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      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits Jose Mourinho is still special ahead of crunch North London derby

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      JOSE MOURINHO is still The Special One — according to Arsenal rival Mikel Arteta.
      Mourinho has tried to distance himself from his long-time self-appointed nickname, now calling himself “The Experienced One”.

      Spurs chief Jose Mourinho has been able to mould every team he has managed in the way he wants, says Arsenal manager Mikel ArtetaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Gunners’ chief Mikel Arteta has demanded immediate improvements from his 14th-place side as they visit Prem leaders Spurs on Sunday afternoonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Arteta, when asked about the ruthlessness that Tottenham gaffer Mourinho possesses, said: “The manager needs to create a level of engagement with players, club and fans, and a level of belief in his ideas — they buy into him.
      “If you don’t get that, you won’t last long. Mourinho has something really special — whatever he wants to get into the football club, he manages to do it.
      “He believes in a way and his players execute what he wants to do.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      “Whoever does not do it is not part of that. When I talk about being ruthless, it’s not only on the pitch but as well with some decisions you have to make.”
      Arteta says the other important lesson he has learned is how to deal with adversity.
      The Gunners’ gaffer said: “The second one, I would say, is how you navigate difficult moments.
      “All managers have had difficult moments, have been part of the coaching staff with difficult moments.

      “The important part is how you, the club and the fans react.
      “I have never seen a rebuild of a team, or a squad, or a club when everything goes steady.”
      The ups and downs of Tottenham’s 2019-20 season were memorably captured in the ‘All Or Nothing’ documentary on Amazon Prime.

      Arteta, 38, who was part of a similar fly-on-the-wall series while working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, said: “Yeah, I’ve watched it. It was very interesting.
      “It’s great to see the inside of other clubs, other ideas, other coaches, other organisations.
      “I do that with other sports as well because there are a lot of things you can take.
      “And as well a manager like Mourinho, who has been in many different countries and has been successful in all of them — there is a ‘why’ to that.
      “There are some important moments in that documentary when you can pick up some relevant things and see why he is getting the success he is getting.”
      In the most famous scene of the Spurs documentary, Mourinho told his players that they needed to be “intelligent c***s” if they were going to be winners.

      Arsenal and Arteta are under scrutiny after recent poor results in the Premier League have left them in the lower reaches of the table.
      So do the Gunners need to get better at the dark arts?
      Arteta said: “At the end of the day, a team has to compete in every action. It has to win an edge in every action.
      “You have to find the right way to do that. I don’t think my team is lacking that.”
      But Hector Bellerin admits Arsenal’s players must shoulder the blame for the club’s disastrous slump.
      And the Frenchman insists today’s North London derby is the ideal time to turn things around.

      Hector Bellerin says Arsenal’s players should take most of the blame for a mediocre start to the season and stresses boss Mikel Arteta needs timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arteta’s side have suffered five defeats in their opening ten league games.
      But right-back Bellerin is adamant the manager should be spared criticism, claiming he is facing a long-term rebuilding job.
      The 25-year-old said: “When Mikel came we knew a big change was needed, not just in the way we played but in the culture and the identity of the club, on and off the pitch.
      “And that’s something you don’t achieve in one day.
      “When you come to a place and you just want to do short-term changes for short-term success, that’s something that can happen quickly.
      “But when you are really trying to change the whole culture of the club and you are trying to change the identity that a team has for the better, that is something that takes time.”
      ‘REALLY POSITIVE MOOD’
      He added: “Right now we have no excuse. We have a coach who plans the games really well.
      “And as players we know what we need to do on the pitch if we want to win.
      “And if we don’t do it, and we don’t win that game it’s our responsibility because maybe on that game the attitude wasn’t right, the defensive positioning wasn’t right, or our end product wasn’t right.
      “It’s in our hands to change this dynamic that we’re in.
      “The team this week has been in a really positive mood. It’s up to us to change and to be the team we need to be.”
      Bellerin was handed a crash course in the North London rivalry when he arrived at the club eight years ago.

      He said: “One of the first things that people at the training ground said to me was that you have to hate Tottenham straight away.
      “It doesn’t matter who you hate, you have to hate Tottenham.
      “We haven’t been on the best of runs but I always feel these kind of games are the best way to turn this around.”

