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      in Soccer

      Everton’s unbeaten run did not end due to playing badly, Hasenhuttl’s Southampton just executed ­tactical plan superbly

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      IT WOULD be a big mistake to think Everton’s defeat at Southampton yesterday was due to the Premier League leaders performing poorly.
      The Toffees came unstuck because Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team again executed his ­tactical plan so well.

      Southampton executed Ralph Hasenhuttl’s game plan perfectlyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Last season we saw Saints play a few different systems.
      But now he is very much going for 4-4-2 out of possession – so they have got that good defensive structure – or 4-2-2-2, when they are in possession.
      The Saints midfield played very narrow so Carlo Ancelotti’s men got dragged inside.

      That left space out wide and Danny Ings took full advantage of it when he darted out left and put the ball in for Che Adams to score the second.
      Both of Hasenhuttl’s fullbacks – Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters – had so much space to exploit and they did it really well.
      Another thing that stood out was Saints are a high-pressing team and they play a high line as well.
      That came under scrutiny when they lost 5-2 to Tottenham last month.

      Against Everton, yes, they were pressing but Oriol Romeu in midfield was positioned in front of the two centre-backs so that they could play a little bit deeper.

      They didn’t have to play too high to remain connected to the rest of the team because Romeu was the link between midfield and defence.
      Looking at Everton I think Ben Godfrey is going to be an excellent signing for them from Norwich.
      But he is not a right-back, he is a centre-back and a very impressive one who, I believe, will play for England.
      But again it was not about how poor Everton were it was how good Saints were.
      They have ten points from their last four games after losing their first two this season.
      They no longer look a work in progress and have taken fully on board what Hasenhuttl wants from them.

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham boss Mourinho refusing to let Bale, Kane and Son off the leash at Burnley until leaky defence is sorted

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      JOSE MOURINHO admits he cannot let his flying forwards off the leash until he sorts out his defence.
      Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been in blistering form and Spurs possess a string of attacking players with the potential to wreak havoc on the Premier League.

      Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are unlikely to be joined by Gareth Bale at BurnleyCredit: EPA

      But with the late collapse in the 3-3 draw against West Ham fresh in his mind, Mourinho says still cannot go all out like he did with his dazzling Real Madrid side which scored 121 goals in one season.
      The Tottenham boss said: “The team, the way we are playing, I think it’s good fun to be an attacking player in our team.
      “In Real Madrid, I had amazing, amazing attacking players and we managed to build the team in a certain way.
      “I have to be honest and say we have lots of good attacking players here but we need to give stability to the team because the team needs stability in the back to feel solid, confident to have a go.

      “So we need to find that balance.
      “Let’s say that it is a team thing, it’s not just about individuals.
      “We need to be able to play with all these attacking players and have the team with everybody ready to be organised defensively and not to give space to the opponent.
      “And behind, we need to improve in some details – that’s obvious.

      Bale arrived on loan from Real Madrid for the season but his start was hampered by injuryCredit: EPA

      “You look to our squad and incredible quality and numbers and options from midfield to attack and we are trying to find solutions and we are trying to be organised.”
      Spurs visit Burnley tonight with Mourinho is playing with the idea of keeping Ben Davies as a centre-back having tried him in that position in the Europa League win over LASK.
      And how he develops the new players Sergio Reguilon and Joe Rodon into his plans will help decide just how good the Spurs unit can be this season.
      Mourinho added: “Ben played, I think, for the first time as a centre-back in a back four because before it was in a back five.
      “Joe Rodon, we just love his potential, his mentality. He needs to work to get there. Matt Doherty has just arrived and he is also adapting.
      “Reguilon, of course, is, especially going forward, an incredible player.
      He needs also to adapt to the defensive demands of the Premier League. It’s a process.”

      Gareth Bale reflects on his first start in second spell at Tottenham in Europa League match More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing’s new super-cruiserweight division ‘sensible’ move that will allow mouthwatering fights such as Usyk vs Wilder

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      BECAUSE Tyson Fury and the rest of today’s leading heavyweights are built the size of articulated trucks, boxing is about to create a new weight class.
      The idea is that it’s going to be above the cruiserweight 14st 4lb limit and the fighters who will be involved won’t be allowed to be heavier than 16st.

      Wilder could be one of the superstars set to compete in this new divisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With 17 weight divisions already, you would think the Noble Art needs another as about as much as Manchester needs a goodwill visit from Boris Johnson.
      But talks between WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and British Boxing Board of Control chairman Charlie Giles are at an advanced stage.
      It is a sensible move and will protect men like Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk — who clashes with Derek Chisora tomorrow week in London — from being at an unacceptable weight disadvantage.
      Usyk, the unbeaten former undisputed world cruiserweight champion ran out of opposition, which forced him to move up among the big boys.

