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      I died for two minutes on pitch, says Tom Lockyer as he opens up for first time about terrifying cardiac arrest

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      TOM LOCKYER revealed his heart stopped for two minutes and forty seconds after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch back in December.The Luton captain, 29, collapsed during the Hatters’ clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium – just seven months after he suffered a similar incident during the Championship play-off final.
      Tom Lockyer joined Sky Sports’ broadcast at Kenilworth Road and issued an update on his healthCredit: Sky Sports

      The Luton captain suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Luton’s clash with Bournemouth in DecemberCredit: Rex
      Lockyer was discharged from hospital after four daysCredit: FACEBOOK/UNPIXS
      He was discharged from hospital four days later and is now continuing his recovery.
      It is unclear whether he will resume his playing career, but he did return to Kenilworth Road last month and received a hero’s welcome from the fans ahead of their 4-0 win over Brighton.
      He also recently went to visit his team-mates at the training ground in a touching moment for everyone at the club.
      Then on Sunday he was a part of Sky Sports’ coverage for Luton’s clash with Manchester United where he was asked about his health.
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      He said: “I’m doing well, I really am. Obviously I’m incredibly lucky to be stood here and be in such good spirits but I am really well.”
      Lockyer, who also admitted it has been a “tough couple of months” then went on to describe the events that unfolded at Bournemouth in more detail.
      He added: “It was just a normal day and that’s probably the most worrying thing about it is I felt completely fine.
      “So I’ve been looking for answers, searching for answers, but as far as I was aware it was just another normal day at the office. It was all going well until what happened happened.”
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      Lockyer says he remembers feeling “light-hearted” when running up towards the halfway line, before he then woke up with paramedics around him.
      He insists the incident felt different from the “dream” he woke up from after collapsing at Wembley, describing the instant feeling at Bournemouth as more of a “nothingness”.
      Tom Lockyer given hero’s welcome as he returns to Luton pitch for first time since cardiac arrest-
      He continued: “There was a little more panic around [than at Wembley]. I was a bit disorientated. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, and I was just trying to take in what was happening.
      “While that was going on I remember thinking ‘I could be dying here’. It’s quite a surreal thought to have.”
      Lockyer’s condition eventually improved and he describes it as a “relief” that he was alive, adding it was “fortunate” that it happened on the pitch where medical attention was close by.
      He then went on to confirm that a recording device placed under his chest after the episode at Wembley revealed his heart stopped for “two minutes and forty seconds” at the Vitality Stadium.
      Lockyer also thanked the medical staff who “without a doubt” saved his life as he insisted he will be “forever grateful” to them for what they did.
      His girlfriend and father were both at the game, while his mum and brother learnt the news of his collapse on the radio.
      That is the part of it which Lockyer describes as the “hardest thing to deal with”.
      He has spoken to players who have had similar incidents – including Man Utd man Christian Eriksen who collapsed at the Euros but has since resumed his playing career.
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      However, Lockyer is adamant he will “take his time” before making a decision.
      He is also aware it is somewhat “out of my hands” as he will be dictated to by the advice from the medical staff.
      He recently returned to Luton’s training ground to reunite with his team-matesCredit: @LutonTown More

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      Michael Owen fumes Darwin Nunez’s ‘insane’ goal against Brentford is ‘further proof’ Liverpool star ‘has to adapt’

