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Tyson Fury has likened Francis Ngannou’s chances in their fight to those of a “table-tennis champion” playing Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. WBC heavyweight champion Fury will box Ngannou, an ex-UFC title holder, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night (28 October). While the Briton’s belt will not be on the line in Riyadh, the bout is a professional contest whose result is expected to count on each man’s boxing record – which is 0-0 in the case of mixed martial artist Ngannou. At Friday’s weigh-in, Fury tipped the scales at 277.7lbs, while Ngannou came in at 272.1lbs. Both men were clothed, however. After the weigh-in, 35-year-old Fury said of his Cameroonian opponent: “I think he’s a big, fat sausage, and I’ll knock him spark out. We don’t get paid for long, we get paid for short, and I’m gonna make it nice and short for him. “[Ngannou offers] absolutely nothing. It’s like a tennis-table champion facing Djokovic in a Wimbledon final. Boxing isn’t about two men brawling; it’s a gentleman’s sport, it’s a sweet science, it’s whoever’s got the most ability to set up a knockout punch.” Djokovic is a 24-time grand slam winner in tennis, making him the most successful men’s player in the history of the sport. Meanwhile, Margaret Court shares his record on the women’s side of the game. After Fury fights Ngannou, 37, in Riyadh, he is contracted to fight unified boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. However, Fury refused to discuss that bout with his fellow unbeaten boxer. “We’re not talking about any other p***k in this world,” he said. “We’re talking about Francis Ngannou tomorrow night. I’m gonna knock a motherf***** out, then I’m gonna take a week off. I don’t wanna hear from any of you guys about boxing. Let me have time with my family, then I’ll come and take out the little guy.” After the weigh-in host apologised to viewers for the Briton’s language, Fury said: “I need to apologise. If there’s anybody out there who don’t like my language, get the f*** out that door!” Fury said earlier this week that he was “not happy” with the reveal of his fight with Usyk, which was announced in September. Read More Cristiano Ronaldo ‘punches’ Tyson Fury as pair joke ahead of Francis Ngannou fight How much money are Fury and Ngannou earning for fight tonight? How many rounds is Fury vs Ngannou and do knockouts count?

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min plays down talk that he's competing with former teammate Harry Kane in terms of goals scored. Son currently has eight Premier League strikes to his name while Kane has nine in the Bundesliga.

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Xavi warns of the four players Barcelona must be cautious of when taking on Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the 2023/24 season. Jude Bellingham has stolen the headlines of late after making a superb start to life in in the Spanish capital.

