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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react with joy after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took part in training with the first-team out in Spain, as he steps up his return to full fitness.

The England international suffered a serious knee injury in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Roma at Anfield last season, which looked likely to rule him out for the entirety of the current campaign.

However, the 25-year-old midfielder has made a remarkable recovery and was able to take part in a session involving rondos, core exercises and ball-work drills with his teammates, who will be happy to have him back for the title run-in.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The former Arsenal man has also been included in the Reds’ Champions League squad for the knockout phases as Jurgen Klopp hopes to have him back and available soon.

Understandably, fans of the Merseysiders on Twitter are overjoyed with the news…

[ad_pod ]Loads of Crystal Palace fans have been running the rule over their rather comfortable win against Fulham, and they’re full of praise for the colossal Mamadou Sakho.Saturday was just about the perfect day as far as Roy Hodgson is concerned, as the boss watched his side comfortably dispatch of Fulham while several of the teams around the Eagles dropped points.It was a really professional performance from the hosts at Selhurst Park, as for all Fulham’s defensive deficiencies they are more than capable of producing chances that Aleksandar Mitrovic will bury.Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!The visitors hardly got a sniff though, and that was mainly down to the excellent work of Sakho.The 29-cap French international is fast becoming a cult hero in South London, and it’s not hard to see why he was handed the captain’s armband at PSG aged just 17, as his commanding presence has transformed the Eagles’ back line.The 28 year-old won three aerial duels, made two interceptions, eight clearances and also completed a remarkable 98 per cent of his passes, per Whoscored.It is this unique mixture of technical quality and physical dominance that makes Sakho such a superb defender, and the Twitter reactions down below are falling further in love with the former Liverpool ace…

Growing up in Edo, Nigeria, Odion Ighalo had a dream. It was a simple one too – to play football for Manchester United.

Remarkably, he has achieved that ambition. Coming via Norway, Italy, Spain, China and Watford, it’s not your usual career path but Ighalo is now very much part of the furniture at Carrington.

He has settled into life at Old Trafford with aplomb, even if at first glance it looked like a peculiar signing.

United are renowned for making hefty expensive acquisitions. The very fact they broke the record paid for a defender to land Harry Maguire is fine evidence of that. The £89m addition of Paul Pogba is another example.

Yet, here was Ighalo, arriving for a loan fee of just £3m after plying his trade in the Chinese Super League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men needed attacking cover for Marcus Rashford but this was certainly an unorthodox way of going about it from Ed Woodward.

However, despite bucking a trend, it’s already beginning to become somewhat of a masterclass from United’s executive vice-chairman.

That’s if you compare it to one of the biggest earners still on the books of Manchester United – Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean is a classy player on his day, registering 24 Premier League goals for Arsenal in one season but his move from the Gunners which essentially cost £35m (the price United valued Henrikh Mkhitaryan at) has been nothing short of a disaster. On £350k a week, he’s scored just five times in 45 outings and is now out on loan at Inter Milan. Once again, he’s flopped.

Sanchez has scored just once in Italy all season and is now due back in England in the summer. However, would United not benefit from a permanent deal for Ighalo more? It’s hard to tell, but the answer should be yes.

Although they possess no option to sign the Nigerian at the end of his loan, the financial power and the lure of United would surely be enough to bring him back.

If you compare the two, there are some stark differences. For a start, Ighalo is on £250k less than Alexis and has already started producing at a better rate.

Only on temporary terms, the 35-capped striker has found the back of the net on just two fewer occasions despite only being there for a matter of weeks. The fact he’s scored a goal every 77 minutes is damning compared to Sanchez.

The Chile international has been extremely poor in front of goal, taking 556 minutes at a time to beat the goalkeeper. Considering his wage and price tag, it’s seriously concerning.

Ighalo’s signing, however, has proven to Woodward that sometimes you don’t need to spend a considerable sum to find a good player. His wage is still colossal but the decision to bring him in has proven to be a piece of genius compared to previous failings in Manchester.

