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      Gareth Southgate watching Championship goalkeeper with England boss ready to make shock call-up for Euro 2024 qualifiers

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      SUNDERLAND keeper Anthony Patterson is in line for a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s FULL England squad.Patterson has already been checked out for his first Under-21s appearance as he is earmarked to play in this summer’s European championship.
      Anthony Patterson has impressed for Sunderland this seasonCredit: Getty
      But the Black Cats stopper could make the full squad for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, or be taken along to train with the team.
      Patterson was being scouted as a potential fourth-choice for the Three Lions even before a calf injury KO’d Crystal Palace keeper Sam Johnstone until April. 
      The 22-year-old has played in all of Sunderland’s 34 league games so far this season, conceding 38 goals.
      The club currently sit 9th in the Championship and four points off the play-offs after back-to-back defeats to Rotherham and Coventry.
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      Patterson has been at the club since 2018 but last season spent time away on loan at Notts County to develop his skillset.
      Southgate has long regarded Jordan Pickford as his number one.
      The 28-year-old, who signed a new contract at Everton earlier this week, was the number 1 at the last two World Cups and the 2020 Euros.
      But his position could come under increased scrutiny as his fellow English goalies fight for the jersey.
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      Until last week’s sending off against Liverpool, Nick Pope had been enjoying a near-faultless season in between the sticks for Newcastle.
      While Aaron Ramsdale has also been consistently impressive for league leaders Arsenal. More

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      Holland confirmed as Nations League 2023 hosts as dates for Uefa tournament are revealed

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      HOLLAND will host the 2023 Nations League finals next summer. The semi-finals take place on June 14 and 15 with the final and third-place play-off on June 18.
      Holland will host the Uefa Nations League finals in 2023Credit: AP
      Matches are set to be staged in Rotterdam and Enschdede with Stadion Feijenoord and De Grolsche Veste the preferred options – the homes of Feyenoord and FC Twente.
      The Johan Cruyff Arena and Philips Stadion are both unavailable due to pre-arranged concerts.
      Louis van Gaal’s side secured their place at the 2023 Nations League finals by topping League A Group 4 ahead of Belgium, Poland and relegated Wales.
      Holland will be joined at the four-team showdown by Croatia, Italy and Spain.
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      Croatia saw off Denmark, France and Austria while Spain pipped Portugal, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
      And Italy recovered from their shock World Cup qualification exit to win their group ahead of Hungary, Germany and England.
      The Three Lions were winless in six matches over the summer sending them down to League B for the next edition.
      The draw for the semi-finals will take place in January.
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      The Nations League was introduced in 2018 to try and eliminate pointless international friendlies with more competitive fixtures.
      Portugal won the inaugural edition in 2019, beating the Netherlands in the final in Porto while France toppled Spain last year in Milan.
      Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe were on target in the final at the San Siro to complete a comeback 2-1 victory for the world champions.
      Croatia will be the only nation making their debut at the finals.
      Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema fired France to the title in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Chris Waddle explains why England will thrash Wales and backs Southgate even though he doesn’t think he’ll win World Cup

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      ENGLAND legend Chris Waddle is confident the Three Lions will thrash Wales at the World Cup.The Three Lions and the Dragons meet in the Battle of Britain on Tuesday at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in their final match of the group stage.
      Chris Waddle has predicted England will thrash Wales at the World CupCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate’s men will top Group B if they win and a draw would be enough to qualify to the Last 16, although if Iran beat USA then England will finish second.
      Wales, on the other hand, need to beat their British counterpart with a score of at least 4-0 to have any hopes of going through after their drab 1-1 draw with USA and their shock 2-0 loss to Iran.
      Waddle, who amassed 62 England caps, does expect a 4-0 result but predicts it will be the other way around.
      The Tottenham and Newcastle great believes Southgate’s side will stand tall because Gareth Bale and co will chase for goals and that will leave them exposed at the back.
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      Waddle told SunSport: “I’m gonna say England win because I think Wales are gonna chase and they’re not the best defensively, let’s be honest.
      “Losing [Wayne] Hennessey is a bit of a blow, it’d be interesting to see what Wales do. Do they sit tight and think, ‘We’ll give them an hour and then we’ll throw everything at it’?
      “But if I was Wales then might as well go for it and if you get caught on the break and get hammered then you get hammered.
      “Listen, you might as well show ambition and say, ‘Look we are going to try and score four goals’ which when you look at it it’s a very tall order but if you don’t have a go at it you’ll never know so I’d be very surprised if they sit back and think, ‘We’ll get a draw’.
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      Chris Waddle insists Gareth Southgate is still the right man to lead EnglandCredit: Dan Charity
      “I’m gonna go 4-0 England. I’m gonna say Harry Kane is gonna get off the mark. I think he will get two and I think we will see the introduction of [Phil] Foden and I think he’ll score.”
      England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 6-2 win over Iran.
      But the Three Lions’s celebrations were short-lived as they then sustained a hapless 0-0 draw with the US.
      England are practically through to the knockouts, as long as they don’t lose 4-0 to Wales and Iran don’t beat America in the final round of fixtures.
      But questions were risen regarding Southgate’s tactics and choices in the starting line-up, with many left baffled by Manchester City ace Phil Foden’s omission.
      This comes after a disastrous Nations League campaign that saw England relegated from the competition’s top flight.
      Chris Waddle doesn’t expect England to win the World CupCredit: William Hill
      However, Waddle still has full faith in the 52-year-old tactician as he insists he’s the right man for the job after leading the nation to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and Euro 2020 final.
      But the former attacking midfielder doesn’t think the World Cup is coming home because the performances are too “inconsistent”.
      Waddle said when asked if the draw with USA hampers Southgate’s position: “No. The Nations League was a disaster, let’s be honest. But again, players looked tired, we played three at the back and went back on four.
      “I think with the squad we’ve got we look better as a four even though we lack pace at the back. We look better in a four, we don’t need three against the teams we play. He may go back to three against a good side, which is good to have if we can be flexible. I like that.
      “But no, just because we had a bad Nations League, if you’re gonna look at it like that then that means Hansi Flick of Germany should lose his job. He’s just only been in it for a year.
      “You look at other teams who haven’t done well in Europe and aren’t in the World Cup. Did they all get the sack? I think it’s the easiest thing to say if you get bad results. Let’s sack the manager.
      “Players like Gareth Southgate and I think he’s done a terrific job to get us in the semi-finals of a World Cup and a final in the Euros. I think he’s been brilliant.
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      “Yes, it’s been very patchy, form is not great and we will be inconsistent and that’s why I don’t think we will win it. But there’s no reason we can’t get in the quarters.”
      Chris Waddle was speaking at the launch of William Hill’s first Home Shop in Hillsborough. Home Shops give customers a unique matchday experience, with another eight going live when the Premier League returns. More

