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Fellow academy star Angel Gomes was quick to respond to Greenwood’s Instagram post, hinting that it won’t be the last for the immensely talented Bradford-born striker.

Greenwood has scored a superb 26 goals for the youth teams this season and nearly opened the scoring for United in the first-half when he was picked out by an Andreas Pereira cross, but he couldn’t connect with his header properly and Neil Etheridge denied Greenwood a dream start to his Premier League career.

The game for The Red Devils was a shambles, as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Josh Murphy tore United apart.

Greenwood, however, at least offered hope to Manchester United fans that the future will be brighter.

Angel Gomes himself made his professional debut against Crystal Palace in 2017 and, along with Greenwood, is considered one of the brightest wonderkids to emerge from the academy ranks in recent years.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to pull United out of a rut he must find a way to incorporate them into his first team squad on a regular basis next season.

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Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter in disbelief after the Daily Mail revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he doesn’t need to sign a new centre-back this summer.

The Red Devils are perhaps at their weakest in the centre of defence, where players such as Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo have done little to show that they can be depended on consistently.

Who would win out of Man Utd’s treble winners and Man City today? Fans discuss in the video below…

Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are arguably the club’s two best options in that department, but even then the pair of them have struggled to strike up a partnership formidable enough to keep the goals out.

Jose Mourinho was famously desperate to sign a centre-back in his final transfer window at the club before his sacking, and much was made of his deteriorating relationship with Ed Woodward after no new additions were made in central defence.

Almost a year on from that window, Solskjaer and Woodward’s belief that the club still don’t need a new centre-back has sparked outrage from the United supporters on Twitter…

There were rumblings last week that Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie was hoping for one last big payday in his career, and it is thought that it would have to be away from St James’ Park if that were to happen.

The Scotland international has been a revelation for Rafa Benitez this season, adapting to his new role as left wing-back, which has seen him play some of his best football since arriving on Tyneside.

There was talk among fans of discord between Ritchie and new signing Miguel Almirón — although subsequently played down by the club — but if true, it could be a reason why a move may be on the cards for the amiable player.

According to the Scottish Sun via the Daily Record, Newcastle are looking to rival Arsenal to sign Ryan Fraser from Bournemouth, and will look to offer Eddie Howe cash plus Ritchie in any deal.

We look at the potential consequences of a swap deal between the two.

Benitez is being backed by Mike Ashley

If Newcastle — whether involving a swap deal with one of their current players or not — are willing to sanction transfer deals of around £20 million, which is approximately what the player would cost, it is likely to mean Rafa has been given the assurances he was looking for, and signed a contract extension at the club.

It would be unlikely that Newcastle would try to buy a Benitez signing if a new manager was coming in, as it would be certain that any new boss would want to bring his own players to the club.

So if the deal is given the green light, the loss of one of the fans’ favourite players would be countered by the knowledge that their beloved manager was staying.

Fans will always back Benitez, and they will have faith in his decision. As Newcastle fans constantly remind everyone — In Rafa They Trust!

Fraser would be an upgrade on Ritchie

As disappointed as supporters would be at the loss of Ritchie, they would be gaining an upgrade, with Fraser being widely considered a better footballer, and at 25-years-old, would prove better value for money than giving a new, lucrative contract to a player that will turn 30 in September.

And if you compare their stats, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, for this season: Fraser has seven goals compared to Ritchie’s three; has 11 assists to Ritchie’s five, and he has only two bookings compared with 9 for Ritchie.

So if fans have any doubts they should be put to rest when they see Fraser play.

Bournemouth would see the return of a hero

If anyone saw the reception Ritchie was given by the Cherries’ fans when he returned to the Vitality Stadium with Newcastle this season, they will know he is still held in high regard on the South coast.

Despite slamming hope a pile-driver of a shot in injury time to deny Eddie Howe’s side the points, he was still applauded from the pitch by the home sections, such is his stature at the club.

If he was to return, there is little doubt that he would be welcomed with open arms, with many fans still ruing the decision to let him go when they did.

