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    Southampton vs Nottingham Forest LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as both sides seek first win of new season

    SOUTHAMPTON welcome Nottingham Forest this afternoon for a huge Premier League clash.The Saints are seeking their first points since their return to the top flight after a 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle on opening weekend.Forest got up and running after claiming a point at home to Bournemouth last weekend.Kick off time: 3pm BSTTV/Stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackoutFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below… More

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    Man City vs Ipswich LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as the champions host newly promoted Tractor Boys

    MANCHESTER CITY host newly-promoted Ipswich this afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.Pep Guardiola’s side kicked off the season in style, winning 2-0 away at Chelsea as the Cityzens seek an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title.While Ipswich are looking to claim their first points in the top flight since 2002.Kick off time: 3pm BSTTV/Stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackoutFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below… More

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    Fulham vs Leicester LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Cottagers seek first win against newly promoted Foxes

    FULHAM host Leicester this afternoon in a huge Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.Marco Silva’s side kicked off the new season with a 1-0 defeat away at Manchester United, while the newly promoted Foxes snatched a point against Tottenham.Kick off time: 3pm BSTTV/Stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackoutFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below… More

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    Crystal Palace vs West Ham LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Hammers make the short trip to Selhurst Park

    WEST HAM make the short trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace this afternoon.Both sides are still looking for their first points of the new Premier League season after the Eagles were beaten 2-1 by Brentford and the Irons lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on opening weekend.Kick off time: 3pm BSTTV/Stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackoutFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below… More

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    Tottenham fans have LIVERPOOL legend’s incredible advice to thank for the emergence of exciting talent Pape Matar Sarr

    TOTTENHAM fans have Sadio Mane to thank for pumping Pape Matar Sarr up for the Premier League.Relentless runner Sarr has emerged as one of Spurs’ most exciting young players over the last 18 months.Pape Matar Sarr has revealed Sadio Mane gave him advice on moving to the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyMane scored 120 goals for LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe 21-year-old revealed Liverpool legend and Senegal team-mate Mane, 32, convinced him to install a home gym to get in shape for the rough and tumble of English football.Sarr said: “Sadio has always given me good advice.“When I signed for Spurs from Metz, he told me to make sure I was ready as it is different to football in France. It’s a lot more physical, a lot more about endurance. He kept telling me to make sure I was prepared.“He suggested I install a gym at home. I even put a photo of him in my gym because it’s thanks to him that I started enjoying all that hard work.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s thanks to his advice I’ve been able to progress in that respect.”Mane — now a team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr — had a similar footballing start to Sarr.Both were youth players at “Generation Foot” in Senegal’s capital Dakar before moving to French side Metz.Sarr got a Prem move within a year, joining Spurs in 2021 for £14.6million at just 18 but he was loaned back for a season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSarr visited the Tottenham Foundation at Duke’s Aldridge AcademyThe initiative aims to provide accessible opportunities for local youngsters over the summer.One-time Tottenham target Mane had to go via Red Bull Salzburg before Southampton came calling and then on to superstardom at Anfield.The pair won the Africa Cup of Nations together in 2021 — when Mane scored the winning penalty in the shootout final victory over Mo Salah’s Egypt — along with Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye.Best ten new Premier League kits for next seasonSarr comes up against mentor Gueye, 34, today as the Toffees visit Tottenham.Speaking through a translator, Sarr added: “Idrissa is the greatest Senegalese sportsman of all time for the things he does off the pitch.“He has a foundation where he helps not just Senegalese children but African children as well. It’s something I have a huge admiration for.“When I’m with the national team, I’m always spending as much time as I can with him, learning from his experience.“He’s given me a lot of advice about the Premier League and about making the right choices.“I appreciate it and want him to give his career the end it deserves.“In terms of the foundation work, it’s inspired me and a lot of others.“We know how Africa is, the problems, the difficulties some children have.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ve set up my own foundation two years ago in my own village. In future, like Gana, I’d like to do something that covers all of Africa.” PAPE MATAR SARR was speaking at a multi-sports camp organised by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to provide accessible opportunities for local youngsters over the summer.Sarr on starboy statusBy Tom BarclayPAPE MATAR SARR embraces the Star Boy nickname he goes by at Tottenham’s training ground due to his astronomical talent.But the Senegalese international believes there are loads of kids ready to shine in Ange Postecoglou’s rejuvenated squad.Sarr is only 21 but has become a senior head in Postecoglou’s midfield on account of the club’s strikingly young signings this summer.Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, both 18, arrived from Leeds and Swedish side Djurgarden respectively for a combined total of £38.5million.Two more teenagers were bought for the wide positions in Wilson Odobert, 19, and Yang Min-Hyeok, 18 — though the South Korean prodigy will not arrive until January.Then there is 17-year-old whizkid winger Mikey Moore, who many rate the most exciting player to come through Spurs’ academy in a decade.Add in Destiny Udogie, 21, and two 23-year-olds in Brennan Johnson Micky van de Ven — plus Sarr — and Postecoglou looks to be putting together a team with scary potential.On his Star Boy moniker, Sarr said: “I take all that positively. It’s a source of pleasure because it’s not easy to be star boy in a group like we’ve got.“It can’t be for no reason that they call me that and I work every day to make sure I deserve that and that I won’t let them down.“But to be honest, there are loads of star boys in our team.“You can see with the group we’ve got this year, we’ve got a lot of really, really great players. I’ll just keep working hard to make sure I merit it.”Postecoglou, whose side take on Everton at home today, is into his second season as Spurs boss.That normally means party time if his record at previous clubs is anything to go by — he won titles in his second campaign at all three teams he managed beyond a first season.Repeating those successes in Australia with Brisbane Roar, in Japan with Yokohama F Marinos and in Scotland at Celtic would be some feat.That is given the sky-high level of competition in the Premier League and it’s been 63 YEARS and counting since Spurs won the top flight.Even more so when you consider the relative inexperience the Aussie has in his young squad.Pundit Alan Hansen famously said “you can’t win anything with kids”. But Sarr buys into another old adage: If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.Asked if Tottenham can win the title given Postecoglou’s second-season knack, the former Metz midfielder laughed and replied: “The way I see it, there are no 17-year-olds, no 20-year-olds. When I look at football, all footballers are the same.“It’s not just certain teams that can win, it’s the team that has the talent, who works hard, that has the skill.“If you have that, regardless of whether you have young players or old players, that’s going to be the team that wins.“There are a lot of young players at Tottenham and I guess I’m a little bit older than them so I try to help in my own way, I try to impart the experience that I’ve got.”Sarr has been bowled over by Bergvall since the blond Swede with the movie-star looks pitched up in N17.Tottenham fought off Barcelona to complete an £8.5m move for Bergvall on deadline day in February, though the teenager did not arrive in North London until July.The one-cap Sweden international caught the eye in pre-season and then impressed off the bench in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester.Asked which of Spurs’ new faces has impressed him most, Sarr said: “Lucas. I really love his style. He’s never under pressure when he’s on the ball. Technically, he’s fantastic.“He’s bound to be one of the world’s top players. He’s got all the assets. With work, he’ll get to the very top.”Sarr admits Spurs were taught a valuable lesson at the King Power as Jamie Vardy’s leveller made them pay for wasting a number of chances.But the youngster is confident the team will keep on carving out chances in an attacking system under Postecoglou he prefers compared to that of former boss Antonio Conte.Sarr added: “In Conte’s system, we weren’t playing so much with the ball in midfield.“I love the system we play now because it means I get to attack, I get to defend. This is what I want to do.“We need to be more decisive in front of goal. But I’m sure we can put that right and have a great season.” More

