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      Southampton stars turning to their wives as amateur psychologists to get over relegation fears, reveals boss Hasenhuttl

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      RALPH HASENHUTTL revealed his Southampton players are using their WIVES as psychologists to get over relegation fears.
      The Saints are 14th and without a league win in nine games – and have been dragged into the dogfight down the bottom with 12 games remaining.

      Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed the mental strain of Southampton’s poor runCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ryan Bertrand pictured with his partner

      Three points against lowly Sheffield United tomorrow could spark a surge to safety – but the current pandemic restrictions mean the squad have not had access to psychological experts.
      Boss Hasenhuttl said: “At the moment, our psychologists are our wives at home, I think. We are not allowed to see anybody else.
      “In our bubble we have fewer people so it’s tough for us to use a psychologist at the moment.
      “For a Zoom meeting maybe it’s possible, but I try to be the psychologist for the guys.

      “When they need somebody else to talk to, my assistant coaches can speak to them, as can the physios and doctors.
      “There are other people who can give them a cuddle if they need or something else.

      It is not nice but it is nothing you cannot turn around without the right game plan and the right effort
      Ralph Hasenhuttl

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      “But, finally, we are not sick or something like that.

      “We don’t win games at the moment.
      “That is not nice but that is nothing you cannot turn around without the right game plan and the right effort and this is what we need to have.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Steve Bruce can’t trust anyone as Matt Ritchie bust-up exposes Newcastle civil war

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      FROM man manager to man handler, is there even a Newcastle 11 Steve Bruce can trust any more?
      Training-ground bust-ups and subsequent leaks are nothing new but Bruce’s ruck with Matt Ritchie on Tuesday exposed the civil war engulfing Tyneside.

      Steve Bruce has become embroiled in a relegation fight with Newcastle this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bruce must somehow galvanise his mutinous troops for Sunday’s must-win humdinger at West Brom.
      And how ex-Toon boss Sam Allardyce must have chuckled.
      The Baggies manager snubbed a return to St James’ Park in the summer of 2019, with Bruce reportedly 11th on owner Mike Ashley’s wish list after Rafa Benitez’s exit.
      While loyalists remain, it is anything but a happy camp after two wins in 17 games.

      So just who can Bruce — lauded for his man-management skills — count on at The Hawthorns?
      Firstly, he is without his three best players in Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron through injury.
      And it is safe to assume Bruce’s sparring partner Ritchie will not feature.
      After the 1-1 draw against Wolves the winger called his manager a “coward” for throwing him under the bus on TV over failing to deliver tactical instructions as he came on from the bench.

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      On hearing this, the Newcastle boss stormed out of his office to confront and “shoulder barge” the winger.
      But Ritchie was far from the only one Bruce — who gave the squad a day off yesterday — dug out last weekend.
      Jamal Lewis was blamed for not stopping the cross before Ruben Neves’ equaliser, with Martin Dubravka criticised for not saving it.
      And Joelinton was blasted for missing a great chance to win it.
      Dubravka was in goal for Karl Darlow, who was raging after discovering via social media that he had been dropped.
      The Longstaff brothers have not played in six weeks.

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      Sean bore the brunt of the humiliating 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United and has not played since.
      Matty was brought in from the cold at the end of December but, after providing some much-needed energy in midfield, was discarded.
      With goals needed, maybe Dwight Gayle is the man.
      But starting just one game since his late clincher in December’s 2-1 win over ten-man West Brom, what must he think?
      And spare a thought for Joe Willock. Six months on loan at Newcastle from Arsenal sounds dreamy. The reality is anything but.
      Then there is Graeme Jones. Some Toon stars reportedly believe the season can be saved if Bruce is replaced by the new Magpies coach.
      While a win at the Baggies will save him from the chop, a defeat could force Ashley to act.
      Sunday will prove beyond doubt just how many are still fighting for their Geordie manager.

      Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers as it happened More

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      Cardiff could land extra Euro 2020 games if Dublin forfeits rights to host matches over coronavirus rules

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      CARDIFF could take advantage of staging Euro 2020 games if Dublin forfeits its hosting rights.
      The FA of Ireland are becoming increasingly resigned it cannot give Uefa its required guarantees of allowing fans into the Aviva Stadium by next month’s deadline.

      Cardiff’s Principality Stadium could be granted hosting duties if Dublin forfeits its rightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Irish Government scientists are reluctant to reopen turnstiles given the current state of Covid-19 in the country.
      And the Welsh capital, rather than another English city, is likely to be given the chance to take up the four matches planned — three group games and a last-16 clash which could involve England — for the Aviva Stadium.
      Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited Uefa to stage more games in the UK if other hosts are unable to meet their requirements.
      Uefa have reiterated their plan to retain the current 12-country format but there are growing doubts over not just Dublin as hosts but also Glasgow, due to hold three games in England’s group, and Bilbao.

      That could open the door for Cardiff to be invited back into the Euro party — even if Wales play their own group fixtures in Baku and Rome.
      The Welsh capital was one of the two bidding cities to miss out when the host venues were chosen by Uefa in 2014, along with Stockholm and both countries are set to be asked to come to Uefa’s rescue should any of the hosts officially withdraw.
      Staging games in Wales would be welcomed by the UK Government and also avoid the scenario of two matches being played in the same country on the same day, as would happen if the Dublin games were switched to England.

      Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is supposed to host matches this summerCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      Sweden are due to meet Slovakia in the Aviva on June 18, the same day as England play Scotland at Wembley.

      Uefa would have no issues in playing games at the Principality Stadium, which hosted the 2017 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus and has a capacity of 74,000, some 20,000 more than the Aviva.
      Bilbao looks the next most unstable brick in the Euro wall and moving the games planned for there to Stockholm would at least see the host nation involved in one game, when Sweden face Spain.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Boris Johnson offers to host all Euro 2020 matches in Britain More

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      Mick McCarthy lands two-year Cardiff deal on eve of hitting incredible 1,000-game milestone as a manager

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      MICK McCARTHY goes into his 1,000th game as a manager riding high at Cardiff.
      McCarthy, 62, has had a stunning impact in the Welsh capital since replacing Neil Harris in January — and Big Mick was rewarded with a new two-year contract to stay on until 2023.

      Mick McCarthy, who will take charge of his 1,000th game on Friday, has impressed since taking the helm at Cardiff CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Seven wins and three draws in his ten games in charge have transformed the Bluebirds from Championship relegation fodder to play-off hopefuls.
      Ahead of tonight’s trip to face Huddersfield, McCarthy said: “I have enjoyed every minute of the time we’ve had at this great club so far and we’re delighted to be staying.
      “I’d like to thank Vincent Tan for offering us the opportunity to do that.
      “I was 32 when I became a manager. I’m a bit more comfortable in the role now.

      “I’m cool with my age, my experience, my big nose and my wrinkly forehead.
      “My hair is dropping out but I don’t give a flying f**k.
      “It’s just all about getting results — and at the moment it’s great.
      “But there is also no point getting carried away and having your head in the clouds.

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      “I don’t b******t anyone or waffle. I tell the players the way it is and what it is I want. Everybody gives you a pat on the back — then suddenly there is a knife in their hand.”
      McCarthy was initially appointed until the end of the season.
      Chairman Tan said: “I’m confident Mick is the right man to take us forward.”
      McCarthy is set to turn to rookie left-back Joel Bagan, 19, at the John Smith’s Stadium after Joe Bennett ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Derby.

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      West Brom 0 Everton 1: Toffees pile misery on old boss Allardyce as Richarlison fires them into top four

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      EVERTON ground out another crucial three points – thanks to a Brazilian nut!
      Richarlison’s 65th minute header made it four goals in four games for the on-fire Brazilian striker who achieved the impressive feat for the first time in his career.

