DANNY MURPHY: Frank Lampard has given Everton a new energy and freedom to express themselves after their thumping win over Brentford… this appointment is a risk, but it’s one that’s worth taking

There was a completely different energy about Goodison Park. The atmosphere inside the stadium, the freedom Frank Lampard gave the players to express themselves.  On the front foot, the midfielders driving forward. This is what Everton fans have wanted for so long. Confidence is always boosted by getting the first goal but this was as…

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DANNY MURPHY: Frank Lampard has given Everton a new energy and freedom to express themselves after their thumping win over Brentford… this appointment is a risk, but it’s one that’s worth taking

There was a completely different energy about Goodison Park. The atmosphere inside the stadium, the freedom Frank Lampard gave the players to express themselves.  On the front foot, the midfielders driving forward. This is what Everton fans have wanted for so long. Confidence is always boosted by getting the first goal but this was as…

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‘Mum preferred me in jail. It meant I wasn’t dead – or out killing’: Boreham Wood hero Adrian Clifton shares emotional reunion with Ian Wright – the mentor who turned his life around

The embrace that Ian Wright shares with Adrian Clifton is typically effusive and tactile. And yet there is a deeper reason for the connection between the Arsenal legend and the man whose goals have helped Boreham Wood reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. Their bond goes back years and, without fear of hyperbole, it…

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‘Mum preferred me in jail. It meant I wasn’t dead – or out killing’: Boreham Wood hero Adrian Clifton shares emotional reunion with Ian Wright – the mentor who turned his life around

The embrace that Ian Wright shares with Adrian Clifton is typically effusive and tactile. And yet there is a deeper reason for the connection between the Arsenal legend and the man whose goals have helped Boreham Wood reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. Their bond goes back years and, without fear of hyperbole, it…

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Man United are braced for a battle to land Declan Rice this summer with West Ham star holding out for a move to childhood club Chelsea… but Blues would need to offload N’Golo Kante to sign £100m man

Manchester United face a fight to sign No1 target Declan Rice this summer with the England midfielder waiting to find out the level of interest from boyhood heroes Chelsea. United are ready to step up interest in 23-year-old Rice with the need to sign a midfield general becoming a top priority. Friday’s FA Cup exit…

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Man United are braced for a battle to land Declan Rice this summer with West Ham star holding out for a move to childhood club Chelsea… but Blues would need to offload N’Golo Kante to sign £100m man

Manchester United face a fight to sign No1 target Declan Rice this summer with the England midfielder waiting to find out the level of interest from boyhood heroes Chelsea. United are ready to step up interest in 23-year-old Rice with the need to sign a midfield general becoming a top priority. Friday’s FA Cup exit…

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Cristiano Ronaldo needs to score at Burnley to avoid his LONGEST drought in over a decade… for anyone else four games without a goal is not a crisis but the Manchester United star will be desperate to put things right

Being a perfectionist, birthday boy Cristiano Ronaldo may know that failure to score against Burnley on Tuesday would represent his longest barren spell in club football for more than a decade. Ronaldo, who turned 37 on Saturday, hasn’t scored in United’s last four matches and missed a penalty in their FA Cup exit against Middlesbrough…

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Cristiano Ronaldo needs to score at Burnley to avoid his LONGEST drought in over a decade… for anyone else four games without a goal is not a crisis but the Manchester United star will be desperate to put things right

Being a perfectionist, birthday boy Cristiano Ronaldo may know that failure to score against Burnley on Tuesday would represent his longest barren spell in club football for more than a decade. Ronaldo, who turned 37 on Saturday, hasn’t scored in United’s last four matches and missed a penalty in their FA Cup exit against Middlesbrough…

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‘The best day of my life’: Leicester full back Luke Thomas fondly recalls winning the FA Cup in his very first first-team game played in front of fans – and his dad… and opens up on Brendan Rodgers and England call-ups

‘So, let’s get this straight. The first game of professional first-team football you ever played in front of fans, and the first time your dad saw you play live for Leicester City, the club he’s supported all his life, was at Wembley when you won the FA Cup final?’ Luke Thomas grins and nods. ‘Yeah,…

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