PREMIER LEAGUE chairman Gary Hoffman could be forced out due to his handling of the Newcastle takeover, according to reports.
Complaints have ranged from the top six to teams on the brink of Europe and fighting relegation and, in particular, those with female CEOs.
Meanwhile Jose Mourinho has had his say on the Toon takeover, admitting he has an emotional connection with the St James' Park club.
And Edouard Mendy produced a man of the match display to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Brentford.
But things could have been very different as the Blues were offered the chance to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma on a free transfer.
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- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Steve Bruce's future is in greater doubt than ever after Newcastle's new era opened with the most dramatic of 3-2 defeats at home to Tottenham.
The Toon boss urged the club's Saudi owners to give him "clarity" as he admitted his job was on the line, with Frank Lampard still tipped as a possible replacement.
Harry Kane showed at St James' Park why he has been mentioned as a potential Newcastle target as he became the Premier League's highest-ever away scorer on 88 goals.
Tanguy Ndombele, Kane and Son Heung-min sealed Spurs' comeback win by half-time after Callum Wilson had taken just two minutes to reward Newcastle's blistering start.
Newcastle sub Jonjo Shelvey then picked up two quick bookings for what Toon legend Alan Shearer called a "stupid stupid stupid red card".
Eric Dier's late own goal was no consolation for the Magpies in a match halted when a fan suffered a suspected heart attack, before he was 'stabilised' and taken to hospital.
In yesterday's other Prem clash, Angelo Ogbonna headed a 73rd-minute winner at Goodison Park as impressive West Ham leapfrogged Everton into sixth spot.
And tonight Arsenal aim to make it 13 points from five games with victory over club legend Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly battling the Gunners for Club Brugge's Holland winger Noa Lang.
And it's claimed Sevilla’s France centre-back Jules Kounde would prefer joining Manchester United to Chelsea.
- Ian Tuckey
FOSTER FLOORED OVER TICKET FURORE
Watford keeper Ben Foster is under fire after gifting home tickets to a Liverpool fan who was booted out of Vicarage Road.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett branded the Hornets a 's*** club' in an Instagram video after he was ejected for celebrating the Reds’ 5-0 win on Saturday.
Pimblett said: “Ben Foster gave me the tickets, I didn’t get to pick where I sat.
“Watford, Ben Foster, I love you mate. But I hope Watford go down, youse are horrible, horrible.”
A Hornets fan tweeted: “Don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed to support Watford.
“The result and performance was shameful, and this s*** with Pimblett and Foster is just another level. Unbelievable.”
Foster provoked further anger from his own fans for appearing to back Mo Salah to score against him.
The former England keeper, 38, picked Salah as his ‘captain’ in one of his teams in the Fantasy Premier League Game.
And that earned Foster double points as Salah bagged a wondergoal and an assist in the drubbing.
- Ian Tuckey
‘VIEIRA DIDN’T LOOK LIKE A FOOTBALLER’
EXCLUSIVE: IT was 25 years ago this week that Arsene Wenger took charge of his first game as Arsenal manager, writes MARK IRWIN.
But the Frenchman was beaten through the Highbury entrance by compatriot Patrick Vieira, who arrived a couple of months before Wenger was officially appointed.
On Monday, Vieira will make an emotional return to the club he captained during their Invincibles campaign.
The new Crystal Palace manager is certain of a huge reception from Gunners fans, who have not forgotten the midfielder’s role in winning three League titles and four FA Cups.
But he did not receive such a warm welcome when he first reported for training after a £3million move from AC Milan in 1996.
Former Arsenal striker John Hartson recalled: “The first thing we all noticed about Patrick was that he didn’t even look like a footballer.
“He was very tall and gangly with really thin legs and he was also a bit bandy. None of us had ever heard of him because although he’d come from Milan he’d hardly played for them and he was still only a boy at the time.
“He was also quite shy and softly spoken because he didn’t know a lot of the language. But as soon as he stepped on to the training pitch we knew straight away he was something special.
“He was a physical monster of a guy and he could look after himself from day one.
