Football Blog

FORM? Britt Assombalonga celebrates scoring at Burton with Adam Clayton and Patrick Bamford

Middlesbrough FC

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Tony Pulis: Who says Britt's not my type of player at Boro?

CLIMBING: Daniel Ayala celebrates the winning goal on Saturday that lifted Boro up to fifth

CLIMBING: Daniel Ayala celebrates the winning goal on Saturday that lifted Boro up to fifth

Middlesbrough FC

Boro and Derby to win battle for play-off spots, predicts Paul Fraser

NEW JOB: Aitor Karanka pictured at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground after taking on the job with Steve Gibson

NEW JOB: Aitor Karanka pictured at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground after taking on the job with Steve Gibson

Middlesbrough FC

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MIDDLESBROUGH: The return of Aitor Karanka ... despite the lows he should get warm reception

BUY: Aiden McGeady joined Sunderland last summer for £250,000.

BUY: Aiden McGeady joined Sunderland last summer for £250,000.

Hartlepool United FC

AGENTS' FEES: Sunderland paid more to agents than transfer fees, while Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Pools figures revealed

Transfer gossip: Iheanacho or Slimani for Newcastle? Boro weigh up moves for Everton and Leicester men, while Sunderland braced for Watford bid

Transfer gossip: Iheanacho or Slimani for Newcastle? Boro weigh up moves for Everton and Leicester men, while Sunderland braced for Watford bid

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Iheanacho or Slimani for Newcastle? Boro look to Everton & Leicester, Sunderland await Ndong bid

INTERVIEW: Ellis Short has been talking about his plans for Sunderland

INTERVIEW: Ellis Short has been talking about his plans for Sunderland

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SUNDERLAND: 'We have a crisis to solve' - Read the full transcript of Black Cats owner Ellis Short's interview

Sunderland Manager Simon Grayson has delivered promotion at his previous four clubs

Sunderland Manager Simon Grayson has delivered promotion at his previous four clubs

Sunderland Kick-Off: Simon Grayson aims to make it five from five

STAY OR GO? Sunderland's Lamine Kone, battling with Celtic's Scott Sinclair last weekend, is a player whose future is unclear

STAY OR GO? Sunderland's Lamine Kone, battling with Celtic's Scott Sinclair last weekend, is a player whose future is unclear

Sunderland: Could time in the Championship be better than many expect on Wearside

HOPES: Brendan Galloway is looking for Sunderland to get him going again.

HOPES: Brendan Galloway is looking for Sunderland to get him going again.

Sunderland kick-off: Summer mover Brendan Galloway desperate for Wearside lift

EXPENSIVE: Sunderland's Jordan Pickford

EXPENSIVE: Sunderland's Jordan Pickford

Sunderland: Where does Jordan Pickford rank in world's most expensive goalkeepers?

LEAVING: Sunderland's Jermain Defoe

LEAVING: Sunderland's Jermain Defoe

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Sunderland: What could a new manager be left with next month?

WANTED? Burnley's Andre Gray

WANTED? Burnley's Andre Gray

Newcastle United FC

Newcastle: 5 players Rafa Benitez needs to consider ahead of Premier League return

Decent: George Honeyman battles with former Sunderland man Alfred N'Diaye

Decent: George Honeyman battles with former Sunderland man Alfred N'Diaye

Four key issues from Sunderland’s victory at Hull plus reaction from David Moyes

Middlesbrough fans in the stands show their support during the Premier League match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 26, 2017. See PA story SOCCER Middlesbrough. Photo credit should read:

Middlesbrough fans in the stands show their support during the Premier League match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 26, 2017. See PA story SOCCER Middlesbrough. Photo credit should read:

Fraser Kicks Off

Tees-Wear derby: Who will be best placed for a season in the Championship? Boro or Sunderland?

TUMBLE: Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey will be looking to get everyone back up again after losing at Sheffield Wednesday

TUMBLE: Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey will be looking to get everyone back up again after losing at Sheffield Wednesday

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Newcastle: Are the Magpies destined to miss out on the title? Predictions ...