Ange Postecoglou was pleased Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur passed their latest exam with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Crystal Palace and was in no mood to stop fans dreaming of a title challenge. Spurs moved five points clear at the summit after they recovered from a sluggish first half at Selhurst Park to score twice in 13 second-half minutes. An own-goal from Joel Ward broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when he deflected James Maddison’s cross beyond Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and it was 2-0 soon after when Tottenham captain Son Heung-min steered home after Brennan Johnson’s assist. Jordan Ayew reduced the deficit for Palace in the fourth minute of stoppage-time, but Spurs held on to extend their unbeaten top-flight run to 10 matches and move five clear of Manchester City and Arsenal, who play Manchester United and Sheffield United respectively across the weekend. “Let them dream. That’s what being a football supporter is all about. It’s fair to say this lot have suffered a fair bit, so I’m certainly not going to dampen that,” Postecoglou said. “Top of the table is great and the results are great but it’s more in the manner we’re doing it. Pretty much from the first game we’ve had all sorts of different challenges we’ve had to overcome. “Every time there has been a real focus and clear-headedness about the group collectively to deal with that. We prep them for their exam at the weekend, but we don't know what the questions are going to be. They've got to work them out themselves Ange Postecoglou “That has been a really pleasing thing and because they’re getting rewards from that, then that gives us the opportunity to accelerate the growth of giving them more tools out there to help them for whatever we need to overcome. “I thought tonight was going to be a real difficult game for us. Coming here, Palace’s result last week, it’s a tight ground, they’d only conceded three goals in the four games so far and how were the lads going to cope with the fact we weren’t going to create as many chances as we had been? “I really liked the way we worked through that as a group.” After returning to the Premier League summit with a 2-0 win over Fulham on Monday, Spurs struggled in the first half at Selhurst Park and were indebted to fine early saves from Guglielmo Vicario to deny Ayew and Odsonne Edouard. Postecoglou, who had lambasted his side for their second-half showing earlier in the week, introduced Emerson Royal for Ben Davies at the break and watched Ward put into his own net from Maddison’s cross to open the scoring. It was 2-0 when Son fired home for his eighth goal of the campaign following Johnson’s smart pass, his first assist since a £45million deadline-day transfer from Nottingham Forest. While Ayew managed to reduce the deficit – in the fourth minute of stoppage time after a lengthy VAR check – Tottenham stood firm to claim a fourth-straight win and show another side with a dogged defensively display, despite enjoying more than 70 per cent possession. Postecoglou added: “I have always felt that matchdays are about the players. What we try to do on a daily basis is give them the tools to find the solutions. “We prep them for their exam at the weekend, but we don’t know what the questions are going to be. They’ve got to work them out themselves. “In an exam you are not asking anybody for help. You have to work it out yourself and hopefully what we’ve given them is the tools.” Palace boss Roy Hodgson was disappointed to suffer a second-consecutive defeat and admitted his substitutes weakened his team. “I thought it was an aggressive and quite-controlled first half from our side, but of course the first goal then produces a second,” he said. “That is when we start putting players on the field, players who have not really played with the first team, Jes (Rak-Sakyi), (Naouirou) Ahamada, (Matheus) Franca and we lost the intensity we were able to do in the first half. “In the end it became easy for them (Tottenham) to see the game through.” Read More Tottenham overcome a ‘different challenge’ on way to extending Premier League lead Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham not a better team without Harry Kane, just different Ange Postecoglou: Spurs a big club who should challenge for trophies every year ‘Really disappointed’: Ange Postecoglou’s surprise response as Tottenham go top Ange Postecoglou’s four new signings breathe fresh life into different Tottenham Ange Postecoglou hopes Tottenham can offer fans ‘escape’ from Israel-Hamas conflict

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has warned that his England team-mate Marcus Rashford remains an opponent to be feared. The Manchester United striker has been in poor form this season and has scored just one goal for the club heading into Sunday’s derby against City at Old Trafford. It is a far cry from last term when the 25-year-old netted 30 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the corresponding Premier League fixture against City. Walker said: “I think Marcus has shown over the years that he’s the sort of player who can create problems for any side if they don’t match him. “He’s been important for both United and England since he was a teenager because of the threat he offers to any team he’s in. He’s got a lot of different qualities and we know he can be dangerous at the weekend.” Rashford’s decisive 82nd-minute strike on City’s last trip across town in January capped a controversial fightback by the home side. United had cancelled out Jack Grealish’s opener just four minutes earlier through Bruno Fernandes despite Rashford having been in an offside position during the build-up. After bouncing back spectacularly by winning the treble – and beating United in the FA Cup final – Walker insists City are not motivated by revenge. “I don’t think we think like that,” said the right-back. “Last season is done, we lost at Old Trafford and went on to win the treble. Ultimately that’s what matters. “Of course this game means a lot but it’s part of a bigger picture and, OK we lost last season and the luck didn’t go in our favour, but we bounced back from that and did what we did. “We want to win the game because of what it means and because ultimately it will help us in trying to win the Premier League again. We don’t need to think beyond that. “We’ve had some great games against them in recent years and our focus is on giving the fans something to enjoy again on Sunday.” City are in a strong position despite a blip before the recent international break, when they lost to Wolves and Arsenal, and lacking the intensity they showed at the end of last season. If it was hard to get motivated then we wouldn’t have won three Premier League in a row Kyle Walker Walker said: “People keep saying how hard it must be to get motivated because of what we achieved last season but we’re all competitors who want to win. We’ve shown that year after year. “If it was hard to get motivated then we wouldn’t have won three Premier Leagues in a row. “We go into every game wanting to win, for ourselves, for this club and it’s the reason we’ve been so successful. That doesn’t go away just because we did something special last season.” Read More Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy Is Chelsea v Brentford on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Premier League Postecoglou sends message to Spurs fans after passing latest ‘exam’ Is Chelsea v Brentford on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Premier League Postecoglou sends message to Spurs fans after passing latest ‘exam’ Pep Guardiola gives verdict on Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana after penalty save

