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      Ukraine 1 England 1: Kyle Walker comes to the rescue after Zinchenko’s opener but Three Lions lose 100% Euro 2024 record

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      KYLE WALKER’S maiden international goal, in his 77th England appearance, kept Gareth Southgate’s side on course for next summer’s Euros. A stunning assist from skipper Harry Kane allowed the outstanding Manchester City full-back to equalise just before half-time after Oleksandr Zinchenko had fired Ukraine into a shock lead. 
      Kyle Walker rescued a draw for England against UkraineCredit: AP
      Oleksandr Zinchenko fired Ukraine into the leadCredit: Getty
      Zinchenko celebrates netting the openerCredit: Reuters
      Walker netted an equaliser before half timeCredit: PA
      The goal was Walker’s first ever for EnglandCredit: Getty
      But this was England’s most disappointing performance since the World Cup group-stage draw with the United States, as they gave up their 100 per cent record in this qualifying campaign. 
      Despite a host of in-form attacking players, Southgate’s team lacked their usual fluency and failed to create enough clear-cut chances despite dominating possession at the Tarczynski Arena in the Polish city of Ukraine. 
      A passionate crowd of displaced Ukrainian fans, exiled from their war-torn homeland, roared on Sergiy Rebrov’s side, who defended stoutly and were threatening on the counter-attack. 
      England will now have to wait until next month’s Wembley clash with Italy, at the earliest, before they clinch qualification for the finals in Germany. 
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      The Three Lions now face an in-form Scotland in a Hampden Park ‘friendly’ on Tuesday and Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army will have little to fear on the basis of this sloppy display.
      Southgate could call on a clutch of players inspired by summer moves – Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Maddison. 
      But his most controversial selection was that of Jordan Henderson, whose switch to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq has caused a storm with LGBT fans, while also casting doubt on his international future in footballing terms. 
      Ukraine’s players were draped in their national flag for the anthems and there was a feverish atmosphere before kick-off among the thousands of Ukrainian fans living here in Poland.
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      Jordan Henderson started for England in midfieldCredit: Reuters
      Jude Bellingham started the game with confidenceCredit: Getty
      England were utterly dominant early on – with Bellingham full of confidence and invention – but they were unable to carve out a decent scoring opportunity.
      Bukayo Saka appeared to be inhibited by an early knock and Ukraine, having defended assuredly, began to grow as an attacking force. 
      There were a few shaky moments for the English defence before Ukraine seized the lead on 26 minutes.
      Their right-back Yukhym Konoplia surged down the right past Ben Chilwell and cut back for Zinchenko to drill home – England’s midfield having failed to pick up the Arsenal man’s run and Jordan Pickford diving the wrong way. 
      England were provoked into a renewed sense of urgency but Henderson skied a shot and Southgate’s side were beginning to show frustration – Maddison booked for a foul on Illia Zabarnyi. 
      Bellingham carved open the Ukraine defence with a diagonal pass but Maddison failed to capitalise with a poor first touch. 
      The place was rocking and England appeared to be wilting. They needed something out of the ordinary to equalise – and that’s what they produced.  
      Kane had dropped so deep he was standing next to his central defenders, to the side of the centre circle, when he conjured a visionary diagonal pass all of 40 yards towards Walker.
      Harry Kane set up Walker’s goalCredit: Reuters
      Walker finally netted for England on his 77th capCredit: Reuters

      The City defender chested down, rifled past Georgiy Bushchan and survived a VAR check for offside to break his duck after 12 years as an international footballer. 
      After the break Maguire headed on to the roof of the net from a Walker cross and a Henderson centre had Bushchan sprawling.
      But a sloppy Bellingham pass afforded Ukraine a half-chance but Georgiy Sudakov screwed his shot well wide. 
      England had been struggling for fluency, on a difficult playing surface, but they clicked into gear when Maddison fed Kane, who held it up and slipped a pass to Saka, the Arsenal man leathering a shot which Bushchan tipped on to the bar.
      Saka exchanged passes with Maddison, wriggled past a defender but had a shot blocked. 
      Midway through the second half, Southgate introduced Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in place of Bellingham and Maddison, neither of whom had truly sparked. 
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      Rashford had an angled drive pushed out by Bushchan, who then saved a close-range effort from a lunging Maguire. 
      Walker capped a fine personal display with a couple of excellent late challenges to dispossess Mykhailo Mudryk as Ukraine broke menacingly.
      Gareth Southgate must not prepare his team to face ScotlandCredit: Getty More

