Sport Features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 288 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Kate Abdo’s rise from job at Greggs and kiss behind bins to host of CBS and joking about her breasts with pundits

      by

      GORGEOUS presenter Kate Abdo is as relatable as she is likeable.The 42-year-old beauty is now starring on CBS Sports in the US, where she hosts their Champions League coverage.
      Glam Kate Abdo has stolen the show on CBS SportsCredit: Getty
      Abdo hosts CBS Sport’s Champions League coverage, alongside Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Jamie CarragherCredit: Instagram @kateabdo
      Glam Abdo is one of the rising stars of sports broadcastingCredit: AFP or licensors
      And she has become firm buddies with pundits Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, who she has built an instant rapport with.
      But, despite being brilliant on TV, Kate couldn’t hold down a job at Greggs when she was a youngster.
      Amusingly, she was sacked after getting her tongue-pierced, which meant she struggled to talk to the customers.
      The cheeky Mancunian also revealed on air that her first kiss was behind the bins at school.
      Read more kate abdo news
      While, she has also been very honest about her boobs.
      Rising star
      Bilingual Abdo has been a rising star in broadcasting since her first job in 2005.
      She worked for Germans Deutsche Welle, before scoring a job at Goal! The Bundesliga Magazine.
      Eventually she scored a presenting job with DW in 2009, hosting coverage in German and English.
      Most read in Football
      After a stint at CNN, Adbo left for Sky Sports Germany where she appeared on pay per view boxing events, European football coverage, transfer deadline day and Sky Sports News shows.
      She worked in the US for Fox Sports, but it’s with CBS Sports she has become a household name in the States.
      She works for the American TV channel’s Champions League output, and constantly shares banter with the show’s pundits.
      Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry clearly enjoy working with Kate, who they are happy to have a laugh with.
      Working at Greggs
      Case in point, her outrageous Greggs reveal.
      During coverage of Newcastle vs PSG, the Manchester United fan confessed she once worked at the famous British bakery.
      Abdo, who loves boxing as a workout, was an employee in the Stretford branch of Greggs before becoming an esteemed broadcaster.
      The revelation left Carragher and Richards in stitches as they could not believe it.
      Abdo added: “I wasn’t dripping Louis Vuitton quite as much back then.”
      Designer girl Abdo shows off her high-fashion choicesCredit: Instagram @kateabdo
      Abdo joked her breasts weren’t as big as this mock-up of her working in Greggs
      When she’s working out, Abdo likes to do boxingCredit: Instagram @kateabdo
      But before she could explain any more about her time in the role, the producers put up a photoshopped picture of her in Greggs attire.
      To which she brilliantly replied: “My breasts have never been that big.”
      That caused much laughter pitch side from her peers, who couldn’t believe what she said.
      First kiss
      Personal revelations have always been part of Kate’s reportoire.
      Just ask a lad by the name of Matthew Barker.
      Abdo was pressured to reveal her first kiss after being grilled on live TV by Henry, Carragher and Richards.
      The show’s Champions League coverage regularly features a segment called “In The Mixer” where Abdo quizzes the three ex-players with controversial questions about football and their own personal lives.
      And Abdo was set to begin another edition of the game when the tables were turned on her.
      Abdo has interviewed all the greats, including Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Abdo is now a permanent fixture on CBS SportsCredit: Reuters
      During CBS Sport’s Champions League coverage, Abdo stunned the pundits by revealing where her first kiss took placeCredit: Getty
      As she prepared to start, Richards interrupted as he pulled out his own cards – with Henry and Carragher following suit.
      And the trio went on to ask Abdo a series of questions, most shockingly about when she had her first kiss.
      When asked, Abdo put her head on the desk in embarrassment, before saying: “But my mum and dad are watching! Oh no!”
      She then went on to add: “It was behind the bins at school. It was private. It was classy and I was keeping it secret!”
      Henry, Carragher and Richards, falling about laughing, then pressed Abdo on what the man’s name was.
      To which she reluctantly replied: “His name was Matthew Barker.”
      She speaks three languages fluently
      Although she spent her young years in Manchester, by 17 she moved to Spain.
      She became fluent in Spanish, attending the University of Malaga and studying Translating and Interpreting.
      Well travelled Abdo also spent time living in France and Germany, continuing her studies at the University of Salford with a first-class B.A. (Hons) in European Languages.
      Because of her experiences abroad, Kate is fluent in Spanish, French and German, as well as her natural tongue.
      Read More on The Sun
      That makes interviews with the cream of European football a cinch for the talented presenter.
      No wonder Abdo is becoming as in-demand as her counterpart Laura Woods.
      Stunner Abdo is fluent in four languages – English, German, French and SpanishCredit: Instagram @kateabdo
      Abdo has enjoyed a remarkable riseCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      What happened next to forgotten Man Utd wonderkids who were meant to become world-class but never made it

