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Emmanuel Petit has told Bruno Fernandes to take some responsibility for Manchester United's failures after Erik ten Hag's sacking.

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Petit slams Bruno FernandesQuestions his leadershipMan Utd part ways with Ten HagFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Just three months after extending Ten Hag's contract at Old Trafford, United have parted ways with the manager as the club's struggles continue in the 2024-25 campaign. The news of the Dutch coach's departure came a day after the club suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of struggling West Ham in the Premier League.

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After Ten Hag's exit from Old Trafford, former Arsenal and Chelsea star Petit has now questioned the role of Red Devils players in the club's failure and pointed out captain Fernandes' inability to lead the team from the front during the crisis period. The Frenchman, however, admitted that the lion's share of the club's misery was on the Dutchman and the they were right to sack him.

WHAT EMMANUEL PETIT SAID

Speaking to , the ex-France international said: "It was about time Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United. I'm sorry to say that and I pity him because lots of the players at the club are far from their best. When I watched the game against West Ham, even I was frustrated for the Manchester United fans. They concede goals easily, they are a mess. Ten Hag had no support from the fans, the club or the players, but he is responsible for a lot of the issues. Players must share this responsibility, though, they are the reason he's been sacked. Ten Hag is responsible for bringing in average Dutch players from the Eredivisie. Ten Hag showed no passion either, he always seemed bored in press conferences.

"The only consistent thing at Manchester United now is their average performance, which has been happening for years now. Even with a change of manager, nothing will change. The body language of the players has been awful. Bruno Fernandes annoys me a lot, I really just want to tell him to shut up. He was terrible on West Ham and he was a terrible captain, he's not captain material. There needs to be a reaction from these players. If I'm a manager linked to Manchester United, a big club with lots of money, I'd look at that club and ask what is the project? What are the ambitions? I don't see anything worth joining them for."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Ruud van Nistelrooy will now step up to take charge of the team on an interim basis as the club prepare to face Leicester City in an EFL Cup round-of-16 clash on Wednesday, before taking on Chelsea in the Premier League next Sunday.

The 2024/25 campaign is a crucial one for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side as they aim to close in on a return to Champions League football.

The Magpies were desperately unlucky to miss out on all forms of European football after Manchester United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, clinching the final Europa League spot.

As a result, Howe desperately wants to bolster his Magpies side to improve their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, but the financial difficulties have made it a struggle, relying on outgoings before incomings.

Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson both departed St James’ Park in recent weeks to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, generating the club £68m but losing themselves two of their most promising talents in the process.

Howe could use those funds to invest in a new attacker to try and complete his attacking puzzle, with the Magpies and offered the chance to sign one star who would dramatically improve his frontline.

Newcastle in talks to sign £50m star this summer

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have held talks with Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha over a move to St James' Park this summer.

The 27-year-old has constantly been linked with a move back to the Premier League after his stint with Leeds United, which saw him register 29 goal contributions in his 67 appearances at Elland Road.

His impressive form at Leeds earned him his big-money move to Spain, but he's struggled to make an impact following the emergence of 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal, who won the Young Player of the Tournament at the recent European Championships.

Raphinha managed 37 appearances in all competitions last season, but is keen on a return to the Premier League, with the Catalan giants demanding a fee in the region of £50m for his services this summer.

Why Raphinha could spell the end for Almiron at Newcastle

Over five years on from his £20m move from Atlanta United in the MLS, Miguel Almiron has seen his importance on the Magpies’ squad decrease year-on-year, with the Paraguayan no longer at the level needed for a side pushing for the Champions League spots.

After his sensational goalscoring run in 2022/23 which saw the attacker score eight goals in just nine Premier League games, Almiron failed to replicate any of his good form under Howe last season, only scoring on three occasions.

However, despite his below-par campaign last season, he’s still attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, with journalist Keith Downie previously confirming that numerous sides are interested in signing the Paraguayan.

He’s also produced some stats that are way below potential new addition Raphinha, with the Brazilian potentially ending the 30-year-old’s stay on Tyneside.

Games

28

33

Goals + assists

15

4

Progressive passes per 90

3.8

3.6

Shots per 90

3.8

1.9

Take-ons per 90

1.6

1.1

Take-on success

52%

44%

Goals + assists per 90

0.99

0.19

Barcelona man Raphinha, who’s previously been dubbed as a “magician” by former teammate Dan James, managed to register a total of 11 more goal contributions, despite featuring in five games fewer.

He’s also averaged more progressive passes per 90, along with double the amount of shots, showcasing his ability to create carnage in the final third.

