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      Euro 2020: England star Kalvin Phillips says ‘Mum skipped meals for me…I ran to her when we scored’

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      NEW England hero Kalvin Phillips last night told how he dedicated his match-winning performance against Croatia to his mum.During a stunning all-round display, playmaker Phillips, 25, beat two Croatians before pinpointing a perfect pass for Raheem Sterling to grab the winner on Sunday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Kalvin Phillips, 25, beat two Croatians before pinpointing a perfect pass for Raheem Sterling to grab the winner on SundayCredit: Getty
      He dedicated his man-of-the-match showing to mum Lindsay Crosby who guided him on his path to stardom during his tough childhood in Leeds — and was in the stands at Wembley celebrating her birthday.
      The man dubbed The Yorkshire Pirlo after the genius Italian midfielder said: “I’m buzzin’ — it’s hard to put it into words.
      “I can’t even remember doing it [setting up the winner] — it was just a blur, then the ball hit the back of the net.
      “It was my mum’s birthday the day before and she was right at the front in the stands right at that side so I felt I was celebrating with her.”
      Superstar Kalvin is now a millionaire Premier League ace with a stunning childhood sweetheart in Ashleigh Behan.
      But his tale of rags to riches is all down to proud mum Lindsay, who has been instrumental in her son’s success.
      It’s an inspirational tale of hard work and the selfless devotion of amazing women in his life, in the face of tragedy.
      Kalvin was born a triplet but his sister Lacreasha died when she was just a couple of months old.
      Growing up in Armley, West Leeds, Kalvin would often find mum Lindsay crying in the kitchen, playing music that reminded her of her daughter.
      It forced him to grow up and, in the absence of his father, Mark, become the man of the house.
      Growing up in Armley, West Leeds, Kalvin would often find mum Lindsay crying in the kitchen, playing music that reminded her of her daughterCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      He said: “Seeing her like that made me feel I’ve got to help her out, make tea, look after my brother and sisters when she was working.”
      Every year, he and his twin, Deren, say “happy birthday” to Lacreasha on their special day and place flowers on her grave.
      And every time he scores, he kisses his arm where he has a tattoo in her honour and points heavenward for the sister he never got to know.
      At the family’s three-bed home, a stone’s throw from Leeds’ Elland Road ground, Lindsay slept on the sofa so Kalvin, Deren and younger siblings Terrell and Tasiana, could have the bedrooms.

      Lindsay worked two jobs but money was scarce and she would skip meals to ensure her children were well fed.
      Kalvin said: “There have been times where my mum didn’t eat at night because she had to feed us.”
      Kalvin’s beloved grandma, Valerie Crosby, who died in February, aged 82, would “chip in for food”.
      Like his fellow England international, Marcus Rashford, Kalvin relied on free school meals at The Farnley Academy, Leeds.
      Lindsay worked two jobs but money was scarce and she would skip meals to ensure her children were well fedCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      He said: “I’d see kids coming in with packed lunches, having sandwiches and chocolate bars.
      “Some kids would laugh at me, saying, ‘You’re getting free school meals’. I’d come home and say, ‘Mum, why can’t I have a packed lunch?’ She’d say, ‘We can’t afford it’.”
      And like Marcus, who succeeded in funding food parcels for low-income families through the pandemic, Kalvin now donates to a food bank.
      Lindsay has only recently stopped working one of her two jobs, as a receptionist and cashier at Harpo’s Pizza, Leeds.
      On Sunday, the takeaway tweeted a picture of Kalvin grinning in his post-match interview, with the caption: “Our Kalvin! Well done, great assist!”
      Kalvin’s Jamaican father, Mark, has been in and out of prison since Kalvin was a boy.
      Kalvin with his little brotherCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      Kalvin told the Times last year: “He got into the wrong crowd, drugs, fighting, anything you can name.”
      He has visited him at HMP Wealstun, not far from Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground, but prefers to speak to Mark on the phone every couple of weeks.
      He called him after Leeds were promoted to the Premier League and could hear inmates singing the club’s anthem, Marching On Together, in the background.
      Kalvin said of his dad: “He is proud of me. He’s lived in Leeds all his life.”
      As well as his mum, sister and grandma, there is one other woman who holds a special place in Kalvin’s heart — girlfriend Ashleigh Behan, a make-up artist he’s been with for 11 years, having met at school.
      Kalvin said: “I don’t want to meet anybody else because we’re that close. I keep my circle tight, keep newcomers at a distance.”
      Superstar Kalvin is now a millionaire Premier League ace with a stunning childhood sweetheart in Ashleigh BehanCredit: TWITTER/KALVIN PHILLIPS

