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      Tottenham 3 Southampton 1: Saints RELEGATED at earliest point in Premier League history amid record-breaking poor season

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      SOME light relief for Ange Postecoglou at last as his side dispatched possibly the worst team in Premier League history.But the Aussie will know it will have done little to change the minds of fans accusing him of being the worst Spurs Prem boss ever.Southampton made history with the earliest relegation ever from the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyTwo goals from Brennan Johnson secured a 3-1 win for TottenhamCredit: RexNo, the only way to win over those doubters is to go all the way in the Europa League.And even then, some are already steadfast in believing he is the wrong man for the job.Still, this comfortable victory, courtesy of a Brennan Johnson double, was most welcome for the under-pressure gaffer – and confirmed Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.The South-coasters became the fastest Prem team to go down as they still have seven games to go.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat is one more than the infamous Derby side of 2007-08 – whose record 11-point haul Saints are still two shy of beating – had left when they received their ‘R’ status, as well as Huddersfield in 2018-19.With that in mind, there was little to be gained for up-against-it Postecoglou here. Even a repeat of December’s 5-0 thrashing at St Mary’s – which saw Russell Martin axed about an hour after full-time – would have hardly shifted the dial.There was everything to lose though because had his side been embarrassed, they would have lost at home to the three sides all set for the drop this season, having been vanquished on their own turf by Leicester and Ipswich.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFans would have called for his head AHEAD of Thursday’s crunch quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.Fortunately, that was avoided.’People like you will be happy’ – Postecoglou snaps at Sky Sports reporter in ‘generational meltdown’ after Chelsea lossBut the 59-year-old remains just as much in the mire as he was before this game thanks to a dismal league campaign involving 16 defeats which had plunged them as low as 16th before this game.They are up to 13th now but it will do little to quell the fuming frustration among supporters, a thousand of whom took part in another protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the ownership outside the ground before the game.It took just 20 seconds for the South Stand to start chanting “We want Levy out”.The atmosphere was strange; eerily quiet, almost like a pre-season friendly.Spurs fans held a protest before the matchCredit: ReutersSome managed to get their banners inside the stadiumCredit: RexThings felt as if they could turn toxic at any minute, given the anger towards the board as well as the week – and the season, really – Postecoglou was having.The under-pressure Aussie appeared to mock his own supporters by cupping his ear during Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea – though denied he meant it as a wind-up.Had Kamaldeen Sulemana turned home a cross from Spurs target Tyler Dibling on 12 minutes, the sound of the fury may well have been deafening.But instead the Ghanaian’s effort hit the post via a Pedro Porro deflection and the hosts survived.Johnson’s first goal came after 13 minutesCredit: ReutersHe bagged a second minutes before half-timeCredit: ReutersAnd within a minute, Spurs were ahead through Johnson’s first.Ange Ball seems to have disappeared for most of this dismal season but this goal was a fine move, albeit against poor quality.Cristian Romero, who had earlier seen a powerful header saved, played a long ball up to James Maddison.The England man laid it wide to captain Son Heung-min, who fed the overlapping Djed Spence to tee up Johnson for his tenth league goal of the season.Johnson’s double saw Spurs smile for the first time in a whlieCredit: ReutersEven beleaguered Ange Postecoglou was charmed by the performanceCredit: ReutersThen came the first of the VAR checks, which eventually ruled that an offside-looking Dominic Solanke was not interfering with play.Saints fans responded with self-deprecating chants of ‘Championship again, ole ole’ as they prepared for relegation.Ramsdale was the only reason this game was not over sooner, as he bravely took a goal-bound Romero header flush in the face.It kept him down on the ground receiving treatment for quite some time – but nothing like as long as the VAR check that eventually denied Lucas Bergvall of a first Premier League goal soon after.Mateus Fernandes gave Saints a glimmer of hope with a 90th minute goalCredit: ReutersMathys Tel’s late penalty made sure of the resultCredit: PAThe Swede, 19, was off celebrating after cleverly hooking in a Romero knock-down.But then a near five-minute delay eventually spotted defender Romero to have been a gnat’s wing offside and it was chalked off.Postecoglou, who on Friday vowed not to celebrate goals anymore for fear of them being chalked off by Stockley Park, amusingly pretended to flick a coin and rock, paper, scissors during the interminably-long wait for a decision.It was as if to say that whatever call VAR came up with would be pot luck.Ivan Juric is unlikely to be leading Southampton in the second tierCredit: ReutersIt was a day – and a season – to forget for Saints’ flopsCredit: RexThe second half felt like a training-ground exercise as the teams played out time, until Fernandes disturbed the stupor by smashing home at the far post in stoppage time.Even that surprise boost failed to last as sub Welington tripped Johnson, allowing fellow sub Tel to fire home the penalty for his first Prem goal.It felt very much like a whimper for Saints to go out on, And it gave little confidence to supporters that Ivan Juric’s target to the team of avoiding being the worst Premier League team ever – by beating Derby’s pitiful tally – will be achieved.Read More on The SunJuric may well be gone before the season is out, anyway.Whether Postecoglou suffers the same fate remains to be seen, but nothing on view here would have affected that decision either way. More

