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      in Soccer

      Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood left ‘shocked’ by Gareth Taylor exit ahead of cup final duel with Chelsea

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      ALEX GREENWOOD admits to being shocked by the sudden sacking of Gareth Taylor as Manchester City women’s boss.  However the City skipper expects her team-mates will come together under interim gaffer Nick Cushing. Man City will take on Chelsea in the Women’s League Cup final in their first game after Gareth Taylor’s departureCredit: AlamyMan City skipper Alex Greenwood said the sacking of Taylor shocked her and insists it was “purely results-based”Credit: GettyMan City’s duel with Chelsea will see the two sides face each other in a League Cup final for the first time since 2022Credit: ReutersTaylor, 52, was axed from his role just five days before City’s League Cup final clash with Chelsea this Saturday. His departure saw him become the fourth manager to have their reign at a WSL team ended this term. The Manchester giants’ decision to end Taylor’s tenure follows the team losing pace in the WSL title hunt. At present Chelsea look to be on course for a eighth top-flight title with their 12-point lead at the summit and the team yet to lose a game. Read More Football StoriesAfter four losses and two draws in 16 league games, City are currently fourth and facing a fight to qualify for Europe next term. With the team facing Chelsea four times this month including in the Champions League, club chiefs decided change was needed. Earlier today when reporters asked for her thoughts on Taylor’s departure, Greenwood said it was “a lot to process” and said it was “purely results-based”. The City captain, who won an FA Cup and League Cup during his four-and-half-year reign, added: “I was shocked by the news, of course. Most read in Football”I wasn’t expecting that news but it’s business and this is football. “The focus quickly shifted to what’s next, what is important to the team and that’s the final on Saturday.””My role as captain is to bring the team together and make sure the focus remains the same, which is on the final on Saturday and the run of games we’ve got coming up.”On whether she has spoken to Taylor since Monday, Greenwood said: “He brought me to this football club, he made me captain”We had some great moments together, so I will speak to Gareth when the time’s right. “But for now, I think, out of respect, I’ll leave him to digest this.”City will play their remaining games under the stewardship of Cushing, who is managing the side for the rest of this season. The head coach, who last November was sacked as New York City FC boss, led the Cityzens to the WSL title in 2016 during his first stint as women’s team boss.This Saturday the team will be without the services of their captain who is working her way back to fitness from a medial collateral injury. Greenwood said: “Nick had a great meeting with the team, a really positive one, about winning and what is achievable, what we need to focus on.”Man City’s first game following Taylor’s departure comes four days after construction got underway on a £10million training complex for their women’s team.  The 17,000 square-foot building, due to open next season, will contain a dressing room, a high-performance gym and a hydrotherapy area to aid players’ recovery from injuries Earlier today Greenwood joined women’s team managing director Charlotte O’Neill and football director Therese Sjogran to break ground on the new development. The City captain added:  “We’ve gone from an amazing facility which has gotten us to this point.Chelsea are currently unbeaten so far this season across all competitionsCredit: Getty”It’s time for us to move on from that now and expand as a team by giving us our own space to work from. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Right from the start we’ve been involved quite a lot so we could discuss what’s going to be in there and what’s necessary.”From what I know the facilities are going to be the best, which is nothing short of what I expect.” More

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      in Motorsport

      My family sold their house to fund my F1 career and still don’t own one now, admits Max Verstappen’s new team-mate

