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    Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s daughter

    FOOTBALL star Dele Alli has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
    Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
    Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
    The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
    Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
    Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
    It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
    He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
    Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
    It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
    An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
    Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
    It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
    “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
    “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
    “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
    “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
    Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
    It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
    Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
    A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
    “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
    Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
    The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
    Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
    Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
    The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
    She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
    Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
    Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
    She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
    The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
    Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

    Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
    The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
    Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
    Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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    Soyuncu and Fofana are top players… but Leicester need orchestrator Jonny Evans back to beat Chelsea in FA Cup final

    LEICESTER’S chances of winning their first FA Cup will be dampened if Jonny Evans is not fit.Brendan Rodgers has come out and said that even if the Northern Irishman is not 100 per cent, he will be on the pitch at Wembley.
    Experienced Jonny Evans is essential to Leicester’s preferred system of playing three centre-backs so it’s vital he’s fit to face ChelseaCredit: AFP
    Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu showed vs Man Utd they are superb defenders but the Foxes gel better when Jonny Evans plays next to themCredit: Getty
    And that is because he knows just how instrumental he is to this Foxes side.
    Since their 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal in February, Rodgers changed Leicester to a 3-4-1-2 formation.
    Injuries to wide players Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez forced his hand into playing wing-backs.
    The switch saw Kelechi Iheanacho come into the side alongside Jamie Vardy and we all know how well he has done.
    But what it also did was show Evans’ worth to this team as he became the orchestrator of the three-man defence.
    Sitting in the middle, he would have Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu on strings by allowing them to go man for man while he sweeps up the rest.
    In the six games they played together, Leicester won five, drew one and only conceded three goals.
    And when he was taken out of the side due to injury they shipped four goals for the first time this season against Newcastle.
    Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers could face a tactical dilemma against ChelseaCredit: Getty
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    There is no doubt both Soyuncu and Fofana are outstanding defenders and examples of Leicester’s amazing business model of developing great players.
    But despite their quality it was clear they were lacking the leadership and communication which Evans brings to the table.
    So the difference he makes to this side is humongous.
    The fact that Foxes boss Rodgers went and reverted to a back four against Manchester United tells me the Newcastle defeat showed Evans’ importance to the system.
    They may have got a result, but no disrespect, it was not United’s strongest team.
    But at Wembley they will be coming up against a full-strength Chelsea side who have pace, movement and quality.
    And with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel opting to play without a recognised striker, that leadership and communication becomes vital.
    As the reason for playing a false nine is to try and pull defenders out of position to make space for midfield runners.
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    So if Evans falls short in his race to be fit, it could go horribly wrong — as no one will be there to keep  Soyuncu and Fofana in check.
    This final will feature two football teams who are both more comfortable on the counter.
    But the onus will be on Chelsea to dominate — which could play into Leicester’s advantage.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Chelsea boss Tuchel says Kovacic will return for FA Cup final against Leicester More

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    Prem players, managers, staff and volunteers have worked wonders this season… but it’s been tarnished by ESL and VAR

    IT has been a season we will all remember… and some may wish to forget.In pure football terms, the players, the managers, the staff and volunteers have performed wonders during the pandemic.
    West Ham have enjoyed a sensational season on the pitchCredit: Reuters
    Man Utd fans have been amongst the most vociferous protesters after the club owners joined the ill-fated plot for a European Super LeagueCredit: AP
    As freedom beckons, here is my brief summary of a unique season.
    At West Ham it has been thrilling and exceptional. Unhappily, our supporters have been forced to miss the consistent quality of live performance they have been waiting for.
    No doubt in plenty of East London living rooms the noise has been gargantuan, drowning out television commentaries and soundtracks that early on was hilariously off-target, operated by a DJ on speed, it seemed.
    The TV companies were doing what the authorities asked for. They provided your team’s every game in the Prem and many in the EFL — no complaint about high-quality production or the new rollover contracts.
    The truth, however, is while for the millions of football nuts watching televised matches was great, it is not a substitute for actually being there.
    Supporters have missed out on another thrilling season.
    To a man or woman, high-class footballers have discovered that football without a crowd is an emptiness in their lives.
    I must add that an emptiness in club bank accounts, too.
    We all have to overcome that, and some sadly might fail. The players have proved this — put down a ball on the centre spot no matter the restrictions in daily lives, working in bubbles, tests and vaccines and they will perform as professionals.

    WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer

    Dodgy decisions and delays involving VAR have plagued the Premier League seasonCredit: Rex
    Whether the billionaires of the breakaway six were encouraged by nil  stadium receipts or their greed for profits generally, the quickly aborted European Super League has created dark thoughts among the 14 clubs they  considered inferior.
    They must be shown that the price for disloyalty is steep although what  form sanctions should take is for Uefa and the Premier League to decide.
    I calculate Uefa’s initial fines amount to under £10million each. This is  pathetically small and something much greater is surely merited. It’s a  smack on the legs when it should be a painful spanking.
    New champions Manchester City and Chelsea, both of whom had grave doubts before joining the ESL, reached the Champions League final after two hypnotic semi-finals have emphasised how their absence would have undermined our exceptional club football.
    The season has been blotted by bad VAR incidents. It’s unlikely that any manager has escaped shocking verdicts on offsides, penalties or sendings off. VAR is a bigger offender than any player.
    Crowds in limited numbers will be allowed for home matches from next  Monday, unfortunately a few days late for the EFL which has been helped  along by grants from the PL, furloughing and the hard work of staff and volunteers.
    The leagues beyond are going to suffer greatly but our country is resourceful and the population helpful of their heroes.
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    Again the Prem has come to the rescue with money needed and as a result, I’m confident most clubs will survive.
    At the London Stadium and no doubt every other ground, we are waiting impatiently for the time when we can forget testing for the virus, avoiding bodily contact with friends and telling players not to hug and leap on the scorer  until he collapses to the turf.
    Over-the-top, yes, but soon to be utterly, joyfully permissible.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure burgled sparking fears club is being targeted by criminals

    A THIRD Everton star has been burgled — sparking fears the Premier League club is being targeted by criminals.Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, 28, had his luxury mansion broken into last month while his team were playing away at Arsenal.
    Abdoulaye Doucoure’s luxury mansion was broken into last monthCredit: PA
    The gang forced their way inside his home and stole a safe containing several watches plus a set of car keys.
    They then returned to the rented property in Hale Barns, Gtr Manchester, and made off with a luxury motor.
    Frenchman Doucoure did not play in the Blues’ team at Arsenal but it is understood he was not at home when the break-ins occurred — some time between 2pm on April 23 and 8pm on April 25.
    The raid came just weeks after masked men broke into Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti’s home in Formby, Merseyside.
    In March, goalkeeper Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way in and demanded valuables, including cash, jewellery and designer watches.
    A source said: “The club have told players and staff to beef up security amid fears the players are being followed home from training.”
    Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way inCredit: Getty
    Masked men also broke into Carlo Ancelotti’s homeCredit: Getty
    Doucoure, who signed for Everton from Watford last September for £20million, played on Thursday against Aston Villa after returning from injury.
    Last year he had his £170,000 Lamborghini Urus seized by police in London for driving with no insurance.

    On another occasion, he was caught speeding at 102mph while at the wheel of an Audi.
    A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said of the raid: “No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
    His club and agent did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
    Everton agree £22m Abdoulaye Doucoure transfer with Watford after beating Wolves and Fulham to midfielder More

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    Goalkeeper scored three times in a semi-final but still ended up on the losing team

    GOALKEEPER Jordan Holt scored an incredible three times in a cup semi-final — and still ended up on the losing team.His football side was 2-0 down in stoppage time at the end of the game when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net.
    Goalkeeper Jordan Holt, 27, ended up on the losing team during a cup semi-final despite scoring an incredible three times
    Jordan was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC
    Moments later, he repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties.
    Builder Jordan, 27, scored a spot kick and saved one for his team in the shootout.
    But their opponents won after it went to sudden death — and a teammate’s penalty was saved.
    Jordan said: “It was one of those games where I thought ‘today is my day’.
    “I was gutted to end up on the losing side.”
    He was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers in last weekend’s North Riding County Cup semi against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC.
    The 6ft stopper soared above the opposition defence to score in the 91st and 93rd minutes.
    Jordan, of York, said: “I’ve never scored before as a goalie.
    His team was 2-0 down with just minutes left when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net
    Jordan, who had previously never scored as a goalie, repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties
    The goalie said ‘I was gutted to end up on the losing side’

    “To get two in injury time was unbelievable. I saved their fourth pen then took our fifth and put that away.”
    Jordan, a former centre half, added: “I just hope the lads aren’t expecting that from me every week.”
    A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said: “Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had.”
    A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said ‘Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had’
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    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to be given massive £150MILLION transfer warchest as Blues eye Haaland and Lukaku