Italian skier Federica Brignone has dominated the first run of the season-opening women’s World Cup giant slalom

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has provided a cryptic update on contract negotiations with Conor Gallagher, whose current deal expires in 2025 and is being monitored by Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed the messages of encouragement he has offered to Andre Onana following his shaky start to life in England. Onana has begun poorly at Old Trafford but saved a 97th-minute penalty against Kobenhavn.

Jude Bellingham admits he's relishing the chance to take on Barcelona in the first El Clasico since he became a Real Madrid player.

Pep Guardiola believes Andre Onana’s penalty heroics in the Champions League will give the under-fire goalkeeper a confidence boost ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday. Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the Cameroonian, singling him out as Inter Milan’s most dangerous player ahead of last season’s Champions League final which Manchester City won 1-0 to claim a historic treble. Since moving to Manchester United in the summer, Onana has made a number of errors but he preserved an important 1-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen in midweek with a penalty save in added-on time. Onana was mobbed by his team-mates in the aftermath and will now head into this weekend with his spirits raised, according to Guardiola, who has been well aware of the ex-Ajax shot-stopper for several years. The Manchester City boss said: “I remember we have a common friend who spoke very highly of him but personally I met him in Amsterdam. He’s an exceptional player and now at United. “Before the game I always expect the best of the players we are going to face. I prefer to see the strengths than the weakness they have. “He saved a penalty in the last minute which helped Manchester United to stay in contention to qualify for the last 16. Mentally it’s a good boost for them and for him. “Everyone needs time (to adapt to the Premier League), not just the managers but players, keepers. Everyone. Sometimes people are quicker but I have a high opinion of him as a keeper.” When you play just nine games, many things can happen from my experience. We have been behind with few points in February and March and have been able to win at the end Pep Guardiola Jack Grealish was restored to City’s starting XI for their 3-1 Champions League victory at Swiss outfit Young Boys on Wednesday and he stood out on the left wing before his influence waned after half-time. The England midfielder has recently been a bit-part figure following a month on the sidelines with a dead leg and he has been on the bench for City’s four most recent Premier League matches. But Guardiola, who will be without suspended defender Manuel Akanji for the visit to Old Trafford after his dismissal in the win over Brighton last weekend, says Grealish is still integral to his thinking. “The plan is for him to play like he did in Switzerland,” Guardiola said. “We need him, we need everyone. I am very pleased for the game he played. “We trust a lot in him. We know his ability and he has to fight with his mates to play a lot and play as best as possible in every single action, every single minute, every single game.” Second-placed City are already six points ahead of their rivals after just nine fixtures but Guardiola insisted it is too soon to be making definitive judgements on the campaign. “It’s too early,” Guardiola added. “All the teams are there and the teams behind can be there. “When you play just nine games, many things can happen from my experience. We have been behind with few points in February and March and have been able to win at the end.” Read More Dominik Szoboszlai happy with Steven Gerrard comparison but wants to be own man Luka Doncic scores 49 with four straight three-pointers to beat Brooklyn Texas Rangers win World Series opener in extra innings On this day in 2017: Anthony Joshua beats Carlos Takam to retain world titles Steve Borthwick ‘delighted’ as England secure bronze with win over Argentina Ange Postecoglou hails Premier League leaders Tottenham for passing latest ‘exam’

