City ended their long-wait for the Champions League trophy in June last year.
      England midfielder Kalvin Phillips made four league appearances for City before heading out on loan to West Ham – and will also get a medal.
      However Aymeric Laporte (12 mins), Cole Palmer (10 mins) and James McAtee (1 min) are likely to miss out. More

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      Chelsea ‘narrow manager shortlist to four’ including Maresca, McKenna and Premier League boss to replace Pochettino

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      FOUR managers remain in contention to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, according to reports.The Argentine shockingly quit the Blues on Tuesday by mutual consent after just one season in charge.Enzo Maresca could switch Leicester for Chelsea this summerCredit: GettyKieran McKenna is rated highly by Chelsea chiefsCredit: GettyThe Blues are also interested in Thomas FrankCredit: RexChelsea chiefs are working hard to land his replacement and hope to do so within the next week.Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are in charge of appointing a new boss.And the duo have narrowed down their lengthy shortlist to four.The Telegraph claim Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford boss Thomas Frank and another unnamed candidate remain in contention.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInterest in Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Girona’s Michel has been dropped.Further talks are expected with the four coaches to decide which one is the club’s first choice.Reports suggest that Maresca, McKenna and Frank all open to potentially leaving their clubs for Chelsea.Maresca’s release clause at Leicester is worth a supposed £8.5million.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPochettino’s Chelsea record
      MAURICIO POCHETTINO had just started to turn Chelsea around.
      An impressive run of end-of-season form saw the Blues leapfrog the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle to finish sixth in the Premier League – and earn a Europa League spot.
      But it wasn’t enough to keep him in a job as it was announced on Tuesday evening that the Argentine had left.
      Here are all Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge stats:
      Premier League – 6th
      FA Cup – Semi-finals (lost to Man City)
      Carabao Cup – Runners-up (Lost to Liverpool)
      Total record:
      Games 51Wins 26Draws 11Defeats 14
      Goals for 103Goals against 74

      And the Italian worked with Chelsea’s director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields while he was a coach at Manchester City.McKenna and Frank’s buyout clauses are both thought to be cheaper.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaAnd the latter also has links to those inside Stamford Bridge via new set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva.He has just made the short move across West London from Brentford to Chelsea and Frank could follow.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaEnzo Maresca is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
      Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
      His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
      He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
      His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
      Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
      He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
      He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
      Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
      He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
      During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. More

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      ‘You’re only here because of your t**s’ – Newcastle Wag and sports presenter Diletta Leotta opens up on sexist abuse

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      LORIS KARIUS’ partner Diletta Leotta has opened up on the sexist abuse she receives as a TV presenter. Diletta – a regular on DAZN in Italy – revealed the hate she got right from the start of her career.Diletta Leotta has opened up on the sexist abuse she receives as a TV presenterCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaShe is the partner of goalkeeper Loris KariusCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaThe couple have been together since 2022Credit: Instagram @dilettaleottaShe told F Magazine: “The worst thing was: ‘You’re only here because of your t**s.’ “A colleague from Sky Sport told me how people were talking about me.”I had just arrived, I was twenty years old: it hurt like crazy. At home that evening I let out a liberating cry. “That brought out the lion in me, I learned a lot. I got my degree [in law] so that no one could ever say something like that to me again.” READ MORE IN football Keeper Karius – who has had a string of glam girlfriends in the past – is believed to have met Diletta in Paris.They then began dating in 2022 and welcomed their baby daughter Aria in August 2023.Karius – formerly of Liverpool – has been at Newcastle since 2022 but looks set to leave in the summer. And it comes after Diletta – who he proposed to in February – called for him to LEAVE as she lives back home in Italy with their daughter. Most read in FootballShe told Tuttosport: “Loris has people at his side who work for him. I live in Milan, so let’s say being close to Milan would be ideal for us.“I always tell him, players who come to Serie A then fall in love with Italy and often stay there forever. I think that could happen to him too.“[He should join] Monza or any other team in Italy. I would be happy if he came to Italy to play near his family. “Newcastle is very inconvenient because there are no direct flights. Neither about Paris nor about Amsterdam.”The couple are now engagedDiletta is a regular on DAZN in ItalyCredit: InstagramShe publicly called on Karius to leave NewcastleCredit: Getty More