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      England have finally ‘earned respect’ of European rivals and are ‘blessed’ to have Kane & Bellingham for Euro 2024 push

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      THEY do not hope to win major trophies at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — they absolutely expect it.And the fact that England’s two finest footballers, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are now experiencing that supreme winning mentality at two of Europe’s biggest clubs is good news for Gareth Southgate.
      Harry Kane has made an incredible start to life at Bayern MunichCredit: GETTY
      Jude Bellingham has made a rip-roaring start to life at Real MadridCredit: GETTY
      Kane and Bellingham will be pivotal for England’s Euro 2024 hopesCredit: Getty
      Bellingham, 20, has made a lightning start to Bernabeu life — leading LaLiga’s scoring charts with five goals in four games and winning Player of the Month at the first time of asking in Spain’s top flight.
      Three Lions skipper Kane is so impressed with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star’s storming progress in the Spanish capital that he is concerned his international team-mate could be a rival for the European Golden Boot this season.
      Kane has netted three league goals in as many appearances for Bayern ahead of tonight’s Euros qualifier against Ukraine in Poland, as England close in on securing a place at next summer’s finals.
      And Kane, 30, said: “I’ve seen Jude’s great start in LaLiga. He’s managed to score a few goals so he’s competing with me for the most goals this season!
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      “It is too early for me to mention the European Golden Boot to him yet.
      “But if we get to March and he is still up there with me, I might have a few words.
      “It’s great to see. He’s an extremely good player, a great person, very mature for his age so it’s great to see him doing well.
      “We haven’t spoken about the German league too much.
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      “He asked me how I’m getting on with the language because he found it difficult.
      “But we want as many of our England players as possible to be playing at the highest level.
      “Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world without question.
      “We’ve got great players who have played in big moments and big occasions in our squad — not just for the national team but for their clubs.
      “Me and Jude being at these clubs will only add to that. I think it adds another level of confidence to the team, knowing that we’re all playing in those types of games.”
      After failing to win a single trophy at Tottenham, Kane is now grappling with the expectation of winning every week at Bayern. He said: “It’s definitely a different pressure compared to what I felt at Spurs.
      “Of course, we wanted to win things at Spurs but if you went a couple of games without winning then it wasn’t a disaster.“The feeling at Bayern is that you have to win every game.
      “We won the first two league games 4-0 and 3-1 and there was still talk about not being too happy with the way we played.
      Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are two of England’s brightest stars and and lighting up the world stageCredit: Getty
      “That’s part and parcel of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
      “But we’ve had a good start and I am enjoying feeling those different emotions and that’s part of the reason that I wanted to go.
      “And we start the Champions League campaign when we get back, which Bayern expect to win — or have a good chance of winning. So you’re going into those games with maybe a different feeling to what I’ve had in the past.
      “I believe playing for Bayern will make me a better player.
      “Whether I win things or not, the decision came down to putting me in those situations.
      “With Bayern Munich, sometimes we expect them to win because they have won the league for the last 11 years.
      “But in my short period there is still a lot of pressure to win these trophies. We have not won the German Cup for a few years.
      “And we have not won the Champions League for a few years so there is definitely a lot to gain and a lot of pressure to take.
      “Just the experiences of having title runs and cup runs and a Champions League run will only add — hopefully — to handling pressure in certain situations.
      “If we are going to win anything with England, we are going to have to deal with that.
      Harry Kane admits the recent success of Gareth Southgate’s troops has added pressureCredit: REUTERS
      “Me, being captain, I want to put myself in that position as much as possible. I set my standards as high as they can possibly go.”
      With Bellingham having previously lit up the Bundesliga with Dortmund and Kane now banging in the goals at Bayern, Kane now believes there is a renewed respect for English football in Germany and across Europe.
      He said: “I’m not too sure about whether they fear us.
      “I think in recent games and in the last Euros, the way we performed . . . I think we’ve earned the respect of Germany, 100 per cent.
      “I think we’ve earned the respect of a lot of nations around the world. Individually, with me and Jude having played in Germany, but I think our biggest strength is as a collective.
      “And when other countries look at us, that’s our biggest positive.”
      Kane’s fellow Three Lions stalwart Jordan Henderson, 33, faces the prospect of protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonight.
      That follows his controversial move from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal. And Kane said: “I think every England fan is entitled to their opinions.
      “The majority of the England fans will be behind the team and, once the game starts, will be fully behind everyone. Jordan is a good friend of mine and a great person.
      “He has a job to do — as we all have — and that’s where his focus will be.”
      Jordan Henderson will face protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonightCredit: GETTY
      Meanwhile, Southgate was quick to pile praise on Bellingham ahead of the Ukraine clash.
      Southgate said: “He has a huge maturity. He has a good emotional intelligence.
      “He has had to go into a dressing room and an interesting dynamic where some world-class players are there and he is there to ultimately take their place.
      “But knowing him, he will have approached them off the pitch with huge respect and will have gone into the training sessions and the games ready to compete and show what a good player he is.
      “He found that balance brilliantly when he first joined us and I have no doubt that is what has happened while he has been there.
      “He has had to show a slightly different side because he has played a little higher with them losing Benzema and his game is suited to forward running and arriving in the box and the nice thing from our point of view is that he is scoring more goals, which is great.”
      Bellingham is certain to start in midfield tonight along with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice as he looks to continue his red-hot form.
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      Southgate added: “I’m not completely surprised because of the personality he has and the calmness he has, coupled with the competitiveness, you never know how it is going to go because you don’t know how the team is going to play and whether the role you get at the start is going to suit you.
      “For us, we are blessed. We have got several very very good players so it is exciting.” More