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have a reputation for bringing through world-class talent from their youth team. The Red Devils have produced hot prospects for several decades from Marcus Rashford to the iconic Class of 92.
      Federico Macheda burst onto the scene as a teenagerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Plenty that have tried to follow in their footsteps went on to never make it.
      Here are five forgotten Man Utd wonderkids that didn’t live up to the hype.
      Federico Macheda
      It’s impossible to forget Macheda’s stunning debut as a 17-year-old.
      The substitute cut in brilliantly and bent a curling effort into the top corner to complete a 3-2 comeback against Aston Villa in 2009.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Then his second appearance, the Italian striker again came off the bench to score inside 46 seconds versus Sunderland.
      Macheda would eventually get loaned out to Sampdoria, QPR, Stuttgart, Doncaster and Birmingham, failing to impress at all but the latter.
      United then permanently sold him to Cardiff and he went on to have a spell with homeland side Novara in Serie B.
      Macheda eventually stopped his journeyman style and spent four years at Greek club Panathinaikos, scoring 40 goals in 116 matches.
      Most read in Football
      He is now at Ankaragucu in the Turkish Super Lig.
      Macheda scored a stunning winning goal on his debutCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Darron Gibson
      Gibson was tipped as a star of the future when, winning the prestigious Jimmy Murphy player of the year award.
      He made his debut for United in 2005 before being loaned out to Royal Antwerp and Wolves.
      Gibson returned to Old Trafford in a squad player role for a couple of seasons and was handed an improved three-year contact.
      The midfielder started in the League Cup final in 2009 and scored a goal in Man Utd’s Champions League semi-final win over Schalke in 2011.
      The Irishman soon left for more first-team chances, joining Everton and then Sunderland.
      After good initial performances, injuries plagued his career and he was then charged with drink driving and failing to stop after a collision in 2015.
      Gibson would then get arrested again for a similar alleged offence three years later in a £75,000 Mercedes and he was suspended by Sunderland.
      He hung up his boots in 2021 after time at Wigan and Salford.
      Darron Gibson scored in a Champions League semi-finalCredit: Reuters
      David Bellion
      Bellion burst onto the scene at Sunderland and Man Utd signed him in 2003, following the Black Cats’ relegation for £2million.
      The French striker drew comparisons to Thierry Henry but netted just eight goals in two seasons at Old Trafford.
      He was subsequently loaned to West Ham in 2005 for more minutes but failed to make an impact in the capital, scoring once in just ten matches.
      Bellion then went to his homeland club of Nice for two seasons.
      He would then spend seven years with Bordeaux, dipping in and out of form, although he did feature as a back-up striker as they won the Ligue 1 title in 2009.
      He ended his career at Paris-based club Red Star and went on to be their creative director.
      David Bellion never made it at Man UtdCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Mads Timm
      Timm was plucked from the Odense youth-team in 2000 and made his one and only appearance in a Champions League group match two years after.
      However, he flopped at Man Utd and was nearly sacked when he received a 12-month sentence in a young offenders institute for reckless driving, racing team-mate Callum Flanagan on a public road, resulting in a nasty crash.
      Timm was called a “f****** idiot” by Sir Alex Ferguson and he later claimed the legendary boss was a “control freak” and his players were a “slave army”.
      The Dane had a forgettable spell at Walsall on loan before going back to Odense.
      He retired aged 25 due to falling out of love with football.
      Mads Timm was called a ‘f****** idiot’ by FergieCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ravel Morrison
      Rio Ferdinand claimed Fergie “thought he was the best youngster he had seen”, but Morrison didn’t live up to the hype.
      After starring in the United academy, the troubled midfielder left for West Ham in 2012 with boss Sam Allardyce, saying “he needed to start a new life away from Manchester.”
      It has been claimed he owned three cars although he couldn’t drive.
      Morrison impressed in cameos for the Hammers, netting a sublime solo goal against Tottenham in 2013, which was a goal of the season contender.
      Read More on The Sun
      West Ham let the wonderkid go after reported off-pitch issues and he went on to play for Cardiff, Birmingham, QPR, Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.
      Wayne Rooney eventually took him under his wing, signing him at Derby and DC United.
      Ravel Morrison was highly-rated by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Biggest football kit fails including shirt banned for hidden Nazi swastikas and Aston Villa’s ‘sweaty’ fabric gaffe