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      MICHAEL OWEN praised Darwin Nunez’s finish against Brentford but warned it is proof the striker needs to change his mindset.Nunez put Liverpool 1-0 in front at the Gtech Community Stadium with a brilliant scooped finish to chip goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
      Darwin Nunez scored a brilliant chip against BrentfordCredit: Alamy
      Michael Owen questioned the striker’s mindsetCredit: Getty
      The striker was played through one-on-one by Diogo Jota and could have simply slotted the ball into the back of the net, but opted for a more stylish yet risky finish.
      Former Reds star Owen described the finish as “insane” but questioned why Nunez did not opt for a simpler finish, and claimed he needs to change his mindset.
      Owen wrote on X: “That finish from Darwin Nunez yesterday was insane. I can’t stop watching it. And I can’t begin to explain how difficult a skill that is. Moving at pace, the ball running away from you, being inside the box with no room for error. Incredible.
      “BUT, it is also further proof that if he is to get closer to becoming the great player many people think he can be, he has to adapt his way of thinking. I mean, to even consider that finish is madness.
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      “It’s a one in 10, two in 10 finish at best. Learning to slot, dink or go round the goalkeeper is a far more productive way to score and will increase his chances to four or five in 10, thus massively increasing his end return.
      “I’m really not trying to rain on his parade as that goal was pure class. But I’d rather see it when Liverpool are 3-0 up, not at 0-0😂”
      Nunez, has scored nine goals in 24 Premier League games this season and broke a record by hitting the woodwork four times against Chelsea last month.
      Rarely a match goes by without Nunez catching the eye for one reason or another, with the striker also smashing a shot against the crossbar against Arsenal this month.
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      After the strike Nunez quickly had fans in stitches as he reacted to Gunners defender Gabriel shouting at him by hugging the Brazilian’s head.
      Liverpool beat Brentford 4-1 with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah scoring, with the latter playing his first game since injury.
      Virgil van Dijk breaks all-time Liverpool record vs Brentford before admitting on live TV that he had no idea More

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      Sheffield United 0 Brighton 5: Blades officially the worst defence in Premier League history after humiliating defeat

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      Mason Holgate, hang your head in shame.Forget late, high, reckless and dangerous, his disgraceful ‘challenge’ on Karou Mitoma was straight up assault.
      Brighton filled their boots at Bramall Lane on SundayCredit: Getty
      Sheffield United have now conceded 65 goals after 25 league gamesCredit: Reuters
      Chris Wilder watched his side suffer another thrashing at homeCredit: Reuters
      Mason Holgate was sent off for a shocking challenge on Kaoru Mitoma in the 11th minuteCredit: Getty
      For once Sheffield United came into a game full of beans following victory at Luton, dreaming up the unlikeliest of escapes from the bottom three.
      And then up steps Holgate, in just his fourth game on loan from Everton, with one of the worst tackles in Prem history just 11 minutes in.
      Ok, it was there to be won – but what followed was truly horrific.
      Who knows what the braindead defender was thinking as he steamed in, but he completely missed the ball before following through – wildly out of control – on Mitoma’s knee.
      You won’t see a clearer red, unless you’re ref Stuart Attwell, who somehow thought a yellow was appropriate before upgrading it after checking his monitor.
      A potential career-ending tackle, Mitoma thankfully escaped injury and was buzzing around again before long.
      United boss Chris Wilder refused to look at the 27-year-old trudged as he sheepishly trudged off.
      Holgate has now picked up a ridiculous three red cards in 36 games, and the only justice here would be to see him slapped with more than the standard three-game ban.
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      Most goals conceded after 25 Premier League gamesThese are the clubs that have conceded the most goals after 25 games of a Premier League season:

      Sheffield United (2023/24) – 65 goals
      Barnsley (1997/98) – 61 goals
      Leeds (2021/22) – 56 goals
      Blackburn (2011/12) – 56 goals

      And what of the cost to Sheffield United? We know who would have been happy to see the Blades lose again, and that’s Holgate’s parent club down at the bottom of the league.
      With an extra man for 80 minutes, Brighton strolled to victory thanks to Facundo Buonanotte, Danny Welbeck, a Jack Robinson own goal and Simon Adringa’s brace.
      Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
      Having won here 5-1 in the FA Cup, it’s now 10 goals at Bramall Lane for Brighton in the last three weeks.
      Filled with hope before a ball was kicked, rock-bottom United look doomed once again.
      They’ve now shipped 65 goals, more than any other side after 25 games.
      To be fair to the South Yorkshiremen, they battled on manfully without Holgate until the Seagulls ran away with it late on.
      United started brightly in the glorious sunshine before Holgate darkened the afternoon.
      But the writing was on the wall just seven minutes after he was given his marching orders when Buonanotte opened the scoring.
      Pascal Gross’ deep corner was nodded back across goal, Adam Webster got a glancing touch and the young Argentinian midfielder bundled home.
      Twenty-four minutes in and it was game over. Gross was on hand with the delivery again, whipping a cross to Mitoma at the back post.
      The Japanese star’s first-time effort from a tight angle was parried by Wes Foderingham straight into the path of the unmarked Welbeck, who smashed home his fourth of the campaign.
      United thought they pegged one back just before the break, but scorer Ben Osborn was correctly given offside following another VAR check.
      Roberto De Zerbi’s side naturally bossed the whole of the second half without ever getting out of third gear – not that they needed to in order to bag another three.
      Mitoma, fully recovered from being poleaxed earlier, got an assist with a wicked ball in from the left, with hapless Jack Robinson spooning into his own net.
      And moments later it was 4-0 when Adingra hooked in Gross’ cross, before the Ivory Coast winger got his second late on with a deflected effort over Foderingham.
      Brighton’s biggest win of the Prem season – and the first time they’ve ever scored five on the road in the top flight – this is a huge result for their European chances having not won away in six.
      Leapfrogging West Ham and Newcastle into seventh, the Champions League may be out of reach but a successive top-six finish is well within their sights.
      Yet this game will only be remembered for one thing, so hopefully we won’t be seeing Holgate grace a football pitch for a while yet.
      Check out how the action unfolded via our live blog below… More