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      Newcastle star could make shock international allegiance switch U-turn as England target winger after Scotland injury KO

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      ENGLAND could target Elliot Anderson for a shock international U-turn after injury ruled the Newcastle winger out for Scotland.The Tynesider appeared to have finally settled his allegiance by accepting a senior Scottish call-up last week.
      Elliot Anderson’s international future could again be up for debateCredit: PA
      The Newcastle local lad has played for Scotland U21s and England U19sCredit: Rex
      But he’s had to pull out of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Cyprus and a friendly against England at Hampden Park next Tuesday.
      Now The Telegraph reckon the Three Lions might go on the prowl for him again.
      Anderson, 20, played for Scotland’s junior sides until switching for one game with England U19s in 2021.
      But he returned to the Scottish ranks at U21 level in March last year.
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      That move seemed to have been cemented when Steve Clarke rewarded his rapid rise at Newcastle by promoting him to the senior Scotland squad.
      And Clarke appeared sure Anderson was content with his choice.
      The former Chelsea defender and ex-Reading manager said: “He had a little think about choosing between Scotland and England.
      “Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, he is one we have had an eye on.
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      “We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and certainly good for us in the future.”
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      Born in Whitley Bay, Anderson qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent. 
      The former Bristol Rovers loanee signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle in September 2022.
      Toon chief Eddie Howe said at the time: “We are all delighted with Elliot’s development.
      “He is a natural talent, but he also has an excellent work ethic and always wants to learn.” More

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      Nine candidates who could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss from Pep Guardiola to Sarina Wiegman