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      Fulham 3 Liverpool 2: Reds dominate second half but can’t recover from early horror show in just second loss of season

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      WHEN the second-placed team in the division are incapable of putting together a proper title challenge, defeats like this do not really matter.Liverpool were blown to pieces by Fulham in 14 first-half minutes but still finished the weekend 11 points clear with just seven games to play and their fans still celebrating at the end singing that they are going to win the league.Liverpool suffered a frustrating afternoon in west LondonCredit: GettyRodrigo Muniz took his goal brilliantly to put Fulham 3-1 upCredit: RexAlex Iwobi found the net with the help of a deflectionCredit: ReutersAlexis Mac Allister opened the scoring with a fine strikeCredit: PAOf course they are.Alexis Mac Allister’s belting strike was followed by goals from Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz. While Luis Diaz pulled one back with 18 minutes left, Liverpool were unable to draw level but ultimately, they did not really need to worry.Arsenal’s inconsistent form, as illustrated by their 1-1 draw at Everton 24 hours earlier, is the reason for that.Yet this loss for the champions-elect also made you think of another Arsenal team – one 21 years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBecause it was the 2003-04 season that Arsene Wenger’s team managed to go 38 games without being beaten and it seems unthinkable that it will ever be replicated.Liverpool have been completely dominant this season and this was only their second defeat and first away from home.Although the Premier League is less entertaining these days, the overall strength of clubs outside the so-called big six is much higher.And that is proved by Nottingham Forest winning at Anfield and now Fulham who have certainly enjoyed a decent season under Marco Silva and can still dream of Europe.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFulham deserved the win even though they had to withstand some major Liverpool pressure at the end.It started off superbly for Slot’s side who overcame two poor results against PSG and Newcastle with a win over Everton in midweek.Steven Gerrard gives update on return to management after Liverpool legend left Al-Ettifaq Mac Allister had only scored five times for Liverpool this season but maybe he should try a few more shots from outside the area. He took the ball off the toes of Iwobi, kept on his feet despite a challenge from Sander Berge and then hammered an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.Fulham deserved their equaliser, though, although Slot will be annoyed at the way Berge was able to saunter forward so easily.Andreas Pereira’s first-time cross bounced off Jones’ knee and fell perfectly for Sessegnon who lashed his shot past Caoimhin Kelleher before Van Dijk could deliver a block.Yet if that was poor defending from Liverpool, Fulham’s second was even worse. Andy Roberton’s suicidal diagonal ball out of defence was cut out by Iwobi. Although his first shot was blocked by Ryan Gravenberch, his second effort was deflected into the goal off the unfortunate Robertson who had scampered across to try and make amends for his cock-up.Iwobi thought he had made it 3-1 and although Kelleher made a decent save, it was from Pereira’s subsequent corner that saw Muniz deliver his moment of genius.Liverpool failed to clear the corner properly and Iwobi accidentally punted the ball almost vertically into the air. Yet Munoz kept his eye on the ball, delivered a killer first touch to move the ball beyond Van Dijk and then buried a shot through Kelleher’s legs.Read More on The SunDiogo Jota was denied by a brilliant save from Bernd Leno at the start of the second half and Liverpool barely threatened again until Diaz produced a delightful finish.The end to the game was entertaining enough, though. Kelleher kept out a ferocious shot by Harrison Reed and at the other end, Bernd Leno made a good save from Federico Chiesa. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Killing the game’ rant furious fans as Tottenham denied goal after ‘ridiculous’ FIVE-MINUTE VAR check

