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The India U-23 team punched above their weight in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers and finished as group runners-up in a pool that comprised the likes of UAE, Oman, and Kyrgyz Republic. 

Despite playing against teams ranked higher, India beat Oman 2-1 and went down narrowly against UAE after conceding a late penalty. Meanwhile, in the final group game, they could have once again picked up three points, only if the woodwork had not denied Rahul KP. 

Although the entire team played as a unit, there were a few individuals who stood out with their respective performances. Suresh Singh was deployed in a new role against Kyrgyzstan and he performed his job with elan. Rahul KP showed potential with his incisive runs down the flanks whereas, the two-full backs in Akash Misra and Asish Rai not only defended well but also contributed in the forward areas with their overlapping runs. 

But there were a few others who stepped up their game to the next level and proved to be the difference-makers. Let us have a look at the three key players who played a decisive role for India. 

Dheeraj Singh 

The 21-year-old goalkeeper conceded just one goal from open play in three matches and this speaks volumes of his rich vein of form under the sticks. Against UAE, he kept out Rashed Salem's attempt in a one-on-one situation and later denied Ali Saleh single-handedly with an outstretched hand. Meanwhile, in the final group game against Kyrgyzstan, it was nothing short of a one-man show. Once again he showed his mastery at handling a one-on-one situation and this time Borubaev was was seen clutching his face after seeing his effort saved. As the opponents started tightening the screws, Dheeraj's involvement simultaneously increased. Two more crucial saves ensured that the match went into tie-breakers where he again made a couple of saves to clinch the second spot for India. 

Vikram Pratap Singh

This was the tournament where Vikram Pratap Singh showed the country that he is ready for the big stage. There was little doubt over his potential and in the last three matches, he proved that he has bloomed well. He showed pace, ball control, and was fearless against defenders, taking them on with confidence. Against Oman, he was the livewire for India in the right flank and was miles ahead of Oman's left-back Yousuf. It was his heroics that helped India earn a penalty in the early stages of the match and his goal was a just reward for his efforts throughout the match. 

Against UAE, he carried on with his form and whatever little did India create in the attacking third, was majorly through the right wing. Once he was substituted, India rescinded into a defensive cocoon which further helped UAE to up their ante. 

Deepak Tangri 

Deepak Tangri was used as a right-centre-back and he absolutely flourished in this position. Primarily a defensive midfielder he has little experience of playing as a defensive mainstay but Tangri excelled. He showed the clarity of thought that is expected from a centre-back and in the three matches, he hardly put a foot wrong. He timed his tackles to perfection, showed appreciable aerial presence, and was not afraid to put his body on the line to block shots. His excellent game reading came to the forefront time and again as he knew exactly when to pass and when to clear his lines.

More importantly, he has forged a strong partnership at the heart of defense with Narender Gahlot which can be a long-term solution to the defensive woes of the senior team. 

Eberechi Eze feels ‘so good to be back’ following his return to action for Crystal Palace U23 against Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

The former England youth international of Nigerian descent picked up an Achilles injury during a training session with the Eagles and that kept him on the sidelines for six months.  

That knock came as a serious blow for the budding star who was already guaranteed a place in England squad to Euro 2020 – where the Three Lions finished as runners-up.

Although the winger was expected to be out until 2022, albeit, he featured for 62 minutes in Palace’s 2-1 defeat to the Rovers and that would be a piece of cheering news for manager Patrick Vieira.

“God I give it all to you! So good to be back,” Eze tweeted.

Apart from missing 18 matches for Crystal Palace in all competitions, he also missed a chance to be capped by England senior national team.

He could be available for action when Vieira’s men square up against Burnley in a Premier League showdown on November 20.

Following his eye-catching outing for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship, he was signed by the Selhurst Park giants on a five-year deal of around £17 million.

He quickly settled in South London, making 34 appearances in the Premier League and bagged four goals with five assists.

Reviewing his performances, his former manager Roy Hodgson praised the player’s influence on his side during the 2020-21 season.

“He’s had a good season, there’s no question of that. I think it’s nice that, not just on this occasion [against Sheffield United], but even on other occasions, he really has shown his skills to the utmost and everyone’s picked up on it. I’m really pleased about that,” Hodgson told the club website.

“I’m most pleased with the way he’s settled in, the way he’s become such a team player, the way he works very hard to absorb any tactical information and do the things that the team requires of him, apart from, of course, the mazy dribbles, the excellent ball control he’s been blessed with also.

“He knows he has these excellent technical abilities; he knows he is a good player capable of becoming a really good player of the very highest level, but there’s still a bit of learning to be done, a bit of experience to be gained,” he continued.

“His progress for me has been solid, it’s been there all the time. I’ve seen him getting better, we know what he can do, we know that he’s capable with what he did on Saturday against Sheffield United.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken on the role of a guard in the hit Netflix series Squid Game.

The Sweden star shared the video on his social media accounts on Monday, featuring TikTok star Khaby Lame.

