ANTONIO CONTE's Tottenham were stunned by Mura in the Europa Conference League.
Harry Kane was on the scoresheet again, but Ryan Sessegnon saw red in the first half and Spurs lost with the final kick of the game.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could be in for £84million Federico Chiesa, with the Juventus star on the Blues' radar.
Thomas Tuchel's side qualified for the Champions League last 16 following their win and are in the hat for the draw on December 13.
In other news, Erling Haaland could be given a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, which would double the Norwegian's wages.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all interested in signing the goalscoring machine, 21.
And Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to sign £70m Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
- Joshua Mbu
NOT SHAW
Ralf Rangnick raised concern over Manchester United star Luke Shaw in an interview in 2020, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
The coach, 63, is set to take over as interim boss after agreeing a deal with the club.
And he could be keen to improve the defence judging by an answer he gave in regard to where the Red Devils need to improve.
“I think on the market there are a few young central defenders.
“They (United) could do with a left-back.
“I know they have Luke Shaw but I’m not so sure if he’s still on the same kind of level you need for a club like Manchester United.”
- Joshua Mbu
IRON GRIP
West Ham got the job done with victory over Rapid to seal top spot in qualifying and a place in the last 16 of the Europa League, DUNCAN WRIGHT.
Two goals late in the first half set the Hammers on course for the win which ensured they topped Group H and avoided a play-off tie against a Champions League team.
With Borussia Dortmund already dropping down and the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also in danger, safe passage is a major boost for the London club.
And it ensures boss David Moyes has the luxury of resting all his big players in the final match next month with the club in the middle of a hectic run of fixtures through to the new year.
It takes their run to four wins and one draw in Europea – not bad for a club enjoying their first experience in the group stages of the competition.
- Joshua Mbu
EUROPEAN SCORES
Tottenham have just lost 2-1 to Slovenian side NS Mura in the Europa Conference League……
Here's the scores from the Europa League:
- Crvena Zvezda 1-0 Ludogorets FT
- Rapid Wien 0-2 West Ham FT
- Midtjylland 3-2 Braga FT
- Lokomotiv Moscow 0-3 Lazio FT
- Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 Genk FT
- Real Betis 2-0 Ferencvaros FT
- Galatasaray 4-2 Marseille FT
- Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Celtic FT
- Olympiacos vs Fenerbahce 8PM
- PSV vs Sturm Graz 8PM
- Rangers vs Sparta Prague 8PM
- Leicester City vs Legia Warsaw 8PM
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Antwerp 8PM
- Monaco vs Real Sociedad 8PM
- Brondby vs Lyon 8PM
And the only real relevant result in the Europa Conference League:
- Mura 2-1 Tottenham FT
- Joshua Mbu
WRECK IT RALF
Should Man Utd land Ralf Rangnick and line him up for a future 'consultancy' role supporting a top class manager, it might just be the best bit of business the club has done since Fergie left.
- Joshua Mbu
SESSPITT
Ryan Sessegnon suffered a nightmare on his big chance to impress new Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The 21-year-old was handed an opportunity to shine when he was named in the starting line-up for the Europa Conference League clash away to Slovenian minnows NS Mura.
But the former Fulham star's night was over after just half an hour after he was given his marching orders.
Sessegnon was firstly booked after only 11 minutes for a mistimed tackle.
The wing-back was then sent-off for a second booking 20 minutes later.
Credit: Getty - Joshua Mbu
POCH CHASE
Manchester United are still ‘in pursuit’ of Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino despite reaching an agreement with Ralf Rangnick to become interim boss, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The German, 63, will sign a six-month contract with the Red Devils, after the club sacked Norwegian boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The veteran is understood to have initially rejected United, but after new terms were offered, he has now accepted the deal to step into the dug-out until May.
After that he is expected to take on a consultancy role at Old Trafford for the following two years.
Rangnick is currently the head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow.
That means, due to work permit issues, he will not be in charge for Sunday’s clash at Chelsea.
Rangnick left RB Leipzig last year and joined Lokomotiv in the summer.
However, despite his impending arrival, The MEN states United ‘are still very much in pursuit’ of Pochettino with regards to him joining at the end of the season.
- Joshua Mbu
HAMMERS WONT SPEND BIG
Daniel Kretinsky may have purchased 27 per cent of West Ham, but he has warned fans big money won't be spent in the transfer market yet.
He told the Evening Standard: “Our investment will bring a positive improvement to the club’s capital structure, initially enabling a reduction of its long-term debt and increasing the ability to further direct funds generated into key areas.
