Premier League

EVERTON’S incredible new stadium is getting closer to completion.The turnstiles slam shut for the final time at Goodison Park at the end of next season. Everton’s new home is taking shapeCredit: GettyThe Toffees move to their Bramley-Moore Dock home for the 2025-26 seasonCredit: GettyEverton have splashed £500m on building the groundCredit: X / EvertonStadiumThe huge roof is nearing completionCredit: Instagram / evertonstadiumEverton move across the city to their stunning new Bramley-Moore Dock home for the 2025-26 campaign.The club have spent £500million on constructing the stadium.And it will be able to hold an amazing 52,888 fans.New images have been released from inside the ground and it is fast taking shape.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Western Stand has been under development of late with tarmacking done on the concourses.Concrete terracing has also been installed with the finishing touches soon to be added.There is already blue seats in place around the top tier and the roof is slowly being constructed.Everton’s club shop is also coming together with the glass front now done.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, the executive boxes and home dugout just need decorating.The area around the stadium is also set to be modernised with shopping outlets and houses set to built.New footage shows amazing progress at Premier League club’s £500m new stadium but fans say ‘it’s hard to get excited’Aside from Everton games, the new home has been selected as a venue for Euro 2028 matches.A huge screen has been erected off the roofCredit: GettyThe whole srrounding area is set to be modernisedCredit: X / EvertonStadiumThe ground will have a capacity for 52,888Credit: Getty More

KOLO TOURE made a career preventing some of the best strikers in the world from scoring goals.Now his son is breaking through creating them instead.Kolo Toure was part of the Arsenal Invincibles team in 2003-04Credit: GettyHis son Yassine Toure is on the books with LeicesterCredit: GettyToure Sr, 42, famously played a key role at the heart of Arsenal’s Invincibles Premier League title win in 2003-04, getting his hands on the trophy just two years after his arrival from ASEC Mimosas in his homeland Ivory Coast.The centre-back enjoyed seven years in North London, racking up 326 appearances for the club under Arsene Wenger despite slide tackling the gaffer during his trial.He added two FA Cups either side of the unbeaten league campaign but was on the losing side in the 2006 Champions League and 2007 League Cup finals.The 120-cap Ivorian international and Afcon winner joined Manchester City in 2009, collecting another Premier League winner’s medal in dramatic fashion thanks to Sergio Aguero’s 2012 heroics.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd after four years at the Etihad, Toure spent three at Liverpool – where he went up against brother Yaya in a competitive match for the first time.He was released in 2016, though, following League Cup and Europa League final defeats and headed to Celtic where he was reunited with Brendan Rodgers and picked up the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup in his one season at Celtic Park.Toure retired in September 2017 but stayed on at Celtic as a coach under Rodgers.He then followed the Northern Irishman to Leicester in February 2019.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut after two-and-a-half years with the Foxes – including a memorable FA Cup win and Europa Conference League semi-final – Toure departed to take his first managerial job.However, the ex-defender lasted just 59 days in charge of Wigan before his sacking after failing to win any of his nine matches.I slide tackled Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry on my Arsenal trial – I couldn’t believe manager’s reactionToure is married to wife Awo and the pair have two children, daughter Sania and son Yassine.But though Yassine has inherited the family’s football genes, his eye for goal is more like his uncle Yaya than dad Kolo. Born in March 2006 while Toure Sr was at Arsenal, the youngster is an exciting attacker who usually operates up front or as a winger. Yassine, 17, was in the Celtic academy but made the switch to the East Midlands with his old man and Rodgers.But when Kolo left Leicester for Wigan, the Ivory Coast youth international stayed put at Leicester after signing a two-year scholarship contract with the Foxes in 2022.He has been a regular in the club’s U18 Premier League campaign this term, racking up goals against Brighton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, and featured in the FA Youth Cup defeat to Chelsea. Toure Jr plays out wide or up front for the Foxes youngstersCredit: GettyYassine’s uncle is Manchester City legend YayaCredit: Getty Images – GettyToure Sr finished his career by winning the Treble at CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowHe stayed on as a coach after retiring then left for Leicester with Brendan RodgersCredit: GettyThe Ivorian had a horror nine-match winless stint as Wigan managerCredit: Alamy More