Lame, famous for making fun of life hack videos on the platform, appears as one of the participants of the games.

What happens in the video?

Lame is supposed to walk down panels of a glass bridge, half of which is fragile and the other half strong enough to support a person's weight. Either he will fall to his death or survive the game.

In his trademark style, Lame seems to find an easy way to beat the game, simply walking down the beams in the middle that hold up the glass.

But just as he starts boasting about his victory and prepares to walk past the game's overseer, the guard removes his mask and is revealed to be Ibrahimovic.

Lame then becomes so shocked that he simply falls off the bridge.

"My Game My Rules," Ibrahimovic posted alongside the video.

What is Squid Game?

Squid Game is the new South Korean mini series which has taken Netflix by storm.

The series involves cash-strapped contestants taking on strange invitations to compete in children's games, but with deadly stakes.

The show was released this year and has quickly become one of the most successful shows in Netflix history.

Further reading

Everton star Alex Iwobi extended his impressive English Premier League goalscoring record against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.

The Nigeria international got his side’s only goal as the Toffees bowed 2-1 to Bruno Lage’s Wolves at the Molineux Stadium.

Ben Godfrey fired a low shot at goal from the edge of the box, but his effort was accidentally blocked by Michael Keane.

Nevertheless, the rebound fell to the former Arsenal man, who drilled the ball into the bottom right corner of Jose Sa’s net in the 66th minute.

Following his latest effort – his first of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign – the 25-year-old has now scored three times against Wolves in English history, his most against any opposition in the tournament.

Coincidentally, that was his first goal in 24 EPL appearances, with his previous strike coming in the exact fixture at Wolves in January last season.

In the keenly contested affair, Iwobi lined up in the midfield alongside Cote d’Ivoire’s Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Allan and Andros Townsend to dent the aspirations of the hosts.

As it proved a slow start for Rafael Benitez’s team, they conceded first in the 28th minute through Max Kilman.

Algeria prospect Rayan Ait-Nouri whipped a corner kick into the penalty area and the Englishman showed great desire to head past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Four minutes later, Mexico forward Raul Jimenez doubled the advantage for Lage’s side – slotting home from close range following a disastrous defending from Godfrey.

Although the visitors pulled a goal back six minutes after the hour mark, they could not restore parity as they stumbled to their fourth defeat of the ongoing campaign.

While Iwobi was in action from start to finish, Gbamin – who made just his second ever Premier League start for Everton in the Premier League, 807 days after his first (v Watford on August 17th 2019), the 14th longest gap between a first and second start in the competition for the same club - was subbed off for Fabian Delph in the 46th minute.

Tenth placed Everton would be hoping to return to winning ways when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park on November 7.

Adam Masina has urged Watford to ‘keep pushing’ despite their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday evening.

Prior to the Premier League encounter, Claudio Ranieri’s men had silenced Everton 5-2 at Goodison Park.

However, they were unable to keep up the momentum against the Saints – losing by a lone goal with Che Adams’ 20th-minute strike settling the encounter at the Vicarage Road.

Although saddened by the outcome, the Atlas Lion urged his team to keep striving to set things right in their subsequent fixtures.

“We are not happy about the result, but we have to keep pushing because it is a really long season,” Masina told the club website.

“We had a big opportunity at the end, it was a tough game, but we have to keep doing what we are doing in training and keep working.”

The Hertfordshire based outfit travel to the Emirates Stadium for a date with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on Sunday.

Masina is aware of the quality in the Gunners’ squad but hopes the away fans can bring an extra push to help them grab all points at stake.

“It’s going to be a tough game because they are doing very well at the moment,” he continued.

 “They have a lot of quality, so we have to go there with our spirit, our crowd behind us because we need them and I hope they stay with us until the end.”

Furthermore, the 27-year-old talked about his relationship with teammate Danny Rose, stating they push each other to improve on the training pitch.

“Training is massive for us because every day we learn something more about [Claudio] Ranieri,” the former Bologna star added.

“Danny is a really good guy, we try to compete in a good way, I really respect him and admire him.

“We have the same competition in front, and we need to keep doing this.”

As things stand, Watford occupy the 16th spot in the English elite division log after accruing 10 points from 10 matches played so far.

After their game against Arsenal, they welcome Manchester United to the Vicarage Road in another mouth-watering showdown at Vicarage Road.

All products featured on our site are independently chosen by us. When you purchase something through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

Knowing someone who is a football fan is a blessing, as there are tonnes of gift options related to the sport - although when there is so much out there, trawling through the internet for the perfect gift can feel like a sport in itself.  

It’s been quite the year for Tottenham fans. Portuguese firecracker Jose Mourinho was sacked in April and ex-player Ryan Mason got the chance to take the helm. North London’s own Harry Kane became the talisman for England yet again in the summer. The stadium still hasn’t found a sponsor. So it’s no wonder that Tottenham fans are in need of a little R&R this festive season.