The Brazilian managed to complete 8% more of the take-ons he attempted last season, demonstrating his direct nature with the ball – a feature that would allow Howe to complete his attack.

Whilst he may be an expensive addition at £50m, he would provide huge quality and allow the club to finally part ways with Almiron.

With this campaign being a huge one in terms of their ambitions to return to the Champions League, Howe has to get his recruitment right, with Raphinha the perfect man to lead the Magpies’ charge.

Imagine him & Gordon: Newcastle battling PL giants for "monster" signing

He has a whole host of Premier League sides after him this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 17, 2024

Uncapped Conor Olphert also flies out as net bowler after injury to David Delany

Matt Roller11-Jan-2021Ireland have added Shane Getkate to their squad to play the UAE and Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi after an injury to David Delany, with the uncapped Conor Olphert also flying out as a net bowler.Delany, the fast bowler, was in line to win his first ODI cap at some stage on the tour, but flew home last week after experiencing sudden pain in his left knee – which has previously caused him trouble – in the nets.Josh Little flew out to join the squad following Delany’s injury, having missed the squad’s initial departure following a positive Covid test in December. He is technically available for Tuesday’s second ODI after completing his quarantine period, though is unlikely to be thrown in before completing a training session.Getkate, who last played for Ireland in a T20I against Afghanistan in March 2020, has now been added to provide the squad with an all-round option, though will miss the second and third ODIs against UAE while in quarantine. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there – it certainly makes a nice change from indoor training,” he said.Olphert, a 24-year-old seamer, has only made one appearance at interprovincial level for the North-West Warriors, and has been flown out as a net bowler, with Covid restrictions denying teams the chance to invite local players to training.”To be honest, I’m completely shocked,” he said. “I really appreciate the opportunity to go out to the UAE. It’s not something I’d ever thought I’d get a chance to do, so I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity.”Both Olphert and Getkate tested negative before departure from Ireland and on arrival in the UAE.The second ODI against the UAE was postponed from Sunday to Tuesday after a third UAE player, Alishan Sharafu, tested positive for Covid. It is due to be played on a fresh pitch, but Ireland allrounder Curtis Campher said he expected another slow surface.”I’d expect the same conditions of being slow and tough to score on,” Campher said. “It’ll be about being patient and banging on that hard length and making it tough for batters to score, and if we get a chance to get in their first tomorrow it will be about getting a good total on the board.”Ireland are 1-0 down in the four-match series after maiden centuries from Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Muhammad Usman saw the UAE home in the first ODI. Their three-match World Cup Super League series against Afghanistan starts on January 21, with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi all leaving the BBL this week in order to feature for the opposition.Ireland ODI squad to play UAE and Afghanistan: Andy Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

Ruben Amorim's move to Manchester United means his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, is now set to become the rival of one of her best friends.

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Amorim appointed new Man Utd head coachHis wife runs business with Hugo Viana's partnerViana heading to Man City in summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Amorim has been appointed as Erik ten Hag's successor at Manchester United and will be charged with knocking Manchester City off their perch and bringing the biggest titles back to Old Trafford. The 39-year-old's wife will join him in Manchester, where she will be reunited with close friend and business partner Raquel Viana. Raquel is the wife of Hugo Viana, who will replace Txiki Begiristain as director of football at Manchester City at the end of the season.

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Maria Joao Diogo and Raquel are both interior designers and run a business together but their friendship may face a new challenge after Amorim and Viana come up against each other in Manchester. The two worked together at Sporting, and enjoyed great success, but will now be city rivals vying for glory. Amorim has already enjoyed success against City since being appointed United boss. His Sporting team ran out 4-1 winners against Pep Guardiola's side in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with some fans already hailing the coach as 'the new Sir Alex Ferguson'.

DID YOU KNOW?

The interior design company owned by Maria Joao Diogo and Raquel is called Dois Tons. A recent social media post explained how the company's aim is to “create spaces with a unique identity” through their use of “color palette, textures and which are an extension of their history".

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GOALWHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM

Amorim's first game in charge of Manchester United is against Ipswich Town on November 23. The new boss will come up against Manchester City for the first time in the Premier League on December 15.

