“He has had a huge impact and is making big improvements,” Carrick said of Sesko. “He is getting used to being here. He is desperate to do well and is a pleasure to work with. He is a real threat. I’m really excited about where he can get to. He’s got huge potential.”

There is little doubt the United coach has enjoyed some good fortune since taking over. First Diogo Dalot escaped what should have been a red card for a studs-up challenge against Jeremy Doku in the derby against Manchester City, and then Tottenham were reduced to 10 men after half an hour when Cristian Romero was sent off. Here, Palace spent much of the second half with a man down. Equally, Carrick could argue that you make your own luck.

Despite Oliver Glasner’s grumblings, the rules state Christopher Kavanagh was right to award a penalty, even though Lacroix had initially grabbed hold of Cunha outside the penalty area before the Brazilian eventually tumbled in the box.

Fernandes coolly converted the spot-kick and it was the turning point United needed because they had struggled in the first period.

United have offloaded four wingers over the past nine months – Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony – and while not too many fans were sad to see that quartet depart, it has left the team short of recognised wide players. The situation on the left flank has been further exacerbated by a hamstring injury to Patrick Dorgu.

Cunha has been occupying that position for the most part, but he is a No. 10 at heart and his desire to routinely cut inside really narrowed the pitch against Palace.

With Luke Shaw unable to overlap from left back  like he used to, United lacked width on that side and it helped the visitors. The situation did not improve when Shaw went off in the 24th minute and Noussair Mazraoui, a right footer, filled in at left-back.

Palace losing Lacroix was a significant boost for United and liberated Carrick’s side, Cunha included. The south Londoners, in the end, were lucky not to lose by more, with Henderson making fine saves to deny Casemiro and Amad Diallo.

So it is six wins during an unbeaten seven-match run now for Carrick. They have built up a real head of steam.

Richard was last seen on Minerva Road, Bolton at around 4.20pm on Saturday, February 28.

The 39-year-old is described as white, with a medium build, average height, with short blonde hair and blue eyes.

He is believed to be wearing a black coat with a hood, a nude-coloured jumper, and black jogging bottoms.

Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on 101 or 0161 856 2661.

Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur from the Premier League, with the visitors desperately looking to climb away from the relegation zone. 

Spurs currently sit 16th in the table, just four points above West Ham United in 18th, with relegation now an alarmingly possible prospect for the north London club after failing to win any of their nine league games since the turn of the year. 

West Ham’s 5-2 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday means Spurs will not slide any further towards the drop zone this weekend, but with Nottingham Forest making the trip to Brighton this afternoon, defeat at Craven Cottage could see them slip to 17th by full time.

Igor Tudor’s appointment did not have the desired effect for last weekend’s north London derby, with an injury-ravaged Spurs losing 4-1 against Arsenal for the second time this season.

Despite Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso becoming available for selection this weekend, the Spurs boss will continue to be hamstrung by absences and admitted on Thursday that the job at hand is harder than he expected.

Spurs take on a Fulham side who ended a run of three successive defeats last weekend with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Sunderland, who had previously lost just once at the Stadium of Light this season. 

Marco Silva’s side start the afternoon in 10th but could climb up to eighth with victory against Spurs, who they have beaten in three of their last four league meetings. 

Having claimed a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, the west London outfit have the opportunity to complete the league double over Spurs for the second time in their history and for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed sadness over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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Russia could carry out retaliation strikes against Europe following Iran’s missile attacks. The threat was made by Russian propagandists who claimed Donald Trump “unwittingly creating political and psychological opportunities.”

Yesterday (February 28) Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Russian President called the act “a murder committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law”.

Speaking about Russia ’s next move, Sergey Karnaukhov, a former president and CEO of The Centre for the National Interest, and Dimitri Simes, a former president and CEO of The Centre for the National Interest, highlighted what needs to be done as he blames Europe for “waging war” against Russia.

The Express reports in the conversation with Vladimir Solovyov on channel Solovyov Live, he said: “Estonia is waging war against us. I think we should give it some thought that Mr Trump unwittingly created political and psychological opportunities for us, he untied our hands for our Supreme Commander in chief to do whatever he finds appropriate to do for the nation’s security.”

The host of the show continued issuing threats to Europe. Mr Solovyov said: “But we see what is happening, the only language Europe understands is the language of force, and only when the force is used against them. They saw that Oreshnik was used twice and decided they are protected in their little house.

