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      Sheffield United 1 Aston Villa 0: Blades cling on for precious win after Jagielka red card thanks to McGoldrick’s goal

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      ASTON VILLA’S Wednesday curse struck again to leave a season that promised so much in danger of falling flat.
      And if you’re losing to a 10-man Sheffield United side, then maybe Europe is just not for you.

      David McGoldrick scored a crucial winner as Sheffield United beat Aston VillaCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Phil Jagielka was sent off just before the hour mark but the Blades still wonCredit: AFP

      David McGoldrick’s first-half strike gave the rock bottom Blades hope of a fourth win.
      But when Phil Jagielka was sent off on the hour, even Chris Wilder must have doubted their chances.
      It was hardly like United were indebted to keeper Aaron Ramsdale either, who barely had to lift a finger.
      Stretching back to mid-January, Dean Smith’s side have now lost their last four games on a Wednesday.

      And those defeats, to Manchester City, Burnley and West Ham before this one, leave the Villans off the pace in ninth.
      In normal circumstances there would be nothing wrong with that having scraped to survival last season.
      But having taken the league by storm early on, to not finish with European football must go down as a disappointment.
      They are still in the hunt, but they’ve got no hope if they play like this.

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      The striker scored from a tight angle against the VillansCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Jagielka brought down Anwar El Ghazi and was sent offCredit: AFP

      Without talisman Jack Grealish again, Smith’s side were toothless and, if anything, were closer to scoring before Jagielka’s dismissal.
      For Sheffield United, it was heroic stuff to keep a clean sheet given their nightmare year.
      Still 12 points off safety it is surely too little, too late.
      But for simply not throwing in the towel given they have looked doomed for months, they deserved this one.
      Smith named the same side that beat Leeds last Saturday, with Ross Barkley again missing out to youngster Jacob Ramsey.
      Having not started the previous five, Chris Wilder gave Rhian Brewster another chance to break his duck having gone more than 12 hours without a goal since signing from Liverpool.
      Cut adrift at the bottom, the Blades refused to feel sorry for themselves and started well, despite the first big chance going Villa’s way.
      Bertrand Traore’s 20-yard shot was deflected and ballooned up in the air.
      As panic engulfed the home defence, Ollie Watkins nodded it into John McGinn’s path, but the Scot fired just wide of the far post.
      Watkins was up next, forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a smart save down to his left.

      The referee deemed Jagielka to have been the last man after checking the VAR monitorCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But for all Villa’s early dominance, McGoldrick put the hosts ahead in the 31st minute with their first shot on target.
      The striker started the move with a classy raking ball out to right wing-back George Baldock from the halfway line.
      Baldock drove to the edge of the box and cut inside before shooting towards the far post.
      And there was McGoldrick, having followed his pass and somehow ghosting in undetected, to bundle it in off the crossbar.
      His sixth of the season, this was the 33-year-old’s first ever Prem strike against a side not from the ‘big six’.
      Traore almost equalised with a stunning solo-effort but, after doing the hard work dancing effortlessly past four defenders, he fired just wide on his trusty left peg.
      Wilder’s side were in unfamiliar territory, with this the first time this season they have led at the break.
      But they had a mountain to climb after Phil Jagielka was sent off – after a VAR intervention – for denying Anwar El Ghazi a clear scoring opportunity.

      The VAR replays made the ref decide to give a red
      Played into space down the left, the veteran defender wiped out the Dutch speedster around 35 yards from goal and was shown a yellow by Robert Jones.
      But with no covering defenders in immediate proximity, VAR Graham Scott saw it differently and told Jones to look at the monitor.
      And we all know what happens next, with Jagielka’s yellow upgraded to red – leaving him the second oldest player to be sent off in the Prem, behind Stuart Pearce.
      With Baldock five yards behind and Kean Bryan charging across the pitch to cover, it was far from clear-cut.
      But despite the protestations, United had to get their head around trying to hold out for the last 30 minutes.
      Smith brought on creative duo Barkley and Trezeguet for Marvelous Nakamba and Jacob Ramsey.
      But the Blades looked comfortable for the most part, with Villa barely threatening any more than they did before.
      Ethan Ampadu got a good block in to deny Traore’s scuffed shot – but that was about it until the dying moments.
      The chance fell to Ezri Konsa from a corner and his shot was spilled by Ramsdale before it was frantically hacked away.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Chris Wilder nervously watched his team try to hold on to their leadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      Burnley 1 Leicester 1: Kelechi Iheanacho rescues point for Foxes at Turf Moor