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    Rafa Benitez reveals ‘five or six’ offers to return to Premier League but admits ‘there are teams I won’t coach’

    RAFA BENITEZ has revealed “five or six” Premier League clubs have made him managerial offers but insists he is waiting for the right “project”.The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea head coach, 64, has been out of work since being sacked by LaLiga side Celta Vigo in March.Rafa Benitez claims he has had a host of offers from Premier League clubsCredit: GettyHis last job in the Premier League came with Everton when he spent six months at Goodison Park, winning seven of 22 matches before he was dismissed in January 2022.And while he is yet to return to England, Benitez insists there has not been a shortage of opportunities among clubs towards the foot of the table.Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by SkyBet, he said: “I’m thinking about taking a job in the Premier League.”That is not easy because I had offers – trust me, I had five or six offers from teams at the bottom of the table.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I am realistic. I have the passion, I have the knowledge, I have the experience so I can make a difference. And the methodology, I like to be on the pitch coaching players and improving players, little things.”Anthony Gordon is one of the examples, so we can improve players and make things happen.”Benitez also admitted he is aware he will no longer attract interest from top Premier League clubs.However, he has also stressed he needs certain assurances before deciding to take a vacant position lower down the table.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRafa Benitez managerial recordClubs:Real Madrid B: July 1993 – March 1994, July 1994 – June 1995Valladolid: July 1995 – January 1996Osasuna: July 1996 – November 1996Extremadura: July 1997 – June 1999Tenerife: July 2000 – June 2001Valencia: July 2001 – June 2004Liverpool: June 2004 – June 2010Inter Milan: June 2010 – December 2010Chelsea (interim): November 2012 – May 2013Napoli: May 2013 – June 2015Real Madrid: June 2015 – January 2016Newcastle: March 2016 – June 2019Dalian Professional: July 2019 – January 2021Everton: June 2021 – January 2022Celta Vigo: July 2023 – March 2024Honours:LaLiga x2Uefa CupFA CupChampions LeagueUefa Super CupItalian Super CupClub World CupEuropa LeagueCoppa ItaliaChampionshipHe added: “But, there are not too many [job offers at the top of the table]. Manchester United will not come for me, Chelsea will not come for me.”So, there are teams that I will not coach because they will not come for me.Stunned fans say ‘this guy is ready to throw anyone under the bus’ as Enzo Maresca lays into yet another Chelsea star “Then, the teams at the middle of the table, bottom of the table, they start firing managers and then you have to make a decision.”I want to coach in the Premier League, and that this team at the bottom of the table is coming with a project.” More