      by

      FOOTBALL kits are a huge business.Every year, the world’s leading clubs will change up their shirts for a different design.
      Aston Villa’s 2023-2024 jersey had a major design flawCredit: Getty
      We’ve seen some incredible kits over the years that have become collector’s items.
      But, we’ve also had some absolute stinkers that have had bigger problems than just their design.
      And they have become iconic for all the wrong reasons.
      SunSport looks at the biggest kits fails, starting with a Premier League and a fabric issue.
      Read more football news
      Aston Villa 2023-2024
      Football kits should be made to feel light and airy to encourage a good performance.
      They should also be able to be able to handle the sweaty athletes that wear them.
      Aston Villa’s 2023-2024 jersey did none of that, and was a huge disaster for the English giants.
      During games, players appeared to be drenched as the shirts clung to their bodiesCredit: Getty
      The Castore-made jerseys appeared drenched when the club was in Europa League action against Legia Warsaw.
      Most read in Football
      Fans online said it looked the players had taken a shower in them.
      It could also have explained why they lost 3-2 in Poland.
      Worse still, reports said that Villa’s women’s team dreaded wearing it.
      Fiorentina 1992-1993
      The Serie A giants were caught in a race row in the early 90s with an away strip Gabriel Batistuta and Co had to wear.
      Sponsored by 7 Up, that bit looked retro and cool.
      But a closer inspection of the pattern on the shoulders and arms revealed a hidden design that looked like a swastika.
      Unfounded rumours claimed the club, who were famous for the fascist allegiances during World War II, purposefully included the Nazi symbol onto the fabric.
      Fiorentina soon pulled the shirt and said in a statement: “Fiorentina and the manufacturers, Lotto, would like to underline that the optical [swastika] effect is purely a matter of chance.”
      To add insult to injury, the club were relegated that season.
      Gabriel Batistuta models Fiorentina’s controversial 1992-1993 away jerseyCredit: Alamy
      On closer inspection, the pattern looked like swastikas
      Man Utd 1996-1997
      As excuses go for losing away Southampton, blaming the kit is a bit lame.
      But that’s exactly what Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson did when his side wore their infamous grey shirt in 1996
      Fergie claimed the shirt blended into the crowd and his players couldn’t pick their passes out.
      3-1 down at half-time, they were ordered to change their shirts.
      Worth noting the score finished 6-3, so they lost the second half too.
      Man Utd’s grey shirts were a design flaw for apparently blending into the crowdCredit: Alamy
      Huddersfield 2019-20
      A publicity stunt, but one that epically failed and cost The Terriers a fine for misconduct.
      The drama unfolded before a preseason friendly against Rochdale, when Town marched out with a shirt that had a HUGE Paddy Power sponsorship banner across the jersey.
      Looking more like beauty pageant contestants than a football team, it infringed on the FA’s sponsorship rules that read,  ‘one single area not exceeding 250 square centimetres on the front of the shirt’.
      The FA banned the shirts, so it is unclear if it was something that would have continued for the rest of the season, or was just a joke for that game.
      Huddersfield Town’s Paddy Power joke backfired when they were finedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Barcelona 2015-2016
      When it comes to history, don’t break tradition.
      Barcelona fans had got used to icons like Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Lionel Messi wearing the famous vertical red and blue stripes.
      But there was uproar when the stripes were changed to horizontal for the 2015-2016 season.
      A poll in a Spanish newspaper revealed that 78 per cent of Barcelona fans hated the shirts.
      The experiment lasted just one season, before Barcelona reverted back to their famous design.
      Interestingly, the Catalans also tried a break from the norm with a checked pattern that didn’t catch on.
      Barcelona’s horizontal stripes caused controversyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      Cameroon 2002 & 2004
      Cameroon have often been experimental with their shirt designs, and they feature TWICE.
      At the 2004 African Nations Cup, they wore a onesie in the knockout stages created by Puma.
      Fecafoot, the country’s football federation, was fined £125,000 and they were docked six qualifying points from their World Cup group.
      After an appeal, common sense prevailed and the points were reinstated.
      Two years prior, Cameroon caused an even bigger stir when they opted for a vest top akin to an NBA basketball team.
      It proved to be a success, as they lifted the Africa Cup of Nations.
      However, before the World Cup Fifa hit them with a rule that football shorts have to have sleeves.
      Cameroon went sleeveless for the 2002 Africa Cup of NationsCredit: Getty
      Two years later, Cameroon wore a Puma designed onesieCredit: AFP
      Cardiff City 2012-2013
      The Bluebirds played in blue. Simple.
      So, when controversial former Malaysian chairman Vincent Tan wanted them to play in red, imagine the commotion it caused.
      His reasons were because red was a lucky colour in Malay culture, so they rebranded in 2012.
      He added it was part of ‘major and significant’ investment into the club
      A red dragon was also added to the club’s badge too.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Amazingly, this lasted until 2015 when Tan bowed to fan pressure to change back to blue.
      The kit was changed instantly and the badge was redesigned to feature a bluebird on it.
      Cardiff City changed their colours from blue to red in 2012Credit: Getty
      The brainchild of former owner Vincent Tan, fans revolted and in 2015 they went back to blueCredit: PA:Press Association More

