The Sun Newspaper

JAMES MADDISON celebrated Leicester’s thumping 5-2 win at Manchester City on the golf course — impersonating US Open champ Bryson DeChambeau.
And the England midfielder admits the Foxes are taking great pleasure in proving this campaign will be no swing-and-a-miss after a poor end to last season.

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James Maddison capped Leicester’s 5-2 victory at Man City with a superb goal – before copying Bryson DeChambeau’s headwearCredit: Instagram / @madders

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American Bryson DeChambeau is famous for his style of hats, as emulated by James MaddisonCredit: USA TODAY Sports

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Foxes’ playmaker James Maddison admits he celebrated long and hard after they made it three straight winsCredit: Instagram / @madders

The emphatic victory at the Etihad — which included a superb curling strike from Maddison — means Brendan Rodgers’ side have won their opening three top-flight games for the first time ever.
It is a run that is perhaps unexpected after just two wins from their final 10 games last season, which cost them a place in this year’s Champions League
But Maddison — who was all smiles yesterday donning a DeChambeau-style golf hat as he enjoyed a relaxing round with former Foxes teammate Andy King — says it is time to draw a line under those dark days.
After making his Prem comeback since having hip surgery in the summer, the England midfielder admitted: “There was a lot of murmurs about us suffering a hangover after last season.

Tactically, we got it right. No disrespect to West Brom or Burnley, but we had to change our approach at City.
James Maddison

“We put them to bed with that result and answered those questions the right way by doing our talking on the pitch.
“There was a lot of noise about how we ended last season. But the reality is we’d have bitten your hand off for fifth place and we’re so happy with the start we’ve made to this season.
“We kept the winning run going and limited them to a few chances, and only conceded from two set-pieces.
“It’s very rare that a team comes to Manchester City and scores five.

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James Maddison celebrates bagging the fourth goal as Leicester shocked Man City with a 5-2 win at the EtihadCredit: AFP or Licensors

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Once-cap England ace James Maddison turned to the greens after giving Man City the bluesCredit: Instagram / @madders
“Tactically, we got it right. No disrespect to West Brom or Burnley, but we had to change our approach at City.
“The gaffer told us he’s had 13 years as an aggressive, front-foot manager but sometimes you can’t afford to do that.”
Maddison destroyed City’s structure with a stunning fourth goal which ripped into the roof of Ederson’s net from more than 20 yards.
He added: “I’m always practising from those sorts of situations, so I feel confident shooting even from difficult spots. I’ve got a decent record from scoring outside the area.

“That wasn’t my best goal for the club. I liked my goal at home to Watford when I juggled it, then scored. But this one is definitely up there.”
Maddison is still not 100% fit after going under the surgeon’s knife during the shortened pre-season, and he said: “I’m getting there, but I’m not quite there yet.
“This is my first season without any minutes in pre-season and it’s made me realise how important it is but I’m getting closer with every game.”

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PREMIER LEAGUE football is becoming a total joke and the game is being killed with this crazy new interpretation of the handball law.
Nine days ago there was the daft decision against Manchester United which saw Crystal Palace awarded a penalty when the ball grazed Victor Lindelof’s arm.

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Mark Halsey believes the new Premier League handball law is a jokeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Eric Dier was the latest victim as Spurs conceded a late penalty, earning Newcastle a 1-1 draw

On Saturday, Palace were the victims against Everton when Joel Ward was punished for a handball in the box, after a VAR review.
It was never a spot-kick. Ward’s arm was not in an unnatural position and even Superman would not have been able to get out of the way after Lucas Digne headed at him from such close range.
Then to top the lot we get that absolutely ridiculous stoppage-time VAR decision against Tottenham’s Eric Dier, which earned Newcastle a penalty and an undeserved point.
It is a disgrace. Dier’s arm is in a natural position because he is jumping and he has got no idea of where the ball is.

You need your arms to lever yourself up. To be honest I can’t say which one of the three decisions was the worst – they were all as bad as each other! 
The Premier League has got to do something about it because this cannot continue.
We should be talking about brilliant goals, superb tackles, fantastic saves. Instead it is all about refereeing decisions.
There was also controversy Tammy Abraham’s equaliser for Chelsea at West Brom when the ball came off Kai Havertz’s arm in the build-up,

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Victor Lindelof was punished in Man Utd’s win against BrightonCredit: EPA

You could argue that if it had not hit his arm it would have gone out for a goal kick.
West Brom had a chance to clear, but  kicked it to a  Chelsea player whose shot was parried before Abraham  scored.
Last season that goal would not have been allowed but now any handball by a team-mate has to be immediate and lead to a goal threat.
But without the handball that goal would not have been scored. Or, if it had dropped to Abraham straight away it would have been disallowed. Everyone is confused.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson spoke for everybody when he said on Saturday the new handball interpretation was destroying the game.
It is a shame he didn’t speak like that last week when he got that penalty.
It would have added more credibility to what he was complaining about this weekend if he had come out with something similar after the United game.
The chaos stems from a directive that has come from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) regarding their interpretation of handball following a move to supposedly clarify things by Pierluigi Collina and David Elleray at IFAB (International Football Association Board).
Officials are getting confused with unnatural and natural positions and no way in these three incidents did Lindelof, Ward or Dier have their hand or arm in an unnatural position.
The PGMOL have issued their directive to referees and they are saying even if the ball comes off someone’s knee, head, or midriff and hits an arm which is  sticking out it is unnatural and penalties are being given.

