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A report has detailed how Crystal Palace could be without star winger Michael Olise for even longer after his hamstring injury blow, which is set to keep him out for a minimum of two months as things stand.

Palace under pressure amid Hodgson sack rumours

Palace are facing the very real prospect of being relegated from the Premier League for the first time since their promotion around a decade ago.

"10/10" boss favourite to replace Hodgson as Crystal Palace search begins

Chairman Steve Parish is scouring for the Englishman’s successor.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 6, 2024

Eagles supporters have already been in full voice protesting the club's leadership under chairman Steve Parish, but their dismal 4-1 derby loss away to Brighton has only intensified calls for manager Roy Hodgson to be given his P45.

“It was a bad start. That’s the last thing you really want – to be a goal down against Brighton, who are a very good team at home – but I thought in the first-half they outplayed us. We didn’t really get to grips with them in that half, and they were pretty much in control for that half," said Hodgson on Palace's loss to Brighton.

“The two goals which came in quick succession really made life almost impossible for us at half-time – how are we going to get back from this? – but I thought in the second-half the team did make a good effort to try and get back from it."

Reports suggest that Parish is actively seeking a replacement for Hodgson, and former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is a firm favourite for the potentially vacant post.

Palace are just four points above the relegation zone heading into next week's clash with Chelsea. Adding insult to injury, only Burnley and Sheffield United, the division's bottom two sides, have managed fewer goals than Hodgson's men.

Nathaniel Clyne

6.37

Chris Richards

6.41

Sam Johnstone

6.44

Will Hughes

6.47

Joel Ward

6.48

There is also now the added complication of absences for key men, with both Olise and defender Marc Guehi set for a spell on the sidelines. The former was taken off after just 11 minutes with a hamstring problem which is expected to keep him out for two months minimum, but journalist Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail has now explained how it could be even longer.

Rehab could extend Olise injury lay-off at Palace

Indeed, Mokbel claims Palace could be without Olise for longer than two months depending on his rehab, with the thought of that surely coming as a scary prospect for supporters given his injury is already a "huge blow".

The attacking midfielder boasts six goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season, and if wasn't for his various spells out, the numbers would be higher.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer issued an encouraging message to "seriously ill" Alan Hansen as an emotional Graeme Souness paid tribute to the Scotsman

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Hansen fell ill after his 69th birthdayHas been admitted to the hospital Made over 600 appearances for Liverpool WHAT HAPPENED?

The football world has been deeply moved by the news that Hansen, a Liverpool legend and celebrated BBC pundit, is seriously ill in hospital. As tributes and messages of support pour in, prominent figures such as Lineker, Shearer, and Souness have shared their heartfelt words during the BBC's coverage of Euro 2024.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT LINEKER & SHEARER SAID

Lineker and Shearer began their Euro 2024 coverage with touching tributes to their former colleague. Hansen, who recently turned 69, was confirmed to be seriously ill, prompting an outpouring of support from his peers.

"It's been a tough week for everyone associated with Match of the Day with the news that Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital shocked us all, didn't it Alan?" Lineker began, setting the tone for a heartfelt segment.

Shearer responded with deep emotion: "Oh absolutely, I mean we are great friends with Al, we know his character, we know he's a fighter, we know how tough he is. So we are thinking of you big man and we are with you, we are hoping and praying."

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Lineker continued by sending love and support to Hansen's family, using a golf analogy to describe Hansen's resilience: "To use an analogy of Alan's favourite pastime, golf, you might be three down with four to play – but if anyone can come back from it, it's Alan. I have never known a more competitive person in my life. We are all with you big Al."

Souness, Hansen's former teammate at Liverpool, also paid an emotional tribute ahead of Scotland's opening match at Euro 2024. Struggling to contain his emotions, Souness praised Hansen's exceptional skills and character.

"I had the pleasure of playing with him, he was an absolute dream for a midfielder," Souness said. "He passed the ball at the right weight at the right angle at the right time. Just a super footballer. I believe he was the best footballing centre-half ever."

Souness's admiration for Hansen extended beyond his footballing abilities. He described Hansen as a quality performer and an outstanding human being: "You’d have to search a long, long way to find anyone who’s got a bad word to say about him and that takes some doing. His chat and banter were top-class, and he was a pleasure to be around. He’s in the fight of his life right now and we should all say a little prayer to him."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Hansen's illustrious career is a testament to his skill and dedication. Making over 600 appearances for Liverpool, Hansen helped the team secure eight league titles, three European Cups, and several domestic trophies. His calm and composed style of play, combined with his exceptional reading of the game, earned him a place among the best defenders in football history.