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      FANS have claimed VAR is “killing” football after Tottenham were denied a goal after a five minute check.Lucas Bergvall found the net against Southampton before being chalked off following a lengthy review.Tottenham had a goal disallowed following a five minute VAR checkVAR judged Cristian Romero to have committed a foul in the build-upLucas Bergvall thought he had doubled Tottenham’s leadCredit: GettyThe midfielder poked home after Cristian Romero headed a free-kick back across goal.But Romero was judged to have pushed his opponent in the back as he won the header, meaning the goal was not allowed to stand.It took ages for VAR to reach their conclusion, much to the frustration of fans watching on.Many criticised the officials for the five-minute delay and claimed VAR is ruining football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne supporter said: “It’s ridiculous. 5 minutes to rule ou Bergvall’s goal. How can that be clear and obvious? VAR is killing the game.”Another added: “Bruh, VAR doing a whole thesis on that goal 😂”A third wrote: “This needs to be sorted out. Five minutes for a VAR check is ridiculous!”And another commented: “This sport is FINISHED.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTottenham eventually added a second shortly before half-time with Brennan Johnson finding the net again.The winger opened the scoring in the 13th minute and now has 16 goals this season. Tottenham fans fume at Spurs flops as Ange Postecoglou ‘stays out firing line’ after GOADING them during loss at Chelsea More

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      ‘We want Levy out’, chant Tottenham fans as thousands swarm streets in latest furious protest against club chief

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      TOTTENHAM fans have protested against chairman Daniel Levy ahead of their clash with Southampton.Spurs have underperformed on the pitch this season and fell to their 16th defeat of the league campaign at Chelsea on Thursday.Tottenham fans have protested against chairman Daniel LevyCredit: ReutersThousands flocked to the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: ReutersSome fans have demanded Levy spend more moneyCredit: ReutersIt is the latest in a series of protests about Levy’s running of the clubCredit: ReutersLevy has dismissed complaints about his lack of spendingCredit: PAFans made their feelings clear towards the players and manager Ange Postecoglou at Stamford Bridge.And now Levy is the focus of supporters’ ire once again, with thousands taking to the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in protest.Many held banners demanding Levy leave the club, with calls for change ringing out.Fans chanted “We want Levy out!” and “Daniel Levy, get out of our club!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans also vented their anger on X. One wrote: “Enough is enough, the state of this club is absolutely embarrassing. “A complete reset is needed, and the first thing to change is the ownership and the ones that are taking the football decisions.”Another wrote: “So proud of all involved. Our club needs change.”A fellow Spurs fan wrote: “The dial has been turned up a notch.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIt is the latest in a series of protests against Levy and his running of the club.He is often targeted with accusations that he is more concerned with the commercial success of the club than glory on the pitch.But he has dismissed such complaints, instead emphasising the importance of sustainability.He said: “Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700million net in player acquisitions.“Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.“I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world.’People like you will be happy’ – Postecoglou snaps at Sky Sports reporter in ‘generational meltdown’ after Chelsea loss“However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.” More

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      True cost of Everton’s new stadium revealed as Bramley-Moore Dock bill soars towards £1billion

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      EVERTON’S new stadium has cost £802.1million — with the final bill set to be even higher.The Toffees are to move into their 53,000-seater Bramley-Moore Dock home this summer after recently completing several test outings.Everton’s new stadium will open this summerCredit: GettyThe 53,000-seater stadium has cost nearly £1billionCredit: GettyThe Toffees have staged a few test eventsCredit: AFPClub chiefs have spent £802,121,353 according to new figures covering the year to June 30, 2024.Yet this bill will grow as the club are “continuing negotiations to secure the next stage of funding”.Everton took out two new loans in February with US firms Aramark Limited and Glas Trust Corporation.The original estimate for the stadium — which has taken four years to build — was £500m.READ MORE ON EVERTONBut they have already spent more than an extra 60 per cent so far. Everton’s second test event saw 25,000 fans watch Everton Under-21s take on Bolton’s B team – with a planned evacuation on 65 minutes. But it will not just be football being played at the Bramley-Moore Dock ground next season.That is because Everton announced that the Second Test of the Rugby League Ashes will take place at their new stadium on November 1.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe historic competition between England and Australia has not taken place in 22 years.But it will finally return in a blockbuster three-series event.What James Tarkowski did at full-time spotted after avoiding red card for horror lunge in Liverpool vs Everton clashEverton have three Premier League games left at Goodison Park, their home since 1892. David Moyes’ side host Manchester City on April 19 and Ipswich on May 3.Then their final emotional goodbye will be against Southampton on the penultimate weekend of the season. Everton have just three Premier League games left at Goodison ParkCredit: Getty More