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      When was Roberto Martinez appointed Belgium manager and why was he sacked by Everton?

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      ROBERTO MARTINEZ’S Belgium returns to action against Morocco TODAY – and he’ll be hoping to guide his side to last-16 qualification.The Spaniard guided perennial underachievers Red Devils to a World Cup semi-final in Russia in 2018.Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Martinez worked alongside Belgium international Romelu Lukaku during their time at Everton
      But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing Martinez’s managerial career, as he was sacked by Premier League side Everton.
      When was Martinez sacked by Everton?
      The Spaniard was fired by the Toffees in May 2016 with just one game left of the season.
      While he had taken Everton to fifth in his first campaign at Goodison Park and to, two semi-finals in his final year, fans were urging the board to sack him.
      The 49-year-old Spaniard left the club in 12th in what was considered another disappointing season.
      Martinez has also managed Swansea City and Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.

      When did Martinez join Belgium?
      Just three months after being sacked by Everton, Martinez had another job as the Belgium head coach.
      He brought in his long-term assistant and friend Graeme Jones to work alongside former World Cup winner Thierry Henry.
      His first match in charge saw him lose to Spain in Brussels.
      Since then, Belgium have become one of the most exciting teams in international football, finishing third at the recent World Cup, including beating England twice.
      Martinez joined as Belgium head coach just three months after his sacking at EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Gareth Southgate wants to stay as England boss AFTER World Cup as Three Lions learn opponents for Euro 2024 qualifying

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is determined to remain as England boss after the World Cup.The defiant Three Lions boss penned a three-year contract after reaching the Euro 2020 final last year.
      Gareth Southgate is contracted with the Three Lions until 2024Credit: Getty
      But he has come under increasing pressure since the Euros, overseeing a disastrous Nations League campaign.
      A six-game winless run, including a 4-0 defeat to Hungary in June, has been less than ideal preparation for the Qatar World Cup.
      Southgate, 52, was in attendance at yesterday’s Euro 2024 qualifying draw – and outlined his desire to remain in charge for the upcoming campaign.
      He said: “As we speak now, I’m contracted to this time in 2024, but I am also well aware in football you have to get results.
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      “So the plan is there and the desire for continuity is there too, but I also don’t take for granted that you can underperform and expect to stay in that office.”
      The Three Lions’ dismal Nations League campaign saw them fall into Pot 2 for the draw – and being drawn alongside wily old foes Italy.
      England will face the Azzurri in a rematch of last year’s Euro 2020 final after drawing them from Pot 1.
      They will also have to navigate Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta.
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      On the opposition, Southgate added: “It’s clearly a tough draw given the quality of the opposition.
      “We’ve had draws in qualification that have probably been a little bit more comfortable.
      “Although, I’d have to say, Poland and Hungary in the last qualifying group was particularly tough as well. So we’re used to that.
      “The draws are what they are, it’s how you perform on the day.
      “England’s record against Italy is generally not very good — and we’ve got to improve that.” More

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      ‘We have to deal with it’ – England boss Southgate urges players to stand up to pressure and ‘take some ownership’