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      LEICESTER managed to avoid crashing to a hat-trick of defeats for the first time under Brendan Rodgers thanks to a spectacular goal from, Kelechi Iheanacho.
      The Nigerian striker cancelled out Matej Vydra’s early strike for Burnley with a glorious volley 11 minutes before half time, judging his effort perfectly as the ball flew over his shoulder.

      Kelechi Iheanacho scored as Leicester drew 1-1 at BurnleyCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Matej Vydra gave the hosts an early lead at Turf MoorCredit: AP:Associated Press

      It is certain to emerge as a leading contender for goal of the season – and Vydra’s finish was not too shabby either.
      The Czech international sent a shot rocketing past Leicester goalie Kasper Schmeichel after just four minutes for his first Premier League goal since last February.
      It took something special to beat Schmeichel, who produced world class saves from James Tarkowski and Chris Wood to ensure Rodgers team did not leave empty handed again, after losing to Arsenal and Slavia Prague in their last two matches.
      With Jonny Evans still missing with a calf injury, there was always a danger that Leicester would struggle against the Clarets from set pieces.

      That impression was confirmed in the opening minute, after Ricardo Pereira carelessly lost possession straight from the kick off, and had to bring down Charlie Taylor to stop the Burnley full back galloping clear.
      Dwight McNeil picked out Ben Mee with the free kick, and the Burnley skipper’s header was not far wide of the target.
      But when the early goal came, it had nothing to do with the home team’s obvious aerial threat.
      Hamza Choudury sold team-mate Wilfred Ndidi hopelessly short with an attempted back pass, and Vydra pounced.

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      Iheanacho pulled back a goal for Leicester before the breakCredit: PA:Press Association

      Both sides played with high energy but couldn’t find a second goalCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He ghosted past the wrong-footed Ndidi and slammed an unstoppable shot past Schmeichel for his first Premier League goal in 375 days.
      Choudury had a chance to make amends a few minutes later after a great cross on the run from wing back Timothy Castagne picked him out six yards from goal.
      But the midfielder failed to keep his show down, and Nick Pope was able to push it over the bar at full stretch.

      Jamie Vardy was unable to hit the target as Iheanacho came to Leicester’s rescueCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Burnley will have been pleased to get a pointCredit: AFP
      The Foxes had already had a penalty appeal waved away when Youri Tielemans went down under a clumsy challenge from Taylor, and Iheanacho gave a hint of things to come as they continued to pour forward.
      The lively Leicester striker controlled the ball cleverly on his chest from another Ndidi through ball, and his shot on the turn flashed uncomfortably just past the near post.
      The home team were also in adventurous mood, with Schmeichel doing well to smother Wood’s dipping volley, and Tarkowski forcing an even better save from the Foxes keeper with a powerful downward header.
      But Leicester just about deserved an equaliser on the balance of an entertaining first half, and it arrived in sensational style.

      Brendan Rodgers will want his side to get back to winning ways immediatelyCredit: Reuters

      It was a big point for Sean Dyche in Burnley’s relegation battleCredit: Reuters
      Makeshift central defender Ndidi showed his usual midfield skills as he brought the ball out of defence and spotted Iheanacho’s run between the two Burnley centre backs.
      He delivered a superb ball over the top, but the finish was even better.
      Iheanacho watched the ball carefully as it came over his shoulder, before meeting it with an unstoppable volley.
      That was the end of the scoring, although both sides hit the woodwork in an entertaining second half.

      Leicester’s Harvey Barnes is on fire in England team training More

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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer RULES OUT summer transfer splurge despite continuous links with Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has ruled out a major summer spending spree as Manchester United try to close the gap on rivals City.
      The United boss saw Pep Guardiola’s side moved a mammoth 15 points clear with their 4-1 win against Wolves.