      Yet when he had his first heavyweight fight a year ago he was 15st 5lb, which means he will probably be at least three stone lighter than Chisora next week.
      Tony Bellew, the former world cruiserweight champ knocked out by Usyk in his last fight, has been asked by the WBC to be an ambassador for the plan.
      Bellew said: “I’m very enthusiastic about this because it will allow the small heavyweights and big cruiserweights to have a level playing field.
      “Speaking from experience Usyk is technically the best in the heavyweight division. He’s a genius.

      “But the one thing that will hold him back is sheer size. He will not be able to beat the real big boys for that reason.
      “Heavyweights are getting bigger and bigger. Look at Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. They are huge. The new division is inevitable and the need for it is going to get more apparent.”
      Glenn McCrory, Britain’s first world cruiserweight champion, is 100 per cent behind Bellew. He said: “When I lost my cruiserweight title I moved up to heavyweight and fought Lennox Lewis.
      “He was only a couple of stone heavier but he was throwing me around like I was a rag doll. Imagine what it would be like facing someone three or four stone heavier.”

      Fans may be surprised to learn last century’s legendary world champions would never be considered heavyweights in this era of Goliaths.
      This what they weighed when they won the title. Jack Johnson (13st 4lb), Jack Dempsey (13st 5lb), Joe Louis (14st 1lb) and Rocky Marciano a mere 13st 2lb.
      Can you imagine matching Marciano — 11 inches shorter and six stone lighter — with Fury? He’d be arrested under the Trades Description Act.
      The only negative argument I’ve heard is a new super-cruiserweight division will be unfashionable and therefore unattractive to the TV companies’ networks.
      But if it was launched with a Usyk-Deontay Wilder — an under 16st man — world championship battle, I doubt if that would be too difficult to sell.

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    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd missed out on Dayot Upamecano transfer after row over just £200,000 for RB Leipzig star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED missed out on signing RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano — because of a row over just £200,000.
      Germans Leipzig signed him for £9million in 2017.

      Dayot Upamecano could have been playing for Man Utd but for a row over moneyCredit: EPA

      And he is now worth around £55m and rated one of Europe’s best centre-halves.
      But the French defender could have been playing FOR United in the Champions League this week, instead of facing them, if a fee had been agreed five years ago.
      Upamecano was at Old Trafford with his mum and agent as a deal was lined up with then club Valenciennes — only to fall apart over a small sum of money.
      The defender, 21, was just 16  when he arrived at United in the hope of sealing his dream deal to one of Europe’s giant clubs.

      But instead, Upamecano and his party went away upset as United chiefs only offered £500,000 while the French club demanded  £700,000.
      It was considered too much to pay for a player who was already in the France under-16 and U-17 teams and tipped for the top.
      An insider in the deal said: “Dayot wanted to join United and the fee really was nothing.
      “At first he got the red-carpet treatment but then they would not go that bit further with their offer and he was gone.”

      Instead, RB Salzburg snapped him up just  two weeks later.
      They paid the asking price and pledging extras.
      Liverpool are strongly linked and, ironically, United have been looking again — only this time he will cost a lot more than £700,000. 

      Edinson Cavani joins Man Utd in training for the first time More

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      in Soccer

      Raheem Sterling follows in Marcus Rashford’s footsteps and launches fund for disadvantaged kids

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      RAHEEM Sterling is following in the footsteps of Marcus Rashford and rapper Stormzy by launching a foundation to help disadvantaged kids.
      The Man City and England ace, 25, wants to start a fund to pay for further education or apprenticeships for children from poor areas.

      Raheem Sterling is launching a foundation for disadvantaged childrenCredit: Getty

      He was inspired by Marcus Rashford, who has been campaigning to end child povertyCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      A source said: “He knows what it’s like to grow up without a lot and he really wants to give something back.
      “Like a lot of players he has been very impressed with the work Marcus has done with regards to free school meals and he has decided he wants to do more.
      “He’s determined to make a difference and help improve lives of young people.”
      Dad-of-three Sterling grew up in Wembley, North London.

      He was brought to the UK to live aged five after his dad was murdered in Jamaica.

      He has attracted plaudits for speaking out about racism in football and last year was honoured at the BT Sport Industry Awards for his stance.
      England manager Gareth Southgate said the player’s actions had made “a massive impact on British society”.
      Sterling has also admired Stormzy’s decision to donate £10million to groups dedicated to fighting racial inequality.

      Sterling also admired Stormzy’s decision to donate £10million to help fight racial inequalityCredit: Getty

      Marcus Rashford says ‘enough is enough’ ahead of crunch Commons vote on free school meals
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      in Soccer

      Man Utd outcast Marcos Rojo wanted by Sheffield United in loan transfer this January as Wilder eyes defender

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED will ask Manchester United for Marcos Rojo on loan.
      Blades boss Chris Wilder is looking for a new defender.

