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      Gareth Southgate snubs titanic Liverpool vs Man City clash to watch the worst England audition of the weekend

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      IT was Kalvin Phillips’ performances for England which convinced David Moyes he would be a good January signing.But the West Ham midfielder’s move now looks to have placed his Euro 2024 spot in jeopardy rather than saved it.Southgate was at the Olympic stadium to witness Phillip’s latest disappointing performanceCredit: RexThe midfielder is at risk of losing his place in Southgate’s England squadCredit: GettyInstead of watching the pulsating clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, England boss Gareth Southgate was in the stands to check in on Phillips during West Ham’s draw with Burnley.Southgate announces his Three Lions squad for the March international break this week and will have been looking for signs that Phillips deserves to keep his place.Even for the most loyal of managers, as Southgate has proved to be, it will be hard to select the former Leeds star off the back of his showing.Phillips was at fault for the opening goal, wasteful on the ball and hooked at half-time. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAn eye-catching performance for all the wrong reasons.It has not been an easy start to life at the London Stadium for Phillips.Moyes had tried to sign the 28-year-old before his ill-fated move to Manchester City, and was encouraged to offer him a way out by his displays for England.Southgate had stood by the midfielder, who still impressed for the Three Lions while not getting a look in under Pep Guardiola.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The Hammers boss hoped a few games was all it would take to shake off the rust brought about by just two Premier League starts in 18 months at The Etihad.But his early West Ham showings have not offered encouragement. There was a nightmare start minutes into his debut against Bournemouth, handing them an early goal by gifting the ball to Dominic Solanke.Man Utd fans brutally troll Kalvin Phillips with X-rated chant as he warms up – but City rival has perfect responseA red card at Nottingham Forest followed before the Burnley horror-show.Phillips has spoken candidly about the impact of his time playing under Guardiola, watching on in isolation as City won the Treble.It is not an experience he is able to shake off lightly. West Ham was supposed to be a new dawn, a fresh start to get him back to being the player who shone alongside Declan Rice at Euro 2020 as England reached the final.But it has not materialised. Southgate had made it clear to Phillips he had to find a new club to keep his place in the squad ahead of this summer’s tournament, but it is hard to see how his standing with the Three Lions boss would be any worse if he was still warming Manchester City’s bench.There is still time, of course.Aside from Rice, the former West Ham captain, England’s options in a midfield two are limited.Phillips managed to retain his place in the England squad despite not appearing often for CityCredit: GettySouthgate has been out to Amsterdam to watch Jordan Henderson try to rediscover his form with Ajax after his short-lived Saudi adventure.But that has hardly got off to a flying start and Henderson is another player whose inclusion is becoming harder to justify.The lack of depth at the base of midfield helps the case for both, but the squad announced on Thursday is the final one before Southgate selects the group for Germany.Missing out this week would be a crushing blow for Phillips, but hardly surprising given there are no guarantees he will find form between now and the end of the season. He may not even get much more of a chance to.READ MORE SUN STORIESMoyes is fighting for European qualification in the Premier League and for progress in Europe – he cannot afford many more first halves like the one Phillips contributed to on Sunday.If you cannot be trusted at West Ham, what hope is there with England? More

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      How Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool’s Premier League title run-ins compare as SunSport predicts winner of thrilling race

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      LIVERPOOL will win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, SunSport has predicted.The top three are separated by just ONE POINT heading into the final 10 games of the season after a breathtaking weekend of action.Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table with 10 games remainingCredit: GettyLiverpool are level on points with Arsenal in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at AnfieldCredit: GettyManchester City are one point adrift as they eye a historic fourth successive league titleCredit: GettyKai Havertz’s late header sent Mikel Arteta’s men to the summit of the table on Saturday evening as they edged a 2-1 win over Brentford.Then on Sunday, Liverpool and Manchester City played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield as John Stones’ opener was cancelled out by Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half penalty.The results mean Arsenal now lead the way on 64 points, level with Liverpool but with a superior goal difference.Defending champions Man City are then just one point adrift as they eye a historic fourth successive league title.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut it is Jurgen Klopp – in his final season with Liverpool – that SunSport journalists Rob Maul and Will Pugh have tipped to lift the trophy come Sunday, May 19.Klopp, who quits the Reds this summer, will be desperate to win the league championship for the second time especially as the victory in 2020 came behind closed doors.The Reds still have some tricky fixtures left to face – including derby away days at Manchester United and Everton, as well as back-to-back clashes with Tottenham and Aston Villa.But home matches against Brighton, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Wolves could well provide the basis for a title tilt.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Arsenal clearly face the toughest run-in of the three teams – with trips to Man City, bitter rivals Tottenham and Man Utd all still yet to come.They also have to go to Brighton, as well as home games against Aston Villa and Chelsea.Klopp claims Doku could have KILLED Mac Allister with ‘karate kick’ while aiming dig at Mike DeanMeanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s champions face an incredibly tricky April as they take on Arsenal, Villa and Tottenham.But their last four games as it stands are Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Fulham and West Ham – a kind final few matches for last season’s Treble winners.Yet despite Man City’s favourable end to the campaign, it is Liverpool that SunSport has tipped to get over the line as you can see in the video at the top of this article. More