“I hope our business acumen and experience of football will also prove beneficial to West Ham United.
“We have come to support the club but – so as to manage supporters’ expectations – that doesn’t mean big spending in the January transfer window.
“I’m hugely impressed by the work of David Moyes and his team who have improved results over a long period of time.
“This gradual evolution is, in my opinion, the most healthy way to build a strong club on a firm basis and with the right attitudes and culture.
“I speak from experience. We tried to rush the development of Sparta Prague a couple of years ago and the results were disappointing.
“Improving the quality of the squad is great, of course. But we prefer a gradual way that preserves and protects the ethos of the club and its values. Including team spirit.”
- Joshua Mbu
RED ALERT
Liverpool and Juventus have sent scouts to watch Olympiacos wonderkid Aguibou Camara in action against Fenerbahce, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
The Greek champions take on the Turkish outfit tonight at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in a crucial encounter and Camara is set to start for Pedro Martins' side.
According to Greek journalist and editor of Sportime Giannis Chorianopoulos, the Reds have sent a representative to Athens to keep tabs on the talented attacking midfielder.
SunSport revealed recently that the Merseysiders are interested in signing the versatile midfielder, who can also play as a winger.
However, Liverpool look set for an intense bidding war as fellow Premier League clubs Leicester and Newcastle are also eyeing the Guinea international.
Sources have told SunSport the Prem trio have made contact with the player's agent.
- Justin Lawrence
RON WORRY
Some Manchester United fans are fearing for legend Cristiano Ronaldo after it emerged Ralf Rangnick is set to become interim manager.
The German, 63, will sign a six-month contract with the Red Devils, after the club sacked Norwegian boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, the news that Rangnick is set to arrive at United has led to many wondering where the 36-year-old Ronaldo would fit in under the new man.
Especially after Rangnick labelled the Portuguese icon as ‘too old’ five years ago while he was RB Leipzig.
Back then he asked whether he would ever consider signing Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
And he replied: “It would be absurd to think that it could work with them here. They are both too old and too expensive.”
- Justin Lawrence
'DISGUSTING'
Gareth Bale agent Jonathan Barnett has lashed out at Real Madrid fans who abused his client last week.
Bale was leaving Real's Valdebebas training facility on Friday when one furious supporter appeared to throw a marker pen at his car window with cries of 'F**k you' heard.
Barnett was furious with that incident and branded that small group of yobs as "disgusting" when he landed in Madrid.
He told El Chiringuito when asked if he considers the opinion of Real fans: "I don't, why should I care?
"I think they've been disgusting to Gareth Bale."
- Justin Lawrence
RED FACED
Jurgen Klopp was left red-faced after being called out by a furious reporter for his recent comments about the African Cup of Nations.
Klopp was forced to clarify his comments after he previously referred to AFCON as 'a little tournament', which he claimed was ironic and taken out of context.
But the description still landed him in hot water, with Ojora Babatunde of OJB Sports demanding an apology from Klopp in a heated exchange via Zoom.
Babatunde said: "Hi Jurgen, during your last pre-match presser, you deliberately regarded the Africa Cup of Nations as a 'little tournament'.
"I think it's an insult to the players, an insult to the fans, an insult to the people, an insult to the continent and I think you owe the continent an apology."
Klopp, who was visibly stunned, replied: "I didn't mean it like that. I didn't mean it like that, I don't know why you understand it like that to be honest…"
The two then proceeded to interrupt each other before Klopp allowed the reporter to get his point across.
Babatunde then pressed Klopp further, saying: "That was what you said, I listened to the presser and you said the continent in Africa [is little], that is what you said."
The pair then went back and forth over the issue with neither party backing down from their point of view.
- Justin Lawrence
NICK OF TIME
Manchester United have agreed a deal to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager, according to reports.
The move is subject to his current club Lokomotiv Moscow allowing him to leave, report The Athletic.
He is currently head of sports and development at the Russian club but it is believed that United do not think there will be any obstacle to prevent him from leaving.
Rangnick, 63, will sign on for six months as manager before moving into a consultancy role at the club at the end of the season.
However, the Red Devils have been unable to get a deal sorted prior to the visit to Chelsea on Sunday.
That means Michael Carrick will continue in the dugout and have the opportunity to win his first Premier League match as a manager.
- Justin Lawrence
PLAYER COLLAPSED
Wigan striker Charlie Wyke has been rushed to hospital after collapsing in training, the club has confirmed.