      NINTCHDBPICT000577380845-1Credit: PA:Press Association

      The Argentinian centre-half is on the fringes at Old Trafford.
      And he could be available in January.
      Rojo, 30, was the subject of inquiries from several clubs during the last transfer window.
      But United kept him and put him in their squad for the Champions League.

      The fiery defender returned from a disappointing loan back home with Estudiantes in Argentina last term.
      However, he could be sent out again to the Premier League to help him and United.
      Rojo is a free agent at the  end of the season and needs a long-term move.

      Half a season with the Blades may appeal.
      Wilder lost influential defender Jack O’Connell to a  knee injury and still has a loan space.
      And he is hopeful he can agree a deal with United.  More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd missed out on Dayot Upamecano transfer after row over just £200,000 for RB Leipzig defender

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED missed out on signing RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano — because of a row over just £200,000.
      Germans Leipzig signed him for £9million in 2017.

      Dayot Upamecano could have been playing for Man Utd but for a row over moneyCredit: EPA

      And he is now worth around £55m and rated one of Europe’s best centre-halves.
      But the French defender could have been playing FOR United in the Champions League this week, instead of facing them, if a fee had been agreed five years ago.
      Upamecano was at Old Trafford with his mum and agent as a deal was lined up with then club Valenciennes — only to fall apart over a small sum of money.
      The defender, 21, was just 16  when he arrived at United in the hope of sealing his dream deal to one of Europe’s giant clubs.

      But instead, Upamecano and his party went away upset as United chiefs only offered £500,000 while the French club demanded  £700,000.
      It was considered too much to pay for a player who was already in the France under-16 and U-17 teams and tipped for the top.
      An insider in the deal said: “Dayot wanted to join United and the fee really was nothing.
      “At first he got the red-carpet treatment but then they would not go that bit further with their offer and he was gone.”

      Instead, RB Salzburg snapped him up just  two weeks late4.
      They paid the asking price and pledging extras.
      Liverpool are strongly linked and, ironically, United have been looking again — only this time he will cost a lot more than £700,000. 

      Edinson Cavani joins Man Utd in training for the first time More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta blasts back at Mesut Ozil’s agent and insists he HAS been honest with outcast star

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      MIKEL ARTETA says he HAS been honest with Mesut Ozil and his Arsenal revolution is a matter of trust.
      Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut accused boss Arteta of not telling the truth about why he has frozen  the German playmaker out at the Emirates.  But Arteta claims honesty is at the heart of his leadership, saying: “If you have to lead,  they have to trust you.

      Mikel Arteta says he has been honest with Mesut OzilCredit: Reuters

      “In order for them to trust you, you have to be honest. You have to be clear and you have to be able to tell people, face to face, the good and  bad news.
      “Then you have to be consistent in what you say, the demands  you put in and what you apply.
      “When things happen, you applaud them and then when they don’t, there are consequences. Then you create a  culture and within that culture  people have to be accountable.

      “People have to step up and they have to demand the standards  we need of each other from this football club in order to be successful.”
      After the Gunners left Ozil, 32, out of their Premier League and Europa League squads, the World Cup winner  complained on social media: “Loyalty is hard to come by nowadays.”
      Sogut went further in  an interview with ESPN and said: “Arsenal fans deserve an honest explanation, not Arteta saying, ‘I failed Ozil’.
      “You didn’t fail Ozil. You failed to be fair, honest and transparent and treat someone with respect who has a  contract and was loyal all the time.

      “Every single person outside knows he hasn’t treated him fairly.
      “If you talk, you should tell the truth  the Arsenal supporters deserve, otherwise don’t talk at all.”

      Ozil  has  been at loggerheads with the club on a number of issues, including his refusal to take a pay cut in April and in publicly voicing  his support for Uighur Muslims in China last December.
      He also offered to pay the salary of axed mascot  Gunnersaurus, who was made redundant by the club in a cost-saving exercise.
      Arteta says he has worked hard to get to know his players and assess where they fit into his plans to try to revive Arsenal’s  fortunes.
      And the verdict on Ozil is clearly not  at all.

      Ahead of this evening’s Premier League visit of Leicester, Arteta added: “I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand the players.
      “How they are feeling, their background, their culture, how they take certain reactions and certain comments.
      “It’s not about what you say, it’s about the perception and how they understand your messages.
      “They all have  different backgrounds and problems with the language as well, so they might not  understand exactly what you’re saying.
      “It’s tricky and the best thing to do is ask the questions and get their opinions   and then move from there.”

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