RESPECT: Dave Parnaby, left, talks with Adam Clayton, center, and Ben Gibson. Picture: Courtesy of Middlesbrough FC

RESPECT: Dave Parnaby, left, talks with Adam Clayton, center, and Ben Gibson. Picture: Courtesy of Middlesbrough FC

Middlesbrough FC

Saturday Spotlight: Time to say farewell and thank you after Dave Parnaby's successful Middlesbrough stint

Stay or go? Sunderland's Jermain Defoe

Stay or go? Sunderland's Jermain Defoe

Fraser Kicks Off

Hopes and fears for Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle in 2017

Big chance: Gareth Southgate is set for his England bow

Big chance: Gareth Southgate is set for his England bow

Fraser Kicks Off

Gareth Southgate's early Middlesbrough days prove he can handle England

Old foes: David Moyes, as Everton manager, stands alongside former Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce who he is succeeded at Sunderland

Old foes: David Moyes, as Everton manager, stands alongside former Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce who he is succeeded at Sunderland

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Lessons learned in Manchester and Spain will help David Moyes at Sunderland

Competition: Middlesbrough's Adam Clayton has impressed at the Riverside along with Grant Leadbitter but they should have Marten de Roon to compete with for a place next season

Competition: Middlesbrough's Adam Clayton has impressed at the Riverside along with Grant Leadbitter but they should have Marten de Roon to compete with for a place next season

Fraser Kicks Off

Explained: Why Middlesbrough are so happy to spend big on Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon

Risky? Eddie Howe has worked wonders at Bournemouth

Risky? Eddie Howe has worked wonders at Bournemouth

Fraser Kicks Off

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Eddie Howe or Sam Allardyce for England? And who else is in the frame to succeed Roy Hodgson

Lowdown: Gary Martin, a former Middlesbrough youth team player from Darlington, celebrates a goal for KR earlier in his career

Lowdown: Gary Martin, a former Middlesbrough youth team player from Darlington, celebrates a goal for KR earlier in his career

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'Iceland are hotter than people think' claims former Boro boy as he gives lowdown on England's last-16 opponents

Pressure off: England manager Roy Hodgson poses for photos with fans in Chantilly, France, after Thursday's victory over Wales. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.

Pressure off: England manager Roy Hodgson poses for photos with fans in Chantilly, France, after Thursday's victory over Wales. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.

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Signs of togetherness and quality could drive England to Euros glory under Roy Hodgson

Star turn: Wales' Gareth Bale in the build up to the England game

Star turn: Wales' Gareth Bale in the build up to the England game

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Three Wales players would make the England team, wouldn't they?

Euro star: England's Wayne Rooney (left) puts an arm around France's Anthony Martial, his Manchester United team-mate

Euro star: England's Wayne Rooney (left) puts an arm around France's Anthony Martial, his Manchester United team-mate

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Five young players to look out for at the Euros?

Starter: England's Wayne Rooney must start

Starter: England's Wayne Rooney must start

Fraser Kicks Off

Four things England need to get right to shine in France

Boro bounce: George Friend will be hoping to enjoy a promotion party at the Riverside

Boro bounce: George Friend will be hoping to enjoy a promotion party at the Riverside

Middlesbrough FC

It's been a while since Boro had a promotion party but the North-East has had a few

Impressive: Dael Fry has skippered Boro in Europe

Impressive: Dael Fry has skippered Boro in Europe

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Can Boro keep Euro dream alive by defeating PSG?

Going strong: Aitor Karanka needs to keep up the good work for the rest of the season as Boro boss

Going strong: Aitor Karanka needs to keep up the good work for the rest of the season as Boro boss

Middlesbrough FC

Could Boro be the region's only Premier League club for first time in 25 years?

Central role/ Cristhian Stuani gets in to good positions wherever he plays

Central role/ Cristhian Stuani gets in to good positions wherever he plays

Fraser Kicks Off

Kike or Cristhian Stuani? Who should replace David Nugent in the Middlesbrough attack

Cup holder: Paul Fraser with the Capital One Cup when it visited the Echo yesterday

Cup holder: Paul Fraser with the Capital One Cup when it visited the Echo yesterday

Fraser Kicks Off

Can either Boro or Everton get as close as the Echo have to the Capital One Cup this season?

