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BRIGHTON SET UP A FOURTH ROUND CUP CLASH WITH MANCHESTER UNITED AFTER SEEING OFF PRESTON.

Brighton set up a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester United as they eased past Preston 2-0 at Deepdale.

Second-half goals from Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Alexis Mac Allister were enough for the Seagulls to advance, and they will now host Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side next week.

Jahanbakhsh left Preston goalkeeper Connor Ripley with little chance when he rifled home a powerful shot just before the hour – and Mac Allister made sure when he thumped home from Pascal Gross’ pull-back a little over quarter of an hour later.

Preston were left to rue a Patrick Bauer header which struck the crossbar in the first half but could have few complaints as Brighton finished the game the stronger of the two sides.

Graham Potter turned once more to what might be called his League Cup side, making 11 changes from the 3-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday but including nine of those who started last week’s win over Portsmouth and handing starts to Haydon Roberts and Max Sanders.

Alex Neil, having fielded a strong side in the 2-1 win over Derby in the previous round, also made several changes with Bauer and Joe Rafferty the only two in the starting XI who also faced Norwich on Saturday.

Preston started the stronger of the two sides but could not test Jason Steele. The 18-year-old Roberts, subject of recent interest from Leeds, looked assured alongside Dan Burn in the centre of the Brighton defence as the visitors slowly grew into the game.

More than half an hour had gone until either side had a clear sight of goal, with Jahanbakhsh beating the offside trap to bring a strong save from Ripley at his near post.

Preston were next to threaten eight minutes before the break. Brad Potts powered forward, playing the ball in to Jayden Stockley who took a touch to step inside Burn before hitting a low shot that Steele did well to turn around the post.

From the resulting corner Bauer headed against the bar.

Brighton threatened again just before half-time as the ball broke for Mac Allister but Ripley was able to turn his shot behind.

It set the tone for the second half as Brighton increasingly took control. Mac Allister turned a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area before Viktor Gyokeres sent a long-range drive wide.

The breakthrough came just before the hour. Bernardo’s searching cross made it all the way across the area to find Jahanbakhsh at the far post and the Iranian sent a powerful shot past Ripley.

Mac Allister who like Jahanbakhsh was among the scorers in last week’s 4-0 win over Pompey – then made sure in the 75th minute, given the easiest of tasks to finish after Gross made space on the byline to pull the ball back.

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ATLETICO MADRID’S GIMENEZ TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS.

Atletico Madrid player Jose Maria Gimenez has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Spanish football club said on Tuesday.

“Jose Maria Gimenez has tested positive for Covid-19 following tests carried out on our first team players and staff. The Uruguayan is isolating at home,” Atletico Madrid said in a statement.

Following the test result, the club players will move to individual training as required by Spanish La Liga rules.

Since joining Atletico Madrid in 2013, Gimenez, 25, has made 191 appearances with the club.

The Uruguayan international was the 2014 Spanish champion and helped Atletico Madrid win the 2018 UEFA Europa League title.

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LEIPZIG SIGNS ALEXANDER SORLOTH.

RB Leipzig have completed the signing of Norway international striker Alexander Sorloth from English Premier League club Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old, who scored 33 goals in 49 appearances whilst on loan at Trabzonspor last season, has signed a five-year deal.

“I made up my mind to join Leipzig soon after the talks,” Sorloth told the club website. “The club impressed in the league last season, and made people stand up and take note in the Champions League.

“The attacking football favoured by Julian Nagelsmann suits my playing style perfectly. I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.”

Sorloth top scored in the Turkish Süper Lig and domestic cup in 2019/20, with 24 and seven goals respectively.

It marked a career-best return for the 24-time Norway international, who has also played in the Netherlands (Groningen), Denmark – where he hit 10 goals and won the league title with Midtjylland – England (Palace) and Belgium (Gent) since leaving his homeland in January 2016.

He started out in the youth ranks of Rosenborg and made his professional debut for the club, but it was his 13 goals in 26 games for Bodo/ Glimt in the 2015 Tippeligaen that gave his career wings.

“We’ve signed our number one candidate for the attack in Alexander Sorloth,” commented Leipzig sporting director Markus Krösche. “He’s a physical and technical player, who’s strong in the air and a good finisher. Alexander has all the attributes you need as a footballer.

“He had a fantastic season in Turkey, where he showed himself to be a goalscorer and provider. We’re looking forward to working together to achieve our stated goals for the season ahead.”

Sorloth, whose Bundesliga debut could come as soon as Leipzig’s Matchday 2 encounter with Bayer Leverkusen on 26 September, is an international teammate of Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland. The duo scored twice apiece in Norway’s 5-1 UEFA Nations League win over Northern Ireland on 7 September.

The Norwegian represents the fifth new face of the post-Timo Werner era, following the arrival of Benjamin Henrichs (AS Monaco, loan), Hwang Hee-chan (Red Bull Salzburg), Josep Martinez (Las Palmas) and Lazar Samardzic (Hertha Berlin). Angelino has also re-signed for the club on another loan deal from Manchester City.

Sorloth will wear the No.19 shirt.