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      FA Cup to allow five subs and pile pressure on Premier League to change amid manager pressure

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      FIVE substitutes will be allowed in the FA Cup from the third round stage – in a move that will put further pressure on the Prem.
      In a major rebuff to Prem club chiefs who have refused to budge over the issue which has brought bitter division between the Big Six and the rest, the FA voted to fall into line with Uefa and Europe’s major leagues.

      Five substitutes will be allowed in the FA Cup from the third round stageCredit: Reuters

      Manchester City did not make one sub against Fulham Credit: AFP

      It means top flight clubs will be able to use five subs in European competition and in the world’s most famous knock-out tournament – but not in the Premier League.
      And that sets the scene for a further inter-club row after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warned Gareth Southgate his England squad for Euro 2020 could be scuppered by injuries as a result of the League’s refusal to.
      The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow five substitutes from the third round stage of the competition next month.
      Three Prem clubs are on the Board, along with League solicitor – and interim FA chairman – Peter McCormick.

      And while Brighton chief executive Paul Barber and Spurs director Rebecca Caplehorn represent clubs who have supported five substitutes, Crystal Palace, represented by chief executive Phil Alexander, have opposed the move.
      SunSport revealed that 15 of the 20 Prem managers signalled they were in support of reverting to five subs at their meeting last month.
      Despite that, no vote has been taken at Prem boardroom level after at least two of the clubs whose managers changed their personal stance made it clear they would NOT alter their position.
      Under Prem rules, it needs 14 clubs in favour to bring in a rule change and both votes for five substitutes were defeated by 11 to nine, well short of the majority required.

      Klopp’s anger at the issue has boiled over in recent weeks and his frustration is shared by the rest of the Big Six, who have pointed fingers at League chief executive Richard Masters for not attempting to dragoon the rebels into line.
      The Liverpool chief argues that sticking with three subs poses a serious risk to player safety and welfare, especially as clubs are entering the most hectic domestic period of the most congested season in the history of the English game.
      But now the FA’s move and the unanimous vote will add to the demands for the Prem clubs to think again and there could yet be a third vote called by the Big Six before Christmas.

      Jurgen Klopp rages over Alexander-Arnold injury and the need for the Premier League to introduce five subs More

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      Jose Mourinho can talk about winning Premier League but nobody else is allowed, says Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris

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      HUGO LLORIS says Jose Mourinho is the only person at Spurs with the right to indulge in title talk.
      Lloris, 33, may have lifted the World Cup as captain of France but when it comes to winning the Premier League, he is happy to defer to Mourinho and his three triumphs with Chelsea.

      Only Jose Mourinho can talk about the title, according to Hugo LlorisCredit: EPA

      The Tottenham captain said: “It’s too early to talk about that [the title] but he’s got the capability to talk about it.
      “He’s a winner. His motivation every day is to win and try to share this approach with his players.
      “You just want to stay calm, stay focused on the next game and to enjoy the moment.
      “Of course you need the best from each player in the changing room but also in the approach of the games, he knows where we go.

      “Behind every big team, the main leader is the manager and then the players need to respond to the demands of the manager and the staff and to deliver on the pitch in the best way.”
      The mark of Mourinho’s title-winning teams at Chelsea was the balance between a tight defence and letting attacking players express themselves.
      High-flying Tottenham have the meanest defence and a goal tally of 21, second only to the 22 of Liverpool and Chelsea.
      Lloris said: “This is the style of Jose Mourinho, no? His team are used to playing with a very solid block.

      “He always gets the best from his offensive players but at the same time he needs a good organisation, a good team balance.
      “We have a competitive squad, we have a lot of talented players in the squad and then the only answer is to show it on the field. Every time we need to show we are a competitive team, we have to do it.”
      That next game is the small matter of tonight’s North London derby.
      It will also be Spurs’ first game in front of their own fans, albeit only 2,000 of them, since the pandemic began.
      Lloris said: “You don’t look at the table when you play the derby.
      “We know it means a lot for the fans. And you just want to win. For pride, for sharing emotion with the fans.

      “But of course it’s not enough in the season. It’s not only about one game or two games in the season. We just want to finish as high as we can.
      “We can see the improvement over the years.”
      If Lloris misses out today through injury, Joe Hart could play his first Premier League game for nearly two years.
      A knockout early in his Tottenham career has given keeper Lloris first-hand experience of football’s head-injury debate.
      Arsenal were criticised for letting defender David Luiz play on last Sunday after a sickening clash of heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez.
      And Spurs were slammed in 2013 when they allowed Lloris to return to action despite losing consciousness in a collision.
      The Tottenham captain, 33, said: “I knew after the game that I made a big mistake to stay on the pitch.
      “Today I think we take safer decisions for the players, that’s the main thing. It’s important to trust the Premier League to take the best decision for the players.”

