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      in Soccer

      Solskjaer U-turn as he insists Man Utd ARE in title race despite West Brom draw.. and Maguire agrees

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER made a U-turn by claiming Manchester United were still in the title race — despite this West Brom flop.
      Failure to beat second-bottom Baggies means United have now dropped nine points from their last five games.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Man Utd remain in the title race despite drawing with West BromCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Harry Maguire also believes United can keep the pressure on leaders Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Boss Solskjaer, who wrote off their Prem hopes after the 3-3 draw with Everton nine days ago, said: “No one will give it away this early — no one knows.
      “This season is so unpredictable anything can happen. I’m not going to settle for second, of course we’re not.
      “It is a  compliment to the boys we got into the position we are now.
      “We won’t let City run away with it, we’re playing them soon.

      “We’re not giving it away early.  But we’re in desperate need for three-pointers and  disappointed with one point only.”
      United captain Harry Maguire backed up his manager’s claim they are not giving up on the title with Manchester City seven points in front and with a game in hand.
      He said: “We  have to go again and win the next one, then the next one.
      “Manchester City are on a great run at the moment and created a points gap — but we  have to fight for every game.”

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      West Brom snatched the lead inside the first two minutes with a header from Mbaye Diagne before a Bruno Fernandes volley levelled it up.
      Solskjaer said: “Still, we’d 90 minutes-plus to get two goals. It was a great goal, fantastic technique by Bruno.”
      Maguire saw a last-gasp header  saved by  Sam Johnstone  and  a penalty decision reversed by VAR, who deemed he had not been fouled by  Semi Ajayi.
      He said: “At the end we huffed and puffed and it’s a great save from Sam.”
      Solskjaer said: “It’s a foul but I see Harry being in an offside position, so someone must have been asleep in that VAR office.”
      For  West Brom boss Sam Allardyce it was proof they can stay up.
      He said: “I see a squad of players who are getting better.
      “That is now what they have to aspire to every single week.”

      Solskjer reacts to Man Utd’s dismal draw with West Brom More

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      in Boxing

      Josh Warrington faces a battle to recover ‘physically and mentally’ from Mauricio Lara loss, fears pal Carl Frampton

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      CARL FRAMPTON is worried about Josh Warrington’s ability to bounce back from his brutal loss to Mauricio Lara on Saturday.
      Leeds icon Warrington, 30, was a red-hot favourite to walk through the 22-year-old Mexican unknown.

      Josh Warrington has a long road ahead to recover from his Mauricio Lara shock, says Carl FramptonCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

      Frampton fears for old foe Warrington’s physical and mental recoveryCredit: PA:Press Association

      But Lara dropped Warrington in the fourth and ninth rounds before the fight was waved off.
      And the brave Brit needed oxygen to help him recover in the Wembley Arena ring.
      Medics gave Warrington the all-clear but he went on to hospital for more tests.
      He spent yesterday celebrating his twin daughters’ third birthdays at home, nursing a fractured jaw and burst eardrum.

      And former foe Frampton — who lost a 2018 fight to Warrington on points that helped to forge their friendship — took to his YouTube channel to share his worries.
      Frampton, 33, said: “I thought he took a lot of punishment and, when he stood up to come out for the fifth round, he did not look right.
      “In my opinion he should have been pulled out at the end of the fourth, before the fifth started.
      “Fights like that, when they are that brutal, are like having four or five fights in one night.

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      Lara stunned Warrington by dropping him in the fourth and ninth rounds before the fight was waved offCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

      “It is going to be hard to come back from that physically and mentally.
      “Josh is going to have a load of criticism but he is a very good fighter who had a bad night.
      “Credit to Lara. I hope he goes on to get a world title shot. I am disappointed for Josh and I think it is going to be a long road back.”
      It was a skull-rattling left hook in the fourth that sparked the end of Warrington’s 30-fight undefeated run.
      The former IBF featherweight’s legs betrayed him and he showed incredible heart to remain upright until felled by a similar shot.
      The final 20 seconds of the round were painful to watch as Warrington’s tattooed body turned to jelly, but referee Howard Foster refused to step in.
      Warrington suffered five more rounds of punishment until a volley of left hooks drove him into the canvas again.
      Frampton added: “I thought the only way he could lose was through complacency — and Josh was complacent.”

