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The Rugby World Cup third-place game is a match no team wants to play no matter what the players or coaches say in public

Ange Postecoglou has played down the significance of Tottenham potentially moving five points clear at the Premier League summit with victory at Crystal Palace on Friday. Spurs returned to top spot on Monday with a 2-0 win at home to Fulham and play before Arsenal and Manchester City this weekend. Postecoglou insisted his primary focus is on improving the team after he was critical of their second-half display against Fulham. “It doesn’t really add any significance because whatever happens Friday night there’s still a full round of Premier League fixtures to be played and nothing of any real significance comes of that,” he said. “We’re in a good space at the moment but again we’ve still got plenty of work to do to make sure what we do now is sustainable. That’s the main thing. “It’s not about making a short-term impact, it’s about building something which hopefully brings sustained opportunities of success for the club. “There is a really good reason no manager will talk about winning a title in October or November because we know there’s a long way to go.” Tottenham’s ascent to first position has seen them score 20 goals in nine matches, but Postecoglou feels attack is the area where they can improve the most. He added: “We still have to grow in every area. There are areas where we are already very good, particularly around the defensive side of the game. I think we’ve been excellent there – really consistent. “I still think our main growth will come in the attacking side of the game. I still think particularly in the front third, a lot of our movements are still not natural and fluent like we want them to be, which isn’t surprising. “But what is getting us the goals is that we have great quality up there, which is contributing to that. I still think the biggest growth for us will be in our attacking side of the game.” Spurs will have to assess Destiny Udogie for the Selhurst Park clash after the left-back was withdrawn in the 56th minute of Monday’s win with muscle tightness. Pape Sarr (illness) and Ben Davies (knock) are fit and Yves Bissouma is also available after he served a one-match ban for his recent red card at Luton, but Postecoglou was coy over his team after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg impressed against Fulham. “It’s no different to any other week. They’re not really dilemmas, just choices that people in my position have to make and I’ve always made those decisions pretty simply and cleanly about what I think we need,” the Australian coach explained. “Tomorrow night we’ll start with a certain group of players and finish with another and it’s about trying to get the job done. When that games done, we’ll look to the next one. “It’s good to have Biss available, he’s been a big part of what we’re doing. The team did well the other night so that should make us stronger.” Postecoglou also heaped praise on opposite number Roy Hodgson ahead of their second meeting. The Spurs boss faced Hodgson back in 2016 when they were in charge of Australia and England respectively in a friendly at the Stadium of Light. Asked if he still expects to manage at 76, Postecoglou replied: “Who knows. That’s not the plan. Seventy-six? Somewhere on a Greek island, lying back watching football from around the world, maybe doing some punditry and becoming an expert overnight. That’s the plan but you never know in life, mate. “I coached against Roy up in Sunderland so I have had the pleasure of coaching him at international level. “He is an outstanding manager, he’s an absolute gentleman and whenever I have come across him people always talk about the kind of person he is and I love his career, for someone like me with a different journey I have so much admiration for the career he has had.” Read More Maro Itoje praises ‘courageous’ Tom Curry for reporting Mbongeni Mbonambi Shambolic England slip to eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka Celtic will only get better at game management – Matt O’Riley Sandro Tonali’s reported ban brings calls for ’empathy and support’ from charity It doesn’t add up – North Wales Crusaders chief on IMG’s new grading system England ‘at end of cycle’ in ODIs – Michael Atherton

By Alan Baldwin U.S. ski great Bode Miller expects compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin to have another dominant season and

