Month: April 2019

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A sex toy, however, is not part of the typical cohort.

Nonetheless, that is exactly what was found in front of the Manchester United bench on Saturday after their defeat of West Ham.

The sex toy was left at Old Trafford as part of a long-running joke by Hammers supporters, who have used the toy to make fun of their club’s hierarchy over the past couple of seasons.

West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold were branded the ‘Dildo Brothers’ by Sporting Lisbon president Bruno de Carvalho a couple of years ago after the east London club failed to sign William Carvalho.

The Eagles claimed a surprise 3-2 triumph over Pep Guardiola’s men at the Etihad Stadium in December where Andros Townsend scored a stunning volley.

However, City will be very determined to emerge victorious this time as any more slip-ups could see the Premier League title race go back in Liverpool’s hands.

City hold a slight advantage even though they are two points behind leaders Liverpool but crucially have a game in hand.

Failure to beat the Eagles opens the door for the Reds, who face Chelsea at Anfield straight after the Palace v City game, to seize control of the race.

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talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2…

• Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT

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Opinion: Why April 14 will be the day when Liverpool and Manchester City’s challenges are won and lost

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Unsurprisingly, every Kopite will be hoping Palace, who have ex-Reds Martin Kelly and Christian Benteke in their squad, can help them out.

The last time Palace did a league double over City was in the 1987/88 season – and Liverpool ended up winning the First Division.

Palace beat City 3-1 at Maine Road in December 1987 before getting the better of them again in May 1988 with a 2-0 triumph at Selhurst Park.

Admittedly at this stage, both Palace and City were playing in the second tier of English football so these matches had no effect on Liverpool’s path to glory that season.

Ayoze Perez met Matt Ritchie’s brilliant cross with a subtle header to give the Magpies the lead in the first half.

The striker’s eighth goal of the season earned the Magpies a vital victory and their first victory on the road since December.

It moved Newcastle up to 13th, 10 points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone, having played up to two games more than their rivals with four matches remaining.

Salomon Rondon’s splendid first-half free kick hit the bar for Newcastle and Jamie Vardy missed the Foxes’ best chance when he lifted over late on as the hosts’ four-game winning run ended.

Defeat was also a major dent in the race for seventh and a possible Europa League spot with Watford, Everton and Wolves all ready to take advantage over the weekend.

The Foxes had started well enough and the teams traded early half chances through Jamaal Lascelles and Jamie Vardy before Leicester took control.

Ben Chilwell and Harvey Barnes were threats but the Magpies almost took the lead out of the blue after 15 minutes.

Wes Morgan fouled Perez and Rondon crashed a brilliant curling free kick against the crossbar from 30 yards.

The Foxes quickly regained their composure and Chilwell forced Martin Dubravka into a low save after 21 minutes.

Dubravka also gathered Barnes’ sharp effort after the winger’s strong run with Newcastle having to rely on their counter attacking threat.

But the Foxes, who were sloppy at the back, had given some encouragement and the Magpies cashed in to grab the winner after 32 minutes.

It was poor from Leicester but Newcastle were clinical as Matt Ritchie’s wicked cross found Perez who ran off the back of the unsighted Morgan to glance in a terrific near-post header across Kasper Schmeichel.

Miguel Almiron then forced Schmeichel into a low stop as the visitors pushed for a surprise second.

It had been a textbook counter-attacking away performance from Benitez’s side and they began the second half on the front foot – only for Perez to horribly miscue Rondon’s cross.

Leicester, with just two clean sheets this year, were ragged and Almiron sliced well over just before the hour as the visitors threatened again.

Slowly, though, the Foxes built momentum without finding the killer pass with Vardy well marshalled by the Magpies’ defence.

A fifth straight win would have equalled Leicester’s best run in the top flight since 2017.

The 23-year-old has started just four Premier League games under manager Maurizio Sarri, which has led to speculation surrounding his future.

The Denmark international has been linked with moves to Barcelona and AC Milan in recent months.

But Christensen sees his future at Stamford Bridge – and the news will come as a boost to the Blues, who are facing a two-window transfer ban.

He said: “It is always difficult when I speak in Danish and it gets mistranslated. I haven’t had a conversation with the club but I want to stay here.

“I’ve said I’d like to stay, but they haven’t said I’m definitely staying. I’ve said what I want to happen and that was definitely staying.

“I’ve still got a long contract (until 2022). I’m still proud to be a Chelsea player. I’ve been here since I was 16. The club have done a lot for me.”

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talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2…

• Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT

Despite his lack of league action, Christensen has featured regularly in domestic cup and Europa League games this season.

He added: “For me personally, the cup games and the Europa League this season have been very important, it has kept me up to speed.

“Obviously I want to play every game but it has taken the frustration a little bit out of it, getting playing time, and it has helped me a lot.

The Wales international was refused a new contract at the Emirates and is now set to earn a staggering £400,000-a-week at Juventus.

Despite his pending move to Italy, the Wales international has continued to perform admirably for Unai Emery’s men – scoring in the 2-0 win over Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday.

And with Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka continuing to divide opinion amongst fans in north London, the decision not to offer Ramsey a new deal appears to get all the more bemusing every week.

Speaking on Drive on Friday afternoon, Durham lambasted the Gunners board for allowing the 27-year-old to leave.

“Aaron Ramsey last night, brilliant again for Arsenal, and he is actually going on a free,” Durham said.