There are territorial garden gnomes for those who take pride in their lawns, 3D puzzles with thousands of pieces and memoirs to take you back to way back when.

So whether you’re looking for a Christmas present for your dad, a birthday gift for your son or daughter, or maybe even a treat for yourself, here are the 27 best gifts currently available for Tottenham fans.

£10 or under

What do you get for the person who has everything? This limited edition Tottenham gift bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate that swaps classic purple for Spurs Lilywhite is the perfect gift for fans of any age with a sweet tooth. 

Get it from Amazon for £6.00

Tottenham fans will love this metal White Hart Lane street sign that can be easily affixed to any wall. It’s a big step up from a blue-tac cornered poster and a cool way of showing appreciation for your football club.

Get it from Amazon for £7.00

Make bathtime a little more Tottenham with this fun blue rubber duck. Equally enjoyable for kids to play around with in a bubble bath or as a floating companion during a grown-up soak. Plus, at £6.00 it’s a great Secret Santa gift choice for a Tottenham fan.

Get it from FOCO for £6.00

This joke mug is the perfect present for a Tottenham fan with a sense of humour. At under £10, it would fit most workplace Secret Santa budgets and is sure to get a laugh when opened.

Get it from Amazon for £8.99

This official Tottenham wall calendar for 2022 is perfect for those who like staying organised or for someone who might need extra hints to remember special occasions.

Get it from Amazon for £9.99

This Tottenham tankard goes in the freezer to make sure beers and other cold drinks can be immediately served icy cold. It’s perfect on match days for those who’ve swapped the stadium for the sofa.

Get it from Amazon for £9.95

This annual makes the perfect gift for every Spurs fanatic. It’s filled with fun quizzes and games plus in-depth profiles of all their favourite players.  

Get it from Amazon for £5.00

When it comes to Christmas gifts, you can’t go wrong with a good old fashioned mug. Perfect for all lovers of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, these gifts are the perfect way of expressing your love, your pride or your fan status.

Get it from FOCO for £10.00 (COYS), £6.00 (world’s best Dad) and £10.00 (est. 1882)

£25.00 or under

These incredible Tottenham custom beer mats are the brainchild of twin brothers at Boot and Ball. With graphically sophisticated retro designs, fans have their favourite players commemorated in traditional beer mat form in a way that feels like art rather than a coaster.

Get them from Amazon for £14.95

This autobiography is the first from Glenn Hoddle and will be released just in time for Christmas. Pre-order it now for anyone who might enjoy never before heard stories from one of Tottenham’s most legendary players.

Get it from Amazon for £16.00

This Tottenham metal water bottle is perfect for those who are eco-conscious. Not only does it come in a cool paint splatter design with the Tottenham crest, but the metal is also designed to keep your water super cold all day long.

Get it from FOCO for £15.00

This quirky hand-painted Tottenham gnome next to a sign that says “keep off the pitch” is a lovely gift for fans who are equally as proud of their garden as they are their team.

Get it from FOCO for £20.00

This 2021 published memoir by esteemed sportswriter Norman Giller is a must for those who love reminiscing on the good old days. Containing first-hand stories from experiencing a league win in 1951 to tales on how Jose Mourinho ruled the roost, it’s a winner.

Get it from Amazon for £12.35

This Tottenham BRXLZ logo kit is a lovely gift for those who like to display quirky merchandise in their house. Kids and adults alike will have fun assembling all the brick pieces to make up a pixelated version of the retro Spurs emblem. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a small and simple design – it’s made up of 399 pieces.

Get it from FOCO for £25.00

These ceramic stoneware egg cups make having a hearty breakfast on match day an eggcellent choice. They have been dipped in Spurs blue and white, have a cool paint-splattered design and make a great and useful gift for any age.

Get them from FOCO for £12.00

Not just suitable for the summer, this hat makes a great addition to any matchday outfit. 

Get it from JD Sports for £23.00

If you’d like to buy a Tottenham fan a piece of clothing, a football scarf is a great, one-size-fits-all accessory. Perfect for keeping warm on chilly match days.

Get it from JD Sports for £12.00

Footballs are notoriously difficult to wrap up, though that doesn’t stop them from being an eternally popular gift. This Nike Strike ball is complete with Tottenham graphics and grooves to make the ball travel through the air like a dream.

Get it from Nike for £24.95

No budget

Relive the Tottenham pre-Premier League days with this 1991 replica retro shirt from Score Draw. It was an iconic shirt worn by club legends Gary Lineker and Paul Gascgoine. A perfect gift for those who love nostalgia and retro fashion.

Get it from JD Sports for £35.00

This bold and graphic third shirt by Nike was designed by young creatives with N17. The vibrancy of the North London area is reflected in this cool wild berry shirt that would make an excellent gift for any Tottenham fan.

Get it from JD Sports for £70.00

This A3 sized book is filled with full-colour newspaper pages heralding Tottenham’s most iconic moments dating over 100 years. It makes for a really thoughtful gift that can be personalised with a nice label on the inside page at a later date.