    • 288 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m an ex-Premier League star – now I sell swimming pools but fans keep ringing me up to sing France’s World Cup anthem

      by

      FORMER Premier League star Stephane Guivarc’h has swapped grassy pitches for water as he is now a swimming pool salesman.The Frenchman played for Newcastle and won a World Cup during his career.
      Stephane Guivarc’h has a very different career from when he was a footballerCredit: Federation Franchise Natation
      The former Newcastle star now sells swimming poolsCredit: Tanguy Piscines Bretagne | Constructeur de Piscine
      He works for a company that is run by his childhood friendCredit: Tanguy Piscines Bretagne | Constructeur de Piscine
      Guivarc’h played for Newcastle during his careerCredit: Getty
      The Magpies bought the striker for £3.6million in 1998 after he won the World Cup but he ultimately failed at St James’ Park despite scoring on his debut against Liverpool.
      Guivarc’h, 53, arrived at Newcastle with an impressive goalscoring record in France but could not replicate it in England.
      He was sold just months later to Scottish giants Rangers for £3.5m, where he spent one year before returning to France to see out his career.
      Since retiring in 2002, Guivarc’h has drastically switched his career as he entered the leisure business as a swimming pool salesman at a friend’s company.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Unlike many former footballers, the retired striker is happy not to have spent much time in front of the camera and is happy with his “balanced life”.
      He told RMC: “I have been in the swimming pool business for 17 years.  The boss of the company is a friend of mine.
      “It started off because the business was a plumbing firm that was doing work on my house.
      “My friend then told me he was planning to create a swimming pools division, and that he was looking for a sales rep.
      Most read in Football
      “As I was unemployed at the time I told him I’d give him a hand – and 17 years later on I am still working with him.
      “I am out on the road all day, things are going very well and I am back home in the evenings.
      “I lead a balanced life. I don’t need to constantly seek to be in front of a camera or a microphone in order to exist.”
      However, just because he is selling swimming pools doesn’t mean he does not get recognised by French football fans.
      Occasionally he will be spotted and will end up speaking to clients about football for even longer than the swimming pool.
      Speaking to The Times, he said: “The first time I meet a customer, if they’re a football fan, it’s not uncommon to spend half an hour talking about swimming pools and an hour talking football.
      “It’s nice, it allows you to connect with somebody’s passion rather than just talking pools, pools, pools. They like to share a moment.
      “But it’s also a professional relationship. You don’t win every deal, there’s a competitive aspect there too.”
      With the swimming pool business being based in the village of Concarneau in Brittany, France there is a very common topic that comes to mind.
      He scored on his debut against Liverpool for the MagpiesCredit: Getty
      After only playing four times Guivarc’h left to join RangersCredit: Alamy
      He added: “The ’98 finals had a huge impact, as they were the first time France won the World Cup.”
      Guivarc’h’s fame from the tournament even sees him be called up by fans with his phone number available on the business’ website.
      He added: “My mobile number is on the company’s website, and fans still phone me up to sing the France World Cup anthem I Will Survive.”
      Guivarc’h has previously admitted that he could have stayed in football.
      After retiring he was the sporting director at Guingamp for six months but left the club after a fallout with the president.
      He said: “My mum then died, and I looked after my dad while I had my house built.
      “My childhood friend – who is now my boss – was fitting a water tank one day when I jokingly told him I could be a salesman for his swimming pool firm.
      “That put a flea in his ear.  He phoned me later on, we spoke the next day and I’ve now been with his company since.”
      Guivarc’h played 14 times for FranceCredit: Getty
      He helped the team win the World Cup in 1998Credit: AFP
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      Guivarc’h left Rangers having helped the club win a Scottish double with the league and cup titles.
      He rejoined his former side Auxerre where he spent the next two years of his career.
      It was his third spell with the club having played there twice either side of a spell at Rennes before joining Newcastle.
      He played 60 games in the French league scoring 25 goals before leaving in 2001.
      In the last year of his professional career, he was at Guingamp, but he only featured 11 times, scoring one goal.
      Guivarc’h played 14 times for France scoring one goal which came in a friendly game against South Africa in 1997.
      He was selected for the World Cup squad in France’s home tournament in 1998, and played in all six games of the tournament.
      He was awarded with a Knight of the Legion of Honour – the highest order of merit in France – following the victory.
      Former UEFA president Michel Platini revealed that the fixture for the 1998 World Cup final was fixedCredit: AFP
      Former France midfielder Michel Platini later claimed that the final was a fix to make sure that the team would not face Brazil until the final of the competition.
      Platini successfully got a change in the rules keeping France and Brazil separated until the final, having been named co-president of the World Cup Organising Committee in 1992.
      Platini added: “If we finished first in the group and Brazil finished first, we could not meet before the final.
      “We did not work until we were bored for six years to organise the World Cup not to do some little shenanigans.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “When you are at home, you want to be able to enjoy things.
      “You think the others do not do it for their World Cups? France against Brazil in the final, that was the dream of everyone.” More

