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      Axed Man Utd director Dan Ashworth ‘frogmarched out of Old Trafford’ by alternative exit hours before contract ripped up

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      DAN ASHWORTH was reportedly “frogmarched” out of a hidden Old Trafford exit after agreeing to leave Manchester United.The sporting director’s time at the club has come to an end after just five months.Dan Ashworth was escorted out of Old Trafford after his exit was sealedCredit: PAUnited pushed hard to add him to their boardroom in the summer, paying Newcastle £3million in compensation.But following crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night, Ashworth quit by “mutual consent”, according to a United statement.Manchester Evening News claim he was seen looking “grim-faced” as he trudged across the press room yesterday. He was “escorted” out an “alternative exit” by a member of security and United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAshworth was did not leave through the usual directors’ entrance or Stretford End tunnel.Journalist Samuel Luckhurst wrote on social media: “In retrospect, perhaps he was frogmarched out.”Ashworth and other senior club figures are responsible for handing Erik ten Hag a new contract, only to sack him 14 games later.And they were in charge of the summer transfer business that saw them spend £200m on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 53-year-old chief claimed he “liked” the squad earlier this season.But SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the summer spending spree and Ten Hag’s failure caused a blame game to begin in the boardroom.Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is favourite to replace Ashworth, having been linked with the job before.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest More

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      Tottenham vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE: Maresca’s Blues travel to Spurs for huge Premier League London derby – latest updates

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      CHELSEA may have quietly become Premier League title contenders – but bitter rivals Tottenham will be eager to derail their hopes later today. The Blues’ recent 5-1 drubbing on struggling Southampton saw them close the gap on leaders Liverpool.While Spurs dropped points for a second successive time after losing 1-0 to Bournemouth on Thursday night.Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMTLive stream: NOW TVTV channels: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow ALL the action from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with our live blog below…Last 10 meetingsLook away now, Spurs fans.The last ten matches between the two clubs has made for pretty shocking reading for Tottenham supporters and great reading for the Blues.Chelsea have won SEVEN of the last 10 and lost only one.Those matches have also seen an aggregate score of 19-7 to the Blues…Chelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 1 – 4 ChelseaSpurs 2 – 0 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 2 SpursChelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 0 – 1 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 0 SpursSpurs 0 – 3 ChelseaChelsea 2 – 2 SpursSpurs 0 – 1 ChelseaCopy linkCopiedRainy day in the capitalBoth sides will have to brave the wind and rain today if they want to come out on top and away from the game with three points. Credit: ReutersCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedBoss focussed on task at handPostecoglou was asked whether he felt he had the support he requires from the club:”I don’t need support. I don’t worry about contracts, I don’t worry about support,” he said. “I just want to make sure that what I set out to do, I accomplish and that is to bring success to this football club. “I will work my backside off to make sure that happens. I am not going to be deterred in my ambitions or endeavour to do that and that’s what I’ll keep doing.”Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedMaresca looking to evolve teamAs things stands, Chelsea seem to be in a race for a top four position this season.Getting back into the Champions League will have been one of the main aims for the club right now.Victory in North London today would cement their place in the top four as we head towards a busy Christmas fixture schedule.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedTottenham subsMaddison on the bench. Austin, Spence, Dragusin, Reguilon, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, LankshearCopy linkCopiedTottenham XIFull strength back four for Tottenham but Vicario still out for a lengthy period. Forster; Porro, Romero, Van De Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son.Copy linkCopiedChelsea subsJorgensen, Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, Madueke, NkunkuCopy linkCopiedChelsea XICaicedo looks like he’s at right-back for Chelsea. Sanchez, Caicedo, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho, JacksonCopy linkCopiedAnge frustrated by lack of consistencyAgainst Man City, Spurs put the defending champions to the sword in their own back garden.They are capable, on their day, of causing problems for any of the big teams in the Premier League.What frustrates the manager most is that they can go from these games to losing to teams in the bottom half of the table.If they want to achieve anything this season, that needs to be addressed.Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopiedWelcome to Tottenham vs ChelseaIt is a big crunch clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as two bitter rivals face each other in a London derby with Spurs welcoming Chelsea.Ange Postecoglou suffered the loss of Ben Davies with a hamstring problem in their recent defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.Micky van de Ven is still out with a thigh problem, while Cristian Romero is still working his way back from a toe injury which may mean Archie Gray filling in alongside Radu Dragusin at the back for this game.Rodrigo Bentancur, Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert are also out of the first-team reckoning.Son Heung-min came on for a second-half cameo in midweek and is likely to immediately come back into the starting line-up.Chelsea’s primary selection concerns also come in defence as Wesley Fofana and Reece James are the only senior players missing for the visitors due to injury.Youngster Omari Kellyman is also absent, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is ill. Instead Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson could all come back in for a refreshed attacking setup at the expense of Madueke, Nkunku and Joao Felix.Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are also primed for a return in the Blues’ backline but Disasi’s performance in midweek should see him stay in the side replacing Fofana.Copy linkCopied More