      Manchester United have been linked with big-money transfers for Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled out movesCredit: Rex Features

      Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand has urged his ex-club to ‘move heaven and earth’ to sign hotshots Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe ahead of their Prem rivals.
      Gary Neville and Paul Scholes also want United to bring in a new centre-back partner for Harry Maguire but Solskjaer, who ideally wants a striker and defender, says Covid-19 will hamper his transfer budget.
      Solskjaer said: “There’s going to be less transfers happening in the world of football with all these changes.
      “The pandemic is definitely affecting everyone in football, the lack of finances, it’s affected everyone.

      “All clubs in the world are going through the same situation so it’s no different for other clubs than for us.”
      Solskjaer stated less than two weeks ago he has been promised funds to sign the best players around after being backed by Ed Woodward and the Glazers with £260million on players in the last two years.
      But the Norwegian has now performed a turnaround since those bullish comments on the eve of United releasing their latest quarterly financial results on Thursday.
      He added: “We have to be realistic and responsible in the way we do our business both on and off the pitch.

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      The Old Trafford boss knows he has a lethal attack at his disposal when fully fit but admitted the club are always looking to improveCredit: Rex Features
      “There are improvements on the training ground, stadium – we have to look at the whole picture.
      “Where can we spend the money? And how much is there? It’s just the real world now. It has changed.”
      Solskjaer has tried to promote young players during his two years in charge at United – and suggested he might have to do so again.
      He added: “You can look at it in different ways with a rebuild. We also have players in the academy that we now can maybe give opportunities for.”
      The hope among United fans is that they will have the funds to bring in reinforcements to their forward line in the close season.
      Last summer, they were priced out of a move for Borussia Dortmund’s England international Jadon Sancho.
      The same club might be tempted by a mega offer for striker Haaland – who was on Solskjaer’s wish-list 18 months ago.
      But with Edinson Cavani, 34, due to return at Crystal Palace tonight, Solskjaer does not think he is badly off when everyone is fit.

      We’re always looking at better players to improve our squad
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

      He added: “I always say with Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Edinson – when we can really get them firing – that means we’re a very good team.
      “We’re always looking to improve our squad, of course we are. We are always looking at better players.”
      Solskjaer has not given up on the Premier League yet – and is still chasing the FA Cup and Europa League to end the season with silverware.
      And he is impressed with what the current squad have given him in such difficult circumstances this season.
      He said: “I’m surprised – impressed – in the way they’ve handled the whole situation, whole pandemic, not being able to have your social life, switch off from football.
      “Normally you meet your friends, go to cinema, out for a meal, a concert. Now it’s relentless but I’ve been impressed.
      “That’s the biggest message, this year has been the strangest of all our lives.
      “We didn’t live in the second World War thankfully but these times have almost been as harsh and the way they’ve dealt with it absolutely brilliant.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Chelsea using MICROWAVES to heat players’ boots – but other clubs using steam boxes and ‘ovens like you see in Greggs’

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      HEATING up football boots is becoming a big business.
      As SunSport revealed on Saturday, Chelsea are using a microwave to warm footwear before games.

      Getting your boots the right temperature is paramount and while Chelsea use microwaves, other teams are using more hi-tech methods

      Yet despite the Blues’ low-budget approach, rivals are splashing out on more advanced methods.
      Wolves, Arsenal, Manchester United and Southampton are just some of the clubs using cleatPRO. 
      It is a steam box for boots, while there is also a ‘light’ version for away games.
      But one coach told me: “When I was a player, if I’d put my boots into a little box with boiling water to warm them up in the dressing room before a game, I’d have had my head kicked in!”

      Another Prem club has trialled a product called FORMBASE that the players call ‘The Boot Oven’ and have placed an order.
      Apparently, it looks like the ovens you see in a Greggs and, like their sausage rolls, you put them in for ten minutes and they come out ready.
      However, Manchester City are the envy of all the other kitmen who are now urging their clubs to buy the latest must-have piece of machinery.

      Chelsea stars have their boots microwaved before gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      They have the ultimate dryer made by Austrian firm Wintersteiger — ski-boot specialists.
      Drytech is a wall-mounted system with lots of little dryers poking out which you hang the boots upon.
      And in these Covid times, it also includes a sterilising system.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Boris Johnson’s offer to host all of Euro 2020 welcomed by European football chiefs with 10 English stadiums on standby

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      BORIS JOHNSON’S offer to stage the whole of Euro 2020 has been welcomed by European football chiefs.
      Wembley is already due to stage SEVEN games at the tournament, including all three of England’s opening group matches, both semi-finals and the July 11 final.