The ICC continues to find ways to recoup the money it lost as a result of the tax paid during the 2016 World T20 held in India

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2019The ICC is considering cutting into the annual revenue it will give to the BCCI as it continues to find ways to recoup the money it lost as a result of the tax paid during the 2016 World T20 held in India.The 10% tax paid by the ICC to Indian tax authorities has resulted in a revenue loss of $20-30 million. The minutes of a Committee of Administrators (CoA) meeting held on July 6 states that while these events were previously exempted from taz, the Indian government’s stance changed in 2016, which forced the BCCI to withhold 10% of the amount payable by the broadcaster, , to the ICC.Early last year, it had emerged that India could be in danger of losing out on hosting the 2021 Champions Trophy (since replaced by the T20 World Cup) as well as the 2023 World Cup. The ICC management had been directed to seek alternative venues if the issue was not resolved.”The Board agreed that ICC management, supported by the BCCI will continue the dialogue with the Indian Government but in the meantime directed ICC management to explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone for the ICC Champions Trophy 2021,” the ICC had said in a release in February 2018.The minutes of the CoA meeting held last month say that the BCCI “made all efforts” with the government to try and ensure a tax exemption but three years on, the tax authorities have not budged. In the last decade alone, the Indian government allowed tax exemptions for the 2006 Champions Trophy as well as the 2011 World Cup.For the 2006 event, Ehsan Mani and the late Jagmohan Dalmiya had directly negotiated an exemption with the Indian government. On the basis of that negotiation, the government had passed a legislation in the relevant act, which allowed international sporting events to be exempted. This applied as recently as 2017, when the FIFA Under-17 World Cup got a tax break for broadcast equipment imported by FIFA’s host broadcasters.The BCCI will now seek the opinion of an English law firm about their legal options, since the 2016 event agreement between the board and the ICC was governed by English law.

Romelu Lukaku is reportedly open to a move to AC Milan from Chelsea with Antonio Conte's Napoli also being an option for the Belgian.

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Chelsea ready to offload LukakuAre only open to a permanent saleMilan & Napoli set to fight for BelgianWHAT HAPPENED?

According to after dropping out of the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, Milan have shifted their focus to Lukaku. While formal negotiations are yet to commence, Milan's interest in the Belgian striker is serious. According to the report, Lukaku finds the prospect of joining Milan intriguing and is open to the move.

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Napoli, under the management of Antonio Conte, are also in the race to secure Lukaku's services. Conte, who previously worked with Lukaku at Inter, is keen on reuniting with the striker. Napoli see Lukaku as a key addition to their squad as they aim to strengthen their attacking options. The club are exploring various avenues to bring Lukaku on board, including potential negotiations with Chelsea over a transfer fee.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea, for their part, are not open to another loan move for Lukaku. The club would prefer a permanent transfer, ideally securing a fee in the region of £38 million ($48m). However, given the complexities of the transfer market, Milan and Napoli might wait until late August to see if Chelsea become more flexible, potentially opening the door to a loan deal.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Lukaku is currently with the Belgian national team at Euro 2024. He is struggling for form and has drawn three consecutive blanks ahead of facing France in the round of 16 on Monday.

Only 46.3 overs possible on the first day in Chelmsford, with Surrey reaching 137 for 4