      Jose Mourinho reveals Harry Kane is likely to be fit for North London derby vs Arsenal More

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      in Soccer

      Diogo Jota was passed up by Portuguese club for just £2,000 seven years before his dream £45m Liverpool move

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      DIOGO JOTA was being hailed as a £45million snip barely a month after his shock switch to Anfield.
      Eight minutes to score his first Liverpool goal in the league, a run of six in four games and a Champions League hat-trick swiftly silenced any who questioned the out-of-the-blue signing.

      Diogo Jota has enjoyed a fine start to his Liverpool careerCredit: EPA

      Yet if Jota’s flying start has been a real eye opener, it is nothing compared to the fact his first move broke down because he was seen as too big a risk . . .  at just over £2,000!
      Seven years ago, Jota was cutting his teeth with Pacos de Ferreira and still a couple of seasons away from his Primeira Liga debut.
      When Ivo Rodrigues saw him starring for Pacos’ Under-19s in one of the 12 matches he would watch each weekend as a Vitoria Guimaraes scout, he urged his employers to move quickly.
      Rodrigues was convinced he had spotted a diamond, and at the weekly gathering as the club’s four scouts compared notes, Jota’s signature was made top priority.

      As he was only on an academy deal, he would have cost just 2,400 Euros (£2,164), plus a nominal “gesture fee” to Pacos, albeit in a gentleman’s agreement rather than legally required.
      By law, all a buying club has to fork out in Portugal is two payments of the minimum requirement of 1,200 Euros (£1,082) over a year.
      But Guimaraes themselves, despite being an established top-flight club, were anything but flush — and they felt a youngster with no experience was too big a gamble even at that price.
      So Jota stayed put. But little more than a season later was off to Atletico Madrid for £6m, and taking the first steps on the road to stardom.

      Jota started his career with Portuguese club Pacos de FerreiraCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The forward could have moved to Guimaraes for just £2,000Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rodrigues, 32, is back at Guimaraes after spells with Porto and Benfica and will never forget the day he first saw the kid who has become the new king of the Kop.
      He revealed: “Diogo was in his first season with Pacos de Ferreira.
      “It was December 2, 2013, they were playing Beira Mar and my eyes were drawn to him like a magnet.
      “He was the youngest on the pitch but I saw he was going to be a star, so after the game I waited outside the dressing room to meet him and his parents.
      “Then I went home and immediately typed the scouting report for my bosses at Guimaraes. The next day I told them to sign Diogo Jota with no further delay.
      “I watched him for a second time but, to be honest, that first one was enough. I was very clear that he should be a top priority and emphasised this several times.
      “Guimaraes had four people watching games all over Portugal and then we’d all compare our reports.
      “Diogo was the one we saw least really, but the top in our list of priorities.
      “He could do things that other ones could not.
      “My persistence paid off and my bosses started the negotiations to sign him via his parents . . . I think it was because I drove them that crazy!
      “But unfortunately, Diogo couldn’t reach a financial agreement with Guimaraes, and he stayed at Pacos de Ferreira.
      “It was very sad to not see him at my local club. However, as a scout I was very happy with my work.
      “I spotted the boy, I informed my club he should be a priority, and I think after all these years, I can say I was right!”
      Despite joining Atletico, Jota was immediately loaned to Porto, spent the following season at Wolves, and moved permanently to Molineux for just over £13m in 2018.
      Klopp snapped him up in September, and despite some claiming he would have a bit-part role behind Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, the 24-year-old Jota has been the stand-out.
      Last week’s goal at Brighton made it nine in nine starts, and this afternoon he faces his old pals for the first time when Wolves are at Anfield. Rodrigues (left) himself is now chief scout at Guimaraes, and is rated as one of Portugal’s finest talent spotters.
      His biggest success was taking Joao Felix to Benfica at 15, who eventually moved to Atletico for £112m.