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      Mo Salah rakes in huge £37m with business venture after winning image rights battle with Egypt FA

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      MOHAMED SALAH banked an eye-watering £37million bonanza from sponsorship deals and image rights.The Liverpool striker’s image rights company has scored big — with assets of £36,693,199.Salah rakes in huge amounts of money from his image rightsCredit: GettyThat represents a £3.3m increase compared with the previous year — the equivalent of £275,000 a month on top of his Liverpool wages.Salah, 32, opened his image rights firm, Salah UK Commercial Ltd, in 2014 while at Chelsea.Adidas, Pepsi, Vodafone, Uber and Oppo are among the brands with which he has lucrative links.And things could get even better in the next accounts — if Salah signs a new deal with improved image rights with the Anfield club.READ MORE IN SPORTThe Egypt forward won a dispute over image rights with his nation’s FA in 2018 after high-level political intervention from their government.He was left fuming that the official team plane being used to fly the Pharaohs to the World Cup featured a huge image of him on the side.The Egyptian national team said he was “insulted” that no one consulted him over whether the design would conflict with any of his personal commercial deals.The plane had been paid for by Egypt’s official team sponsor, telecommunications company WE.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDepicting Salah next to the corporate logo of WE could have cost the Liverpool star millions, as it might have breached his contract with Vodafone.The winger has been heavily linked with an Anfield exit when his contract expires in June but new reports claim he is in advanced negotiations to extend his deal.Liverpool star Mo Salah enjoys casual stroll down Blackpool Pier on rare day off More

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      in Motorsport

      Our village is ruined by F1 HQ – it sounds like TORNADO & now they want to make it even bigger… we’re being forced out

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      FURIOUS locals are revving up for a battle with F1 motor racing team Williams over plans to expand its UK headquarters.Residents living close to the motor sport company’s site in Grove, Wiltshire, say they are already being driven round the bend by noise and traffic.The Williams site in Wiltshire has already been driving locals round the bendCredit: Jon RowleyNearby residents claim noise levels from the base are comparable to a ‘tornado’Credit: Jon RowleyThe company have reportedly bought farmland they wish to expand onCredit: Jon RowleyThey argue the biggest culprit is a giant wind tunnel used by engineers to test the aerodynamics of the super-fast Williams team’s cars.One local told The Sun: “When the wind tunnel is at full throttle you can hear it sucking in the air. It’s like a tornado.”We pretty much need a motorway here to deal with all the traffic this site generatesDisgruntled resident Now nearby homeowners fear their lives are going to be made even more of a misery.It comes after Williams submitted a planning enquiry to the local authority about expanding its already-massive base.Controversial plans include a helipad and car park for 800 vehicles.It is believed the company has already snapped up farmland next to its existing site with hopes to build on it, locals claimed.One resident, an IT director who lives just 50 metres from the Williams perimeter fence, said: “I’ve been following the Williams plans and it looks like this is the first step towards near-enough doubling the size of this site.“They’ve been clever because it’s just a scoping exercise at present to test the water and see what the planners think of their plans in principle.Most read in Motorsport“Doing it this way saves Williams a fortune because they don’t have to spend money on environmental impact reports.“If the council turn them down, it will have cost them almost nothing.F1 presenter Sandra Baumgartner celebrates cameraman’s birthday with Sky Sports presenter team “If the council says they might agree, subject to a detailed planning submission, at that point it will start to get expensive for them because they’ll need all sorts of environmental surveys done and they don’t come cheap.”It’d open countryside so there’ll be all sorts of flora and fauna to consider, as well as a brook.“Apparently they’ve bought a lot of land off a local farmer and are already starting to fence it off. I’d be pretty sure that’s where they’re looking to expand the site.“If they get the green light to expand, life for us locals will be a nightmare. It’s a beautiful part of the world – we’ve got so much nature on our doorstep and it will be ruined if Williams are given permission to cover everything in even more concrete.“The construction alone will take a couple of years and it will generate more noise and traffic chaos than I dare imagine.”Another resident, who asked not to be named, added: “If they get planning permission to expand this site, I’m going to sell up and move.“It’s already horrendous living here because of the constant flow of traffic in and out of the site .“The roads around here are already under incredible pressure because of the Williams traffic and every journey I take nowadays seems to take longer and longer.“We pretty much need a motorway here to deal with all the traffic this site generates.“It is noisy and dusty and a bigger site means more noise, dust and traffic. I don’t want to look out of my window onto an 800-vehicle car park and I certainly don’t want to hear helicopters clattering in and out 24/7.“I’m also worried about the environmental impact expanding the site will cause.”But others in the area welcome the potential expansion.One said: “This area needs jobs and we should be celebrating an employer who has the courage to grow their business.“There’ll be hundreds of construction jobs for starters and a bigger site means more jobs later down the line. Well done Williams.”Read More on The SunSomeone else continued: “I have nothing but respect for any company wishing to expand in this economic climate. People need to stop being nimbies and embrace the opportunities Williams give this town.”Williams was contacted for comment.F1 tycoon Ron Dennis starts work on £30m mansion with secret tunnel to River Thames, huge garage, & underground bathsBy Amelia StoutF1 TYCOON Ron Dennis has started work on a £30 million mansion – complete with a secret tunnel to the River Thames, a huge garage and underground baths.Diggers were spotted at the 175-acre plot of premium Berkshire parkland – which Ron bought after selling his McLaren shares for a whopping £275 million in 2017.The F1 legend, and former mentor to Lewis Hamilton, initially submitted plans for the mammoth project in 2018, but work never started.Updated documents were resubmitted to the planning authority in 2021 and approved in 2023.On the basement level, the 77-year-old plans to build a games room, wine cellar, cinema, gym, underground swimming pool – akin to Roman-style baths – and spa.A spiral staircase will lead up to the basement mezzanine level, which will come complete with its own water feature, as well as a car park and car wash.The ground floor will be home to a library and housekeeper’s office – with a guest wing and gallery on the first floor, and master bedroom and outdoor garden on the second floor.The structure will also be accompanied by a host of outbuildings – including stables and a boathouse.Plus, a tunnel will provide boat access down to the River Thames.In aerial shots obtained by the Mail, diggers could be seen beginning their excavation of the site.Markings could also be seen on the ground, plotting out the various sections of the development.Many cars and vans appeared to be parked at the temporary construction site.Residents have compared the sound of the cars to a tornadoCredit: Alamy More