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“It’s clearly time to strike their little house.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry had sharply denounced the joint US‑Israeli military operation in Iran the previous day, describing it as “a pre‑planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state” and a violation of core principles of international law.

In Moscow’s view, “Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region closer to a humanitarian, economic and, not exclude, a radiological catastrophe.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that the US and Israel are “covering themselves with an imaginary concern to prevent the Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapons,” while in fact their main goal, according to Moscow, is “to destroy the constitutional order and destroy the leadership of a state they do not like, which has refused to submit to forceful dictate and hegemonism.”

The foreign ministry also appealed to Russians in Iran and Israel to leave these countries immediately if possible.

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Here are all the road closures in and around the town you should be aware of this week (March 2-6):

Blackwell

A road closure affecting Blackwell is currently in place due to ongoing utility repair and maintenance works conducted by Northern Gas Networks.

The closure began on January 5 and will remain until April 15.

The restrictions are expected to cover the area from the junction with Bridge Road to the junction with Carmel Road South.

Grainger Street West Back

In addition, Grainger Street West Back will see a road closure starting on March 2 and lasting until March 6.

Northumbrian Water is set to carry out utility asset works, specifically excavating to construct a new manhole.

The work zone is located at the rear of properties numbered 1 to 23 Hawthorn Street.

Roberts Walk

Effective from March 3 to March 4, Roberts Walk will be closed for another round of road works.

Yarm Road (A66 Roundabout to Sadberge Road Roundabout)

From March 2 until March 15, Yarm Road, particularly the segment between the A66 roundabout and the Sadberge Road roundabout, will be closed for road works.

The restrictions are set to remain in place as works are carried out on the carriageway.

Abbey Road

Ongoing works on Abbey Road, which began on February 23 and are expected to continue until April 17, will also affect traffic in the area.

Darlington Borough Council is undertaking highway improvement works, with the restrictions expected from the Carmel Road North junction to past the Neville Road junction.

The first phase entails installing speed tables and improving the footways.

Milbank Road

Meanwhile, Milbank Road is currently closed until March 8 due to highway improvement activities.

The closure, which commenced on February 23, is related to civil preparation works and carriageway resurfacing efforts.

Thompson Street West

Thompson Street West remains closed for ongoing utility asset works executed by Northern Powergrid (Northeast) PLC.

The work started on January 21 and is set to end on March 26. It involves excavating approximately 750 meters of footway and carriageway to install new underground electric cables.

The restrictions are expected to remain in place to ensure safe working conditions.

Myrtle Gardens

Another road closure in place is Myrtle Gardens, which will remain in effect until March 9.

Northern Gas Networks is working on utility repair and maintenance in the area, specifically at the junction with Mayfair Road and nearby properties.

This is part of an extensive project that aims to replace outdated infrastructure.

Harrowgate Village

Looking further ahead, Harrowgate Village will experience restrictions due to highway improvement works scheduled from March 31, 2025, until March 27.

These major road closures will cover the area from Dewberry Lane to the Village Hall, and are part of S278 works for a new development, meaning significant traffic disruption could be expected in the future.

Beaumont Hill

Similarly, Beaumont Hill will also be affected by highway improvement works during the same period.

The closure from Dewberry Lane to 25 Beaumont Hill will coincide with ongoing works by Darlington Borough Council, further hindering traffic through the area as improvements are made.

Lime Lane

Lastly, Lime Lane will be closed for highway improvement works from March 2 to March 13.

The planned closures will encompass the carriageway from Lodge Lane, extending approximately 1800 meters along Lime Lane.

Residents should prepare for potential disruptions during this essential maintenance window.

Residents and motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time during these closures and to follow all posted detour signs for safety and convenience.

A mass shooting at a bar in Austin is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism after “indicators” were found on the gunman and in his vehicle, according to the FBI.

The shooting at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in the Texas city’s entertainment district left three people dead, including the shooter, and at least 14 others wounded.

The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, drove past the bar several times before stopping and shooting a pistol out the window of his SUV at people on a patio and in front of the bar, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference Sunday.

The gunman then parked his vehicle, got out with a rifle, and began shooting at people walking in the area before officers who ran to the intersection shot him, Davis said.

The FBI said it is investigating whether the shooting was act of terrorism because of “indicators” found on the gunman and in his vehicle. The agency didn’t elaborate on what items were found.