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      ENGLAND are already thinking ahead in case manager Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.Southgate’s contract runs out next year and his future will largely depend on the Three Lions’ performance in the European championship in Germany.
      England manager Gareth Southgate’s contract runs out after Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      If the 53-year-old departs then the FA will be no short of quality options to replace him in the dugout.
      Pep Guardiola has been earmarked as the association’s top pick to take over and push England to glory, just like he did with Manchester City and Barcelona.
      Guardiola’s contract with City expires just a year after Southgate’s and the Spanish tactician is bang in the mix for the job.
      The 52-year-old would be a priority but there are other quality options, one of which would pose as a history-making appointment.
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      SunSport take you through the NINE managers that could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss:
      Pep Guardiola
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is the FA’s “dream” pick for the top job.
      And England chiefs will ty to lure Guardiola if Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.
      The ex-Bayern Munich boss has previously opened the door to the Three Lions as he admitted he would be keen on crossing over to international football.
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      A move to his native Spain would be quite unlikely after his public support of Catalan independence.
      Sarina Wiegman
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed he wouldn’t rule out England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman as the men’s next head coach.
      Wiegman led the Lionesses to European Cup glory in 2022 and then took them to this year’s World Cup Final where they lost to Spain.
      The Dutch tactician is the only manager – male or female – to lead two different teams to a World Cup Final, having also finished as a runner-up with the Netherlands to the USA in 2019.
      Thus, the 53-year-old could indeed become the first ever woman to manage a men’s national team next year, although her contract with the Lionesses expires in 2025.
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      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is England’s “dream” pick to replace SouthgateCredit: PA
      Eddie Howe
      Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England boss.
      It all started during Howe’s time at Bournemouth when he led the Cherries to Premier League promotion in 2015.
      The 45-year-old has since been turning heads at St James’ Park as he led the Magpies to a top-four finish last season and a subsequent return to the Champions League.
      England women’s boss Sarina Wiegman wouldn’t be ruled out for the men’s job by the FACredit: Getty
      Graham Potter 
      Graham Potter has been out of a job ever since his controversial dismissal by Chelsea last season.
      However, Potter is still highly-rated after his stunning three-year stint at Brighton.
      In fact, FA technical director John McDermott met colleagues to discuss potential successors prior to the 2022 World Cup and the 48-year-old was mentioned.
      Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England managerCredit: Alamy
      Lee Carsley
      England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley couldn’t be ruled out for the top job as current England manager Southgate was appointed while he was also in charge of the Young Lions in 2016.
      Carsley led the youth team to a stunning Euro 2023 triumph this summer that saw them winning every game and conceding no goals.
      Steve Cooper
      Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has enjoyed tremendous success and love at the City Ground after leading the club back to the Premier League following a 23-year absence from the top flight.
      But Cooper is no stranger to the England set-up as a former manager of the Under-16s and Under-17s.
      The 43-year-old was a massive success as he won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and made it to the final of the Euros the same year.
      Roma boss Jose Mourinho almost took over as England manager in 2007Credit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho
      Roma boss Jose Mourinho used to be many elite clubs’ dream pick to sit in their dugout.
      But Mourinho’s star has started to fade and there are not many top teams chasing the Special One’s signature.
      However, England have always been keen on the Portuguese tactician and could come back for him after almost signing him in 2007 only for his wife to change his mind at the eleventh hour.
      The two-time Champions League winner knows all about English football having previously worked for Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
      Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard would be in contention for the England jobCredit: Getty
      Steven Gerrard 
      England could go back to some of their biggest legends to take over the hotseat, such as Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard.
      Gerrard is currently in Saudi Arabia making big bucks, but such a challenge could convince him to turn his back on all that easy money and move back to elite competition.
      The 43-year-old experienced immense success at Rangers and an impressive first year at Aston Villa – so much so, that many consider the Liverpool legend as Jurgen Klopp’s natural successor.
      Wayne Rooney
      Another legend that knows all about the demands of being England boss is former record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
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      Rooney showed signs of promise during his time in charge of Derby, despite the crisis that had engulfed the club.
      The Manchester United legend has also shone bright in the MLS as DC United boss as he was also picked to manage the competition’s All Stars to face Arsenal this summer. More

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      Meet the American wonderkids who could end up playing for ENGLAND as FA eye top world talent for young Lions set-up

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      SCOUTS and analysts are scouring the world to secure top talent for England’s youth teams.And two players who both live in the United States could be in action for the Three Lions’ Under-19s and Under-17s tonight.
      American Noel Buck (right) could make his England U19 debut this eveningCredit: Getty
      Christian McFarlane qualifies for the US but is in England’s U17 squadCredit: Getty
      It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the States to have produced top talent which would have interested the Football Association.
      Yet their recruitment and retention department have been hard at work.
      And hoping for his international debut for England’s U19s against Germany in Spain this evening is midfielder Noel Buck.
      Born and bred in Arlington, Massachusetts, Buck plays for home MLS club New England Revolution and has made 24 first-team appearances.
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      His dad Steven holds both American and British passports and last year Buck was called up by the US men’s national team to attend a development camp.
      But he has accepted the FA call-up and could also feature for England against Switzerland on Saturday, alongside Jude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe.
      Similarly, defender Christian McFarlane of New York City could play for England’s U17s tonight against Portugal in Spain.
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      McFarlane, 16, was born in Essex but moved to the USA, aged three.
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      At just 14 years and seven months, McFarlane signed his first pro contract with New York City and in doing so, became the third youngest player in MLS history to sign a deal.
      He has already played for the United States U16s but has accepted England’s invitation and could play against Morocco on Saturday and hosts Spain next Tuesday.
      Of course, both players could still end up with the United States.
      That is shown by the fact Norwich keeper Angus Gunn could pick up another senior cap for Scotland next Tuesday despite his 12 appearances for England’s U21s.
      Gunn, whose dad Bryan played six times for Scotland, swapped countries after believing his chances with England were limited and has already made four senior appearances.
      FANS IN POLE POSITION
      ENGLAND will take almost 3,500 fans to Wroclaw for their Euro qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday.
      The 45,000-seat stadium was a venue for Euro 2012.
      The city considers itself as the ‘Venice of Poland’ owing to its canals and fans may want to know Wroclaw is pronounced ‘vrot-swaaf’.
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      SOUTH KOREA boss Jurgen Klinsmann was at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the hope of watching Nottingham Forest’s Hwang Ui-jo.
      The striker had been an unused sub in Forest’s last three games and the former Spurs frontman was hoping to see him play.
      Sadly for him, Hwang was in Norwich having signed just seconds before the transfer window shut the night before.
      DRAW’S NOT MUCH KOP
      THE biggest clubs in Europe were all in Monaco last week.
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      Teams sent chief execs, sporting directors, ambassadors or just their club secretaries for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa League Conference draws.
      Maybe it was because they are only in the Europa League but Liverpool did not send anyone. More

