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      in Soccer

      Liverpool vs Newcastle: Get £50 in free bets for midweek Premier League clash with Betfred

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      LIVERPOOL look to maintain their huge lead at the top of the Premier League when hosting Newcastle on Wednesday.And brand new Betfred customers can claim a fantastic £50 in free bets and bonuses when they sign-up and stake a tenner on the Premier League encounter.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereLiverpool vs Newcastle: Get £50 free bets HERE*How to claim..Betfred welcome offerVisit the Betfred website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: BETFRED50Deposit £10 using a Debit CardPlace your first bet of £10 or more on any qualifying Sportsbook markets, at odds of Evens or greaterOnce that bet has settled, Betfred will credit your account with £50 in Free BetsBetfred: Get your £50 in free bets – Claim here*Liverpool vs Newcastle: Get £50 free bets HERE*New to Betfred? Then you can claim this incredible offer.Simply visit the Betfred website using this link HERE* and register a new account using the Promo Code: BETFRED50Then you just need to deposit and stake £10 on any football market at odds of Evens or greater.When that first bet has settled — win or lose — Betfred will credit your account with the following free bets;3 x £10 to use on any Sportsbook Markets2 x £10 to use on Accumulators (4+ selections)Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.*New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. More

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      in Soccer

      Former Man Utd director Dan Ashworth ‘lands new job outside football weeks after brutal sacking by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’

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      DAN ASHWORTH has found a new role in a new sport after leaving Manchester United in December.Ashworth, 53, left his role as sporting director with the Red Devils just five months after being appointed last year.Dan Ashworth has found a new job after leaving Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe former Newcastle United and Brighton director had been a long-term target for Man Utd as they began their new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.But after a lengthy battle to secure his services, and over £3million in compensation payments to Newcastle, Ashworth was out of the door after less than half a year.And now the ex-FA director has found himself a new job, somewhere far away from Man Utd and football as a whole.Ashworth has taken up an advisory role with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, according to The Times.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe has been involved with the cricket club since 2021, having held an honorary role on their audit committee for over three years.That role is said to have involved oversight of what Warwickshire call their “elite teams and high-performance structure”.Warwickshire are also set to announce a new performance director in the coming days.However, Ashworth is understood to not be in consideration for that role.Most read in FootballAshworth is taking up an advisor role with Warwickshire County Cricket ClubCredit: RexCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt’s reported that the salary on offer for the role would fall well short of the money he has made through his previous jobs in football.Instead Ashworth will work as a voluntary advisor.Ruben Amorim admits Man Utd were invisible in first half at Everton Last week it was revealed Man Utd had spent £4.1MILLION on Ashworth’s exit from the club, in a report of the club’s accounts.United also confirmed that they had spent £10.4MILLION on the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag and his team. More

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      in Soccer

      Since I arrived in LA we’ve had wildfires, earthquake, power cuts and personal ‘bad experience’, admits Olivier Giroud

