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    Fans compare Sky Sports Monday Night Football gag to Alan Partridge as they cringe at Ben Mee joke

    FANS have been left cringing at David Jones’ joke to Ben Mee on Sky Sports.The presenter hosted the Monday Night Football show covering Liverpool’s 6-1 trashing of Leeds at Elland Road.

    Fans cringed at David Jones’ joke at Ben MeeCredit: Sky Sports
    He was joined in the studio by Jamie Carragher and Brentford star Mee.
    However, Jones could not resist making a jokey pun at the defender’s name as he said: “I am going to put you on the spot now Ben.
    “From Mee to you.
    “Knowing Mee, knowing you.”
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    There was plenty of laughter in the studio from Mee and Carragher.
    The clip was then posted on social media and Carragher replied to it again with a GIF of comedian Steve Coogan’s beloved character Alan Partridge saying: “This is GREAT banter! It really is.”
    However, fans were left less than impressed as they cringed on social media.
    One viewer tweeted: “Dave Jones Is such a cringe bloke.”
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    A second commented: “Sure he’s never heard that one before 🙄.”
    A third wrote: “You reckon he’s heard that one more than once in his life 🤣.”
    A fourth said: “That’s the face of someone who’s had a lifetime of jokes about his name.”
    While a fifth added: “That’s got to be something they had a bet to try to get into the program.” More

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    Erling Haaland’s dark arts exposed on Sky Sports as Ben Mee reveals Man City star’s sneaky tricks to put off defenders

    BEN MEE has exposed the dark arts that Manchester City star Erling Haaland uses to put off defenders.The Brentford centre-back was on punditry duty for Sky Sports ahead of Leeds taking on Liverpool when he revealed the on-pitch secret.
    Ben Mee has opened up on what it is like to face Erling HaalandCredit: Sky Sports
    Erling Haaland and Ben Mee pinched each other when they met earlier this seasonCredit: Getty
    Mee claims that Haaland pinches his opponents in attempt to distract and bully them.
    He said: “He is a powerful lad and we have had a little bit of a jostle.
    “Obviously we are trying to be physical with him and use our body in and around the box to stop him from getting into any positions he wants to.
    “Little pinches here and there between me and him.”
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    Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher then asked if the pinches were coming from him or Haaland.
    And Mee responded: “More from him to be fair. But I don’t mind that, I quite like that.”
    The 33-year-old at the heart of the Brentford defence frustrated Haaland when they met earlier this season with the Bees winning 2-1.
    Mee also analysed how his team dealt with Kevin De Bruyne feeding Haaland, who has netted 32 goals in 28 league appearances.
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    The tactic involved the ex-Burnley captain stepping out of the defence to pressure the Belgian midfielder to stop him passing forward.
    Brentford and City are set to meet again on April 28, which is the last day of the season.
    Pep Guardiola’s side will hope to wrap up the title then with them just four points behind Arsenal with the Gunners to play and a game in hand. More

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    Roy Keane opens up on how Gary Neville concerned him after coming through Man Utd academy and had brutal prediction

    ROY KEANE has joked that he and his team-mates had concerns about Gary Neville’s ability when the defender came through Manchester United’s academy.Neville was famously part of the Class of ’92 – which featured club legends including Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
    Roy Keane has joked he had doubts Gary Neville would succeed at Man UtdCredit: PA
    He was handed his debut by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1992, and would go on to become first-choice right-back in the 1994-1995 season.
    But, before that, Keane said of Neville “he won’t last” when he was handed his opportunity.
    The Irishman added, though, that it was important for big clubs to bring players through from the academy.
    Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: “We were doubtful honestly when Gary came along, he won’t last. Becks, Schoesly, Giggs, the rest of them had a chance. But no, it’s great for the club to have lads come through the academy.
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    “We’ve seen with the Arsenal lads, the fans can identify with them, particularly if they’re local lads. And the beauty of lads like Gary and the lads coming through is when you get an opportunity, it’s about taking it.
    “A lot of the lads do get a chance but don’t take it. But these lads at Arsenal have done it, obviously Gary and the other lads at United.
    “It’s so important for the club, recruitment is vital, you have to go out and spend big money, but to get young lads through and do so well is very nice to see.”
    Neville would go on to play 602 games for the Red Devils – winning eight Premier League titles, and the Champions League twice.
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    In the last six years of his career at Old Trafford, he would captain the side.
    Former boss Fergie said of Neville when he announced his retirement during the 2010-2011 season: “Gary is an example to any young professional, hard-working, loyal and intelligent. His impact on the club in general has been huge.
    “His presence in the dressing room and leadership qualities have been an asset to me as a manager. As a young boy he had the will and determination to succeed as a footballer and that character remained with him throughout his career.” More