Get it from Amazon for £29.74

This BRXLZ mini version of the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium will keep Spurs fans young and old occupied for hours fitting together all the puzzle pieces. There are approximately 3,162 pieces included which when put together, create a lovely and quirky Tottenham memento.

Get it from FOCO for £60.00

This knitted Tottenham Hotspur Christmas jumper will make kids the envy of their classmates with its patchwork style variety of Fair Isle festive patterns. The Tottenham cockerel crest is knitted in a few places with the traditional navy blue and white colourway throughout.

Get it from FOCO for £30.00

This zip-up gilet from Nike is a great and stylish way to keep extra warm on those in-between weather match days. A great gift for anyone who’s ever imagined they’re Tim Sherwood pacing up and down the touchline.

Get it from JD Sports for £150.00

Marshalling a park run or walking the dogs on a freezing December morning? Not a problem. This unbelievably warm down Nike Strike puffer jacket is a dream for those who have to brave wet and windy conditions and the large zipped pockets are perfect for keeping hands toasty.

Get it from Nike for £189.95

Be the one to gift your niece, nephew or grandchild their very first Tottenham kit. The fabric in the kit is sweat wicking, just in case the little one gets the call-up.

Get it from Nike for £44.95

This fleece pullover hoodie from Nike marries streetwear with football merchandise and creates a great gift for any stylish Tottenham fan.

Get it from Nike for £59.95

Garba Lawal claims Odion Ighalo’s international return will bring competition to the Super Eagles, lauding him for the experience he possesses.

The former Manchester United striker had drawn the curtain on his Nigeria career days after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – where he emerged as top scorer in Egypt.

Two years later, he rescinded his decision as coach Gernot Rohr aimed to find stability in the frontline of the three-time African champions.

And on Monday evening, the 32-year-old was among the 24-man squad for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde in November.

As Ighalo’s return continues to generate contrasting reactions, the Levski Sofia and Roda JC Kerkrade attacking midfielder weighs in his opinion on what the Al Shabab FC star would bring to Rohr’s squad.

“He has the experience, so I will say this is a fantastic development,” Garba Lawal told Goal.

“Truth be told, his experience is needed because those younger players like [Kelechi] Iheanacho, and [Taiwo] Awoniyi need someone like him around them.

“They will surely learn from him. Also, Nigerians should not expect Ighalo to play every game or for 90 minutes because when you are ageing, the body will not pick on time.”

Lawal does not feel Ighalo’s comeback is a wrong step because of the dynamics in African football.

“We know we have a lot of young strikers which is very good for us as a nation but because African football is very tough, you must have that luck to keep on scoring for the national team,” he continued.

“Our strikers do well for their clubs but when it comes to Nigeria, they always find it very difficult.

“I believe the return of Ighalo will bring competition to that [attacking] department. If I was still at the Super Eagles, this will enable me to step up my game.”

In the 2021-22 campaign, Ighalo has scored nine times in 10 starts for his Saudi Arabia top-flight side.

Nigeria travel to Morocco for their penultimate Group C fixture against the Lone Star on November 13 before hosting Cape Verde in Lagos, three days later.

Former AFC Leopards coach Gilbert Selebwa believes the current youthful Ingwe team will finish mid-table in the ongoing campaign, and compares the Kenyan team's challenges to that of Premier League giants Arsenal.

The 13-time Football Kenya Federation Premier League charges were forced to rebuild after their key players left them owing to financial struggles. Most of the current players have been promoted from the junior team and have managed to collect four points from the five matches they have played.

The Fifa transfer ban, after the failure by the club to compensate former players, did little to make the situation better for the team.

Leopards should be given time

"First, we have to understand that this is the team under transition after recent events starting with exits and the Fifa ban on signing new players," Selebwa told Goal on Monday.

"They are youthful, and should be given time to mature, take a look at the Arsenal squad, they took time but we are seeing some improvements and development from all departments.

"The Fifa ban also negatively impacted on the team. With the current squad, the best they can do is finish mid-table."

Which departments need to be strengthened?

After starting the season with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over defending champions Tusker and a goalless draw with KCB, Ingwe have registered back-to-back losses against Gor Mahia, Bandari, and Ulinzi Stars respectively. 

Goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili is doing his best, but his inexperience is evident. While the team is also struggling to get goals and to date, they have managed to get just two in five league matches.

"According to me, Leopards still don't have a striker; those available are still naive," Selebwa continued.

"Mulili is still a rookie; he was my keeper at the Kakamega Homeboyz U20 team that lost the 2016 league finals on penalties against Ulinzi Stars. But with more games, he will continue improving." 

Leopards are currently placed 12th on the table, eight points behind leaders Bandari who have won four matches and lost one.

