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    Ex-Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson undergoes heart surgery after suffering health complications in League Two clash

    AFC Wimbledon star Sam Hutchinson had heart surgery after suffering complications following a League Two clash against Grimsby.The ex-Chelsea man was taken to hospital after scoring the goal that clinched the Wombles’ place in the play-offs on May 3.Sam Hutchinson had a tight chest during AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 win over GrimsbyCredit: RexFormer Chelsea star had heart surgery after suffering complicationsThe 35-year-old defensive midfielder played the full 90 minutes of AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 win at fellow play-off chasers Grimsby.And his close range effort in the 52nd minute secured fifth in the table and a first round promotion play-off clash with Notts County.But Hutchinson was forced to miss the Dons’ first leg 1-0 win on Saturday at Meadow Lane after having heart surgery in London.The former Cobham star complained of chest problems in his post-match interview at Blundell Park.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe said: “To be fair, I felt like rubbish during the game for some reason. I had a really tight chest.”I wanted to come off in the first six minutes but I had to battle on like an old warhorse.”Hutchinson was taken to hospital on the journey back where he was treated and assessed in Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham.A club statement read: “Sam then had a successful procedure at the end of last week in London and he now has a clear return to play plan in place. Most read in FootballHutchinson and Ryan Bertrand on the way to the Chelsea victory parade following their UEFA Champions League and FA Cup victories in May 2012Credit: Getty”Everyone at Wimbledon extends their best wishes to Sam who is now recovering at home with his family. “Hutchinson has played a key part of the team’s success this season.”Whilst he is recovering, Sam continues to have an impact on the squad and we are hopeful we can end the season positively for Sam. “The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks for the support and care provided at Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham, as well as Cleveland Hospital in London.”After coming through the ranks at Chelsea, Hutchinson made just five appearances for the first team between 2007 and 2014.He was loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Vitesse Arnhem during that time before permanently joining Sheffield Wednesday. Hutchinson has had a turbulent career that saw him forced to retire in 2010 after severe knee problems troubled his formative years.Playing as a defender for Chelsea back then, Hutchinson called time on his career at just 21 years old.Read More on The SunBut some 18-months later the former England youth prospect returned to Stamford Bridge following extensive rehab.After eight years at Wednesday, Hutchinson joined Reading where he spent the last two seasons. More

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    How Eddie Howe’s tactical mystery helped Newcastle bamboozle Chelsea in race for Champions League