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    Man Utd legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville accuses Arsenal star of breaking ‘rule’ against Liverpool

    GARY NEVILLE has accused Granit Xhaka of breaking a “rule” at Anfield. Arsenal were two goals up after a stunning opening 30 minutes, which put them on course for a famous win at Liverpool.
    Gary Neville has accused Granit Xhaka of breaking an Anfield ‘rule’Credit: Getty
    Xhaka clashed with Trent Alexander-Arnold during the gameCredit: PA
    However, Xhaka has been credited with being the spark for his team’s downfall as Liverpool fought back to draw 2-2.
    Xhaka was involved in an altercation with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the dormant fire which had suddenly been lit under Liverpool saw the game run away from Arsenal, according to Neville.
    Speaking to his Sky Sports podcast, he said: “Arsenal played brilliantly in the first 40 minutes and then they just got the crowd up.
    “I’m not pointing directly at the Xhaka incident where he got involved but there is a rule when you play here and it didn’t help.
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    “There are some rules here: get through the first 25 minutes, play the ball forward and don’t let them press you early on, if the crowd are sleepy, leave it that way.
    “Don’t wind the crowd up or give a stupid free-kick away. Don’t get involved in a fight because they want the fire here.
    “One team needs fire and that’s Liverpool and one team needs ice and that’s Arsenal.
    “Arsenal got involved in fire before half-time and obviously they conceded.”
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    The result means Manchester City have reduced their gap to Arsenal to six points.
    And a supercomputer has predicted the final outcome of the season after the twists from the weekend’s action. More

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    Man Utd icon Roy Keane leaves Sky Sports studio in stitches with brutal verdict of Andy Robertson after linesman ‘elbow’

    ROY KEANE had the Sky Sports studio in stitches as he assessed the controversial incident of Andy Robertson allegedly being elbowed in the throat by a linesman.The shock scenario unfolded at half time during Liverpool’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield yesterday.
    Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis appeared to elbow Andy RobertsonCredit: Twitter
    Liverpool star Robertson was holding his jaw as he left the field furiousCredit: Alamy

    But assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis stole the headlines after the shocking moment between him and Liverpool’s Robertson.
    The full-back approached Hatzidakis after the whistle had gone for the break.
    But as he remonstrated with the official, replays appeared to show Hatzidakis strike the Scottish star with his elbow.
    Referee Paul Tierney then gave the Scot a yellow card for his protestations AFTER blowing up for half-time.
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    The official was subsequently surrounded by Liverpool players, including a furious Robertson.
    Television replays appear to show Hatzidakis strike the full-back, with the PGMOL confirming that they will launch an investigation into the incident.
    Some fans have called for Hatzidakis to get an eight-match ban for the action – but Manchester United legend Keane was having none of it.
    Working as pundit for Sky Sports alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, he had his colleagues crying with laughter as he gave his verdict.
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    When asked firstly if he had ever seen anything like it before at half time, he replied: “No, not really. But Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I’m not sure, but he’s complaining. He should be more worried about his defending.
    “Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I’ve watched him a number of times. He’s a big baby. That’s what he is.
    “Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.”

    Then, later on in the show after the full-time whistle, he added: “What’s he gone over for and what’s he complaining for?
    “I said at half time, Robertson what a baby, a big baby. Just get on with the game. Baby.”
    That led to a huge outburst of laughter from his fellow pundits.
    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was asked his thoughts about the incident, to which he responded: “Nothing. I know it happened but I didn’t watch it.
    “If it happened the pictures will speak for themselves. I have nothing else to say about it.”
    Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Gary Neville struggled to hold their laughter as Roy Keane gave his verdictCredit: Twitter More

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    Roy Keane destroys Jamie Carragher with one word as Micah Richards digs out embarrassing clip of Liverpool legend