      Warrington vs Lara – Round by Round More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hails Tammy Abraham for keeping Blues dream alive despite several loans

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has praised Tammy Abraham for refusing to give up on his Chelsea dream.
      Head coach Tuchel particularly admires the striker for beating the club’s loan system that has seen so many other hopefuls fall away.

      Thomas Tuchel has praised Tammy Abraham for sticking with his Chelsea dream throughout his many loan spells awayCredit: AFP

      Tuchel is thrilled Abraham is finally getting his chance in the first-teamCredit: PA:Press Association

      Academy graduate Abraham was farmed out to Bristol City, Swansea and Aston Villa before finally getting a chance at his parent club in the summer of 2019.
      Tuchel said: “I like that he made his way on the loans and overcame obstacles in his career when he went on loan. He always scored for his teams.
      “He has the spirit to make it at Chelsea. This is one of the toughest challenges you can face but he is ready.
      “It is one of the toughest challenges you can have. It is not always straight up.

      “It is sometimes bumpy, sometimes you go out on loan, but I like that the academy boys accept the challenge to make it here.
      “I feel that they absolutely want to make it as Chelsea players, not only as Premier League. They want to be Chelsea players.
      “This is the spirit we want to feel. When we feel the spirit, combined with that talent, we will push them.”
      Abraham scored the goal last Thursday that put Chelsea into the last eight of the FA Cup.

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      In a difficult tie at Barnsley he also kept them in it with a goalbound clearance.
      Tuchel said: “He played well at Barnsley because he did not only score the decisive goal but was also important in defensive set-pieces, he cleared many situations for us with his head.
      “He was absolutely ready to suffer and for that he has all my credit.
      “It’s a good new start for him to step up and show that he is important for us.”
      Public shows of emotion will be commonplace in Tuchel’s regime at Stamford Bridge.
      The German is not looking to be everyone’s favourite and says he can be a hard-nut if need be.
      But he insists diplomacy will always be the first option and dressing downs will be out in the open.
      Tuchel said: “Can I be a shouter? Yes, if it is absolutely necessary.
      “If you do it all the time nobody would listen because it becomes a habit and everybody gets used to it.
      “So the goal is to stay unpredictable, to be reasonable most of the time.

      Abraham was the hero at both ends as Chelsea beat Barnsley to reach the FA Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “It is important to me to build trust and a relationship that we can rely on and not shouting at people and insult people in front of a group, that is unacceptable.
      “But if we have to point out things clearly I am a big fan of doing it on front of the whole group.
      “If we have behaviour that does harm to the group, that is causing trouble for the team on the pitch we should tell the players individually.
      “But also I believe strongly that the group has to handle it and everybody has to have the personality to swallow some criticism in front of the group.
      “I don’t do stuff to be loved by everybody in the dressing room.”
      Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel is holed up in a hotel room with just a cheesy crime novel for company while he settles into his new job and while the Covid pandemic stops his family joining him.
      He said: “My family stays for the moment in Paris to finish school with the kids and at the moment it isn’t easy — impossible, in fact — to travel for all of us.
      “I miss them a lot and Valentine’s Day was a Zoom meeting family-wise which is pretty sad.
      “But you know, we are still privileged, safe and healthy so I don’t want to complain too much.”

      Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Barnsley More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah adamant Liverpool will fight to the end ‘like champions’ as fans unveil banner supporting Jurgen Klopp

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      MOHAMED SALAH is vowing that Liverpool will fight all the way to save their season.
      Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions crumbled after letting a lead slip in the 3-1 loss at Leicester — a third straight defeat.

      It’s been a tough period for many reasons. We are champions and we will fight like champions, until the very end. We will not allow this season to be defined by the recent results we’ve had. That is my promise to all of you. pic.twitter.com/gqITQfp1ua
      — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) February 14, 2021

      Mo Salah is adamant Liverpool will fight ‘like champions’ until the bitter endCredit: Reuters

      The Reds’ title defence is in tatters and they are out of both domestic cups.
      Fans showed support for boss Klopp with a banner at Anfield.
      And Salah tweeted: “It’s been a tough period for many reasons.
      “We are champions and we will fight like champions, until the very end.