“Straight away he was barging into Tony Adams, Martin Keown and myself and controlling our practice games from the middle of the park.
“There’s not many players that have been as fearsome in the tackle as Roy Keane, but Patrick revelled in his battles with him and so did the crowds.”
- Ian Tuckey
GAY STAR FEARS COMING OUT
A gay Premier League star has had therapy because he is so frightened of coming out, telling pals: “I will be crucified.”
The ace revealed he has sought professional psychological help amid fears of how rival fans will react.
He said: “It’s 2021 and I should be able to be free to tell everyone who I am.
“But there are some fans on the terraces for whom it is still very much the 1980s.
“I want to be open with people because it’s who I am and I am proud. But the truth is I will be crucified.”
Gay Premier League star is in therapy as he fears abuse from fans if he comes out
The player admitted he is riddled with doubt, saying: “When I play, I feel like the fans may guess and they are judging me.
“Am I coming across as camp? Can they tell from the clothes I wear off the pitch? It has had a terrible effect on me mentally. It’s terrifying.”
The top-flight Brit has spoken to campaigner Amal Fashanu — niece of ex-Norwich star Justin, who came out in 1990 and took his own life in 1998.
- Ian Tuckey
FAN 'STABLE' IN HOSPITAL
Newcastle say the supporter who suffered a suspected heart attack in the stand during the 3-2 loss against Tottenham is 'stable and responsive' in hospital.
The Premier League clash was halted after a male fan was taken ill just minutes before half-time.
Spurs star Eric Dier ran over to the dugout to ask for a medical staffer to bring a defibrillator onto the pitch.
Newcastle game halted after fan has suspected heart attack in the stands
The England centre-half had been alerted to the incident by team-mate Sergio Reguilon.
Players from both sides were then told to go to the sidelines as the crowd fell into silence.
After the man was transported to hospital, the club moved to update fans on Twitter.
A short statement read: "NUFC can confirm that a supporter who required emergency medical treatment during today's game at St James’ Park is stable and responsive in hospital."
The incident happened two minutes before half-time, with Tottenham 2-1 up at St James's Park.
- Ian Tuckey
GINOLA URGES FANS TO LEARN CPR
David Ginola has called on footy fans to learn CPR after a Newcastle supporter was believed to have suffered a suspected heart attack.
The Magpies’ home game against Tottenham was halted when a fan appeared to collapse in the stands.
Former Newcastle star Ginola suffered a heart attack that left him ‘dead for eight minutes’ during a charity match back in 2017.
And speaking on Sky Sports at St James’ Park, the pundit highlighted how important it is to get fast treatment to heart attack victims.
He said: “It is vital (to have a defibrillator).
“Having people in the stands as well being able to perform CPR helps massively because waiting for the defibrillator you need to perform CPR.
“We should all be informed to perform CPR to help each other.”
The incident took place two minutes before half-time as Newcastle hosted Spurs in the first game under their new Saudi owners.
- Ian Tuckey
SOLSKJAER POSITION ‘100% SAFE’ – FOR NOW
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is having another rocky time.
Yesterday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester perhaps ended returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo’s honeymoon period and re-open defensive concerns.
Bu The Athletic’s respected reporter David Ornstein claims Solskjaer’s position is “100% safe” – at least on the board’s current thinking…
- Ian Tuckey
SHEARER BLASTS 'STUPID' JONJO FOR RED CARD
Alan Shearer raged at Jonjo Shelvey as the midfielder was sent off in Newcastle’s 3-2 home defeat by Tottenham.
The substitute was given his marching orders after a quikc second yellow for scything down goal-bound Sergio Reguilon.
His first booking came minutes earlier as he swiped at Son Heung-min after replacing Sean Longstaff on the hour mark.
Toon legend Shearer could not believe what he was seeing as Shelvey’s red compounded a 3-2 loss on Tyneside.
He wrote on Twitter: “Stupid stupid stupid red card.”
- Ian Tuckey
BRUCE WANTS 'CLARITY' ON HIS FUTURE
Steve Bruce wants 'clarity' on his Newcastle position after their first game under new Saudi owners ended in a 3-2 home defeat to Spurs.