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      Major update on Michail Antonio as West Ham star undergoes surgery after horror Ferrari crash

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      MICHAIL Antonio has undergone surgery on his broken leg after his horror Ferrari crash, West Ham said in a statement.The West Ham star was raced to hospital after the smash in Epping, Essex at around 12.50pm yesterday.Michail Antonio is ‘conscious and communicating’ after a horror crashCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe scene of the horrific crashCredit: XThe incident occurred earlier todayCredit: XThis afternoon the club said: “West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon.”Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days.”Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and expresses its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news.”A heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery.Read More Sport”The Club will provide further updates when appropriate.”Michail has been at West Ham United since 2015 and played in a range of positions including right back, right midfielder, and as a winger.The forward joined the club from Nottingham Forest and was named as the club’s Player of the Year in 2017. Eventually, he established himself as the club’s main striker and on August 23, 2021 he became West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League.Most read in FootballAntonio has made 15 appearances this season and scored once.He is the club’s all-time Premier League top goal scorer, with 68 goals.Yesterday the club said: “We can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area.”Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital.”At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family.”The Club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.”A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Officers investigating a serious collision in Epping are asking for witnesses and dash cam footage.”We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari.”Emergency services attended and the driver has been taken to hospital.”The vehicle has been recovered and we are no longer on scene. An investigation will be carried out by our Roads Policing Unit.”If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.”Please quote incident 605 of 7 December when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”Alternatively, please email the investigating officer, PS Mark Hewitt.”An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car.READ MORE SUN STORIES”On arrival firefighters reported that a man was trapped in his car and worked to release him by 1.45pm.”The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.” More

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      Cole Palmer’s incredible off-field earnings revealed after Chelsea star sets up his own company to handle sponsor deals

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      FOOTIE hotshot Cole Palmer made £1.6million in a year – ON TOP of his wages for playing.The England star, 22, who became the second-quickest Chelsea star to reach 30 Premier League goals this week, has seen cash in his image rights company Palmer Management Limited shoot up.Cole Palmer made £1.6million in a year – on top of his wages for playingCredit: AlamyPalmer netted lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of fashion brand BoohooCredit: BoohooHe also starred in a Burberry advertCredit: BurberryThe Chelsea and England attacking midfielder makes more than £30,000 a week from sponsorship deals.The windfall comes in addition to his Stamford Bridge salary.Accounts filed this week show he had assets of £2,149,409 at the end of October 2024 – compared to £563,475 a year earlier.Assets include £1,698,821 cash in the bank.READ MORE IN football They cover the period when Cole – who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 – netted lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike and fashion brand Boohoo.Cole set up the company three years ago to handle his off the pitch earnings, with it described as a “media representation services” company.After paying bills, Cole was left with net assets of £1,271,616.The star paid £318,421 corporation tax and a further £189,643 in tax and social security.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCole, 22, banked a substantial pay rise over the summer, taking his salary from £80,000 to £130,000 a week, after penning a fresh nine-year deal with the Londoners.The former City man recently revealed he is dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or and being crowned the world’s best player. He told the Men In Blazers podcast: “Ballon d’Or, that’s what everyone wants to win. I wish.” Cole Palmer reveals he failed PE in hilarious interview as fans tell Chelsea star to consider going into comedy More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton shows class is permanent with charge up grid in final Mercedes race – but Lando Norris has last laugh