“It’s still too early to make a determination on that,” Alex Doran, the acting agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, said.

The shooting happened outside Buford’s just before 2 a.m. along the Sixth Street, a nightlife destination filled with bars and music clubs and only a few miles from the University of Texas.

Police were already nearby when they got reports of a shooting and raced to the scene.

EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said emergency workers were at the scene of the shooting less than a minute after receiving a call for assistance.

He confirmed that three people were found dead at the scene and that 14 others had been wounded. Three of the injured were admitted to regional hospitals in critical condition.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the speedy response during the press conference.

“Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this. And I want to again reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene,” Watson said. “They definitely saved lives.”

The FBI is joining with the Austin Police Department to investigate the shooting.

“This is a tragic, tragic incident,” Davis said. “Our federal partners are here, as well as others, and this will be a scene that will take several hours to process.”

Police were still examining the scene on Sunday morning, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Some officers were reportedly gathering surveillance video from the area of the shooting and collecting witness statements from those still at the scene.

A former Buford’s manager told the paper that none of the restaurant’s staff were injured in the attack.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FIFA’s president has told Sky News that footballers who cover their mouths in confrontations with rivals should be sent off on the presumption they are being offensive.

Gianni Infantino has also revealed a desire to reduce the minimum 10-game ban for players who are apologetic for discrimination to encourage a change of attitudes.

But he told football to stop saying “it’s a problem in society” and prioritise dealing with racism within the sport.

Mr Infantino – along with rule-making body IFAB – is reacting swiftly to the racism reported by Vinicius Junior while playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League on 17 February.

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The case could be harder to prove because Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt while allegedly abusing the Brazilian, who is one of football’s most high-profile black players.

“If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously,” Mr Infantino, who is the boss of world football, told Sky News.

“There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn’t have said, otherwise he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth.”

While Benfica originally complained about a “defamation” campaign, manager Jose Mourinho now says Prestianni’s career in his team would be over if found guilty of racism.

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Mr Infantino acknowledged a need for European governing body UEFA to still complete its investigation, having provisionally suspended Prestianni for the second leg which Benfica lost.

“There are situations which we did not foresee,” he said. “Of course, when you deal with a disciplinary case, you have to analyse the situation, you have to have evidence, but we cannot just be satisfied with that going forward.”

The plan is for the laws of the game to be strengthened by the International Football Association Board by April, in time to be implemented at the World Cup in June.

Mr Infantino said: “I simply do not understand if you don’t have something to hide, you don´t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that.

“And these are actions that we can take and we have to take in order to be serious about our fight against racism.”

Read more from Sky News:
Skydiver dies after jump in Devon
Minister quits after becoming a ‘distraction’

Mr Infantino has now revealed a change in approach to punishments that could be coming.

“We need to act and to be decisive and it has to have a deterrent effect,” he said. “Maybe we should also think about not just punishing, but also somehow allowing, changing our culture, allowing players or whoever does something to apologise.

“You can do things that you don’t want to do in a moment of anger [and] apologise and then the sanction has to be different, to move one step further and maybe we should think about something like that as well.”

The fight is as much about punishments as how to stop abuse in the stands, on pitches and online in football.

“We have to stop racism,” Mr Infantino said. “We cannot just be satisfied by saying well it’s a problem in society so we cannot do anything about it except what we are already doing.“

Holidaymakers in Dubai have been forced to shelter inside their hotels as the United Arab Emirates is hit hard by Iranian missiles and drones.

A fresh wave of blasts was heard in Dubai and in the Qatari capital of Doha for a second day on Sunday as defence forces intercepted missiles headed their way in response to US and Israeli attacks on Saturday.

The UAE’s ministry of defence said that 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones had been launched from Iran towards the country so far. Three people have been killed and 58 injured, the authorities said.

JS Anand, founder and CEO of Leva Hotels, which has a flagship hotel in Dubai, told The Independent that the attacks had caused panic and uncertainty among residents and guests.

He explained: “I think everybody was caught unawares in the city, because obviously Iran was targeting the bases and missiles were going over us. Sometimes they were intercepted, so there were really loud sounds, and some places got hit. So obviously that resulted in cancellations and a lot of people being uncertain about their flights.”

Mr Anand, who was speaking from Leva Hotel Mazaya Centre, which is near the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world, added: “It caused a lot of panic, uncertainty, and there was an emergency message that came out in the night.