A total of 244 test results are out, and results for 40-45 tests, all from one franchise, are awaited

Umar Farooq02-Mar-2021Two more overseas cricketers and one support staff have tested positive for Covid-19 a day after the game between Islamabad and Quetta Gladiators had to be postponed aftter Fawad Ahmed, the Islamabad legspinner, had returned a positive test. The new positive tests include another player from Islamabad United, but that game is going ahead as rescheduled today, and all players and others to have tested positive have been isolated.The three new positives came from a total of 244 tests carried out this morning, with one team’s results – about 40-45 tests in all – are still awaited. Rapid tests were carried out yesterday, and members of all franchises underwent another round of testing – the PCR test – today, and a special request had been made to process the results of the Islamabad and Quetta contingents first so that their game can go ahead as planned.A second positive test in Islamabad is not yet a cause for concern with regards to their game; ESPNcricinfo understands that the status of a match is unaffected until five players in one squad test positive.”We have a virtual meeting with franchise owners and team managements to give them the confidence, assurances, to take their support, reminding them of the protocols and the way forward,” PCB’s media director Sami-ul-Hasan Burney said at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday. “The organising committee has already sent out a reminder to every stakeholder to exercise extra caution and nobody has been told to go into self-isolation, just a caution that involves using face masks, avoid wandering on the hotel floor, and members who have tested positive will remain in ten days’ quarantine. And since yesterday, now PCR tests will be carried out every fourth day.”The 2021 edition of the PSL has had its share of Covid-19 scares, even before these latest cases. On February 21, Peshawar Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz and coach Daren Sammy had to go into a three-day quarantine, which was later relaxed, after meeting a person – later confirmed to be their team owner Javed Afridi – outside the bio-secure bubble.Ahmed, it has emerged, tested positive three days ago and was in isolation, but the news became public only before yesterday’s game.”It’s tough to find out how these cases have developed and we don’t know what are the causes,” Hasan said. “But life in a bubble is very difficult and managing it is also very tough. This is happening in other different sports in the world – NFL, NHL, Formula 1 or Australian open – breaches do happen but that doesn’t mean the bubble is weak or there are loopholes. So we are carrying out Covid tests all over again on Thursday, and then after every third day.”It’s everyone’s responsibility, especially PCB, to protect the credibility of the event, its integrity and its reputation, and that is why we are taking all the measures. Other than this, we have taken some extra steps, making sure the groundstaff at National Stadium use gloves as well, and that we don’t reuse the balls that go into the crowd. If it is thrown back into the ground, it is properly sanitised.”So we are doing every possible thing to make sure the event’s credibility isn’t affected. But we are operating in a very different environment, even the world is facing similar challenges. Every sports in the world is meeting these challenges and overcoming them and carrying on with their events. We are also putting our efforts with the help of franchises to carry on with the event in a good way, keeping all the excitement and quality and hoping to end it on a high note.”

Barcelona have been hit with an injury setback as wonderkid Lamine Yamal is facing more time on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

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Yamal out with sprained ankleStill not ready to return to actionWill miss Barca's next game against CeltaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal was ruled out for "two to three weeks" with an ankle sprain after being left out of the Barcelona squad that lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad in the team's final game before the international break. Hansi Flick's side had hoped Yamal would return for their next La Liga game at Celta Vigo on Saturday but will have to cope without their wonderkid again, according to . Barca have all but ruled Yamal out of the match at Balaidos as he is still feeling some pain in his ankle.

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Yamal's absence will be a blow to Flick as he aims to get his team back to winning ways. Barca's only defeats in La Liga this season have come when Yamal has been missing, against Real Sociedad and Osasuna. Yamal may only be 17 but he has already emerged as a key player and has eight assists and six goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants so far this season.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

A dressing room source told about Yamal: "It is very difficult for him to be ready by Saturday."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL

Yamal looks set to miss the trip to Celta and may also be forced to watch Barcelona's next game against Brest in the Champions League from the sidelines. Barca could then welcome the youngster back against Las Palmas in La Liga on November 30.

It's set to be a massively important campaign for Tottenham Hotspur in the coming season, as Ange Postecoglou looks to go one better than last year and lead the club into the Champions League places.

However, with the teams around the Lilywhites currently strengthening their squads, Daniel Levy and Co must do the same and invest heavily in the transfer market.

The good news for fans is that, based on recent reports, that appears to be happening as the latest name touted for a potential move to N17 would be game-changing and not just for the Lilywhites but the league as a whole, and he'd help make James Maddison unplayable.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Tottenham, and particularly Postecoglou, are 'in the market' for a new top-level striker, and Victor Osimhen is one of the names they are 'keeping tabs on'.

The report does not mention how much a deal would cost the Lilywhites but does reveal that they would be willing to exchange some players as part of the deal.

However, whether this would convince the Partenopei to budge from the reported €130m – £109m – release clause they are after is another matter entirely.

This transfer may sound particularly far-fetched given the North Londoners' history of frugality, but with the league becoming increasingly competitive around them and their position as the wealthiest club in London, it might be time for them to go all out, especially as Osimhen could make Maddison unplayable.