    NEWCASTLE boosted their Champions League hopes with victory over Chelsea thanks to Eddie Howe’s tactical bamboozle.Howe insisted that his side’s first half performance was “electric” as they went into half time a goal and a man up.Eddie Howe masterminded Newcastle’s win over ChelseaCredit: EPAThe Toon finished with a 2-0 win to boost their Champions League credentialsCredit: AFPSandro Tonali fired the Toon ahead before Nicolas Jackson lost his head and was sent off before the break.Bruno Guimaraes settled the tie with a 90th-minute goal to earn his side three huge points.Despite the scoreline being a modest 2-0, there was plenty to show that Newcastle were far superior.1. Quick SandSandro Tonali’s pressing led to Newcastle’s opening goalHe and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes were able to act as strikersSandro Tonali embodied Newcastle’s high work ethic against the Blues.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe showed incredible stamina and pace to cover ground in order to press the opposition and put them under pressure.This helped other press from the front and as a result increased the numbers in the box.This was evident in Tonali’s goal after the ball was won up the pitch.He and Bruno Guimaraes were then able to act as strikers and get into the box and threaten the goal, from which the Italian scored.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS2. Botman and Rob himChelsea found themselves down to ten men after Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman.The visitors’ front three were up against Newcastle’s changed defensive line, which was made up of five players.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsThe full-backs Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento were charged with marking wingers Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto.Newcastle’s defenders were allowed to push up the pitch to mark Chelsea’s midfieldDan Burn pressed Cole Palmer deep in the visitors’ halfSven Botman was able to jump up to deal with Nicolas JacksonWhile the three centre-backs Botman, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar could go man for man with Jackson and midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.Burn and Schar were allowed to move up the pitch to mark the midfielders in turn, knowing that there would still be a back four behind them.Botman was marking Jackson, and when he would go, Burn and Schar would become the two central defenders.Chelsea could not work it out and it was as if the Toon had an extra player on the pitch.The trigger for the defenders to make their move appeared to be when Chelsea players would put their foot on the ball.This stopped Enzo Maresca’s player from being able to get a foothold in the match.Newcastle deployed a back five against the BluesBurn could move up to press PalmerFabian Schar was able to do the same to Enzo FernandezBotman could do the same with his team-mates forming a back four behind him3. Break the boxChelsea have been playing with a box midfield all season and the Toon were able to break it down.The tactic uses players such as Palmer who can control the ball and then play it out wide while sucking in the opposition.Howe’s side got into their back five and put three of the midfielders into Chelsea’s box.This would see the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali be joined by one of Harvey Barnes or Anthony Gordon, making it tough for the Blues to progress the ball.And with the back-five so deep it meant that any longer or more direct ball would be collected by goalkeeper Nick Pope.The defence was so well connected that it made it almost impossible for Palmer to influence the game.Newcastle disrupted Chelsea’s box midfield by flooding it with playersThe back five stayed firm and did not allow the Blues to get the ball into spaceWingers Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon would move into the box4. Change that ToonThe second half showed how Eddie Howe was able to react to Enzo Maresca’s changes.Nick Pope was called into action on a couple of occasions to preserve the Toon’s lead.Chelsea abolished the box shape and went for a line of three, which meant they could dominate possession as Newcastle still had a back five.Chelsea abandoned the box midfield in the second halfHowe changed to a back four to counter the change and return controlHe had to change again to contain the changed role of Moises CaicedoHowe changed this by moving the formation to a four at the back and a more natural 4-2-3-1 shape.Maresca countered back by using Moises Caicedo as a midfielder and full-back which saw them return to dominate.But Howe was able to change the tide again by calling on Emil Kraft and Lewis Miley which bolstered the midfield and stop Caicedo.5. Palmed offNewcastle did a great job of squeezing Cole Palmer away from the goal.They were able to palm him off and keep him at a safe distance.If he were to have had a shot, it would have likely been from 35 yards and at that point, they backed Nick Pope to deal with the effort.Read More on The SunPalmer also suffered from the change in tactics as he is more limited than some of Chelsea’s other players.He continued to try to find space in the match but was often stuck in his own half and facing his own goal. More

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    Harry Maguire gets over Man Utd woes with trip to watch former club in Championship play-off clash

    HARRY MAGUIRE took some time away from his Manchester United problems with a trip to watch former club Sheffield United.The Blades booked a place in the play-off final after taking a 3-0 lead over Bristol City back to Bramall Lane before winning 6-0 on aggregate.Harry Maguire took some time away from Man UtdThe defender was spotted at his former ground Bramall LaneMaguire looked in high spirits before watching Sheffield United take on Bristol City in the Championship play-offsAnd Maguire returned back to his roots for some much needed downtime to cheer on his beloved childhood club.The United star looked in high spirits while walking through the rows leading to the director’s box, with Chris Kamara also present. After playing the last 40 minutes of United’s embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham, the defender took the chance to unwind.Sunday marked another humiliating day for Maguire as United suffered a 17th Premier League defeat of the season and slipped to 16th in the table.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMaguire was initially rested and benched for West Ham’s visit ahead of United’s Europa League final against fellow strugglers Tottenham next Wednesday.But the 32-year-old was forced on to replace Leny Yoro, who limped off in tears with a foot injury.Jarrod Bowen doubled West Ham’s lead within minutes of Maguire coming on, as Mohammed Kudus breezed past him to feed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s assist.The England international has personally endured topsy-turvy season, after saving United’s skin with several late goals – including the incredible last-gasp header in the comeback against Lyon.Most read in FootballBut Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford showed Maguire’s still prone to defensive mistakes, as his wayward pass saw Athletic Bilbao go 1-0 up in the first half.Maguire played the last 40 minutes of United’s embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West HamCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMaguire came through the ranks at Sheffield United and broke into their first team when the club was relegated to League One in 2011.The then 18-year-old was thrown in at the deep end against uncompromising, physical forwards and thrived.Harry Kane finally gets his hands on first career trophy as Bayern Munich win Bundesliga in styleMaguire had played over 100 times for the Blades before his 20th birthday.And League One proved the launchpad that took him into the Prem with Hull City, on to Leicester City and then Man United.Maguire was spotted in the crowd at Bramall Lane More