      And he never had any doubts about Jota cutting it with the Premier League champions.
      He added: “It’s no surprise to see Diogo playing for Liverpool. When I am watching on TV, I see the same player I did in 2013.
      “After he went to Atletico I never saw him again — my job is to work in the shadows, stay behind the scenes.
      “I have always believed the best scouts are the one who can observe football without being observed. If you can do that, you have the chance to spot another Diogo Jota!”

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      Harry Redknapp: I remember 4-4 Arsenal draw 12 years ago like it was yesterday and I bet Tottenham fans do, too

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      THEY say you never forget your first time — and that will always be the case with me and the North London derby.
      It may be some 12 years ago now, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.

      Tottenham rescued a dramatic late 4-4 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates in 2008Credit: Rex Features

      I imagine every Tottenham fan inside the Emirates that October night in 2008 does too.
      I’d only been appointed four days earlier and although we played — and beat — Bolton 24 hours later, the game at Arsenal was basically my first in charge.
      So what better way to become a hero to your new supporters than beating your biggest rivals?
      Although with a minute or so left, it didn’t look like the flying start I was dreaming of.

      We were 4-2 down and if there was going to be another goal, you’d have had a decent bet on it coming from Arsenal.
      Plenty of the Spurs fans thought so, too, because a lot had left, rather than hanging around to see Arsenal supporters celebrating.
      But when Jermaine Jenas pulled one back, a load of fans who were off home then charged back up the steps again and saw Aaron Lennon equalise for 4-4 with seconds left in stoppage time.
      That dressing room was better than plenty of winning ones I was in and it gave me the perfect platform with the supporters — a fantastic night.

      Harry Redknapp had only been in charge at Spurs for four days before the North London derbyCredit: Rex Features
      People forget but David Bentley scored a worldie too, just like Danny Rose did on his debut when we beat them at our place the next season.
      Whether you’re a manager, player, fan, anyone, there’s nothing like winning the local derby. And I had some great days in many of them over the years.
      So I know exactly what it will be like for Spurs and Arsenal today — and it will be a long old week for whoever loses.
      Mind you, whatever the fans may think, it’s certainly nowhere near the nastiest and scariest derby I experienced.
      Without doubt that one is Portsmouth against Southampton — especially if, like me, you’ve left one club and taken over as manager of the other two weeks later!
      That’s what I did in 2004 and you can imagine how that went down.

      The ex-Spurs boss celebrates an injury-time equaliser after fighting back from 4-2 downCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      So I couldn’t believe it when, six weeks later, we were drawn against each other in the FA Cup.
      At least my new Saints team were at home rather than at Fratton Park — I’ll come to that in a minute — so that was something.
      But as it went on and it was 1-1, all I could think of was ‘Will someone please score, even if it’s Portsmouth, so we don’t have to go there’.
      With a minute or so left, we got a penalty and Peter Crouch of all people picked the ball up and I’m screaming on the touchline ‘No, not him’.
      I just didn’t fancy Crouchy as a penalty-taker and the way he looked across, he knew it.
      Fortunately he scored, saved us from a replay, and still reminds me of it.
      It meant I was saved from going back to face the Portsmouth fans at Fratton Park until late in the season . . . and what a day that was.

      Peter Crouch scored the winner from the sport for Harry Redknapp’s Southampton against PortsmouthCredit: Getty Images
      Those Pompey lads are a tough breed and you certainly wouldn’t want to argue with them. When I went to manage the team they hated, the abuse was incredible.
      It was frightening and on the day Southampton went to their place, I had four SAS boys on the coach for protection and a helicopter following us all the way from our training ground.
      When the players came back in from the warm-up, I could honestly see fear in their eyes. It wasn’t pleasant.
      They smashed us 4-1 on the pitch, so you could say they won that one — although they did forgive me when I went back as Pompey boss a year later and we ended up winning the FA Cup in 2008!
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
      That, incidentally, is the example of a small horse winning the race. Certainly nothing like Jose Mourinho claimed Spurs are recently.
      Have a look at the players in his squad and there is no doubt Spurs are absolute thoroughbreds . . . and they will be right in the thick of it.
      Harry Winks can’t even get in the squad at times and he’s an England player.
      Dele Alli comes off the bench and scores in Europe in midweek.
      There’s Ben Davies, Matt Doherty, Davinson Sanchez not getting a start — and I’ve not even mentioned Gareth Bale.
      I’ve said all along they could well be champions this season — but if they don’t manage that, I’ll be amazed if Tottenham don’t win a trophy of some kind.