How well do you really know the Premier League’s greatest ever manager? Find out below…

Whether this causes a major policy shift at United remains to be seen, but it’s surely worth evaluating by the club’s chief operators.

Meanwhile, United’s pursuit of a £34m-rated star is a THROWBACK to the SAF era…

A number of Tottenham Hotspur fans took to social media on Sunday afternoon to discuss their star man from the clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Adama Traore cancelled out an early Lucas Moura effort to leave the two teams all square heading into the final exchanges, but Spurs secured all three points in the 91st minute when Jan Vertonghen headed a Christian Eriksen corner into the back of the net.

Moussa Sissoko, Eric Dier, Lucas and Vertonghen were offered up as the four choices for the club’s Man of the Match award at Molineux.

And it would be fair to say that there were a lot of mixed opinions among the supporters.

Some of the fans were also disappointed that the likes of Paulo Gazzaniga, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld had not been included among the choices.

As a result, it is not too difficult to determine that it was more of a team performance from Jose Mourinho’s side on the afternoon, rather than a display which saw one player drag them to all three points.

Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

There is no question that Spurs were struggling in the latter stages of Mauricio Pochettino’s time at the club, but the London giants are currently just three points off the top four in the Premier League table.

And next up is the small matter of a home game against Chelsea on December 22.

Meanwhile, a number of the club’s supporters have recently offered their views on a transfer report surrounding Gareth Bale.

Man City have started the season incredibly well and look like they’ll once again be the leading contender for the title this season. 

Over the summer, Pep added another star to his attacking arsenal as he brought in Leicester City’s mercurial winger, Riyad Mahrez for £60 million in what was the club’s lone marquee signing of the summer.

One area that the club failed to strengthen in the transfer window was in midfield, and aside from Fernandinho, Pep doesn’t really have any other midfielder whom he can call upon to do the Brazilian’s job.

With City looking to find a long-term replacement for the Brazilian, there have been plenty of rumours linking them with a move for Ajax sensation Frenkie De Jong and according to Spanish website, Sport via Sport Witness, Man City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain has met with the player and Ajax several times to discuss a move.

The Breakdown

The 21-year-old is yet another player to come out of the famed Ajax academy and in tandem with Matthijs de Ligt, he has been the club’s best player this season.

Capable of playing in defence and midfield, De Jong has already shown that he has the technical ability needed to play at the highest level. He can take the ball under pressure and is a terrific passer.

The only question mark concerning his game is if he has the defensive awareness to play at the base of Pep’s midfield.

Last night against Germany, he showed that he could do the job as he helped Holland come back to draw against Germany. If City can sign the midfielder, they may just have found Fernandinho’s long-term successor.

Thoughts City fans?  

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror’s Live Blog (30 August, 03:57), Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United are interested in a move for defender Danny Batth. The 27-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League side Wolves having come up through the ranks at the West Midlands side, for whom he has since appeared on 212 occasions. 

Yet reports suggest that Jos Luhukay’s Wednesday and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are keen on the £900,000-rated enforcer (as per Transfermarkt), but such are the Owls’ concerns in the defensive department, they simply have to beat their Yorkshire rivals to the centre back’s signature.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while shipping eight goals from their opening five Championship matches is hardly a defensive crisis, Luhukay’s men have yet to keep a clean sheet in the second tier so far this term, something which certainly needs to change if they are to climb the division and improve upon their 15th place effort last time round.

And having been placed under a transfer embargo for the majority of the summer window, manager Luhukay has been unable to bolster his squad until only recently, but the release of centre back Glenn Loovens has left the Owls slightly short in that department.

And that is why they absolutely must fend off Bielsa’s Leeds to win the race for Wolves defender Batth.

The 27-year-old is a vastly experienced Championship performer having appeared 150 times in the second tier during his career, including 16 times last term to help Nuno Espirito Santo’s side win the title at a canter to thus return to the Premier League.

But in failing to appear for the West Midlands club so far in the top-flight, it’s clear that the Englishman is some way down the pecking order at Molineux and as such could be on the lookout for a new club, and a return to Wednesday may well be of interest to the centre back.