NBA coach Mike Brown emotionally responded to Wednesday’s mass shooting in Maine after watching his Sacramento Kings team beat the Utah Jazz. Brown was reluctant to discuss basketball during the postgame press conference, instead urging the United States to “do something” following another mass shooting. “I don’t know everything that’s going on, I’m not that smart, but I know we as a country got to do something,” he said. “It’s sad that we sit here and we watch this happen time after time after time after time. And nobody does anything about it. “It’s a sad day for our country. It’s a sad day in this world. And until we decide to do something about it, the powers that be, this is going to keep happening.” Read More Watch: Celtic fans wave Palestinian flags in defiance of club appeal Moment Gerard Pique falls into huge hole as he’s distracted by phone Bobby Charlton’s football was ‘poetry in motion’, says former teammate

Matt O’Riley feels Celtic can make further strides in the Champions League with better game management. Brendan Rodgers’ side produced a blistering first-half display against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and deservedly led 2-1 at the interval. Midfielder O’Riley was at the heart of the action with an excellent exchange of one-touch passes to set up Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener and Celtic attacked with pace and purpose throughout the opening 45 minutes. They were pegged back eight minutes into the second half by Alvara Morata’s header and could not quite replicate the tempo of their attacking play, which Atletico boss Diego Simeone admitted his side had struggled to deal with in the opening period. A 2-2 draw gave Celtic their first point of the Group E campaign and fuelled belief within the squad. O’Riley said: “Lots of positives, a very good performance for the most part. We lost a bit of control at times, especially at the start of the second half, but overall it was a good performance and very good goals against a defensive team. “We were a bit disappointed not to get three points but a point on the board is a step in the right direction, so I think there is a lot to look forward to.” The Denmark Under-21 international felt they could have calmed the game down themselves after the break to deny Atletico a way back in. “It’s not necessarily sustaining that level, it’s managing the game in different ways,” he said. “There were times, especially at the start of the second half, where we could have managed it a lot better in terms of slowing the game down, pulling a few guys under the ball and just keeping the ball for a bit. “I know, naturally, you are at home and the crowd wants you to play quickly all the time but there are times when you’ve just got to slow it down and I think that’s something we will get better at.” Feyenoord’s win over Lazio sent them top of the group on six points and Celtic will need to take points from away games in Rome and the Spanish capital to keep their hopes of qualification alive before the Dutch champions visit Glasgow in December. Captain Callum McGregor said: “That’s the challenge now. We’ve got our point on the board, we obviously need more to get out the group but this should give us the belief that, if you look after the ball and play together as 11, there’s no reason why you can’t go there and get something out the game. “If we want to qualify then the next two games are vital. “Now we have played the three teams, there’s nothing to suggest we can’t have a strong second half to the campaign.”

Manchester United have announced record revenues of £648.4m for the last financial year and expect to bring in even more revenue this season. But they made a net loss of £28.7m, despite cutting their wage bill by £52.8m – partly because they were not in the Champions League but also for a season when the best-paid player, Cristiano Ronaldo, left part way through the campaign – after expensive transfers. Their accounts cover a 12-month period ending on 30 June, in which they signed Mason Mount this summer but also made the expensive purchases of Casemiro, for £63m, and Antony, for £86m, in 2022. United paid out £331.4m in salaries to their players last season, a sum that is likely to rise for the current financial year because salaries are raised when they are competing in the Champions League. With the added income of playing in Europe’s premier continental competition, United anticipate a revenue of between £650m and £680m this year. United also said that, for the first time since 2016, no dividends were paid to the owners, the Glazer family. The club’s debt remains at £538m while they also owe an additional £106m with a revolving credit facility. United paid £21.4m in net finance costs over the 12 months – down £40.8m, partly due to a change in exchange rates. United’s broadcasting revenue dropped £5.8m last season as they counted the cost of playing in the Europa League, a consequence of a sixth-place finish in the Premier League in 2021/22. But their commercial revenue reached a new high of £302.9m, up £45.1m, which was driven by a £41.6m rise in sponsorship income. United have since signed a 10-year £900m kit deal with Adidas, which is likely to lead to a further increase in commercial revenue. United’s matchday revenue also went up by £25.9m to £136.4m, aided by a host of home games during their runs to the FA and Carabao Cup finals. For much of the last year, United have been for sale, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos expected to take a 25 per cent stake in the club. Read More Lauren James to miss England’s games against Belgium with concussion Manuel Akanji: Manchester City are ready to win the derby at Old Trafford Esme Morgan pleads for patience and politeness from England’s autograph hunters