The 28-year-old collapsed and was attended to by Wigan's medical staff before being taken to hospital where he will be monitored over the next few days.
On the incident, Wigan Athletic Chief Executive, Mal Brannigan, said: "First and foremost, the absolute priority for everyone associated with Wigan Athletic is Charlie’s health and wellbeing and providing support to him and his family.
“As a Club, we would like to place on record our sincere appreciation to all of the staff within the NHS who, within what we know are challenging times, were excellent in their response and subsequent care for Charlie, working together with our medical team.
“Clearly this news will cause alarm, though we would politely request that the privacy of Charlie and his family is respected.
"At the appropriate time, we will look to provide further updates to our supporters.”
- Justin Lawrence
VAN DER HEART
Rafael van der Vaart has questioned if Lionel Messi still has the same desire for football as Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both players made mega moves this summer with Cristiano heading to Man United and Messi joining Paris Saint-Germain.
But while Ronaldo’s hit the ground running at United, the same can’t be said of Messi in Paris.
And Van der Vaart reckons the difference between the two footballing greats lies in their hunger, which makes the Dutchman sad.
He said: “It makes me sad. It’s a question of desire. Does he [Messi] want it or not? When you compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo, one is fighting to take his team to the next level – and one isn’t.”
- Justin Lawrence
WHAT A JOK
Sheffield United have sacked Slavisa Jokanovic.
The former Fulham boss was only appointed by the Blades back in May.
But following an inconsistent start to the season, United have opted to get rid – hiring last season's caretaker Paul Heckingbottom on a permanent basis until 2026.
In a brutal article that features a picture of Heckingbottom rather than Jokanovic, the Serb is hardly even mentioned.
There is no thank you for his efforts or any respectful parting words.
They wrote: "Sheffield United and Slavisa Jokanovic have parted company, with Paul Heckingbottom installed as the club’s football manager.
"Yorkshireman Heckingbottom takes charge of the club’s football business immediately after agreeing a contract through to the end of the 2025/26 season.
"He will begin by leading training at the Randox Health Academy on Friday and be in position for Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Bristol City.
"Following several months of strategic planning and a lacklustre start to the season, the board decided that a change was in the best long-term interests of the club."
- Justin Lawrence
DUS THE MAN
Manchester United will battle it out with a host of Europe’s top clubs including Spurs to sign £70million-rated Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are the latest to join the list of clubs keeping tabs of Vlahovic – including Spurs, Newcastle, AC Milan and Juventus.
The 21-year-old striker is currently one of Europe’s most sought after players, having scored 12 goals in 14 games in all competitions so far this season.
He netted an impressive 21 goals in 37 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina last season, which saw him win the Serie A Best Young Player for 2020-21 award.
- Justin Lawrence
BLUE BUYS
Thomas Tuchel could be without Ben Chilwell for the rest of the season amid fears the left-back suffered a serious knee injury in the win against Juventus.
If Chilwell is out long-term, then Chelsea will be tempted to dip into the transfer market in January to sign a replacement.
Chilwell had to be helped from the pitch after jarring his leg in the 4-0 win over Juve and is undergoing scans to discover the extent of the injury.
It leaves Marcos Alonso as Tuchel's only other current option in the position.
And with the Blues expected to challenge for silverware on multiple fronts this campaign another left-back could be a priority.
- Justin Lawrence
BABY ON BOARD
Donny van de Beek and partner Estelle Bergkamp enjoyed a heartwarming, football-themed baby gender reveal.
The happy couple revealed earlier this month that they are expecting their first child.
And now they know that they will be welcoming a baby girl into the world.
In pictures shared to Instagram, Donny gave fans a look at his football-related reveal.
Pregnant Estelle, daughter of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, joined the Manchester United midfielder in a five-aside cage.
Donny, 24, then booted a football, with the mini ball designed to release smoke of a certain colour when kicked.
The couple colour coded blue for a boy and pink for a girl.
Their faces painted a joyful picture as pink smoke rose into the air.
They then posed for a sweet picture together, grinning at each other in delight.
- Justin Lawrence
PAUL OVER
Real Madrid have halted their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, according to reports.
The 28-year-old Frenchman is set to leave Old Trafford for free in the summer when his contract expires.
And Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for the World Cup winner as they prepare to bolster their squad under Carlo Ancelotti.
But, according to AS, the Spanish giants are no longer interested in bringing Pogba to the club despite him being available for free.