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S new team-mate Liam Lawson has revealed his family are still without a home after selling their place to fund his Formula One dream.Lawson, 23, will race for Red Bull next season after replacing Sergio Perez as world champion Verstappen’s partner.Liam Lawson has revealed his family sold their home to fund his F1 dreamCredit: GettyThe ace will be racing alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull this seasonCredit: AFPThe New Zealander has come up through the ranks and will get his big break when teams start preparing for the new campaign.But Lawson admits he has only got to where he is thanks to an amazing sacrifice from his parents.The youngster has revealed his family SOLD their home while he was making his bones as a karting driver.The funds were used to help Lawson reach his potential, eventually leading to his big break with Red Bull.READ MORE IN F1And Lawson is desperate to make his parents proud after admitting they still don’t have a family home to call their own.He told GQ: “They still don’t own a house because of me.“I think I complained to my dad for more than a year about my kart. I’d tell him that the engine sucked but he just secretly thought that I sucked.“Eventually he got sick of me whining and bought two good engines, and we put them on for the first time at this big race.Most read in MotorsportCheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets“And when we went out, we qualified first. We started racing at the front all the time. That was the definitive moment, when karting became serious.“It was always serious to me. But for my dad, everything changed that one weekend.”Red Bull announce 22-year-old will be Max Verstappen’s new team-mate hours after Sergio Perez exit Lawson has also revealed the moment that F1 legend Fernando Alonso “yelled” at him during their first-ever meeting.Reliving the bizarre encounter, he added: “It’s funny because I’ve met a lot of guys I looked up to as a kid.“When you’re younger, they’re your heroes. Now, they’re my competitors.“I mean, the first time I met Alonso, he yelled at me. Maybe he was having a bad day.” More

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      in Soccer

      Costly loophole means Jadon Sancho could be BACK at Man Utd next season despite Chelsea’s transfer obligation

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      JADON SANCHO could return to Manchester United next season – despite Chelsea having an obligation to buy the forward. The United winger, 24, is currently on a season-long loan at Stamford Bridge.Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea on a loan-to-buy obligation last summerCredit: RexReports claim the winger could yet find himself back at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettySancho joined the Blues last summer after falling out of favour in the North West. The former £73million man has made 26 appearances for Chelsea this term, scoring 2 goals. Sancho recently declared he was “delighted” to be at the club and “felt at home”.But the former Dortmund flop was called out by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during his explosive interview earlier this week. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLChelsea’s loan deal with United includes an obligation to buy Sancho if they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League.According to The Mail, the final fee will be between £22m and £25m depending on Chelsea’s final league position. But the outlet claims the Blues could yet back out of the deal and send Sancho back to United, where he still has 18 months left on his £250k-a-week contract. The ex-Man City star has “yet to agree personal terms” with the Blues. Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsIf Chelsea did back out of the buy clause, they would incur a “significant penalty” fine. Chelsea could still go through with the transfer and then sell Sancho to another club.Sir Jim Ratcliffe launches scathing attack on struggling Man Utd squad saying some ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’Or they could decide to send him back to United and incur the financial penalty.Ratcliffe bemoaned United “overspending” on talent during his tell-all interview with the BBC.He revealed the club are still to pay out £17m more to Dortmund for Sancho this summer. Sancho arrived to huge fanfare in 2021 but has failed to live up to the hype at Old Trafford. Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.INEOS chief Ratcliffe told The BBC: “Some [players] are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.”But for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’ve got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future.”There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer.” More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool vs PSG live stream FREE: How to watch Champions League tie TONIGHT

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      LIVERPOOL host Paris Saint-Germain in a massive Champions League second leg on Tuesday night.The Reds were narrow 1-0 winners in Paris last week thanks to a masterclass in goalkeeping by Brazilian stopper Alisson.Alisson (left) and Harvey Elliot (right) were the heroes for Liverpool in ParisCredit: GettyKhvicha Kvaratskhelia had a goal ruled out for a tight offside in the first legCredit: GettyIbrahima Konate was controversially not sent off for a last man challenge on Bradley BarcolaCredit: GettyLes Parisiens played some good football in the first leg, and were narrowly beaten after a good display.Luis Enrique’s side had 27 shots to Liverpool’s two, with Harvey Elliot scoring with Liverpool’s only shot on target of the night.Arne Slot will be hoping to set up and all-English quarter-final by eliminating the French leaders in Liverpool.LIVERPOOL VS PSG LIVE – LATEST SCORERead more FootballAston Villa or Club Brugge – who play their second leg on Wednesday – are awaiting the winner of this game, with Villa holding a two-goal lead after the first leg.Liverpool and Villa recently met at Villa Park, drawing 2-2.SunSport can reveal how you can watch Liverpool taking on PSG in the Champions League round of 16.How to watch Liverpool vs PSG and is there a live stream?Liverpool vs PSG will come live on Amazon Prime in the UK on Tuesday, March 11.The game will kick-off at 8pm GMT.Arne Slot’s side currently lead 1-0 on aggregate.Fans will need a subscription to Amazon Prime to watch the game, starting at £8.99 a month.SunSport will live blog all the action as it happens.Most read in Champions League More