WAYNE ROONEY may be Manchester United’s record goalscorer and the former England captain.But one of his former team-mates somehow didn’t spot him on his way into Old Trafford.Seamus Coleman did not spot Wayne Rooney in the Old Trafford tunnelCredit: TNT SportsThe Everton full-back needed a second takeCredit: TNT SportsThe pair had a laugh about the incident as they shook handsCredit: GettyRooney, 38, was on punditry duty for TNT Sports as the Red Devils beat Everton 2-0 in the lunchtime kick-off.And that saw the 38-year-old standing in the tunnel alongside co-stars Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott when the Toffees squad headed to the away dressing room.The trio said hello and shook hands with various players, including former United man Ashley Young and England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.However, Seamus Coleman was completely unaware of Rooney’s presence in comical scenes.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Toffees skipper, 35, had greeted Lescott and had a quick chat with the former Manchester City defender.He then shook hands with Ferdinand but was about to walk past Rooney while looking back the other way.Rooney put his hand up for his ex-Everton pal but was accidentally ignored – so then placed his palm on Coleman’s chest.It was only then that the full-back took a second take and realised who was in front of him.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL A shocked Coleman leant back with a beaming smile and exclaimed: “Wazza what’s happening, you alright?”The pair then enjoyed a warm embrace – with Rooney confirming that he was “good, good” – before Coleman headed off.Wayne Rooney looks sheepish as Man Utd legend reveals his worst ever tweets leaving Rio Ferdinand in shockThe Irishman started on the bench at Old Trafford with Ben Godfrey getting the nod from Sean Dyche at right-back. Rooney also reflected on some of his famous embarrassing tweets with Ferdinand as part of the preview for the game between two of his former clubs. Ferdinand, meanwhile, headed back to Carrington to chat with Erik ten Hag about the current state of United.While there, he also bumped into Sir Alex Ferguson, who could not resist a cheeky dig at his old defender for making his hair go white.The pundits also said hello to Ashley YoungCredit: TNT Sports More

ERIK TEN HAG’S high demands in Manchester United training have impressed Rio Ferdinand.The former centre-back was sent to Carrington by TNT Sports to interview the manager. Rio Ferdinand was delighted by Erik ten Hag stressing the importance of standards in trainingCredit: Instagram / tntsportsFerdinand stressed that during his 12 years at Man Utd, the players would set the intensity in training and push each other on.The six-time Premier League winner said: “The standards was a big thing when I was here.”We used to have Paul Scholes setting the standards. He was the best every day.”Asked which players drive their team-mates on from the current squad, Ten Hag said: “Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Licha, when he is out on the training pitch, he’s always on the front foot.”They set the tone so that others they can hang on.”Ferdinand was delighted to hear about the culture at Carrington, saying: “It’s so refreshing to hear him talk about the training ground and standards.”Standards, standards, standards. That’s one of the things he kept repeating about – standards.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFerdinand also bumped into Sir Alex Ferguson while at Carrington and they embraced each other with a big hug.The legendary gaffer then joked he was responsible for making his hair go white.Wayne Rooney BOOED off stage and ‘lost head’ after Man Utd legend tried hand at singing Ferdinand then spoke to his old team-mates Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher as they revealed Wayne Rooney was once booed off stage after trying his hand at singing a pop classic. More

SIR ALEX FERGUSON took a cheeky dig at Rio Ferdinand – before the former defender got hilariously snubbed. Ferdinand, 45, headed back to the Carrington training ground as part of the preview for today’s lunchtime kick-off against Everton.Sir Alex Ferguson shredded Rio Ferdinand with a cheeky commentCredit: Instagram / tntsportsReceptionist Kath gave Fergie a kiss on the cheekCredit: Instagram / tntsportsFerdinand complained he did not get the same welcomeCredit: Instagram / tntsportsAnd the TNT pundit bumped into his former boss in the car park as he began filming.Then Ferguson shredded the ex-England international with a brilliant quip.Hugging the legendary Scot, Ferdinand said: “Boss! I can’t believe you’ve come to see me, lovely to see you. How are you doing? You look well.”I only normally talk to you on the text now, I don’t normally see you.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe pair then headed through the sliding doors, where they were greeted by United’s long-standing receptionist Kath.Fergie called out to “Kathy darling” and she gave a cheery response.Ferdinand then told Kath: “You didn’t greet me like that, Kath! What’s going on here?”Kath replied: “Of course I did.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL A laughing Fergie then joked: “Do you know who he is? “That’s what gave me the white hair!”‘So refreshing’, says Rio Ferdinand after interview with Erik ten Hag at Man Utd training groundFerguson signed Ferdinand from Leeds for a world transfer fee for a defender in 2002.The centre-back – who had an eight-month drugs ban early in his Old Trafford career – went on to play 455 times for the Red Devils.He won six Premier League titles under Ferguson, including in the Scot’s final season at the helm, as well as two League Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup. And alongside Nemanja Vidic, he cemented his status as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history. But Ferdinand was left perplexed on his return to the United training ground when Kath came out to greet Ferguson.She gave the 82-year-old a kiss on the cheek as Fergie hugged her.And that prompted Ferdinand to moan: “I didn’t get a kiss either!”What’s happening here? It ain’t right. Favouritism.”Fergie then told Kath to give Ferdinand a cuddle.But she replied: “He’s had a cuddle!”And Ferdinand added: “She did give me. I’m only messing around.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFerdinand also caught up with United’s current gaffer, Erik ten Hag during his visit.And he then appeared on TNT with former team-mate Wayne Rooney as part of the live TV coverage at Old Trafford for the clash with Everton.The pair bumped into each other in the car parkCredit: Instagram / tntsportsFerdinand and Ferguson won six Premier League titles togetherCredit: Getty – Contributor More