      Tottenham players train ahead of facing Arsenal on SundayCredit: Getty Images
      Mikel Arteta has a long job ahead of him with Arsenal and I think their only hope this afternoon is to have a go.
      I would always try to win the derby rather than avoid defeat, because to do that is just inviting pressure.
      And can you honestly see them keeping Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet all day?
      I can’t — just like I can’t really see anything but a Spurs win.
      LEEDING FIGHT
      MY grandson Bobby is a big Chelsea fan and when I picked him up from football training the other night, he was asking me “what do you reckon in the Leeds game, pop?”.
      I said: “Never mind that, have a look at the 1970 FA Cup replay between those two and tell me what you think.”
      He called it up and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Even by the standards of the time, some of those tackles — if you can call them that — were ridiculous.
      I still say that Leeds team under Don Revie is one of the greatest ever . . . but they were champions when it came to dishing it out as well.
      FRED TO BLAME
      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER got flak for not taking Fred off the other night when he’d already been booked and was lucky to still be on the pitch.
      But it wasn’t the Manchester United boss who let the side down against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, that was down to the player.

      Fred was sent off for Man Utd against PSG in their Champions League loss midweekCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ole will have read him the riot act at half-time.
      He’ll have told him “don’t do anything stupid, show some control and be careful”.
      Maybe it was a harsh second booking, but he has to use his head the right way and not give the ref a chance to show another card.

      He trusted the player and got nothing back.
      It’s the same players all the time, that’s what annoys me. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard would charge around making tackles and weren’t in trouble every week.
      In his last eight games Fred has had four yellow cards and one red . . . how stupid is that? Some people just never learn.

      Jose Mourinho reveals Harry Kane is likely to be fit for North London derby vs Arsenal More

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      in Boxing

      AJ tells Tyson Fury he can make him into a star with ‘right management’ and sees ‘a lot of potential’ in Brit rival

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has told Tyson Fury the only way he will become a global megastar like him is to let AJ be his boss!
      Following the magnificent February Las Vegas win over Deontay Wilder, the Gypsy King’s stock was sky high and his daily lockdown Instagram workouts were a smash hit.

      Anthony Joshua teased heavyweight rival Tyson Fury after his fellow British world champion saw his December 5 ring return ditchedCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      Tyson Fury wanted typical huge pay-day but such a ring return against an easy opponent fell foul of broadcastersCredit: PA:Press Association

      So in March, when it was revealed the Englishman men had agreed terms on a 2021 two-fight deal, AJ even had to agree to a 50-50 split.
      But, after demanding a knock-over opponent on his usual mega-money, Fury’s UK and US broadcasters were turned off and his December 5 UK comeback was embarrassingly binned.
      And the Watford icon, whose Saturday defence against Kubrat Pulev survived an £8m hit after Covid forced it from a packed Tottenham stadium into an almost empty Wembley Arena, has told his rival he needs to jump ship to stay afloat.

      Ahead of the 1,000-fan and £24.95 pay-per-view show, the unified heavyweight champ and boss of 258 management teased: “He has had a tough career, ups and downs, opponents not fulfilling their commitments, contracts not being fulfilled.

      “I do think he should come over to Matchroom and 258 Management and let us handle his career. 
      “He’s a superstar in the making. With the right management he could go all the way. 
      “I see a lot of potential in Tyson, with the right management he could go far, so when he’s ready he can come over and we can get our fight underway.”
      Fury’s incredible comeback from a doping ban, a mental health breakdown and a 10st blow-up rightly earned him a nomination for the 2020 Sports Personality of the Year award.

      But he bizarrely demanded the BBC removed him from the shortlist and urged his social media followers not to vote in the annual popularity contest.
      And AJ, grinning like a Cheshire cat on a Zoom call, continued to playfully patronise him over his latest PR blunder.