David Hopps at Chelmsford16-Sep-2019Surrey 137 for 4 v Essex
Eight points is the gap that Essex must make up on Somerset over the last two games and Ronnie Irani, their ebullient chairman of cricket, was out glad-handing the spectators before start of play at Chelmsford. The crunch time of the season has arrived, with the prospect of a winner-takes-all final match at Taunton next week. At times like this, even the old timers feel the sap rising.Such positivity was certainly needed after a first day restricted to 46.3 overs because of the periods when the floodlights were deemed to have overtaken, rather than supplemented, the natural light, a scientific nicety largely accepted by shrugs by spectators who don’t really know what it means but have learned the hard way that it’s best not to ask.It was a frustrating delay considering that it hasn’t rained in these parts for weeks and the River Can alongside the ground is so low that it has become an ugly patchwork of green algae. But with sunshine predicted for the rest of the week, Essex are more likely to rise than the river levels.Nevertheless, Essex did not have matters entirely their own way. Surrey will be reasonably satisfied with their 137 for 4, with the most accomplished innings of the day coming from the captain, Ben Foakes, who is 31 not out against his former county after choosing to bat, doubtless to avoid a fourth innings against the offspin of Simon Harmer.They must manage without their overseas batsman Dean Elgar who has returned to South Africa early for family reasons.The seamers have dominated so far with two wickets apiece for Jamie Porter and Sam Cook, but it would be no surprise to find the second innings turning into a Harmer versus Amar Virdi shootout. Harmer has 71 Championship wickets at 18.66; Virdi 20 at 16.81. Harmer’s feats for Essex have been widely extolled; Virdi is playing only his fifth Championship match of the season and has had fitness issues, but it is an appetising match-up for all that.Porter removed both Surrey openers in the space of nine balls when the first day’s play finally began. He was into his ninth over when Mark Stoneman, who had despatched his previous two balls to the boundary, was lbw. Scott Borthwick got a good one in Porter’s next over which left him from around the wicket.Cook strengthened Essex’s position with wickets in successive overs immediately after tea. Ollie Pope was lbw and Jamie Smith’s innings, which included a rash of playing and missing against Aaron Beard, came to grief with a jab at a wide ball which seamed away to be caught at second slip.Pope must privately look at Jason Roy’s elevation to the England test side and reflect on the unfairness of life when glamour innings in the white-ball formats takes precedence over Championship excellence. Pope himself was probably blooded too soon last summer, but since then he has consolidated a first-class average of 59; Roy manages 37. As George Dobell commented on this website recently, his selection is proof of a broken system.Nevertheless, Pope did little to advertise his talent to the Chelmsford crowd. He gave a very difficult chance to Dan Lawrence, diving to his left at short midwicket, before he had scored and also survived a missed stumping on 8 when he ventured down the wicket.

After a winless start to 2024 in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest finally tasted victory for the first time in nearly two months with a well-deserved 2-0 victory over struggling West Ham United.

Nuno Espírito Santo's side hadn't claimed all three points in the league since the 2-1 victory over Manchester United on the 30th of December, but Saturday's performance put an end to the Reds' drought, widening the gap to the relegation zone to five points.

The Reds controlled the game for long periods, with David Moyes' side failing to create any clear-cut chances, with James Ward-Prowse's free-kick the closest the visitors came to adding to the scoresheet.

Ultimately, the game was decided after two goals in stoppage time at the end of either half, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi finding the net to secure a much-needed win for Nuno's side in their battle to secure Premier League safety once again this season.

Taiwo Awoniyi & Callum Hudson-Odoi stats v West Ham

Yesterday's win was one of Forest's best-attacking performances since their return to the Premier League last season.

Former Liverpool striker Awoniyi produced a brilliant display at the top end of the pitch for Nuno's side, operating as a hold-up striker – allowing other attacking players such as Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga to flourish against the Hammers.

The Nigerian might've only had 19 touches and completed eight passes during his 67-minute display, but he was crucial to the side in pinning Kurt Zouma and creating overloads in the final third.

Awoniyi won three free kicks for the Reds – the most of anyone on the pitch, with the West Ham backline struggling to contain the Forest number nine.

As for Hudson-Odoi, his goal in stoppage time at the end of the second 45 was his third goal in as many Premier League games after previous goals against Newcastle United and Bournemouth.

As per Sofascore, the former Chelsea winger achieved the highest rating of any player during the counter, with his late goal the icing on the cake on what was another magnificent display for the 23-year-old.

The wideman created two big chances during his performance – the most of anyone, with the £5m fee the club paid for him in the summer looking to be a potential bargain.

However, despite Awoniyi and Hudson-Odoi impressing for the Reds, the performance of one player certainly went under the radar.

Nicolas Dominguez stats vs West Ham

After joining the club from Bologna in August last year, Nicolas Dominguez took no time in impressing the Forest fanbase with his pressing ability.

However, this weekend was one of his best displays during his time on Trentside. The Argentinian played 86 minutes, before being replaced by Ryan Yates. During his time on the pitch, the 25-year-old completed 93% of the passes that he attempted, whilst winning six tackles in a true workmanlike display.

Dominguez also won six ground duels for the Reds, the most of anyone in Nuno's side. The midfielder has been utilised in multiple positions since the arrival of the former Wolves boss, with the Argentinian really now starting to settle at the base of the Reds' midfield.

The £8.5m fee the club paid for the midfielder looks to be a really astute piece of business – with the club making some quality additions despite their scattergun approach in recent times.