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      Brighton hat-trick hero Evan Ferguson could still switch international allegiance to ENGLAND like Rice and Grealish

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      EVAN FERGUSON could still switch his allegiances from Ireland to England, according to reports.The Telegraph report that Ferguson remains eligible to play for England despite making six international appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
      Evan Ferguson has three competitive caps for IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
      Brighton’s star man Evan Ferguson hit a hat-trick against Newcastle last time out and has no intention of switching allegiances from Ireland to EnglandCredit: Getty
      Ferguson, 18, qualifies for the England national team due to his mother being English.
      But the Brighton sensation has no intention of switching allegiances having grown up in Bettystown, Meath.
      He has represented the Irish national team from Under-15s level all the way through to the senior side and is in Stephen Kenny’s squad for Ireland’s upcoming qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
      Ferguson is expected to lead the line for Ireland in both games and needs just one more appearance in a green shirt to close off the possibility of playing for England.
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      Fans might be perplexed as to how Ferguson could STILL change his allegiance to the England national team despite appearing six times in an Ireland shirt.
      That’s because Fifa rules on changing nationality were relaxed in 2020.
      Players are now eligible to switch nationalities until they have played four competitive games for their country.
      As only three of Ferguson’s six Ireland appearances have come in qualifiers, he could, in theory, switch to the England national team right now.
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      The rule on playing four times for a country only apply if the player made those appearances before they turned 21 – it was brought in to protect players that are called up to a national team at a young age in order for countries to lock in access to the player.
      As Ferguson is just 18, he is eligible to switch.
      Declan Rice made use of the rule when he changed national teams from Ireland to England in 2019 after making three senior appearances for Ireland.
      Jack Grealish also changed allegiances to play for England after representing Ireland at youth level.
      Ferguson has been asked about the prospect of switching allegiances to England before in an interview with Sky Sports and said: “That’s not gonna happen, no.
      “My mam is English, so that’s where the tie comes in. But I’ve seen a few saying oh, will he? Will he? But I can tell you now it’s a no.”
      Presenter Melissa Reddy then said: “I don’t think your Dad would let you.”
      To which Ferguson said “I wouldn’t be allowed back.”
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      The Telegraph report centred around the fact that Ferguson snubbed interest this summer to sign a new deal at Brighton.
      He produced a stunning performance this weekend as he hit a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle. More

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      Wales boss Robert Page still smarting from humiliating 4-2 home Euro 2024 loss to Armenia