      Kalvin made his international debut last September against Denmark and admitted joining the squad was nerve-racking.
      He said last year: “Every single day, I go home to my girlfriend, see my mum and grandma, and I always talk about football.
      “It’s what I live for, it’s what I do, and they have always supported me 100 per cent. I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for my mum and grandma.”
      Kalvin made his international debut last September against Denmark and admitted joining the squad was nerve-rackingCredit: Rex
      Kalvin was born a triplet but his sister Lacreasha died when she was just a couple of months oldCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      England manager Gareth Southgate names Leeds star Kalvin Phillips named for first time More

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      Raheem Sterling’s mum celebrated his England goal by calling their old neighbours to say he had achieved his dream

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      RAHEEM Sterling’s thrilled mum celebrated his England goal by calling their old neighbours to say he had achieved his dream.The Three Lions ace netted the winner in the opening Euros 1-0 victory on Sunday just yards from his old Wembley home.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Raheem Sterling scored Sunday’s winning goal just yards from where he grew upCredit: Getty
      His proud mum Nadine celebrated by calling their old neighbours and telling them he’d achieved his dreamCredit: BackGrid
      Afterwards, he revealed his wish to score in a game “in his back garden”.
      Mum Nadine, 47, rang mates in the North London cul-de-sac, saying she was “so happy”.
      One pal said: “It was brilliant to see him score. Everyone here is thrilled.”
      Raheem, 26, was made an MBE earlier for services to racial equality in sport.
      Raheem netted the winning goal at Wembley – the area he was raised in
      Raheem posted this picture before the game, writing ‘never forget where it started’Credit: Tim Stewart

      Irene Bhahewandeem, 53, who lived opposite the family, said: “He would come for ice cream with my kids when he was little.
      “It was unbelievable to see him score in his home town.”
      Before the game with Croatia, the Man City star shared a picture of his younger self holding a ­trophy, captioned: “Never forget where it started.”
      The England ace said he’s always wanted to score in a game ‘in his back garden’Credit: Rex
      England beat Croatia to win their Euro 2020 opener after Raheem Sterling scores winning goal More

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      Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie avoids court after video of him attacking man in street went viral

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      PREMIERSHIP striker Oli McBurnie has avoided court after a video of him attacking a man in the street went viral.The £20million Sheffield United striker was arrested after he was caught on camera stamping on a phone and assaulting insurance broker Elliott Wright, 21.
      Oli McBurnie has avoided court after attacking a man in the street
      A viral video showed the striker stamping on a phone and assaulting insurance broker Elliott Wright
      The Sheffield United star was arrested and held in custody last monthCredit: PA
      Leeds United fan Wright had been with friends when he spotted McBurnie arguing with a girl in the street.
      He said he told him to calm down – and then poked fun at him for his team getting relegated to the Championship.
      Scottish international McBurnie, 25, who missed the Euros because of injury, was seen in the video to approach Wright before knocking the phone to the ground.
      The 24-second film – which was viewed more than a million times online–showed him stamping on the phone before kneeing and punching Wright who was left with a swollen black eye and cuts to his face.
      McBurnie was arrested and held in custody overnight following the incident in his home town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, last month.
      He has now accepted a caution for a public order offence of threatening behaviour which means he does not have to go to court.
      Footage later emerged showing McBurnie being harassed in the street before approaching a heckler and swatting at his phone
      He became angered after being mocked for getting relegated
      The first film was viewed more than a million times online
      Elliott Wright was left with a swollen black eye and cuts to his face
      Police said a 21-year-old man involved in the incident was issued with a penalty notice for the same offence.
      Wright said at the time: “We were walking and I saw him arguing with this girl. I said chill out mate it can’t be worse than getting relegated as a joke.
      “He seemed alright at first. He was saying put your phone away lads, put your phone away. I said: ‘Why? Why would I want to put my phone away?’ And then he’s just smacked me.”
      McBurnie earned a £20m move to United from Swansea in 2019 after scoring 24 goals in a season for the South Wales side.
      He was joint top scorer for United in his first season with six goals but struggled to find form this season, hitting the net just once.
      The £20,000-a-week forward missed the end of the season after he broke his foot in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in April.
      McBurnie earned a £20million move to Sheffield United from Swansea in 2019Credit: Getty