      We’ll have a look at his PR, strip it back and make this fight what it’s supposed to be… he should come and see us and we’ll get him on the right track.
      Anthony Joshua

      He said: “That video he did should be him saying, ‘I’m accepting my award’, not ’I don’t want to be a part of it’”
      “We’ll have a look at his PR, we’ll strip it all back and make this fight what it’s supposed to be. He’s got a lot of potential
      “I wish him all the best, he should come and see us and we’ll get him on the right track.”
      Joshua and young son JJ have been on the right track throughout lockdown, tearing around the local woods on brand new quad bikes.
      Tommy Coyle achieved his boyhood dream of boxing at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of AJ’s defeat to Andy Ruiz last year.
      And the Hull hero has clearly never forgotten the gesture so sent some serious wheels down south for the Joshua boys to enjoy now the 31-year-old dedicated daddy claims to be too old to party.
      When asked how he will celebrate the end of the second lockdown, the 2012 Olympic icon said: “I’m not interested in partying anymore. I’m more dedicated than ever now. 
      “I’m older, wiser, I haven’t been boxing so long, so over these last 12 years of my career I’ve had to do a lot of maturing, a lot of learning about what it means to be a fighter, what it means to be heavyweight champion, the responsibilities of being a champion. 

      SunSport’s pound for pound top ten
      “Before I was just happy go lucky, going through this boxing industry with a smile on my face, but now I really understand the discipline and the downfalls of the sport. 
      “We’ve been going on walks down to the woods. My mate comes over with his dog and his son. 
      “Tommy Coyle did a nice thing, he bought my son two little electric quad bikes, it was really nice of him, so we take them down to the woods.
      “What’s nice is I’ve been out enjoying nature and little things, going on walks, so that’s been a blessing.”
      Pulev has been the IBF’s mandatory challenger for AJ for three years and has been piping up plenty about Joshua’s supposed weaknesses. So the Brit cannot wait to land on his 39-year-old Bulgarian chin.
      The powerhouse growled: “You’re going to have to ask Pulev how he feels but I’m sure after my loss everybody says, ‘Oh, we’re going to exploit Anthony Joshua’s weaknesses’ and all this nonsense. 
      “So we’ll see how confident he is until the first jab or right hand smashes him in the jaw.”

      Joshua added a couple of new coaches to his team for the impressive Ruiz revenge mission and some of Joby Clayton’s unorthodox ideas are a hit on social media.
      But one Saudi win is still not enough to convince AJ to ditch meat or his Under Armour trainers.
      “I’m still not going vegan,” he laughed. “And I’m not going running barefoot!”

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      Aston Villa stars Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley break strict coronavirus rules with day of partying in London

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      FOOTBALL stars Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley broke strict coronavirus rules yesterday with a day of partying.
      Video footage shows the England and Aston Villa team-mates at a restaurant in London’s Mayfair.

      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Jack Grealish was seen breaking coronavirus rules as he partied in LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ross Barkley also travelled from Tier 3 Birmingham to Tier 2 LondonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The pair are seen in the crowded restaurant with other partygoers in breach of the Tier 2 rule which states “you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place”.
      Grealish, 25,  joined Barkley to celebrate his 27th birthday.
      Witnesses saw their group downing champagne, vodka and beer at Bagatelle restaurant from around 3pm.

      They were said to still be drinking into the evening.
      A fellow diner said: “You wouldn’t have thought there was a global health pandemic going on. They were arrogantly partying without a care.
      “Staff wore masks but Grealish and Barkley didn’t.”

      Aston Villa’s Matt Targett, Jack Grealish and John McGinn pose together in July

      Ross Barkley with famed Ibiza bartender Mojitoman in 2018Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source

      One clip shows Barkley seemingly having a row with another man.  Others show him high-fiving and hugging other revellers, while Grealish is seen dancing and then sat talking to two women at a table.
      The pair’s home Premier League match against Newcastle on Friday was called off because of a Covid outbreak in the visitors’ camp.

      Grealish has breached Covid rules before. Last month he admitted careless driving in the first lockdown when he defied a ban on  non-essential travel.
      At the time  in March, he said: “I am old enough now and mature enough to know  I’d done wrong.”
      A representative of Ross Barkley said the player had wholeheartedly apologised for his behaviour and deeply regretted it and would make a full statement in due course.
      An Aston Villa spokesperson said: “Having reviewed footage forwarded to us on Saturday, it appears as though two of our players who live in Tier 2 areas of the country were eating in a restaurant in a tier 2 location on Saturday afternoon during a weekend off. They left the restaurant at 7.45pm.”

      Gabriel Agbonlahor says that teams are scared of Jack Grealish and Aston Villa
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      Chelsea 3 Leeds 1: Giroud and Zouma complete Blues comeback as Frank Lampard’s side go top of the Premier League

      by

      THE BIG FRENCHMAN can’t stop scoring.
      Kurt Zouma, that is.

