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Eni Aluko’s former England teammate speaks out to back ‘superhero’ Ian Wright

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Steph Houghton has come to the defense of Ian Wright following recent backlash stemming from comments made by former England star Eni Aluko.

Aluko had suggested Wright was monopolizing media opportunities in women’s football, claiming his presence was limiting space for female pundits. The criticism sparked widespread debate and drew heavy attention online.

Aluko, who played for clubs including Chelsea and Juventus, later issued a public apology. She praised Wright’s contributions to the game and acknowledged him as a brilliant broadcaster and role model.

Despite the apology, Wright made it clear that he preferred not to dwell on the issue and chose instead to move forward.

A longstanding supporter of women’s football, Wright has consistently used his platform to elevate the women’s game, offering analysis for ITV’s coverage of England’s Lionesses and showing genuine passion for the sport.

His response to the controversy was calm but firm, expressing appreciation for the public support he received, without delving into personal details.

Steph Houghton, who played alongside Aluko for England between 2007 and 2016, appeared with Wright on “Crossways – A Women’s Football Show,” where she offered heartfelt praise.

Describing Wright as a “superhero,” Houghton highlighted his significant role in promoting women’s football and the respect he’s earned throughout the sport. She said his impact was “unbelievable” and shared that working with him has always been a joy.

Wright was visibly moved by her words, thanking Houghton and expressing how much her support meant during a difficult week. He emphasized that his advocacy has always been about supporting the broader growth of the women’s game rather than any individual agenda.

Following the controversy, Aluko announced her decision to step away from co-hosting this year’s Women’s Football Awards.

In a statement, she spoke of her pride in having been part of the event from its inception and her admiration for how it celebrates the achievements of players, coaches, and fans in the women’s game.

She made it clear that her decision was made to ensure the focus remains on the players and the celebration itself.

Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher are now set to host the upcoming ceremony, and Aluko expressed confidence in their ability to carry the event forward. She reaffirmed her love for women’s football and her commitment to supporting the sport’s future.

The incident has sparked wider conversations about representation in sports media and the balance between inclusion and visibility. As the dust settles, the enduring theme remains one of mutual respect, resilience, and continued advocacy for women’s football.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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