Sport Live Blogs

HARRY KANE is set to stay at Spurs – as he believes Antonio Conte can end Tottenham’s long search for silverware. SunSport understands striker Kane, along with the rest of the squad, is delighted the club have nabbed the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.
Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked on Monday morning and Daniel Levy has wasted no time in bringing in his successor.
Meanwhile, Newcastle reportedly want to announce former Arsenal boss Unai Emery as their new manager this week.
And we’ve the very latest from Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel eyes reinforcements in January for their title push.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
LEW, WHAT A SCORCHER

Hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski got one over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he reached 81 goals in 100 Champions League ties.

Bayern’s Polish striker scorched to 80 in record time for Europe’s top domestic competition despite missing a penalty in a 5-2 rout of Benfica.

But Manchester United legend Ronaldo has 139 overall, thanks to his dramatic double in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta, while Messi is on 123.

Lewandowski, though, is well clear of the 73 scored by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in fourth place after Bayern made the KO stages with their fourth win in four group matches.

GOING DUTCH

Christian Eriksen could reportedly make an emotional return to Ajax – with him currently banned from playing for Inter Milan.

The midfielder, 30, collapsed during Denmark’s match against Finland at Euro 2020 and was rushed to hospital.

The Italian FA have ruled Eriksen’s fitness cannot rely on a ICD heart-starter, and therefore he is not allowed to play in Serie A.

That could lead to a sensational move back to Ajax, who he played for between 2010-13.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Eriksen is ‘tempted’ by a return to the Dutch giants.

It is believed he would be allowed to play in Holland with the device fitted., alongside Ajax star Daley Blind , who has also been fitted with an ICD.CONT LEAVE NOW

Harry Kane is ready to abandon all plans to quit Tottenham – after the arrival of new boss Antonio Conte.

The England captain, 28, believes the Italian’s appointment can help Spurs now challenge for trophies, which is why he tried to force a summer move to Manchester City.

Conte, 52, was officially unveiled yesterday and will be handed a huge £150million transfer war chest.

SunSport understands striker Kane, along with the rest of the squad, is delighted Tottenham have nabbed the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.

Kane was angry with Daniel Levy in the summer as he believed the Spurs chairman had backed down from a gentleman’s agreement that he could leave the North London club for City if the right offer came in.

Tottenham did not feel that City’s £125m bid was enough, so a frustrated Kane remained at the club.

DAN BOOST

Brighton have received a huge boost as Dan Burn’s injury is not as bad as first feared.

There were worries the giant defender could be out for a lengthy period after landing awkwardly on his knee when going up for a header in last week’s 2-2 Carabao Cup draw at Leicester.

But SunSport understands the results of a scan have shown the versatile Geordie, 29, suffered only swelling rather than something more serious.

The damage could still keep him out of Saturday’s home clash against Newcastle.

But he should be available for selection again after the international break.ATALANTA 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Cristiano Ronaldo saved his side again with a brilliant last-minute equaliser.

United twice fell behind but Ronaldo got them level twice, with his late 20-yard volley nestling in the bottom corner.SCHOL-BOY ERRORS

Paul Scholes claimed Paul Pogba was lucky to stay on the field for the second half against Atalanta.

The Frenchman started in Italy alongside Scott McTominay, but was not at his brilliant best.

Having given the ball away several times and being guilty of some wayward passing, Pogba had a 45 minutes to forget.

And nobody knows that more than Old Trafford legend Scholes, one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history.

He said on BT Sport: “United have been sloppy at times.

“There have been a lot of mistakes in that half, I don’t think Paul Pogba will be particularly enthralled by his performance.

“He’s given the ball away a lot and that goal has maybe made him survive into the second half.”RIO HAILS RUBEN

Rio Ferdinand claims Ruben Loftus-Cheek can emulate Yaya Toure.

Recalled Loftus-Cheek showed why Ferdinand rates him ‘unplayable at times’ in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Malmo.

The former England superstar told BT Sport: “I love him. He’s a fantastic specimen, first and foremost.

“I liken him, in full flow, to someone like Yaya Toure.

“‘He can intimidate players. When he turns and goes full pelt, it’s unplayable at times.

“As a centre back that’s one of your biggest fears.

‘He’s a fantastic talent. He’s as comfortable in the wide areas of a front three as he is in front of the defence.”

VAR REAL?

Raphael Varane has suffered ANOTHER injury blow as the Manchester United defender was forced off at Atalanta.

The Frenchman limped off after just 38 minutes in Italy with United 1-0 down as Mason Greenwood came on in replacement.

It mounts more frustration for Varane, who has already missed five games with injury this season.

He did return to United’s backline for their 3-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday, which eased the pressure off manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But Varane faces another setback after being forced off as he went down off the ball, just before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised.

The defender arrived from Real Madrid this summer for £42million, but has so far made just nine appearances.

GLOBAL CITIZENS

Manchester City have held talks over acquiring a minority stake in Russian giants Spartak Moscow.

Representatives from City Football Group met last weekend with the general director of Spartak, whose current owner Leonid Fedun is looking to sell up.

Russian reports have suggested City are interested in buying 20 per cent of the capital-based outfit.

City sources confirmed preliminary talks have taken place but insist nothing has been decided.

Should a deal be agreed, it would extend the number of clubs in City Football Group’s worldwide roster to ELEVEN.

As well as flagship side Manchester City, the umbrella organisation also has stakes in New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos in Japan, Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay, Spanish side Girona, Sichuan Jiuniu in China, India’s Mumbai City, Lommel SK In Belgium and French minnows ES TroyesON GUARD

Pep Guardiola says Wednesday’s clash with Club Brugge is “much more important” than Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Having thrashed Philippe Clement’s team 5-1 just a fortnight ago, some managers may look to keep their squad fresh for a cross-city clash but Pep insists this Champions League tie is the bigger game.

Guardiola said: “This is much more important than United.

“This game can give us an incredible step to make the last 16.

“In the Premier League there are many games, here there are just six and only three are left.

“So we have to take it seriously to make a good performance and take a step forward in qualification.

“The group stages every year get more difficult. If you drop more than one or two defeats, we’re in trouble. We lost in Paris, so we have to take advantage of being at home.”

FRANCK-LY SPEAKING

Tottenham are ‘close’ to agreeing a £165,000-a-week deal with AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, according to reports.

The North Londoners are said to be in talks with the Ivorian’s agent George Atangana with an £8.5million-a-year deal on the table.

The North Londoners appointed Antonio Conte as their new boss on Tuesday and the former Inter Milan chief has dipped straight back into the market with a raid on his old rivals, according to Rudy Galetti.

The Italian journalist tweeted: “Close agreement between #Atangana and #Tottenham for #Kessie.

“Engagement from €10M per season for the deal and max commission for the agent.”WRONGS WRIGHTED

Ian Wright admits he strongly disliked Roy Keane and was hurt by his fierce rival’s jibe over ‘losers’ medals’.

Wrighty has revealed the mutual hostility extended off the pitch.

But he says as pundits the two have become mates – with Keane an ‘honest man’ the former England striker can discuss ‘serious things’ with.

Wright said: “I see him as my friend now, but like I say, when we played I didn’t like him. I didn’t like him at all.