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    ‘The situation is grim’ – Iconic EFL club facing financial oblivion after major issues ‘effectively shut us down’

    ACCRINGTON STANLEY have confirmed they are facing a “grim” future amid serious financial problems.Stanley finished the season 21st in League Two – just two places above relegation.Accrington Stanley confirmed they are facing a “grim” futureAccrington Stanley are dealing with a dire financial situationBut even though Accrington remained in the EFL, they are still facing some dire economic issues that forced them to close their academy last week.The club also lost its stadium’s live music licence – except on matchdays due to repeated noise complaints.Now the Reds’ chief executive Warren Eastham has issued a serious warning about the cub’s situation and accused the council of providing nothing but “empty words of support”.This comes after Stanley owner Andy Holt announced he would be stepping down last month.Read More on FootballHolt also accused the authority of a “vendetta” due to a long-running row over the club’s hospitality suites built in contravention of planning permission.This situation puts the iconic club, who rose prominence thanks to an unforgettable milk advert in 1989, in a situation where they face financial oblivion.Eastham’s statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service read: “Since joining the club in August last year, I have been in ongoing discussions with the council.“I’ve made numerous phone calls, attended meetings, sent emails, and submitted countless support requests to both the council and their officers. Yet, despite all this, nothing meaningful has come of it. Most read in Football“I will, of course, gladly accept the meeting—one I’ve both requested and attended many times before. I’ve done my best to bring reason to the table, but all I’ve received in return are empty words of support.“What we need now is action, not platitudes. I’ve warned repeatedly about the risks of Andrew Holt walking away, and now what do we have – a letter.“I’ve been given a year to make the club sustainable but this cannot be achieved with temporary fixes. We need real, lasting change. This is a club that lost £1 million in the 2023/24 season, a deficit covered entirely by Andrew Holt.“The 2024/25 season was only balanced thanks to the Liverpool FA Cup draw, but that money is now gone and the mounting costs from the summer remain. The situation is grim: the academy’s March figures revealed a significant financial loss.’Broken promises’“April shows no improvement, worsened by steep increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage across the club, including the players. Right now, Accrington Stanley has no revenue stream until July.“The ongoing issues with planning, noise abatement, and licensing have effectively shut us down.“Now, with the council’s statement out in the public domain, I truly hope this marks the beginning of meaningful collaboration to safeguard the future of this fantastic club.“Let me be clear: the closure of the academy is down to one thing only – a lack of income and mounting financial losses. Andy’s position is clear: he will fund the club to a £250,000 loss next season, but no further.Read More on The Sun“After years of broken promises and a lack of appreciation for the £6million he has invested in this club over the past decade, he has reached his limit. This club belongs to the town and its fans. I will work tirelessly to ensure its future is secure.“Accrington needs Accrington Stanley, and I am determined to see us through this challenging time.” More

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    Chelsea could CHOOSE whether to play in Champions League or Europa League under bonkers Uefa ruling

    A BONKERS rule means Chelsea could CHOOSE between playing in the Champions League or the Europa League next season.The Blues will have free reign if they win the Europa Conference League (UEL) AND qualify for the Champions League (UCL) by finishing in the top five in the Premier League.Chelsea could CHOOSE between playing in the Champions League or the Europa League next seasonCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on May 28Credit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side face Spanish outfit Real Betis in Europe’s third tier final in Wroclaw, Poland on May 28.The Conference League winners, along with getting a trophy and £5.9million in prize money, earn a qualifying spot for the following season’s Europa League.Things get a little more complicated if that same team also earns a place in the Champions League through their domestic finish.If favourites Chelsea win in Wroclaw and finish in the top-five in the Prem, the rules state that the club can “choose” between the UEL and UCL.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSClearly, it’s extremely unlikely that a team like Chelsea will pick anything other than the glamour and riches of the UCL, as qualifiers get £70million if they make the latter.But the “choosing clause” exists to cover a team from one of Europe’s lower-ranked leagues winning the Conference League. If the smaller minnow side takes up their domestic UCL place in the qualifying rounds they wouldn’t be guaranteed to play in the UEL.So if the club feels like making the UCL league phase through qualifying is tough, they can opt to take the automatic place in the UEL phase earned by winning the Conference League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThere is no change to the allocation of handing the Conference League winners a place in the UEL if they qualify for other European competitions. And if Chelsea do both, they’ll inadvertently help another Prem team compete in Europe next season.Chaos at Stamford Bridge as Djurgarden fans jump over barriers and clash in away end against ChelseaIf Maresca’s side beat Betis AND finish in a Europa League spot in the league, they will create a vacant slot since they can’t qualify twice.That vacancy “must be either the domestic cup winner or the highest domestically ranked club from its association that has not already qualified for the league phase of the competition directly”. according to Uefa rules.Chelsea currently sit inside the UCL places in fifth in the Prem, but face hard games against Manchester United and fellow European chasers Nottingham Forest.The final three UCL spots will be decided in the race for the top five between Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, Forest and Aston Villa.The Prem earned five spots in the UCL next season through Uefa’s point-scoring Uefa coefficient when Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in their first quarter-final leg.Uefa calculates the coefficient each season based on the league clubs’ results in the across the three European competitions. How ten Prem teams could qualify for Europe next seasonThe 10 would most likely be made up of:The top 6Chelsea in 7th as Conference League winners8thCrystal Palace as FA Cup winnersMan United/Tottenham as UEL winnersEnzo Fernandez is bidding for Europa Conference League glory next weekCredit: EPA More