The 27-year-old spent two separate loan spells at Hillsborough earlier in his career while the Owls were in League One, playing a vital part in their promotion-winning season of 2011/12 to help Dave Jones’ men return to the Championship, where they have been playing their football ever since.

Leeds themselves may also be in the market for a centre back in the last knockings of the window in a bid to enhance their promotion hopes, but one could argue that there is a greater likelihood for Batth to command regular football at Wednesday than at Elland Road, such has been the start made by Bielsa’s side.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that the Owls are in need of greater strength in the centre back department, which is why they absolutely have to beat their Yorkshire rivals to the 27-year-old’s signature.

Wednesday and Leeds fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Leeds United’s priorities are clear this season, and that is to fight for promotion to the Premier League.

On Tuesday night, Thomas Christiansen’s side switched focus to the Carabao Cup, which nowadays is regarded as having a lesser importance than other competitions.

The Whites had overcome Port Vale, Newport County and took Burnley to penalties in order to get to the fourth round of the tournament, but they were unable to take out managerless Leicester City.

Leeds were underdogs at the King Power Stadium given that they were facing top flight opposition, but they had already proven that they were up to the task by ousting Sean Dyche’s side in the previous round.

Christiansen’s side went ahead in the 26th minute thanks to a goal from Pablo Hernandez, but the hosts responded as Kelechi Iheanacho, Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez got on the scoresheet.

With Friday’s Championship clash against Sheffield United on the horizon, it seems that the fans are more interested in league matters.

Had Real Madrid’s fax machine been working in the latter stages of the 2015 summer transfer window, there is every chance that David de Gea would currently be turning out in the white of the Spanish giants.

Manchester United ultimately managed to keep hold of the Spanish goalkeeper before handing him a new four-year contract, but that was never likely to be the end of the story due to Real Madrid’s long-standing interest in the stopper.

After producing a shut-out in Man United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, De Gea became the goalkeeper with more Premier League clean sheets (27) than any other stopper since the start of last season.

There is little doubting that the 26-year-old is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, although it is understood that his head has been turned once again, with Real Madrid flirting ahead of this summer’s transfer window as they prepare to replace Keylor Navas.

Man United might well decide to cash-in on De Gea this summer, although that is not a transfer that would go down well with the club’s supporters, who have consistently backed their goalkeeper, even during his early struggles at Old Trafford.

Number two Sergio Romero is expected to be back between the sticks for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg with Anderlecht, although there is little doubting who the Man United fans see as their undisputed number one…

The Championship action just keeps on coming and after most of the sides in the division played last night, Newcastle United host Norwich City in a big clash at the top of the table.

Both sides will have watched on yesterday as Huddersfield went back to the top of the league after beating Rotherham, ousting Norwich from top spot whilst the competitive nature also saw Newcastle slip to ninth place.

If Norwich can win at St James’ Park this evening they’ll go a point clear of the Terriers at the top but it’s the Magpies who can make the most ground as three points will see them jump to third, ahead of Brighton, and a point behind tonight’s opponents.

Rafa Benitez is now all too aware of the battle the Championship offers and he’ll be determined to get things back on track after a draw at Aston Villa at the weekend.

We reckon they’ve got a good chance of doing so, too, especially if they go with this line-up…

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow has started to feature a bit more but it’s more than likely Matz Sels will start between the sticks tonight.

Defenders

Rafa Benitez has a bit of an issue at right-back with Vurnon Anita suspended and DeAndre Yedlin a fitness doubt.

If the latter cannot play, Chancel Mbemba would be the best option down that side with Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark forming the centre-half partnership.

Paul Dummett started on the left last time out and should play again as he seems to be first choice over Achraf Lazaar right now.

Midfielders

The Magpies’ midfield is looking pretty settled and it shouldn’t really change from the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Jack Colback wasn’t in the squad for that game and so Isaac Hayden may get to start once again against the Canaries, with Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran supporting him.