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      ‘Scariest moment of my life’ – Rob Edwards reveals he ‘broke down’ in front of Luton players after Tom Lockyer collapsed

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      LUTON boss Rob Edwards has described Tom Lockyer’s collapse as the “scariest moment of my life”.Hatters captain Lockyer, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest at the Vitality Stadium during his side’s clash with Bournemouth on December 16.
      Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Luton’s clash with Bournemouth in DecemberCredit: Rex
      Manager Rob Edwards still finds the incident difficult to discussCredit: Rex
      He received immediate medical attention and was rushed off to hospital for tests as the game was abandoned.
      Lockyer, who also collapsed during the 2023 Championship play-off final at Wembley, was discharged four days later and is continuing his recovery.
      And more than two months on, Edwards, 41, who was visibly emotional on the day, still finds it a difficult subject to talk about.
      The ex-Watford boss described it as the “scariest moment of my life”, before going on to tell The Athletic: “I don’t want to talk about it too much, but it was different. It was so, so scary.
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      “I kind of broke down in front of the lads. I said, ‘I’m supposed to be a leader here, but I don’t know what to say. I can’t lead you right now at the moment.
      “Everyone acted differently. Carlton Morris spoke up and some members of the staff did as well. And that’s where you can see how strong we are as a unit — players and staff.
      “I know I have to stand up and be the face of it most of the time, but that just showed our strength and our togetherness because I wasn’t in a position at that time to carry on.”
      Lockyer will be part of Sky Sports’ coverage of Luton’s clash with Manchester United at Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon.
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      He received a hero’s welcome from the Luton faithful when he walked out onto the pitch before their 4-0 win over Brighton last month.
      It remains unclear whether he will resume his playing career – with Lockyer currently focused on his recovery and the upcoming birth of his child.
      Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitch
      But Edwards has insisted Lockyer is still playing an integral part in Luton’s battle to avoid relegation despite not being able to feature on the pitch.
      Luton had lost just one of their last six Premier League games before a 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United last weekend.
      They sit one point above the bottom three having played one game fewer than 18th place Everton.
      After Luton’s clash with Man Utd, Sean Dyche’s Toffees host Crystal Palace on Monday night.
      Lockyer is working for Sky Sports as Luton take on Manchester United at Kenilworth RoadCredit: Instagram @tomlockyer More

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      ‘More atmosphere at a car boot sale’ – Man City mocked as video of team arriving at Etihad to near silence goes viral