      Kurt Zouma leapt highest to head home Chelsea’s secondCredit: Reuters

      It was Olivier Giroud who cancelled out the opening goal by another striker who found his opportunities at Chelsea limited, Patrick Bamford.
      Giroud’s fifth strike in four days justified his selection but the game was turned in Chelsea’s favour by Zouma’s fourth goal from centre back in his impressive start to the season.
      Christian Pulisic’s late third sealed a win that sent the Blues top of the Premier League and this was a performance that suggested Frank Lampard’s team have what it takes to remain there or thereabouts.
      Leeds played their part in an entertaining game but the Blues dominated the second half and turned that domination into three points in impressive style.

      Lampard didn’t need his own spy to know what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
      But the way Chelsea restricted Leeds’ chances while creating plenty of their own was a tactical triumph.
      The 2,000 home fans indulged in high-pitched, mocking cheers as the visitors passed it around at the back but after Pulisic’s goal they felt confident enough to sing about being top of the league.
      Lampard went into the match with a fully-fit squad and such is the strength in depth he now commands that he was able to make eight changes from the side that had crushed Sevilla like over-ripe oranges in midweek.

      Olivier Giroud repaid his manager’s faith by scoring the equaliserCredit: Reuters

      Patrick Bamford fired Leeds into a surprise lead early onCredit: Reuters
      Giroud kept his place and made his first Premier League start of the season in an attacking Blues line-up that contained all six big-name summer signings for only the second time.
      Edouard Mendy has arguably been the most significant, giving Lampard a reliable ‘keeper to replace the error-prone Kepa.
      All but faultless since his arrival, and playing behind a defence marshalled well by fellow new recruit Thiago Silva, the Senegalese had kept eight clean sheets in his first 11 appearances.
      But his first big mistake proved costly.
      By the time it happened, mind you, Chelsea might have been ahead, as the game began at breakneck speed.
      Hakim Ziyech forced a save from Illan Meslier inside a minute, Giroud headed the resulting corner into the side netting and the goal at the other end came after another attack by the home side had broken down.
      As Leeds countered at pace, Kalvin Phillips’ pass towards the run of Bamford looked overhit but as Kurt Zouma left it for his goalkeeper to tidy up, Mendy rushed to the edge of his penalty area then changed his mind.
      In nipped Bamford to take the ball past him and finish calmly with his left foot. Like Giroud, the 27 year old know what it’s like to be frustrated by Chelsea, having spent all five years of his Blues “career” on loan elsewhere.
      His eighth league of the season was another one in the eye for those who said he could not cut it at this level.
      Leeds soon lost Robin Koch to injury and Chelsea were almost level immediately.
      Mason Mount’s corner looked to be heading straight in, but Timo Werner not only stopped it but then somehow hit the crossbar from point-blank range.
      Before Giroud’s equaliser, Leeds were the more threatening and had chances to extend their lead, including a shot by Ezgjan Alioski that hit the post.
      Giroud wasted one opportunity when he intercepted a poor Meslier clearance only to scuff his shot wide, but claimed a fine centre-forward’s goal to level the score.
      Ziyech cleverly teed up Reece James for a cross and Giroud provided the near-post finish that the delivery deserved.
      It was to be Ziyech’s final involvement in the game, as he too succumbed to injury.
      Although clear-cut chances dried up, the match continued at a frantic pace.

      Christian Pulisic poked home Chelsea’s third in added timeCredit: Getty – Pool

      Frank Lampard celebrates his side’s precious victoryCredit: AFP

      While the first half had been even and end-to-end, the second began with Chelsea very much in control.
      Leeds struggled to enjoy meaningful possession in the Blues’ half and almost fell behind when Kai Havertz met a James’ free kick but sent his close-range header off target.
      But Bielsa’s side should have regained the lead when Raphinha’s shot was parried by Mendy and the Brazilian sent his follow-up over the bar.
      Instead Chelsea went down the other end and scored. Meslier did well to make a double save from Werner but Mount’s effort was deflected behind for a corner.
      The England midfielder swung in the set-piece and no Leeds defender seemed to fancy challenging Zouma, who headed powerfully home.
      The away side rarely looked like finding a way back into the game and only another Meslier save stopped Werner killing the game with 15 minutes to go.
      Giroud sent a free header over the bar from the latest dangerous corner by Mount.
      Fortunately for him and Chelsea, Zouma’s more accurate effort would have been enough even before Pulisic sealed the deal.
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