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has told his England stars to ‘own’ the pressure as they head into next month’s World Cup.The Three Lions will fly to Qatar on the back of a record run of SIX competitive matches without a win — and Nations League RELEGATION.
      England manager Gareth Southgate has ordered his players to “own” the pressureCredit: Getty
      England have suffered a miserable six-match winless streak ahead of the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And England boss Southgate said: “Of course, the pressure is coming for us.
      “You’re going to a World Cup. You would not choose to go into a World Cup with the run of results we’ve had. But, actually, we’re stronger for that. The players have to take some ownership.”
      England finished bottom of their Nations League group, while Luke Shaw’s strike in  the 3-3 Wembley draw with Germany was a first goal from open play in 521 MINUTES.
      England’s World Cup Group B opener is against Iran on November 21.
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      Southgate added: “When it’s going well, it’s enjoyable. But it doesn’t breed that hardness  you’re going to need.
      “We can play friendlies where  we don’t learn so much about people.
      “We’ve been tested against  high-level opposition. Players had to come through more scrutiny, a bit of pressure.
      “Whether we want to delay it, make it  comfortable, in the end  that pressure is coming.
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      “We have to deal with it. We might as well have it in the lead-in, because it means the players have to step up and take some ownership.
      “As a team, we’ll be better for that challenging period.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro slams ‘sick and ungrateful’ Portugal fans following criticism of Man Utd icon

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S sister Katia Aveiro has leapt to his defence after he was slammed by Portugal fans following the 1-0 loss to Spain.The defeat meant Portugal lost their place at the top of Nations League Group A2 with Spain instead qualifying for the final four.
      Katia Aveiro showed support for Cristiano Ronaldo while slamming Portugal fans
      Ronaldo was criticised following Portugal’s Nations League exitCredit: Getty
      Supporters were quick to criticise Ronaldo after the match with some questioning whether he should still be picked.
      But Katia rejected the backlash and accused the fans of being cruel and ungrateful while claiming Ronaldo receives little support and is still the “best player in the world”.
      She wrote on Instagram: “He has his family and those who love him by his side. They will always be by his side, no matter what.
      “But the current times don’t surprise me at all. The Portuguese spit on the plate they eat [from], it has always been that way.
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      “That’s why when someone appears from the ashes and changes mentalities, it bothers… With you always, my king. Calm down.
      “It is necessary to give a hand to those who have always given theirs to Portugal. But the Portuguese are sick, petty, soulless, stupid, ungrateful and forever ungrateful. This guy who’s sitting, he’s on his knees… There’s no one to give him a hand.
      “It is cruel. And it was already so much, but so much that he gave and gives. The one sitting is called Cristiano Ronaldo and he is just the best player in the world.”
      Katia was in attendance at the Braga Municpial Stadium supporting Ronaldo alongside his Spanish girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.
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      Georgina, 28, wowed in a low-cut dress and big sparkling earrings but could not be the good luck charm for CR7.
      Ronaldo even played through the pain barrier after sustaining a cut on his nose and a black eye in Portugal’s previous game against the Czech Republic.
      The striker was left in a bloody mess after being whacked in the face by Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomas Vlacik but later returned to the pitch with a bandage on his nose. More

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      Georgina Rodriguez stuns in low cut dress at Portugal vs Spain but can’t inspire Cristiano Ronaldo to victory

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      GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ stunned in a green dress in the stands at Portugal versus Spain – but she could not inspire Cristiano Ronaldo to victory.The 28-year-old was spotted in the crowd during the crunch Nations League match..
      Despite his best efforts, Ronaldo and Portugal fell to defeat against SpainCredit: Getty
      Georgina Rodriguez cheers on Portgual in the Nations LeagueCredit: EPA
      Georgina has over 37 million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      Georgina began dating Ronaldo in 2016Credit: Georgina Rodriguez/instagram
      Despite the support, Ronaldo and his teammates fell to a 1-0 defeat.
      Georgina watched from the stands, wowing in a low cut dress and big sparkling earrings.
      She watched a game that was goalless until late on – when Spain’s Alvaro Morata hit a winner just before stoppage time.
      The former Chelsea striker popped up to score in the 88th minute after receiving a header from Nico Williams.
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      The win means Spain leapfrogged Portugal into the top spot in Group B.
      They can now look forward to a Nations League semi-final in the summer of 2023.
      They join Croatia, Italy or the Netherlands in the final four.
      Portugal can look forward to the World Cup which is now only weeks away, but they will be disappointed to be heading out of the Nations League.
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      A draw against Spain would have seen them into the finals.
      It’s been a particularly challenging week for Ronaldo, who remains the star of the show.
      The 37-year-old had earlier been left with a bloody nose and black eye after being clattered by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik as Portgual won 4-0 against the Czech Republic.
      His challenging week on international duty, which has seen class from the Portuguese media for him to be dropped, comes after a difficult few months at Manchester United.
      After a failed bid to spring himself from Old Trafford in the summer, he has struggled to elbow his way into Erik ten Hag’s first XI.
      The superstar has so far been limited to Europa League action but will be hoping to start in this weekend’s Manchester derby. More