“Just let that sink in for a few seconds. There’s been a few mistakes made in the transfer market over the years, but is this the biggest one ever?

“Letting Aaron Ramsey, at the peak of his powers, playing the best football of his career probably, and being his most influential on the pitch for Arsenal, and they are letting him go on a free!

In 2010, Ramsey’s world was turned upside when his leg was shattered after a tackle by Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross.

However, the midfielder worked his way back into Arsene Wenger’s side, becoming a crucial figure as he blossomed into a cultured player capable of scoring and creating goals.

Although Ozil’s arrival in 2013 often saw him shunted out to the right, he was astounding for Wales at Euro 2016 when deployed in the No.10 role and has managed to score seven goals and record seven assists in all competitions this season.

And it is this diligence and determination which Drive host Durham believes makes this transfer one of the biggest mistakes in Premier League history.

“The thing for me is, he’s always been a professional,” the broadcaster continued. “This is a guy who suffered and came back from an horrific injury at Arsenal and there were problems with his form then, but I understand that.

“When you’ve had such an awful injury, such a bad leg break, to come back from that and be as you used to be can’t be easy, but he has got there!

“It might have taken him some time, a couple of seasons ago he was brilliant as well. So it’s not like he has been rubbish until January when the move was secured.

“So I’m wondering if this is the biggest mistake in the transfer market that has ever been made in Premier League history – I can’t think of another one this bad.

“Imagine what Ramsey, right now, would be worth. What is he, late 20’s? He’s playing at his peak, it’s an incredible mistake and last night I think some Arsenal fans must have had a go at themselves for being nasty about Aaron Ramsey in the past, I think some have even said he won’t be missed.

“I’ll drive him to Turin myself and all this – are you sure?

The Red Devils welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford at 5.30pm in a game you can hear live on talkSPORT.

And, although Solskjaer’s men are still in the hunt for Europe, they are in real danger of equalling a club record from 1992.

Should United lose to West Ham, it will be five defeats in six – something that hasn’t happened since 1992 when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.

The Hammers won the first fixture this season with Manuel Pellegrini’s men recording their first home victory of the season as they romped to three points courtesy of a 3-1 win in the sunshine.

Solskjaer could not have asked to get off to a better start after replacing Jose Mourinho, winning 12 games from his first 15 in temporary charge.

The match is huge as Spurs are desperate for points in their quest to finish in the top four ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

Harry Kane is the latest absentee and he looks set to miss the final six league games of the campaign, as well as at least one Champions League match.
His ankle injury comes at an awful time, but isn’t the only time he’s been ruled out this year having also been unavailable for eight games earlier this year.

He joins Erik Lamela (hamstring), Serge Aurier (hamstring), Eric Dier (hip flexor), and Vincent Janssen (ankle) in the treatment room ahead of their match on Saturday against the Terriers.

Meanwhile, manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t too optimistic about Dele Alli being fit either after he broke his hand in their European victory over Manchester City on Tuesday night.

But, with all these injuries, how might Spurs look on Saturday afternoon? Find out below.

Once again at their new stadium, Spurs have to do without Dele Alli and Harry Kane who were both injured in their Champions League win over Manchester City.

Match-winner Heung-Min Son is only given a place on the bench, presumably rested for the second leg of their European quarter-final.

This means Fernando Llorente is given the nod up top, with Lucas Moura also finding a place in the XI.

Victor Wanyama makes a rare start along with Kyle Walker-Peters, who will play at right wing-back.

Pochettino has also decided on a back-three, as he has done previously against the Terriers, with Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez coming into the team and Toby Alderweireld dropping out.

Neil Lennon was placed in temporary charge at Celtic Park until the end of the season following Brendan Rodgers’ departure to Leicester in February.

Belgium boss Martinez, who has a contract until 2020, and former Chelsea manager Andre Vilas-Boas are among the bookmakers’ favourites to permanently replace Rodgers.

But Jesse De Preter insists Martinez will stay with Belgium, who are no.1 in the FIFA world rankings.

He said: “Roberto always seems to be on the shortlist as soon as there is a vacancy at a big club.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2…

• Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT

“But this is a false rumour about him going to Celtic.

“It seems to have come from the fact Roberto has a Scottish wife and he obviously has ties to the country.

“However, there’s nothing to see here and I would suggest the bookies review their odds.”

The Arsenal manager was speaking after watching the player score in the club’s 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg win over Napoli on Thursday.

Ramsey was a star performer and will be missed when his 11-year stay at the Emirates ends when he joins Serie A giants Juventus on a free transfer on July 1.

When asked about the 28-year-old’s man-of-the-match display, Emery said: “Awesome. I think he wants to do something important with us, to help us do something important because I think he feels all Arsenal.

“Here, with our supporters, he gives us more than all he can to do the best performance, not individually but thinking in the collective.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2…

• Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT

“I want to enjoy this moment with him. I want to do something important in this moment with him. His focus now is very big, thinking about Arsenal only.”

Kalidou Koulibaly’s own goal 11 minutes after Ramsey’s 14th-minute opener see Arsenal take a healthy lead to Naples.

Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could have increased the Gunners’ advantage, but they were denied by excellent Alex Meret saves.

Emery added: “I’m 60 per cent happy. We know the first leg today was very important to take good results and a good feeling with our supporters.