      “We will not allow this season to be defined by the recent results we’ve had.
      “That is my promise to all of you.”
      The Kop outfit were 1-0 up at the King Power on Saturday through Salah’s fine first-half strike but leaked three in seven minutes late on.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold said: “It was so quick — it just happened in a moment and we crumbled.

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      Liverpool fans unveiled a banner outside Anfield in support of under-fire KloppCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “It’s a results business so there’s no excuses.
      “Our mentality needs to improve in those tough situations.”
      Liverpool are 13 points off leaders Manchester City and have another stern test on Tuesday.
      The Reds face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, which has been moved from Germany to Hungary.
      Alexander-Arnold added: “It’s a different competition, which freshens it up, different mentality going into it.
      “We need to recover and go again because we’ve got a big game.”

      Klopp concedes Liverpool’s title defence is over after Leicester loss More

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      in Soccer

      Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti beefs up security after raiders stole a safe from his £2million home

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      EVERTON boss Carlo Ancelotti has beefed up security after raiders stole a safe from his £2million home.
      A guard patrolled by the gates at the weekend while cops have increased visibility in the area.

      Carlo Ancelotti has beefed up security after raiders stole a safe from his £2million homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It came after Friday’s 6.30pm heist in which Ancelotti’s stepdaughter Chloe, 25, disturbed the two thieves.
      Italian Ancelotti, 61, raced back from training to join her in Crosby, Merseyside.
      Yesterday, the former Real Madrid boss left in his £313,000 Rolls-Royce SUV for Everton’s home game with Fulham.
      A security source said: “Carlo’s never had any visible guards before. He’s clearly ramped things up.

      “I’d also expect him to have some close protection for his family while out and about.
      “As for the raid, the thieves knew what they wanted and how to get it. It’s probable they’d watched the house or were acting on information.”
      Ancelotti lives at the home with wife Mariann Barrena McClay.

      Following Friday’s heist a guard has been patrolling the gates at Ancelotti’s home and cops have increased visibility in the areaCredit: EPA

      Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum lives next door.

      Cops are also are probing a recent burglary nearby in which a gang posed as delivery drivers.
      And locals claim criminals have dressed as cops to “scout” properties.

      Three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti appointed Everton boss
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      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce thinks Oleksandr Usyk will have ‘no problem’ travelling to UK as boisterous fans will make him feel at home

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      JOE JOYCE is happy to concede home advantage to Oleksandr Usyk in his own city if it means getting the fight on.
      The 35-year-old Juggernaut’s masterful November win over ‘Dynamite’ Daniel Dubois elevated him to No 2 with the WBO and he is in talks over a spring fight with the undisputed cruiserweight king.

      Joe Joyce reckons he’ll get Oleksandr Usyk to fight him in the UKCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun

      Usyk hasn’t fought in Kiev since 2015 but his rowdy London fans could make him keen to return to the UKCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      Promoter Frank Warren has opened up talks with the southpaw’s team but, without guaranteed big money from live gates, negotiations are expected to drag on.
      But Usyk, who won 2012 Olympic gold in London, has not boxed in Kiev since 2015 and Putney man Joyce knows he will have no fear of signing up for a British battle.
      The pair last clashed in 2013 at York Hall as amateurs and Joyce remembers the atmosphere Usyk fans created in the 1,200-seater hall for his loss.
      Joyce said: “The WBO now has him as No 1 and me as No 2 so it is the natural progression that we fight each other.

      “Especially if Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are working on fighting each other, probably a couple of times.
      “The WBO is backing it, they want to make the fight and the fans want to see it happen.
      “I know Usyk has a lot of support in the UK and he has never been afraid of travelling.
      “I remember fighting him in the World Boxing Super Series in East London and it felt like I was in the Ukraine.