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      LANDO NORRIS brought home McLaren’s first constructors’ title since 1998 by the skin of their teeth.All hopes were pinned on the British 24-year-old’s shoulders at the Abu Dhabi GP after his team-mate Oscar Piastri, who started second on the grid, suffered a disastrous crash with Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton drove his final race for MercedesThe Brit won six F1 world titles during his nine year stint with the Silver ArrowsHe leaves Mercedes for Ferrari after leading the once most dominant dynasties in modern F1Lando Norris won the Abu Dhabi GP to clinch the constructors championship for McLarenCredit: ReutersThe Abu Dhabi GP was the last race of the seasonLando Norris secured his fourth win of the seasonThe crash at the very start of the race left the Aussie falling into last place before he was then later slapped with a ten-place grid penalty for a collision with Franco Colapinto. To make matters worse, the Ferrari cars were fierce throughout, with Charles Leclerc producing the drive of his life to sit in third for the majority of the race after starting in 19th due to a ten-place grid penalty. Meanwhile his team-mate Carlos Sainz snapped at Norris’ heels and McLaren’s constructors’ hopes from second-place. Norris, who missed out on this season’s driver’s title to Max Verstappen, roared after the race: “Woohoo! Well done everyone, so proud of you all. Next year is going to be my year too.”READ MORE F1Meanwhile in his final Mercedes race, Lewis Hamilton soared into fourth from 16th on the grid with a last-lap pass on team-mate George Russell.Hamilton had endured a horror show in qualifying in his last race weekend with the Silver Arrows.But he was given the freedom of the home straight to do some donuts to mark his farewell after six championship titles with the British team.The constructor’s title is a huge feat for McLaren after the revival sparked by the upgrades they brought to the Miami Grand Prix a full 17 races ago in May, which coincided with Norris bringing the fight to Verstappen for the driver’s title.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey have overcome a 115-point deficit at that stage of the season to take the lead from Red Bull.It was David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen that gave McLaren its last constructors’ title 24 years ago in 1998, its eighth title.The race was crazy from the start as Verstappen and Piastri collided, Yuki Tsunoda stalled and there was a spin from Sergio Perez. Norris got away well but Verstappen touched Piastri on the inside and they both spun at the first corner. Seething Piastri dropped into last place and hit out at the four-time world champ, saying on his team radio: “Yep, move of a world champion.”There was no stopping Leclerc who gained 11 places for Ferrari, soaring into eighth while Lewis Hamilton was in 12th from 16th.Perez had been tagged by Valtteri Bottas before his spin and came to a halt in the final sector of the second lap leaving him out of the race and prompting a Virtual Safety Car. Verstappen was then delivered the news that he had been slapped with a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Piastri on the first lap.Bottas also suffered the same fate for hitting Sergio Perez.Hamilton was given the freedom to do donuts after his final Mercedes raceMeanwhile Max Verstappen was crowned four-time world champ last month in Las VegasPiastri pitted by lap five and thankfully for McLaren did not need a new front wing but only a new set of tyres. He came out 25 seconds behind 17th-placed Jack Doohan, but things went from bad to worse when he was hit with a 10-second time penalty of his own for an earlier collision with Colapinto. Suddenly the pressure was cranked up on Norris, with it a long way back for Piastri to get back into the points. It didn’t help that Monaco-born Leclerc was relentless, flying into fourth as a Ferrari red sunset stained the sky.Verstappen pitted and served his penalty on lap 31 and aimed a dig at the stewards, saying: “Could we ask for 20-seconds? Stupid idiots.” READ MORE SUN STORIESFor nearly half of the race the Ferraris had Norris in their sights as they circled like sharks around in the track in second and third. Norris bravely held off and crossed the line as fireworks filled the sky as McLaren beat Ferrari by 14 points.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Next Man Utd sporting director odds revealed with TWO ex-bosses and Prem icon among frontrunners to replace Dan Ashworth