      In July last year he was fined £30,000 by Leeds JPs after he was caught drink driving in his Audi R8 in October 2019.
      A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Following an investigation, a man in his 20s has been cautioned for a public order offence, namely using threatening behaviour.
      “A second man, also in his 20s, was issued with a penalty notice for the same offence.”
      Sheffield United refused to comment. More

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      Baby set to be Tottenham Hotspur fan like his dad after club cockerel appears on ultrasound scan

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      DAD-to-be Jordan Hall is sure his baby will be a Tottenham Hotspur fan like him — after a scan revealed its cockerel crest.Jordan, 23, was wearing a Spurs shirt when he and fiancé Shannon Pickin, 24, went for the check-up last week.
      Dad-to-be Jordan Hall was stunned to notice a ‘Tottenham Hotspur’ cockerel crest on his unborn baby’s ultrasound scan
      Jordan (pictured with fiancé Shannon Pickin and her son Tyler) was wearing a Spurs shirt to the appointment
      And any doubts about his unborn baby’s footie allegiance ended when he saw the ultrasound screen.
      He said: “I’d been saying to Shannon ever since she got pregnant that the baby was going to be a little Spurs fan and this just seals the deal.
      “We showed the scan to my mum and a few other people and, initially, they thought it looked like a duck.
      “But the more we looked at it the more we realised that it was exactly the same shape as the Tottenham cockerel.
      “So, obviously, I was over the moon.”
      The supermarket worker has been a Spurs fan since he was seven, despite living in Pontefract, West Yorks, as his mum’s then-boyfriend supported them.

      Shannon, who has a five-year-old son called Tyler, is also a fan.
      Jordan said they did not know the baby’s sex but believe it was conceived on March 21 — after Spurs won 2-0 at Aston Villa.
      He joked: “Maybe it gave me a bit of extra edge that evening.”
      Jordan has been a Spurs fan since he was seven
      Jordan said they did not know the baby’s sex but believe it was conceived on March 21 — after Spurs won 2-0 at Aston Villa
      Tottenham ‘in advanced talks’ with Paulo Fonseca, the man AXED by Roma to make way for Jose Mourinho More

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      I hope England and Croatia go far – but I can’t cope with both in the final

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      THANK God, or hvala Bogu, that’s out the way.The best team won, but no one’s heartbroken; no one’s been humiliated. I’d have settled for that.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Watching England play Croatia yesterday, my heart was as split as the light and dark areas of the Wembley pitchCredit: Getty
      From the anthems to the final whistle, it was an hour and a half of hell during which my heart was as split as the light and dark areas of the Wembley pitch.
      Early on the commentary said: “Croatia are all over the place.” Quite right, but it still enraged me; it felt like he was criticising my mum.
      Then Croatia improved, which was a relief but only led me to start feeling bad for England.
      I looked at Tyrone Mings playing so well and wondered how I could possibly have wanted anything other than for him to be on the winning side.
      In the interview I did for The Sun with Tony Adams, Tony said how much he rated him.
      Tyrone Mings played so well, I was convinced I was just on his sideCredit: Getty
      I shared this with Tyrone by text and he responded immediately, saying how appreciative he was.
      “I’m just an England fan, but actually playing,” he added, evidently still pinching himself. Well played, my man.
      Croatia can at least console themselves that they won the fans’ beauty contest hands-down.
      Every shot of England fans seemed to feature pale, shirtless blokes ­leaping about, bellies a-wobbling.
      Croatia’s fans seemed, as usual, to be mainly female supermodels.
      I’ve made enquiries in the past as to whether agencies are flying them in especially from Zagreb or Split, but this has always been denied. Loving their work, anyway.
      Just like his shirt, Adrian is half-English, half-Croatian