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      ROBERT PAGE is still haunted by Wales’ humiliating Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Armenia in June.The 4-2 summer home Cardiff loss has turned the heat up on Page’s future as the Dragons now face a huge mountain to climb to qualify for the finals in Germany.
      Wales boss Robert Page is under-pressure ahead of must-win Euro 2024 qualifierCredit: AFP
      Ethan Ampadu and Chris Mepham were left shell-shocked by ArmeniaCredit: Rex
      Page knows only a win in the Group D clash with Latvia in Riga on September 11 in Riga will erase those painful memories and keep their Euro dream alive.
      Page said: “It has been a long couple of months. You can’t address and deal with the things that weren’t right.
      “All the players went off on holiday and I had staff meetings and we went through the clips of the game and identified areas we need to address.
      “Armenia wasn’t acceptable and we deserve all the criticism in the world. I take full responsibility.
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      “We don’t want results like we had against Armenia and that’s the one that has haunted me. 
      “It is probably the first test I’ve had. Ever since taking over everything has been rosy.
      “We’ve had success, promotions, qualifications, and this is the first time that I’ve felt time dragging. 
      “I can’t wait and I’ll be putting a positive slant on things when they come into camp because there has been nothing but positivity over the last few years. 
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      “We’ve just had a bad month. The Armenia game is the one that will haunt us. We’ll address it on Sunday night when we meet up.”
      Page received a vote of confidence from Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney despite the shocking result but a section of fans want the 48-year-old out.
      The ex-Watford and Sheffield United centre-back added: “That was nice to hear.
      “But when I took on the job we knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight and we had to manage expectations. 
      “We’ve lost arguably one of the world’s best players in Gareth Bale and some big characters in Chris Gunter and Joe Allen – all significant losses. 
       “I’ve been in football long enough to know how nasty it can get out there on social media. I played until I was 35, so I understand what goes on.
      “I understand the frustration of the supporters but there was nobody more disappointed than me after the Armenia game. 
      “I don’t look at social media and I don’t read any articles from ex-players because it will inevitably cloud your judgement. 
      “When I went into the job at Port Vale after Micky Adams left, I won the first three or four games.
      “Fans were coming on to me and saying that it was the best football we’ve played. They were thanking me but I lost the next two games and it was all ‘get him out’.
      “Inevitably then you are going to be influenced by negativity, and I don’t need that in my life. I just want to remain focused on the job ahead of me and that is getting three points against Latvia. 
      “We’re probably back to where John Toshack was, trying to find the next group coming through, developing and evolving.
      “The remit is to get the next batch of kids through. It is a progression, we are evolving and we need to get caps for these players.
      “I’m going to stick by what I believe in and that’s getting the young players involved. We will give it our best shot. I need to pick a team to go and get us three points in Latvia and we are back on track. ”
      Wales have won just one match – the 1-0 home win over Latvia in March – in their last 12 internationals including a dismal show at last year’s World Cup.
      That has increased the pressure ahead of Thursday’s friendly against South Korea at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      Page said: “There is pressure in every game you play.
      “The reason we are under pressure is because of the expectations we have put on ourselves over the last couple of years and the standards we’ve set.
      “The games we’ve won and the competitions we’ve gone into – getting into the Euros, getting promotion into the Nations League A division and then the World Cup.
      “The one win in 12 is correct as a stat on paper but it frustrates me. 
      “Two games were against Belgium, Netherlands, Poland and we played USA, England and Iran at the World Cup. We have to have common sense looking at the fixtures.
      “We’ve got to appreciate that we’ve Wales. We have had some significant players retire.
      “If we are going to win games we have to manage expectations and defend like we did against Croatia and attack like we did against Latvia.
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      “I want to see a reaction. I want to see us defend. That’s our identity and our foundations.” More

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      England blow as Man City coach hints Jack Grealish will MISS Ukraine and Scotland games through injury

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Jack Grealish may miss England’s upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland.Grealish did not feature in City’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Fulham at the Etihad due to a thigh injury.
      Manchester City star Jack Grealish suffered a thigh injuryCredit: Getty
      Man City stand-in boss Juanma Lillo claimed Grealish may miss England’s next matchesCredit: Rex
      And the Citizens’ stand-in manager Juanma Lillo, who’s filling in for Pep Guardiola as the head coach continues to recover from minor back surgery, dealt England boss Gareth Southgate a further blow.
      Lillo admitted during his post-match press conference that it is “going to be difficult” for Grealish to be fit in time for the Three Lions’ next matches.
      Southgate’s men take on Ukraine next Saturday in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Poland.
      England will the square off against Scotland in an international friendly at Hampden Park three days later.
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      However, Southgate might have to make an adjustment to his attack with Grealish posing as a doubt.
      This also poses as a blow for City, who are currently dealing with a minor injury crisis themselves.
      The Treble winners’ captain Kevin de Bruyne has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and could be out for the rest of the year.
      John Stones is also shelved due to a hip injury he suffered before the start of the campaign.
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      And Stones is expected to be unavailable until after the international break.
      The same goes for City manager Guardiola, who looks set to return to the dugout on September 16.
      That is when the reigning Premier League champions travel to West Ham. More