“I remember when I won my Premier League medal, when the camera came in I remember saying ‘Roy Keane winners medal’ because Roy Keane one time said to me ‘Wrighty, you’ve got a cabinet full of losers medals!’

“It’s the kind of comment I would have said to him if the shoe was on the other foot.

“But when he said it, it hurts you but I was laughing deep down because it’s a killer, it finishes you, bam.

“Even when I reminded him, he said ‘nah I didn’t say that’. I said, ‘Roy, it’s not something you forget!’”

WORK IN PROCESS

New Tottenham boss Antonio Conte watched his new players train today – but wasn’t allowed to take the session.

The Italian has agreed a £15million-a-year contract with the Londoners to replace the axed Nuno Espirito Santo.

But as reported by The Telegraph, he is not quite READY to get his feet under the table.

The newspaper reported that former Chelsea gaffer ‘slept at the club’s training ground ahead of meeting Spurs staff and players’.

He addressed staff at lunchtime – but then watched on as the players were put through their paces because he is still waiting for his work permit.

SunSport understands he will be backed in the January transfer market, and given a £150million war chest to bring in his own players.VAR-FETCHED

Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea fans in utter confusion after BT Sport’s broadcast of the Malmo game was ‘hacked by VAR visuals’.

Midway through the first half of the Champions League group stage tie, viewers’ screens appeared to display ‘sparkly’ graphics across the pitch.

On closer look, it appears as though two camera angles appeared to be warring with each other, with the bright visuals simply the floodlights super-imposed over the main stream at a bizarre angle.

BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey apologised for ‘technical difficulties’ during the half-time break.

Humphrey went on to say the feed was coming from Sweden, with BT Sport not at fault for the gaffe.

However, fans – including injured Chelsea striker Lukaku – were left initially baffled.

Lukaku tweeted: “D*mn i thought it was my TV that was tweaking.”

One viewer added: “Looked like BT Sport were temporarily hacked by VAR visuals.”

‘GO FOR IT’ 

Antonio Conte has been urged to go all out to bring the Europa League trophy to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conte’s arrival in north London has left fans confident their 13-year trophy drought will soon come to an end.

And former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood reckons the Europa League is the club’s route to silverware this season.

Prior to Conte’s appointment, he told MyBettingSites: “If Spurs bring in Antonio Conte, I can see them winning a trophy this season.

“The Europa Conference League is there for the taking, the only other real competition is Roma.

“Tottenham have plenty of work to do in that competition, and aren’t sitting pretty.

“But, they have more than enough with the fixtures coming up to field a strong side and get the points to progress.

“With the right man in charge, they will win it, if they really go for it.

“They shouldn’t rest players, it is an easier route into the Europa League for them than their league position will be.”

UN-FAIR FIGHT

Villareal still hope they can keep boss Unai Emery despite Newcastle hoping to appoint him this week.

The LaLiga club’s president Fernando Roig wants Arsenal manager Emery to see out his contract until 2023.

Goal journalist Nizaar Kinsella says Roig told him Emery’s mind is ‘not drifting’ from Villarreal.

But Newcastle’s new Saudi owners reportedly want Emery in charge for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Brighton.

And if they persuade the 49-year-old to return to the Prem they would need to pay Villarreal £5.1million in compensation.

Emery lasted just 18 months at Arsenal after arriving in May 2018.

LUK’S PROMISING

Mikel Arteta is said to be interested in taking Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic on loan.

The Gunners are preparing for life without want-away forward Alexandre Lacazette who’s only got eight months left on his contract.

Despite the Frenchman coming to the end of his current deal, the Gunners still haven’t offered him an extension.

Lacazette could leave for free in January and Arteta has already lined up his replacement in the form of Real flop Jovic, the Express report.

The Spaniard claims he has no plans to let Lacazette leave before his contract ends.

SIGHT FOR SORE UNAIS

Newcastle want Unai Emery to be their new manager – and it seems the feeling is mutual.

Toon chiefs have narrowed the search down to Emery and Eddie Howe.

And reports claim Emery, 49, will be in the hotseat for this weekend’s game with Brighton.

And a video of an awe-struck Emery taking the ground in for the first time in September 2018 – prior to a 2-1 win over the Toon – has left Newcastle fans beaming.

In the video, Emery can be seen standing at the heart of the iconic stadium, drinking in the impressive vista.

Seemingly unable to tear himself away, the Spaniard continues to stare at his black and white surroundings.

Playing in the background, Newcastle-born singer Jimmy Nail’s 1995 hit Big River – a song about the city and rebuilding hope for the future – can be heard blaring out.TIME TO FORGET

Referee Alan Young has amazingly been let off the hook completely by FA chiefs over his time-keeping clanger.

The official forgot to add on more than four minutes of stoppage time at Leyton Orient on Saturday and faced the wrath of his FA bosses yesterday.

But in a remarkable show of leniency, not only has Young kept his place as fourth official at League One Wycombe Wanderers tonight, he will face no further action over his howler.

Young, who doubles as the Chief-Executive of the Bedfordshire FA, failed to add on 4mins and 20 seconds of stoppage time at the end of the first half during Orient’s League Two home win over Hartlepool at the weekend.

To make amends he agreed with both managers to play the remaining time BEFORE the start of the second half amid chaotic scenes at the Matchroom Stadium in East London.

It is that quick-thinking and decisive action which has saved him from being hauled over the coals and taken out of the firing line and dropped from the referees’ list.

Orient were 2-0 up at the time on the way to a 5-0 win in what was Young’s first game of the season.

RONBELIEVABLE

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has described some of the criticism aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo this season as ‘blasphemy’ and a ‘disgrace’.

Ferdinand has defended the Portugal international when speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel.

He said: “I’ve heard some talk and the only way I can explain it, is it’s blasphemy.

“When I heard some people talking about Ronaldo’s the reason why Man Utd aren’t going to be a success.

“Ronaldo turning up at Man Utd, and yeah it’s great, but he’s going to be the reason why they don’t do anything.

“Listen, I’ve been seeing too much of it, don’t talk like that. Please, it’s a disgrace. Absolute disrespect.

“A player that’s done what he’s done in the game, a superstar of any generation, he’ll be one of the best players in any generation you can think about, and even again he just told people at the weekend what he’s about here… pressure’s on [and] he scores.

“To think that because he doesn’t press, because he doesn’t run as much as other people… that’s not what he’s there for.

“You play to people’s strengths sometimes, you can do that when you’ve got a superstar in your team sometimes for certain clubs.”

CARV A CAREER

Fabio Carvalho has turned down a sizeable contract offer from Fulham.

The whizkid, 19, now looks set to depart Craven Cottage – possibly even in January.

Carvalho is the latest jewel out of Fulham’s academy but his current deal is up at the end of the season.

The West Londoners have been trying to sign him up to fresh terms but are unlikely to make another offer after seeing their latest effort – which insiders described as “massive” – rejected.

Championship high-fliers Fulham may well now cash in on their teen sensation when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.

Carvalho has been linked to a host of clubs including Real Madrid.KARI YOUR BAGS

Liverpool flop Lorius Karius could be allowed to leave for free in January – putting an end to his Anfield nightmare.

The bungling German stopper’s contract is up next summer and it’s highly unlikely the Reds will be renewing his current deal.