      Ten English stadiums are on standby to host the entirety of this summer’s delayed European Championship

      But the PM’s invitation, exclusively revealed by The Sun, has opened the way for the ultimate summer of football across the country.
      One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
      European football’s governing body Uefa plans to confirm the schedule for this summer’s delayed tournament by April 7.
      That is the date Euro bosses have ordered the current 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to host games.

      But Uefa is demanding that ALL hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.
      The Government announced last week that all Covid restrictions will be ended from June 21, opening the way for Wembley to allow a 90,000 full house in for the finale of the tournament.
      That adds to the growing prospect of more matches being played on English soil.
      At a video meeting held by Uefa chiefs last week, it was made clear that opening the turnstiles was an absolute condition for matches to be held in the proposed cities.

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      Boris Johnson has offered the UK as a host for the entire delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: 2021 Getty Images

      EURO 2020: How many fans will be allowed in stadiums?

      UEFA initially asked all host cities to rank their preferred options for crowds numbers.

      They ranged from full houses down to no supporters.
      But the roll out of the vaccine has changed the stance of Euro chiefs, who are now determined to see the turnstiles at least partially opened.
      Last week’s Government announcement would allow crowds of up to 10,000 for the first two England group games, against Croatia and then Scotland.
      Subsequent matches would see no further restrictions, meaning 90,000 fans could be allowed in to Wembley.
      But it is expected that pleas from the FA to let more fans in might be met with a positive response.
      That could mean 30 per cent of the Wembley capacity – adding up to 27,000 per match, for the group games, with attendances then being increased.
      Uefa are happy with the idea of two tiers of fan thresholds as long as the number of fans increases.
      But hosts will not be allowed to start with one capacity and then reduce it.
      And that us why the upbeat assessment and plans by the Government have been welcomed by Uefa and its high command.

      As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg, and the Azerbaijan capital Baku.
      So far, only nine cities have been able to give Uefa that commitment, conditional on Covid restrictions being eased.

      Dublin appears to be one of the venues in doubt, with Jonathan Hill, head of the FA of Ireland, admitting the issues being faced.
      He said: “We know we can deliver fans safely into the Aviva Stadium, so it is a question of how many we can deliver.
      “We are having those conversations with Uefa but they have real people who have bought real tickets.
      “At some point soon they are going to have to take decisions in relation to the structure of the tournament.”
      But despite the confident promises of the nine countries, the concerns of the Irish Government are also shared by Italy, Spain and Germany among other countries.
      None of those three nations have yet even suggested a roadmap which will allow the return of fans, in stark contrast to the pathway offered by the vaccine roll-out in England.

      Ten stadiums are on standby to host Euro 2020 and welcome fans in the processCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Uefa chiefs are huge fans of Wembley, which has already hosted two Champions League Finals since it was reopened in 2007 and will also stage European club football’s biggest match in 2024.
      The Swiss-based body was also hugely grateful to the FA when it agreed to take on the four games which were initially due to be hosted by Brussels when the format of the tournament was announced in 2012.
      Now English football could come to the rescue of Europe again if Uefa accepts it cannot hold the tournament as planned as a result of the pandemic.
      If next month’s decision is to ask the FA to stage the entire event it could see Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester used.
      Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could also be used.
      In the capital, Wembley could be one of four venues.
      The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are the other three.

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      Let’s get Euros back here then win, on penalties, with Gareth in charge

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      IT’S a bit on the chilly side again but my cockles have been well and truly warmed up by talk of us hosting more games in this summer’s Euros. Or last summer’s Euros, to be more precise.
      In fact, to hell with it — let’s bring the whole tournament here, shall we?

      Let’s get Euros back here then win, on penalties, with Gareth in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      After all, there are those of the opinion that to host it across Europe in a dozen different cities might not have been the correct decision at the best of times.
      It’s a crying shame we didn’t have VAR available when that call was made.
      Then we could have checked to see if a clear and obvious error had been made. I suspect it had.
      And that was before any of us had even heard the word “Covid”.