The Toon boss told Sky Sports of his future: "That's for other people to decide.
"If I was reading everything I might not have been here today, but my job is to get a few results.
Steve Bruce reacts to Newcastle’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss against Tottenham
"If you haven't won in seven or eight then you will come under pressure. I'll crack on and carry on as best I can until I hear otherwise.
"Every football club needs clarity from the top right the way through to everything that makes the football club the way it is.
"The new owners have been very respectful, and Rome wasn't built in a day. It's up to me, in the near future anyway, to maybe get better.
"The people of Newcastle want to see the club move forward."
- Ian Tuckey
‘UTD PLAYERS WORRIED BY SANCHO STRUGGLE’
Manchester United players are worried about Jadon Sancho’s lack of impact, reports suggest.
The Times and Daily Record’s Duncan Castles believes some United stars have even privately questioned signing the £73million England winger over the summer
Sancho, 21, has been quiet for United and erratic for England after hitting 50 goals in 67 games for Borussia Dortmund.
Castles told The Transfer Window Podcast Sancho’s Old Trafford team-mates have ‘major question marks’ due to his form plus his attitude in training.
Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
WENGER AND ZZ HAIL BENZEMA FOR BALLON D'OR
Zinedine Zidane and Arsene Wenger believe Karim Benzema should be a serious contender for stopping Lionel Messi win a seventh Ballon d'Or.
Ex-Real Madrid boss Zidane claims the Bernabeu striker 'deserves' to win the world player of the year award.
Credit: Rex And former Arsenal manager Wenger's only question mark over Benzema is his lack of honours in the past year, although the 33-year-old did help France win the Nations League this month.
Zidane said: "Benzema deserves the Ballon d’Or. He’s an incredible player.
"I’ve had the great honour of managing him. He can do it all on a pitch. He’s a cut above."
Wenger, meanwhile, said: "There are no untouchables this year.
"In his individual performances and consistency, Benzema is at a top level.
‘The question is, does the weight of trophies play a decisive role?’
- Ian Tuckey
TOON SHOULD 'FORGET HAALAND FOR 2-3 YEARS'
Newcastle fans can forget about signing superstars such as Erling Haaland for 'two or three years' despite the riches now flowing into their club.
That’s the claim from Toon legend John Barnes, who urged supporters to be patient following the club's £00million Saudi-led takeover.
New director Amanda Staveley has promised reinforcements at St James’ Park after former owner Mike Ashley sold to her mega-rich consortium for £300million.
But Barnes has signalled the new regime will be looking to improve in all areas of the squad rather than bring in one or two blockbuster signings.
He told BonusCodeBets: “Newcastle aren’t going to be signing Erling Haaland all of sudden just because they have money.
“They have to grow slowly, and they will begin to improve. They won’t be looking at any one position. When they can get better players in every single position, they will do.
"That’s why the Saudi Arabian owners have come in. They haven’t come in to buy two players worth £100 million and are then expected to win the league.
"In two or three years time, when they have slowly improved and continue getting better, that’s when they can begin to look at signing world-class players. It will not happen overnight."
- Ian Tuckey
NEV: 'RESILIENT' CHELSEA CAN PIP KOP AND CITY
Gary Neville believes Chelsea have a 'great shout' of winning the Premier League title as he hailed the club's dogged resilience.
The Blues moved back to the top of the table yesterday after winning 1-0 away at Brentford having survived a second half onslaught from the Bees.
Neville highlighted the squad depth and mental toughness of Thomas Tuchel's side, who were missing Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.
The ex-Manchester United defender told Sky Sports: "I think Chelsea can win the title.
"I know people will say Manchester City or Liverpool and you can't disagree with that given what they've done over the last three or four years.
"City's performance at Chelsea a few weeks ago was incredible, but I do feel this Chelsea team are resilient and are tough to play against.
"I can't think that any team in the league would like to play against them.
"I know Brentford have enjoyed the last 10 to 15 minutes, but this was a tough game for them for the first 70-80 minutes.
"They couldn't get into it, they had to change and they had a bit of joy at the end.