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JUVENTUS SIGN ATLETICO’S ALVARO MORATA ON A YEAR LOAN DEAL.

Juventus have completed a loan deal to sign Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid, the club announced on Tuesday.

Morata, 27, landed in Turin on Monday to finalise his move to re-join the Italian champions.

The striker enjoyed a successful loan spell at Juve during 2014-2016 where he scored 27 goals, including a strike in the 2015 Champions League final against Barcelona.

The Spain international won two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies in his two-year stint at the club.

Juve initially tried to sign Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and AS Roma’s Edin Dzeko but those deals failed to materialise.

Juve have signed Morata, Arthur, Felix Correia and United States men’s international Weston McKennie since Andrea Pirlo took charge of the club.

Morata will play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala in a strong forward line as Juve aim to clinch a 10th consecutive Serie A title

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IMPROVED MAN. UNITED EASE OFF LUTON TOWN WITH TWO LATE GOALS AT CARABAO CUP.

Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata celebrates with teammates after he takes the penalty to score his team's first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Luton Town and Manchester United at Kenilworth Road stadium in Luton, Bedfordshire, on September 22, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-0 win over Championship side Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Goals from Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood were enough to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side their first win of the season, booking a fourth-round trip to either Preston or Brighton,

United were made to work, however, with a resolute Luton side showing why they sit third in the Championship with two wins from two, having progressed to the third round with impressive victories over Norwich and Reading.

With one eye on their tricky league trip to Brighton on Saturday, Solskjaer made 10 changes to the side that lost to Crystal Palace in their top-flight opener, handing first starts to Dean Henderson and summer signing Donny van de Beek.

Though United started the brighter, Luton grew in confidence as the half progressed and were undoubtedly the side on top as the clock hit 43 minutes.

United capitalised on a rare Luton mistake on the stroke of half-time, however, as Tom Lockyer’s panicked clearance ricocheted off the arms of Andrew Shinnie and into the path of Brandon Williams, who was tripped in the box by George Moncur.

Mata made no mistake with the resulting penalty, stroking home into the bottom right-hand corner to give the visitors a half-time lead.

United looked to set a quicker tempo in the second half but were again unable to carve open any clear-cut chances until Solskjaer called for Bruno Fernandes, Rashford and Greenwood with 10 minutes remaining.

After Henderson was called into action with a fine save from a close-range Lockyer header at the near post, substitutes Greenwood and Rashford linked up, with the latter slotting home to put the game beyond doubt.

Greenwood then added another in the dying seconds, calmly passing beyond James Shea in the Luton goal as United progressed to the next round.

Prior to the game, Solskjaer insisted it would take his side up to five games to reach peak condition after a delayed return to pre-season following their run to the Europa League semi-finals last term.

And while this was indeed no vintage display – from a side missing the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial – a place in the fourth round and some additional minutes in the legs will certainly be pleasing for the Norwegian.

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LIVERPOOL AGREE ISMAILA SARR FEE DESPITE DIOGO JOTA ARRIVAL.

Liverpool have “agree a fee” for Watford forward Ismaila Sarr “worth £36m” days after Diogo Jota arrived from Wolves.

The Reds bolstered their attacking line-up over the weekend as the Portuguese forward arrived in a £45m deal.

Jurgen Klopp’s side already boast one of the best front-threes in football as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino grabbed 57 goals between them last year.

But reports from France Football have it that the Premier League champions are close to getting another goal-hunter in.

Sarr may have suffered relegation with Watford in his debut season but the Senegalese international impressed with six goals in 30 games.

And it has seen the Reds reach an agreement with the London side for a price which could rise to €40m [£36m].

Liverpool are even discussing the 22-year-old’s salary, according to the report, which could be see him earn €7m [£6.4m] per year.

A deal for the forward would see the Anfield side beat rivals Manchester United to his signature after they were “offered” the player by Watford.

But comments by the forward suggest that the champions always had the edge because of fellow Senegalese international Mane in their ranks.

And the feeling is mutual, with Liverpool’s No.10 saying at the start of last season: “The first day [Sarr] signed I sent him a message to say good luck and that I was happy for him.

“He’s rapid. I think defenders will struggle. Last time I was speaking to Robbo (Andy Robertson) I said ‘Watford have a really good player.

“‘I will need to help you more otherwise Ismaila Sarr will kill you, because he is a good dribbler and very, very fast’.”

It comes as the Reds could let academy star Rhian Brewster go to make way for Sarr.

While they are already lining up another forward for next summer, with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe staying in “regular contact” with the club.

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MANCHESTER UNITED WILL NEVER WIN THE LEAGUE WITH MAGUIRE, LINDELOF CENTREBACK PARINGS.

Manchester United will not be able to win the Premier League with a centre back partnership of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, former England international Gary Neville has said.

United’s season got underway with a shock 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Sweden international Lindelof culpable for all three goals.

United have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho but Neville believes manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should prioritise the signing of a versatile centre back.

“We can talk about Sancho all we like but until United get a centre back who can run and defend one-on-ones they are never going to win the league,” Neville, who won eight league titles at Old Trafford, told Sky Sports.