    • 213 Shares51 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury could fight for WORLD TITLE in boxing return as doubt over Anthony Joshua clash continues

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      TYSON FURY could end up fighting for a world title in his first fight back from retirement.The Gypsy King called it quits for again in January following back-to-back losses to former undisputed heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk.Tyson Fury announced his fifth retirement from boxing in January on the back of defeats to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYWBC chief Mauricio Sulaiman has refused to rule out the possibility of Fury fighting for a belt upon his returnCredit: REUTERSSaudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh is expected to table Fury an astronomical offer to coax him out of retirement for a mammoth showdown with Anthony Joshua.And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has refused to rule out the prospect of Fury fighting for their prestigious green belt, telling The Action Network: “We don’t speculate.”But we have many examples of how we have attended former champions, former legends coming back to boxing.”If you remember, Sugar Ray Leonard challenged Marvin Hagler after a four-year retirement.READ MORE ON FURY”The WBC analysed the medicals and looked into everything. “Even Tyson Fury retired in the past and came back to fight for the WBC title. So let’s see.”Former two-time unified heavyweight Fury is seemingly content with life without boxing, recently telling cousin Andy Lee that he “can’t be f***ed” with the sport.And Sulaiman insists the Wythenshawe warrior has nothing left to prove.Most read in BoxingCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsHe said: “It all depends, it is all on him. He has a beautiful family.”I believe the money that he has sets him up for life and if he decides to stay retired then he will be a happy man.”But if he decides to come back to boxing then he can beat anyone.”Safety is first, with happiness and legacy is more of an important matter than what boxing and money can bring.”If he was to fight, he would be fighting for pride but he’s an unbelievable human being.”Boxing fans around the world are hoping Fury comes out of retirement to face AJ, who hasn’t given up hope of their Battle of Britain finally coming to fruition.The Watford warrior told iFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.Anthony Joshua is refusing to give up hope of fighting Tyson FuryCredit: REUTERS”But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.”You could say it’s been years in the making. But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.”And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser and there’s going to be bloodshed. “And it ain’t gonna be mine.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Phenomenal shade’ say fans as Leeds United admin savages Millwall ahead of Wednesday night’s Championship clash

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      LEEDS cheekily announced that more tickets have become available for their Championship clash with Millwall on Wednesday night.Daniel Farke’s side will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth last Sunday.Leeds are set to host Millwall in the ChampionshipCredit: AlamyThe Championship leaders are set to be backed by a boisterous capacity crowd at their 37,792-capacity Elland Road home.And after Millwall failed to sell out their allocation, understandable given it is a mid-week 400-mile round trip, Leeds’ social media admin made a cheeky dig.Their post read: “With Millwall selling just 391 tickets for tomorrow night’s clash, an extra allocation has now been made available to #LUFC members.”Plenty of fans responded to Leeds’ post on social media.READ MORE IN SPORTOne wrote: “The masked shade thrown by this is phenomenal.”While a second blasted: “That’s embarrassing just 391.”A third commented: “shaaaaade.”Although a fourth admitted: “Ffs Millwall admin will be all over this if they beat us.”Most read in ChampionshipJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd another added: “You just know if we lose tomorrow the Millwall admin gonna have a field day with this.”While Leeds are gunning for promotion, the Lions are safely entrenched in mid-table.Jose Mourinho jokes that he could become Millwall manager as he says ‘it’s just across the bridge from my house’Millwall won the reverse fixture at The Den back in November.While the Lions also went on to dump Leeds out of the FA Cup.There have been several feisty encounters between the sides down the years.Both clubs condemned “tragedy chanting” following their FA Cup meeting last month. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘may be forced to hand Marcus Rashford £20MILLION payout to QUIT… halving proposed £40m fee from Aston Villa’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could be forced to shell out £20million to Marcus Rashford – if he leaves the club this summer. The out-of-favour forward, 27, is on loan at Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.Manchester United will reportedly take a big hit if they sell Marcus Rashford this summerCredit: GettyThe on-loan England man has impressed since joining Villa in JanuaryCredit: GettyRashford was frozen out by boss Ruben Amorim after claiming in December he was seeking a “new challenge”.The 27-year-old striker has made five appearances for Villa in the Premier League since joining in January, but is yet to score.Rashford penned a mammoth contract extension with the Red Devils in the summer of 2023.It is said to be worth a whopping £325,000-a-week and runs until 2028. READ MORE ON MAN UTDAccording to The Mail, United could bank “as little as £20m” if they sell Rashford to Villa. Unai Emery’s side have an option to buy Rashford for £40m if he proves a hit during his loan spell.But the report claims Villa are “unlikely to match his current salary”.United could therefore be left paying off the remainder of Rashford’s deal, should he leave the club early. Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsInsiders have told the Mail this figure would be “in the region of £20m”.United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe revealed on Monday the dire state of the team’s finances. Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnelRatcliffe – who has undertaken strict cost-cutting across the club – claimed the Red Devils would have run out of cash THIS YEAR had it not been for his £300m investment. Rashford has proved a hit with his new team-mates since heading down the M6 to join Villa.He looked back to his free-flowing best in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge last week.And captain John McGinn claims Rashford – along with new signing Asensio – are a “breath of fresh air”.McGinn said: “[They have] obviously come with big reputations but they haven’t shown any ego.”They’re pretty low maintenance, they work hard to get their careers back on track.”They obviously weren’t playing at their clubs, so what we can give them is a platform to do that and be happy.READ MORE SUN STORIES”All we want in return is for them to be a good team-mate, work hard, do the things we’ve all been doing over the last couple of seasons and show their quality.”They’ve been brilliant.” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea files: How Jose Mourinho BANNED banter at Cobham training ground and why Blues figures facing sleepless nights