“It said there was a barrage of missiles coming in, everyone came to the lobby and basement, worried about what was going to happen, so we had to take care of them. Most of them have extended their stay because there are no flights and no certainty on when the airspace is going to open up.”

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He continued: “Some guests came to the airport from another hotel, and have decided to come to ours. Some were even staying in the Burj Khalifa, and they didn’t want to stay in a higher building. They wanted to come to a low-rise, and we are just three floors.”

He said that around 140-150 rooms at the hotel were occupied with guests and that the UAE’s department for economy and tourism had told hoteliers that the government would cover expenses for guests unable to pay for their extended stays.

He added: “It’s obvious that right now there is no clear indication of what is in store and what is going to happen next.”

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Mira Thönnessen, 36, a German national who was staying at the hotel, told The Independent she did not feel safe leaving and planned to stay inside.

Her flight home to Berlin was scheduled for Monday evening, but it is looking unlikely that it will go ahead. She said: “On Saturday morning at breakfast we got the news of the attack. Then my plan was to go straight to the hotel and get my stuff, and go to the airport. By the time we had got to the hotel, they were already closing off the airspace”.

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She added: “I came here to visit my best friend, who is going through a divorce, and I came to support her. I’m thinking about going to Oman with friends of friends to go to the airport there. But I think I will probably end up staying here and hoping that it doesn’t escalate further. I’m keen to get out as quickly as possible.”

Ms Thönnessen, who is a midwife, said she has had to cancel the appointments she has due to being stuck in Dubai. “I do home births, and a lot of the women I look after are due around now, so I’ve had to pass them on to colleagues. For the antenatal and postnatal check-ups, I’ve explained to them that I’m currently stuck and I don’t know when I will be back.”

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Asked if she felt safe to go outside the hotel to walk around, she replied: “No. No, we’re staying very much in the hotel. The hotel is attached to a mall and has a restaurant.

“My financial resources are dwindling because I didn’t expect to have to stay for so long. But I don’t feel like I would want to go outside, no.”

Are you a British national impacted by the escalations between Iran, the US and Israel? Get in touch at holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk

Broadcaster and journalist Isabel Oakeshott, speaking from Dubai Marina, said on Sunday morning: “The authorities have clearly done a very good job indeed of intercepting a lot that is coming our way. This is far from a normal morning here. It is extremely quiet on the streets”.

In a video posted to X, she added that there were “periodic quite regular sounds of munitions”. She said that there was a “very unnerving moment in the early hours of the morning when we all received emergency alerts to take cover”.

Two people were injured in Dubai after shrapnel from drones fell on two houses when they were intercepted, a Dubai Media Office statement said, and state media has reported that shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE killed one person.

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Debris from aerial interceptions caused fires at the city’s main port and on the facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Four people were also injured in an incident at Dubai International airport on Saturday.

The former Rangers and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness was also among travellers caught up in flight cancellations on Saturday. He posted two videos on Instagram from Zayed International airport in Abu Dhabi as he attempted to return to the UK.

“I’m hearing some pretty loud bangs go off and that is anti-missiles taking out missiles that have been fired at some American bases,” wrote Souness in the first video.

An update followed, with the 72-year-old writing: “Flight’s been cancelled, still hearing explosions so we’ve given up, we’re just going to check into a hotel for a couple of nights and see where we are.

“Hopefully, things will settle down, and we’ll get back on the flight. You get grumpy when you get delays and stuff at airports but I think we should think of people that maybe this time are dying.”

One person has been killed at Zayed International airport, with others also injured there and at Dubai International airport, while thousands of flights remain grounded.

On Sunday, an adviser to the UAE’s president said Iran “missed its target” with its attacks on the Arab Gulf states.

“Your war is not with your neighbours,” Anwar Gargash wrote on X, addressing Tehran.

“Return to your senses, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbours with reason and responsibility before the circle of isolation and escalation widens.”

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Claire Gleave, who moved to Dubai with her husband and three sons in August, said the situation on Saturday was “quite a strange, surreal feeling and frightening as well”.

She expected attacks overnight, but was surprised to see them continue on Sunday, she said.

“We were woken up along with the rest of Dubai at 1am with one of these phone alerts that came out saying to get shelter.”

Mrs Gleave, who lives 30 minutes from The Palm Hotel, which was struck on Saturday, said: “You do tend to overanalyse everything you hear, if a car door slams, or the air conditioning comes on.” 