All products featured on our site are independently chosen by us. When you purchase something through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

Knowing someone who’s a football fan is a blessing, as there are tonnes of gift options related to the sport just waiting to be snapped up. Although, when there is so much out there, trawling through the internet for the perfect gift can feel like a sport in itself. 

It’s been quite the year. The summer was filled with jubilation as England fans across the country came together to scream “It’s Coming Home” from the rooftops, only to be joined together in sombre heartbreak after England lost the tournament final to Italy. 

Normally after a major tournament, you can put England away for a few years, but not this time. With the Women’s Euros taking place in England next summer and the 2022 World Cup just over a year away, now is the perfect time to start buying those Three Lions gifts. 

There are motivational books from some of England’s brightest stars, sunny floral shirts for World Cup 2022 and more retro gear than you can shake a stick at.

So whether you’re looking for a Christmas present for your dad, a birthday gift for your son or daughter, or maybe even a treat for yourself, here are the 27 best gifts currently available for England fans.

£10 and under

When it comes to Christmas gifts, you can’t go wrong with a good old fashioned mug. Perfect for all lovers of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, these gifts are the perfect way of expressing your love, your pride or your fan status.

Get them from FOCO for £10.00 (rainbow), £7.50 (red tub) and £6.00 (Three Lions)

If you’d like a mug with a little more nostalgia, this Retro Shirt Mug is the perfect gift for anyone missing the ‘90s. 

Get them from FOCO for £6.00 each

The latest craze in fidget toys are pop-its, which replicate that ultra-satisfying feeling of popping bubble wrap - and the dimples push right back to the other side to start again. They’re great for kids who need a little extra help focusing, and these Push-Itz have the classic Three Lions crest printed on them.

Get them from FOCO for £10.00

England fans will love this metal Wembley Way street sign that can be easily affixed to any wall. It’s a big step up from a Blu Tack-cornered poster and a cool way of showing appreciation for your national team.

Get it from FOCO for £10.00

This official England metal water bottle is perfect for those who are eco-conscious. Not only does it come in a design with the England crest, but the metal is designed to keep your water super cold all day long.

Get it from JD Sports for £10.00

Charitable hero Marcus Rashford wrote this motivational book that’s being lauded as a self-help book for kids aged 10-14 to assist young readers gain confidence, use their voice for good and reach their full potential. According to parents, even reluctant readers enjoy it.

Get it from Amazon for £4.99

Whether you'd like to cheer on Southgate’s boys or prep for the Women’s Euros in 2022, these official England wall calendars are perfect for those who like staying organised and planning ahead.

Get it from Amazon for £9.99 each

Gareth Southgate is the most integral part of England’s football story, but it didn’t come easily. He had to work hard from Euro 1996 heartbreak to fight his way back to being the confident and kind-hearted manager we know and love. He’s written this book for readers 12 and over to help them think positively, be more confident and remind them Anything is Possible.

Get it from Amazon for £10.00

£25 and under

Know someone who hates touching things like elevator buttons or punching in their pin at ATMs? These nifty “no-touch” keyrings are designed to do all the nasty work for you, so you can press the button at traffic lights without having to immediately get out the hand sanitiser.

Get them from FOCO for £15.00

This cosy yet lightweight seamless snood is perfect for keeping warm when you don’t want to commit to a scarf. Ideal for running in the cold weather, football training or wearing to the big match. The pattern combines all of England’s best shirts and blends them together.

Get it from FOCO for £12.00

This quirky hand-painted England gnome in its dressing gown holding a cuppa is a lovely gift for those fans who like to display little nick-nacks around the house and garden to remind them of happy memories. 

Get it from FOCO for £20.00

This England BRXLZ logo kit is a lovely gift for those who like to display quirky merchandise in their house. Kids and adults alike will have fun assembling all the brick pieces to make up a pixelated version of the classic Three Lions crest. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a small and simple design – it’s made up of 548 pieces!

Get it from FOCO for £15.00

These official England sliders are perfect for throwing on around the pool, in the locker room or in the showers to protect your feet and show your team pride. The perfect gift for England fans with a gym membership.

Get them from FOCO for £18.00

This quirky football shirt-shaped lunch bag comes in a geometric blue design to pay tribute to the 1990 England third shirt that won the hearts of so many fans. A thoughtful gift for any England fans who eat packed lunches.

Get it from FOCO for £18.00

These England custom beer mats are the brainchild of twin brothers at Boot and Ball. With graphically sophisticated retro designs, fans have their favourite players commemorated in a traditional beer mat form that feels more like art than a simple coaster.

Ge them from Amazon for £14.95

This autobiography is the first from Glenn Hoddle and will be released just in time for Christmas. Pre-order it now for anyone who’ll enjoy never-heard-before stories from one of England’s most legendary player-turned-managers.

Get it from Amazon for £16.00

The late Paul Mariner managed to get his autobiography penned with the help of writer Mark Donaldson before his death this summer. This soon-to-be-released book is filled with anecdotes of a footballer who did things his way. The foreword is written by his best friend, Ian Gillan from Deep Purple. 