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is happy to be compared to Steven Gerrard but is determined to succeed at Anfield playing his own way. In just a handful of matches since arriving in a £60million move from RB Leipzig in the summer the 23-year-old Hungary captain has become an instant fan favourite. His boundless energy and unwavering work-rate immediately resonated with supporters who had become concerned about an ageing and lacklustre midfield in last season’s disappointing campaign. But throw in his talent on the ball, his vision for a pass and an eye for goal and it is understandable to see why there were murmurings about ‘the new Gerrard’. If his debut goal against Aston Villa in September – a left-footed drive from the edge of the area – was good, the blistering strike against Leicester in the Carabao Cup had all the echoes of the man whose number eight shirt he now wears. “I want to do my own way but of course it feels good if they say I am the new Steven Gerrard,” Szoboszlai told the PA news agency at a session of the Nike Game On initiative which, in conjunction with the LFC Foundation, has provided more than 8,000 local schoolchildren with access to a range of sports over the last three years. “I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard what he said a long time ago,” he added. The quote attributed to Gerrard, which Szoboszlai has inked in Hungarian, is ‘Talent is a blessing from God, but without incredible will and humility, it is worthless’. “It’s nice to have the number eight shirt because really great players played in it. I just want to continue. “But I just want to be myself and if I can get that big in this club like he was I’ll be really happy.” I want to do my own way but of course it feels good if they say I am the new Steven Gerrard Liverpool midfielder Domink Szoboszlai When Liverpool triggered the Hungarian’s release clause to sign him from Leipzig in July there were eyebrows raised about the fee. However, manager Jurgen Klopp and his scouting team had no doubts bringing in one of the most talented midfielders in the Bundesliga and youthful captain of his country bore little risk. It may not be entirely accurate to say Szoboszlai has single-handedly revitalised Liverpool’s midfield in just a couple of months but with fellow new arrival, Argentinian World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister, hamstrung by having to play an unfamiliar defensive midfield role, there is little doubt who has made the biggest impact. Growing up, the Hungarian idolised Cristiano Ronaldo – not for his talent but his mentality, and it is easy to see that reflected in his performances so far. Asked where he gets his energy and drive from, Szoboszlai added: “Because I want to win. “Even if we are in front I don’t want to concede any goals, that’s why I run. If we are behind I want to score goals, that’s why I run. It is always the reason why you have to run.” Liverpool have been crying out for a goalscoring midfielder but the 23-year-old sees a bigger picture. “If I have to score I am going to score. If I have to assist I am going to assist. If I have to run all around the pitch I will run all around the pitch,” he said ahead of Sunday’s visit of Nottingham Forest. “I am here to help the team, I am not here to reach something alone. I want to win trophies, I want to win everything and make us proud and make the fans proud and put Liverpool back again where they deserve to be. “I can improve in everything. I am not a finished player. Of course I can do everything almost but always you can be better and always you have to think like this. “If you think this is your best prime, it is not. I can do even better. “If I would come with any worries then it would not go like this. I came here like ‘I can do it’ – and I am doing it. “But I don’t say ‘I did it’ because I didn’t. It’s really early to say that. I’m doing it and hopefully I can do it even more and for longer.” Of all his many qualities it is Szoboszlai’s self-belief and confidence which stands out. Asked about his ambitions for this season, he said: “I want to win everything. It is never easy but no-one will ask you how it feels to be second. “This is how I think. Hopefully everyone thinks like this. “We have to work hard. When the players (the likes of the experienced Jordan Henderson and Fabinho) left no-one was expecting how we started, how quickly we got to know each other and how well it goes. “We are there for each other. We are a team.” :: In the first three years of the Game On programme, funded by Nike and delivered by the LFC Foundation, more than 8,000 local children aged between seven and 12 and 46 grassroots sports clubs have been engaged with coaching delivered in 15 different sports. Read More Pep Guardiola says penalty save will boost ‘exceptional’ Andre Onana and Man Utd Luka Doncic scores 49 with four straight three-pointers to beat Brooklyn Texas Rangers win World Series opener in extra innings On this day in 2017: Anthony Joshua beats Carlos Takam to retain world titles Steve Borthwick ‘delighted’ as England secure bronze with win over Argentina Ange Postecoglou hails Premier League leaders Tottenham for passing latest ‘exam’