      Richarlison celebrates scoring the winner as Everton beat West BromCredit: Reuters

      Richarlison rises highest to give Everton the leadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the Toffees rode their luck here as Mbaye Diagne’s left foot strayed a fraction offside deep in stoppage time to deny West Brom a late leveller.
      The Senegalese striker thought he had salvaged a dramatic point when he took an Ainsley Maitland-Niles cross on his chest and swivelled to find the top corner with a sublime finish.
      But assistant ref Gary Beswick raised his flag and VAR confirmed Diagne’s tootsies were marginally offside after an agonising wait for Albion.
      The home side probably deserved more but simply don’t have a finisher of Richarlison’s class.

      The 23-year-old lived up to Carlo Ancelotti’s billing after the Italian claimed his sizzling Samba star is good enough to become one of the best hitmen in Europe.
      And that’s exactly where the Toffees will be heading if they continue to grind out wins without playing particularly well.
      Ancelotti should take a bow himself for an inspired substitution when he sent on Gylfi Sigurdsson to add some much needed quality.
      Forty three seconds later the Iceman delivered – when he set up Richarlison for Everton’s 11th Premier League headed goal of the season.

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin squanders a golden first-half chanceCredit: Paul Marriott – Daily Mail

      Big Sam was looking to get one over his old teamCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      His initial corner was half-cleared by Diagne who then stood off and allowed the Icelandic midfielder to take one touch on his thigh, one touch to move the ball out from his feet and one touch to cross.
      Richarlison charged in to beat Sam Johnstone and head home from four yards.
      Perhaps Albion simply used up all their luck during their wacky weekend win over Brighton, when they survived two penalty kicks and a phantom free-kick ‘goal.
      They certainly started brightly, and it took a remarkable save from Jordan Pickford to prevent Albion scoring in their first attack.
      Conor Gallagher clipped in a teasing cross from the right and Mbaye Diagne strained his neck muscles to send a looping header towards the top right corner.
      Pickford left the ground early and appeared to be beaten as the ball arced beyond his outstretched right glove.
      But with Diagne ready to acclaim his second goal for the Baggies, Pickford suddenly changed arms and brought his left hand over his right to claw the ball to safety.
      It was an astonishing save which reminded everyone exactly why Pickford remains Gareth Southgate’s go-to-goalie.

      Jordan Pickford denies the Baggies a first-half openerCredit: Reuters

      Things weren’t always pretty at The HawthornsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Yet as ever with Pickford there is always a ricket in him, especially when the ball is crossed towards him and he has to decide whether to engage.
      Midway through the first half he gave Ancelotti cause to raise an eyebrow when he came to collect a routine cross from Conor Townsend and collided with his own defender Michael Keane allowing the ball to plop out of his gloves.
      Fortunately Ben Godfrey managed to screen Diagne who was looking to pounce as Pickford gratefully gathered at the second attempt.
      It summed up the visitors’ general malaise as if their minds were miles away – perhaps dreaming of Champions League nights next season.
      Too often they were careless in possession and at times they looked to be in a trance while the Baggies buzzed around them, knocking them off their stride.
      Matt Phillips had a pot shot which Pickford saved comfortably. Then a sloppy pass from Gomes was pounced on by Townsend who set up Diagne whose shot on the turn sailed over.
      It took Ancelotti’s men until six minutes before the break to finally wake up when Darnell Furlong brilliantly blocked Richarlison, deflecting his attempt a fraction over.
      Yet Everton could and should have gone in a goal ahead at the break thanks to a freak break when Ainsley Maitland-Niles tried to intercept Bernard’s pass and inadvertently sent Dominic Calvert-Lewin through on goal.

      West Brom remain in deep trouble at the bottomCredit: Reuters
      But with Sam Johnstone at his mercy the usually lethal England striker shot straight at the goalkeeper’s legs and Albion survived.
      Big Sam’s Baggies have only scored nine second half goals all season – the lowest tally in the Premier League.
      Yet they still looked likelier to break the deadlock than the lethargic Toffees. 
      Pickford smothered a Pereira potshot, Diagne headed over from close range following a Furlong long throw and Gallagher slammed a low shot inches wide when any touch would have sent it into the net.
      Ancelotti had seen enough and sent on Allan and then Sigurdsson for the ineffectual Alex Iwobi and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
      Smart move Carlo!