So in many ways, a potential deal involving both players would be a good one for all concerned — both clubs and players.

What do you think of the mooted swap deal with Ritchie and Fraser, Newcastle fans? Let us know your thoughts below…

قال أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة، إن ما تحقق هو نتاج عمل وجهد كبير من الأندية الثلاث الذين يمثلون مصر في البطولات الافريقية.

وأشار أشرف صبحي في تصريحات رسمية إلى دور الحكومة في عودة النشاط الرياضي في ظل جائحة كورونا، وهو ما سينعكس بشكل إيجابي كبير على منتخب مصر الاول الذي يستعد لتصفيات الامم الافريقية القادمة، والمنتخب الاولمبي الذي يستعد لأولمبياد طوكيو ٢٠٢١.

صور | أشرف صبحي والخطيب وممدوح عباس يُشاركون اتحاد الكرة في تأبين الراحل عزمي مجاهد

وأكد صبحي دعمه الكبير واللا محدود للأندية الجماهيرية والشعبية، مع الحفاظ على تلك الكيانات من اي أزمات قد تواجهها، وأن الدولة داعمة بشكل كبير ولا محدود للمنظومة الرياضية.

وأضاف أن الوزارة ستقف بجانب الأندية الثلاثة الأهلي، والزمالك، وبيراميدز التي تقترب بشدة من الوصول لنهائي بطولتي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، والكونفدرالية الافريقية، بعد تحقيقهم نتائج إيجابية وفوز مستحق في الجولة الأولى من مباريات نصف النهائي لدوري ابطال افريقيا للاهلي والزمالك، و بيراميدز الذي يمثل مصر في الكونفدرالية الافريقية،

ووجه صبحي الشكر لمجالس إدارات الاندية المشاركة فى بطولتى دورى أبطال افريقيا، والكونفدرالية على الظهور بشكل يناسب تاريخ مصر الكروي في افريقيا، موضحا ان الاهلي والزمالك هما بالفعل قطبي كرة القدم في افريقيا والوطن العربي.

يذكر ان الأهلى قد حسم مباراة الذهاب فى نصف نهائى دورى أبطال إفريقيا أمام الوداد المغربى بنتيجة 0/2، وفاز الزمالك فى نفس الدور خارج ملعبه أيضا بنتيجة 0/1، وحقق بيراميدز إنجازا تاريخيا بصعوده لنهائى بطولة الكونفدرالية لأول مرة فى تاريخه بعد الفوز على حوريا كوناكرى 0/2.

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Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to a tweet from the club, as the Bhoys wished a happy birthday to popular attacker Scott Sinclair.

It’s been a funny old season for Celtic, as in some ways it’s actually been the best of any of the campaigns since Brendan Rodgers’ arrival.

Sure, the Bhoys crashing out of both the Champions League and Europa League was a setback, but isn’t it more fun winning the league when Rangers are actually up near the top to witness it?

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

The Hoops will face off against their old foes once more before the year ends, and a second Old Firm win of the campaign would be a memorable way to secure their eighth consecutive league title.

And no one would be more deserving of an iconic winner in the derby than Sinclair, who turned 30 on Monday.

The versatile attacker has racked up 60 goals and 34 assists in 152 showings for Celtic, and fans were full of praise for him on his special day.

There were even a few calls for a new contract in response to the club’s tweet – his current deal expires in the summer of 2020.

Have a look at the Twitter reactions down below…

It’s still tough to understand quite how Liverpool have found themselves in their current position. Despite leading the way in the Premier League title race during the early stages of 2019, they’ve lacked the bite and consistency that made them such a deadly force earlier this season, and as the end of the season edges ever closer, the pressure on the shoulders of Jurgen Klopp is increasing by the week. 

This, according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, has left the German panicking and struggling for the answers that he needs to help take Liverpool to the promised land. 

Speaking on The Debate, via Sky Sports, Merson said: “Jurgen Klopp is panicking”.