      What an aberration against common sense, let alone environmental issues.
      Consider the plight of, say, a group of avid Wales fans in Holyhead piling on to a minibus for the journey to the venue for their first two games.

      England manager Gareth Southgate during the 2018 FIFA World CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      England fans celebrate during the 2018 FIFA World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Nice and convenient to have both of those matches in the same place, by the way.
      Cheers, Uefa.

      However, that host city is Baku, Azerbaijan. The satnav on that minibus would have told them they had more than 3,000 miles to cover, taking well over 60 hours. And from there to game three in Rome, another journey only slightly shorter.
      Enough of this nonsense. Bring football home. One in eight of the competing nations are British anyway.
      There are more ifs and buts here than in the most controversial offside decision.
      But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it happened? What a summer 1996 was.
      HUGE ROAR
      It was a great time to be alive. I doubt anyone with even the vaguest interest in football was not touched emotionally by what unfolded.
      It didn’t matter whether you were in the grounds or watching on television. It was in the air.
      While England’s footballers were taking Spain to penalties at Wembley, I was at Lord’s, watching England’s cricketers playing India. The great Dickie Bird was one of the umpires, standing in his final Test match.
      I think somebody was running up to bowl when a huge roar went up around the home of cricket.
      A few miles across North London, Stuart Pearce had scored his penalty.
      Dickie, ever the loveable curmudgeon, shrugged grumpily in exasperation as we celebrated.

      Oasis on stage at their epic Knebworth concertCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      If we hadn’t been making such a racket, we would probably have heard the roar Pearce gave when he put that one away.
      I had another dog in the race. My mum is Croatian and this was Croatia’s first tournament as an independent nation.
      I travelled up from London to Sheffield to see us play Denmark at Hillsborough on a bus packed with emotional Croats.
      We were all behind the goal at the end Croatia were attacking in the second half.
      On 90 minutes Davor Šuker scored to make it 3-0, with one of the most sublime chips ever executed. We watched it sail over Peter Schmeichel’s head right in front of us.
      I went absolutely berserk, earning myself a stern rebuke from a Yorkshire copper.
      GREAT GATHERING
      Assuming I couldn’t speak English he said, very slowly: “You. Must. Calm. Down. Please.” I did my best.
      But football gives and takes away. Croatia were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals.
      Scotland had already had their hearts broken at Wembley by England, who then — as if you needed reminding — lost there to Germany in the semi-finals.
      I’ll take two memories of that game with me to my grave: Gazza lunging in to score but missing the ball by a distance so tiny I doubt there was equipment available at the time to measure it properly; and a tearful Gareth Southgate walking away after his penalty was saved.
      For England fans, I don’t think we’ll ever be over that night until we’ve got the whole tournament back here, and won it — preferably on penalties, with Gareth in charge.
      David Baddiel and Frank Skinner will be there too, as the whole stadium — indeed, the whole country — sings their song.

      Boris Johnson hopes to kick start a summer of fun and a ‘bonanza’ decade of footballCredit: PA:Press Association

      As Noel Gallagher says in the documentary film Oasis: Supersonic, it was simply a great time to be alive.
      Noel was talking about their massive Knebworth concerts later that summer . . . but what he says about those shows could apply just as much to the festival of football that had finished a month or so earlier: “It was the pre-digital age . . . I always thought it was the last great gathering of the people before the birth of the internet.”
      If that is the case, it would be brilliantly apt if the first great gathering of the people after the darkest days of the pandemic was here, at the Euros, in the UK.

      England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK
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      England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK

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      ENGLAND World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst last night backed PM Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros here.
      Sir Geoff declared the bid to bring football home again would “recapture the spirit of ’66” when his hat-trick saw off the Germans in the final.

      🦠 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…

      Sir Geoff Hurst has backed Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros in the UKCredit: Fame Flynet
      Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at Wembley.
      But in a move heartily backed by The Sun, Boris offered our stadia for the whole tournament amid our jabs success.
      Sir Geoff said staging this summer’s European championships here would bring joy to the country’s pandemic-hit footie fans.