      And I’m loving the thought that I can now go crazy for two different teams in at least four more games.
      Hopefully they’ll both go further than that, but please not both of them as far as the final.
      That would finish me off.
      Raheem Sterling’s immediate reaction to England’s victory over Croatia More

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      Raheem Sterling gets England off to winning start with goal in his ‘back garden’

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      HOTSHOT Raheem Sterling got England off to a winning start at the Euros yesterday — scoring a goal just a stone’s throw from where he grew up.The Manchester City star gave “football’s coming home” a meaning of his own as he netted at Wembley — the area where he was raised.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Raheem Sterling got the Three Lions off to a winning start yesterdayCredit: AFP
      Fans around the country celebrated England’s 1-0 win against CroatiaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Raheem netted the winning goal at Wembley – the area he was raised in
      Raheem, who was awarded the MBE two days earlier for services to racial equality in sport, was the only scorer as England beat Croatia 1-0 in front of thrilled fans.
      It was the Three Lions’ first opening game triumph in a Euro tournament in 53 years and sent them roaring into Friday’s crunch clash with Scotland.
      Raheem, 26, lived in Neeld Crescent in the shadow of the stadium in the North West London borough of Brent.
      As a kid he dreamed of football glory as he gazed up at its iconic arch being built.
      Before yesterday’s match he posted a picture of himself as a boy clutching a trophy with the words: “Never forget where it started. #boyfromBrent.”
      England’s glory overshadowed a moment of controversy before kick-off when their players took the knee in an anti-racism gesture.
      Some fans booed but they were drowned out by massive cheers for Gareth Southgate’s team.
      He paid tribute to his boyhood dream with this throwback snap
      Raheem said if he ever played a major tournament at Wembley, he’d be scoring in his own ‘back garden’Credit: AFP
      Last night Raheem said: “It’s a great feeling for me playing at Wembley, not far from where I grew up as a young boy and seeing the stadium being built.
      “I’ve always said, if I played at Wembley in a major tournament I’m scoring at Wembley, in my back garden. I said I have to score — and it’s great to finally do that.”
      A noisy Covid-reduced 22,500- strong crowd watched the tight match in blistering 30C heat.
      I’ve always said, if I played at Wembley in a major tournament I’m scoring at Wembley, in my back garden. Raheem Sterling
      They — and millions watching on TV — erupted in celebration early in the second half when Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips sent an inch- perfect pass through for Sterling to blast home.
      Some people had queued outside pubs and restaurants from 7am to bag their spots for the 2pm kick-off — with table service still in force.
      Harry Leach, who waited outside The Distillery, in Birmingham, said:: “When I started queuing there were already 120 people in front of me and I would say about 120 behind.
      “Everyone was excited, they were all singing England chants.”
      It comes just two days after Raheem was made an MBECredit: AFP
      Manager Gareth Southgate said he was thrilled for RaheemCredit: EPA
      Millions of others gathered in homes, gardens and fan zones.
      Huge screens were put up in Trafalgar Square.
      Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who was hosting key workers as a “thank you”, said the excitement of the Euros was needed after “the darkness and trauma” of the pandemic.
      James Wright, 43, of Great Cornard, Suffolk, who was at Wembley, said: “The atmosphere was electric. When that goal went in you would have had no idea Wembley was three quarters empty and full of fans in masks. It was deafening.”
      Boris Johnson, at a press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Cornwall, sidestepped calls to condemn fans who booed. He said: “Everybody should cheer for England”.
      The PM tweeted congratulations on the team’s “fantastic start”.
      England boss Southgate said: “It’s lovely to have given our fans and our country a really enjoyable afternoon.”
      Wayne Rooney and his family were spotted in the crowdCredit: AFP
      Brits queued outside bars and pubs from 7am to bag their Euros seatsCredit: SWNS
      Huge screens were erected in many city centresCredit: PA

      Skipper Harry Kane said: “Massive performance to start the Euros with a win in the sun at Wembley. Raheem Sterling on fire — perfect.”
      The result was payback after Croatia beat England in the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
      Richard Wilson, 60, watching in Teddington, West London, said: “What a start — just what the country needs.”
      England beat Croatia to win their Euro 2020 opener after Raheem Sterling scores winning goal More