Former England forward Peter Crouch defended Harry Kane's poor form in Euro 2024 as he drew comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Crouch defends Kane's poor formCompared Kane to RonaldoEngland captain has scored twice in Euro 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

Harry Kane has received a lot of criticism for his poor run of form in the ongoing Euro 2024. The England captain has scored just twice in five appearances in the ongoing competition and has failed to make much impact in the attacking third.

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Amid criticism of the former Tottenham star, Crouch has come into the Three Lions captain's defence as he reminded the naysayers about the striker's contribution to the national team over the years. He even cited Kane's form from the 2023/24 season where the 30-year-old broke multiple scoring records in his debut season with Bayern Munich.

The ex-Liverpool star also brought up the example of Cristiano Ronaldo by suggesting that unlike the Portugal star – who plies his trade in Saudi Arabia – Kane has consistently performed in the Bundesliga which is among the top leagues in the world.

WHAT PETER CROUCH SAID

Speaking to Paddy Power, Crouch said, "Harry Kane hasn’t looked himself in the tournament. He’s been so good for England over the years, and even this last season at Bayern Munich he’s scored 40-odd goals, but he’s been anonymous at times in this competition. You do just feel with someone like that that they’re a killer in the box – if you get one chance, you still want it to fall to him. I mean, he’s Harry Kane and if he creates that one moment, he will score.

"Sometimes I feel like there is a lack of respect for what he’s done. He’s England's record goal scorer of all-time. And it’s not like he’s off playing in Saudi Arabia like Cristiano Ronaldo, for example – he’s just scored a load of goals for one of the biggest clubs in the world last season. I’m not going to get away from the fact that he’s been anonymous in some of the games, and he’s not played as well as others, but I’d still stick with him, and I think he’ll score on Wednesday night."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR HARRY KANE?

The England skipper will hope to regain his form on Wednesday as his side take on Ronald Koeman's Netherlands in a blockbuster Euro 2024 semi-final clash in Dortmund.

He hit 138 off 126 balls before Mark Steketee ran through Victoria’s middle order

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-2019Usman Khawaja made a commanding start to his season with 138 off 126 balls as Queensland secured a handsome bonus-point victory over Victoria in Melbourne.Khawaja and the in-form Sam Heazlett added 185 for the first wicket in pristine batting conditions although the Queensland innings was hauled back from 1 for 239 in 36th over to 9 for 322 as James Pattinson claimed 3 for 56 in his first outing of the season.However, Victoria’s top order was blown away in the chase as they slid to 5 for 37 in the 14th over with Mark Steketee picking up the impressive trio of Will Pucovski, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson for single figures.Bat dominated for the first part of the game as Khawaja and Heazlett laid into the Victoria attack. It was Khawaja’s first innings of the season after the Ashes series in which he was dropped and he looked in excellent touch as he struck 16 fours and a six with his century coming off 94 deliveries.There was some collateral damage during the opening stand when a strong sweep shot by Heazlett struck umpire John Ward on the foot at square leg. Initially Ward tried to shake it off but a short while later needed to leave the field with TV umpire Donovan Koch taking his place.With Heazlett on track for a brisk century, to follow his half-centuries in Queensland’s opening two matches, he edged a drive against Pattinson to give Victoria their first opening. Marnus Labuschagne started in fine style, timing the ball effortlessly, before getting a rough decision when he was given out caught off the arm playing a reverse sweep.Matt Renshaw picked out long-on cheaply and when Khawaja departed the middle order couldn’t quite take advantage of the foundation offered.The total was soon looking huge, however, with Marcus Harris being caught behind off the third all of the innings then Steketee scythed through the middle order. Ben Cutting, playing his first one-day match for nearly two years, added the wicket of Glenn Maxwell and Victoria’s hopes were gone.Aaron Finch and Will Sutherland stopped the rot before Finch become Steketee’s fourth. From 8 for 106, Sutherland’s second half-century in consecutive innings prevented Queensland claiming a double bonus-point victory, which would have been theirs by keeping Victoria below 160, so that was a small consolation for the home side.

As Liverpool prepare to hand Jurgen Klopp the perfect farewell on the pitch, with the Carabao Cup already secured and still alive in three more competitions, FSG have already taken significant steps towards landing the German's replacement.

Next Liverpool manager news

When Klopp announced that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, citing a lack of energy as the reason behind the decision, he sent shockwaves around the Premier League. With the Reds top of the league and competing on all fronts, it was assumed that Klopp's tenure would continue until at least the end of his current contract, which was due to expire in 2025.