Why Osimhen would be a great signing for Spurs and Maddison

While there are likely a plethora of reasons why Osimhen would be a transformational signing for Spurs and Maddison in particular, there is one that overrides all others: his output.

The Nigerian superstar has proven himself as one of the best strikers in world football over the last few years, and his ability to get on the end and finish off chances would surely propel the Lilywhites up the table and see the former Foxes ace end next season with a mountain of assists to his name.

For example, even though last season was somewhat of a down year for the former Lille ace – by his lofty standards – he still scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 32 appearances. This means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.52 games and would have been the second most productive player in Postecoglou's squad behind only Son Heung-min, who racked up 27 goals and assists in 36 games.

Appearances

39

Goals

31

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.92

Appearances

32

Goals

17

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.65

However, when you look back just one season prior, you get a glimpse of just how deadly the 25-year-old can be when he's on song, as he scored a whopping 31 goals in 39 appearances and provided five assists for good measure, equating to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.08 games.

With the ability to play that well, it's hard to disagree with José Mourinho's opinion that the Lagos-born marksman is a "world-class" player.

Now, just imagine a striker as clinical as the Napoli star playing alongside someone like the Spurs number ten, who, according to FBref, sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for shot-creating actions and progressive passes – goals, lots and lots of goals.

Ultimately, while this does feel like an unrealistic transfer, it shouldn't. Spurs have the money, and under a manager as progressive as Postecoglou, Osimhen could be utterly transformational. Therefore, Levy and Co should be doing all they can to bring the Nigerian goal machine to N17 this summer.

Spurs struck gold on "monster" now worth more than Chiesa & Gallagher

The incredible star has been a massive success in North London.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 31, 2024

Newcastle United's transfer window looks set to come to life at last, with their deal to sign an attacking reinforcement for Eddie Howe now close to completion.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies were enduring a fairly stale summer, welcoming the likes of John Ruddy, Lloyd Kelly and Odysseas Vlachodimos in deals that were never going to steal the headlines. And it seemed for some time as though that would be the story of their summer, perhaps restricted by PSR, and left simply hoping to keep hold of their star players. With just weeks left of the transfer window, however, that narrative has taken a twist.

Imagine him & Isak: Newcastle hold talks over "world class" £51m sensation

He is available for transfer this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 6, 2024

Recent reports have indicated that Newcastle's summer is far from over. Those at St James' Park have been thrown front and centre into the race to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, agreeing personal terms with the defender, in a move that would undoubtedly see the Magpies reclaim the spotlight. The England international was one of the standouts at Euro 2024 and looks more ready for a big move than ever before.

Meanwhile, those on Tyneside are closing in on announcing an arrival before the Palace defender. According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are set to announce the signing of William Osula in the coming hours with his medical already underway. The Sheffield United forward is reportedly set to complete a move worth £10m plus £5m in add-ons.

Just 21 years old, Osula is undoubtedly one for the future and a player who could step into Callum Wilson's role sooner rather than later to hand Alexander Isak some backup going forward. As the Premier League campaign approaches, he'll be hoping to work his way straight into Howe's plans to turn that £10m deal into a true bargain.

"Fast" Osula is not the finished product

Spending what could prove to be £15m after add-ons, Newcastle are betting on Howe's ability to turn a young player with plenty of potential into a player who can really make an impact on his Newcastle side. The former Bournemouth boss already helped transform Anthony Gordon into the star man that he undoubtedly is and may yet have a similar impact on Osula.

The 21-year-old was starved of significant opportunities at Sheffield United last season, but his profile is one that has been praised and is perhaps the reason behind such a move this summer, with Scouted Football describing Osula as "fast" and "direct" despite his 6 foot 4 stature.

Starting nine Premier League games last season, Osula's game time may not improve at Newcastle, given the tougher competition for places, but the environment should be far healthier for a forward to thrive when handed the chance. In a side who find themselves on the front foot far more than Sheffield United managed last season, the 21-year-old should naturally stand a greater opportunity to develop as a striker.