Forwards

Mohamed Diame has been exactly what Rafa Benitez wanted with his drive forward so he should start and be the one to link midfield and attack.

Meanwhile, Aleksandar Mitrovic should get the nod. With no Newcastle forward really staking their claim as the main man up top, he should get the chance to do so here.

The Line-Up

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Newcastle have got a pretty settled side now and that will only help with consistency. Rafa Benitez has a good squad at his disposal and for the couple of changes he will makes from the game against Villa, he has plenty of options to pick from.

The Real Madrid star scored France's opener and controlled the game from midfield against the Republic of Ireland.

Aurelien Tchouameni scored a wonderful goal and turned in a complete performance as France took another step towards Euro 2024 qualification with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ireland. In an otherwise drab game, Tchouameni shone, turning in a complete showing that offered immense promise for a France side that will surely be one of the favourites next summer.

After a rather poor start from the hosts, Tchouameni opened the scoring — and did so in style. The Real Madrid midfielder pinged an effort into the net from outside the box, curving the ball around two defenders and past a helpless keeper.

France had the ball in the net on a second occasion just before half time, but substitute Marcus Thuram was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up to Kylian Mbappe's effort.

Thuram made up for his mistake early in the second half, though. Mbappe saw a shot deflected, and Thuram pounced on the rebound, firing the ball into the roof of the net to give France a 2-0 lead. There could have been more for the home side as the half wore on. Ousmane Dembele rattled the post. Tchouameni almost had a second. Mbappe, for his part, tried everything to find the back of the net — only to be left frustrated. Still, France remained in control, comfortably seeing off an inferior side.

GOAL rates France's players from Parc des Princes…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Mike Maignan (7/10):

  Made an impressive stop at 2-0 to prevent Ireland from getting back in it.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  Reprised his right-back role with Barcelona, to mixed results. He covered well against counter-attacks, but wasn't always speedy in the build up.

  Dayot Upamecano (7/10):

  Had very little to do except circulate the ball — which he took care of comfortably.

  Lucas Hernandez (6/10):

  Lined up alongside his brother for the first time in nearly a year, and was solid — if rather scrappy.

  Theo Hernandez (7/10):

  Did his bit getting forward, and connected with Mbappe well. Probably would've had an assist if the France finishing had been more effective.

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• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Aurelien Tchouameni (9/10):

  Opened the scoring with an exquisite strike from outside the box — one that evoked memories of his wonder goal against England in the World Cup. Would've had a second, if not for an excellent save. Controlled the game expertly. Was still putting in tackles in the 95th minute.

  Adrien Rabiot (7/10):

  Solid without being spectacular in central midfield, which is sort of his thing. Doesn't play a starring role, but is immensely effective.

  Antoine Griezmann (7/10):

  Wonderful in the No.10 role, even if he didn't score or assist. Mbappe is the star, but Griezmann is the driving force of this ever-improving France side.

• Attack

  Ousmane Dembele (6/10):

  Some good moments — including a shot that rattled the post — but was mostly dealt with by the Irish defence. Still hasn't really convinced for his country.

  Olivier Giroud (5/10):

  Went off injured after making a bright start to the contest.

  Kylian Mbappe (6/10):

  Lacked sharpness in the early goings, overhitting a few crosses. Had the ball in the net, but saw it chalked off for offside. Not his night, but there will be others.

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• Subs & Manager

  Marcus Thuram (6/10):

  Brought on for Giroud midway through the first half. Scored France's second to provide valuable separation.

  Kingsley Coman (6/10):

  Didn't have time to make an impact. The fact that he comes off the bench shows how deep this side is.

  Benjamin Pavard (N/A):

  Only played for five minutes

  Eduardo Camavinga (N/A):

  Will be disappointed not to start. At least he wasn't forced to play left-back.

  Didier Deschamps (7/10):

  Has a wealth of talent at his disposal, and his only real point of controversy was sticking with Giroud over Kolo Muani. It didn't really matter; his side dealt with Ireland fairly comfortably.