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      OLIVIER GIROUD always wished to finish his career in  California — but life has not quite been the dream he imagined so far.The Frenchman suits Los Angeles, sitting in the sun after training at LAFC’s impressive facility, east of the beaches and palm trees of America’s West Coast.Olivier Giroud joined LAFC last summerCredit: SuppliedHe has had to deal with devastating wildfires in the areaCredit: APGiroud spent six years at ArsenalCredit: AFP or licensorsHe won the Champions League at ChelseaCredit: GettyBut Giroud has faced an awful lot of challenges since arriving from AC Milan last summer.A number of LAFC team-mates and staff were put on evacuation alert during January’s devastating wildfires which destroyed more than 18,000 homes.The club have helped raise funds to support those who were displaced, while striker Giroud has donated possessions.There have been powercuts, earthquakes and the Giroud family home was even burgled earlier this month.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGiroud said: “Since I arrived in LA last summer, we had three power outages in five days of ten, 12 and 15 hours.“There was a massive earthquake when we were at the training ground. There were all the fires. It was a really sad situation. People lost everything.“We thank the first responders and firefighters who did an amazing job. It made me really sad. I was scared.“I also had a personal bad experience. Hopefully, there will be better days up front. It’s part of life.Most read in Football“Sometimes you have great days and sometimes tough moments.“It was a wish to finish here in the US and to give this opportunity to my kids to discover another way of life.”Lionel Messi finally puts ‘cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ theory to bed by running the show in -17 degrees temperatures Giroud’s career by numbersHere is a look at Oliver Giroud’s career…Grenoble, 2005–2008Appearances – 26Goals – 2Istres, 2007–2008 loanAppearances – 34Goals – 14Tours, 2008–2010 and 2010 loanAppearances – 69Goals – 38Montpellier, 2010–2012Appearances – 85Goals – 39Arsenal, 2012–2018Appearances – 253Goals – 105Chelsea, 2018–2021Appearances – 119Goals – 39AC Milan – 2021–2024Appearances – 132Goals – 49Los Angeles FCAppearances – 21Goals – 2Honours:Ligue 1 x1, FA Cup x4, Champions League x1, Europa League x1, Serie A x1, US Open Cup x1, Fifa World Cup x1, Despite all the challenges, Giroud is fully embracing California and Major League Soccer.The 38-year-old, who started out with French side Grenoble two decades ago and has taken in London and Milan along his journey, is more than content with life — despite a dramatic six months.He added: “It reminds me a bit of London. I lived nine years in  London and I really enjoy this city. “You can do a lot of things with the family. Plus you have the ocean side, which is really nice. “It’s a bit far from Europe but I like the lifestyle and visiting other parts of the US.“I brought the family to different places in California, but I really want to go to Hawaii and San Francisco. “I took them to Las Vegas, San Diego. Maybe also New York, if I can, for a break.“It’s sunny almost every single day. You feel far from home, like on holiday every single day. It’s not holiday time yet but maybe in a couple of years.“I’m really here to bring my experience to the team and to keep playing to win.“I’m a competitor and I said I’m coming in MLS to always give my best and achieve.”One sticking point of his new life in LA is keeping up with events back in the Premier League.As Giroud says, “it is a long way from Europe”, with English early games on a Saturday kicking off at 4.30am here.That has, at least, allowed him to sleep through some of Arsenal’s recent struggles. But despite the Gunners looking like falling short of a title once again, Giroud’s confidence in former team-mate Mikel Arteta is unshakeable.Giroud said of Arsenal’s Spanish manager: “He’s done a great job in the last few years.“I would say in a different style, but in a continuity of what Arsene Wenger did.“He’s had time to make the team improve, to set up his ideas.  He’s one of the best managers in Europe now.“He’s shown it. He brought Arsenal back to the top of the league, almost. I would love to see them win the title.“Mikel will never give up. I wish them to win.”One of the biggest factors holding Arsenal back has been their lack of a No 9.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut France’s all-time top scorer with 57 goals, who also bagged 105  for the Gunners, did not consider a Thierry Henry-style return to North London from MLS.He said: “No, I’m getting old. I’ll turn 39 soon.”Giroud has ruled out a Thierry Henry-style loan back to ArsenalCredit: AFP More

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      in Boxing

      ‘Thought I was going to have a heart attack’ – Eddie Hearn reveals health episode during Callum Smith vs Joshua Buatsi

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      EDDIE HEARN thought he was “going to have a heart attack” during the epic fight between Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi.The Brit light-heavyweight duo put on an early contender for Fight of the Year on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol last Saturday.Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi went to war in Saudi Arabia last weekendCredit: GETTYSmith edged a thrilling contest via unanimous decisionCredit: GETTYMatchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn’s heart rate was racing during the fightCredit: GETTYSmith emerged victorious from the back-and-forth contest, ending Buatsi’s undefeated record to claim the interim WBO 175lbs title.And all the drama had the heart of Smith promoter Hearn racing at a million miles an hour – so much so that he became a bit dizzy.He told The Stomping Ground: “I actually thought I was going to have a heart attack tonight. I really did.”During the Callum Smith fight, I sat down and felt a bit dizzy.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I do often wonder… you never know when you’re on the verge of keeling over, do you?”I was thinking to myself, ‘If the Good lord took me now, it wouldn’t be a bad way to go.’ Would it?'”Hearn was blown away by the grit and guts shown by Liverpudlian Smith, telling DAZN: “Callum Smith was unbelievable.”What a fight. That was an incredible domestic tussle. I’m very proud of Callum, I thought it was a brilliant performance.Most read in SportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSEddie Hearn was blown away by Dmitry Bivol’s performance in his rematch with Artur BeterbievCredit: GETTY”Shoutout to Buatsi as well because he was tough as old boots but the right man won.”Hearn’s heart rate was undoubtedly elevated during the epic rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol, in which the latter exacted his revenge 133 days after losing their first thriller.Usyk spotted ‘giving Anthony Joshua tips on how to beat Tyson Fury’ in ringside footage at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.mp4He said: “I think a lot of people felt he [Bivol] won the first fight. It was obviously very close.‘It was one of the best performances I’ve ever witnessed.”I thought he won the first two rounds and then Beterbiev won the next three I think but it was the way he won them.”What Bivol did was just incredible, young fighters should look at the way he boxed.”To do that to Beterbiev, who is an absolute beast and one of the greatest fighters of our generation.”It’s the kind of performance that cements you as a pound-for-pound king.” More