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    ‘We wouldn’t have tolerated that’ fumes Roy Keane as Man Utd legend takes swipe at Liverpool star’s behaviour

    ROY KEANE fumed Manchester United “would not have tolerated” one former Liverpool star’s behaviour at Old Trafford.Keane relished his rivalry with the Reds as his side dominated the era under Sir Alex Ferguson. Roy Keane hit out at Xabi Alonso’s anticsCredit: YouTube @TheOverlapSpaniard Alonso wanted a move to Arsenal – but Rafa was playing hard ballCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAnd the no-nonsense Irishman took a swipe at Xabi Alonso’s antics as he tried to force through an Anfield exit.Speaking on The Overlap, Rafa Benitez revealed Alonso had a deal agreed to join Arsenal in 2008.But with Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard all unavailable to face Standard Liege in a crucial Champions League qualifier, Benitez was forced to play the Spanish midfielder against his wishes.And that cup-tied him in Europe’s elite competition and ended up collapsing his Gunners switch.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAlonso stayed on at Liverpool for the 2008-09 season but then joined Real Madrid in a £30million deal at the end of the campaign – despite going on pre-season to the Far East. He was supported by his team-mates and fans throughout the transfer saga – but Keane was adamant Alonso’s reaction would not have gone down well had he been in the Old Trafford dressing room. Speaking to Jamie Carragher and then Benitez, Keane said: “Jamie you’re a Liverpool lad like Gerrard, sometimes a player wants to leave a club. “But when they refuse to play and don’t want to be cup-tied, I’m surprised senior players don’t turn on another player. Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusives”We wouldn’t have tolerated that at United. “I know managers can have a disagreement with the player and the player wants to leave. Roy Keane’s Biggest TV Rants “It is frustrating for managers to deal with a player who is not doing what he is supposed to be doing and everyone is being mates with him.”Benitez added on Alonso: “Xabi Alonso was a nice lad and a good professional. Anything you could say personally about Xabi is right.”Xabi had an agreement with Arsenal and didn’t want to get cup-tied. “I told Jamie Carragher and Gerrard before the game that he had an agreement and doesn’t want to play, but he must because it is the most important game to qualify for the Champions League. “Then when you were going out for the warm-ups, Jamie said, ‘Poor Xabi.’ “No, not poor Xabi, he is playing for our club at this time. During the season he was our best player and didn’t go to Arsenal because he had to play [for us].“We don’t have the same relationship now.”Alonso is, of course, not the only player to not wishing to play in order to trigger a transfer exit – with Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe criticised for doing so last week.But Lyle Taylor – who did the same at Charlton to protect a move to Nottingham Forest in 2020 – defended the player’s selfish stance.He said: “Loyalty in football doesn’t exist.”If the player does well for the team and refuses to sign a new contract, that player is a Judas.READ MORE SUN STORIES”If a player then decides to leave and go and better themselves in their career and their life, then that player’s a Judas.”So I had to make a decision that was best for me because the club had already made a decision that was best for them.” More

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    Erik ten Hag risks Man Utd sack in just three games and is ‘very lucky’ to still have job, warns club legend