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      RIVAL fans have been relishing mocking Manchester City’s pre-match atmosphere at the Etihad.A video circulated on social media last night that showed the City team bus arriving ahead of the evening clash with Chelsea.
      Manchester City received a gentle welcome at the EtihadCredit: X
      Fans gathered outside the entrance to see the team get off the busCredit: AFP
      But as the rain poured in Manchester, the home supporters struggled to ramp up the anticipation for the eagerly-anticipated blockbuster showdown.
      The clip reveals a plethora of umbrellas and raincoats as the PA announcer tries to drum up the crowd and asks them to “make some noise” for the Treble winners.
      But the request was met by a deft ripple of polite applause and a few little cheers rather than a raucous roar.
      The man on the microphone did his best to keep energy levels up as he announced Pep Guardiola was the first man off the bus followed by his coaching staff before Rodri walked down the soaked blue carpet.
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      He then read through the rest of the City squad as they emerged down the steps of the coach and headed in through the players’ entrance at the Etihad.
      Most names prompted a response from what sounded like one young child – although there was slightly more for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
      Of course, it could be that the reception was not fully picked up by the camera filming the arrival as the sound was drowned out by the host on the microphone.
      But other supporters were less sympathetic to the Club World Cup champions’ fans, who Guardiola has historically urged to create more atmosphere.
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      One said: “Heard more noise in a kids classroom than that.”
      Another wrote: “Got 30 seconds in and had to turn it off before I turned myself inside out cringing.”
      Erling Haaland SHOVES camera after worst-ever Man City game as Sky Blues drop points to Chelsea,
      A third added: “Can almost hear a pin drop.”
      A fourth commented: “This is beyond pathetic.”
      And a final user quipped: “More atmosphere at a car boot sale.”
      City struggled to make much noise on the pitch once the match got underway, either.
      Guardiola’s side went in at the break trailing to Chelsea thanks to ex-City forward Raheem Sterling’s fine finish.
      But Rodri fired home with seven minutes remaining to rescue a point for the club chasing a fourth Premier League crown in a row.
      It was a particularly frustrating evening for Haaland who failed to score with any of his NINE shots before shoving the Sky Sports camera away at full-time.
      The Treble winners were greeted by umbrellas and raincoatsCredit: X
      City dropped two crucial points in the title raceCredit: Getty More

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      Former Tottenham wonderkid who ‘refused new contract’ now playing in South Korean second division

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      NATHAN ODUWA spurned his chance to play for Spurs… and now finds himself in the South Korean second division.As a teenager, he was tipped as the next big thing after impressing during his time in the Tottenham youth setup.
      Nathan Oduwa was a wonderkid at TottenhamCredit: Reuters
      He now plays in South Korea after spells in Ireland and AzerbaijanCredit: Sportsfile
      Oduwa was also a regular for England, being capped for the Three Lions Under-18s, 19s and 20s.
      The talented winger stood out with his fast feet and silky skills.
      He was loaned out to then-League Two side Luton in 2015 and Glasgow giants Rangers while they were in the Scottish Championship.
      After catching the eye of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino when he was north of the border, the club tried to tie Oduwa down to a new contract.
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      But he was reportedly told he would remain behind fellow youngsters Josh Onomah and Alex Pritchard in the hunt for first-team chances.
      Oduwa is said to have believed he was ready for senior football and rejected Spurs’ contract offer.
      Sky Sports claimed at the time that his agent was trying to convince him to sign the deal.
      But Oduwa still refused and following further loans to Colchester and Peterborough, he quit Tottenham in 2017.
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      The ex-wonderkid then made a surprise move to Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana, winning the league title with the club after one year.
      A transfer to Danish outfit Vejle Boldklub was next – but he saw his contract terminated after just three months.
      Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
      Oduwa then played 16 times for Israel’s Hapoel Hadera before turning up in Ireland with Dundalk.
      He formed part of the side that played in a Europa League group that contained Arsenal in 2020.
      Oduwa’s journeyman career continued as he had spells with Azerbaijani duo Shamakhi and Turan Tovuz.
      Now aged 27, the one-time hot prospect recently agreed a deal with South Korean second tier side Chungbuk Cheongju.
      It is Oduwa’s 12th club.
      However, he is not the only failed Tottenham wonderkid who has seen their career take a turn after refusing a new contract.
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      Reo Griffiths outscored Harry Kane as an Under-18 and had top European sides chasing his signature.
      But, following his release by Doncaster in November, the free agent is now training with Sunday league team Critics FC to keep fit.
      Oduwa was loaned to RangersCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow More

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      My dad is a Premier League legend – now I’m making my own way in football after leaving his beloved club