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      in Soccer

      Newcastle stadium update as chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan flies in to make final decision on St James’ Park

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      YASIR AL-RUMAYYAN has flown into Newcastle to make the final decision on the club’s stadium.The Magpies are assessing their options over whether to redevelop the iconic ground or move to a new stadium.Yasir Al-Rumayyan will make the final decision on St James’ ParkCredit: ReutersThe club are evaluating the future of their stadiumCredit: AFPThe site for the potential new ground would not be far away and would overlap the current ground’s Leazes and Milburn Stands.The rest of it would stand over what is currently part of Leazes Park.It has been claimed that it would boast a capacity of 70,000 while a redeveloped St James’ Park would rise to 60,000.The Telegraph has reported that the chairman was in a meeting on Monday over the plans.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt has claimed that the move to a new stadium has been presented to Al-Rumayyan.The report suggests that the new-build is the “preferred option” with the “benefits being explained” to him.However, it is not expected that a final decision is yet to be made.Earlier this month it was hoped that Newcastle could continue to play at St James’ Park while work takes place.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA temporary relocation has not been ruled out, but a groundshare with arch-rivals is out of the question.The most realistic option would be to play at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, around 120 miles away and in Scotland.Premier League stadium given subtle makeover during international breakThe Gallowgate End could be renovated if the club stays at St James’ ParkNewcastle’s new stadium could be built adjacent to the current groundA suggested completion date if building a new stadium was chosen would be ahead of the 2031-32 season.If the new stadium is built and is the suggested capacity of 70,000 then it would be one of the biggest in the country.It would be the second-biggest club football stadium in the country only behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford.A new-build would see the Magpies follow a similar path to Tottenham, who build on owned land adjacent to their former ground.Toon have been playing at their home stadium since 1892, with the 52,000-seater located at the heart of town.St James’ Park has been home to Newcastle since 1892Credit: Getty More

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      in Motorsport

      ‘Reached an unacceptable level’ – Drivers demand showdown talks with FIA president over controversial new ban

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      DRIVERS are demanding showdown talks with the FIA over a controversial new ban on swearing.Formula One stars will have to watch their words in the 2025 season after a ban on rude words was introduced.Drivers want talks with Mohammed Ben Sulayem after the FIA banned swearingCredit: RexRally star Adrien Fourmaux has already been fined £24,000Credit: AFPDrivers roundly criticised it at last week’s F1 75 car launch at the O2 Arena in London.But it’s not just F1 aces who have been affected by the FIA’s rule change.Rally star Adrien Fourmaux has already fallen foul of the rule while racing in Sweden.He was fined £24,000 for saying “f**k” during an event earlier this month.READ MORE IN F1It ended up being £8k, with £16k suspended for 12 months.But the punishment has not gone down well with the World Rally Drivers Association (WoRDA).Officials have now written to the FIA criticising the rule change.And chiefs are eager to hold a meeting directly with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to express their concerns.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSA statement read: “WoRDA has always recognised our responsibilities and commitment to collaborate in a constructive way with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote and elevate our outstanding sport for the benefit of all.“In recent months, however, there has been an alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses. This has reached an unacceptable level.Christian Horner brutally booed at F1 75 launch event a year on from sext scandal“We strongly believe that: Common colloquialism cannot be considered and judged as equal to genuine insult or an act of aggression.“Non-native speakers may use or repeat terms without full awareness of their meaning and connotation. Seconds after an extreme adrenaline spike, it is unrealistic to expect perfect and systematic control over emotions.“Moreover, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying. We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of fans, suggesting that this is an industry where money doesn’t matter.“This also raises a fundamental question: where does the money from these fines go? The lack of transparency only amplifies concerns and undermines confidence in the system.“Surely, the negative impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impact of any language lapse. We call for direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘I didn’t say that you clown’ – Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand locked in row over Sky Sports pundit’s Salah comments