He offered a number of examples, noting: “Panic is setting in, as shown by his substitutions, bringing on Adam Lallana for Sadio Mane – you’ve got to win that game. Everton were never going to win the game – they had settled for a point. James Milner coming on… I like him, but you’ve got to win the game. You’ve got Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri on the bench. I’ve been a manager myself and sometimes you sit there after a game and think ‘I shouldn’t have done that’.”

Klopp, of course, finds himself in a very high-pressure situation. The Premier League title race is as close as it gets, and Liverpool have drawn the majority of their games over the last few weeks. Indeed, they’ve won just 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions, and that’s not title-winning form.

Is the situation getting to him? Maybe, but it’s also important to recognise that he’s been here before. He managed to win the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012, despite the might of Bayern Munich, and that came with all the same pressures that he’s having to negotiate with now.

Some would argue that Merson, who has only managed one team – Walsall, for less than two years – is not in a position to criticise Klopp, and that’s certainly a fair comment to make, but the visibly frustrated, often angry Klopp of the last few weeks differs from the smiling, relaxed Klopp that began the season. There’s no way around that.

Still, the German has got his team into this position, and he’s got the ability to take things to the next level. It’s hardly panic stations, after all. Liverpool are just one point behind Man City – and it’s all to play for.

Thoughts?

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Everton have made an offer to sign Porto attacker Yacine Brahimi on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to Correio da Manha via Sports Witness.

What’s the story, then?

Speculation surrounding Brahimi’s future is not exactly new. After all, the experienced attacker is out of contract this summer, meaning clubs can effectively sign him for free, although likely on ridiculous wages.

Brahimi has scored 50 times and registered 40 assists in 199 appearances for Porto since arriving from Granada in 2014.

This season, the 29-year-old has nine goals and six assists in 33 appearances in all competitions, suggesting that he will be a huge loss to Porto if he departs.

It is looking increasingly likely that the Algerian will be on his way out, with a new challenge potentially on the cards.

According to Correio da Manha via Sports Witness, Everton have offered Brahimi a contract, but they will face competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Would Brahimi be a good signing?

In short, yes. On a free, the deal would be an absolute no-brainer for the club.

Everton would have to commit to fairly sizeable wages, but there is no question that the Toffees should be looking to bring the attacker to Goodison Park.

Brahimi landed the Portuguese title with Porto last season, whilst he has also sampled life in Ligue 1 and La Liga, which are experiences that will stand him in good stead if he does move to the Premier League.

A clever footballer with a good turn of pace, Brahimi has the tools required to be a success in England and would surely relish the chance to join a club who have ambitions of pushing up the table next season.

That said, Wolves will be strong competition as last season’s Championship winners continue to go from strength to strength.

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Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha have appealed his added one-match ban and £10,000 fine for improper conduct in his side’s clash with Southampton on 30th January. The winger was shown yellow for his reaction to a James Ward-Prowse tackle and, in feeling that he was wrongly booked, expressed his frustration by sarcastically clapping referee Andre Marriner, who produced the second yellow and red cards.

The 26-year-old’s appeal meant that he was available for the clash with West Ham this weekend, although the decision to do so could come back to haunt his side in the coming weeks.

On the chalkboard

West Ham held Palace to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday and the influential number 11, who scored his side’s equaliser, was expected to serve another match ban this weekend, thus missing the clash.

His appeal, though, puts that suspension back to the Doncaster FA Cup game next Sunday – a far less important game. Palace failed to capitalise on their numerous opportunities in front of goal on Saturday, but Zaha’s second-half strike gave his side a platform to fight back in the second half, and they can feel aggrieved that they didn’t secure all three points in the end.

The decision to appeal may have benefitted him and his team in the short term but, if the former Manchester United man’s appeal is rejected, Palace could find themselves with an uphill task for the next few weeks.

No Zaha for the rest of Feb?

When the FA rejects an appeal the ban can be extended, meaning that the number 11 could find himself watching from the stands for far longer than the one-match suspension he has been handed.