"That was a Chelsea team that had a few players missing as well, and they've got so many to come back.
"They had so many good players coming off the bench too, so I feel they've got a great shout of winning the title."
- Ian Tuckey
FANS ESCAPE AFTER STAND COLLAPSES
A stand collapsed at the Stadion De Goffert as Vitesse Arnhem's players celebrated a 1-0 win at NEC with fans – but miraculously NO ONE was hurt.
A video circulating on Twitter shows supporters bouncing up and down after Vitesse players went to greet them at the away end, before the stand gives way.
The players immediately appeared shocked, with some putting their hands across their mouths or on their heads.
However, they continued their celebrations seconds later after it appeared that nobody was injured.
The Major of Nijmegen, Hubert Bruls confirmed afterwards supporters suffered a lucky escape.
Bruls also called for a thorough investigation of the incident.
“I am very shocked by what happened,” told De Telegraaf.
"Fortunately, as far as is known, no one was injured.
“I want an investigation into what happened here as soon as possible.”
- Ian Tuckey
NO KANE BARRIER
Harry Kane bagged his first top-flight goal of the season to surpass Alan Shearer as the Premier League's highest-ever away scorer as Spurs won 3-2 at Newcastle.
The Tottenham skipper beat the offside trap to loft the ball over Karl Darlow and notch his first goal of the season.
The strike made it 2-1 to Spurs and saw Kane move past the great Alan Shearer in the table of goals scored away from home.
The 28-year-old now has 88 goals in 128 Prem games on the road.
Newcastle hero Shearer bagged 87 away goals in his 18 year career but needed 91 more games to do so.
Top of the list sits former Manchester United and Everton talisman Wayne Rooney, who scored 94 goals in 243 away fixtures.
NEWCASTLE 2 SPURS 3: CLICK HERE FOR OUR MATCH REPORT
- Ian Tuckey
NEWCASTLE 2 TOTTENHAM 3
Newcastle's new mega-rich era began with the most dramatic of defeats in a Premier League game briefly halted by a fan being rushed to hospital after a suspected heart attack.
Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min sealed Tottenham'scomeback win by half-time after Callum Wilson had taken just two minutes to reward the Toon's blistering start.
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey was sent off late on for two bookings but Eric Dier's own goal cut the deficit.
The Magpies, though, remain second bottom – further suggesting Steve Bruce's reign as manager could be over soon.
- Ian Tuckey
SOLSKJAER POSITION ‘100% SAFE’ – FOR NOW
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is having another rocky time.
Yesterday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester perhaps ended returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo’s honeymoon period and re-open defensive concerns.
Bu The Athletic’s respected reporter David Ornstein claims Solskjaer’s position is “100% safe” – at least on the board’s current thinking…
- Ian Tuckey
BURLEY BLASTS 'BALLOONS' BACKING OLE
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has blasted the "balloons" who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be given time to turn Manchester United around like Alex Ferguson.
Ex-Scotland, Celtic and Derby star Burley blew away the argument that Solskjaer is slowly returning United to their glory days.
The 50-year-old pundit responded to yesterday's 4-2 defeat at Leicester by posting on Twitter: "One or two balloons saying Sir Alex Ferguson was given time so so should Solskjaer!
"Ferguson got the Man Utd job off the back of a stellar managerial record and huge success at Aberdeen.
"Dethroning the Old Firm and beating Real Madrid in a European final.
"Give your head a wobble."
- Ian Tuckey
JORGINHO TROLLS ENGLAND IN AD
Roberto Mancini has starred in a new advert in Italy which has joked about the Euro 2020 final win over England.
The advert for the Italian Post Office shows Italy boss Mancini getting plans together for a party.
Mancini undergoes various renovations and with the help of the Post Office he is able to set up the perfect dining experience for his guests.
Italy and Chelsea star Jorginho makes joke about beating England in Euro 2020 final in new ad featuring Roberto Mancini
Included on the guestlist are Italy stars Leonardo Bonucci, Manuel Locatelli and Chelsea ace Jorginho.
Jorginho, who is in the running to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or, gifts his manager some food for the party when Mancini opens his front door.