      Mbaye Diagne thought he’d equalised in stoppage timeCredit: AFP

      The Baggies were denied by the flag late onCredit: PA:Press Association
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Everton secure planning permission for new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock More

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      Chelsea boss Tuchel admits ‘genius’ Klopp’s sense of humour makes him look grumpy as Liverpool host Blues

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      THOMAS TUCHEL faces Jurgen Klopp tonight admitting he will play the straight man.
      The two Germans share a homeland and a history in football terms but are vastly different characters.

      Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel says he is envious of the ‘super funny’ personality of his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen KloppCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Boisterous, bear-hugging Klopp is seen as a stark contrast to straight-talking, simmering Tuchel.
      Chelsea’s head coach knows Liverpool boss Klopp.
      He  followed him into the manager’s chair at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and has faced him before in the Champions League.

      This evening Tuchel fulfils “a dream” by taking a Premier League team to Anfield and he wants to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot and build for long-term success with a new club.

      But it will be done with little of the Klopp showmanship because, while Tuchel is not as grey as people paint him, only one man can take centre stage.
      Tuchel said: “What you see in front of the camera with Jurgen, this is him.
      “And the guy is a genius with his personality and he is super funny.
      “He can turn any question around with big laughter and he is like this in public and private.

      “You cannot compete at being funny with Jurgen in public and having good answers to not-so-good questions.
      “I don’t know where my image comes from if you say that I have a grumpy one. I cannot waste my energy on what my image is.
      “But I can tell you that if you ask around the clubs and among the staff where I worked, I don’t think you will find too many people who will describe me as grumpy.

      Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel won’t ‘waste energy’ on his image but believes few people at Chelsea will think he is grumpyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Thomas Tuchel says he and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp share a ‘common history’Credit: AFP
      “Sometimes it is easier to shine with smiles and other times it is more difficult. The approaches to the teams are very different.
      “Jurgen is himself and I am myself. And, OK, it’s part of our jobs to be judged all the time but you know very well that judgments out there do not have to be sometimes 50 per cent the reality on how a person really is.”
      Tuchel, 47, has so far rolled with any question asked of him — including one about his nickname ‘The Professor’ and how unhip he is. It was answered with a smile.
      When it comes to his Blues players, the man with the most pressurised job in English football has to be swift and decisive, as he has shown with team selection.
      He has an 18-month contract, during which he is expected to close the gap on defending Premier League champions Liverpool and runaway leaders Manchester City.
      And all at the most sack-happy club in the land, whose fans are still in shock at the surprise dismissal of Tuchel’s predecessor, Frank Lampard.
      Chelsea are 19 points off the top despite a seven-game unbeaten run since Tuchel took over.
      In the last three seasons they finished 33, 26 and 30 points behind the champions.
      Tuchel said: “When I travelled here to England I opened a box of documents at home and found speeches that I gave to my players during my first year at Mainz.

      Will we close the gap to Man City? No. It’s impossible. But next season we start with zero points. City were in trouble this season and nobody took advantage.
      Thomas Tuchel

