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    Ex-Manchester United star Chris Eagles secretly dating Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe after split from fiancée

    FORMER Manchester United winger Chris Eagles has been secretly dating Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe after splitting with his fiancée during lockdown, The Sun can reveal.
    The footballer was with Danielle Mitchinson, 30, for eight years and they have two children together.

    Chris Eagles split from fiancee Danielle Mitchinson during lockdown

    The ex-Manchester United winger has been secretly dating Hollyoaks star Jennifer MetcalfeCredit: Louis Hollingsbee

    Chris made 17 appearances for United during eight seasons until 2007Credit: PA:Empics Sport

    But she walked out of their £3million Cheshire mansion in October — and now Chris, 35, has been spotted spending evenings with the soap star after they started seeing each other around a month ago.
    Mum-of-one Jennifer, 37, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 show, split with her husband, Geordie Shore’s Greg Lake, this summer.
    Chris, who is believed to be in Jen’s support bubble, has been spotted visiting her home in Altrincham, Gtr Manchester, where the pair spent three evenings last week.
    A source said: “They’re really smitten with each other.

    “They’ve known each other for a while but only very recently started dating.
    “The relationship is in its very early stages and things are going well. Who knows where things could go?”

    The footballer was with Danielle Mitchinson for eight years and they have two children together

    Danielle walked out of the £3million Cheshire mansion she shared with Chris in OctoberCredit: Action Images – Reuters
    It is believed Jen has known Chris since becoming pals with Danielle this year.
    After the split in October, Chris is thought to have paid six months rent up front for Danielle to have a three-bed apartment a mile away from his eight-bed home in Bowdon, Cheshire, and has given her an allowance of £500 per month.

    A close friend told The Sun: “Danielle is absolutely devastated.
    “Lockdown really highlighted that the relationship wasn’t working.
    “She was mates with Jen, but it has put a strain on their friendship.
    “Danielle was with Chris for so long but just wants things to move forward. They still share custody of their kids.”

    Chris has been spotted spending evenings with soap star Jennifer after they started seeing each other around a month agoCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Chris made 17 appearances for United during eight seasons until 2007.
    He also played for Burnley and Bolton but has been without a club since leaving Oldham in January.
    A spokesman for Jennifer said she declined to comment.

    Mum-of-one Jennifer plays Mercedes McQueen on HollyoaksCredit: Lime Pictures

    Jennifer split with her husband, Geordie Shore’s Greg Lake, this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe’s shows off the her festive Christmas tree
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    Fury as Fulham footie ace Tom Cairney ‘repeatedly’ parks £220k Lamborghini in disabled bay while he gets coffee

    A PREMIER League player has infuriated locals by using a disabled bay for his ultra-flash £220,000 Lamborghini.
    Fulham’s Tom Cairney parks his yellow 4×4 supercar illegally on his way to training.

    Tom Cairney has ‘repeatedly’ parked his £220k Lamborghini in a disabled bayCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    The disabled bay in which Cairney has been caught parkingCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    Locals say he often parks in the disabled space while he goes to pick up coffeeCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    The Fulham star stops at the shop on his way to trainingCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

    The 29-year-old Cottagers’ skipper stops so that he can pop into the Costa Coffee at Esher in Surrey for a takeaway drink.
    The slot is clearly marked for use by disabled badge holders only.
    One resident said: “It’s infuriating these super-rich footballers think they can live to different rules than the rest of us.
    “Footballers such as Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are doing so much charity work these days and have helped to change the public’s view of Premier League footballers.

    “But the behaviour of those like Cairney risks undoing all that goodwill.”

    The Costa coffee shop Cairney visits on his way to trainingCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    Scottish international Cairney emerges from the shop cup in handCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun
    Cairney, who has been capped twice for Scotland, was pictured last Monday emerging from his 190mph motor — which can rocket from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 seconds — in a black tracksuit top and joggers.
    The player, who earns around £30,000 a week, left the five-door banana- coloured Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 in the disabled bay as he walked across the road to the nearby Costa.
    He emerged a few minutes later with a cup in hand.

    Locals claimed it was not the first time he had parked illegally on the way into Fulham’s training ground, which is nearby in New Malden, South West London.
    Our source added: “The bloke drives a bright yellow motor and clearly wants to be seen in it.”