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      Ultimate footie sex survey reveals which fans are Premier League’s WORST lovers & who is most likely to have an affair

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      WITH the football season ending on a thrilling note over the weekend, devoted fans will now have more time to score in the bedroom.But which sets of supporters have romped away with it in our exclusive sex survey – and who has scored an embarrassing own goal? How do fans of your football team score in the bedroom?Credit: GettyGemma Keough and husband Stephen’s love life is inspired by their love of Manchester UnitedCredit: SuppliedOur poll has delved into the sex lives of fans from every Premier League club – and came up with some startling results.With the help of OnePoll, we surveyed over 1,800 sexually active supporters across the clubs – 960 men, 875 women and 12 who identified as non-binary or other identity.We found that Wolves fans were top of the league for sex – with 33 per cent romping on a daily basis, followed by Everton (30 per cent) and Newcastle (25 per cent). Brentford fans were bottom of the table, sadly, with none of the respondents saying they had daily sex.Read More FeaturesFulham fans claimed to last the longest, with more than a third (36 per cent) boasting they averaged longer than half an hour.But that’s not the case for all of their fans. For some it’s a ‘they think it’s all over… it is now’ scenario, as more than a third (36 per cent) of Fulham supporters admit being the league’s worst lovers – lasting less than five minutes. They are followed by fans of Brighton and Hove Albion (23 per cent) placing second, and Burnley and Man Utd supporters (19 per cent) tying for third.Incredibly, many fans admit to taking their footie obsession into the bedroom, with 29 per cent of Wolves and West Ham fans saying they ‘always’ think about football during sex and a further 71 per cent saying they ‘occasionally’ did.Most read in FootballBut if you’re after a partner who keeps their mind on the job, opt for a fan of Sheffield United or Man Utd – 83 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively, say they NEVER think about the beautiful game in the bedroom.Randy Newcastle fans are top of the league as most likely to wear football kit for sex, while 66 per cent of Everton and 41 per cent of Aston Villa fans would rather see their team win than get it on with their partner.Here we reveal the full-time results of our very own league.Dear Deidre: Understanding why your man’s gone off sex ‘Win or lose, we head to the bedroom’Gemma and Stephen appear to be typical United fans between the sheetsCredit: Olivia WestMUM OF THREE Gemma Keough, 33,  and husband Stephen, 33, are die-hard Manchester United followers.The couple, from Chadderton, Manchester, say the survey results are spot on, claiming they regularly make love for longer than 30 minutes.Gemma says: “Stephen and I met at a friend’s party in June 2006 and we bonded over a love of Manchester United.Stephen told me he couldn’t date anyone who didn’t support his beloved Man U and, frankly, I was the same.There are times I’ll wear a football jersey to bed and it definitely gets us going.Win or lose – we celebrate or commiserate in the bedroomIn the bedroom, the football survey results fit us perfectly.We’re not like Fulham fans who finish in five minutes.We like to last as long as possible. We, like our team, have staying power.Stephen is a big fan of doggy style in the bedroom, just like most fans, apparently!
      When asked in our survey, ‘What’s the most unusual place you’ve had sex’, several answered they had romped in a graveyard, on the beach and in the cinema.
      Other had got steamy in the library, behind a police station, in a medieval monastery and in the staff toilets at Dominos Pizza. One even claimed they had sex in an old tree.