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    I feared I’d never win a trophy but lifting the Bundesliga with Harry Kane makes it extra special, reveals Eric Dier

    ERIC DIER feared he would never lift silverware — before finally winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.The centre-half and pal Harry Kane, both 31, have been on similar journeys after suffering painful losses with Spurs before both celebrated hoisting the plate-like German championship trophy on Saturday.Family man Eric Dier celebrated title glory with wife Anna ModlerCredit: GettyHarry Kane and Dier marked the occasion their trophy drought endedCredit: GettyBut now they will be going their separate ways.For while England captain Kane will remain at Bayern for a third season, Dier is joining French giants  Monaco this  summer.But the defender has loved his 18 months in Bavaria where he has played 47 games — and due to his good form he  has not given up hope of getting an England recall.Dier said: “To win a trophy feels good and it feels better than anyone has ever described.READ MORE TOP STORIES“Obviously, it’s been a long time coming. The longer you go, the more you wonder if it’ll happen.“And I think that is normal, especially when you have close calls and you don’t get it.“I think back a lot to the first season at Spurs when we were in the Carabao Cup final in 2015 and we lost that.“There are always a lot of ‘what-ifs’ in your life and your career.“And if I had got a trophy that early on, then who knows what would have happened.Most read in FootballDier is bowing out of Bayern on a huge highCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“But it doesn’t matter now, I’ve got it. It’s been an amazing year. Being in an environment where you learn how to win and what it takes to do it, does help.“There’s an aspect of relief that you’ve finally done it.Thomas Muller has Bayern Munich fans howling with risque funeral joke in retirement speech on pitch“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders in that sense but obviously it is not about me or any individual, it’s a huge collective effort.”Dier followed Kane from Spurs in January 2024, initially on loan before signing a one-year deal.So has it felt sweeter to finally win silverware with his buddy?He said: “Yes, for me to win it with Harry is incredibly special.“We’ve played together since we were 20 and in the England national teams before that.“We were together when we officially won it the other night and that was a special moment for us.”Dier received a presentation ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach before the club paid tribute to legend Thomas Muller, who is leaving Bayern after 25 years at the club.Bayern did offer Dier a one-year extension but he has chosen to move to Monaco, where he has agreed a two-year deal.Dier, who started his career with Sporting Lisbon before spending a decade at Spurs, said: “We had good conversations with the club but just couldn’t find an agreement so then I started to look at what  I thought would be the best  opportunity for myself.Monaco really, really wanted me and I appreciated that. They made all the effort.Eric Dier“Now I’m very excited.  You don’t have regrets but when you’re in one place for a long time, you don’t realise the big world out there.“Football is very big in lots of different countries and you can learn a lot just by moving around and into different cultures, different types of football, different leagues —  so I think it’ll  do me good.“Monaco really, really wanted me and I appreciated that.“They made all the effort for me to go there so I’m talking about it but I don’t think it’s official yet!”Dier has 49 England caps but his last appearance was against Senegal at the 2022 World Cup.Asked if he could feature under  new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, he said: “I hope so. I think I’m playing my best football.”Meanwhile, like Kane, Dier will be rooting for Tottenham in  the Europa League final against Manchester United on May 21.Read More on The SunHe added: “It will be incredible and  I still know a lot of the players and so much of the staff.“So I’d be incredibly happy for them to win and for the club.” More