    • 100 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      The football team that’s about more than winning

      by

      “WINNING is fantastic but it’s not our goal – it’s supporting each other on the pitch that counts.”It’s not exactly your typical manager’s pre-match huddle talk, but then South London’s Saving Souls FC aren’t your typical football team.
      Kerry Phillips founded Saving Souls FC to help bring people together
      While winning is a bonus, the real focus of the team, who are supported by National Lottery funding, is scoring victories over issues men face with their mental health.
      “I’m an Arsenal season ticket holder – I go by myself, home and away, and end up talking to so many different people,” says Kerry Phillips, Saving Souls’ founder, manager and “head of laundry”.
      “During lockdown, I realised that for me football is about more than 22 men kicking a ball.
      “It’s a point of connection with other people that nurtures my soul.” 
      Kerry, 36, from Catford, felt isolated during lockdown and reached out to friends on the phone.
      He sensed they were experiencing loneliness too but he couldn’t broach the subject. 
      “It was frustrating. It’s that ‘Men don’t talk about their feelings’ thing.”
      Kerry did some research and realised there was a problem. According to mental health charity Mind, 43 per cent of men regularly feel low but 28 per cent say embarrassment stops them seeking help.
      Most read in Football
      Men from minority ethnic groups are even less likely to access help than their white counterparts.
      “In 2017, I had therapy and that helped me understand my own mental health issues,” Kerry says.
      “As a child and young man I was overweight and lacked self-esteem, masking it with an outgoing persona.
      “Even after I lost 14st in my mid-twenties, I lacked confidence. Finally, turning 30, I faced up to my issues. That gave me tools for dealing with things.”
      National Lottery funding helps pay for the pitch hire
      Lockdown knocked his sense of self all over again. He wondered if there was something he could do to improve the mental health of men in his community.
      A couple of years earlier he’d organised a charity football match for his church – over-thirties versus under-thirties.
      “It was an intergenerational bonding session,” he says. “Was there a way of replicating that on a regular basis?”
      Kerry contacted the London Football Association and enquired about setting up a club with the aim of encouraging men to talk.
      Next, he rang Bellingham Leisure Centre, close to his home, and asked about hiring a pitch.
      Within weeks he had bagged a spot in the South London Grassroots Football League. Now all he needed was a team.
      The team are all about encouraging men to talk
      TALKING A GOOD GAME
      “I came up with the name Saving Souls FC and set up an Instagram account and promoted the first training session in 2021,” he says.
      “Sitting there on my own, I was nervous people wouldn’t turn up. But ten showed. Now Saving Souls has 88 members in its WhatsApp group.”
      Training takes place every other Friday evening, matches mostly on weekdays. And on the last Thursday of every month, Saving Souls holds a men’s forum.
      If people have specific problems they want to discuss, Kerry can signpost them to organisations like Citizens Advice and StepChange, the debt charity. 
      “We’re very diverse, with different religions and cultures,” he says. “Ages too – our oldest member is 58 and his son is the youngest at 18.
      “Friendships form – two members went into business together, while another felt strong enough to come off antidepressants through the boost playing gave him.”
      The team are achieving on the pitch too, winning the Grassroots League in 2022 with a goal difference of 137 and being named London FA Grassroots Project of the Year.
      Last year, Kerry successfully applied for National Lottery funding.
      “The FA gave us funding but I was spending my own money too,” he says.
      “We pay to hire the pitch, for example, but people might be struggling so sessions are free. National Lottery support was a lifesaver.”
      National Lottery players support health and wellbeing projects near you, like Saving Souls FC – the club helping people to improve their wellbeing and mental health through free weekly football matches.
      The National Lottery is also the proud sponsor of The Sun’s Who Cares Win Awards 2023, celebrating people, like Kerry, who put caring into everyday action.
      This season, Saving Souls FC have taken a break from the Grassroots League. “To give other teams a chance,” Kerry jokes.
      Instead, they’re organising matches with community groups, including teams of asylum seekers and Forces veterans.
      The club are welcoming women too, with free self-defence classes and plans for a women’s team.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Saving souls through winning and, as importantly, cheerfully conceding goals: it’s a simple concept but it works.
      Back of the net, Kerry and team. More

    • 113 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      What is the biggest win in Premier League history?

      by

      THE Premier League has seen its share of ruthless results.Manchester United showed how lethal they can be by putting Southampton to the sword in Tuesday night’s 9-0 win.
      The scoreboard spells out Southampton’s misery in their 9-0 defeat to Manchester UnitedCredit: AP:Associated Press