Her husband and son were due to fly back to the UK on Sunday, but had their flights cancelled after Dubai closed its airspace. They have booked another flight for Monday evening, but she says it is unlikely it won’t be cancelled as well. 

Her children have been told not to attend school for the next three days, she said.

Tyrone GAA legend Peter Canavan has accused the GAA of burying its head in the sand over the Allianz sponsorship controversy, after GAA President Jarlath Burns criticised protesters at Croke Park

Peter Canavan has hit out at the GAA for avoiding the issue surrounding its contentious partnership with Allianz, following Jarlath Burns’ remarks about those who participated in Saturday’s demonstration at Croke Park.

The former Tyrone star joined other GAA legends, including Colm O’Rourke, Pat Gilroy and Brendan Devenney, in protesting against the association’s ongoing ties with Allianz, which sponsors the National Leagues and whose German parent firm has connections to Israel.

However, the demonstration descended into disorder when approximately 50 individuals forced their way into Croke Park’s main hall, where GAA Congress was underway.

Whilst figures such as Canavan, O’Rourke and Devenney remained outside the venue, GAA President Jarlath Burns urged the high-profile personalities to separate themselves from those who stormed the hall, particularly given that Croke Park security personnel sustained injuries whilst attempting to prevent the demonstrators from accessing the chamber where discussions were ongoing.

It’s worth highlighting that Canavan, O’Rourke and Devenney were unaware at that point that a Croke Park security officer had been hurt during the disturbance, reports the Irish Mirror.

Burns remarked: “It’s a bit ironic that people who are protesting against illegal occupation will come in and illegally occupy our building.

“And I just want to say this: on the day that we made the decision based on the Ethics and Integrity Commission, it was on the 19th of December. The 19th of December in my area is a very significant date.

“In 1975, the Glenanne Gang came into Donnelly’s bar, which is our local shop, and murdered three people, one of whom was a good friend of mine, Michael Donnelly. On the 19th of December 2025, I went into my car and drove to the front of Donnelly’s house, shop and pub, which is still there, to make a speech.

“Fifty years on, justice still hasn’t been served for the 120 innocent Catholics who were murdered by the Glenanne Gang in a four-year period in my area, in my community.

“I don’t need any lectures about what it’s like to feel the pressure of illegal occupation. I don’t need any lectures or people shouting in my face about what it’s like to go to bed at night fearful that somebody would barge into your bedroom and riddle you with bullets. That was my lived experience when I was young.

“So when this came onto our table in the GAA, we dealt with it the way the GAA does. We put it through our own processes and reached a conclusion, and Tom Ryan dealt with it very well last night. We have facilitated protests by people who disagree with the decision we took.

“But we have security guards down there who work very, very hard. I know them all from being in here every day. They are injured. Somebody is waiting down there for an ambulance to come.

“I would urge people within our own association who might have aligned themselves with some of the people who came in and illegally occupied our building today, and tried to disrupt Congress by assaulting our staff members and those here to protect us, to examine their own consciences and ask themselves whether they are doing the right thing.

“We went through a process. We have our Congress to go through. I will not be bullied or intimidated by anybody who would come in here and try to do so. As I said last night, we are answerable to the people in this room. You are answerable to the members of the GAA.”

On Saturday evening, Canavan was given the chance to address Burns’ comments whilst providing analysis on RTÉ’s broadcast of the Division Two fixture between Kildare and Meath at Newbridge.

When presenter Joanne Cantwell questioned him about Burns’ comparison between the Troubles and the conflict in Gaza, Canavan maintained his stance against the GAA’s ongoing partnership with Allianz.

Canavan remarked: “Yeah, strange comparison, but a lot of what he said I would echo. It does strike a chord when you go back to when we were younger and what we had to endure. Jarlath spoke about what happened in Donnelly’s bar. There were a lot of atrocities that went on, and what kept us going was the GAA.

“We had something to do, something to be part of, and for a lot of us it was the GAA that saved us. Thousands of children aren’t getting that opportunity.

“Jarlath is still sore from something that happened 50 years ago – and rightly so. He mentioned that there were no convictions for those killings. That was 50 years ago. Why? Because so many people buried their heads in the sand and didn’t want to know what was going on.

“The exact same thing is happening now. We have an opportunity as an association to do the right thing, Joanne.”

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