The RCB captain believes his team has the resources to go “a couple of steps further” than they did last year

Saurabh Somani08-Apr-2021Royal Challengers Bangalore made it to the playoffs in IPL 2020 for the first time in four years, and captain Virat Kohli believes they are ready to go a couple of steps further in IPL 2021. Kohli’s belief is centred around the lack of home advantage for all teams – much like it was in IPL 2020 – and what he considers to be a stronger Royal Challengers squad than last year.”There’s nothing quite like playing in Chinnaswamy in front of your home crowd,” Kohli said. “Obviously the fans are going to miss watching us play. Such are the times that we are in right now. But the good thing is that we are back in India. And one more positive about this edition, like last year, is that there is no home advantage.”Every team is playing in neutral venues and the strength of your squad really comes to the fore. That’s precisely why last IPL was so competitive – until about the last three-four games everyone was in the reckoning to qualify, which I think is great for the tournament. The viewership was through the roof, which I expect to be the case this time around as well.”Having done well last year in such a competitive scenario and space, we’re very confident that as a side, with a stronger squad this time around, we’ll have another great season. Just playing in set venues with four teams, I think that’s going to nullify all the home advantage that every team used to have.”Related

'Walk out, chest out, ready to punch the guys' – AB de Villiers' tip to Virat Kohli for enjoying the game again

The vulnerable IPL 2021 bubble

RCB bank on big-ticket Maxwell to ease the load on Kohli and de Villiers

Gambhir: Maxwell has played for so many IPL teams 'because he's not been consistent at all'

Maxwell wants to be a 'positive influence' on RCB, and performances 'can take care of themselves'

The Royal Challengers finished fourth on the points table in IPL 2020 – tied on 14 points with the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kolkata Knight Riders but second among them on net run-rate – and subsequently lost to the Sunrisers in the Eliminator. Kohli was confident they could improve on that showing, also drawing strength from how well some of their Indian players such as Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj had done at the international level in the interim. .”We had a good season last time around, probably would have liked to go a couple of steps further, which we obviously aim to do as a side this year,” Kohli said. “Very exciting times ahead. I personally feel very relaxed with the resources we have and the strength of our team.”From personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that when you do well with your national team, it’s always an exciting time to come to the IPL and really make this tournament your own. I aimed to do that as a youngster, bring the confidence I gained at the international level back into the IPL set up. Our youngsters have become more confident with more experience, and now oppositions know that these are guys that can make an impact in any situation.”

“From personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that when you do well with your national team, it’s always an exciting time to come to the IPL and really make this tournament your own.”Virat Kohli

One of the big-ticket additions the franchise has made is in acquiring the services of Glenn Maxwell, who forms a potentially lethal top order alongside Kohli and AB de Villiers.”It feels like I’ve been here for a few years now,” Maxwell said of his integration into the team. “The guys have been extremely welcoming, it’s been nice to slip in almost unnoticed. Looking forward to what this season has to come, and hopefully, I can be an addition to help us get a couple of steps further from last year.”De Villiers, meanwhile, expressed happiness at the seamless manner in which IPL 2020’s coaching plans had flowed into IPL 2021.”One thing that stands out to me is the consistency in the language the coaches are using,” de Villiers said. “Very excited about the fact that we’ve got the same kind of mould again this year. Some new faces yes, but the same kind of language is being used. It gives us players really a lot of freedom and comfort. I’m very excited to play alongside some guys like Maxi, that I’ve followed for quite a few years. We had a fantastic season last year, obviously didn’t win the trophy, but we’ll be taking that momentum into this season.”The Royal Challengers will play in the IPL opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai, the venue for their first three games. They will then go to Mumbai (two games), Ahmedabad (four games) and end their league stage in Kolkata (five games).

Harry Kane has explained how he scored a “special goal” for Bayern Munich that saw him break another record when reaching a Bundesliga half-century.

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England captain netted another hat-trickFastest man to 50 goals in German top-flightHas picked up four match balls this seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The prolific England international striker has become the fastest man to reach 50 efforts in the German top-flight, with 43 matches all that he required. He hit that milestone in style by claiming another match ball.

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Kane hit a hat-trick for Bayern as they battled their way to a 3-0 victory over Augsburg. He converted two penalty kicks, before wrapping up his treble in style during stoppage-time. The 31-year-old dragged a high ball out of the air and retained his composure to nod into an unguarded net.

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WHAT KANE SAID

Said goal has attracted widespread praise, with Kane telling of how he pulled off a remarkable bit of skill: “A lot of you have been asking about the third goal. It was a pretty special goal – probably one of the favourites in my career. I’ve not really scored a goal like that before.

“First of all it’s a great ball by Leon – the cross-pass was pinpoint – and as the ball is coming in, I was a little bit worried that the keeper was going to come out and try to punch it. I just caught a glimpse in my eye that he was going back and I was able to instinctively put my foot up where I thought the ball was going to be and I was able to touch it perfectly, it popped up perfectly, and then nice to finish it off.

“Obviously a special goal, also my 50th goal in the Bundesliga. It meant a lot to me. One of my favourite ones for sure and one that will probably be played for quite a while.”