Serie A

COMO have offered a free beer to every Napoli fan who visits their match in February after their “beautiful sportsmanship”.The two sides met in Serie A on Friday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.Cesc Fabregas’ Como have offered Napoli fans a free beer at their match in FebruaryCredit: RexNapoli fans have been hailed for their ‘beautiful display of sportsmanship’ against ComoCredit: GettyAlthough the hosts ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, their supporters were full of praise for their opponents.Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku and David Neres were all on the scoresheet, with the Scot scoring after just 25 seconds.Home fans took to social media before and after the match, with Como now paying thanks with a special offer for the return fixture.The newly-promoted side hailed their hosts for the atmosphere inside the stadium following the match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn a statement, Como said: “Como 1907 would like to extend sincere thanks to Napoli and its fans for the beautiful display of sportsmanship following the match on Friday evening.”The atmosphere at the Maradona stadium and reaction of both fans after the game was second to none.”This is why Como 1907 will be buying a beer for every travelling Napoli fan at the return leg at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in February 2025.”Napoli fans will make the 1,630-mile round trip to Como’s Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in the New Year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt will be their first top flight trip to the Lombardy club since 1989 following their promotion last season.Como are back in Serie A after a 21-year absence, with former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas in charge.Cesc Fabregas like you’ve never seen him before as mild-mannered ex-Arsenal star explodes in fiery dressing room rantHe stepped up from his assistant manager role in the summer to replace Osian Roberts in the dugout.Meanwhile, his ex-Gunners team-mate Thierry Henry also owns shares in the club.Fabregas’ side are currently 14th in the table after a three-match unbeaten streak was ended by Napoli on Friday.Their opponents, however, are two points clear at the top of Serie A after five wins from their first seven matches.Napoli won 3-1 at home against Como in Serie A on Friday nightCredit: RexFabregas became manager of newly-promoted Como in the summerCredit: Rex More

SCOTT MCTOMINAY has been branded “potentially one of the best midfielders in Napoli history” after an incredible start to the season.It comes just six weeks after he completed his move to the Serie A side from Manchester United.Scott McTominay has been branded ‘potentially one of the best midfielders in Napoli history’Credit: RexThe Scotland international signed from Manchester United six weeks ago in a £25million dealCredit: RexMcTominay signed for £25million back in August, penning a four-year deal through to 2028.He has since scored twice and provided an assist in five appearances under Antonio Conte.His performances have seen him quickly become a fan favourite amongst supporters.McTominay’s acceptance by the fans was also helped by an open letter penned to supporters following his move.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMeanwhile, the Italian media have also hailed his displays, with one commentator even comparing him to Diego Maradona.Football agent Christian Bosco has now gone even further with his assessment of the Scotland international.Discussing McTominay, he told Canale 8: “You can be a winner even if you have different DNA. This Napoli is a cynical Napoli.”McTominay will still have to prove himself in Italy, but he is potentially one of the best midfielders in Napoli’s history.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMcTominay impressed on his debut against Juventus last month before scoring his first goal against Palermo in the Coppa Italia.He followed that strike up by finding the net after just 25 seconds against Como on Friday in Napoli’s latest win.PIzza boss dedicated pie to famous Tartan Army duo in ItalyThe victory leaves Conte’s side top of the table after seven matches of the season.Napoli have won five of their Serie A fixtures so far, losing just once, and sit two points clear of nearest challengers Inter Milan.McTominay will be hoping to keep his fine form going after the international break.His new club return to action away to 10th place Empoli on October 20.McTominay has two goals and one assist in five appearances for NapoliCredit: Rex More

MARIO BALOTELLI is set to be thrown a career lifeline by Torino, according to reports.The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has been a free agent for three months.Mario Balotelli could join Serie A side TorinoCredit: GettyItaly international Balotelli ended his second spell with Turks Adana Demirspor, and has yet to find a new club.But Torino’s captain and striker Duvan Zapata suffered a serious knee injury at the weekend that could sideline him for months.And the Turin club is now reportedly set to offer 34-year-old Balotelli a deal as temporary cover for the Colombian.Torino would become the 12th different club of his career, having previously played in Serie A for Inter, AC Milan, Brescia and Monza.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCapped 36 times, Balotelli has been linked with clubs in Brazil, India and Spain since returning home from Turkey.But he has chosen to bide his time, recently stating his intent to play in Italy once more.The frontman has trained by himself in Brescia to keep up his fitness.Torino, currently seventh in Serie A, could now come to the former City madcap’s rescue.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesManaged by Paolo Vanoli, their squad includes Scotland’s ex-Southampton striker Che Adams.They lost 3-2 at Inter on Saturday, with Zapata scoring before going off injured late in the game.Former Premier League bad boy Mario Balotelli takes up new sport as he ‘calls out former UFC champion’ More

ERIK TEN HAG has now masterminded Manchester United’s TWO worst starts in Premier League history.The Dutchman’s job hangs by a thread after winning just two of his seven league games this season.Erik ten Hag has now overseen Man Utd’s two worst starts in Premier League historyCredit: ReutersUnited big wigs including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Dan Ashworth and Sir Alex Ferguson watched on as the team stumbled their way to a 0-0 bore draw at Aston Villa on Sunday.And the result saw Ten Hag pick up only his eighth point of the campaign.It means the Dutchman has recorded United’s WORST-EVER start to a season.But incredibly, Ten Hag has was beating his own record.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOnly last season, he made history by taking just nine points in the first seven games.That had only been done once before, by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2019/20 season.And after matching the Norwegian last term, Ten Hag has managed to go one better and secure one less point.Fans reacted in disbelief to the news, having also seen their boss bring in more big-money signings this summer.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne said: “This guy is breaking his own records.”Another declared: “He keeps on challenging himself.”How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?One noted: “If this man survives this week, then we are done.”Another added: “Trust the process.”Speaking after United’s draw with Villa today, Ten Hag himself said: “We (the management) always speak, every week we speak. “We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through it’s a long-term process.”We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have.”I think it’s the fourth clean sheet this season. You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient.”We almost didn’t concede a chance, when you defend like this and get some luck, in the end they had a big chance but it was almost the only chance I think.”We created some chances, also not so many chances. We hit the crossbar and also Rashford had chances. But the two teams were really balanced.”In Porto our build-up was brilliant, so good in the first 25 minutes, we out-played Porto. “Also Palace, in possession we were so good, we have had games this season where we are good. But today we didn’t create too many chances, but also we played a great team.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We create loads of chances in our seven games but we have to step up. We have to take into consideration Hojlund is returning, he’s still coming up to full fitness. “But others are stepping up. I was impressed from Rashford, also Garnacho is so good, and Antony at the end.”Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More