Get it from Amazon for £14.49

This new hardback book is filled with stunning photographs that are stories in themselves. This would make the perfect gift for any football fan interested in learning the story of England’s men and women from 1872 to the present day.

Get it from Amazon for £14.19

No budget

This brightly coloured duvet set makes the perfect gift for a little one in a single bed who dreams of playing for England someday. 

Ge it from FOCO for £30.00

What do you wear to an England game at the World Cup in December? If you’re at home - layers and layers of festive knitwear. If you’re lucky enough to attend the tournament - this funky floral button up shirt.

Get it from FOCO for £40.00

This BRXLZ mini version of Wembley will keep England fans young and old occupied for hours fitting together all the puzzle pieces. There are approximately 3,716 pieces included, which, when put together, create a lovely and quirky England memento.

Get it from FOCO for £60.00

Can’t decide which iconic 1990 retro shirt to rock or gift the England fan in your life? Score Draw has you covered. They spliced together the best parts of all three shirts to create this bold new design.

Get it from 3Retro for £50.00

This high-quality stretchy top is exactly like the England players wear in tournaments. It’s made from sweat-wicking fabric so this would make the perfect gift for someone who loves to exercise in style.

Get it from Nike for £59.95

Before there was a yearly iteration of FIFA , there was Subbuteo. The classic finger-flicking football game is back with a 2021 edition featuring England’s Lionesses.

Get it from Amazon for £39.95

This blue shirt is arguably the most popular of Score Draw’s retro replicas. Made famous by the World in Motion music video, this ‘90s-style shirt never actually made it to the tournament. But not to worry, fans are more than making up for it now.

Get it from JD Sports for £35.00

This iconic shirt worn by Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and Michael Owen in Japan will bring back many fond memories for those too grown up to squeeze into their favourite childhood strip.

Get it from 3Retro for £35.00

It’s hard to think of a time when England were struggling to qualify for World Cups after getting used to Southgate’s boys' glittering qualification records, but this 1982 shirt reminds us that wasn’t always the case. Kevin Keegan, Glenn Hoddle and Ray Wilkins were part of a team that qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.

Get it from 3Retro for £35.00

Chelsea will make a decision in January on whether or not to cut short Billy Gilmour’s loan spell at Norwich, with the 20-year-old Scotland international struggling to make the desired impact at Carrow Road.

A midfielder of considerable promise was allowed to head out of Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window as he went in search of regular game time.

Gilmour started the 2021-22 campaign in Daniel Farke’s starting XI, but has seen no Premier League minutes since September 18 as winless Norwich find themselves rooted to the foot of the table.

What has been said?

Chelsea have the option of recalling Gilmour in the new year, before sanctioning another switch elsewhere, and Thomas Tuchel is ruling nothing out at this stage.

The Blues boss has told reporters when quizzed on his plans for a hot prospect: “We will take the decision in January when the decision has to be made, but not now.

“In general, I have spoken with Daniel Farke about it and I was happy to meet Billy around the Norwich match.

“Things were clear, when we decided together he was looking for more minutes and match time at another club, the challenge was clear that he needs to fight his way through. This is where he is right now.

“Things are not maybe going as he wishes for, or what we all wish for, but it is not the moment now to already give solutions and cancel the whole project.

“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive where the situation seems to be stuck or things don’t go the right way.

“You have to hang in there, you have to show your quality and help your team, no matter where it is. That sharpens your character and that will be a big chapter in your career, it is the same for Billy.

“For me right now, it is not the time to already give solutions for January and open talk to bring him back.

“There is still nine months to go and still a lot of time to prove he has enough quality to help Norwich be a better team.”

The bigger picture

Chelsea have Gilmour tied to a contract through to the summer of 2023, but need him to be playing regularly in order for full potential to be unlocked.

He has seen opportunities at his parent club, with Frank Lampard handing him a senior breakthrough, but cementing a role in first-team plans has proved difficult.

Gilmour has taken in 22 appearances for Chelsea, with five of those coming under Tuchel’s guidance.

Further reading

Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Tottenham after only four months in charge, with Antonio Conte set to be drafted in as his replacement.

Nuno was appointed permanent successor to Jose Mourinho in June, with Spurs handing him an initial two-year contract.

That agreement has been terminated early in the wake of the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United, which leaves the north London outfit 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea after 10 games.

What has been said?

An announcement on Spurs' website confirmed Nuno, along with coaching staff Ian Cathro, Rui Barbosa and Antonio Dias, have all been relieved of their duties.

Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici, who like Nuno only arrived at the club in the summer, said: "I know how much Nuno and his coaching staff wanted to succeed and I regret that we have had to take this decision.

“Nuno is a true gentleman and will always be welcome here. We should like to thank him and his coaching staff and wish them well for the future.”

Nuno's record at Spurs

Nuno took charge of just 17 games across all competitions as Tottenham head coach, recording nine wins, one draw and seven losses.