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      Fans say ‘Chelsea are the problem’ as they spot SIX Blues flops have scored for new clubs on the same weekend

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      FANS were left saying “Chelsea are the problem” after SIX Blues flops scored for their new clubs at the weekend.Stamford Bridge has become a shadow of its former self since Todd Boehly replaced Roman Abramovich in 2022.Kai Havertz was one of six Blues flops who scored for their new club at the weekendCredit: GettyTimo Werner was also among the goals as fans claimed ‘Chelsea are the problem’Credit: GettyChelsea saw four different coaches take control of the touchline last season as they finished 12th in the Premier League.And despite looking a tad more consistent under Mauricio Pochettino, they still find themselves 11th this term.One of Chelsea’s biggest issues under the Argentine is the amount of chances they fail to put away.The likes of Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk have missed several sitters this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIndeed, it’s been a problem for many years in west London, with Chelsea cycling through a host of forwards to solve their never-ending pain.But fans reckon there’s something in the water at the Bridge, as no less than SIX ex-Blues hit the target at the weekend.One said: “Chelsea are the problem.”Another declared: “It’s a Chelsea thing.”Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGOne added: “Once upon a time together in 13th.”The biggest impact came from Kai Havertz, who left Chelsea for Arsenal in a £65million deal last summer.We were tipped for stardom as Chelsea and Man Utd wonderkids… now we have set up own property companyHe netted a timely late winner against Brentford in the 86th minute on Saturday – his eighth goal of the domestic campaign.But there was another goal for one of Chelsea’s capital rivals, with Timo Werner netting in Tottenham’s 4-0 win at Aston Villa.He is on loan from RB Leipzig until the summer and now has two goals under Ange Postecoglou.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is thriving at MarseilleCredit: AFPChristian Pulisic has a new lease of life at AC MilanCredit: APHeading abroad, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 11 for Marseille after netting twice in a 2-0 win over Nantes.Christian Pulisic hit his eighth goal for AC Milan as he scored in a 1-0 win against Empoli.And Michy Batshuayi now has seven goals for Fenerbahce after bagging a late penalty in the 4-1 win over Pendikspor.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere was even another strike for David Datro Fofana, who is still a Chelsea player but is yet to score in three games.He is on loan at Burnley and hit his third goal in seven outings as Vincent Kompany’s side drew 2-2 at West Ham.Michy Batshuayi is firing them in for FenerbahceCredit: GettyDavid Datro Fofana could yet have a Chelsea future after his Burnley loanCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson’s son heaps praise on Man City youngster and gasps ‘he’s going to be some player’