      The survey found more than three quarters of Man U supporters don’t think about footy when making love.We agree with that, although on occasion it can get us in the mood.Win or lose – we celebrate or commiserate in the bedroom.”’I wear Brighton shirt during sex’PARTY entertainer Jamie Bannerman, 43, is a Brighton and Hove Albion superfan and has supported the team since he was six years old.Jamie from Chessington, South West London, admits if the Seagulls win, bedroom fun is definitely on.Jamie Bannerman says if Brighton win, his best bedroom moves come outCredit: SuppliedHe says: “I’ve been a fan of Brighton and Hove Albion for 36 years and my love for the team is the longest relationship I have ever had. Home or away, I am there.The only reason I don’t have a season ticket now is the cost of living. I’m fascinated by the survey results and I can say I am definitely not in the Brighton fans who make love less than once a month.For me, it’s at  least a couple of times a week and, if the team scores, my best bedroom moves come out. The best sex positionsThe most searched sex positions…
      It’s more regular if the teams are on a winning streak. It definitely puts you in a more amorous mood because victory gets the endorphins rushing and helps my love-making.If the team loses, bedroom antics are not on the agenda. I have to admit I am in a bad mood for the next couple of days and I’d expect nothing less of a die hard fan.I wear an old Albion T-shirt to bed and it is essential bedroom wear. I reckon it makes me last longer between the sheets so I won’t give it up.My Mrs is a Palace supporter so if our teams are playing each other one of us is up for it and one of us isn’t.On occasion, I am one of the Seagulls fans who thinks about footie during sexI know she gets sick of seeing my team T-shirt in the bedroom and reckons it puts her in a bad mood, but team loyalty is important.It can be a footie war in our house when we’re competing against each other. It keeps us both on our toes.On occasion, I am one of the 58 per cent of Seagulls fans who sometimes think about footie during sex.If the team wins, of course I will – I feel spurred on thinking about it.I love my team and I reckon many fans’ love life is affected by their team’s performance!”’If we lose, it’s lights out’JENNIE Rees, 45, has been a Manchester United fan since she was nine and admits she won’t sleep with her fella if her team loses.Jennie, from Milton Keynes , Bucks, says a loss puts her in a shocking mood and she’d rather think about what the team did wrong.Jennie Rees thinks about Man United matches while getting it onCredit: SuppliedJennie says: “Man Utd winning or losing does rule my love life. I have followed the team for 36 years and their losses hit hard. If they don’t score it’s lights off and roll over to think about what the team did wrong.On the flip side,  my team helped me find the love of my life.I met my man, IT director Dan, 48, on a dating app 11 years ago and he’s a super Man U fan as well.When we first spoke, and Dan found out I could match him fact for fact about United, he said I was the one for him. We hadn’t even been on a date by then. A love of football has kept us together since and also means our libidos are in tune because we support the same team.Me and my fella go over play by play, so of course it’s on my mind when we get up to mischiefWe may make up the minority but me and my fella go over play by play, so of course it’s on my mind when we get up to mischief.I do think the statistic that Man U followers last longer than 30 minutes every time is hilarious.I don’t reckon anyone lasts that long on a regular basis!Dedicated fans like me and Dan enjoy a romp and then have enormous fun and more lengthy discussions talking about upcoming games.A true fan like me would rather see Man U win than make love  – that’s dedication for you.READ MORE SUN STORIESDan’s the same and it’s why we are so well connected – in and out of the bedroom.Loving the same team and thinking the same about football keeps passion in the relationship.” More

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      Shocking moment idiot films himself invading pitch and taunting Spurs in major security breach before Newcastle friendly

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      A FOOTBALL ‘fan’ filmed himself invading the pitch during Tottenham’s open training session in Melbourne on Tuesday.The Lilywhites travelled to Australia for a post-season friendly against Newcastle just a few hours after the Premier League season ended last week.Security were forced to remove a pitch invader during Tottenham’s training sessionCredit: EPAThe ‘fan’ invaded the pitch while the players were still thereCredit: TikTok/melbournesmenaceHe began screaming Arsenal chants at the playersCredit: TikTok/melbournesmenaceThey took part in an open training session at AAMI Park before facing Eddie Howe’s side.However, the session was interrupted by a brazen ‘fan’ who brands himself as ‘Melbournesmennace’ on TikTok.The man, who proved to be an Arsenal fan, filmed himself running onto the pitch and shouting at the Tottenham players.He could be heard screaming: “Come on you Gunners,” and “Arsenal, Arsenal,” in the direction of Emerson Royal and Micky van de Ven.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSecurity quickly escorted him off the pitch, but the fan claimed he avoided a fine on a technicality because it happened during an open training session rather than a match.Tottenham faced Newcastle in a post-season friendly on Wednesday.James Maddison opened the scoring 32 minutes into the match before Alexander Isak equalised on the brink of half-time.The score was 1-1 at full-time but Newcastle won 5-4 on penalties.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking after the match, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I thought it was an enormous effort from them, when you consider the travel we needed to do to get here and obviously straight after a pretty important Premier League game for us, to play tonight.”The Tottenham manager then went on to reveal that he will take a short break before returning to work.Furious Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur almost falls over kicking chair after being subbed following Man City goalHe continued: “I got the bus ride back to the hotel and that’ll be it, mate, and then we get going. It never really stops, the reality of it is.”But I’ll have some time off. I’ll meet up with the family on the weekend and we’ll go to Greece and switch off for a couple of weeks.”Postecoglou is set to appear as a pundit on ITV during this summer’s European Championship.The tournament kicks of on June 14. More