    ROY KEANE had one word to describe Jamie Carragher’s defending after Micah Richards showed a clip of the Liverpool legend in action.With Liverpool and Arsenal facing off on Sunday in a crunch clash, Richards dug up old footage of Carragher playing in the fixture.
    Roy Keane brutally trolled Jamie Carragher ahead of Liverpool vs ArsenalCredit: Sky Sports
    Micah Richards dug out an old clip of Carragher in action against the GunnersCredit: Alamy
    The Anfield icon was bamboozled by Thierry Henry as the Arsenal hero netted a stunning solo goal in a 4-2 win over the Reds at Highbury in 2004.
    Henry left Carragher tripping up over his own feet before coolly slotting into the back of the net.
    Showing the clip on Sky Sports, Richards brutally joked: “Jamie’s always talking about body positions, and I just want to look at your body position here.
    “Because I don’t know if you was dancing, or you was twisting. You twist one way, you twist the other, and you take [Igor] Biscan out of the game as well!”
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    Carragher then replied: “My only defence is it was against the greatest player to ever play in the Premier League.”
    Manchester United legend Keane then chimed in, joking: “Did you just come back from injury Jamie?”
    And when asked how he would describe the defending, Keane simply said: “Shocking.”
    Keane’s brutal one-word put down left Richards and Carragher in stitches.
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    Football fans were also left chuckling at Carragher’s expense.
    Reacting to the clip, one wrote on Twitter: “These are the best together.”
    Another said with laughing emojis: “Love Roy Keane.”
    And a third added: “You can’t not enjoy the hop ball between the pundits.” More

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    Premier League ‘ready to DITCH Sky Sports and BT Sport and show football in new way in dramatic shake-up’

    THE Premier League are ready to ditch Sky Sports and BT Sport in a huge shake-up to football broadcasting, reports claim. Sky Sports have been at the centre of the Premier League since its inception in 1992 and have helped fuel the huge financial boom that has made England’s top-flight the richest division in the world.
    Sky Sports have dominated the Premier League TV landscape since 1992Credit: Getty
    While BT have become an increasingly bigger player in recent years and boast Champions League football among plenty of other packages.
    But when it comes to domestic football, the broadcasting world could be on the brink of change.
    The Mirror report that the Premier League are prepared to leave behind their traditional broadcasters and show games on their own platform.
    If this change were to happen, it would not be immediate.
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    The current TV deal runs until 2025 after a £5.1bn deal was signed in 2021.
    The Mirror claim that only one more multi-year deal might be signed before the Prem “cut out the middle men”.
    It would be a radical change to broadcasting with fans currently having to fork out on multiple subscriptions to follow all the live games.
    Sky normally show four or five games across a weekend while BT Sport have Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
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    Meanwhile Amazon in recent years have had one or two full rounds of fixtures during the Christmas period where they show every game live.
    Reports have also suggested that channels like Disney and DAZN could try and get involved in Premier League broadcasting.
    Broadcasters still have to fit their scheduling around England’s 3pm blackout and the Premier League would also have to do this unless rule changes were introduced.
    If the league were to take control of the broadcast deal, it would also give them more control over kick-off times.
    Fans have expressed frustration in recent years over asocial kick off times that supporters have had to put up with to satisfy TV schedules.
    And Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters Association, said footy followers are also under the cosh over the money paid to watch football on TV.
    BT Sport currently show the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game every weekCredit: Reuters
    He told the Mirror: “There’s no question that supporters are increasingly feeling the financial strain.
    “We’re not untouched by the general cost of living crisis but the more platforms there are, the more subscriptions we have to find.
    “For those fans who want to watch everyone of the club’s televised games the costs are really starting to mount.”
    The reports come as Sky Sports make huge cutbacks on their output with iconic shows like Soccer AM getting the axe.
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    Meanwhile, BT Sport have also been making changes with their Saturday Score programme set to be scrapped.
    The channel is also set to get rebranded next season. More

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    EFL set for almost DOUBLE number of televised games next season with Sky Sports agree to condition to edge out ViaPlay

    THE EFL may end up almost DOUBLING the number of live games from the next TV deal.Sky are negotiating final details of a fresh contract that will see them pay much more.
    The EFL is set to get double the coverage next seasonCredit: Rex
    Part of those talks is about how many games they will show as the EFL seeks more exposure, especially down the divisions.
    Sky were initially looking to do fewer games in future but the fear of losing the whole deal brought them to the table with the best offer — as we tipped last month.
    There is still a chance that Sky “sub-contract” some of the coverage and insiders reveal the whole process has “a bit to go”. 
    That means fans will get to watch much more from their favourite Championship, League One and League Two teams.
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    Football enthusiasts could also watch more from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham.
    The Red Dragons are fighting it out with Notts County in the National League as they seek automatic promotion.
    Fans of Premier League teams set to be relegated will take comfort in the fact they won’t be missing any of the action when they bid to return to the top.
    However, that won’t include Burnley, who earned promotion to the Premier League.
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    The Clarets returned to the English top flight just a year after their relegation.
    Burnley were led by manager Vincent Kompany on his first season at Turf Moor.
    Kompany will now get the chance to lock horns with former mentors like Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. More