Five of those defeats came in the Premier League, with Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham getting the better of his side in addition to United.

Spurs had the second-worst totals in both shots and chances created in the Premier League under Nuno, who also has the unwanted record of the most defeats by three goals or more in the division so far this season.

Conte set for Premier League return

It was well documented that Tottenham considered a number of other candidates before appointing Nuno, including Gennaro Gattuso, Paulo Fonseca and former Inter boss Antonio Conte - who previously coached in England at Chelsea.

It has already been reported that Spurs have contacted Conte again, with Paratici eager to bring in his compatriot to steady the ship having previously worked with him at Juventus.

Goal can now confirm that Conte will succeed Nuno after holding positive talks with the north London club, and flew into England on Monday for further discussions with an official announcement expected ahead of their next Premier League fixture against Everton.

Further reading

The GOAL50 is back – but not as you know it.

The list of the best male and female players on the planet has undergone an exciting and dramatic overhaul.

Whereas in the past, the victors were decided by a panel of experts across our 42 editions, this year it will be you, the readers, who decide who finishes top of the pile.

How exactly?

Well, we have made two shortlists of the 50 best male and female players in the world, which you can access online or via the Goal apps.

It won't simply be a case of voting for your favourite player, though. You'll instead be presented with a series of randomly selected head-to-heads.

Has Lionel Messi been better than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021? Should Alexia Putellas get the nod over Caroline Graham Hansen?

It's up to you.

Just click on the image to cast your vote. And if you need a little help to make your decision, flip the card for more information on each player's achievements over the past year.

There are a possible 2,450 match-ups in both the men's and women's sections, and the players with the most victories will be crowned the GOAL50 winners for 2021.

Voting is open from November 2 until November 16. It couldn't be easier, so get voting!

It's not our list, it's yours.

Marcus Rashford has rubbished any suggestion that he was “fuming” at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after being benched in Manchester United’s win at Tottenham, with the 24-year-old saying too much is being read into his goal celebration.

The England international was handed a 19-minute cameo in north London, with Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo asked to lead the line as the Red Devils tweaked their tactical approach to go with two up top.

Rashford still made an impact, as he put the finishing touches to a 3-0 win four minutes from time, but he has faced accusations of looking irritated and sending a message to his manager when finding the target.

What has been said?

Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves told Premier League Productions after a welcome victory for Solskjaer’s side: “I think you could see that in his celebration, he was fuming.

“But when two legends of the game are playing ahead of you it’s hard to complain in a sense.

“He [Solskjaer] is never going to drop Ronaldo, he needed somebody else in there and Cavani was fabulous last season. He probably deserved to start sooner.”

How did Rashford respond?

Rashford has been left baffled by the response to his actions, with the exciting forward adamant that there was no show of petulance on his part against Spurs.

He has posted on Twitter: “Fuming at the manager??! We won the game.

“That celebration was pure relief! It’s been a hard week…”

The bigger picture

Rashford has started just one Premier League game for United this season – the humbling 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool – and taken in only four appearances across all competitions following his recovery from shoulder surgery.

He also found himself caught up in a supposed storm with Solskjaer when the Red Devils boss told reporters ahead of a 4-2 reversal at Leicester that a politically active member of his squad should “maybe prioritise his football and focus on football because he’s got a challenge on his hands here”.

Any issue there was quickly swept under the carpet, but United are still facing uncomfortable questions on and off the field as they seek to find consistency as a collective in 2021-22.

Further reading

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter was impressed with the standout display of Enock Mwepu after they rallied to secure a 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Zambia international was given the central midfield berth alongside Mali international Yves Bissouma while Adam Lallana was allowed to occupy a more advanced role.

And in the end, the Seagulls pulled off a dramatic comeback after going behind 2-0 in the first 24 minutes courtesy of goals from Jordan Henderson and Senegal international Sadio Mane, to pick up a vital point at Anfield.

It was Mwepu who halved the deficit in the 41st minute for his first top-flight goal before Leandro Trossard made it 2-2 in the 65th minute.

“It was a wonderful goal and I was really pleased for Enock [Mwepu],” Potter told the club’s official website after the game.

“He gives us a different option in there; I thought he did really well against a strong Liverpool midfield.”

Meanwhile, Mwepu has admitted he was left speechless after scoring against Liverpool and described the moment as “an unbelievable feeling.”

“I was almost speechless after the game,” Mwepu told the club’s official website.

“The goal was really amazing, an unbelievable feeling at the end of an amazing week for me.  

“If you play Liverpool and you score that goal who wouldn't be really happy?

“I think the way we played showed the spirit in the squad. The gaffer is always trying to give us that motivation, always trying to make sure we give our best.

“But we have to keep going strong so everyone in the team is really pushing. If we keep this mentality and hopefully we get more results going forward.”

Since joining the Seagulls from Red Bull Salzburg at the start of the season, the Chipolopolo star has managed to rake in only 214 minutes accumulated from five appearances in the top-flight.