      It’s the not the first time the Red Devils have been in ninth heaven, thrashing Ipswich Town in 1995. Southampton also have previous when it comes to shipping in nine goals in a game.
      And while an encounter between Portsmouth and Reading in 2007 is the highest scoring Premier League game of all time, a 7-4 win for Pompey, we’re celebrating biggest winning margins.
      Here’s seven mega wins that have stayed in the memory.
      MAN UTD 9-0 IPSWICH TOWN, 1995
      Incredibly, United scored six times in an astonishing second half against strugglers Ipswich during the 1994-95 season.
      Andy Cole was in prolific form, netting five of the nine as Sir Alex Ferguson looked on in glee.
      But United finished runners-up to Blackburn that season, predictably Ipswich finished rock bottom and were relegated.
      Andy Cole celebrates his second goal in the 9-0 rout of IpswichCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      SOUTHAMPTON 0-9 LEICESTER, 2019
      Under Brendan Rodgers Leicester City have been championed for their free-flowing football.
      And with Jamie Vardy in their side, they’re always going to score lots of goals.
      The former England international netted a hat-trick as they thrashed the Saints 9-0, while Ayoze Perez also shared the match ball with his fellow forward.
      Jamie Vardy was in inspired form in Leicester’s 9-0 win over SouthamptonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      TOTTENHAM 9-1 WIGAN, 2009
      Like Andy Cole, Jermain Defoe put in a five star (or goal) performance against the Latics.
      Amazingly though, all his five goals were scored in the second half of Wigan’s embarrassing 9-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.
      Luck for Wigan they finished six points clear of relegation, if they were level their goal difference would’ve cost them because it was the worst in the league thanks to this defeat.
      Tottenham destroyed Wigan in 2009Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      NEWCASTLE 8-0 SHEFFIELD WED, 1999
      This wasn’t even in the era of Kevin Keegan’s entertainers either.
      But they did have a steady hand in Sir Bobby Robson, who loved building an attacking team.
      And with Alan Shearer leading the line, they thrashed a sorry Owls team – with the England legend scoring five times.
      Alan Shearer scored five times against a sorry Sheffield Wednesday team in 1999Credit: PA:Press Association
      CHELSEA 8-0 WIGAN, 2010
      Like Southampton, Wigan have a penchant for a Premier League tonking.
      And this 8-0 capitulation happened remarkably the same season they lost at Spurs 9-1.
      A Didier Drogba hat-trick, two from Nicolas Anelka, and one each from Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole bumped up the scoreline as the Blues lifted the Premier League title.
      Ashley Cole, one of Chelsea’s scorers in the 8-0 rout of Wigan, lifts the Premier League title after thrashing the LaticsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      SOUTHAMPTON 8-0 SUNDERLAND, 2014
      This must’ve sent those stalwart Mackem fans on the Sunderland Till I Die documentary potty.
      But at least it reminds them they were a Premier League outfit once upon a time.
      Southampton stuffed them 8-0 under Ronald Koeman, and ended up recording a decent campaign finishing 7th and qualifying for the Europa League.
      Jacks Cork beats Vito Mannone of Sunderland to score the third goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Most read in Football
      MAN CITY 8-0 WATFORD, 2019
      In what was a football masterclass from Pep Guardiola’s side, the Hornets were torn apart by a rampant City in 2019.
      Inside the first 18 minutes, they were 5-0 up – with Kevin de Bruyne pulling the strings.
      It was Watford’s biggest defeat in English football.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      A season earlier, don’t forget, they were ripped apart again by City in the FA Cup final losing 6-0.
      Watford’s stars were left humiliated after an 8-0 beating at Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Inside Logan Paul’s amazing lifestyle, living in a £11m Puerto Rican home, engaged to a supermodel and driving fast cars