And rather than wait until the season ends, the Kop giants are ready to cut their losses and let Karius go in the New Year, according to The Mirror.

He was on the verge of another loan deal this term with Swiss side FC Basel eager to secure his services, but Karius reportedly wasn’t willing to sacrifice a significant chunk of his £25,000-a-week wages.

However, Basel haven’t given up on Karius yet and plan to try again in their pursuit in January.SEALED WITH A CHRIS

Christian Eriksen has sent Tottenham fans into a frenzy after ‘liking’ the club’s social media post announcing Antonio Conte’s appointment.

Conte will earn £15million-a-year in North London which makes him the joint-second highest-paid boss in the Premier League.

Supporters have been left delighted by Conte taking charge of the club, with the 52-year-old to be given a £150million war chest to bring in his own players in January.

And it’s not only fans that are excited by the news, as Spurs cult hero Eriksen liked the club’s Instagram post confirming his appointment.

Eriksen was signed by Conte in January 2020 with the pair winning the Serie A title together at Inter Milan last season.

The Danish playmaker, 29, has been linked with a move away from the San Siro following his cardiac arrest against Finland at Euro 2020.

However he is free to return to competitive football should he depart Inter, with Spurs supporters urging him to return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after liking Conte’s announcement post.

PEP TALK

Pep Guardiola told Sergio Aguero he must not try to rush back to football after his health scare at the weekend.

Manchester City’s all time leading scorer suffered breathing problems while playing for new club Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

The Etihad boss said: “Of course, it is difficult news for everyone. But especially for him and his family.

“We wish him well, he knows it, from all the people at Manchester City.

“We wish him a speedy recovery, but it does not matter about the time. Health and life is much more important than anything else and he knows it.

“I’m pretty sure he is in very good hands, really good doctors will take care of him and he will take care of himself.

“And come back if he can – otherwise enjoy his life and enjoy what he has done. It depends, I am not a doctor.

“I don’t know precisely what he has, but be careful and be safe for the rest of his life.”

WELCOME BACK

Speaking ahead of Man City’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge tomorrow, Pep Guardiola welcome the new Spurs manager Antonio Conte back to the Premier League.

Conte and Guardiola have only faced off four times as managers, each winning twice and losing twice.

Conte joined Chelsea in 2016-17 and won the league in his first season with the Blues.

But came fifth in his second, with Guardiola’s Man City storming to the league title with 100 points.

Spurs are due to face Man City again on the 19th February, having already beaten them 1-0 on the opening day of the season.

🗣 “Welcome back to the Premier League, his career speaks perfectly for himself.”Pep Guardiola welcomes Antonio Conte back to the Premier League and calls him an outstanding manager pic.twitter.com/VAbfGmvl6t— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 2, 2021Load more entries… More

TOTTENHAM are set to give Antonio Conte a £150million transfer kitty, SunSport can exclusively reveal.Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked on Monday morning and the Italian is poised to take over on a two-year deal.
Conte was in London to finalise his contract which will be worth a whopping £290k-a-week.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero is set to miss around three months after developing chest paints while playing for Barcelona.
And we’ve the very latest from Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel eyes reinforcements in January for their title push.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
FOXES EYE £60M ‘NEW’ DEFENDER

Brendan Rodgers reckons he is ready to welcome in a £60million defender to firm up his Foxes defence.

His Leicester City side has only managed one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, against Wolves on the opening day.

However Rodgers believes the imminent return of James Justin after this month’s international break will save the club a fortune in the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old left-back played more games last season than any other Leicester player and was on the brink of an England senior call up in February when he suffered a cruciate ligament against Brighton in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Now the £8million signing from Luton Town has returned to first team training and has his sights set on a speedier top team return than anticipated, after this month’s international break.

“He trained with the squad last week, which was non-contact and very difficult for him because JJ loves contact!” Rodgers revealed.

 “It’s just been a breath of fresh air having him back. For us it’s like signing a £50-60m pound player, so I’m so excited about having him back available.

“He starts his contact this week but I’ve got to say, last week you’d think he’d never been away. 

“I wouldn’t have thought he’ll play before the international break. This week has been more non-contact and this week he’ll start with a bit more pressure and contact.

“He’s doing some work over the international break and he’ll probably need an under-23 game or two just to get his pitch geography again, and confidence back in that environment.

“Hopefully after that we can get him some minutes in the first-team.”CONTE SET TO BE CONFIRMED TODAY

Spurs are expected to name Antonio Conte boss today – with a huge contract and even bigger transfer warchest.

SunSport will have up-to-the-minute news of the developments from Tottenham, including right here.RIO ‘SORRY’ FOR SANTO

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand claims sacked Nuno Espirito Santo was ‘onto a hiding’ when he took the Tottenham job over the summer.

Ferdinand believes Santo suffered from the strain of swapping Wolves for a so-called much bigger club

The former England defender told his Five YouTube channel tonight: “I actually feel sorry for Nuno.

“He was onto a hiding before he even come through the doors.

“Imagine signing for a massive club in terms of the new stadium and where they’re looking to head, the stadium the infrastructure, the training ground – that is perfect now so let’s get it right on the pitch.”SPURS TO GIVE CONTE HUGE WARCHEST

EXCLUSIVE: Antonio Conte will be   given a £150million transfer warchest to revive Tottenham.

The Italian, 52, is in advanced talks with Spurs over an 18-month deal worth £15m a year after they sacked boss Nuno Espirito Santo yesterday.

Ex-Chelsea chief Conte snubbed the chance to take over the North Londoners in the summer as he claimed they were not ambitious enough.

But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, backed by billionaire owner Joe Lewis, has performed a stunning U-turn by offering Conte a huge contract equivalent to £290,000 a week — plus heavy backing in the transfer market.

Levy is desperate for a turnaround after his decision to employ Nuno as a cheap stop-gap in the summer backfired.

The pragmatic Portuguese was axed following Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to Manchester United which saw him and his players booed off.

Nuno, 47, becomes the shortest-serving Spurs manager in the Prem era — lasting just 124 days and ten league games.

Spurs managing director of football Fabio Paratici said: “I regret we have had to take this decision.

“I know how much Nuno and his coaching staff wanted to succeed. Nuno’s a true gentleman and will always be welcome here.”RICE MIGHT NOW BE ‘PREM’S TOP MIDFIELDER’

Declan Rice is a “destroyer” who has become possibly the “best all-round midfielder” in the Premier League.

So says ex-England keeper Paul Robinson after Rice helped West Ham to fourth, amid reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Gunners’ legend Ian Wright has urged the versatile England star, 22, to keep progressing with the Hammers.

But the latest verdict of former Spurs hero Robinson suggests 2022 will see another summer of speculation over Rice’s future

Robinson told Football Insider: “Rice is up there as the best all-around midfielder in the Premier League on current form. He is playing in a team that is flying right now.

“I think the partnership with him and Kalvin Phillips with England is fantastic.

“I know Rice is still very young but he is proven now. This season he has taken on responsibility at both ends of the pitch.

“He has always been great at sitting in front of the back four and protecting the defence. But, this season he has shown he has a lot more to his game.

“He is a destroyer but he is also now a goal threat and a creator. His vision for a through ball is amazing. 

