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Mourinho Laments Fixtures Pile Up, Says Spurs Can’t Compete In League Cup

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Jose Mourinho has blamed football chiefs for effectively preventing Tottenham Hotspur from fighting for League Cup success and fears more injuries as his side face three games in six days.

Spurs host Mourinho’s former club Chelsea in the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday before a final Europa League qualifying tie at home to Maccabi Haifa just 48 hours later.

The hectic week is topped off by a trip to Manchester United, another of the Portuguese manager’s former clubs, for a Premier League clash on Sunday.

Mourinho said he would like to mount a challenge for the League Cup but the added financial value of reaching the Europa League group stage meant that competition had to take precedence.

“I think you can imagine that with a game on Thursday, that decides a very important thing for us — I think the EFL (English Football League) made a decision for us,” said the Spurs boss.

“They didn’t even create a problem — they made a decision for us. So that’s the decision.”

Spurs lost Son Heung-min to a hamstring injury at half-time of the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Sunday.

The South Korea forward had already hit the woodwork twice after scoring four goals in the previous Premier League outing at Southampton.

Mourinho believes Son’s setback will be the first of a number of injury problems his side will have to overcome due to their fixture congestion.

Asked if playing a Chelsea side who had to fight from three goals down to draw at West Brom on Saturday gave Tottenham a good chance of progressing in the League Cup, the Portuguese replied:

“You’re joking or you’re serious? Chelsea played Saturday, they have Sunday and Monday (off) then they play Tuesday and then they play again on the weekend.

“So their fantastic squad, if the manager decides not to rotate, he can perfectly play with the players that he wants.”

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Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Toffees Claim Vital Win To Dent Rivals’ EPL Title Hopes

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Everton moved closer to Premier League survival and put a huge dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge with an outstanding win at a thunderous Goodison Park.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s first-half goal and a towering header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the break gave Everton their first Merseyside derby win at home since October 2010 in a victory that could assume huge significance.

Liverpool knew a win over the rivals they have dominated so often would put them level on points with leaders Arsenal but Jurgen Klopp’s side never recovered from an opening period when they were overpowered by Everton, Branthwaite’s close-range finish a deserved reward.

Everton then needed England keeper Jordan Pickford to keep them ahead as he saved from Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson – but on this night, in a fiercely hostile atmosphere, the Toffees were not to be denied.

And victory was effectively sealed when Calvert-Lewin, a constant threat, rose at the far post to head home from Dwight McNeil’s corner at the far post, just before the hour.

Liverpool had plenty of possession but, with Everton’s defence resolute and Pickford so impressive, there was no way back as Klopp tasted defeat at Goodison Park in his final Merseyside derby.

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Xavi Makes U-turn, To Remain Barcelona Manager Next Season

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Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has changed his mind about leaving the club this summer.


Xavi is reported to have met with the club’s president, Joan Laporta and sporting director, Deco, on Wednesday night.

After the meeting he had a change of heart and accepted the conditions to continue in charge of the LaLiga side.


This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on his X page.

Romano wrote: “BREAKING: Xavi has decided to change his mind and STAY as Barcelona manager!

“After tonight’s meeting and Laporta insisting for him to stay, Xavi accepts Barça conditions and will continue as head coach.


“Formal steps to follow.”

Xavi, had in February, announced that he would leave the Nou Camp at the end of this season.

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Man Utd To Cut Ten Hag’s Salary If He Escapes Sack

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Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, will have to take a big pay cut if he stays on at the Premier League club beyond the end of the current campaign.

ESPN reports that Ten Hag will take a substantial 25 percent pay cut at Old Trafford, following the team’s likely failure to secure qualification for the Champions League.

The Dutchman, who signed a three-year contract with the Red Devils after he joined from Ajax in May 2022, is under pressure with the team languishing in seventh place on the table.


United trail a top-four position by a massive 16 points.

The report however claims that United’s revamped football hierarchy, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, has been actively exploring potential alternatives to Ten Hag.

Prospective candidates include England’s Gareth Southgate, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Wolves’ Gary O’Neil.

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