    THOMAS TUCHEL will be handed a £150million transfer warchest by Chelsea.The Blues board are delighted with the job the German has done since he arrived in January.
    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will be handed £150MILLION this summerCredit: AFP
    Tuchel, 47, has guided the club to the FA Cup and Champions League finals and is set to be rewarded with a new deal.
    Chelsea have serious money to spend this summer as they continue their bid to get back to the top of the Prem.
    A proven goalscorer is seen as a huge priority, with Olivier Giroud, 34, and 23-year-old Tammy Abraham likely to be surplus to requirements.
    The Stamford Bridge outfit have been monitoring Erling Haaland’s situation at Borussia Dortmund and also keeping a close eye on their former striker Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan.
    Meanwhile, Kai Havertz has opened up about his Covid nightmare.
    Havertz is finally getting back to his best after testing positive in November and suffering the effects for two months.
    The Blues’ German forward, 21, said: “It was very hard for me and it took three or four weeks to get well.
    “After that I didn’t feel 100 per cent either.
    Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is being watched by the BluesCredit: Reuters
    Erling Haaland – who lifted the German Cup on Thursday – is also on the Chelsea shortlistCredit: Reuters
    “To be 100 per cent I think took me two months.
    “It was a big sickness. I smelt nothing, I tasted nothing and I just lay the whole day in bed and had back pain. Hopefully, I will not get it again.”
    Havertz signed for Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, in a deal that could hit £70m.
    On Saturday he will face Leicester in the FA Cup final.

    He added: “I always dreamed to play in the FA Cup final and it’s very nice that they will have some fans back in the stadium.
    “So it will be a very good atmosphere and I’m looking forward to it.
    “We will give our all to win the trophy, that’s our aim.”
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    England football coach who worked with Harry Kane axed by FA after boozy car smash

    AN England footie coach has been axed by the FA after being involved in a boozy car smash.Goals guru Allan Russell, 40, who worked with Harry Kane in the 2018 World Cup, was a passenger in his Audi RS6 when it rammed a Vauxhall injuring its driver.
    Allan Russell was a passenger in his Audi RS6 when it rammed a Vauxhall injuring its driver
    He was fined £2,000 after admitting letting his brother Simon drive who was twice the limit and had no insurance.
    Vauxhall Corsa motorist Danny Moss, 43 — an off-duty ambulance driver — suffered life-changing injuries in the smash in Shirburn, Oxon, last year, county magistrates heard.
    A friend said: “He was a happy-go-lucky guy. He’ll never be the same.”
    Allan, a coach at Aberdeen, masterminded England’s successful set-piece goals in 2018.
    Allan worked with Harry Kane in the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty

    The FA said last night: “We’ve agreed with Allan it’s in the best interests of all for him to leave his consultancy position.”
    Allan’s spokesman said: “He doesn’t want to be a distraction to England going into the Euros.”
    Simon, 39, admits causing serious injury by dangerous driving and will be sentenced in July.
    Harry Kane will be stuck at Tottenham unless Pep Guardiola demands him over Erling Haaland in £150m Man City transfer More

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    Britain’s oldest footballer, 85, vows back injury will not stop him playing

    BRITAIN’S oldest footballer is vowing a back injury will not stop him playing — aged 85Sunday league player Dickie Borthwick hopes his 77-year career is not over.
    Dickie Borthwick playing for Portland Town FC in Dorset, in 2016Credit: BNPS
    Dickie is Britain’s oldest footballer and he is vowing a back injury will not stop him playing — aged 85Credit: BNPS
    But he has been sidelined for months and has given himself until August to recover.
    He said: “I have thought it could be over but I am hoping it will clear up. I still love the game and I want to play again.”If it wasn’t for my injury I know I could still strike a ball and get up for a header.”
    Dickie, of Weymouth, Dorset, last played for local veterans team AFC Wyke Smugglers when he was 83.
    The retired engineer has not put his boots on since 2019 due to the pandemic and a trapped nerve.
    Dickie has been sidelined for months and has given himself until August to recoverCredit: BNPS
    The grandad of seven said: “I am slowing down but I can probably play 90 minutes when fitCredit: BNPS

    The grandad of seven said: “I am slowing down but I can probably play 90 minutes when fit. I know there are a few of us old boys around still playing the game.”
    Dickie’s first club side was Invergordon Academy in Scotland. After moving to the south coast he played for a host of non-league sides including Sherborne Town.
    He gave up smoking 30-a-day and now eats porridge before every game.
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