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      Declan Rice reveals ‘game-changing’ diet before Arsenal games as he poses on cover of Men’s Health

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      DECLAN RICE has established himself as one of the Premier League’s signings of the season – and his diet has played a big part.The 25-year-old became Arsenal’s most expensive player when he completed a £105million switch from West Ham last summer.Declan Rice has revealed what fuels him before a matchCredit: GettyThe midfielder opened up about his Arsenal move and his Euro 2024 hopes in a chat with Men’s HealthCredit: Hamish Brown / Men’s Health UKAnd now he is targeting European glory with England.Rice has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional England squad ahead of Euro 2024 and he is almost guaranteed to be making the trip to Germany next month.The midfielder has already played over 4,200 minutes of football this season, but his “game-changing” diet has enabled him to perform at his best throughout.In an interview with Men’s Health UK, Rice revealed he is usually fuelled by a stack of pancakes on match day.Read More on FootballHe said: “I have four pancakes before a game. Covered in syrup or honey.”I swear to God, it’s the best thing… When I joined the club, I could see the [Arsenal] players eating them and thought to myself, ‘What is going on here?’ But honestly, it’s been a game changer.”I don’t understand the science behind it, what’s in them or anything like that, but it gives me such a high energy boost.”I think that’s why I’m able to rattle around the pitch so much…If we’re playing at 5.30pm, I’ll sometimes have eight pancakes in a day.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRice features on the Men’s Health cover for the month of JuneCredit: Hamish Brown / Men’s Health UK”I’ll have some at breakfast and I’ll have some more at 3.30pm before we play.”Rice played a crucial role in Arsenal’s Premier League title charge this season.Arsenal’s five season-defining momentsThe Gunners finished second in the table, two points adrift of Manchester City after taking the race to the final day.The full interview with Declan Rice is available for Men’s Health members on the MH app, or it can be read in the magazine on sale nowI used to give Declan Rice compliments on the football pitch… I couldn’t help myself, says Troy DeeneyBy Troy Deeney
      THERE are certain people that you come across in football and you know instantly who they are, what they’re about and what the trajectory of their life is going to be.
      Anyone who has worked or grown up with Declan Rice knows that he has always been destined for the top.
      When he was at West Ham, he was a centre-half who played in midfield purely to help out and ended up excelling.
      The way he used to listen and learn from his old captain Mark Noble and be a student of the game was second to none.
      And because of that, whenever I interacted with him on a football pitch, I never felt the need to be disrespectful towards him because there was just a pure will to win.
      We would tell each other to ‘do one’ every now and again but then I would get these weird moments when he would do something special and I couldn’t help but say, ‘Good touch, mate’.
      He had this joyful atmosphere around him which you can see in all of his interviews, even now at Arsenal. You never see him get in trouble, being outlandish, but he has that jokey personality.
      He is still quite kiddish at 25, yet with a very serious body and mind in terms of being the best player he can be.
      When he was announced as England captain against Belgium, there was no outrage, no shock or surprise or, ‘Why him?’. It was more a sense of, ‘Yeah, that makes sense’.
      There is no doubt in my mind that he is in line to take the armband for his country full-time after Harry Kane moves on, alongside his midfield partner Jude Bellingham.
      Read Troy Deeney’s column in full. More

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      My son’s a Premier League champion – Tesco called security on me after unusual purchase because I was so proud of him