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      JAMIE Carragher branded Rio Ferdinand a “clown” amid a heated row over the Liverpool legend’s comments about the Africa Cup of Nations.Carragher, 47, spoke on Sky Sports after his former team’s 2-0 win at Manchester City and appeared to suggest that playing at Afcon worked against Mo Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher landed in hot water over comments regarding the Africa Cup of NationsCarragher suggested Afcon doesn’t help Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s claim for the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyCarragher branded Rio Ferdinand a ‘clown’ after he criticised his Afcon commentsCredit: RexThe legendary centre-back hinted that the Egypt international is at a disadvantage compared to Real Madrid superstars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I think the problem [is] the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament [that influences who wins the Ballon d’Or].”Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League. “Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now [Real] is certainly the front runner.”Read More on FootballBut fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge chimed in to correct Carragher by insisting Afcon is a major tournament.Richards said: “Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people are at home saying, ‘They aren’t taking it seriously’. AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know.”Carragher asked the Man City hero if he thought Egypt had a chance of winning the World Cup. Richards replied: “No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it? You remember when he and [Sadio] Mane were going for it and…”Most read in FootballAnd Carragher interrupted the former defender by complaining:”Oh God.”Sturridge jumped in by stating it’s a “fact” that Afcon is at the same level as the Euros or Copa America. ‘Oh, God… did he say that?’ – Pep Guardiola left in disbelief at Jamie Carragher’s ‘not nice and not true’ claimThe ex-Liverpool star said: “It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact. If you win the Euros or if you win Copa America it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is at the same level.”Ferdinand, 46, caught wind of Carragher’s statement and argued that sort of thought process is “ignorant”.The Man Utd legend claimed he understood what his ex-England team-mate was trying to say but insists Fifa needs to work on promoting Afcon exactly like the Euros and Copa America.Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast: “I think that comment is representative of the majority of the people out there. But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process. “If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, ‘We have to win this’ – it’s a demand in their countries to win this.”Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources wise like the Euros etc, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It’s a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is.Carragher slams Ferdinand”I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault, if we’re honest, and its not right. “I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around Afcon so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.”Jamie is right in what he is saying because that is what happens. If Mo Salah won Afcon that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”Carragher heard what Ferdinand had to say on Instagram and hit back with a fiery response on the comments’ section.The Liverpool great branded his fellow Premier League hero a “clown” as he insisted his words were taken out of context.Carragher responded: “I didn’t say that you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do.”Setting the record straightThe former centre-back tried to set the record straight with a lengthy post on Twitter.Carragher tweeted: “The point I was trying to make yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Balon D’or.”If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or. Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.”But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity.”It’s not just about certain tournaments, [Andriy] Shevchenko (Ukraine), [Robert] Lewandowski (Poland) were never going to win the WC/Euros to help their case for the prize. I don’t think it’s controversial at all really it’s just a fact.”I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also.”It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine.”I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this butI decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phoneys jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant. Good luck MO you little dancer.” More

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      in Soccer

      It’s grim down south as London’s so-called football elite lose out again and keep the capital a trophy-free zone