      He told The Sun: “I know a thing or two about the joy having a summer tournament on home soil can bring.
      “Winning the World Cup as the home nation — I enjoy it daily. So let’s recapture that spirit of ’66 — we could all do with that now.”
      The move to hold the tournament here comes as the UK’s vaccine rollout has surged ahead of the continent’s.

      Sir Geoff was part of England’s winning 1966 World Cup squadCredit: Rex Features

      Hosting the whole of the Euros could give a massive £1billion boost to the UK economyCredit: Reuters
      It means while fans may not be allowed at stadia in the EU by the June 11 date of the opening game, around 10,000 supporters should be able to attend matches here.

      And with all restrictions scheduled to be lifted in England, we should have full stadia by June 21.
      That would include 90,000 in Wembley, which is already hosting the semis and final in July.
      Staging the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 here would be a huge economic boost worth about £1billion.
      And Sir Geoff, 79, who hit a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 World Cup final triumph against West Germany at Wembley in 1966, declared it could be a reminder of those glory days.
      He said it could also recreate the magical summer of 1996 when Baddiel and Skinner sang Football’s Coming Home and Gazza led England’s Three Lions to the brink of triumph in the Euros.

      It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic
      Sir Geoff Hurst

      Sir Geoff added: “The crowds will be enormous and celebratory when they are allowed in to see the Euros.
      “There’s nothing like it. It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic.”
      The footie hero, one of more than 20million Brits who have already had their first jab, was speaking after the PM told The Sun the nation stood ready to host the tournament.
      Sir Geoff believes the vaccine rollout will free the country to do it.
      He said: “After all this pandemic nightmare we have encountered, the vaccine is fantastic news and the way we have produced the vaccine in comparison to many countries in the world is outstanding.
      “That is the only way out, getting vaccines to everybody in the country and we are ahead of most people doing it.

      Boris Johnson, pictured in 2010, says England stands ready to host the tournamentCredit: PA:Press Association
      “We are all in this together.
      “And with our world-class facilities and passionate fans we can give Europe — and the rest of the world — a tournament that everyone can be proud of and remember forever.”
      The nation may have to compensate other countries for losing tournament games, estimated at around £3million per match in lost TV, advertising and other revenue.
      But hosting the whole event could give a £1billion boost to the UK economy.
      Mr Johnson has already told The Sun that the nation was on standby to take on more games.
      He said: “Any other matches they want hosted, we are certainly on for that!”

      German tabloid jibe at Johnson

      GERMANY is doubtful it can stage the Euros and tabloid Bild yesterday appeared to accept the idea of England doing so — with a jokey “You Get The Euros, We Get The Trophy” offer to Boris Johnson.

      And Whitehall sources say they stand “ready and waiting” for the call from Uefa to stage the entire summer showpiece.
      It would hand a much needed boost to the hospitality sector after a crippling lockdown.
      British Beer & Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: “The Euros going ahead in the UK after a torrid 18 months would be the perfect kick-off for our recovery. The pub is the home of football.
      “There would be nothing better than a home festival of football to kick off a fantastic summer in the nation’s pubs.
      “We have all missed it and it would give pubs a huge boost which they need now more than ever.”
      England superfan Mark Knapper, 62, who first went away to watch the Three Lions against West Germany in 1978, said supporters would be “over the moon” if it happened.

      Sir Geoff, 79, is one of more than 20 million Brits who have already had their first Covid jabCredit: Rex Features

      There could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group gameCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at WembleyCredit: Alamy
      He said: “Everywhere in Europe knows the UK is doing so well with its vaccine rollout, so I think it would soften the blow as it’s not a case of, ‘Sorry lads, you can’t do it’.
      “It’s a case of we think this is probably the safest option rather than having people travel all around Europe.”
      “I’d love it. I think it would be fantastic and I remember how good Euro 96 was.”
      Tournament chiefs at Uefa last night welcomed the PM’s offer to stage the whole tournament — or host matches that other countries are unable to fulfil.
      One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
      MAJOR DOUBT
      Uefa plans to confirm the tournament schedule by April 7.
      That is the date they have ordered the 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to stage games.
      But Uefa is demanding all hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.

      Only England will be far enough advanced with its vaccination programme by the June 11 opener.
      Ireland has already cast major doubt on its ability to host matches in Dublin.