This month, Palace face Leicester – they have beaten the Foxes without Zaha earlier this season, though – and Man United, who have enjoyed a spectacular run since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment.

Both games will require all hands on deck if Palace are to get results and their chances will significantly be reduced if their star winger is out of the picture. They may, then, wish that they had gritted their teeth through the West Ham clash without him, rather than be without him for the following few games.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

The Blues remain stranded in the bottom half of the Premier League table after another defeat at Stamford Bridghe

Chelsea made it three straight Premier League games without a win or a goal as they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. It was a tight game, with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling trying to get through the well-structured Villa defence, but nothing came off for the Blues in a frustrating afternoon.

Their bright start to the second half was put to an end when Malo Gusto was sent off for his tackle on Lucas Digne. The defender was initially shown a yellow card, but the referee decided to upgrade it to a red after a VAR review.

Villa were able to take advantage 15 minutes later when Thiago Silva's awful error in the middle of the field surrendered possession to the visitors and they charged forward, allowing Ollie Watkins to lash in his first goal of the season.

With just one win from their first six matches in the Premier League this season, the pressure is already mounting on Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues' expensive signings.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Robert Sanchez (7/10):

  Pulled off great saves to deny Villa in the first half and stayed strong in the second.

  Malo Gusto (4/10):

  Had looked good on the right side but was sent off for an unnecessarily rough challenge on Digne in the second half.

  Axel Disasi (6/10):

  Thought he had opened the scoring late in the first half but was offside. Looked okay defensively.

  Thiago Silva (5/10):

  Had been solid at the back with some key clearances and blocks, but it was his error that gave Villa the ball and let them run up and score.

  Levi Colwill (6/10):

  Played as a traditional left-back to strengthen Chelsea's defence and did a good job up against Diaby.

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  Midfield

  Conor Gallagher (5/10):

  Had a couple of decent moments but left a few big spaces in midfield.

  Moises Caicedo (6/10):

  Looked strong in midfield and had Chelsea's first shot on target with a long-range effort.

  Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

  Played high up and tried to combine with the attackers but nothing came of it.

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  Attack

  Raheem Sterling (6/10):

  Frustrating performance! Looked bright but the final product was missing due to hesitation, bad decisions or crumbling under Villa's challenges. Should have scored early in the second half.

  Nicolas Jackson (5/10):

  A threat whenever Chelsea played with pace and sent him in behind the Villa defence, but it didn't happen often enough.

  Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):

  His imagination and ability to link up with Jackson and Enzo was on display as he made some dangerous passes and crosses.

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  Subs & Manager

  Ben Chilwell (7/10):

  Brought on to cover after Gusto's red card and had a great low cross but Villa cleared. Had a shot saved by Martinez, too.

  Lesley Ugochukwu (5/10):

  Came on with 20 minutes left but did not do much.

  Cole Palmer (6/10):

  A good pass to Sterling gifted the winger a good chance and then found Disasi with a nice ball, but the defender blasted it way off target.

  Armando Broja (5/10):

  Late introduction and barely got on the ball.

  Mauricio Pochettino (5/10):

  His team had some bright moments but not strong enough on home soil. The attackers were too easily isolated and could not string enough dangerous attacks together.

From FA Cup final goals to WSL title winners, the Australia striker's highlight reel is incredible. Here are ten of her biggest moments for the Blues

Ahead of the 2022-23 Women's FA Cup final, Sam Kerr faced the media. The Aussie has described the venue as her favourite, and when she was asked what she loves about it, her answer summed up the success she and the club have enjoyed since she first pulled on Chelsea colours in early 2020.

"That every time I go there it’s for a trophy," she replied. "I never have to visit otherwise. I think that’s exactly it. It’s a big-game stadium. You don’t go there to play any other game other than for a trophy. I’ve never been there and not won a trophy. Fingers crossed this weekend is the same."