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      THE odds on who will replace Dan Ashworth at Manchester United have been revealed – and two familiar faces are in the market.Ashworth, 53, has quit as sporting director just five months after arriving at Old Trafford.Dan Ashworth has left Man Utd following showdown talksCredit: ReutersDougie Freedman is the bookies’ favourite to replace himCredit: ReutersHe held crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night and left by mutual consent, a United statement said.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly been pivotal in Ashworth’s exit and is now on the lookout for a new chief.The bookies have Crystal Palace director of football Dougie Freedman (2/1) as the frontrunner.Freedman, who came close to getting the job instead of Ashworth, has been credited for several successful Palace signings such as Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBonusCodeBets have Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta (4/1) and Juventus’ Cristiano Giuntoli (6/1) next on their list.United could get Lee Congerton (16/1) out of the former Leicester and Atalanta supremo’s contract at Al-Ahli.While AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is priced the same following his four years as the Italian giants’ technical director.If Ratcliffe wants to poach another Newcastle chief like he did with Ashworth, his successor Paul Mitchell (20/1) could be an option.Most read in FootballHe was linked to the Man Utd job before Ineos’ takeover was completed last Christmas.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOdds on Ashworth’s replacement Dougie Freedman – 2/1Andrea Berta – 4/1Cristiano Giuntoli – 6/1 Lee Congerton – 12/1Paolo Maldini – 16/1Paul Mitchell – 20/1Julian Ward – 25/1Ralf Rangnick – 33/1Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 50/1via BonusCodeBets.Ex-Liverpool chief Julian Ward (25/1) is another alternative, but he is currently working for Reds owner FSG.Perhaps United will perform a shock U-turn and bring Ralf Rangnick (33/1) back after he never got to fill his planned role consultancy role due to him stepping in as interim boss.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest The German claimed he needed to perform “open-heart surgery” to fix things at the club.But he is unlikely to put his scrubs on as he is currently Austria’s manager.But another ex-United boss who is out of work is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (50/1).His return is highly unlikely given he has never been a sporting director before.Ralf Rangnick is an outsider to seal a shock return to Old TraffordCredit: GettyOle Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to get the jobCredit: AFP More

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      Wayne Rooney set for huge blow in Plymouth relegation battle after horror run of just one win in nine Championship games

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      STRUGGLING Wayne Rooney’s hopes of a financial lifeline to bring in new players at PLYMOUTH in the January window are growing slim.Argyle owner Simon Hallett’s potential deal with new investors has dragged on for months.Wayne Rooney’s hopes of bringing in new signings at Plymouth are growing slimEFL chiefs must approve any cash injection — and that takes weeks, leaving Rooney no time to move for new recruits.No deal has been completed yet, and even if that was achieved soon it would still be unlikely that they could splash the cash in January.Rooney is currently without five major players including captain Joe Edwards, shot-stopper Conor Hazard and forwards Ibrahim Cissoko, Morgan Whittaker and Muhamed Tijani.Plymouth are currently languishing inside the Championship relegation zone and are desperate need of reinforcements.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSince taking over in the summer, Rooney has won just four of the club’s 18 games this season.It’s been well over a month since the the Pilgrims picked up three points and Rooney would’ve earmarked January as the chance to improve his squad.Plymouth have conceded 10 goals in their last two games, scoring just once themselves.While they have won just ONE of their last nine games in the Championship – a 1-0 victory over bottom of the table Portsmouth.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe dire form of the club has led to reports that Plymouth’s next two fixture are pivotal in deciding Rooney’s future.Perhaps the Man Utd legend was somewhat offered a chance at reprieve when Oxford United’s visit was cancelled on Saturday.Wayne Rooney reveals nine-word message to Plymouth stars that inspired stunning comeback from being 3-0 downThe game was abandoned on Friday with severe weather warnings in place for South West England and Wales amid Storm Darragh.Winds of up to 70mph tore through Devon on Friday night, with travel deemed too dangerous by the club’s Safety Advisory Group.It’s claimed that there’s an understanding that Rooney is dealing with an injury crisis at Home Park, but the continued poor form is now beginning to be a concern.Rooney’s Plymouth recordA look at Rooney’s record at Plymouth so far…Games in charge: 20Wins: 5Draws: 5Defeats: 10Goals scored: 21Goals conceded: 40 More

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      Leicester vs Brighton LIVE SCORE: Foxes score two late goals in four minutes to complete INCREDIBLE comeback – updates

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      RUUD VAN NISTERLOOY is chasing a second successive win as Leicester boss TODAY – but Brighton are looking to bounce back from their midweek loss.The Seagulls had their wings clipped by Fulham who hand them a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.While Manchester United legend Van Nistelrooy led the Foxes to a 3-1 win against West Ham during their last outing.Kick-off time: 2pm GMTLive stream/TV: Not televised in the UKFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow ALL the action from the King Power with our live blog below… More