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      FROM Hackney Marshes to Wembley Stadium, London is a city which eats, sleeps and breathes football.Forget the supposed heartlands and  hotbeds of the north, England’s capital boasts more professional clubs than any metropolis outside South America — 16 of them in the top five tiers, with seven in the Premier League.Arteta’s hopes of domestic silverware look to have gone againCredit: RexMaresca has a long way to go to make Chelsea top boys once againCredit: GettyAnge’s hopes of a trophy rest with the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyYet Erik ten Hag won more silverware during his dismal Manchester United reign than the whole of London put together.And after a major February meltdown, it’s highly likely that no London club  will lift a domestic trophy for a fifth  consecutive season.Arsenal have blown another title, the Gunners and Spurs lost the League Cup semi-finals, while only Fulham, Crystal Palace and Millwall remain in  the FA Cup — with none of them having previously lifted the trophy.Arsenal don’t have a striker and don’t have any discipline, Chelsea’s owners have spent a billion and don’t have any senior players, while Tottenham don’t even want to be referred to as Tottenham any more.READ MORE FOOTBALLWest Ham are the worst Premier League team in the capital after sacking their best manager in decades — and David Moyes is the only boss to have won a major trophy for a London club in front of a full stadium since 2018. If Uefa’s Conference League even counts.Chelsea won the Champions League in front of a post-pandemic sprinkling of supporters in 2021 but the Blues have lost six successive Wembley finals, while Arsenal haven’t  won the title since 2004 and Spurs have won nothing since 2008.So with London such a des res for footballers, and with more than a third  of the Premier League based in the  capital, why do all major domestic  trophies head north?The winner of next month’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle will be the 14th consecutive English trophy-winner from north of Watford.Most read in FootballOne common factor, a perennial  problem for all of the capital’s clubs, is the sheer weight of derby fixtures.How Mo Salah bamboozled Man City with genius ‘backpedal trick’Derbies tend to be levellers which take their toll — and while Arsenal are top of this season’s London derby table, they have lost at home to West Ham twice in succession and failed to beat Fulham this term or last.Since the exits of Arsene Wenger and Roman Abramovich — the two most  influential figures in London football over the previous half-century — the city is becoming a trophy-free zone.Wenger took the Premier League by storm with his genius during his early years at Arsenal — and kept winning FA Cups even in his dog days.By then, Vladimir Putin’s pal  Abramovich had arrived at Stamford Bridge and, as Arsenal director David Dein put it, “parked his Russian tank in our front garden and fired £50 notes at us” — before we’d even heard of FFP or PSR.With Manchester City in meltdown, this ought to have been Arsenal’s time for a first title since Wenger’s heyday. Yet five red cards have cost them up to ten points and the lack of a fit striker, or any authentic No 9, means their chances of catching Liverpool were always remote.Under Abramovich, Chelsea collected five Premier League titles and the only two European Cups ever won by any London club.Since he scarpered into exile, the Blues have become prisoners of their own dogmatic business model — signing young players on extremely long contracts, with no senior pros to guide them.Now Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old who has carried the club for 18 months, faces another season without Champions League football.And with six years to run on his Blues deal, a player who sees himself as Ballon d’Or material might soon be getting itchy feet. A Conference League title won’t cut it.Then there’s the football club formerly known as Tottenham who, in a bizarre missive, requested broadcasters no longer refer to them as “Tottenham”, only as “Spurs” or by their full name, Tottenham Hotspur.We knew Ange Postecoglou’s men were having a poor season but we didn’t realise they needed to seek a new identity under the witness  protection programme.All in all, it’s grim down south.Pep Guardiola made the north football’s dominant region – and Arne Slot is making sure things stay that wayCredit: RexEven Erik ten Hag lifted two trophies as Man Utd bossCredit: ReutersDIFFERENT LEAGUELAST season, the clubs promoted to the Premier League all went back down.While two of those relegated to the Championship came straight up and the third, Leeds, lost the play-off final.This term, the three promoted clubs look relegation certs.And all three were  hammered at home this weekend by an aggregate scoreline of 12-1.Opposition players aren’t even properly  celebrating their goals against Southampton or Leicester any more.Meanwhile two of last season’s relegated clubs — Sheffield United  and Burnley — sit in  the Championship’s top three, along with Leeds.If it seems the gap between the top two divisions is widening again, then how on Earth do you explain the plight of Luton Town?The Hatters  made a decent stab at top-flight survival last year but are rock-bottom of the Championship right now.Luton could be set for two drops in a rowCredit: RexASH CLOUDOVERTURNING the injury-time penalty awarded to Everton’s Ashley Young against Manchester United proves the supposed VAR ‘high bar’ has been forgotten and matches are again being re-refereed from Stockley Park.And, after ref Andy Madley had made an honest, instinctive on-field decision on a 50-50 call in awarding the spot-kick, it’s also possible his VAR might have had time to take into account Young’s previous for taking a tumble.Which wouldn’t be right.Ashley Young thought Everton had won a penalty against his old sideCredit: GettyLEAKY BUM TIMEIF you thought Manchester United were bad on the pitch, consider the mess behind the scenes.Chief executive Omar Berrada is threatening to sack any United employees who turn whistle-blower and leak news of plans to axe even more staff.These job cuts will help pay for billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s disastrous decision to offer a new contract to Erik ten Hag, then sack him, and to poach sporting director  Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, only to fall out with him and pay him off five months later.Ratcliffe’s chum Sir Dave Brailsford is apparently sick of hearing about the Sir Alex Ferguson era.Brailsford reckons it puts unfair pressure on the Ratcliffe regime to mention that, under Fergie, United dominated the English game, winning 13 Prem titles and two European Cups.In which case, why didn’t Ratcliffe buy a club which had never won so much as a raffle prize, and run that one into the ground instead?Ratcliffe and Berrada are trying to stop the leaksCredit: GettyHOME RULE?YOU’VE got to turn your home stadium into a fortress because it’s always tough to win  on the road in the Premier League, isn’t it?Well, hardly any tougher than winning  at home, actually.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere were seven away wins in the top flight this weekend, meaning a total of 101 home victories and 95 away successes this season.With plenty of teams enjoying success on the counter-attack, with defensive ‘low blocks’ difficult to break down and away ends invariably out-singing home fans, home advantage is a thing of the past. More