Newcastle United fans have been reacting to the news that star player Sandro Tonalihas been banned for 10 months for gambling. The offences happened while he was playing at AC Milan, his former club, according to Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC). Gravina said Tonali would have to go through an eight-month rehabilitation period as part of the agreement. Tonali’s agent has said the player has a gambling addiction and that he cooperated fully with Italian authorities. The 23-year-old admitted he placed bets on matches, including some he played in for AC Milan. He signed for Newcastle for £55m over the summer. Professional footballers in Italy are banned from betting on games organised by Fifa, Uefa or the FIGC. The default ban is three years long, though issuing a guilty plea and cooperating with authorities can see that shortened. Newcastle fans, having already heard the news of a potential ban earlier this month, were determined to stay positive. One person said: “The burden of hiding his gambling is now off his shoulders… He’ll get the right help for his addiction… He will only be 24 when he returns to a full playing career.” Another person said: “Could have been much worse. He will get treatment in Italy, do community work in Italy and gets to train and play friendlies with us. “This way he hopefully gets support, treatment and stays integrated within the team until he is back properly.” One other person added: “Would be nice to see Tonali release something with club giving his side. Thanking fans for support and be back stronger etc for his nufc career.” Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, said last Friday: “We will throw our arms around Sandro and protect him and try to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he’s had. “We see him being part of our team for many years. We are committed to him long term.” Charities such as GambleAware and GamCare provide support for people struggling with gambling addictions. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Rugby World Cup finalists Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and Ardie Savea of New Zealand are among the four nominees to win the men’s world player of the year award

Everything seems to be falling apart at French club Montpellier

Asking a footballer who is addicted to gambling to play in stadiums plastered in betting logos is akin to making an alcoholic work in a pub, campaigners have said. The Big Step campaign, part of the Gambling With Lives charity, has said Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali deserves “empathy and support” for his gambling rather than a 10-month ban. Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said on Thursday the 23-year-old had been suspended for 10 months and ordered to undertake a further eight-month rehabilitation programme, according to reports in Italy. The player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has said his client is living with a gambling addiction. The PFA is understood to be working with and continuing to support Tonali. “Footballers are human and if they are suffering from addiction they deserve empathy and support, not lengthy bans,” the Big Step said in a statement issued to the PA news agency. “Every football game is wall-to-wall with gambling ads, not just across shirts but around stadiums and related media content. “Sending someone addicted to gambling into this environment is like sending an alcoholic to work in a pub. If you force young footballers to endorse addictive products then don’t be surprised if they use them. “Ending all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, including all parts of the shirt and in every stadium, will help to prevent harm to those on and off the pitch.” Gravina told reporters: “An agreement has been reached between the federal prosecutor and Sandro Tonali. “The plea agreement is for 18 months, of which eight months is for rehabilitation, which involves therapeutic activity and making at least 16 public appearances. “The rules call for a certain number of years of suspension, but the plea bargain and extenuating circumstances have been taken into consideration and the players’ collaboration went above and beyond, therefore we must continue to respect the rules we have established for ourselves.” Tonali was one of several players named in the FIGC’s investigation, which also saw Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli banned for seven months. Read More It doesn’t add up – North Wales Crusaders chief on IMG’s new grading system England ‘at end of cycle’ in ODIs – Michael Atherton England bowled out for just 156 in must-win World Cup clash with Sri Lanka

Manchester United has reported revenues of 648.4 million pounds ($783.5 million) for the last financial year

Norwegian police have launched an investigation into allegations by the three Ingebrigtsen brothers that their father was violent and abusive when they were growing up