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    Jake Paul adds gymnast and Instagram star Marissa Ayers as new MVP model with ring girl Sydney Thomas already a fan

    INSTAGRAM star and gymnast Marissa Ayers is the latest to join Jake Paul’s roster of Most Valuable Promotions models. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul launched MVP with business partner Nakisa Bidarian in 2021 to host and promote his own bouts. Marissa Ayers is the latest model from signed by Jake Paul to MVPShe is a 22-year-old from GeorgiaMarissa is a former gymnastShe also did cheerleadingBut as well as world champion fighters and prospects, MVP are also building a steady stable of glamorous ring card girls. The latest is 22-year-old Marissa, who competed at the Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta and also cheerleading at Stingray Allstars. Now, she can add being a ring card girl to her bow after debuting at MVP prospects 12 in Orlando, Florida. Her comment section was filled with praise, including from Sydney Thomas, who became the viral ring card girl for Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson in November. READ MORE IN boxing Sydney, 21, commented: “LOOK AT HER GO.” Golf influencer Hailey Rae Ostrom added: “Beauty!! Can we get the tan routine??”Marissa already had nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram, where she shows off her life of luxury with stays in Florida and Mexico. And she could be back in the ring on June 28 when Paul, 28, returns to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in California. Most read in BoxingPaul beat heavyweight legend Tyson, 58, in their controversial fight last year with over 100 MILLION watching on Netflix. But MVP model Sydney stole the show with her performance as a ring card girl. MVP have also announced the signings of world champion boxers Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron to their roster. They join the likes of Amanda Serrano, Alycia Baumgardner and Ellie Scotney to make up boxing’s most impressive stable of female fighters. Marissa already has nearly 400,000 Instagram followersShe regularly shows off her glamorous lifeAlready she is a big hit on social media More

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    Salford release SEVENTEEN players days after David Beckham and Gary Neville completed takeover of club

    SALFORD CITY have released 17 PLAYERS following the takeover by David Beckham and Gary Neville.The two Manchester United legends completed the acquisition of the League Two club last week.Gary Neville and David Beckham have taken over Salford CityCredit: PAKarl Robinson guided the club to an 8th-placed finish in League TwoCredit: AlamyNeville clubbed together with other ex-Red Devils such as Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes to buy the club in 2014.However, Neville and Beckham’s old team-mates have relinquished their ownership.With a new look behind the scenes, the club has now taken action to make changes on the pitch.Following an eighth-place finish in League Two, Salford City have released 17 players from the first team.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOne player that will be getting a fresh start is Matthew Lund.The midfielder joined the Ammies back in 2021 and has made 120 league appearances.Since October, the veteran had been contributing in the role of a player-coach.Other notable stars that will be leaving upon the expiry of their contracts are Conor McAleny, Liam Shephard and Ryan Watson.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSalford has kept hold of the Supporters’ Player of the Year Ossama Ashley.The midfielder came through he academies of Fulham and Wimbledon before joining West Ham in 2020.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersConor McAleny is one of 17 players set to leave Salford CityCredit: PALuke Garbutt will be staying after his contract was extendedCredit: ReutersHe never made an appearance for the Hammers before leaving for Colchester United and then Salford in 2023.Former Portsmouth ace Haji Mnoga and ex Everton prospect Luke Garbutt have also had their deals extended.Salford released listHere are all the players who have been released by Salford City…Ryan WatsonMatthew LundJon TaylorConor McAlenyJez DaviesLiam ShephardMarcus DackersCallum MortonJames CarrBen CollinsLiam HumblesSandro Da CostaJacob HammanEze BowenMatty CucosAiden LancasterKamoy McNairDeals offered:Jamie JonesCurtis TiltTosin OlopadeHakeeb AdelakunJai Curran-NichollsAlfie HendersonJacob LaraOptions activated: Ossama AshleyHaji MnogaLuke GarbuttPlayers under contract: Tom EdwardsKevin BerkoeCole StocktonKelly NmaiBen WoodburnDan ChestersJunior LuambaRosaire LongeloJosh AusterfieldRobbie Cleary More