They are never going to win the Premier League with that centre back pairing. They have to get a mobile, dominant centre half in alongside either Lindelof or Maguire.”

“Over the years, the best centre back partnerships have always had that really quick one who has lightning pace to get across and snuff out the danger. Lindelof and Maguire just don’t have that.”

United face Luton Town in the League Cup on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action with a trip to Brighton on Saturday.

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CHELSEA FINALLY AGREE DEAL FOR RENNES SHOT STOPPER, EDOUARD MENDY.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have reportedly finally agreed a deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who looks set to be officially announced as the Blues’ latest signing soon, according to BBC Sport.

Chelsea look set to continue to splash the cash after a stunning £200m summer transfer raid. The Blues have already signed Kai Havertz (£72m), Timo Werner (£47.7m), Ben Chilwell (£45.18m), Hakim Ziyech (£36m) Malang Sarr (free) and Thiago Silva (free) with the Mendy set to become the squad’s latest addition.

Mendy, 28, joined Rennes in the summer of 2019 from domestic rivals Reims in a transfer costing just £3.6m as per TransferMarkt. and has since gone onto make 34 appearances in all competitions and rack up 13 clean sheets.

Chelsea’s apparent eagerness to land a new keeper after record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived at Stamford Bridge in a stunning £72m move just two-years ago (TransferMarkt).

Kepa has suffered an abysmal time in London after it was well documented that he had one of the worst save percentage stats across all of England’s top-flight at just 53.5% and conceded a goal every 63-minutes.

The BBC’s report does not state a finalised fee but with an official announcement expected soon, the transfer’s full details should be revealed soon.

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LUIS SUAREZ AGREES TERMS WITH ATLETICO MADRID FOR A MOVE TO DIEGO SIMEONE’S SIDE

Barcelona’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid and may arrive at the Wanda Metropolitano on a two-year deal, according to local reports from the Madrid club.

Barca’s new manager Ronald Koeman has already told the 33-year-old that he is not part of his plans. Since arriving at Camp Nou in 2014, Suarez has scored 198 goals in 283 games and won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey championships and one UEFA Champions League title. Since Neymar departed for Paris Saint-Germain, Suarez has been the most effective partner for Lionel Messi.

That partly explained why Messi told Barca he wanted to leave after the club made it clear that they no longer wanted Suarez.

Of course, before the transfer can be completed, Suarez and Barca must settle their compensation problem. There’s still one year left on Suarez’s contract with Barca. The 33-year-old wanted his last-year salary but the club did not want to pay him that much. According to the latest report by Catalan radio station RAC1, Barcelona have agreed to end Suarez’s contract by paying him part of the agreed salary.

That news should motivate Atletico Madrid to speed up in selling Diego Costa. Rumors suggest Fenerbahçe are interested in landing him, but so far there has been no concrete offer.

Meanwhile, Juventus who almost signed Suarez but called the deal off in the end because of a passport problem, are interested in bringing back Alvaro Morata on loan from Atletico Madrid, according to reports.

Morata played for Juventus in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, winning two Serie A titles and reaching the Champions League final with the club.

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MAN UNITED SUFFER SHOCKING OPENING DAY DEFEAT AT HOME TO CRYSTAL PALACE.

Manchester United suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League match of the season on Saturday.

A Wilfried Zaha double and an Andros Townsend strike sealed the points for the visitors as United lost their first league opener at home since 2014.

Substitute Donny van de Beek scored his first goal for the club on his debut but it was not enough to inspire a comeback.

“You can see we are short and they deserved the points,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “Today was a performance you don’t see very often from this group. We should look at ourselves in the mirror. Everyone knows we can perform better than this.”

With Van de Beek on the bench, Solskjaer’s starting line-up saw David de Gea start ahead of Dean Henderson and included Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, but it was Palace who took control early when Townsend opened the scoring after seven minutes, converting a cross at the back post.

Thereafter, the visitors were most threatening on the counter-attack and De Gea made a smart save to deny Jordan Ayew before the interval, but failed to double their lead until just past the midway point of the second half.

When referee Martin Atkinson agreed with VAR Jonathan Moss that Victor Lindelof had handled Ayew’s shot from close range, Palace were awarded a spot kick.

David De Gea saved Ayew’s penalty but, after more VAR intervention, it was retaken because the goalkeeper was off his line. Ex-United winger Zaha stepped up to convert from the spot to make it 2-0.

Van de Beek replaced Pogba and made an instant impact with a smart close range finish to close the gap, but Zaha wrapped up the points five minutes later with a fine strike after turning Lindelof.

“In the week of training we did really well, we trained good so my feeling was really positive, Van de Beek told MUTV after the game. “But today we played too slowly, too long with the ball and I think against an opponent like Crystal Palace you need to speed up the game to create something. That was not good enough.”

Palace have won their opening two games for the first time in the Premier League era and manager Roy Hodgson was impressed with his side’s display at both ends.

“We made certain and kept them playing in front of us and they could not profit from those spaces they are skilful enough to find,” he said. “And when we had the ball I thought we looked very dangerous and threatening so I don’t think it was a big surprise that we scored three.”