FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED'S PLAYER BECOMES A PRIEST.

Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer Philip Mulryne, who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's team in the 1990s, was made a deacon in the Dominican Order of the Catholic Church.

The ordination took place during a high mass at a Dublin church on Saturday by Archbishop of Dublin Archdiocese, Diarmuid Martin.

Mulryne 38, who was capped 27 times for Northern Ireland, made his United debut in a League Cup clash with Ipswich in October 1997 and his only league appearance for Ferguson's team came in a 2-0 away win at Barnsley the following May.

That win against Barnsley featured star names like Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham.

The midfielder left United in 1999 to join Norwich City. He later joined Cardiff City in the summer of 2005.

Mulryne also played for Leyton Orient and King's Lynn before retiring from football in 2008.

Other things considered, Philip Mulryne will be made a Catholic Priest in a year's time. His family and friends were at the deaconate ordination to celebrate with him.

FULL TIME AT BET365 STADIUM... STOKE vs SWANSEA.

STOKE -3-1- SWANSEA.

Bony 3', 73, Mawson(OG) 55.

Routledge 7'

''I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO TO WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE''...KLOPP

 Kloop's Liverpool won 4-2 at Selhurst Park  to go level on points with Man City and Arsenal at the Premier League summit.

Having won their corresponding fixtures after that goalless encounter against Man. Utd, Klopp admits that his Liverpool side needed to adapt their game when playing against teams with physicality and strength.

“We know that's what we had to develop,” he said, he said. “You know that was a big thing that people spoke about last year, when we encounter a kind of counter-attacking team.

“Everything needs time, the boys are really skilled so we need to play football, we cannot only shoot and run in this direction so that's our responsibility.


“Performances are not always okay but most of the time, now one week until Watford,” the German added.

“Unfortunately, we only have difficult away games. It's much nicer to play at Anfield but when you're on the pitch, it's no difference.

“We bring a lot of people with us, I don't know how many it was today, but it was quite fully booked there.

 So that's not too important, but of course.”
Asked if Liverpool will win the league, Klopp said,

“I have no idea, it's my first proper season in the Premier League,” he said. “I have no idea what to do to win the Premier League.

“But I'm really sure it was never decided at the end of October. We feel good at the moment, that's all.

 “I cannot even find anything negative. "I cannot stand here and say ''yes'' but he has to put a finger in because as a person I'm completely different. I don't expect perfect, perfect games.

“I like it, we win 5-0 one time, even then you can stand here and say you're happy in this moment.

“Unfortunately, I'm not like this. We know we have to improve and develop, but it's all good, 4-2, if you ask me before the game, I buy it, after the game, I still buy it.

“One week to prepare for Watford. That's all, that what we have now. We try to do our best, we will see.

“It's another job to do, Italian manager, they won, different system, well-organised. Quite a big job to do.”


Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham will all be involved in the Champions League this week, while Liverpool have the whole of the week to prepare for their weekend's game.
Klopp, however, denies this gives an advantage to his side.

“I'm not sure but 80%-90% in Europe, the team that is champion is playing in the Champions League. Why is that? Ah, because they have quality! Right, because they play good football, they can rotate and rest whenever.

“It's not too cool when you're not successful but when you are successful, you take it to the next game, you have a possibility to rotate and all that stuff because you have a big squad – we cannot rotate that much.

“It's different things. Sometimes it is an advantage, but why so often does a team win the league with all these intense games in midweek? Maybe you'll find an answer for this.”

MANCHESTER UNITED WILL NOT FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR, CLAIMS OWEN HARGREAVES.

Manchester United are eighth in the table and seven points off fourth.  Former United's player and Pundit Hargreaves believes that the introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick to the starting eleven is the difference between his former side and the top four.


Mkhitaryan's 23 goals and 24 assists for Dortmund last season earned him the Bundesliga player of  the season.

The Armenian joined United in the summer for £27million but has not really featured in Jose Mourinho's side despite showing glimpses of his quality in pre-season.

Speaking of Mkhitaryan, Hargreaves told BT SPORT, "What are they eighth in the Premier League?

"What he’s tried now so far - he doesn’t believe he’s been given time - hasn’t worked so at some point get one of the best players you have on your team into your team.

"I think the back four is very strong, best goalkeeper in the country. I think you play Carrick, I think you play Herrera to the right, Pogba to the left, Rashford off the left and Mkhitaryan off the right.


"And I think as a team, I genuinely believe it’s a a good a team [as any] in the Premier League.

''But right now that team as it is, I don’t think they can finish in the top four."
Mkhitaryan, 28, has not played since he was substituted on his full debut against City on September 10.