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      “It seems like every Ukrainian based in the UK comes out to support their guy when they compete so, if fans are allowed in by the time we meet, the atmosphere will be great.
      “His fans bring drums, they sing and shout so I am sure he will have no problem fighting here.”
      Dubois revealed last week he has split with trainer Martin Bowers, to rebuild his career with Mark and Jimmy Tibbs.
      Following the spiteful build-up to the clash that ended with Dubois surrendering with a cracked eye socket, Joyce could have rubbed salt into DDD’s wounds.
      But he only wishes the best for his former foe. Joyce said: “He is young and he will come again.
      “If his appetite to keep training and learning and improving is still there, then he will be chasing down world titles again soon.
      “He didn’t do a lot wrong, and felt his power, but I had more stamina to get the win.
      “We had our differences, we settled them and now I wish him all the best.”

      Joe Joyce tests his reactions in the ring with a reaction ball More

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      in Soccer

      Millwall slam Reading for giving them a freezing ‘broom cupboard’ to get changed in before Championship win

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      MILLWALL blasted Reading for disrespecting them by providing a ‘broom cupboard’ to get ready in.
      Gary Rowett’s Lions had the last laugh with a 2-1 win at the Madejski.

      Millwall beat Reading on Saturday but a club source called the decision to give them a freezing ‘broom cupboard’ to get ready in ‘gamesmanship’Credit: Rex Features

      But they were angry over the facilities provided.
      A Millwall source told SunSport: “We feel we got a broom cupboard.
      “We had three small rooms, one for the first team, one for the subs, and the coaching staff were in a separate room.
      “It wasn’t heated properly so we had to run cables to our coach to power small heaters.

      “The Madejski is an impressive stadium with conference facilities and a hotel on-site.
      “We were in the concourse and it feels a bit like gamesmanship from Reading.”
      Lions boss Rowett added: “We weren’t hoping to hold our team meeting at minus eight degrees.
      “The players felt a tad disrespected. It gave us extra motivation.

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      Gary Rowett claims Millwall players felt ‘disrespected’ by Reading’s stuntCredit: Rex Features

      “In these Covid times, I believe you have to be respectful to each other.”
      Reading declined to comment but a club source said: “It’s a bit ironic from Millwall.
      “At their place you have to change at a leisure centre down the road.”
      The Lions fell behind to Alfa Semedo’s effort but hit back thanks to late goals from subs Matt Smith and Mason Bennett.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Klopp concedes Liverpool’s title defence is over after Leicester loss More

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      in Soccer

      Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan slams Mike Ashley insisting ‘anybody’ would be a better owner for Magpies

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      NEWCASTLE legend Kevin Keegan has hit out at owner Mike Ashley — claiming ‘anybody’ could run the club better than him.
      Keegan believes the retail billionaire does not understand the demands of running the club.

      Kevin Keegan has hit out at Mike AshleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Ashley, 56, has owned Newcastle since 2007Credit: PA:Press Association

      And he insists it will be a red-letter day on Tyneside when Ashley finally sells up and walks away from St James’ Park.
      Keegan said: “It won’t go on for ever. Someone, somewhere, will see the benefits of that great football club.
      “The problem with Mike Ashley is that he didn’t really know what he was buying. He doesn’t get it. The best day they’ll have is when he sells the club because anybody — and I mean anybody — can run it better.
      “Just anybody. It cannot be run worse than it is.”

      Keegan, 70 today, saw out the final years of his illustrious playing career at Newcastle.
      He narrowly missed out on steering the club to the Premier League title in the first of his two spells as manager.
      Tycoon Ashley has owned the club since 2007.
      And Keegan believes they should still be competing at the top end of the table — and not scrapping to avoid another relegation.

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      Keegan worked under Ashley at St James’ Park in 2008Credit: PA:Press Association

      In an interview with Alan Shearer for The Athletic, he said: “I don’t care what anybody says, it’s a special club. It’s not like any other club.
      “If you’d said in 1927 — the last time they won the league — that nearly a century later they wouldn’t have won it again, people would have laughed at you.
      “They had won it four times by then. You can never foresee.
      “It just needs running. It needs direction, leadership. It needs understanding of what it is. It needs some care.
      “If you take Newcastle by takings, crowd, whatever, it’s something like the 17th-biggest football club in the world.
      “That means it should be among the top four or five in England.
      “Yes, Man United are bigger. Yes, Liverpool are bigger. But they’re only bigger because they’ve won things. It could all change with new ownership. You never know, it might just be around the corner.”
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