      “I would not dare to give the same speech now. The point is I want to adapt. This is a life journey for me, too.
      “The amount of points shows how big the gap was and still is and maybe it is sometimes good to look at the reality and to speak it loud. But still it has to be the ambition to close it as fast as possible.
      “Will we close the gap to Man City this season? No. It’s impossible. But  next season we start with zero points.
      “City were in trouble this season and nobody took advantage of it.”
      Klopp is now almost 5½ years into his job at Liverpool and City boss Pep Guardiola nearly five.
      The last Chelsea manager to survive in post that long was Dave Sexton, who was appointed in 1967.
      Tuchel said: “I have to earn the same time as Jurgen and Pep. This was no gift to them and this is what I have to prove.
      “I have to live every day and every week to make my impact here and to show that I deserve the same amount of time to build teams.”
      On facing his compatriot, Klopp said: “He is an outstanding coach, outstanding.
      “We are going to need the whole package against him and Chelsea.
      “We’ve known each other for a long time. We have kind of a common history — we know a lot of the same people, having worked together with them.
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      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      “He’s a good one and always when we meet it is very nice.”
      LIKELY LINE-UPS — LIVERPOOL: Alisson,  Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson,  Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
       CHELSEA: Mendy, James, Azpilicueta,  Christensen, Rudiger, Chilwell, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Ziyech, Abraham, Werner.

      Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea tried everything to win despite ultimate goalless draw with Man Utd More

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      Man City star Benjamin Mendy eyed by PSG for summer transfer after falling out of favour

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are among the clubs keeping tabs on Benjamin Mendy.
      The French World Cup winner’s future at Manchester City is looking increasingly uncertain.

      PSG are weighing up a move for Man City left-back Benjamin MendyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His only appearances since mid-December have come in three FA Cup ties.
      And the 26-year-old was nowhere to be seen when Pep Guardiola named his 20 players for the 4-1 home win over Wolves on Tuesday night.
      The City boss has 21 senior professionals available and on Saturday spoke of his disappointment at having to make Eric Garcia the odd man out.
      But the young Spanish international already knows he is leaving in the summer, probably for Barcelona.

      The latest snub is a big blow for Mendy, who has struggled for fitness and form since a £49.3million move from Monaco in 2017.
      He has started only 57 matches in those four years, despite arriving with a glowing reputation.
      And a return to his homeland could be an option to kick-start the left-back’s career.
      During the first few weeks of this year, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte have all played his role — even though all of them were effectively out of position.

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      Guardiola stood by Mendy when he broke lockdown rules hosting a house party over the new year.
      But since then he has struggled to get game time — his only involvement coming against Birmingham, Cheltenham and Swansea.
      And there could be more competition on the horizon with summer signing Nathan Ake, who can play at left-back, nearing a return from injury.
      Regardless of what happens with Mendy, City are likely to look at left-backs when the transfer window reopens this summer.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

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      Sam Allardyce admits cruel Everton axe one of biggest regrets of his career as he watches Carlo Ancelotti succeed

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      SAM ALLARDYCE says one of the biggest regrets of his career is not knowing how far he could have taken Everton.
      Carlo Ancelotti leads the Toffees tonight with Champions League football a realistic aim.

      Sam Allardyce only lasted six months at Goodison Park before being sacked three years agoCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Italian, 61, has three years to run on his deal and wants to be in charge when Everton move into their new 52,888-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in 2024, starting a bold new era at the club.
      Allardyce had a similar dream before he was axed in May 2018 — six months into his 1½-year Goodison deal.
      He then spent almost three years wondering if the curtain had come down on his Premier League career until West Brom called in December.
      Ahead of facing his old side this evening, he said: “I went to Everton when they were struggling badly and rocking near the bottom of the Premier League in 13th, and we went on to finish eighth.

      “That’s something I thought would be seen as a great achievement but they made the decision to move me on and bring another manager in.”
      The suspicion was Allardyce was used as a stop-gap until Everton were able to land Marco Silva from Watford.
      Ironically, Silva finished eighth and was sacked midway through his second season.
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      Both Silva and Ancelotti have been backed heavily.
      And Big Sam, 66, said: “After a lot of time — and a lot more managers — they seem to be going in the right direction at last.
      “I’d have liked to have stayed, with the same investment, to see where I could have taken Everton.”
      The ex-England boss backed the proposed 2030 World Cup bid, saying: “It’s about time!”
      WEST BROM (likely): Johnstone, Furlong, O’Shea, Bartley, Townsend, Livermore, Yokuslu, Snodgrass, Gallagher, Maitland-Niles, Diagne.

      Everton vs Southampton as it happened More