- Justin Lawrence
TIME'S UP
Slavisa Jokanovic is set to be sacked by Sheffield United after just six months.
The Serbian replaced Chris Wilder as permanent manager following relegation from the Premier League.
But with the Blades 16th in the Championship, Jokaonovic has been axed with United eight points above the relegation zone and eight points below the final play-off place.
U23s coach Paul Heckingbottom is set to take charge on Sunday against Bristol City for a second caretaker spell after taking the reins for 11 games following Wilder's exit.
And Heckingbottom will be given a chance to stake a claim for the job, with former Norwich and Preston boss Alex Neil also considered.
Tuesday’s win at Reading – where midfielder John Fleck was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch – was Sheffield United’s sixth win from 19 games.
Jokanovic, who had won promotion to the Prem with Watford and Fulham, left Qatari side Al-Gharafa in May and was tasked with an immediate return to the top-flight.
Coming in after Heckingbotton’s interim spell at the end of last season, United have lost as many matches – eight – as they lost.
And whereas fellow relegated sides Fulham and West Brom are riding high, the South Yorkshire club have suffered a severe hangover since dropping down to the Championship.
Despite selling Aaron Ramsdale for £30million to Arsenal, the Blades kept the vast majority of the squad but have struggled for any form of consistency.
Jokanovic, 53, is believed to have been frustrated at the club’s summer transfer business, with only four players signed – all on loan – and the Serb failing to land the two wingers he was desperate for.
- Justin Lawrence
DRUM ROLL
TheWorld Cup 2022 play-off draw will include ten nations who finished as runners up in qualifying.
And will also include two Nations League group winners who missed out on a spot in their respective group.
Just three sides will make it through the play-offs and play at the 2022 World Cup from the twelve who enter the play-off stage.
The teams in the hat are:
Seeded:
- Portugal
- Italy
- Scotland
- Russia
- Sweden
- Wales
Unseeded
- Austria
- North Macedonia
- Turkey
- Poland
- Ukraine
- Czech Republic
- Justin Lawrence
IN THE HAT
The 2022 World Cup qualifying is keeping more teams than ever in the hunt until late in the day.
And Wales, Scotland, Portugal and Italy can all find out who they will face in the next round of qualifying – with a two-round playoff incoming.
Gareth Southgate's England can already look forward to being at the first ever winter edition of the tournament, which gets underway on November 21 next year.
For teams who finished second in European qualifying groups though, they now face the tough task of going through the play-offs to guarantee their place in the Finals.
- Justin Lawrence
NIC OF TIME
Nicolas Anelka has cast doubt over Lionel Messi's role at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 giants haven't yet seen the sparkling best of the Argentine since signing him from Barcelona in the summer.
It has been suggested that boss Mauricio Pochettino has a difficult conundrum in creating a balanced side with Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe upfront.
And former forward Anelka, 42, has weighed in on the subject.
He told RMC: "With Messi, PSG cannot be a counter team.
"You cannot base the whole team on Kylian Mbappe."
The Frenchman also recently cast doubt over whether Messi has still got it in him to be 'extraordinary'.
He said: "Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi.
"Since the beginning of the season it is not extraordinary either.
"There is a player who has six Ballons d'Or and finally is not so extraordinary."
- Justin Lawrence
THIAGOAAAL!
Thiago struck a beauty from 30 yards – and then said he’d scored better goals in his career.
The Liverpool star opened the scoring against Porto on Wednesday with a special effort in front of the Kop.
When the ex-Bayern Munich star was asked if he had scored anything ‘prettier’ before, he came up with a side-splitting reaction.
He said with a smile on BT Sport: “I think, yeah!”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also part of the post-match interview and the England international could not hide his amazement at his team-mate’s answer.
He chipped in: “It’s alright for some isn’t it!”
- Justin Lawrence
BEES BARGAIN
Brentford have announced the rare decision to keep the same home kit for the 2022/23 season.
Thomas Frank's side will run out next year wearing the same home shirts they have worn for their debut Premier League campaign.
The Bees made the decision to keep the same iconic red and white striped shirt, which costs £49, in order to save fans from splashing out on another home shirt next season.
Brentford are also helping the environment by reducing the damaging carbon emitted that comes with the production of a new kit.
Premier League commercial and broadcasting income dwarfs the money the made from retail sales, meaning they can afford not to release a new home kit.
Despite being commonplace to keep kits for two seasons in the pre-Premier League era, clubs now release new strips every season to maximise profits.
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