    Nottingham-born Cairney started his pro career at Hull City and also played for Blackburn before transferring to Fulham in 2015 for a fee of around £3million.
    In 2018, he announced he was becoming a dad for the first time with his model partner Abbie Richards.
    Fulham FC have declined to comment on the actions of their player.

    A source said ‘the bloke drives a bright yellow motor and clearly wants to be seen in it’Credit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    His impressive motor can rocket from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 secondsCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun

    Fulham go wild with celebration as they get promoted back in to the Premier League after beating Brentford 2-1 in the Championship play-off final
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    Intimate photos of Premier League stars Diego Costa and Gabriel Jesus found in BIBLE handed in at a charity shop

    INTIMATE photos of Man City star Gabriel Jesus and former Chelsea striker Diego Costa were found in a Bible handed in at a charity shop.
    Both players appeared topless with the same mystery woman in pictures unearthed last week.

    An intimate photo of former Chelsea striker Diego Costa was found in a Bible handed in at a charity shop

    Another snap showed Man City ace Gabriel Jesus shirtless with the same woman

    The Bible was in one of two bags handed in by a woman to a charity shop in Marylebone, Central London.
    A source explained: “The pictures were instantly recognisable as Jesus and Costa – and both were with the same woman.
    “They were both laughing and seemed incredibly relaxed in her company while larking around on pillows without their shirts on.
    “The pictures appear to have been taken at different times.

    “The charity shop normally gets jigsaws and second-hand clothes, so this was certainly a change from that.”
    Two bags were handed in during May, but the snaps were not spotted until staff started sorting them last week.

    One snap showed a heavily tattooed Jesus pulling a face for the camera

    The Bible was in one of two bags handed in by a woman to a charity shop in Marylebone, Central LondonCredit: © David Dyson – The Sun
    The source said: “A woman of Spanish or Latin appearance dropped off the bags.
    “She said a friend left the UK and wanted to get rid of a few bits and pieces.

    “The woman who brought the bags in has never been back so no one knew what to do with the pics.”
    It is not known when the photographs were taken.
    Heavily tattooed Brazilian forward Jesus, 23, joined Man City in 2017 and split from model Fernanda Queiroz earlier this year.
    The devout Christian was missing from City’s squad against Southampton yesterday.
    A source previously said: “Jesus decided to end the relationship to focus on his career.”

    Costa played for Chelsea for three years from 2014 and is now at Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters

    Brazilian forward Jesus joined Man City in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    Brazilian-born Costa, 32, played for Chelsea for three years from 2014 and is now at Atletico Madrid.
    He is married with two daughters and there is no suggestion he cheated on his wife.
    In 2014, The Sun on Sunday revealed he was dumped by Brazilian model girlfriend Michele Zuanne after she caught him trying to bed her sister.

    Jesus split from model Fernanda Queiroz earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @dejesusoficial

    Cheeky Diego Costa trick young mascot in hilarious pre-Atletico Madrid friendly video
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    Jen Beattie’s brave battle against breast cancer will raise awareness of the disease — and save lives

    FANS have got to understand that Arsenal have been battling on and off the pitch after Jen Beattie’s shattering breast cancer diagnosis.
    The Gunners are third in the table and have been struggling to reclaim the crown they’ve worn for so many years at the top of the division’s elite.

    Arsenal stalwart Jen Beattie is fighting cancerCredit: Rex Features

    They have suffered bitter Cup defeats by rivals Manchester City and Chelsea and a first league loss to the leaders, Manchester United, last month.
    They lost to the Citizens 2-1 last time out after a sucker punch Caroline Weir goal in the dying moments. Supporters have piled the pressure on Gunners boss Joe Montemurro — with some even calling for him to be axed.
    But there’s a lot more going on at the club away from the 90 minutes at the weekend. Fans have got to take a moment and think of everything the girls have been going through so far this season while supporting Jen — who found a lump in a breast in October.
    She was brave enough to open up about her shock diagnosis to raise awareness of the debilitating disease — and to save lives.

    Every year around 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer in the UK — that’s nearly 1,000 deaths each month, 31 each day or one every 45 minutes.
    Having received the news on the evening of Thursday  October 8, she played and scored against Brighton the following Sunday, and the team emotionally embraced her.
    Last weekend, City and Arsenal players united before the match to wear warm-up shirts with Jen’s name and number on the back  which was so touching.
    She arrived at the club in 2009 and was my team-mate in my time in North London.

    Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro has been under pressure of lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    She is such a great character and so caring in terms of what she does for the team — and I think that’s exactly why the players rallied around her in such a supportive way.
    It’s just so brave for her to speak out about an incredibly personal experience which is something a lot of people may feel too scared to talk about.
    Sadly, the coronavirus crisis has put a lot of people off getting checked. But Jen’s story may  encourage that one person to do it.
    Footballers may be in the spotlight but they are human beings as well and fans have got to realise that sometimes our personal lives are more important than what is happening on the pitch.
    It would be extra special and so emotional if Arsenal won the title this year with Jen’s cancer battle.
    And I would urge the club to stick with Joe as head coach.
    I think sacking him would be a bad move.
    Sometimes people just look at results and they don’t look at the environment but I would urge fans to remember the bigger picture and be kind.
    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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    Chelsea deserve credit for Declan Rice’s rise to stardom despite giving him boot age 14, claims Frank Lampard

    FRANK LAMPARD says Chelsea deserve praise for putting Declan Rice on the road to stardom.
    The England midfielder, 21, skippers West Ham tomorrow against the club that showed him the door when he was just 14.

    Frank Lampard believes Chelsea deserve credit for Declan Rice’s progressCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Rice will skipper West Ham against the side that released him as a 14 year oldCredit: Rex Features

    And all eyes will be on a player with an £80million price tag, who has been strongly linked with a  Stamford Bridge return for more than a year.
    Blues boss Lampard — who left the Hammers for West London when he was 23 — reckons Rice only got where he is now because of seven years grounding at Chelsea.
    He said: “Declan is now playing at such a high level at West Ham, and sometimes when players go on their other paths, the club should also take some credit for producing them. 
    “You see all over the Premier League and the Championship there are lots of players who came through the Chelsea system so that’s a real positive for us.”

    Chelsea will kick off just a point ahead of their London rivals following successive losses at Everton and Wolves.
    But Lamps is more inclined to pat his players on the back than boot them up the backside because  everyone has been dropping points.
    He said: “We got punished because we dropped our levels by 15 or 20 per cent and in this league that happens. 
    “It’s clear the confidence has to remain because we were playing very well and the table is very tight at the top. We are much closer than we were to the top last year, so we just need to remind ourselves of all the great things we were doing before the losses.”

    Lampard added:  “The realism now is that we are not a Liverpool of last year, or a Man City of the year before who just go win, win, win — we are in a progression and have to be ready for some tough moments.
    “That’s why I kept talking about us two or three weeks ago when everyone was talking about  how we should win the league.
    “My reasoning for putting a dampener on that was there are other teams that have been together longer, which brings a confidence among a group  where they can deal with things better in games. 
    “It is part of where our progression is at, we have some younger players and as time goes on they will get stronger in those moments. That’s why you have to take lessons when you lose.”

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    Chelsea signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner yet to justify those big transfer fees

    JIGSAW puzzles have never been my thing  — the more pieces there are the more confused  it can get.
    There is a lot to be said for simplicity in football, it’s what makes it the beautiful game  because it  looks so easy when done well.

    Kai Havertz is yet to find his best form at Chelsea Credit: PA:Press Association

    It is the same in management and you won’t get more of a contrast than when Chelsea play West Ham tomorrow.
    For Frank Lampard at Chelsea, it is almost as if he has too many pieces in his puzzle at the moment. You wonder if he yet knows his best team. If anyone does. Where do they all fit in?
    I say this with regard to his two Germans in particular. I’m still waiting to see the best of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
    They cost a lot and even though they’re only young lads, they came  here in the summer with big reputations.  Yet to be fulfilled, if you ask me.

    Successful management is all about the players. Take the sacking of Slaven Bilic at West Brom, for example. He got that team into the Premier League with average players.
    He didn’t spend fortunes on new signings so the team is where it should be — but he has got the boot.
    It’s as if the worst thing he could have done for himself is get West Brom up.        
    Frank at Chelsea has a  puzzle to solve with his squad. He needs to work out where is the best position for Werner and how to get Havertz firing.