      by

      LOGAN PAUL has built quite the life for himself.The social media influencer, 28, has amassed a fortune from savvy investments, a boxing career and being a pantomime villain of the WWE.
      Logan Paul lives a lifestyle to envyCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      The Prime Hydration drink co-founder is said to be worth north of £60million.
      That allows him to enjoy an incredible lifestyle.
      From living in a stunning mansion in Puerto Rico, to driving supercars and his engagement to Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal, it’s fair to say Logan has got it made.
      SunSport takes a look at his wonderful existence, with the slightest bit of envy.
      Read more on sport
      The mansion
      Paul has owned a number of amazing homes through the years.
      The first home he ever bought set him back around £5million and was in the Valley in LA.
      Then, he reportedly splashed around £1million on a desert ranch in California that formerly belonged to drugs guru Timothy Leary in the 1960s.
      But he left America behind and fell in love with Puerto Rico.
      Most read in Boxing
      He and his brother Jake Paul are reportedly renting an £11million mansion in the Caribbean on the Dorado Beach East Community at the Ritz Carlton Reserve.
      The mansion boasts five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in a spacious 5,200 sq ft of living space, including marble floors.
      The open-plan lounge area boasts an eye-catching staircase leading to the second floor.
      Elsewhere there’s a full chef’s kitchen and dining room, as well as sunroom with pool table and huge swimming pool.
      There’s also a three-bed guest house on site.
      The luxury gated resort also boasts access to 2,000 acres of golf courses, tropical gardens and sandy beaches.
      Speaking on his podcast, Logan revealed his “gut” told him to move to the property.
      He revealed: “I went out there to scout it, and I fell in love with it.
      “Obviously, I’m impulsive, and I trust my gut, my instincts.
      “I feel like it’s the closing of a chapter and the opening of a new one.”
      YouTuber Paul left America behind to live in Puerto RicoCredit: Luxury Realty Group
      Paul’s Puerto Rico mansion boasts a stunning swimming poolCredit: Luxury Realty Group
      The property boasts five bedroomsCredit: Luxury Realty Group
      Marble flooring decorates plush dining roomCredit: Luxury Realty Group
      The stunning living room boasts high ceilings and plenty of spaceCredit: Luxury Realty Group
      Supercars
      The Ohio native loves cars, plain and simple.
      His mega car collection is testament to that, and boasts some incredible supercars.
      The most elaborate of his collection is a £280,000 Mercedes G550 4X4.
      Finished in white with huge black alloys, the Mercedes off-roader looks stunning, and even has its own digger.
      It’s powered by a 4.0 litre V8 petrol engine that produces 416bhp, with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
      0-60mph takes 5.8 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 130mph.
      The range starts at £130,000, but Paul’s has all the trimmings.
      Like any true American, muscle cars are also important to Paul.
      The most elaborate motor in Paul’s collection is a Mercedes-Benz SUV with its own digger
      Paul is a fan of muscle cars – but gave his Dodge Challenger away to a fanCredit: Instagram @LoganPaul
      Logan Paul poses with his trendy Polaris SlingshotCredit: Refer to Caption
      In 2017, Paul revealed he broke a £1.5m BugattiCredit: Instagram / @loganpaul
      He had a £60,000 Dodge Challenger SRT8, that he absolutely loved. However, he ended up gifting it to a fan.
      It comes with a 6.4-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 470bhp.
      Paul also has a trendy three-wheel Polaris Slingshot, worth around £23,000.
      This two-seater is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 203bhp, while 0-60mph takes 4.9 seconds.
      But don’t leave him with a Bugatti Veyron. In 2017, he claimed he broke a £1.5million model.
      Supermodel
      Paul’s private life has always been one for the gossip pages.
      He has been linked to a string of beauties in the past, including Justin Bieber’s ex Chantel Jeffries fellow YouTuber Alissa Violet and Josie Canseco, the daughter of baseball legend Jose Canseco.
      However, Paul has finally settled down.
      In 2022, he met Danish-born supermodel Nina Agdal, who previously dated Leonardo DiCaprio.
      Nina Agdal is Paul’s beautiful fianceeCredit: @ninaagdal
      Supermodel Agdal has appeared in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition six timesCredit: Splash
      Paul and Agdal got engaged in Lake Como, Italy
      Danish-born Agdal is Paul’s best friend
      more SPORT FEATURES
      Earlier this summer, he got down on one knee to ask for the stunner’s hand in marriage in Lake Como, Italy.
      “Engaged to the my best friend,” the pair wrote in a joint Instagram post.
      In a separate Instagram Story, she gushed: “”I get to marry the boy of my dreams, my best friend, my rock, my soulmate. I love you soooooo much!!”
      Nina has built an impressive model portfolio, appearing in six Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, as well as the cover of the 50th-anniversary issue in 2014, where she posed with Chrissy Tiegen and Lily Aldridge.
      She has also appeared in various Victoria’s Secret photoshoots and walked the catwalk at New York Fashion Week.
      In 2020, the brunette launched her own fitness brand called The Agdal Method, with an app appearing in 2023.
      Lavish purchase
      Like many an influencer, Paul likes to spend his money lavishly.
      One of his more pricey purchased ended up being recorded as a Guinness World Record for being the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold.
      He is so proud of the rare 1998 Japanese Illustrator card, that he paid £4m for and wore it on a chain for his WWE debut in April 2022.
      Paul is a proud collector of rare Pokemon cardsCredit: instagram/@loganpaul
      Paul paid £4m for a Pokemon – a Guinness World RecordCredit: instagram/@loganpaul
      Paul showed off his card at Wrestlemania 38 – wearing it around his neckCredit: instagram/@loganpaul
      He showed off the “Gem Mint 10” graded card alongside The Miz in a tag-team match against Rey and Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 38.
      In 2023, he recalled the purchase on the latest episode of his Impaulsive podcast.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      During a discussion about Pokemon cards with guest Prince Royce, Paul explained: “I love it. I love it dude.
      “I mean if you like video games that doesn’t surprise me but yeah I spent $5.3million on the card. It’s crazy.” More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s amazing car collection features a £9m Bugatti, £60k Range Rover Velar and two Rolls-Royce motors