Positive: Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka likes Harry Chapman and the club’s young guns

Positive: Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka likes Harry Chapman and the club’s young guns

Middlesbrough FC

Promising Harry Chapman has to be patient admits Aitor Karanka even though Boro boy 'has everything'

Well liked: Roy Keane during his Sunderland days

Well liked: Roy Keane during his Sunderland days

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Top candidates should be queuing up for Sunderland job, not running away from it

Emotional: England's Josanne Potter, left, consoles Laura Bassett after the team's 2-1 loss to Japan

Emotional: England's Josanne Potter, left, consoles Laura Bassett after the team's 2-1 loss to Japan

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Top 6 rivals to Laura Bassett for costliest own goal of all time

Axed: John Carver

Axed: John Carver

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Unfortunate Carver had to go for McClaren's methods to work at Newcastle

SPOTLIGHT: Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley in his role as behaviour manager at St Peter's school in Middlesbrough. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH (21734244)

SPOTLIGHT: Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley in his role as behaviour manager at St Peter's school in Middlesbrough. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH (21734244)

Spennymoor Town FC

Promotion would make Moors boss Ainsley top of the class

At the Palace: Alan Pardew

At the Palace: Alan Pardew

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Alan Pardew has gone from Newcastle but is not forgotten

Top twenty: Newcastle's St James' Park might not have Champions League football but has financial clout

Top twenty: Newcastle's St James' Park might not have Champions League football but has financial clout

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Newcastle and Sunderland named in football rich list's top 30

Staying: Patrick Bamford has scored goals for Middlesbrough but there is interest in him

Staying: Patrick Bamford has scored goals for Middlesbrough but there is interest in him

Fraser Kicks Off

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What issues do Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool face in January?

What next? Alan Pardew knew how to work under Mike Ashley at Newcastle

What next? Alan Pardew knew how to work under Mike Ashley at Newcastle

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Pardew's Palace move does not guarantee brighter times on Tyneside

DERBY HERO: Sunderland's Adam Johnson is the latest Tyne-Wear derby hero after his late winner made it four wins in a row over rivals Newcastle

DERBY HERO: Sunderland's Adam Johnson is the latest Tyne-Wear derby hero after his late winner made it four wins in a row over rivals Newcastle

Newcastle United FC

Who is the greatest Tyne-Wear derby player ever?

Celebration: Jozy Altidore hit the net in the Capital One Cup this season

Celebration: Jozy Altidore hit the net in the Capital One Cup this season

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Jozy Altidore may need to leave Sunderland to save his career

Top talent: Sunderland's Adam Johnson celebrates scoring the equalising goal against Tottenham in September

Top talent: Sunderland's Adam Johnson celebrates scoring the equalising goal against Tottenham in September

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Sunderland boss wants to go back in time with former Manchester City and Boro man Johnson

TOP BOSS: Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka (right) also ran Liverpool close at Anfield during this Capital One Cup third round clash

TOP BOSS: Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka (right) also ran Liverpool close at Anfield during this Capital One Cup third round clash

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Boro boss up for manager of the month

Staying quiet: Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew decided not to hold a pre-match press conference yesterday

Staying quiet: Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew decided not to hold a pre-match press conference yesterday

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Pardew could do with a Capital One gain for Magpies despite Premier League focus

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Thursday, July 24

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Thursday, July 24

Middlesbrough FC

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Thursday, July 24

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough): Friday, July 11

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough): Friday, July 11

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North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough): Friday, July 11

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Tuesday, July 8

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Tuesday, July 8

Middlesbrough FC

North-East transfer gossip (Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough): Tuesday, July 8

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England's problems are not surprising, but there are positives

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World Cup Insider - ITV's early problems but viewers still tune in

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Dimi is not alone after horrible bobble

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Gibson's new direction needs to work straightaway at Boro

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Brave decision to sack Di Canio, but is it right?

TOUGH BEGINNING: Paolo Di Canio insists it will take time to see the fruits of his Sunderland labour. He’s recorded just two wins from 11 Premier League games so far since his arrival

TOUGH BEGINNING: Paolo Di Canio insists it will take time to see the fruits of his Sunderland labour. He’s recorded just two wins from 11 Premier League games so far since his arrival

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Tuesday Topic: Di Canio needs results - and quickly