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Dwight Yorke has claimed Erik ten Hag could be sacked in just THREE GAMES time.The Red Devils kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.Erik ten Hag guided his side to a slender victory in their Premier League openerCredit: RexManchester United Treble winner Dwight Yorke still feels time could nearly be up for Ten HagCredit: EPAThey go to Brighton on Saturday lunchtime, before hosting Liverpool in their final match before the international break.Upon returning from the two-week hiatus they then head to Southampton.Ten Hag looked set to be sacked prior to last season’s FA Cup final.But Man Utd then claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester City at Wembley to save their campaign after placing a record low of eighth in the Premier League table.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNew Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe still held talks with ex-Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel as they reviewed Ten Hag’s position.But the club ultimately decided to stick with the former Ajax man.However, Yorke, who was a part of Man Utd’s 1999 Treble-winning side, still feels losing their upcoming trio of fixtures could cost Ten Hag his job.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking to CSGOluck, he said: “Erik ten Hag is a very lucky man to still be the manager of Manchester United. The FA Cup saved his job because what we saw in the Premier League definitely wasn’t enough to get a new contract.Most read in Football”United were talking to other people so they clearly weren’t totally happy. He now needs to find a style of play that will conjure up results.Player Ratings: Manchester United vs Fulham”The Ajax way doesn’t work in the Premier League so he needs to give that idea up quickly.”There are a few exceptions like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Japp Stam but players from that league haven’t done very well in England either.”It’s all well and good wanting to play that way but not at Manchester United who have had their own style, he has to be very careful in finding that balance because United have their own traditions.”He continued: “If Erik ten Hag loses three or four games early in the season, he will be under serious pressure, especially if the other big teams all pull away to leave Manchester United sitting in mid-table.”The biggest issue for Ten Hag, which could end up costing him his job, is losing to the teams that aren’t Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.”If they lose to Brighton and Southampton, which is after Liverpool, Ten Hag will have a serious problem.”There is no way of trying to butter it up and be nice about it.”Beat the teams around you and things will be fine, if you lose those then that’s what will cost Ten Hag his job.”Saved from the sackExplaining the decision to stick with Ten Hag, Ratcliffe told The Times earlier this month: “We’ve got some very good people and some fresh faces. You can’t put your head in the sand, you have to face facts.”It needed a fresh start, so that’s what we’ve done.”Erik is a good guy and had been doing his best, but doing too much.”He was trying to sort out the squad and fix leaks in the roof at the same time.”What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. Ten Hag, whose contract has been extended until 2026, also spoke defiantly after it was confirmed he would be staying.He said: “So many people advised negatively when I started in this club. And I could have gone into projects with much better conditions, with much better structures but I choose this: Man United.“I feel this is my club. And I want to go for this challenge although I knew this will be very tough, very hard.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But you only know when you are in and there are some challenges here. But already, we overcame many obstacles and we have to beat even more but, and I said it also in the spring, I feel we are in the right direction.”And even in the summer I think many positives happened that we can accelerate this process.”Man Utd ratings vs Fulham as new boys shine… but Mount and Amad struggleDEBUTANT Joshua Zirkzee was the hero for Manchester United in an evening where their new guns showed what they are all about.The Dutchman had to remain patient for his opportunity but he took it brilliantly once he came on the pitch.Zirkzee came on for Mason Mount on the hour mark and had been quiet up until his pivotal moment.Ten Hag will take positives from the display and it was his astute sub which led to the winner as his side got their season off to a flyer.Here is how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the Red Devils display…Andre Onana – 6Made an outstanding early tip over from Kenny Tete and was rarely seriously troubled beyond that.Noussair Mazraoui – 7A pretty impressive debut from the Moroccan. Looks assured on the ball, gets forward in support and can put a foot in.Harry Maguire – 7Dominant and commanding in defence, but embarrassingly booked for diving at the other end. Really Harry, even you?Lisandro Martinez – 6Skinned by Adama Traore early. Showed all his defensive guile in how he handled him after that, and got back superbly to deny a breakaway goal.Diogo Dalot – 6Had his hands full dealing with Traore’s pace, but knocked in a couple of wicked curling crosses at the other end.Casemiro – 7Headed over then shot over, but two great passes put Fernandes clean through. Often looked United’s most likely source of a goal.Kobbie Mainoo – 8So crisp, so tidy, so rarely wastes a pass. Another near-flawless, if not exactly flair-packed, display from the youngster. Fizzed a shot just wide, too.Mason Mount – 5So desperate to do well, which earned him an early booking. Only Leno’s legs denied him the goal his effort deserved.Amad Diallo – 5Made one marvellous mazy run into the box, although the tumble to ground that followed wasn’t so impressive.Marcus Rashford – 6Still nowhere near the star of two years ago, but another step in the right direction at least. Some way to get yet, though.Bruno Fernandes – 7Fluffed two great chances, driving at keeper Leno’s legs twice when Casemiro put him through, but sprayed passes around and started the move for the winner.SubsAlejandro Garnacho (for Diallo, 60mins) – 6Put a spark in United when he came off the bench and teed up the winner.Joshua Zirkzee (for Mount, 60 mins) – 7The debut he dreamed of. Barely had a touch, but then fed the ball wide and stuck out his left foot to jab the winner.Matthijs de Ligt – (for Mazraoui, 81 mins) – 5Was only on for the last ten minutes and looked solid although he did not have too much to doJonny Evans (for Maguire, 81 mins) – 5Scott McTominay (for Mainoo, 84 mins) – 5 More