Liverpool's new Adam Lallana outshone Jayden Danns in the FA Cup

Klopp’s youngsters prevailed in tough circumstances once again to advance to the quarter-finals.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 29, 2024

That proved not to be the case, however, and now Anfield must prepare itself for an emotional goodbye at the end of what could still be a historic season for Liverpool. The Merseyside club, having already won the Carabao Cup, are through to the FA Cup last eight after their youngsters did the job against Southampton, through to the Europa League last 16 and top of the Premier League. The fact is, the quadruple is still very much on.

The positive news has carried from the pitch to news over Klopp's replacement too. According to TeamTalk, FSG and Liverpool have offered Xabi Alonso a three-year deal to become the next Reds manager next season. The offer is, of course, yet to be accepted and Bayern Munich's interest could yet become an issue, but an offer is certainly a good start from all involved at Anfield.

With reports suggesting that FSG also want to bring back Michael Edwards to oversee their new era after Klopp, Liverpool are well-placed to kickstart their next chapter with a bang.

"Incredible" Alonso is the perfect choice

A man who already has the Anfield faithful onside due to his previous success as a Liverpool player, Alonso is the best option that the Reds can turn to after Klopp's departure. The Leverkusen boss has transformed his current side into potential invincibles after already breaking Bayern Munich's record unbeaten run in Germany to take Die Werkself as many as eight points clear at the top of the league.

What's more, Alonso has even received approval from Klopp, himself, who said via BBC Sport: "Xabi is doing an incredible job. How quick his team is that well tuned, for the time it's taken, he's put his proper stamp on it.

"The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is a standout in that department. [He is a] former world-class player, from a coaching family as well, which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional."

With an offer reportedly on the table, the Spaniard certainly has an important decision to make amid a historic run towards silverware at Bayer Leverkusen.

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United appear to have set their sights on a new centre-back this summer. It recently emerged that the Red Devils have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund in making an approach to sign Dean Huijsen, who's currently on loan from Juventus at Roma.

Huijsen's performances this season have apparently "bewitched" multiple members of the European elite, and Juventus are willing to sell him permanently for a fee in the region of €30m (£26m).

Links with Benfica's Antonio Silva, though, date back further. At the end of last year, it was reported that United had made Silva a "top target" for the 2024 summer transfer window, alongside Jean-Clair Todibo at Nice – the club owned by Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

Silva's contract runs until 2027 includes a giant €100m (£86m) release clause, but he's still expected to leave the Primeira Liga leaders at the end of the campaign.

Man Utd in touch over Silva

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, via Sport Witness, United have made contact with Silva's agent over a potential move in the off-season. It's unclear whether Benfica will demand that his release clause is paid in full, or show a willingness to negotiate a lower fee. Encouragingly, it's said their top priority is keeping 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves instead.

The 13-time Premier League champions "know everything" about the defender after scouting him "many times" for both club and country, and they're now preparing to escalate their interest.

"Silly" Silva may be the best young centre-back around

A product of the Benfica youth academy, Silva has already played 79 games for the club at the age of 20. He's started 21 of their 27 league games this season, and six of their eight European matches in the Champions League and Europa League (though he missed one through suspension). He'll also hope to figure prominently for Portugal at this summer's European Championships after making his major tournament debut against South Korea at the last World Cup.

Man Utd’s “out of this world” ace has been on fire in 23/24 since leaving

The star can’t stop scoring since leaving the Red Devils.

ByTom Lever Feb 27, 2024

Silva is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the league, ranking ninth for touches (1,420), ninth for passes into the final third (104), third for progressive carrying distance (3,459 yards) and, best of all, first for pass completion (92.5%). He combines that with the second-best challenge success rate in the division (80.6%), so you can see why United are desperate to sign him.

Player

Pos

Club(s)

Jude Bellingham

MID

Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid

Gavi

MID

Barcelona

Jamal Musiala

MID

Bayern Munich

Eduardo Camavinga

MID

Real Madrid

Pedri

MID

Barcelona

Xavi Simons

FWD

PSV Eindhoven/RB Leipzig

Alejandro Balde

DEF

Barcelona

Antonio Silva

DEF

Benfica

Rasmus Hojlund

FWD

Atalanta/Manchester United

Elye Wahi

FWD

Montpellier/Lens

Described as "silly good" by under-23 scout Antonio Mango, he was the only centre-back to be nominated for the Kopa Trophy – a prize handed out to the world's best under-21 player at the Ballon D'Or ceremony. Ratcliffe will be determined to sign a player who increasingly looks like the next big thing in his position.