BARCELONA WAS TOO HOT FOR MAN. UTD.... MESSI.

Barca Superstar Lionel Messi says it was 'impossible' for Man United to beat Barcelona in 2009 Champions League final.

Messi's second half header doubled Samuel Etoo's early goal to make it a comfortable night in Rome for the Catalans who won 2-0, as Sir Alex Ferguson's men were well beaten.

Barcelona went on to crown an excellent 2008/2009 season with La Liga and Copa del Rey titles.

Messi told THE SUN; ''There are several games when the team played in such a way that it was almost impossible for the opponents to do any damage to us.

“And it almost always happened in big matches.
“The final of the Champions League in Rome was one of those games when the team played the perfect match.”

Messi also repeated the same feat with a Man of the match display in Wembley against the same opponents two years later as Barca ran the show and won 3-1 on the night to clinch their third Champions League trophy in six years.

“Both were inexplicable feelings but you live them in a different way," Messi added.

“In any massive game when you score a goal, the joy of the people, your people, the supporters, and particularly our own fans, you can only enjoy those moments right there and then  and not beyond.”

BALE ECLIPSES RONALDO AND MESSI AS WORLD'S BEST PAID FOOTBALLER.

Gareth Bale penned a stunning six-year contract this week. The deal keeps the Welshman at the Bernabeu until 2022 and includes an eye-watering €1billion buy-out clause.


It effectively ends any interest in the Wales superstar from Premier League clubs, notably
Manchester United.

Bale moved to the Bernabeu from Tottenham in 2013 for a then World record fee of £85m, and has won two Champions League titles and the Copa del Rey, scoring 62 goals in 132 appearances for the Spanish giants.

He will now stay at the club until 2022. Bale will take home approximately £350,00-a-week after tax – more than Ronaldo's current wage of £290,000 and Messi's £336,000.

Former Madrid boss John Toshack believes that Madrid would reap the rewards of their investment on the Welsh wing wizard.

Toshack said: “I see a Real Madrid enjoying Bale at the top of his game for two or three years. I believe Bale will win the Ballon d’Or in his career. In a few years, he will become the leader.”

A Club statement read, ''Real Madrid CF and Gareth Bale have agreed to the extension of the player’s contract, which ties him to the club until June 30, 2022.

BEAUTY OF THE WEEK - MIREIA LALAGUNA.

Mireia Lalaguna is a Spanish actress, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World Spain 2015 and in December the same year won Miss World 2015 in Sanya. She is the first Miss World from Spain.

It is very rare to see beauty queens in football related matters. However, Mireia was a surprise guest at La Liga award night this week.

The beauty queen has previously shown her love for the game when she took on Portuguse superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in a PokerStars web series.

The Real Madrid star was nonetheless, absent from this year's glamorous award night. Super stars like, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez ,Antoine Griezman,
Diego Simeone, Jan Oblak and Diego Godín, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio all won awards on the night.

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Melissa Santa.

Italian television star Melissa Satta also attended with partner Kevin-Prince Boateng.

For identifying herself with the beautiful game, the beauty queen is our beauty for the week.

FULL TIME AT GOODISON PARK... EVERTON vs WEST HAM.

EVERTON -2-0- WEST HAM.

Lukaku 50', Barkely 76'

FULL TIME AT ST. MARY'S... SOUTHAMPTON vs CHELSEA.

SOUTHAMPTON -0-2- CHELSEA.


Hazard 6', Costa 55'

SUNDAY TONIC: FORMER ARSENAL STAR WANTS TO CONVERT EX LIVERPOOL PLAYER TO CHRISTIANITY.

"He texts me every day!" Jamie Redknapp reveals Emmanuel Eboue is trying to convert him to Christianity



Former Arsenal defender, Emmanuel Eboue is trying to convert
Jamie Redknapp to Christianity.

The former Liverpool midfielder-turned Sky Sports pundit made the stunning revelation.
Speaking on SKY's A League Of Their Own , host James Corden questions why Redknapp has former Arsenal player Emannuel Eboue's number.

Redknapp and Eboue's sons play football together and are both seven years old.
But here's the funny part of the whole drama.

 Former Gunners  right-back texts Redknapp everyday attempting to convert him to Christianity.

It's even more weird the technique he uses: he texts through a "Thought for the day".

So eager to hear 'thought for the day', Corden begs Redknnap to read one out loud.
Redknapp obliged and read: "The quote of the day: Do you think you’ve failed?
"With God, it is never too late for a new start."

And with that the former England international desperately looks up and says: "Why is he picking on me?"

Ballers, Who is picking on you today. Happy Sunday!!!

''I'M NOT A SUPERMAN"...GIROUD.