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Kai Havertz was not pulled up on his handball in the build-up to Chelsea’s equaliser at West BromCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Roy Hodgson was left fuming at the law after Crystal Palace’s defeat to EvertonCredit: EPA
But that is not correct in the IFAB laws of the game. I honestly feel that the referees now on the select group, don’t know what a handball is.
I’ve heard that the official, Kevin Friend, didn’t think the Ward handball was a penalty  but under the new directive, and following the VAR intervention, he felt obliged to give it.
It wasn’t a clear and obvious error though. In fact it wasn’t an error at all. They are listening to what the PGMOL directives are but for me they are contrary to the wording in law.
As for Dier, he had his back to the ball for goodness sake and can someone please tell me how you are meant to jump with your hands by your side?
VAR would work perfectly if it was implemented correctly but it is not.
I feel for referees because they are not happy with the interpretation of handball by the PGMOL management.
The only way to change it is for the stakeholders, the players, the clubs, the managers, everybody in football, to get the PGMOL to drop this ludicrous interpretation they are using at the present.
Because what they are asking them to do is not correct under the wording of the text from IFAB.
Handball is simple. Did Lindelof, Ward,   or Dier deliberately make themselves bigger? Did they deliberately handle the ball? Did they deliberately move their arm towards the ball to stop it going where it was going? 
In these three cases the answer to all these questions is no, so that is not handball. Hand on heart, I fear for the game if this nonsense continues.

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HANDBALLS have become ridiculous now, the rules make no sense whatsoever and common sense has to prevail.
Being a defender, when a player entered the box my first thought was how to defend but now players are having to think about where their hands are and it is wrong.

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Tottenham star Eric Dier was punished for this accidental handball, and it led to a penalty equaliser for NewcastleCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

What is an unnatural position? Forcing defenders to put their hands behind their back is unnatural.
And by doing that they are at a disadvantage. Their balance is off and they are unable to change direction quickly if they need too.
From a player’s perspective, there is never any intent when your hands are by your side so it is ridiculous to see all these handballs being given.
It seems every time a defender handles the ball in the box it is a penalty whereas attackers can now get away with it.

It will get to a point where attackers will tactically attempt to hit arms and if that happens we should all go home.
You have to use common sense. I understand they have tried to simplify the rules but they have just made it more complicated.
Football is not black and white, there will always be grey areas because every situation is different.
And when these grey areas do occur referees should go to the monitor and check if the arm is in an unnatural position, whether the player’s body has been made bigger and the distance between them and the ball.

The Sun Says

RICH Premier League clubs should bail out lower league outfits facing Covid oblivion.

They are not just the lifeblood of their communities. They and their players are, in part, the lifeblood of the Prem too.
Some have rich owners, who must dig deep now that they are facing a season without fans. But many teams don’t. 
It would be a calamity to let them fail through no fault of their own.
A few, admittedly, are badly run — and the Prem would need strict guarantees on how a £200million donation would be spent by the 72 EFL clubs. 
Some people will say the Government should step in. But it cannot bail out every industry. That way lies ruin. In football’s case there’s another solution.
It’s right for wealthy Prem giants to fund a rescue. It’s in the national interest and their own too.

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Joel Ward was on the end of this shocker of a handball decision for Crystal Palace

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VAR and the referee decided to award Newcastle a penalty for this ‘handball’

Getting former players into Stockley Park would help massively because they could talk from experience.
These issues could easily be solved with minor changes.
I believe defenders should only be penalised for hand balls if the arm is the only thing the ball strikes.
But if the ball hits another part of the body, or would have hit another part of the body if it did not strike the arm then it is clear the player had his arms close to his body and should not be penalised.
This would take away a lot of doubt around whether the arms are in a natural or unnatural position.

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SPURS could strike it lucky by getting Milan Skriniar on the cheap — because Inter Milan are scrambling for cash to sign N’Golo Kante.
Tottenham are in talks with the Italian club over a deal for Skriniar — the man boss Jose Mourinho believes can sort out his team’s defensive problems.

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Spurs could be set to land Milan Skriniar for a bargain £35mCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Inter need to raise funds to sign N’Golo Kante from ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association

But they were put off by the £55million asking price for the 25-year-old Slovakian.
Inter have since lowered their demands to just over £45m.
But they may now drop their valuation to £35m just to get some cash in to fund a bid for Chelsea star Kante.
The Blues seem prepared to do business for the France midfielder. 

But only if someone coughs up £45m.
And the Serie A club do not have that kind of money available.
Yet boss Antonio Conte believes the capture of Kante, 29, is so vital to his plans to overhaul Juventus he believes a sacrifice can be made in the Skriniar deal.
He wants the Inter board to lower the asking price to ensure the transfer is done.

UK agency Base have been given the mandate to secure the deal.
Inter will then turn their attention to signing Kante.
He could be sold to finance a Blues bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice.

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