    Should Werner come in from the wing and play through the middle with Mason Mount  putting little balls through for him? It’s an option.
    Havertz doesn’t seem to have got to grips with the physicality of English football yet.
    Having coronavirus is  obviously a big setback and one we wish him well from. But even before that, he looked like a player not quite sure of himself.
    And at this moment in time English football is a stroll.
    If he finds it  tough now, wait until crowds come back into  stadiums and pump up the passion and the tackles to go with it.
    I really hope they do fit in but it’s up to Frank to sort it. And the challenge faced by modern-day managers is that it’s not always them doing the buying.
    Years ago, managers would be buying British players and so would be out every night talent scouting. It’s not  possible to fly to Germany or even further afield to watch players week-in, week-out.
    And so a lot of time you go on recommendations from others and work with it.
    Didi Hamann, the old  Liverpool midfielder, was on TV in the summer talking up Werner and Havertz as if they were the best things in Germany.

    Timo Werner may find the going easier playing as the central strikerCredit: Rex Features
    Fingers crossed for Frank, they go on to become the best over here, too.
    But with Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud all competing for places, it’s not always a great problem to have.
    Over in East London, David Moyes has it much simpler. His team virtually picks itself for every game.
    He’s done a superb job so far and really got the best out of what he has. I love the right-back Vladimir Coufal — a £5million  quid  bargain.
    Jarod Bowen, at £22m, was an inspired buy. Declan Rice gets better with every week, midfielder Tomas Soucek  is effective, strong and powerful. And with Michail Antonio up front they have pace.
    But David has around 16 players  he rotates. It’s old school and working for West Ham. They have a settled team.
    They won’t finish top six but if they get top half, David has done a brilliant job. If you ask me, the club’s owners should be drawing up a new deal for him now.
    His jigsaw has far fewer pieces and life is  simpler in terms of picking  teams.
    A settled side where the players know each other so well can be a big weapon.
    And West Ham are now tough to beat —­ that’s the key for them.

    Harry Redknapp knows all about the pressure of managing at Christmas timeCredit: PA:Press Association
    SO HO-HO HORRIBLE
    CHRISTMAS is a tricky time for managers.
    The whole festive season revolves around three points on Boxing Day — well it did for me, anyway.
    When I look back on how many miserable Christmasses I had because of results, it’s actually quite scary.
    I got so low, so low.
    There’ll be bosses out there now feeling that way — sleepless nights, the lot.
    Mikel Arteta got a point in midweek but he knows  Arsenal must be doing much better.
    Down at the bottom of every league, there’ll be coaches struggling for any joy over Christmas.
    With new West Brom boss Sam Allardyce’s track record, the four managers of  teams around them at the foot of the Premier League will be having unsettled nights worrying about developments.
    NO END OF SPORT
    THERE is so much  football coming up on the box. Luckily we have two TVs at home.
    It’s wall to wall this Christmas and I bet your last mince pie I’ll watch as much as I can.
    Sandra will be in the other room watching Coronation Street and EastEnders  so I’ll be out from under her feet.
    Reckon I’ll watch 95 per cent of it — and the other five per cent of my time will be spent watching  racing.
    Stay safe, have a happy Christmas and look after yourselves after a tough year. And be nice to  each other.
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tips Marcus Rashford to become a Man Utd great after hailing star’s charity work

    OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER hailed Marcus Rashford’s exploits on and off the pitch, insisting he will become a Manchester United legend.
    Rashford, 23, will receive a special award at Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year show for his tireless charity work on behalf of underprivileged children.

    Solskjaer has backed Rashford to become a Manchester United legendCredit: EPA

    Prior to that he will continue his day job by leading United’s attack in the Prem clash with bitter rivals Leeds.
    And Solskjaer is amazed at the young striker’s marvellous multi-tasking.
    The Red Devils manager said: “Sometimes you think ‘will this affect his football’ because he is such a young lad. But he has taken on this responsibility in a fantastic way and balanced it really well with his football.
    “Marcus is talented enough, grounded enough and driven enough to be a club legend.

    “In and around the dressing room as well, he is a Manchester United boy through and through.
    “I am delighted with his contribution. He is a role model. He can affect and influence so many people.”
    Rashford has helped raise over £20MILLION for kids to receive free school meals during the coronavirus lockdown.
    His campaign also resulted in the Government providing 1.3m children with meal vouchers during the summer holidays.

    Rashford, 23, has been sensational on and off the pitch in 2020Credit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

    And having forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make one U-turn, Rashford then achieved another.
    Just last month £400m was provided by the PM to support poor children and their families and Rashford was given an MBE in the Queen’s honours list.
    In between his fantastic campaigning, he has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances.
    Solskjaer added: “As a human being, we have seen the true Marcus Rashford ever since he was a kid.