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      CHELSEA are still battling for a Champions League finish after their latest win over Leicester.Enzo Maresca’s men edged past the relegation candidates in a narrow 1-0 win.Jose Mourinho’s no-nonsense managerial approach at Chelsea has been revealedCredit: Getty Images – GettyThey now face a crunch Conference League tie against Copenhagen on Thursday before a trip to Arsenal on Sunday.Ahead of a huge few days, our team of experts yet again bring you the inside track from Stamford Bridge… exclusively in Sun Club.MIND OVER MATTERJOSE MOURINHO’S mind games are legendary throughout football.From stoking up feuds with rival managers and poking referees to create a sense of injustice, the Special One is a one-off.But the most consistently successful coach in Chelsea’s history didn’t just limit his brain tricks to his enemies.Even his own players could feel the force if they didn’t produce the goods day in and day out for the ruthless Portuguese.Winger Salomon Kalou has revealed how Mourinho could spot any of his stars not pulling their weight – and he had a special way of dealing with it.The Ivorian explained: “I have never seen a coach that knows his players so well like Jose does.“Sometimes he would see you at training and get the feeling that you were training in a way because you think you won’t play at the weekend.Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets“That is when he would start you but if you didn’t perform he took you off at half time and then told you why you were underperforming.“He’d do that and when he finished you’d be there running out your lungs the next training session because you know he gets into your mind.Wayne Bridge recalls ‘unbelievable’ fight between two Chelsea teammates which left one KO’d Salomon Kalou claims the Special One banned any banter in his quest for trophiesCredit: AP:Associated Press“For me it was important because back then as a young player I needed to know that it doesn’t matter whether I play five or 10 minutes I need to train properly.”Mourinho combined being a demanding dictator determined to win at all costs with his sometimes hidden mischievous side.During his second spell as manager between 2013 and 2015 the team was in such a rut that banter at the training ground was banned.Cobham was a comedy no-go zone. Yet there were times when he couldn’t help himself from acting up.On one occasion his players were on the deck going through fitness drills a couple of months into the season when suddenly they were hit by tiny objects pinging across the pitch.They were baffled – and it was painful when they landed somewhere sensitive.It took the player some time to work out that innocent-looking Mourinho, who was overseeing the turf session, had filled his coat pockets with acorns and every time his players looked away he let loose with a secret salvo of the tiny hard nuts right at them.Kalou won the FA Cup under Mourinho and went on to win the Premier League and Champions League in later years.But memories of Mourinho still stick in his mind as do the fans who chanted his name two weeks ago during a protest against the ownership and with the club struggling to keep tabs with English football’s elite.Kalou said: “With Mourinho, pre-season was always important to his success. That is where it starts for him –  if he smelled that you came to pre-season and wasn’t at it you’d have problems with him. “Chelsea are much more successful on the pitch when Wesley Fofana is involvedCredit: GettyTHE WES EFFECTWESLEY FOFANA made a welcome return from injury against his former side on Sunday.The Chelsea defender had been absent since December but managed 73 minutes in the win over Leicester.Just like under Mauricio Pochettino last season, Fofana’s absence has been a key factor in Chelsea’s struggles since Christmas.The Blues continued a winning run shortly after Fofana’s injury, though