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      A MANCHESTER CITY starlet has been tipped to become “world class” by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson’s son.The 19-year-old Jadel Katongo left the Etihad in order to get some first-team experience back in August.Man City loanee Jadel Katongo has produced great form on loan at PeterboroughCredit: AlamyDarren Ferguson, the son of Sir Alex, believes he can reach the very topCredit: RexThe defender headed to League One promotion chasers Peterborough United, who are managed by Darren Ferguson.Katongo has shone in the third tier throughout the campaign, catching the eye of Southampton, but perhaps produced his best display of the season last week.He played a part in Peterborough’s first three goals in their 5-1 victory over Northampton Town and then excelled again as they enjoyed a 3-1 win at Burton on Saturday.And Ferguson, who won a Premier League title medal with United back in his playing days, is convinced that the Red Devils’ rivals have a brilliant talent on their hands.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to the BBC Cambridgeshire Sport, he said: “Yeah and he’s improving, there’s no question.“He’s not a right-back, he’s a centre-half really and we’ve played him in midfield, we’ve played him hardly at centre-half funnily enough.“But he understands the role better. He knows when to go outside, when to come inside.”“This is his first loan, he’s going to be some player, I tell you.”Most read in FootballKatonga has already joined time training with Pep Guardiola’s first team squad at City.But he will be hoping for double joy come May.Peterborough are hoping to secure promotion to the Championship with a top two finish.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey are currently fourth, four points behind second-placed Derby, with a game in hand.Meanwhile, City are chasing another treble.Ex-Man Utd ace Mikael Silvestre opens up on brutal Hairdryer Treatment he received from Sir Alex FergusonYesterday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool meant Arsenal were left top of the Premier League, level on points with the Reds but crucially ahead on goal difference.City are one point behind the other two but have an inferior goal difference. More

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      Chelsea legend William Gallas reveals transfer ‘mistake’ Blues made with star who would have brought ‘winning mentality’

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      WILLIAM GALLAS believes Chelsea made a “mistake” not signing Cristiano Ronaldo and his “winning mentality.”The Portugal legend is plying his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr.William Gallas reckons Chelsea made a ‘mistake’ not signing Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFPGallas feels Chelsea could use Ronaldo’s ‘winning mentality’ right nowCredit: ReutersAnd despite turning 39 years old last month, he is still performing at the highest level.Ronaldo has 48 goals in 56 games for his side after a dismal second spell at Manchester United.But Gallas, who played 225 games in west London, feels things could have turned out different for club and player had Ronaldo joined Chelsea instead.The Blues were strongly linked with a move for the striker when he was released by United in November 2022.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, they opted to wait until the summer before signing Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.The latter has barely featured after picking up several major injury problems.While Jackson has shown he is more adept at playing in a supporting role.And with Chelsea struggling for consistency, Gallas feels they messed up by snubbing Ronaldo.Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGThe two-time Premier League winner told Genting Casino: “Chelsea made a mistake by not signing Cristiano Ronaldo. He was available to sign and Chelsea would have been a good club for him.“Everyone knows how important Ronaldo can be in the dressing room, he brings a winning mentality and it could have benefitted the squad. It was a mistake by Chelsea.”Cristiano Ronaldo BANNED for alleged offensive gesture in Saudi Pro League as ex-Man Utd star also hit with fineGallas also reckons Chelsea should relive their golden days under Roman Abramovich by launching audacious moves for Man City’s Erling Haaland and PSG’S Kylian Mbappe.He added: “I’d sign them both! They’re both unbelievable players who have completely different styles for scoring goals.“I’d sign both to win a treble at a club like Arsenal or Chelsea. Every opponent would be in trouble if they played together.” More

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      ‘Premier League doesn’t deserve him,’ say fans as they spot Son Heung-min’s gesture on pitch after Spurs thrash Villa

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      FANS reckon the Premier League “doesn’t deserve” Son Heung-Min after Tottenham’s captain was spotted picking up rubbish at Villa Park.The South Korean ace starred as Spurs beat top four rivals Aston Villa 4-0 on Sunday.Son Heung-Min stunned fans as he picked up litter after Tottenham’s win at Aston VillaThe Spurs skipper was hailed for his humble actionsSon, 31, bagged Tottenham’s third goal as Ange Postecoglou put Unai Emery to the sword.But it was the striker’s actions after the final whistle that really caught the eye.As the defeated home side filtered off the field, Spurs players went over to thank the travelling fans for their support.And as Son headed back towards the dressing room, he noticed a piece of litter on the pitch.But instead of leaving it for a cleaner or groundsman, Son decided to take matters into his own hands.The ace paused in his tracks to scoop up the piece of litter.And he also grabbed a second lot after spotting it by a steward.Son then scrunched up the litter as he headed for the tunnel.Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGBut fans were left blown away by his humble gesture.One said: “Son being himself, un-hateable lad.”Luka Modric passed out in a cubicle and had to be carried out by a bouncer on his first Tottenham night out, says Jenas v2Another declared: “The Premier League does not deserve him.”One noted: “What a guy, there’s nobody in the world of football that could dislike him.”Another added: “He is literally the best PR-friendly guy in football.”Son is set to go down as a Spurs legend when he bows out of the beautiful game.He joined the Londoners in a £22million deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.And Son has since gone on to score 158 goals in 396 matches.His contract, worth £190,000-a-week, expires in 2025.But Tottenham retain the option to extend it for a further year. More