Out of the five matches, he has managed to start in two – against Burnley in the 2-1 win where he was pulled out in the 46th minute for Lallana, and the 2-2 draw against Liverpool, where he played the entire game.

Mwepu had opened his account for Brighton in the Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City last Wednesday.

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena is among four coaches shortlisted to take charge at Tanzania champions Simba SC.

Goal can exclusively reveal the Wekundu wa Msimbazi have whittled down a list of 100 coaches who wanted to replace fired Didier Gomes Da Rosa to four and they are Mokwena, Serbian Milovan Cirkovic, former Zimbabwe coach Zdravko Logarusic, and ex-Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer.

Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez has revealed why the 34-year-old South African coach, who currently handles the Brazilians as co-coach with Manqoba Mnqgithi and is the son of former Pirates player Julias Sono, and nephew to Jomo Sono, is the favourite to take charge of the local giants.

'Simba target African coach'

“Our target now is to hire an African coach and not from Europe, the issue of the coach does not need rushing, we know we don’t have a full-time coach now, but we are working on it,” Gonzalez told MwanaSpoti as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“We don’t want to rush [to get a new coach], you can get a coach with experience and a good CV but he will not be able to treat our problems and it means the problems [we still have] will remain and cannot be sorted, so that is why we don’t want to make a quick decision on the decision to hire a new coach.

“Whether he will be Rhulani [Mokwena] or someone else will be known in a short time, but the club's goal is to get a coach from Africa and not a white man like that.”

'We want a coach hungry for success'

For four consecutive seasons, Simba have had coaches from Europe - Patrick Aussems, Pierre Lechantre, Sven Vandenbroeck, and Da Rosa - and they have ended up winning the Mainland Premier League title.

Mokwena has served as an assistant manager at Sundowns and Pirates and in 2019, he became interim manager at Bucs, holding the position for five months, before being appointed as the head coach at Chippa United the following year, and then returned to the South African champions in his current capacity.

“We want a coach from Africa who has not achieved much or even if he has achieved he can suit in our system in a short period of time, we want a coach who will be hungry for success, a coach who will want to deliver and build his name, and a coach we will work with for long term plans with the club," Gonzalez continued.

“Take an example of Chelsea, when they hired Thomas [Tuchel], he was not popular and many thought he will fail at the club, but he has gone ahead to give them Uefa Champions League and also performed well, in a very short period of time.”

Simba fired Da Rosa after he failed to progress to the group stage of the Caf Champions League, when they lost on the away goal rule to Botswana outfit Jwaneng Galaxy following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

After Simba, who had reached the quarter-finals last season, won the first leg meeting 2-0 in Gaborone, Galaxy avenged to beat the Wekundu wa Msimbazi 3-1 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to progress.

Aaron Ramsdale has been explaining why he joined in with the “you’re sh*t, ahhh” chant from Leicester supporters during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.

The Gunners goalkeeper is quickly becoming a cult hero at Emirates Stadium, with a string of impressive performances on the field and a bubbly character off it endearing him to a loyal fan base.

England hopeful Ramsdale is playing with a smile on his face and says he will always look to join in with banter from the stands as it helps him to relax and narrow focus on what really matters.

What has been said?

The 23-year-old has told talkSPORT of reacting to taunts from Foxes followers by finishing off their chant: “I just thought I’d go along with it! I’ve missed it over the course of Covid.

“I think it makes me play better, it makes me prove a point, it helps me prove someone wrong.

“It raises my concentration levels. If I’m giving a bit to them and I make a mistake I know I’m going to get absolutely slaughtered. I can’t let anything in if I’m giving them a bit of banter.”

How does Ramsdale react to praise?

Since completing a £24 million ($33m) move to Arsenal from Sheffield United over the summer, Ramsdale has seen his attitude and ability showered with praise.

He has quickly nailed down a No.1 spot under Mikel Arteta, with Bernd Leno being edged out, and is expected to become an England regular of the future.

Some iconic names from the past have been talking up Ramsdale’s talents, with a stunning stop to keep out a James Maddison free-kick against Leicester leading Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel to post on Twitter: “Best save I’ve seen for years”.

On earning plaudits from a man with five Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph to his name, Ramsdale added: “It’s like someone’s hacked his Twitter! It’s crazy and quite hard to explain.

“With Kasper being at the other end and Peter tweeting that, it was a special moment for me to see that when I came into the dressing room.”

Quizzed on whether he looked up to Schmeichel when learning his own trade, Ramsdale said: “I’ll be totally honest, no!

“I knew all about him, I watched many, many highlights and save reel stuff on him. I wasn’t much of a Manchester United fan and when I was growing up and started goalkeeping I think he would’ve been retiring.”

Arsenal, who are up to sixth in the Premier League table after going unbeaten through their last nine games in all competitions, will be back in action on Sunday when they take in a home date with Watford.

Further reading