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      Tyrone Mings’ performance against Croatia proves England do not need to rush back Harry Maguire at Euro 2020

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      TYRONE MINGS put in a performance to put England fans’ minds at rest in the 1-0 win against Croatia.After a shaky performance in the 1-0 friendly win against Romania, it might have seemed the injured Harry Maguire would be a huge loss in the Euro 2020 opener.
      Tyrone Mings was a man-of-the-match contender for England against CroatiaCredit: Getty
      England didn’t really miss Harry Maguire at the backCredit: Getty
      But the Aston Villa centre-half put in a mature and confident performance that justified boss Gareth Southgate’s selection.
      Here, SunSport’s Dan King analyses how Mings fared as the Three Lions got off to a flier.
      DECISIONS
      First things first, there was no repeat of his crazy forearm smash on Austria’s Sasa Kalajdzic in England’s Euros warm-up game.
      Mings was still aggressive — but in the right way. Inside the first minute, he decided to step out to challenge Ante Rebic, who was playing as Croatia’s central forward.
      It set the tone for England’s good start. When Mings took the initiative, he generally did well, including producing a good headed clearance midway through the first half.
      When he didn’t, there were concerns, such as a cross he left that found its way to Ivan Perisic. But he closed the first half with an important tackle on Luka Modric in the box.
      After a couple of nervy moments at the start of the second half, Mings regained his calm and steady level.
      He even contributed at the other end, nodding the ball back from a free-kick, only for Raheem Sterling to fire wastefully off target.
      Mings seemed to have everything under control for EnglandCredit: The Sun
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      COMMUNICATION
      Harry Kane was wearing the Three Lions armband — but proud Mings seemed to be playing the captain’s role.
      From the opening minute, the Aston Villa star was talking to his team-mates, especially centre-back partner John Stones, and pointing to where they needed to be.
      England needed someone playing further back from Kane, with a view of the whole pitch, to be a leader — especially with Liverpool’s vocal skipper Jordan Henderson on the bench.
      Mings’ organisation of the defence worked pretty well at preventing openings for Croatia.
      But it would have been good to see him take charge of what was going on at goal kicks, with Jordan Pickford going long too often and usually surrendering possession cheaply.
      That improved after the break and Mings continued to direct operations like a captain.
      Mings had good communication with his fellow defenders and Jordan PickfordCredit: APWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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      DISTRIBUTION
      Ridiculous as it sounds when talking about elite footballers, having a naturally left-footed centre-back can make a real difference.
      Especially when you pick a right-footed left-back, as Lions boss Gareth Southgate did with Kieran Trippier.
      But if the hope was that Mings’ presence would help ensure the ball found its way quickly and often to Phil Foden on the right, it did not turn out that way.
      Mings seemed reluctant to switch the play rapidly and most of England’s attacks came down the left flank.
      Yet the Villa man’s passing was precise for the most part and he resisted the temptation to overplay, which has cost him in the past.
      His clipped passes down the line for Sterling did not always come off but, when they did, they caused problems.
      There was one loose pass at the start of the second half, but otherwise he looked assured.
      The centre-half looked assured as he brought the ball out of defenceCredit: Reuters
      VERDICT
      Mings’ displays in pre-tournament friendlies made supporters worry about his capacity to fill Harry Maguire’s shoes.
      And Southgate seemed concerned, too, judging by Ben White’s call-up to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      But this performance was a good response to the doubters and a reward for the manager in persevering with Mings.
      On this evidence, there is no need to rush Maguire back from injury and the Villa man gives England options if they switch to a back three during the tournament.
      There was the odd moment of concern, but no glaring errors, no loss of discipline — nothing to make you think he could be a weak link.
      And there were plenty of positives in what was, let’s not forget, his debut at a major finals. A good afternoon’s work for Mings and Southgate.
      Gareth Southgate had his trust fully rewarded with MingsCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England beat Croatia to win their Euro 2020 opener after Raheem Sterling scores winning goal More

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      Euro 2020: England aces’ heart tests revealed after horror collapse which felled Christian Eriksen