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      ‘A punch was the last thing I thought about’ – Neymar trolls Gabriel Jesus over Arsenal star’s ‘weird’ birthday cake

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      ARSENAL striker Gabriel Jesus left fans in stitches with a birthday cake Neymar described as “weird” in the pair’s hilarious exchange over its sexual innuendo.The crocked 28-year-old appeared oblivious to the way his Instagram followers might interpret the design after posting a photo of him pointing towards the cake with a huge grin on his face.Gabriel Jesus showed off his funny cakeCredit: instagram @dejesusoficialNeymar found the cake design hilariousCredit: GettyThe message on the top, etched out above two cartoon-style figures in an apparently compromising position with the one on the ground wearing a birthday hat representing the Gunners’ striker, said in Portuguese: “I’m going to celebrate my birthday, yes.”Neymar found the cake hilarious, responding with a laughing emoji while commenting: “Congratulations brother. The design of of this cake is weird.”The Arsenal frontman tried to play down any suggestion of rudeness in response to his former Brazil team-mate.Insisting the design showed something completely different to what his pal was seeing he said: “I didn’t want a cake but the woman did it like that. I’m getting a beating hahaha!”READ MORE ON ARSENALBut Neymar continued: “A punch was the last thing I thought about” followed by more laughing emojis.Another of Jesus’ followers chimed in by adding: “I think Jesus is taking something other than a punch!!!”The birthday boy footballer also posted another photo of him celebrating his big day with his influencer fiancee Raiane Lima and their daughter Helena.The couple announced in December they were expecting their second child.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal confirmed in January their striker had been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during their FA Cup exit to Manchester United.The injury is the opposite knee to the one in which he suffered an ACL injury in 2022.Neymar and girlfriend Bruna Biancardi hold spectacular gender reveal to announce she is expecting their second child Jesus has been posting updates on his journey back to playing, publishing a video last month of him walking in a pool and on a treadmill and showing his daughter touching his knee as he rested.He wrote alongside the footage: “The first seven weeks of recovery are done.“Working hard and improving every day, thanks to God. Step by step.”Jesus and Raiane revealed in January she was expecting a boy in a touching video featuring their daughter, born in May 2022.In a heartfelt message coinciding with Raiane’s birthday eight weeks ago, the Arsenal star wrote: “I wish you all the best.“You deserve everything good in your life! Me, Helena and our son on the way are blessed by God to have a woman like you in our lives!“May God continue to bless you and protect you. I love you.” More