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      THE son of Premier League legend Tim Cahill is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps.Shae, 18, is making his own way as a professional footballer with Brisbane Roar.
      Shae Cahill is hoping to follow in his father’s footstepsCredit: Alamy
      Dad Tim is an Everton legendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder has already made two senior appearances for the Australian side this season.
      But his route to replicating his dad’s success may have to be a long one after already leaving Everton.
      Tim, 44, is best remembered from his days at Goodison Park, scoring 68 goals for the club in 278 matches.
      And, while the Socceroos legend was wearing the captain’s armband at Everton, his son was already being touted as a future star.
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      Shae trained with the Merseyside club from the age of 11.
      He signed a contract with the Toffees in 2019 and played regularly for their Under-18s side.
      However, he left Cahill’s beloved club last summer after failing to earn a new contract.
      Shae has now returned to Australia, and Brisbane Roar manager Ross Aloisi insists he signed him due to his talent – not because of the family name.
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      Tim likes to keep advice simple with his son, previously tweeting: “Very proud of you my man. Wishing you all the best, keep chasing your dreams.”
      And Shae may not be the only Cahill to make it as a professional.
      Fans stunned by ‘easily the worst miss ever seen on a football field’ as even commentator mocks star after horror gaffe
      His other son Kyah, 20, has trained at the Lusail Football Academy in Qatar and with LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano.
      But he is currently without a club. More

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      I won three Premier League titles with Man Utd, but Luton’s Kenilworth Road will always send a shiver down my spine

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      STEVE BRUCE led his Manchester United side to glory on football’s fiercest stages yet tiny Kenilworth Road will always send a shiver down his spine.For nearly a decade he was the defensive rock in a side that dominated England at the start of the Premier League era, winning nine major trophies.
      Steve Bruce does not have fond memories of Manchester United’s 1992 visit to Kenilworth RoadCredit: Rex
      Luton earned a 1-1 draw with the Red Devils thanks to a Mick Harford goalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Yet two successive trips to Bedfordshire prior to the start of the Prem turned into a nightmare for Bruce.
      In September 1990 he set the unwanted record of becoming the first top-flight player to be sent off for a professional foul, after rule changes made it a red-card offence.
      And the next season Bruce was in the side that stumbled to a point at Luton, sparking a collapse which wrecked dreams of a first title in a quarter of a century.
      With five fixtures left, United were five points clear of Leeds with two games in hand — albeit in the midst of a schedule involving 11 games in the final six weeks.
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      Then came that slip against a Hatters side facing relegation, three successive defeats for the Reds, three successive wins for the ultimate league victors Leeds and the Man Utd title drought was into a 26th year.
      So with United about to return for the first time since that dismal 1-1 draw in April 1992, no wonder Bruce struggles to look on the fixture with any fondness.
      Now 63, Bruce admitted: “When we went to Luton, we were in the middle of a ridiculous schedule. We had four games in a week at one stage.
      “Before January we had been blowing teams away but by the end we couldn’t lift a leg — and Luton was the start of it.
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      “The pressure of knowing we hadn’t won the league for so long was building, you pick up injuries as well with so many games, and we slipped up.
      “It was really painful at the time and drawing with Luton was a major part. That was the start of our worst spell of the season and it blew it for us.”
      Tom Lockyer given hero’s welcome as he returns to Luton pitch for first time since cardiac arrest-
      Lee Sharpe had put United ahead but then Mick Harford equalised and almost from that moment the wheels came off, as Leeds shot past to win the last ever Division One crown.
      As a centre-back, Bruce made more than 300 appearances for the Red Devils over the course of nine years at Old Trafford.
      And he recalls that his previous visit to Kenilworth Road had been equally tortuous — on a more personal level, as he lasted just 39 minutes before setting that unhappy first.
      United were leading thanks to Mark Robins’ header when Iain Dowie spun away, Bruce tugged his shirt and referee Ray Lewis sent him packing.
      He added: “To be honest I couldn’t even remember who I had fouled — it certainly wasn’t Mick because he’d never have sprinted anywhere! But yes, it was deliberate.
      “It was that horrible plastic pitch, I grabbed his shirt so off I went. The first to get a red card under the new rules. Thanks for reminding me!
      “So no, not the happiest place for me at the time. It wasn’t a good spell for me at Luton — although in a daft way I do believe it helped us enormously to win the title the next season.
      “I wouldn’t say we bottled it but it was becoming more and more difficult to cope. It was a little bit of everything.
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      “There was, of course, the pressure of not having won it for 25 years — that’s something the current team will start feeling soon, because it’s been a decade now for United.
      “We hadn’t really got the experience of winning then, so I do think it gave us the kicking not to go through it again — and Luton was the start of it.”
      Bruce has gone down as a Man Utd legendCredit: AFP More