“He has shown that he can be devastating higher up the pitch as well as in a deep-lying role.”KANE WOULD BE FOX IN THE BOX FOR CONTE

Antonio Conte revealed he would ‘always keep’ Harry Kane in the box when previously speaking on the Tottenham striker.

Conte could be announced at Tottenham boss TODAY after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked this morning.

And after just one goal in TEN Premier League games, Conte’s first assignment would be to try and get the best out of his star man.

But the 52-year-old seemingly already has a plan to do just that.

During his work as a pundit during Euro 2020, via the Mirror, Conte said: “Many praise Harry Kane for his ability to go get the ball and play with the team, such as with the equaliser against Denmark.

“Of course, he’s good at that too, but it’s in the box where he’s clinical and as a coach, I would always keep him in there because he’s devastating.”

And Conte even labelled Kane as one of the world’s best strikers when he was in charge of bitter rivals Chelsea in 2017.

He won the FA Cup and Premier League with the Blues, but revealed if he had to buy any striker in the world then Kane would be on his wish list.

The Italian told Sky Sports: “For me, Kane, now, is one of the best strikers in the world.

“If I had to buy one striker I would go to Kane.

“He is a complete striker. He is strong physically, with the ball, without the ball, he fights and he’s strong in the air and acrobatic on the right and the left.

“He’s a complete player. He’s one of the top strikers in the world. If you go to buy Kane now it would be at least £100m.”WOLVES 2 EVERTON 1

Max Kilman headed his first Wolves goal and Raul Jimenez soon punished Ben Godfrey’s shocking backpass as in-form Wolves leapfrogged Everton into seventh place.

Alex Iwobi stabbed the Toffees’ reply midway through the second period.

But this third straight defeat dropped Everton to tenth.

Max Kilman celebrates his 28th minute opener as Wolves went one point off Arsenal and Man Utd

Raul Jimenez nips in to put Wolves 2-0 up on 32 minutes

MARCUS HITS BACK AT ‘FUMING’ CLAIMS

Marcus Rashford has hit backs at claims he was angry at being benched for Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Spurs.

Former Old Trafford midfielder Owen Hargreaves claimed the way sub Rashford celebrated netting the final goal showed he was upset.

But the England striker scoffed at that suggestion on social media.

Rashford wrote: “Fuming at the manager??! We won the game. that celebration was pure relief! It’s been a hard week.”

MY FORTNITE FORTUNE WITH KANE & CO

His knack for finding limited edition and sold-out clothing for top footie stars has seen him nicknamed the Garms Dealer.

At just 20 years old Sam Morgan has more than 1,500 big names in his phone including England midfielder Jack Grealish.

The young entrepreneur’s business is so successful that he now has his own Channel 4 show, Garms Dealer, where Premier League players chat all things fashion and challenge him to deliver designer outfits in less than 24 hours.

Among his finds are a £7,300 Prada jacket for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha, a £1,600 Saint Laurent jacket for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, and £1,500 vintage 1993 Chanel sunglasses for Grealish.

Man City’s record British signing reveals on the show how he likes to spend some of his £300,000-a-week wages on eccentric clothing.

Grealish, who just signed a six- figure deal with online retailer boohooMAN, says: “People say I am confident on the pitch, I’d say I’m the same off it. I like wearing ‘out there’ clothes.”

The 26-year-old footie ace is on his way to becoming the new David Beckham thanks to his changing haircuts and quirky fashion sense.

The Birmingham-born ace’s wardrobe staples include flowery tracksuits, colourful bucket hats and ultra-bright label hoodies all thrown together.

And Grealish relies on Sam to make sure his purchases are “legit” and that he nabs exclusive lines before anyone else.

Other big names to hire Sam to fill their wardrobes include Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Man United midfielder Paul Pogba, Man City ace Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.LINDELOF MISSES ATALANTA CLASH

Victor Lindelof will miss Manchester United’s trip to Italy to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday after picking up a knock.

The Swede has not travelled to Bergamo with his teammates after it was confirmed this afternoon that he picked up an injury in training this week.

Lindelof, 27, has started six of Man Utd’s ten league games and all three of their Champions League fixtures so far this season.

He had a torrid time at the back alongside Harry Maguire against Liverpool last Sunday, but was much improved in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Tottenham.

He played alongside Maguire and Raphael Varane in a back three and Utd were far more defensively sturdy, with Spurs failing to register a single shot on target.

His absence could provide an opportunity for Eric Bailly to come back into the side, having only featured once for Man Utd so far this season.

The injury-hit Ivory Coast international managed only 12 league appearances last season and has struggled for game time under Solskjaer when fit.

Luke Shaw could also play in a back three, having done so in the past under Solskjaer, including in victories against both Chelsea and Man City in 2019-20.

The Red Devils are currently top of their group in the Champions League after narrow victories over Atalanta and Villarreal at Old Trafford.‘CONTE WON’T BRING FLOWING FOOTBALL’

Danny Murphy warned Tottenham fans to ‘forget about free flowing football’ if Antonio Conte takes charge at the club.

The Italian, who won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017, is braced to take over at Spurs following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.

But Murphy fears Conte’s regimented tactics may not be the easiest on the eye, but could produce success nonetheless.

He said on talkSPORT: “If you’re talking about – you know Jim, what did you say before? What Daniel Levy said, ‘free flowing football’ was it?

“That’s not what you’re going to get with him. That’s not Conte. But he’s pragmatist.

“He went Chelsea, back five – yes he had wingabacks – but he still won the league with them, and he did it in a pragmatic way.

“Forget the free flowing football, but he would be a great appointment.”

Ex-Wolves boss Nuno, 47, was sacked by Tottenham following Saturday’s disastrous 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United.

Spurs are now eighth after five defeats in their last seven games, including a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in the North London derby in September.

Any fans that were still behind him turned on Nuno with deafening boos echoing around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time against United.

Levy was said to be furious with the team’s performance and decided to relieve Nuno of his duties – after just three months in charge.PERFORMANCES NOT RESULTS COST SANTO

Jamie Carragher claims that sacking Nuno Espirito Santo was the right call and that Tottenham made a mistake appointing him in the first place.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, the Liverpool legend revealed that he never considered Nuno to be the fight fit for Spurs and said that his sacking was inevitable.

Carragher, 43, said: “I don’t think sacking Nuno is a mistake, but appointing him was.”

The Portuguese manager, 47, lasted only four months at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before being given his marching orders by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Speaking about Nuno’s sacking, Carragher also said: “It doesn’t seem right that a manager would lose his job so early into a season.

“Ten games is nothing but it’s something that we all saw coming.

“I don’t think anyone felt at the time, when Nuno got the Tottenham job, that it was a perfect fit.

“I always thought it would be difficult for him to be there next season. I didn’t envisage that it [he would leave] would happen so quickly.

“There’s been some bad results along with poor performances. It was something that was expected sooner rather than later.”

Carragher also claimed that Nuno’s sacking was less about the results and more about Spurs’ poor performances this season.

AGUERO OUT FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER CHEST PAINS

Barcelona have confirmed Sergio Aguero is out for at least THREE MONTHS after being rushed to hospital with chest pains and breathing difficulties.

The former Manchester City striker needed medical treatment on the pitch after clutching his chest and complaining of breathing problems during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alaves.

Spanish press reported that the 33-year-old striker was diagnosed with ‘diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat’.

Now his club have revealed that the Argentine is set for an extended spell on the sidelines while he is monitored by doctors.

The Catalans tweeted: “Barca player Kun Aguero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr Josep Brugada.

“He is unavailable for selection and, during the next three months, the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process.”

Aguero fell to the floor and needed treatment from medics after being seen clutching his chest.

As well as complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing, Aguero is reported to have been suffering from a high heart rate.

Thankfully he made it back to his feet and walked off the pitch, but tests at Barcelona Hospital showed the former Manchester City man to have a ‘cardiac arrhythmia,’ according to Spanish newspaper SPORT.MEXICO BAN FOR HOMOPHOBIC CHANTING

Fifa have handed Mexico a two-match fan ban for repeated homophobic chanting at World Cup qualifiers.

Mexican supporters used what Fifa described as a “Spanish slur” in the games against Canada and Honduras.

It means the side will be without supporters for home games against Costa Rica and Panama in the “Octagonal” qualifying competition the Central American side currently lead from the USA and Canada.

The sanction, which also saw the Mexican FA hit by a fine of £81,000, was the second time in this qualification campaign that Fifa have acted against Mexican supporter homophobia.

Previous chants saw an initial two game fan ban at the start of the competition reduced to one match on appeal but the demands for better behaviour have not been heeded.

And it means there will be extra scrutiny of the behaviour of travelling fans during this month’s crunch clash with the USA in Cincinnati.OLE LOVES CRITICISM

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he relishes the weekly criticism he receives.

Solskjaer’s long-term future at Old Trafford continues to be the topic of fierce debate, despite the top brass’ faith in him.

The board’s unwavering support is a welcome reprieve from the constant criticism the Norwegian receives, although the former United hitman is motivated by his very public detractors.

The 48-year-old said: “Criticism can make you doubt yourself or you can stand up for yourself and I’ve always enjoyed criticism, keep that coming, it’s fine.

“Journalists, pundits, experts, we’ve all got different jobs and it’s their job to give their opinion. I’m not here to fight with them, I don’t need a spat with anyone”

Solskjaer was under immense scrutiny following United’s embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool last month but has refused to dwell on the pasting.

He said: “The next one is the one that matters and we’ve been working to get consistency and we know that when we get that consistency we will get results and performances.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer and it’s important we keep focusing on what we did well in that game and improve on what we didn’t do as well.

“It is relentless with games every three days and it’s a chance against Atalanta to prove that we can go again.”

United bounced back from the trouncing by their bitter rivals last weekend with a 3-0 win over Tottenham last weekend.I’M SHOCKED CONTE WOULDN’T WAIT FOR UTD

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan can’t believe Antonio Conte would consider bossing Tottenham when the Manchester United job might soon come up.

Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo today after the 3-0 home loss to United that, in contrast, gave rival manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer more time.

Jordan told talkSPORT: “Conte would rather choose Tottenham Hotspur over the potential, inevitable opening at Man United sooner rather than later. I’m staggered.

“Conte didn’t want to stay at [Inter] Milan because he wasn’t given assurances about how much money they would spend.

“Conte will drive them insane and produce the same outcome, unless (Fabio) Paratici has a different relationship with (Spurs chairman) Daniel (Levy) than anyone else has had before.

“Tottenham are not Manchester United and don’t have the livery or finances behind them unless there’s a massive sea change.”FIFA HANDED AWAY BAN

Hungary have been handed an away fan ban by Fifa for the violence that marred their World Cup draw with England at Wembley last month.

Visiting fans, aided by some Polish supporters, attacked police after one of their number was arrested for racially abusing a steward.

Officers were initially forced back down an entrance gangway before controlling the surge in an incident which took place in the early minutes of the 1-1 draw.

Now Fifa have stepped in after finding the Hungarians guilty of a “lack of order” and “improper conduct”, imposing a one match ban on away fans and a £60,000 fine.

That comes after Hungary were fined £161,000 and handed a two game home fan ban for the racist abuse and missiles directed at England players in the game in Budapest in September.

It means the Hungarians will be without supporters for both their final two 2022 qualifiers – against San Marino and in Poland – and the opening home game of their 2026 campaign.

Meanwhile England’s next opponents, Albania, must play their final qualifier at home to Andorra on November 15 behind closed doors after disturbances during their home game against Poland, also on October 12.

The match in Tirana was temporarily suspended after bottles were thrown on to the pitch following a Karol Swiderski goal for Poland in the 77th minute.WRIGHTY NOW LIKES KEANO

Ian Wright “didn’t like” Roy Keane amid Arsenal’s infamous rivalry with Manchester United but now says the hardman is a “friend” who he can discuss “serious things” with.

The Gunners’ legendary striker Wright and United’s combative midfielder Keane regularly faced each other in the 1990s before eventually becoming TV pundits.

And Wrighty said: “People have to understand that Roy Keane is just an honest man.

“What I like about Roy Keane is that I see him as my friend. We go and we talk about some serious things. 

“I see him as my friend now, but like I say, when we played I didn’t like him. I didn’t like him at all.

“I remember when I won my Premier League medal, when the camera came in I remember saying “Roy Keane winners medal”, because Roy Keane one time said to me ‘Wrighty you’ve got a cabinet full of losers medals!.

“It’s the kind of comment I would have said to him if the shoe was on the other foot. But when he said it, it hurts you but I was laughing deep down because it’s a killer, it finishes you, bam. 

“Even when I reminded him, he said ;nah I didn’t say that’. I said, ‘Roy, it’s not something you forget!”TUCHEL IN TALKS OVER GILMOUR

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has refused to rule out recalling Billy Gilmour from his loan spell at Norwich – just four months after the midfielder’s move to Carrow Road.

Scotland international Gilmour joined the Canaries on a season-long loan in July but has yet to gain a serious foothold in the starting XI.

Gilmour, 20, hasn’t played since Norwich’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in September and has been an unused sub in four of the club’s last five league matches.

And Blues boss Tuchel hasn’t ruled out recalling the midfielder, saying: “We will take the decision in January when it has to be made.

“In general, I spoke with Daniel (Farke) about it and I was happy to meet Billy around the Norwich match at Stamford Bridge.

“It was clear when we spoke about it that he wants more minutes and more game time at another club.

“The challenge was clear that he needs to fight his way through and this is where he is right now.

“Things are not going as he maybe wishes, or as we all wish for but it’s not the moment now to already give solutions and cancel the whole project.

“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive when the situation seems to be stuck or is not going the right way.”

Tuchel doesn’t want the young Scot to be disheartened by his lack of first-team football.OLE GUNNAR SULKS NO MORE

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned there is no time for sulkers as Manchester United look to revive their season.

After a humiliating 5-0 loss to Liverpool left Solskjaer fighting for his job, he desperately had to switch things around for their trip to Tottenham.

He did so, changing to a 3-5-2 formation and named his oldest squad as United boss, with Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, and Edison Cavani, 34, both scoring in the 3-0 win.

It saw Nuno Espirito Santo instead sacked, as Solskjaer’s gamble to field experience over youth payed off.

But the Norwegian club legend urged United’s frustrated benchwarmers not to drag the side down as the look to turn their fortunes around.

Solskjaer said: “When you’re at a place like this, we’ve got so many players and we don’t have time for anyone to sulk or not give energy to the team.

If you’re not in the starting XI, you’re there to support your teammates. You come on and do your best when you come on.

“If you don’t come on, then what’s the single most important thing you can do to help the team? And the attitude was spot on.

“Yeah, I understand players want to play and nobody is happy when they don’t play.

“But the squad morale has been really good and it has to be really good.

“It can’t be that we’ve done one game now and then everyone is thinking about themselves, it’s a team before any individual.”SUAREZ WANTED ARSENAL MOVE

Luis Suarez admits he wanted to quit Liverpool for Arsenal in 2012 – two years before his dream switch to Barcelona.

But instead Brendan Rodgers took over as Anfield boss and helped persuade the Uruguay legend to to stay.

The Atletico Madrid striker told UEFA’s official website: “Back then, I had opportunities to sign for other clubs who were getting in contact with me.

“But he (Rodgers) phoned me when I was in Uruguay on holiday, to tell me that he had another way of thinking, that he wanted to change the club and its philosophy, that he wanted the club to get back in the Champions League and fight to win big trophies, that he was going to make the team play great football.

“He asked me to believe and trust him. I enjoyed that chat. I liked his conviction, the philosophy he wanted to implement at the club, so I talked to my agent and the club to say that I didn’t want to leave, that I wanted another opportunity to be successful at Liverpool.

“That year wasn’t as good as we wanted, but ideas were already pretty clear.

“So then the 2012/13 season goes by, and I wanted to sign for Arsenal, since Arsenal had played in the Champions League every season prior to that.”

CONTE WOULD WANT KANE AS FOX IN THE BOX

Antonio Conte revealed he would ‘always keep’ Harry Kane in the box when previously speaking on the Tottenham striker.

Conte could be announced at Tottenham boss TODAY after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked this morning.

And after just one goal in TEN Premier League games, Conte’s first assignment would be to try and get the best out of his star man.

But the 52-year-old seemingly already has a plan to do just that.

During his work as a pundit during Euro 2020, via the Mirror, Conte said: “Many praise Harry Kane for his ability to go get the ball and play with the team, such as with the equaliser against Denmark.

“Of course, he’s good at that too, but it’s in the box where he’s clinical and as a coach, I would always keep him in there because he’s devastating.”

And Conte even labelled Kane as one of the world’s best strikers when he was in charge of bitter rivals Chelsea in 2017.

He won the FA Cup and Premier League with the Blues, but revealed if he had to buy any striker in the world then Kane would be on his wish list.

The Italian told Sky Sports: “For me, Kane, now, is one of the best strikers in the world.

“If I had to buy one striker I would go to Kane.

“He is a complete striker. He is strong physically, with the ball, without the ball, he fights and he’s strong in the air and acrobatic on the right and the left.

“He’s a complete player. He’s one of the top strikers in the world. If you go to buy Kane now it would be at least £100m.”KOEMAN ‘REFUSES £4M HIT ON BARCA PAY-OUT’

Ronald Koeman is refusing to take a £4million cut on his Barcelona pay-off, according to reports.

The Dutchman was sacked last week after a poor start to the season.

Koeman, 58, is owed around £10m by the Catalan giants following his firing.

But in the wake of their financial woes, Barca reportedly only want to pay him around £6m.

According to journalist Lluis Canut, however, Koeman is determined not to accept a reduction.

The reporter, who is ‘close’ with Koeman, told Radio Catalunya: “It’s 12 millions (euros) but I want to clear up that in this, there’s nothing to do with the money paid to the Dutch federation (to sign him), that was five million euros (£4.2m) that Barcelona paid straight away.

“I don’t know if in these 12 it includes what has to be paid for his technical team or it’s just him, taking into account that he delayed 45 per cent of his salary last season because of the pandemic.

“In the first conversations they had they asked him to take a cut of around 7 or 8 million, far from the 12 they have to pay him.”5 PLAYERS WHO COULD TRANSFORM UTD IN JANUARY

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer produced a huge result just when he needed it most last weekend, writes ASIF NORAT.

With his Manchester United tenure seemingly hanging by a thread, the Norwegian’s system change inspired a 3-0 victory over Tottenham in North London on Saturday.

The three points have eased pressure for now, but United will need to keep improving if they are to reach their ambitions with Solskjaer at the helm.

Here are five players he should target in the January transfer window to ignite the Red Devils’ season.

ADAMA TRAOREDECLAN RICEFRANK KESSIEKIERAN TRIPPIERMARCELO BROZOVIC

CLICK HERE FOR OUR RUN-DOWN ON THESE PLAYERSWILLOCK WOE

Not yet a nightmare, but this is hardly what Joe Willock was dreaming of when he left his boyhood Arsenal for Newcastle.

It was probably somewhere in the back of his mind, that it would be nigh on impossible to hit the heights of last season’s stunning loan in the North East.

And so it is proving, with the Gunners gleefully rubbing their hands at the £25million banked for the attacking midfielder.

Willock would be forgiven for flashing an envious glance or two at the resurgent Arsenal having been benched for the last two games by interim Toon boss Graeme Jones.

Whether the England U21 star would be a part of it is doubtful – hence why he left – but the way things are going he could be playing Championship football 12 months after penning a six-year contract.

Just 10 games in, it’s not a full-blown disaster – for Willock if not Newcastle – yet things have turned pretty sour since he uprooted to Tyneside.

It’s now no goals, no assists and no big chances created from his nine league matches. Load more entries… More

TOTTENHAM have reportedly reached an agreement with Antonio Conte as the Italian flies into London to take over as manager.Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked on Monday morning after being greeted with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” during a 3-0 loss to Man Utd at the weekend.
Meanwhile Antonio Rudiger has confirmed he is happy at Chelsea despite speculation linking him with Liverpool and Man City.
But a centre-back who may have to soon find a new club is legendary former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
Reports from France suggest the idea of releasing the Spaniard is “no longer fiction” for PSG.
And John Terry, Unai Emery and Eddie Howe are among the names being linked with the Newcastle job as the Saudis look to make an appointment by next week.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
MESSI ENDING

Lionel Messi says he his ‘hurt’ by the suggestion from Barcelona president Joan Laporta that his move to Paris Saint-Germain was money-driven.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner left the Nou Camp to join the French giants on a free transfer in August.

Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in the summer

Laporta said he hoped Messi would have offered to play for Barca ‘for free’ but that he had understandably decided to take a ‘powerful offer’ from PSG.

But Messi told Sport: “The desire of me and my family was to stay in Barcelona.

“Nobody asked me to play for free but at the same time, it seems to me that the words said by the president are out of place.

“They hurt me because I think he doesn’t need to say that.”TOTT UP THE BILL

Nuno Espirito Santo’s short-spell as Spurs boss will cost them £1.4million for each Premier League game he took charge of because of the terms of his deal.

The former Wolves boss oversaw ten league games at Tottenham – and they lost half of them.

The Portuguese was sacked on Monday morning and Spurs will now have to pay him the entirety of his £14m contract as part of his severance package, according to the Express.

The Athletic says the club would not have had to pay anything to sack him at the end of the season if they had finished outside the Prem’s top six.

KESS ‘N TELL

Tottenham are likely to reignite their interest in Franck Kessie under the management of Antonio Conte.

Tottenham could go back in for AC Milan’s Franck Kessie if Conte takes over at Spurs

Spurs’ managing director Fabio Paratici met with Kessie’s agent in August to try and land the AC Milan star, while Conte wanted him while he was boss at Inter Milan, according to sports journalist Nicolo Schira.

Kessie, 24, is yet to agree a contract extension with the Serie A giants and could leave the San Siro on a free transfer at the end of the season.CONTE IN THE CAPITAL

Antonio Conte landed at a London airport this lunchtime to tie-up a deal to become Spurs’ new manager.

The Italian is booked in for an afternoon meeting with the Tottenham hierarchy to agree the final details of a contract until 2023, according to Sky Sports. INTER STARS CONTE COULD WANT AT SPURS

Antonio Conte might be tempted to raid former club Inter Milan for a couple of his title-winning players to help revive Tottenham’s flagging fortunes.

The Italian has a soft spot for two stars in particular – Milan Skriniar and Lautaro Martinez.

Slovakia star Skriniar, 26, is a 6ft 2in no-nonsense centre-half who would help sure up a Tottenham defence which has conceded 16 goals in their ten Prem games so far this season.

Argentina striker Martinez, 24, is technically-gifted 20-goal a season striker who could give Spurs’ out-of-sorts talisman Harry Kane some much-needed competition.

HOW SPURS MIGHT LINE UP UNDER CONTE

Antonio Conte is likely to deploy wing backs either side of three central defenders at Spurs if he takes over as their new boss.

The Italian likes his full-backs to get up and down the pitch effectively and set the base of his Inter Milan team with flexibility in their back five while leading them to the Serie A title last season.

That could be good news for Spurs duo Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal, who could fill the wing-back roles in Conte’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.

CONTE’S MANAGERIAL APPROACH INCLUDES ‘SHARING SEX TIPS’ WITH PLAYERS

Antonio Conte could be offering Spurs stars a bit of bedroom guidance alongside the football tactics if he becomes their new boss.

The 52-year-old Italian has previously told L’Equipe magazine about the sex advice he had given his squads to help improve their performances on the pitch.

He said: “During spells of matches the players should not have sexual relations that last for long periods, and they need to make as little effort as possible

“The best position for them is if their partners go on top, and it is preferable that they are with their own wives.”

Conte made those revelations while in charge of Inter Milan and last season he led the Italians to the Serie A title. CONTE HAS ‘REACHED AGREEMENT WITH SPURS’

Antonio Conte has reached an agreement with Tottenham to become their new manager and will arrive in London later today to begin his tenure, according to reports.

The Italian has sorted out the final details of his deal with the Premier League club and will sign an 18-month contract, according to gianlucadimarzio.com.

The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss is set to become the successor to Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked by Spurs this morning. SCUNTHORPE SACK BOSS COX

Trigger-happy Monday has continued with the sacking of manager Neil Cox by Scunthorpe.

Cox’s dismissal comes within hours of the axing of Nuno Espirito Santo at Spurs, and the firing of Markus Schopp by Barnsley.

Scunthorpe lost 2-1 at Colchester on Saturday and have won just one of their past ten league games.

The Iron also parted company with Cox’s assistant manager Mark Lillis.

Coach Tony McMahon and goalkeeping coach Paul Musselwhite will take caretaker charge of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Doncaster.MAN CITY ARE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FAVOURITES DESPITE PALACE SHOCK

The bookies have Manchester City as favourties to win the Champions League despite Saturday’s poor display in their Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace.

Ahead of this week’s fourth round of group games, Betfair have City at 7/2 to win Europe’s top club competition, ahead of Bayern Munich at 4/1, Paris Saint-Germain 9/2 and Liverpool 13/2.

It appears the weekend’s defeat at the Etihad – following goals for the Eagles from Wilf Zaha and Conor Gallagher – have done little to dampen the belief Pep Guardiola’s side will go all the way in the Champions League this season.

With three games left to play in Group A, City are second behind PSG, and host Belgian side Club Brugge on Wednesday evening. CONTE BOKKIES’ FAVOURITE FOR SPURS JOB

Antonio Conte is the bookies favourite to be the next manager at Spurs.

The vacancy follows the expected sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo this morning.

Conte is the bookies’ tip to take the vacant manager’s job at Spurs

Betfair have Italian Conte at 2/1 to fill the role at the under-performing Prem club.

Graham Potter at 5/1, Paulo Fonseca 5/1, Ryan Mason 6/1 and Brendan Rodgers 15/2 are also thought to be in the running.BARNSLEY SACK BOSS SCHOPP!

Barnsley have sacked boss Markus Schopp after their seventh-straight defeat.

The Championship club confirmed Schopp’s departure this morning with a tweet.

The Tykes are second from bottom the second tier after a 2-1 defeat at Bristol City on Saturday.

Barnsley CEO Khaled El-Ahmad said: “On behalf of everyone at Oakwell, I would like to thank Markus for the last few months and wish him well for the next step in his career.

“I would like supporters to know that the process for finding a suitable replacement is underway and we will announce a new appointment in due course.”

Schopp remarked: “I would like to thank all those who have accompanied me in this short but very intense time.

“It is a pity that our hard work was not reflected in the results. I wish the club all the best for the future and that they will achieve all their goals.”

Joseph Laumann will be the care-tacker boss for Barnsley’s Championship clash with Derby on Wednesday.

NUNO SACKED BY SPURS!

Tottenham have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo as their manager after just four months in charge.

The Spurs board held a crisis meeting to evaluate their situation after the club were beaten 3-0 at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked after four-months as Spurs boss

A Spurs statement also confirmed Nuno’s coaching staff of Ian Cathro, Rui Barbosa and Antonio Dias were also sacked.

Tottenham Managing Director Fabio Paratici said: “I know how much Nuno and his coaching staff wanted to succeed and I regret that we have had to take this decision.

“Nuno is a true gentleman and will always be welcome here. We should like to thank him and his coaching staff and wish them well for the future.”

It is not clear yet who the club are lining up as Nuno’s replacement but former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been heavily linked.

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who led Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season before leaving them in May, has also reportedly been sounded out.

Spurs host Vitesse in an Europa Conference League tie on Thursday and former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason could be set for another caretaker stint in charge of the side.

Mason was appointed interim boss following the sacking of former boss Jose Mourinho in April and held that position before Nuno’s arrival in the summer. NUNO AT SPURS TRAINING GROUND AS SACK TALK GROWS

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo arrived at their training ground this morning with growing speculation he is about to be sacked.

Chairman Daniel Levy – who has a history of axing under-performing bosses quickly – reportedly spent the weekend considering whether to chop Nuno.

Nuno is under pressure as Tottenham boss after a disappointing start to the season

Back-to-back Prem defeats have left Tottenham ten points off the title pace and the lackluster form of talisman Harry Kane is a growing concern at the club.

Antonio Conte, Graham Potter and Erik ten Hag along with ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino have all been touted as potential replacements for Nuno.

The Portuguese had to listen to boos ringing out during a demoralising 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. PSG ‘CONSIDERING RAMOS RELEASE’

Sergio Ramos’ stay at Paris Saint-Germain could be short and not too sweet, according to reports.

The injury-hit former Real Madrid captain is yet to make his debut for the Ligue 1 giants since his arrival in July.

And according to French media outlet Le Parisien, PSG are now considering terminating the 35-year-old’s contract.

But any release of the player is likely to be far from straight forward as he signed a deal with the French side until 2023.

The club’s supporters are said to be growing frustrated with Ramos’ absence and French newspaper L’Equipe have reportedly produced a mini mockumentary about how he has been like a ghost at the training facility.OVERNIGHT ROUND-UP

Nuno Espirito Santo’s fate as Tottenham boss could be decided today.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy held crisis talks with sporting director Fabio Paratici yesterday following Saturday’s 3-0 home humiliation against Manchester United.

Nuno’s reign has lasted 124 days – with Jacques Santini the quickest to be axed by Levy so far after 155 days in 2004.

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan chief Antonio Conte reportedly tops Spurs’ wishlist – as well as Manchester United’s, should they sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United’s impressive weekend win eased the pressure on Solskjaer but Champions League defeat at Atalanta tomorrow night would put it all back on.

But a spanner in the works for both Tottenham and the Red Devils is that Conte is reportedly ready to wait for a new job until the summer.

On the transfer side, Liverpool are being linked with Leicester flyer Harvey Barnes and Real Madrid flop Luka Jovic.

But Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp still hopes to keep main man Mo Salah.

Arsenal could move for United midfield misfit Donny van de Beek in January.

On the pitch, West Ham went three points clear of fifth-placed United with a comfortable 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

But Villa boss Dean Smith blasted Ezri Konsa’s “staggering” 50th-minute red card when the visitors were 2-0 down.

Smith insisted Jarrod Bowen was not goalbound when Villa centre-back Konsa fouled him.

Earlier Leeds won 2-1 at bottom side Norwich, while Everton will go sixth tonight if they triumph at Wolves.OLE HAILS FERNANDES

Bruno Fernandes is finally coming to terms with no longer being Manchester United’s main man.

Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes his Portuguese playmaker has rediscovered his mojo going into this week’s crucial games against Atalanta and Manchester City.

Fernandes’ nose was well and truly put out of joint by the deadline-day signing of his international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

For the previous 18 months he had relished his status as the Old Trafford idol with the entire team being set up around his talents.

But everything changed when Ronaldo returned to become the sole focus of attention.

And Fernandes found himself trying a bit too hard to recapture top dog status and ended up playing his team into trouble as a consequence.

But a long, hard chat with boss Solskjaer following last week’s Liverpool humiliation appears to have got him back on track.

And the change of formation which gave him free rein to try all his tricks behind Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani worked wonders as United took hapless Spurs to the cleaners in Saturday’s 3-0 win.

It was his sublime pass which teed up Ronaldo’s 39th-minute volley and his tackle on Oliver Skipp which set up Cavani’s first goal of the season to secure the victory.

A delighted Solskjaer said: “What a ball for Ronaldo’s goal. Bruno really shows his quality when he plays those passes.

“I’ve been on to him lately about his decision-making because in some games he’s been a bit wasteful and taking too many risks.

“But Bruno has to be allowed to play that pass if he sees Cristiano, Cavani and Marcus Rashford in position and he’s getting better at that which is good.”KDB SWEATS ON CITY PLACE AT UTD

Kevin De Bruyne is sweating on his Manchester City place for Saturday’s derby at United.

The Belgian superstar, 30, has been the main man at the Etihad — and at times in the whole Premier League — for much of his six-year stay.

But Pep Guardiola does not care much for the past, just ask Raheem Sterling or Riyad Mahrez.

He goes on what he sees on the training pitch and in matches when he picks his team.

And KdB must be worried in the aftermath of Saturday’s shock 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace, particularly when he looks around at the midfield talent in Manchester City’s squad.

Because right now, on form alone, he does not get into their first XI.

De Bruyne was left on the bench at Brighton nine days ago — and City shone.

At West Ham in midweek, he was withdrawn ten minutes from time as the Carabao Cup holders went out on penalties.

And on Saturday, when his ten-man team needed inspiration, Guardiola brought him off on the hour.NUNO FIGHTS TO AVOID AXE

Nuno Espirito Santo is fighting to avoid the sack after Daniel Levy held crisis talks today.

The Tottenham chairman discussed the manager’s future with sporting director Fabio Paratici following Saturday’s humiliating 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United.

Now Levy must decide whether to fire Nuno, 47, after just five wins from their opening ten games of the  Premier League season.

Nuno would go down as having the shortest reign of any full-time Spurs manager under Levy with just 124 days in charge if he is axed.

French flop Jacques Santini was booted out after 155 days back in November 2004.

Fans turned on the Portuguese on Saturday, chanting ‘We want Nuno out’.

The atmosphere turned toxic as the North Londoners failed to register a shot on target all game.

Levy was also subjected to fans asking for him to leave the club, while even Harry Kane was booed when he opted to pass rather than shoot. ONLY MENDY ‘BETTER’ THAN RAMSDALE

These stats show how Aaron Ramsdale is justifying his emergence as Arsenal’s first-choice keeper.

Some doubted why Mikel Arteta would pay Sheffield United £30million for a stopper who might struggle to replace Bernd Leno.

And positions like striker seemed more crucial for strengthening to many fans.

But yesterday’s star-man showing in the 2-0 win at Leicester underlined Ramsey’s progress.

NUNO ‘ON BRINK’

Spurs chief Nuno Espirito Santos is ‘on the brink’ of the sack, according to The Telegraph tonight.

Tottenham chiefs reportedly held an urgent meeting amid anger at yesterday’s 3-0 home defeat against Manchester United.

RASH OF BIRTHDAY WISHES

How many people have done so much, so well received, so young as Marcus Rashford.

And Manchester United marked the birthday of “one of our own” today by hailing the England striker and social campaigner as a “role model on and off the pitch”.

LACAZETTE ‘FANCIES ATLETICO MOVE’

Alexandre Lacazette hopes to join Atletico Madrid next summer, reports say.

The France striker, 30, is expected to leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

And the Daily Express suggest Atletico are keen.

Lacazette has notched 68 goals and 29 assists in 178 games for the Gunners.

DON’T CONT ON IT

Antonio Conte insists he won’t be joining a new club until the end of the season, according to reports.

The former Chelsea boss has been heavily linked with Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham.

But Conte reportedly is prepared to bide his time and wait to take a job at the start of next season.

Conte was strongly linked with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United after their drubbing against Liverpool.

But United won 3-0 at Tottenham on Saturday and their board are keeping the faith with their former striker.

JOHNSON’S SWITCHED ON FOR HAMMERS

Ben Johnson celebrated bagging West Ham’s opener in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa by mocking a viral video of himself as a teenager.

After brushing off his elated team-mates, the 21-year-old defender shook his hands in the air in a similar fashion to the old clip.

Hammers fans were quick to comment, one saying: “Keep those celebrations coming Ben!!”

Another said: “Love that.”

And another said: Quality celebration!

“The screwing in lightbulbs dance! Face with tears of joy Ben Johnson he’s one of our own!”

🚨⚽️ | NEW: West Ham’s Ben Johnson has just performed a celebration mimicking this video which was circulating around social media for the past few days pic.twitter.com/DA4VAhmI1H— Football For All (@FootballlForAll) October 31, 2021Load more entries… More