And when Bonucci asks the midfielder what he is hiding in the dish, Jorginho replies: "Zuppa Inglese." – or, 'English tears'.
Jorginho, Bonucci, Locatelli all burst out in laughter at the remark.
It is a clear reference to the trio's Euro 2020 success in the summer, with Italy beating England in the final.
- Ian Tuckey
WILSHERE HOPES RICE STAYS A HAMMER
Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has urged former team-mate Declan Rice to stay at West Ham amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Rice, 22, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Hammers, more recently after his standout performances for England at Euro 2020.
But ex-Three Lions midfielder Wilshere has advised Rice to snub any moves away for now in favour of staying at West Ham and continuing to captain the side.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ve always said – and I’ve said this to Dec too – why would he leave West Ham now?
“He’s the captain, he’s the main man, and he’s playing week-in week-out in the Premier League.
“They are going in a good direction.
“There will probably come a time when he will want to leave and win a title and play in the Champions League, maybe West Ham will play in the Champions League, but I don’t think they’ll win the title.
“But, for now, he’s doing well, and he’s playing week-in week-out.”
- Ian Tuckey
TOON FAN 'STABILISED'
Newcastle's game with Spurs resumed after a break just before half-time to give a fan medical aid following a suspected heart attack.
The Magpies posted a reassuring message to say the supporter had been 'stabilised' and was on his way to hospital.
- Ian Tuckey
GODFREY HORROR FALL
Everton star Ben Godfrey avoided serious injury after a nasty fall in their 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday.
The former Norwich defender, 23, went up for a header against the Hammers, but landed on his face at Goodison Park.
The incident happened late on in the second half, as the Toffees desperately searched for an equaliser.
Incredibly, despite the awkward moment, Godfrey was able to dust himself off and carry on in the final moments.
Godfrey was one of Everton's standout players, after joining the club last season in a £20million deal.
And his form even impressed England boss Gareth Southgate.
The centre back was selected in the provisional 33-man squad for the Euros last summer.
Although he didn't make the cut in the final 26, Godfrey did play in warm-up friendlies against Austria and Romania.
- Ian Tuckey
TOON GAME HALTED AFTER 'SUSPECTED HEART ATTACK'
Newcastle's home game against Tottenham was halted after a fan was believed to have suffered a suspected heart attack.
Spurs star Eric Dier ran over to the dugout to ask for a medical staffer to bring a defibrillator onto the pitch.
The players were then told to go to the sidelines.
The incident happened two minutes before half-time, with Tottenham 2-1 up at St James's Park.
The players were then told to return to the changing room as treatment was being administered.
The crowd and players reacted swiftly to call for medical attention, and the referee Andre Marriner soon realised it was a medical emergency.
- Ian Tuckey
ICARDI MISSES TRAINING AFTER WANDA SPLIT
Mauro Icardi has failed to show up to PSG training following his split from wife Wanda Nara.
The 28-year-old Argentine striker was accused of cheating on Wanda as she took to social media in a cryptic Instagram post.
She alluded to infidelity and then promptly unfollowed him on Instagram.
Wanda angrily wrote in Spanish, "Another family that you have ruined for a s***" in a cryptic message on Saturday night that has had fans gossiping online.
And now, according to L'Equipe, Icardi has been left on his own as Wanda jetted away from Paris with their children.
PSG confirmed Icardi missed training due to 'family reasons'.
The pair have been married since 2014 and have two children together, Francesca and Isabella.
But they met in controversial circumstances, with Nara accused of cheating on ex-husband Maxi Lopez with Icardi, who were teammates at Sampdoria at the time.
- Ian Tuckey
KOUNDE ‘PREFERS UTD TO CHELSEA’
Sevilla’s France centre-back Jules Kounde would prefer joining Manchester United to Chelsea.
That’s the claim from El Nacional, who even suggest the 22-year-old has asked his agent to hold talks with the Red Devils.
Kounde helped France win the Nations League this month, having joined Sevilla for £20million from Bordeaux two years ago.
Chelsea reportedly bid for him over the summer.
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