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      ENGLAND’S stars all had cardiac screening tests to reduce the risk of the ­horror collapse which felled Christian Eriksen, it was revealed yesterday.The FA ordered thorough heart checks on the football aces leading the charge towards Euro 2020 glory.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      England players underwent cardiac screenings prior to the EurosCredit: Reuters
      Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Saturday’s matchCredit: Reuters
      The Denmark player had to be revived before being carried off the pitchCredit: AFP
      They would not be allowed to play unless they had passed specialist electrocardiogram tests, checking for ­abnormalities, within the last year.
      The players also had to have a detailed echocardiogram ultrasound scan within the last two years.
      FA sources said it is now ­policy to regularly monitor England’s top men’s senior stars — and also England players across every age group.
      ‘NO CHANCES TAKEN’
      Precautions and training were ramped up after the horror collapse of Bolton star Fabrice Muamba during an FA Cup match against Tottenham in 2012.
      In addition, all England medical staff are now required to have an Advanced Trauma Medical Management In Football certificate.
      That means all medics will be ready to act to save lives should a player suffer a collapse or serious injury.
      It is now policy to regularly monitor England stars’ heart healthCredit: AFP
      Eriksen’s team-mates looked distraught as they formed a protective ring around the stricken starCredit: Getty
      He was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after 13 minutes of intense medical treatment
      A source told The Sun: “All England medical staff also have the highest standard of medical equipment with them pitchside to quickly and efficiently manage incidents.
      “They’re ready to react quickly and effectively should the worst kind of incident occur, both in a match and training scenarios.
      “It’s an issue which is taken incredibly seriously in the light of what happened to both Fabrice and Christian. No chances are taken.”
      Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed that Eriksen was “gone” before being revived. He said: “We did cardiac resuscitation, it was a cardiac arrest.
      “When I got to him he was on his side, he was breathing, I could feel a pulse but suddenly that changed and we started to give him CPR.
      “The help came really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff with their co-operation, and we did what we had to do and managed to get Christian back. How close were we to losing him?
      “I don’t know, but we got him back after one defibrillation so that’s quite fast. The examinations done so far look fine. We don’t have an explanation why it happened.”
      In 2012 Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba collapsed during an FA Cup matchCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Muamba’s heart stopped for 78 minutes but he miraculously survived after a doctor ran on the field to help resuscitate himCredit: Getty
      Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand revealed Eriksen said: “I don’t remember much but I’m more concerned about you guys. How are you doing? I think you’re feeling worse than I am. I feel as if I’m about to go training now, boys.”
      Hjulmand said: “That’s typical Christian. It was good to see him smile. Christian is in good spirits and it’s a huge relief for the players. We’ve been on the ropes.”
      Former Spurs boss Jose Mour­inho, who coached Eriksen before the player left for Inter Milan, said: “I prayed yesterday, I cried yesterday. God was looking at football.”
      Prior to England’s game against Croatia, fans at Wembley applauded Eriksen as the stadium announcer wished him a speedy recovery.
      Skipper Harry Kane tweeted: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”
      Meanwhile, the BBC removed footage of Eriksen’s collapse from its iPlayer yesterday as broadcasting regulator Ofcom prepared to launch a probe.
      Ref’s wife ‘proud’By Richard Moriarty
      THE wife of the English ref at the centre of the Christian Eriksen health scare yesterday told of her pride at his actions.
      Premier League ref Anthony Taylor was widely praised for his quick action in halting the game within three seconds of the ex-Spurs star collapsing during Saturday’s clash between Denmark and Finland.
      Taylor, 42, born in Wythenshawe where Marcus Rashford also grew up, was congratulated by Prince William for “calm and swift action”.
      And his wife Anne-Marie told The Sun: “I am very proud of him.”
      Asked if he was upset by what happened, she said: “I have spoken to him. He is fine now. He is good.”

      England won their first ever Euro opener yesterdayCredit: Getty

      Hundreds of viewers complained after live footage of the frantic attempts to revive him was beamed into millions of homes.
      They branded the Beeb “shameful” for not cutting away from the upsetting scenes.
      Host Gary Lineker later apologised in a tweet.
      Denmark head coach gets emotional at post-match press conference after Christian Eriksen collapsed More