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      THE FATHER of a Manchester City title-winner has revealed how Tesco called security on him hours after his son’s historic first goal.Rico Lewis incredibly won a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble before his 19th birthday.Rico Lewis is already a two-time Premier League champion at just 19Credit: AFPThe star’s father has recalled a hilarious incident in Tesco after his boy’s first goalCredit: Every Second MediaThe full-back scored on his first Champions League start against SevillaCredit: EPARico showed his fighting spirit under his dad’s tutelage from the age of twoCredit: .He helped the Cityzens to claim a record-breaking fourth-straight title on Sunday.And now the star is hoping to celebrate a double this weekend in the all-Manchester FA Cup final showdown with United.Full-back Lewis made his international debut for England in the 1-1 draw in North Macedonia last November.Despite all of that success, there was one moment in particular that left his father Rick Lewis incredibly proud.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAlthough it almost led to an interesting moment with a security guard.When Rico became the youngest player to score on his first Champions League start at age 17 in a 3-1 win over Sevilla last year, Rick brought every newspaper he could. He told Sun Sport: “I bought every newspaper in Bury Tesco. I spent 45 quid on papers!“A woman that worked there rang security because they thought I was up to something.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“They thought there was a protest or something going on.”Although tackling the former two-time British Muay Thai champion and his pile of newspapers might not have been the wisest move.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameRick, who now owns Phoenix Muay Thai in Whitefield, Manchester, originally set up a gym in Bury back in 2001.Three years later, on the day Rico was born on 21 November 2004, he hung up his fighting gloves.Rick said: “Something went out of me instantly when he was born.“I looked at him and thought it’s too selfish getting in the ring and getting hit. I don’t know how people do it.”However, that did not stop Rico and his 16-year-old sister Sacha, who is in City’s academy, following in their father’s footsteps.Rico started training aged just two and had his first fight at THREE with a boy twice his age and size – something the 5ft 7in ace would go on to do on the pitch. A workout with Rick LewisSUNSPORT’S Isabelle Barker was put through her paces by former British Muay Thai champion Rick Lewis, the dad of Manchester City star Rico. Here is her gruelling workout…

      We started off using what looked like medieval torture contraption to stretch the legs to help with flexibility when kicking. 

      Rick started off practising roundhouse kicks with me as kicking is an integral part of Muay Thai and scores more than punches in a fight. 

      We then moved on to setting up the kicks up with punches like jab, cross and a hook as well as fakes. 

      Rick even managed to get me to do a Question Mark Kick, which is a deceptive technique used to fool the opponent into thinking you’re attacking low but really your intended target is high. 
      We finished off with some combinations involving punches, low kicks, switch kicks and head kicks. 

      Rico, who joined City’s academy aged eight and holds a whopping 30-fight unbeaten streak, still trains Muay Thai with his dad.He does it most during pre season, hitting pads and taking part in fitness drills like the bleep test.And it is easy to see the fighter within him when he brushes off being clattered to the floor by players double his stature and height.Rick added: “He is only 19, people don’t remember that. They criticise him but to me he is still a baby.“He gets kicked to the floor but jumps straight up again and wins the ball back.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I think Muay Thai made him prepared and ready to be coachable to Pep. He is so disciplined.“It’s only ever been him in the ring when he’s fought and that has helped him so much.”Man City’s five key moments this seasonA look at the five key moments in Man City’s title winning campaign…

      Luton 1 – 2 Man City: City bounce back from a run of four games without a win to kick-start their unbeaten run.
      Newcastle 2 – 3 Man City: Kevin De Bruyne returns from injury to come off the bench and inspire a late turnaround against the Magpies.
      Man City 3 – 1 Man Utd: Phil Foden puts on a masterclass as City lay down a marker on their title ambitions and breeze past their local rivals in the process.
      Man City 0 – 0 Arsenal: A goalless draw that, although disappointing, meant City were still keeping pace with the teams around them and could maintain their spot in the title race. A loss could have put Arsenal out of sight of the Cityzens.
      Man City 4 – 1 Aston Villa: Following consecutive draws against title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, City bounce back with a thumping of Unai Emery’s high-flying Villa to keep the pressure on the Gunners. More