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      Mason Greenwood could still return to Man Utd with club yet to make final decision on future amid transfer interest

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are yet to make a decision on the future of Mason Greenwood.A return to Old Trafford for the 22-year-old remains a possibility.Mason Greenwood could still play again for Man UtdCredit: GETTYFabrizio Romano reports that Ineos have not made a verdict on Greenwood despite internal discussions taking place.However, Man Utd are open to considering transfer bids and they could cash-in this summer.New chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe was asked about Greenwood’s future last month and he said: “We will make a decision. I don’t know if he could still have a future.”All I can do is talk about the principle of how we will approach decisions like that.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Is he the right type of footballer? Are we happy with that? Is he a good person or not?“Greenwood is a Manchester United footballer and we are in charge of football. “So the answer is it’s quite clear we have to make a decision. “There is no decision that’s been made. He’s on loan obviously but he’s not the only one. Most read in Football“The process will be – understand the facts not the hype and then try and come to a fair decision on the basis of values – which is basically whether he is a good guy or not. “Could he play sincerely for Manchester United well and would we be comfortable with it and the fans be comfortable with it?Mason Greenwood wants an investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a “rapist” dropped“I can talk about the principle. The principle is the important one because we will have other issues going forwards. “You are dealing with young people who have not always been brought up in the best circumstances, who have a lot of money and don’t always have the guidance they should have. “What we need to do when we have issues like that is to understand the real effects, not the hype.“Then we need to make a fair decision in the light of the club’s values. “That’s what we need to do and that’s how we will deal with it.”Greenwood is currently on loan in Spain with Getafe and he has scored eight goals in 26 games this season.They are impressed by his performances but may struggle to afford him amid interest from Barcelona and several other LaLiga sides like Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.READ MORE SUN STORIESGreenwood has not featured for United since he was suspended after being arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault in January 2022.All charges were subsequently dropped. More

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      ‘I have a real sneaky feeling,’ says smiling Man Utd legend as he tips Klopp for stunning Liverpool return in two years

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      JURGEN KLOPP will be returning to Liverpool very soon, claims Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke.The German, 56, confirmed in January that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season.Dwight Yorke appeared on beIN Sports alongside Jason McAteerCredit: X formerly Twitter / @beINSPORTS_ENJurgen Klopp is set to leave Man City at the end of the seasonCredit: GettyLiverpool have been linked with Xabi Alonso, although Bayern Munich are also keen on the Bayer Leverkusen boss.Whoever Klopp’s successor turns out to be, Yorke doesn’t think they’ll necessarily last long in the role.Yesterday’s 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City appeared to mark the final meeting of Klopp and great rival Pep Guardiola.But Yorke, 52, has other ideas.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAppearing on beIN Sports, he said: “In my opinion, no. I want to make a bold statement but I’m not going to do it on national TV.”Pushed to go on, Yorke added: “I think he will return to Liverpool, maybe in a year or so, two years.”I just have a sneaky feeling that’s what he’ll do. I’m not going to go as far as saying inside info.”I feel like when you look at the kind of quality of managers out there, there aren’t too many quality managers.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL After reaffirming his love for Liverpool, Klopp revealed that he was running out of “energy” for such an intense role.Although he did later add: “I think some other people used that word [retirement] when I had my announcement and I thought that’s the right way to say it.Jurgen Klopp Post Match Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City 10.3.24″I just step aside here, so that’s the idea. I don’t know what is happening after.”After yesterday’s game, Klopp revealed that he plans to play padel with Guardiola.He said: “We both respect each other a lot and that after our career we somehow become friends.”He’s a golfer, I am not but he is Spanish and might play padel.”We will play padel, we will speak and have great talks about sensational football games and incredible stuff.”Klopp wants to play padel with old foe Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty More