Sport Live Blogs

MANCHESTER UNITED are weighing up whether to keep David De Gea or Dean Henderson, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Meanwhile Liverpool LOST their fourth home match on the bounce as they lost their first Merseyside derby in 22 years.

Man Utd face Newcastle later, with Manchester City playing Arsenal, while Tottenham head to West Ham.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…

‘JOSEOUT’ TRENDS ON TWITTER
Tottenham’s 2-1 loss at West Ham further rocked their top-four hopes and increased the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
On Twitter #JoseOut was trending during the game with Spurs fans clearly fuming at what they are seeing.

Goals from Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard saw the Hammers move into fourth spot in the Premier League.
Lucas Moura’s fine flick header proved scant consolation.
And fans of the North London side were quick to post their anger on social media using the hash-tag.
Graham Williams wrote: “#Joseout get this absolute joke of a manager out of this club now.”
Another fan posted: “Get him out! Awful Spurs. Shouldn’t be losing games like that. #JoseOut.”
Jake Radford wrote: “I don’t really see how this gets better with Mourinho here. I’m #JoseOut now until proven wrong.
“Bale and Reguilon looked good today, that was a positive. But there wasn’t much else.”

RESULT: ASTON VILLA 1 LEICESTER 2
The Foxes go second, three points above Manchester United, after Euro 2021 hopefuls James Maddison and Harvey Barnes struck on 19 and 23 minutes to set up a deserved win.
Bertrand Traore replied soon after the break as Villa – missing inured skipper Jack Grealish – had plenty of second-half possession but few clear chances.

UTD’S HEAVY WAITE INTEREST
Everton prospect Jarrad Branthwaite has attracted interest from Manchester United, according to reports.
The 18-year-old defender, who is currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers, is said to be on Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s transfer wishlist.

Blackburn loanee Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly being tracked by Man Utd
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are one of several sides who are monitoring Branthwaite’s progress.
Reports suggest Solskjaer would prefer to sign a left-footed centre-back, a category Branthwaite falls into.
The starlet has impressed since moving on loan to Blackburn in January, making five Championship appearances.
Branthwaite made the news shortly after joining Rovers as his dangerous high foot caught Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry flush in the face, coming within inches of a potentially serious eye injury.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti will not want to let Branthwaite go as he is a big fan.

ARSENAL VS MAN CITY – TODAY’S TEAMS
Runaway leaders City can go 13 points clear of neighbours United – briefly at least – if they win at Arsenal this afternoon (KO 4.30pm).
Click HERE for our match blog – with preview news, match action and reaction.
And here’s how they line-up:

Taking on the Gunners! 💪XI | Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, De Bruyne, SterlingSUBS | Steffen, Walker, Jesus, Aguero, Laporte, Rodrigo, Torres, Mendy, Foden⚽️ @HaysWorldwide🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/oO3AdTf725
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2021

JESSE TWINGARD
West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard loves a celebration – so much so he celebrated his goal against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon TWICE.
The Manchester United loanee continued his rich vein of form in the Hammers’ 2-1 win over their London rivals, doubling their lead shortly after half-time.

Jesse Lingard’s first celebration was cut short by the dreaded VAR check

But the England midfielder was soon celebrating with his team-mates after the video assistant referee found no reason to disallow his goal
Lingard, who is on loan at the London Stadium for the remainder of the season, celebrated by sliding on his knees and mimicking the crossed hammers on the club’s crest.
The 27-year-old’s jubilation, however, was cut short due to the much-dreaded VAR check.
But the England international was soon at it again after the video assistant referee adjudged there to have been no offside seconds before he rifled the ball past Hugo Lloris.
Elated that the goal had stood, Lingard pretended to play the recorder before being mobbed by his team-mates who mimicked playing other instruments.
Lingard’s strike was his third in four appearances for David Moyes’ side, who, despite recent defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United, have been on the up.

THE BIG THREESY FOR UTD
Manchester United will target a centre-back, right-winger and forward in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
With United falling 10 points behind rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the areas he wants to strengthen ahead of next season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reportedly prioritise three positions for strengthening this summer
Journalist Andy Mitten says Solskjaer is set to meet his bosses to discuss individual targets in the next few weeks.
At centre-back, ESPN reported last week United have drawn up a five-man shortlist of potential partners for £80m Harry Maguire.
Sevilla stalwart Jules Kounde tops that list if reports in Spain are to be believed, with United weighing up a £61million offer for the 22-year-old.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, out of contract this summer, and his Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane are also targets. Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings and Braga defender David Carmo, both left-footed, are also being tracked by United.
ESPN claimed this week Solskjaer would prefer to sign a left-footed centre-back this summer, and United opted out of the race to sign Bayern Munich-bound Dayot Upamecano as a result.
Bayern’s David Alaba, also out of contract at the end of the season, would fit the bill but the Austria international is believed to have a verbal agreement with Real Madrid. On the right, German newspaper Bild claims United have put together a package to tempt Bayern winger Kingsley Coman away from the Allianz Arena.

MARC OF A NEW DEAL
EXCLUSIVE: Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.
But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender’s situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel’s arrival in January.

PLOY OF THE ROVERS
EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn’s owners are hoping to sell the club’s training ground in a £20million deal to balance the books, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Venky’s have submitted plans to the local council to build 170 houses at their Brockhall HQ.
It would bring in cash for the Lancashire club who have been making heavy losses in recent years as they learn to live outside the top-flight.
Venky’s have just written a £7m cheque to bolster Rovers during the current troubling financial crisis and expect to have to find more to cover wages this year.
Selling Brockhall, their base since the Jack Walker era, will not go down well with fans but there are few options when it comes to raising cash.
Rovers have their ‘old’ training ground in the area which is still being used and could accommodate both the first team and academy.

MANE TO FOOT BILL
Liverpool star Sadio Mane is in talks to invest in a French fourth tier club.
The forward is keen to pump his own money into developing Bourges Foot as he wants to help the French minnows.
The mayor of Bourges, Yann Galut, told Le Berry Republicain: “The relations and exchanges that we have with Sadio Mane are serious.
“The contacts with the town hall are really there. Will they succeed or not? Given the international context, given the crisis, I don’t know.
“What I can say is that if it had not been for the Covid, we would have already welcomed Sadio Mane to Bourges to speak.
“In the exchanges I had with Sadio Mane, I really liked his philosophy, the fact that if he came to Bourges, and I still insist on the conditional, it would be in an approach that would not be a business approach.
“It would be an approach where training, the medium term, people, would be put forward. I, myself, insisted with him on the importance of women’s sport. There is interest and enthusiasm with us.”

FOX HUNT
Leicester are 2-0 up away at Aston Villa!
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes have fired the Foxes into an early lead at Villa Park.
Brendan Rodgers’ sit will go second should they hold onto the three points.

SANCH-OH NO!
Jadon Sancho’s post-match interview following Borussia Dortmund’s demolition of Schalke left fans in hysterics – with claims his accent has taken on a German tinge.
Sancho is in his fourth season in Germany after joining the Bundesliga club from Manchester City as a youngster, and fans believe the stint abroad has taken its toll on his voice.
Fans compared him to Steve McClaren, who infamously morphed his voice into a Dutch accent during his spell in charge of Twente, and Joey Barton who attempted a French accent while with Marseille.
Sancho faced the cameras with fellow Dortmund star Erling Haaland after their 4-0 victory in the Revierderby, with fans claiming the winger – who grew up in Kennington, South London – has taken on a decidedly Germanic lilt.
Twitter user Danny said: “I think being in Germany he made Sancho have a German accent!”
AdamUnitedRed added: “He’s defo [sic] faking it. He will sound British again once he comes to United.”
Meanwhile Mark Handforth joked: “I think he’s suffering from Barton McClaren Syndrome.”

NEW BOU
Leicester have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Boubakary Soumare.
The Lille midfielder has just 18 months left on his contract and is one of France’s brightest talents.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Foxes are interested in Soumare and many clubs have inquired about his availability.
One of those may be AC Milan, who were linked with him last month.
Leicester’s reported interest in the 21-year-old may frustrate United, who have been linked with him for more than a year.
The Red Devils were said to have scouted the youngster in January 2020 with a view to a move that window.

Soumare, 21, has been linked with a host of clubs during the last 12 months

FULL-TIME
It’s over! West Ham and held on!
And the East Londoners are now up to fourth in the table and are now just one point off second spot!
For Spurs they remain in ninth spot – losing five out of their last six Premier League games.

GOT GER MAN
Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala will choose to play for Germany over England, according to reports.
The 17-year-old, who could make his international debut next month, was born in Germany but spent most of his childhood in England.
According to the Daily Mail, Musiala is expected to accept an offer from Germany boss Joachim Low to join up with the senior team next month.
And as Germany’s three games are World Cup qualifiers, he will not be able to play for England in the future if he features.
The teenager is also reported to sign a new long-term deal with Bayern, ending any rumours of him joining Manchester United.
The news will disappoint Gareth Southgate as the England manager is said to be a big fan of Musiala.

NEED MOUR
Lucas Moura has pulled one back for Spurs and now the visitors are chasing an equaliser.
The Hammers are living dangerously.

BIELXIT?
Leeds are preparing for life without Marcelo Bielsa next season, admits chairman Andrea Radrizzani – but the Elland Road chief would be “delighted” if the popular boss stays.
Bielsa’s contract at the promoted side expires in the summer, sparking speculation he could be elsewhere next season.
Radrizzani told CBS Sports: “Marcelo knows we are happy with him. If he stays, we are really delighted to continue. If the group is happy with him, I am also happy and we should continue.
“So, it’s up to him. We wait on his decision but in any case, myself and Victor [Orta] have already analysed the options and what to do in case Marcelo does not want to be with us.
“We hope he will continue but in any case we are preparing the club. But I believe this team is not finished yet, and Marcelo as well.
“They need to come and enjoy Elland Road with the fans in the Premier League. It’s what he deserves as a manager, and it’s a unique experience.”

GARD OF HONOUR
Jesse Lingard has fired West Ham 2-0 up against Tottenham!
After a VAR check, the England international is judged to have been onside.
Click HERE to follow the SunSport LIVE blog of the clash.

PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999
Everton’s players celebrated widly in the away dressing room after a first win against Liverpool at Anfield since 1999.
Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a hard-fought 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the fixture.
Everton left-back Niels Nkounkou posted footage of the Toffees’ post-match celebrations on Snapchat – with assistant coach Duncan Ferguson even joining in with the antics.
The likes of Lucas Digne and local boys Mason Holgate and Tom Davies could also be seen in the video, as Everton earned a first Merseyside derby win – home or away – for more than 10 years.
Players could be heard screaming with delight in the clip.
And some embraced each other and jumped up and down with joy.

Everton players celebrate beating Liverpool in the dressing room

Left-back Lucas Digne could be seen dancing on a bench

SOU TOUCH
It’s half-time at the London Stadium, and Tomas Soucek has evoked memories of Terry Butcher with blood pouring from his head after a clash with Davinson Sanchez.
The West Ham star got in the way of Sanchez to prevent a Tottenham equaliser in Sunday lunchtime’s London derby, but got his head split open for his troubles.
With referee Craig Pawson waving play on despite Soucek’s plight, the Czech hardman carried on defending with blood streaming down his face.
Soucek was forced off the field to have stitches after the incident in the 16th minute, before returning to the field seven minutes later.

Tomas Soucek suffered a gruesome head injury against Tottenham

BACKING TU
Thomas Tuchel has been backed in his controversial decision to hook substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Chelsea boss replaced Hudson-Odoi with Hakim Ziyech in the 76th minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, with the England under-21 star having only come on at half-time for Tammy Abraham.
Tuchel was questioned by some for singling out the 20-year-old, but he found support in the shape of Wenger.
The former Arsenal boss had sympathy for Hudson-Odoi – but backed Tuchel in the decision, admitting he had done the same in his managerial career and that the youngster was “not in the game.”
He told BeIN Sport: “I’ve done it once in my life really because I was scared to lose the game because the guy was completely lost.
“Basically he [Hudson-Odoi] played in a Christmas tree, in that position behind the central striker which became Werner in the second half and he [Hudson-Odoi] never found the right position in there.
“I see him more in a wide position and he was not in the game. Was he the guy especially to take off? He didn’t do a lot of positives and not a lot of negatives as well.”

COVID KO
Man Utd have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak just hours before their Premier League clash at home to Newcastle.
Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the Manchester United bench for the game with some other members of the coaching staff in self-isolation, the club have announced.
Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.
The individuals in self-isolation are not being identified due to the privacy of medical information.
It is understood there are no concerns that any players will need to isolate and Sunday’s fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7pm at Old Trafford, will go ahead.

HAMMER TIME
West Ham have taken the lead against Tottenham through Michail Antonio early on at the London Stadium!
Click HERE to follow the SunSport LIVE blog of the clash.

HAA MUCH?
Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland will demand a £300,000-a-week contract from his next club, according to reports.
The Norwegian superstar has been linked with numerous sides, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
According to the Daily Star, the 20-year-old wants a basic £300k weekly wage and a five-year deal to leave Dortmund this summer.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested.
Haaland’s agent is Mino Raiola, who also represents United star Paul Pogba.
The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 17 Bundesliga goals in as many games.

BREAKING
Jonatha Woodgate will remain in charge of Bournemouth until the end of the season.
The Cherries confirmed on Sunday that the caretaker boss has had his deal extended.
Former Arsenal striker and current Montreal boss Thierry Henry had been linked with the role.
But reports on Sunday morning said that Bournemouth’s hopes of landing him had faded.
And hours later Woodgate was confirmed as manager until the end of the season.

#afcb can confirm the appointment of Jonathan Woodgate as head coach until the end of the season.
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 21, 2021

SAY IT AIN’T SO
EXCLUSIVE – Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.
But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender’s situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel’s arrival in January.

Load more entries… More

MANCHESTER CITY are weighing up a move for Lionel Messi, but have denied making an official approach for the Barcelona forward.
Meanwhile Chelsea missed the chance to close the gap on Leicester and Manchester United with a draw at Southampton and Liverpool lost to Everton.

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MIKEL: ARSENAL CAN’T DO A MAN CITY
Mikel Arteta has warned: I just cannot do a Pep at Arsenal.
Arteta and Guardiola were both educated in Barcelona’s academy and worked together with great success at Manchester City.

Boss Mikel Arteta hopes Gunners’ fans don’t expect them to rival Man City
But while Guardiola’s first job as a head coach was in charge of Lionel Messi and Co at Barca, putting theory into practice at the Emirates is another kind of task for rookie Arteta.
And with boss Pep already lifting EIGHT trophies at City, if you include Community Shields, the Arsenal boss said: “You cannot compare his situation to the one with us. They are very, very different.
“You can share some values, some ideas and the way we were raised and educated in football is very similar because we had the same background.
“The fact we worked together united us a lot to get that chemistry.
“How do you make it work and what do you need to make it work? You need time. Sometimes you need a lot of investment, sometimes there is a group of players that can already provide that.
“You have to keep evolving and finding a way because there is not one formula that works. You cannot try to follow that because you will fail.”

UTD ‘BACK IN FOR HAALAND’
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer WILL get the backing to bring the world’s top stars to Old Trafford this summer.
And that means the green light to join rivals Manchester City in the battle for Erling Haaland.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ould launch a new bid for Erling Haaland this summer
It is also the clearest indication yet that the Red Devils manager, 47, will be handed a new deal to continue his overhaul at the end of the season.
United were in the hunt for Haaland, the most wanted striker in Europe, before he joined Borussia Dortmund last January.
A £65million release clause only kicks in next year, meaning anyone wanting to sign the 20-year-old before then will have to pay an inflated premium.
Leeds-born Haaland scored twice last night — one an incredible bicycle-kick — as Dortmund claimed an emphatic 4-0 win at Schalke.
Fellow Norwegian Solskjaer refused to be drawn on specific targets but did admit he has been promised funds will be available to sign the best players around.

ALONSO EYES NEW CHELSEA DEAL
Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.

Marcos Alonso has transformed his Chelsea fortunes under Thomas Tuchel
But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender’s situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel’s arrival in January.

HAMMERS FIX DAW
HARRY REDKNAPP EXCLUSIVE: David Moyes won’t win the title with West Ham — but when it comes to the signing of the season he’s in a league of his own.
Actually, he’d have a decent shout of making it a clean sweep with numbers two and three as well, because Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have both been sensational.

Craig Dawson has been outstanding since stepping up from his Championship fringe role with Watford to a key position for Premier League high-fliers West Ham
But in my opinion, not even those two — outstanding as they have been — can top the impact Craig Dawson has already had in his short time with the club.
Not bad for a bloke who couldn’t even get a game in the Championship before West Ham came in for him in October.
Well, he may have not got further than the bench at Watford — apart from losing a League Cup game at Newport — but he’s one of the first names Moyesie puts on his teamsheet now.
To be honest, there were probably three centre-backs ahead of him when they signed him. And I know a lot of people were thinking, ‘What’s he doing with signing a bloke who can’t get a game?’.
But I speak to West Ham fans a lot — and they’re not doubting him any more. They’re amazed at how amazing he has been.
Whoever came up with the idea — and I assume it’s David — played a blinder, and Dawson will be one of the main men they’re relying on against Tottenham on Sunday as well.

RESULT: FULHAM 1 SHEFF UTD 0
Ademola Lookman’s deserved 61st-minute winner lifted Fulham to within a point of fourth-bottom Newcastle.
The Cottagers survived seven minutes of stoppage time.
But in truth the bottom-placed Blades created little – aside from strong late appeals for a penalty for Alphonse Areola’s tough challenge on Jayden Bogle.

HE CAN STILL HAK IT
Thomas Tuchel blames himself for Hakim Ziyech’s lack of Chelsea game-time under him so far.
The Blues boss told Sky Sports: “It’s my fault, actually. It’s not his fault.
“It’s my decisions. It’s the same for some other players – there were some hard decisions to make. This is a good thing – it means we have quality.
“There are some decisions for other players that means Hakim suffers a little bit. I can absolutely understand and agree with that, so it’s my responsibility and my fault that he cannot show more of his potential.
“But when I look at the schedule we can be sure that we need all of our players. No matter how hard times are for you personally, I cannot say one bad thing for Hakim.
“He’s working hard and he needs to show that he’s ready because when the moment comes – I cannot tell you when the moment comes – but we expect the best Hakim Ziyech.”

WOLVES JOIN ODILON HUNT
Wolves fancy making a move for Club Brugge’s £20million-rated Ivory Coast centre-back Odilon Kossounou.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to toughen his back line — but faces competition from a number of top clubs around Europe for the 20-year-old.

Club Brugge defender Odilon Kossounou has been eyed by Liverpool as well as Wolves
Inter and AC Milan are both keen on Kossounou, who is in his first season in Belgium after a brief spell with Swedish club Hammarby.
The Italian duo have been quoted a fee and Brugge will hold out for a big sum, knowing the player is keen on the Premier League.
Liverpool have also checked on Kossounou — but decided to take Ozan Kabak on loan with a view to doing a permanent deal.

GOAL! FULHAM 1 SHEFF UTD 0
First-half dangerman Ademola Lookman lashed home Fulham’s belated opener on 61 minutes.

DON’T PUT IT ALL ON REDS
Liverpool have been made odds-on to miss out on a Champions League spot this season.
The Champions disastrous season hit a new low following a 2-0 defeat to Everton – the first time their local rivals had won at Anfield since 1999.
The result meant the Reds have lost a fourth home game in a row and missed the chance to go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are down in sixth and have now been made odds-on at 10/11 to finish outside the spots for a Champions League place.
That marks a stark drop from just two weeks ago when Liverpool were just 4/1 before losses to Leicester and Everton.
Betfair Spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: “Liverpool have now lost four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since December 2002 and their hopes of a top-four spot are dwindling.
“Following the derby defeat, we now make them odds-on at 10/11 to miss out on a place in the Champions League spots come the end of the season. 
“Not many punters fancied Everton’s chances today, but they overcame odds of 8/1 to record their first win at Anfield since 1999, while a correct score of 2-0 to the Toffees was matched at 79/1 in-play shortly before Richarlison put the visitors ahead.”

S/H: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
So far the Cottagers look like a point is the least they will get from this bottom-three clash.
If that assessment doesn’t spark a Blades turnaround then nothing will..

HAALAND GLOBE TOPPER
Erling Haaland continued to stake his claim as the world’s top striker with a stunning scissor kick past Schalke.
Borussia Dortmund romped home 4-0 in the Revierderby thanks to another fantastic display from the Norwegian and Jadon Sancho.

Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.This guy. Jeez 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zs9dvP0byV
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 20, 2021

It was the England winger who put Borussia on top after struggling Schalke were forced into surrendering possession in their own half.
Sancho struck a precise effort in at the near-post and passionately pounded the Borussia badge on his chest in celebration.
Dortmund doubled their advantage minutes later when 20-year-olds Sancho and Haaland added to their repertoire of combinations.
The striker leapt up to provide an acrobatic scissor kick from Sancho’s cross, finding the bottom corner in elegant fashion.
Amid fears that the former Manchester City man had started the season slowly, he now boasts 10 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.

KLOPP BLAMES NIGTMARE START
Jurgen Klopp blamed Liverpool’s 2-0 home loss to Everton on Richarlison’s soft third-minute opener.
The Reds’ boss claims his sinking champs played well enough to deserve much more.
But he told the BBC: “We conceded this early goal – it was completely unnecessary.
“This gives the game a direction we don’t need so we had to chase the game… and we did that really well.
“So, creative wise in a tricky game for different reasons, we created some stuff.
“We changed our formation slightly in the second half, which they couldn’t really cope with.
“We had good opportunities but didn’t take them – so who can you criticise apart from yourself?”
But Klopp hopes the performance will inspire confidence and a revival. for sixth-placed Liverpool
He added: “I don’t like to talk about the good stuff because we lost the game but I have to use that – that is our lifeline.”

H/T: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
The Cottagers dominated the first 45 minutes, the Blades having neither a single goal attempt or even a touch in the home box.

LATEST: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
Blades striker Oli McBurnie is eventually ruled OK to carry on after his head clattered into a Fulham player’s shoulder.
The Cottagers edged the first 35 minutes against their relegation rivals.

CARLO SALUTES PICKFORD AFTER TOFFEES’ DERBY JOY
Boss Carlo Ancelotti is targeting a European spot next season as he hailed under-fire keeper Jordan Pickford following Everton’s 2-0 win at Liverpool.
After the Toffees’ first victory at Anfield in the Premier League for 22 years, Ancelotti told Sky Sports: “I am very pleased for the club and the supporters. 

Carlo Ancelotti says Everton No1 Jordan Pickford responded well to his criticsCredit: PA:Press Association
“I hope for sure that they are going to celebrate tonight. It was a good performance. A lot of fight and spirit. I am really happy.
“We have to find more consistency at home and we are working on this. We are fighting for Europe and now we are in a good position. 
“This kind of performance helps to improve the belief of the team.
“Jordan did really well. He accepted the criticism. You have to do that and try to be better and he did it.”

WIJNALDUM: DEFEAT SO PAINFUL
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is urging Jugen Klopp’s devastated players to man up after Everton’s “painful” and historic 2-0 derby win at Anfield.
Wijnaldum says despite being “upset” by a chronic injury list the fast-fading champs can’t “play the victims”.
The Dutchman insisted Liverpool were the “better” team but paid for conceding a sloppy early opener to Richardson.
And he told Sky Sports: “We have to deal with the situation and not feel sorry for ourselves. 
“We have to give until the end of the season, it is painful and you could see if on the faces of the players.
“Winning games in the Premier League is always difficult and the injuries don’t make it easier.
“We still have a squad who can change it around and we have to work harder to change it around.”

IT’S UNDER WAY: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
The Cottagers can climb to within two points of safety if they beat the bottom-placed Blades.
Fulham won an early corner after kicking off.

OLE HELPED GREENWOOD AGED 7
Mason Greenwood was taking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s advice long before his Manchester United debut – even as a seven-year-old.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was doing his coaching badges when he first gave tips to Mason Greenwood, who was with the Man Utd U-8s.
The Norwegian spoke to Greenwood while the striker was still a young lad in the academy.
Playing in the youth setup alongside Solskjaer’s son, Noah, he was given a few tips while the club legend did his training badges.
Greenwood, 19, recalled in a chat with Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport: “He spoke to me.
“He came and did his coaching badges at United.
“I was only with the Under-8s and Under-9s and I trained with his son.
“He was telling me about that, I couldn’t remember it because I was so young but he told me about it.
“He always speaks about movements into the box, shooting and stuff, so it was a good benefit to have him there.”

ATLETICO LOSE UNBEATEN HOME RECORD
LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid suffered a shock first home defeat of the season ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League home clash with Chelsea – 2-0 agsinst Levante.

Levante celebrate on the way to a fine win that lifted them to eighth in LaLiga
Without Kieran Trippier and Stefan Savic, Diego Simeone’s side shot themselves in the foot after half an hour at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Geoffrey Kondogbia lost the ball on the 18-yard line to allow Jose Luis Morales a powerful shot that beat Jan Oblak and went in off a post for his 12th goal of the season.
Atletico’s ex-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, going into the game with seven goals in his last five, hit the post from a free-kick.
And Simeone threw on Lyon loanee Moussa Dembele for his debut, as well as Thomas Lemar, both having recovered from coronavirus.
But Levante held firm and nabbed a second goal late on through Jorge de Frutos.

EVER SO GOOD AGAINST KOP FLOPS
Liverpool’s shock demise is posing big questions about boss Jurgen Klopp – while Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are now level on points with a game in hand following their historic 2-0 win at Anfield tonight.

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RESULT: LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 2
TOFFEES END 22-YEAR WAIT FOR ANFIELD PREM WIN
Richarlison’s early strike and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s late penalty continued Liverpool’s woeful Premier League form as neighbours Everton moved level with Jurgen Klopp’s sixth-placed side on points.
For reaction click on our MATCH BLOG.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 2
Gylfi Sigurdsson tucked home a penalty on 83 minutes to ease Everton nerves by doubling their lead.
Trent Alexander-Arnold brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the striker’s shot was saved by Alisson = VAR confirming the spot-kick decision.
Click on our MATCH BLOG for constant coverage of the Merseyside derby.

LATEST: LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 1
The Toffees are clinging on a bit approaching the final ten minutes.
Click on our MATCH BLOG for constant coverage of the Merseyside derby.

WENGER’S VIEIRA VS CESC CHOICE
Arsene Wenger agonised when asked to choose between Arsenal midfield legends Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas.
The ex-Gunners boss opted for former France star Vieira’s more athletic qualties over Spaniard Fabregas’ passing qualities, after being posed the question by pundit Andy Gray.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Wenger said: “Well, Andy, they were both of my former players so that is very difficult.
“I always say, and I said that in my book, the guy that gave me time and credit at Arsenal was Patrick Vieira, because he was the first player I bought.
“And Fabregas was an exceptional football player. And still is, because he is still playing.”
Wenger was speaking after Vieira went head-to-head with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry for the Bournemouth job.
Although Wenger opted for Vieira, he admitted Fabregas was the type of player he used to go for more during his managerial career.
Wenger said: “Having smaller players, I went for football that was more based on mobility and less on impact. More on getting out of challenges than going into the challenges.”

LATEST: LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 1
The Reds have had nearly 70% of the play as we enter the final 20 minutes -as they press for an equaliser.
Click on our MATCH BLOG for constant coverage of the Merseyside derby.

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