that included victories over Southampton, Astana and Shamrock Rovers.With the Frenchman back, Maresca will hope some consistency can return to his side – and the stats show he is right to be optimistic.Chelsea’s win percentage with Fofana in the side this season is more than 20 per cent higher than without him (61.5 per cent compared to 40 per cent).The Blues have lost just one Premier League game, against Manchester City on the opening day, with Fofana in the side.Chelsea concede fewer goals per game (0.9 compared to 1.6) with the ex-Foxes man playing and gain more points per-90 too (2.2 compared to 1.4).There will always be a number of problems for Maresca to balance at Stamford Bridge, but Fofana’s return should prove a big help at the back.Todd Boehly has assembled the most expensive squad in historyCredit: GettyCASH AND CARRYUEFA’s financial reports are usually a sure fire way to battle insomnia – but their latest publication could provide some at Stamford Bridge with sleepless nights.Last week’s report showed that Chelsea have assembled the most expensive squad in history.At the end of the 2024 financial year, UEFA estimated that the Blues squad was worth a staggering £1.4billion.Chelsea’s long-term plan of paying for the brightest talents across the world is well documented, but it does mean they must face up to some stark figures until the potential comes good.Mauricio Pochettino’s side finished sixth with 63 points last season – a cool £22m per point.Chelsea’s American owners will be hoping the squad can become rather more cost-effective, to steal a phrase from their business world.Cole Palmer’s family watched his Conference League debut last weekCredit: GettyFAMILY FORTUNESCOLE PALMER is certainly more Champions League than Conference League.But, now that the Blues star has been added to their European squad for the knockout stages, the England international is going all in on the midweek trips.Palmer’s parents made the journey over to Copenhagen for Chelsea’s 2-1 first leg victory, taking in training the night before the game at the Parken Stadium.Aces like Andrey Santos have starred for Chelsea’s sister club StrasbourgFRENCH CONNECTIONBLUECO’S ownership of Strasbourg has been littered with fan protests and unrest.Passionate supporters have remained silent during the first 15 minutes of matches, both home and away, in protest at their club being part of a multi-club ownership model.The plot twist, however, is that they are potentially on course to qualify for Europe for just the second time since 2005.In short, they’re actually quite good.Smart recruitment has seen them build a competitive squad under talented young English manager Liam Rosenior.Chelsea loanees Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic have particularly excelled – with the latter’s assured presence in goal a far-cry from Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen’s dodgy displays back in West London.Fan protests against BlueCo have noticeably dulled over the course of the season.Leading ultras group UB90 remain staunchly committed to their opening 15 minutes of silence. But the rest of the Strasbourg faithful aren’t so sure anymore.Many supporters remain philosophically opposed to the multi-club model, essentially feeling like Chelsea’s pawn – and UB90 will continue to display their anti-BlueCo banners.But for a fair few, good results can heal all wounds – no matter how uncomfortable.Coventry boss Frank Lampard was given a hero’s cheer by visiting Chelsea fansCredit: GettyFRANKEN-FINEFRANK LAMPARD’S standing among Chelsea fans will never dim.So much so that a group of around half a dozen paid a visit to see their hero in his new job – at Championship Coventry.They hired an executive box for Saturday’s home win over Stoke.And ‘Lamps’ – who played for The Blues and managed them twice – was more than happy to meet the lads and pose for snaps with them after the game. More