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S car collection just keeps on growing.The Portugal legend, 38, has earned millions from the game is able to afford the world’s best cars.
      Cristiano Ronaldo boasts a car collection worth £19million
      Ronaldo’s £9m Bugatti Centodieci has appeared in Saudi Arabia
      Bought in 2021, the Centodieci is the most expensive car in Ronaldo’s collection
      His staggering net worth – believed to be more than £500m – means he can continually add to his garage.
      With some of his money, he has continued to build on his impressive fleet – estimated to be worth around £19million.
      The pick of the bunch is a £9million Bugatti, that is one of only 10 ever made.
      While he also loves a Range Rover as his family car.
      Read more footballers’ cars
      SunSport takes a look at some motors decorating his amazing garage.
      Bugatti Centodieci, £9m
      Back in 2021, CR7 added the most extravagant and expensive car to his collection.
      The £9million Centodieci boasts an 8 litre W16 engine, with special models having 1600hp – some 100hp more than the Chiron and, overall, three times the price of that model.
      It can do 0-62mph in just 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 236mph.
      Most read in Football
      His Centodieci has been spotted in Saudi.
      Ronaldo was recently seen in Riyadh behind the wheel of Range Rover’s new SUV.
      Bigger than the Evoque, but smaller than the Sport, it’s the perfect family car for the forward.
      It’s electric, so it’s good for the environment.
      It’s acceleration is quite slouchy though, measuring 0-62mph from 5.4 seconds.
      This stunning Range Rover Velar is now part of Ronaldo’s Middle East fleet
      Aston Martin DBS, £200k
      When Ronaldo played for Manchester United, he turned heads at Carrington as he rocked up to the gates in an amazing Aston Martin DBS Superleggera convertible.
      The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera boasts a 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, providing a mind-boggling 715 hp.
      It has a top speed of 211mph, and can also go from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds.
      The car was certainly a worthy addition to Ronaldo’s stunning motor collection.
      When Ronaldo played for Man Utd, he had a Aston Martin DBSCredit: Alamy
      Mercedes G-Wagon Brabus, £600
      What do you buy your boyfriend if he has everything?
      Well, if you’re Georgina Rodriguez you get a massive, gift-wrapped Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
      The gorgeous former shop assistant made sure CR7’s had the best birthday ever for his 35th – gifting him a stunning Mercedes G Wagon Brabus that can cost as much £600,000.
      And the brilliant SUV can reach top speeds of 137mph.
      This customised Mercedes G-Wagon was gifted to Ronaldo by Wag Georgina Rodriguez
      Bugatti Chiron, £2.15m
      In 2017, Ronaldo’s need for speed saw the mercurial forward splash the cash on a stunning silver Bugatti Chiron.
      Incredibly, it can reach speeds of 260 mph, and does 0-60 in just under 2.5 seconds.
      As we said, he likes two of everything – and this was the second Bugatti he bought, although he denied buying a third  – the Bugatti La Voiture Noire.
      That was reckoned to be the most expensive car in the world EVER at £9.49million, and was snapped up by a mystery buyer.
      In 2017, Ronaldo bought a Bugatti Chiron – now worth over £2m
      Bugatti Veyron, £1.7m
      Only 450 Veyron 16.4 Grand Sports were built, so of course Ronaldo wanted a slice of that rarity pie.
      It cost him £1.7m, and the Portuguese legend bought the car as a treat after winning Euro 2016 with his country.
      Though the car was involved in a crash in 2022 in Majorca. The driver, who was reportedly not Ronaldo, lost control and the car skidded into a wall.
      The front of the Bugatti was believed to have been wrecked with investigators revealed no other vehicle was involved.
      The driver of the car did not suffer any injuries and signed an accident report.
      In 2022, Ronaldo’s Bugatti Veyron was involved in a crash
      Lamborghini Aventador, £260k
      Simply because a Bugatti Veyron won’t fulfil Ronaldo’s love of fast cars, in the same year he bought that motor he splashed on a Lamborghini Aventador.
      Made in 2011, it’s the most celebrated model by the Italian car designer – and owned by footballers all over the world, not scared of the outlandish price.
      Ronaldo celebrated his purchase on Instagram in 2016, with a picture with the caption: “Bom dia (good morning)”.
      Ronaldo poses with his £260k Lamborghini AventadorCredit: Instagram @Cristano
      Rolls-Royce Cullinan, £330k
      In 2020, Ronaldo added a Cullinan to his collection, having previously owned a Rolls Royce Phantom worth around £363,000.
      Showing his loyalty to his new employers, CR7 even personalised the interior with black and white leather.
      Standing at five metres long, the Cullinan boasts a V12 engine and a horse power of 571.
      It is the only SUV Rolls Royce have ever produced.
      CR7 is a huge fan of Rolls-Royce and has a stunning Cullinan
      Ferrari F12 TDF, £350K
      In 2017, Ronaldo bought an F12 TDF – another collector’s item with only 799 made in the world.
      It is certainly one of the favourites he owns, and is zippy with a top speed of 211 mph, and capable of doing 0-62 in 2.9 seconds.
      Needless to say, pet-friendly Ronaldo won’t let his pooches in though.
      A lover of supercars, this amazing Ferrari costs £350k
      Chevrolet Camaro, £35k
      Maybe he learned something from Sir Alex Ferguson about American cars, after all the former Manchester United boss drove a Chevrolet to training when he was Red Devils manager.
      A more economic motor than others in his garage, the Camaro has a 6.2-litre V8 engine that delivers 453 horsepower.
      It’s cheaper than anything else he owns, and was bought in 2016 as a family car.
      Showing that he doesn’t have to always drive flashy cars, Ronaldo was seen in an affordable Chevrolet
      MORE sport features
      McLaren Senna, £1m
      A car made as a dedication to the legendary Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, it would’ve set Ronaldo back around £1million – with only 500 models ever made.
      So enamoured by its performance on Top Gear, former presenter Jeremy Clarkson said of the McLaren Senna it has ‘rewritten the supercar rule book’.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Powered by a twin-turbo charged V8 engine that produces 800 horse power, it can hit 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
      Mika Hakkinen is another sports star who owns one of these beauties.
      This McLaren Senna, worth £1m, was another Ronaldo’s favourite toys More