Arsenal Striker Olivier Giroud came off the bench to notch a double and help secure a 4-1 win for the Gunners against Sunderland at the Stadium of light.

Giroud's brace and Alexis Sanchez's were enough to seal a comfortable 4-1 win for the Gunners, after Jermain Defoe had equalised at 1-1



French Striker, Giroud claims that the result could be flattering, but it was not as easy as it seemed.

"At the end we made it look easy but it was totally the reverse," Giroud said. "We started well, they came back well and we didn't put them away.

"We were exposed in the second half so it was nice to score the second. It was nice to finish the job.

"If I could do that every single game I would be Superman. I had a great assist from my team-mates so I had to finish the job.

This is big for me, coming back from a tough injury, so I'm happy to be back."

FULL AT SELHURST PARK...CRYSYAL PALACE vs LIVERPOOL.

CRYSTAL PALACE -2-4- LIVERPOOL.

FULL TIME AT VICARAGE ROAD... WATFORD vs HULL CITY.

WATFORD -1-0- HULL CITY.

Dawson (OG).

FULL TIME AT WHITE HART LANE... TOTTENHAM vs LEICESTER CITY.

TOTTENHAM -1-1- LEICESTER CITY

Janssen 44' (P)

Musa 48'.

FULL TIME AT THE RIVERSIDE... MIDDLESBROUGH vs BOURNEMOUTH.

MIDDLESBROUGH -2-0- BOURNEMOUTH.

Ramirez 39', Downing 56'.

FULL TIME AT THE HAWTHORNS... WEST BROM vs MANCHESTER CITY.

WEST BROM -0-4- MAN CITY.


Aguero 19', 28', Gundogan

FULL TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD... MANCHESTER UNITED vs BURNLEY.

MAN UTD -0-0- BURNLEY.

Mourinho sent to the stands.

''I'M FACING A 'SEVERE HEART' PROBLEM... CONTE.

Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte revealed on Friday that he's causing his heart a serious problem.

 The Italian is well known for his antics on the technical area. He rarely sits. He  sometimes entertains the fans as much as the game itself does.

The former Juventus gaffer confessed this week he finishes every match “exhausted” and said he is “worried” about the damage he might be doing to his health.

He said: “I know that I risk a bit. One game, I will try to put on a GPS monitor to control my heart.”

Conte now has his own regime to make sure he is fit enough for his activities. He added :
“I prefer always healthy food, and try to have running sessions, to maintain good physical form.

“I prefer to avoid carbohydrates and eat protein, with vegetables and fruit. But, when I stay with my wife and my daughter, the spaghetti is very good. I like pasta. It’s not good for me.

“Sometimes I eat Nutella, too, it’s not good. When I have time, I run for 30, 40 minutes and change the rhythm of my run. But not too strong.

“I run at the training ground. We have four pitches and I run around them. Sometimes I try to involve my staff.”

Conte is not worried about his players' diets. He'd not banned them from eating a particular food.

''But you don’t ban anything, you just tell them the right balance. It can prevent injuries and make you fresher mentally.”

The Blues take on Southampton on Sunday at St. Mary's.

FULL TIME AT THE STADIUM OF LIGHT... SUNDERLAND vs ARSENAL.

SUNDERLAND -1-4- ARSENAL.

Defoe 65'.

Sanchez 19', 78', Giroud 71', 76'.

''ALEXIS SANCHEZ IS NOT SPECIAL''... WENGER.

Arsene Wenger has told Alexis Sanchez he is not a “special case” and the Arsenal manager will decide when to substitute him.

The Chilean star looked unimpressed at being replaced in the recent wins over Swansea and Ludogorets.

Wenger insisted: “For me he is not a special case. He is a player like everybody else. When I decide to take him off, I take him off.

“There is no special case. He has his own character but he is not treated differently from everybody else.

"They all recognise it after the game but during the game they want to stay on the pitch. You want to play even when you are tired.

“I rested Sanchez because he played two games in South America. Sometimes I rest him straight away after.
 I played him the other day against Swansea so I thought I would take him off when it is possible. We consider every case individually.”

Sanchez, has operated as a centre-forward in Olivier Giroud’s absence and scored six goals. Wenger added,

“I see him (Sanchez) there (as centre-forward). “He has a short technique and can always create something. He has a good mixture between scoring and giving the final ball.

“Giroud and Sanchez are completely different, but they can as well play together. I have to move Alexis out as I always have that problem with Mesut Ozil being behind the striker, he can not move much deeper.

"As much deeper you need defensively to work. So one will have to move wide. And if you move one of them wide, it can only be Alexis.

“It is a good option to have. To leave quality players out is tough. But the toughest thing is not to have quality players.”