But Kerr doesn't just turn up to Wembley and win. She thrives. The forward has scored five goals in four visits, winning three FA Cup titles and one Community Shield.

That knack for popping up in the perfect moment doesn't just apply to England's national stadium, either. It's relevant to most big games and moments, whether it's a huge occasion like the Women’s FA Cup final or a cold night in Walsall when Chelsea must win.

Kerr's record since she arrived in England showcases that. The 29-year-old has scored 10 goals in seven domestic finals and in six in succession, collected two Women's Super League Golden Boot awards and helped the club to win nine major honours in just over three years.

But which have been Kerr's biggest moments in Chelsea blue? GOAL takes a look…

GettyHat-trick in the 2021 Conti Cup final

It was in Kerr's second final for Chelsea, back in March 2021, that we got a real look at the big-game player she was going to become for this team.

The Blues were facing a Bristol City side whose journey to the showpiece event was incredible – the Robins would be relegated at the end of the season – but they were put to the sword at Vicarage Road. With only nine minutes on the clock, Kerr was played in by Fran Kirby for her second of the day, prompting the Aussie to pull out her famous backflip celebration for the first time for the club.

“I’m shaking my head because I’ve waited 12 months for that,” manager Emma Hayes said after the game. “She could’ve given me a heads up!"

Kerr ended the day with a hat-trick, two assists and her second Continental Cup title. Not a bad day’s work!

AdvertisementGettyBreaking the deadlock against Wolfsburg

Chelsea do not like playing Wolfsburg. The two-time European champions have been a bogey team for the Blues in their bid to add a Women’s Champions League title to their bulging trophy cabinet, with their first six meetings resulting in one draw and five defeats.

In March 2021, the pair met again in the quarter-finals – and Wolfsburg proceeded to pepper the Chelsea goal. Goal-line clearances, big Ann-Katrin Berger saves and the woodwork kept the German side at bay and then, with less than an hour on the clock, came the sucker punch.

A lovely Chelsea move saw Kirby’s sweeping pass find Kerr, who rounded Katarzyna Kiedrzynek and finished emphatically from a tight angle. It set her team on their way to a 2-1 result, a first ever win over Wolfsburg and a place in the semi-finals, with her also on the scoresheet in the second leg a week later.

GettyFA Cup final double vs Arsenal

Arsenal just couldn't handle Kerr in the 2021 Women's FA Cup final. The striker caused the Gunners' centre-backs problems all game, including in the build-up to Kirby's opener on three minutes.

She forced a great save out of Manuela Zinsberger and hit the crossbar before half-time, then, after the break, she got her goals. A clever finish went through the legs of Lotte Wubben-Moy and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to make it 2-0, while her second of the day mesmerised Wembley Stadium.

Breaking down the right on the counter, Kerr strode into the box and, just as Zinsberger was coming out to meet her, the striker scooped the ball over her opponent to seal the win. Her reaction suggested she’d impressed even herself.

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GettyTitle-deciding contributions in Man City draw

When Chelsea visited Manchester City in April 2021, it felt like a title decider. The Blues were two points clear of their hosts and, after their meeting, there would be just two games left. It was a big game – cue Kerr. At what has proved a difficult ground for Chelsea, the forward was absolutely brilliant.

With 25 minutes on the clock, her good work won a corner that she'd rise highest to head home, breaking the deadlock. City pegged their visitors back a few minutes later, but Kerr picked up the ball again, put it through the legs of opposing defender Alex Greenwood and forced goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck to make a challenge that resulted in a penalty, which Pernille Harder tucked away.

Lauren Hemp's second-half goal did mean the spoils were shared, but the draw wasn't much use for City, who really needed to win this game. Thanks to Kerr's stand-out display – and a very memorable save from Berger at the death – they didn't. A few weeks later, Chelsea would lift another WSL title.

"I thought she was the difference tonight for us," Hayes said afterwards. "She’s relentless. A wonderful athlete, a wonderful human. She delivered the biggest moments for the team when it mattered and she’s doing it time and time again."