    And you see Marcus really cares about people who have had a difficult time or aren’t as privileged as many are, or as he is now
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

    “You always get influenced and your character is shaped through your family and where you grew up.
    “And you see Marcus really cares about people who have had a difficult time or aren’t as privileged as many are, or as he is now.
    “He knows what they are going through and what he has done is exceptional.
    “He has a great team around him — and wants his charity work to be organised by others as well so that he can balance the two most important things in his life.”
    The drive to help the needy was born out of his own experiences growing up, often going without food and seeing his mother make sacrifices to help him and her family.
    Rashford has also launched a book club to help children enjoy the escapism of reading.

    Solskjaer tries to ‘protect’ RashfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Solskjaer added: “The opposition players and supporters, of course, they respect him for what he’s done.
    “Some clubs, the response Marcus has had from them has been unbelievable.”
    Solskjaer is trying to do his bit to help.
    In last week’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United he kicked off with opposite number Chris Wilder, complained that Rashford was being roughed up by the Blades.
    Solskjaer said: “Of course I try to look after him, try to protect him. You never know in a footballer’s career if you are lucky or unlucky with injuries.
    “He had a back injury last year and it is mine and the staff’s job to make sure we protect him. Because with his talent, he’s always going to be a target for the opposition.”
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

    Man Utd star Marcus Rashford takes on child food poverty in new BBC documentary Feeding Britain’s Children More

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    Solskjaer tells Paul Pogba ‘nobody is bigger than Man Utd’ after Raiola’s transfer comments

     PAUL POGBA is being warned he must toe the line — or face the boot.
    The French star was given the stark reminder by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the war of words with his agent Mino Raiola rumbles on.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has laid down the law to Paul PogbaCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

    The comments come after his agent Mino Raiola said it was all over at Man Utd for the FrenchmanCredit: Getty – Pool

    The Old Trafford boss, who yesterday completed two years in charge, vowed: “I would just not stand for anyone thinking that he is bigger than Manchester United.
    “No one is. Absolutely no one — and Paul knows this. It is not only for Paul. It is for all of us.”
    His straight–talking stance is as much of an attack on controversial Raiola as a move to show the World Cup winner who is in charge.
    Raiola infuriated Solskjaer the day before United crashed out of the Champions League to RB Leipzig earlier this month by claiming it was time Pogba left the club.

    He followed that up by declaring: “I’ve said that Paul can leave in the summer because it’s hard to do deals in January.”
    French midfielder Pogba’s £300,000-a-week contract expires in just 18 months.
    But Solskjaer, whose side host Leeds today, has continued to talk him up, despite his posturing for a move back to Juventus or to Real Madrid.
    And the United chief added: “Paul was here as a kid in the Under-18s. We signed him early on and he comes with the Manchester United DNA in him.

    “He knows what we are about. United is about being in a team and Paul has always been an ambitious boy who loves playing football.
    “He trains well, he never refuses to train or play, he has a good attitude.
    “Of course, Paul wants to do as well as he can when he is in the team, however many minutes he is getting on the pitch.”
    After last Saturday’s goalless Manchester derby, Pogba took to social media to hit out at the stick he was getting for Raiola’s comments.
    He wrote: “I’ve always fought and will always fight for  Manchester United, my team-mates and the fans.
    “All has been clear between the club and myself and that will never change.
    ‘I WANT PLAYERS WHO CAN HANDLE LIFE’
    “When you don’t know what’s going on inside, don’t talk.”
    But having backed their club-record £89million star consistently since he replaced Jose Mourinho two Christmases ago, Solskjaer is determined that Pogba will stay on.
    And the Red Devils chief now hopes to get that message through to the French World Cup winner’s super agent Raiola.
    As he prepared for today’s visit of Leeds, Solskjaer added: “I leave negotiations with agents to the club.
    “In fact, I rarely speak to agents. I speak to the players — and that is the biggest thing for me.
    “I need to see them eye to eye and I think it is important, the relationship between player and manager.
    “I want players who can handle life as well. You can’t just go through agents.”
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

    Man Utd star Marcus Rashford takes on child food poverty in new BBC documentary Feeding Britain’s Children More