      Spain, Italy and Germany are all either in or facing new lockdowns.
      But there could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group game against the Czech Republic on June 22.
      It is likely only UK-based fans would be allowed to attend games.

      Only UK can get fans in grounds

      By Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter

      THE Euros — already delayed by a year because of Covid — are supposed to be held in 12 cities across the Continent.
      As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg and Azerbaijan capital Baku.
      But Uefa chiefs now insist all host nations commit to games with fans.
      And by the start of the tournament on June 11 only the UK is likely to be so far advanced with its vaccination programme to be in a position to safely do so.
      Nine host countries say they could take fans but have not submitted concrete proposals.
      But Dublin has already said it could struggle and Spain, Italy and Germany also have major doubts.
      That means at least 15 matches may shift to England — if not the whole tournament.
      They would include the first game on June 11, due in Rome between Italy and Turkey.
      If England does stage the tournament it is likely only UK-based fans could attend.
      Last month’s announcement on crowds would mean around 10,000 allowed at Wembley for England’s matches against Croatia on June 13 and Scotland on June 18.
      But if the jabs programme accelerates that could increase to around 30,000 at all grounds staging early group matches.
      After all restrictions are due to be lifted on June 21, the full 90,000 capacity at Wembley could be used for England’s last group game against the Czech Republic on June 22 and all subsequent matches including the final and semis.
      Fans may be asked to produce a vaccine passport or certificate to get in.
      Manchester’s Old Trafford and Etihad stadiums, Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could be used for matches.
      In London Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are all possibles.
      Uefa decides on April 7.

      The Sun Says

      IT’S impossible to imagine the Euros being held safely in full stadiums across 12 European cities this summer.

      The EU vaccine rollout is in disarray. Many nations there doubt they will have fans back in grounds by then.
      Here, good news keeps coming. So, as 1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst says, why not let England host the lot?
      Our jabs, almost 21million now done, are slashing hospitalisations and deaths. The case rate nationwide is the lowest since last September and falling.
      Some eight million of us now live in areas with zero cases, or close to it.
      PHE even reckon the vaccines may stop Covid spreading almost entirely.
      The Government’s sluggish timetable for our June 21 liberation looks out of date. If our progress continues without setbacks we can shave a few weeks off it.
      And Uefa should let us host a magnificent tournament before capacity crowds . . . all safely jabbed up.

      England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK
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      in Soccer

      Ex-footie ace Jamie O’Hara reveals battle with sleeping pills

      by

      EX-FOOTIE ace Jamie O’Hara has told of his battle with sleeping pills after our shock probe into addicted players.
      We revealed yesterday how scores of Premier League stars are hooked on prescription pills.

      Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara told of his battle with sleeping pillsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Former Spurs midfielder O’Hara said he was prescribed the tablets by a club doctor after struggling to sleep following evening matches.
      Speaking on TalkSPORT, O’Hara, 34, said: “I used sleeping pills a lot. After games on a Tuesday night I was always terrible at sleeping.
      “The adrenaline is pumping, you’ve got the emotion of the game, the atmosphere, the crowd. The problem was I then became a little dependent on them. I wanted them all the time so I started taking them quite a bit.
      “I wouldn’t say I was addicted to them but I ended up getting to a point where I wanted to stop because I felt like I was needing them more.”

      The ex-footie ace, 34, was prescribed the tablets by a club doctor to improve his sleep following evening matchesCredit: Rex Features

      Yesterday, we revealed that stars are mixing ‘sleepers’ such as Zopiclone, pictured here, with alcohol to get highCredit: Science Photo Library
      Our probe found stars are mixing “sleepers” such as Zopiclone with alcohol to get high.
      They include two England aces buying on the black market. A third downed pills with champagne and vodka. O’Hara called on clubs to help players facing an increasing number of games.

      He added: “I can understand why people are taking them but I don’t understand why they are trying to get a high out of it. They need help.”
      Sleeping pills are not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.

      There are now calls for players to be regularly screened by their clubs or for the pills to be outlawed.

      Jamie said ‘I ended up getting to a point where I wanted to stop because I felt like I was needing them more’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Nuno reveals Wolves star Adama Traore lathers baby oil on arms to stop being held back and to avoid shoulder injuries
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