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England's winless run against the Republic of Ireland was extended to six matches on Sunday following a torpid 0-0 draw in a friendly at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

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It was the first time England had played in Dublin since crowd trouble caused a friendly in February 1995 to be abandoned after only 27 minutes, but while this match thankfully passed off without incident off the pitch, there was precious little to stir the blood on it.
It was nonetheless a memorable occasion for England forward Jamie Vardy and Ireland midfielder Harry Arter, both of whom made their international debuts.
Both teams will now switch their attentions to 2016 European Championship qualifiers next weekend, when Ireland host Scotland in a key Group D fixture and England look to extend their 100 per cent record in Group E away to Slovenia.
A small number of home fans whistled during 'God Save the Queen', but it was Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling who bore the brunt of their ire.
Generally, though, the atmosphere was as flat as a pancake, reflecting a drab game with a distinct end-of-term feel.
England's probings, generally instigated by midfield anchor Jack Wilshere, came to nought, and it was Ireland who created what few chances there were in the first half.
Daryl Murphy jabbed fractionally wide from Jeff Hendrick's flick-on, while David McGoldrick, Murphy's Ipswich Town team-mate, saw a shot deflected behind by Gary Cahill.
It was not until a minute before half-time that England mustered an attempt at goal, Adam Lallana cutting in from the left and shooting over.
England captain Wayne Rooney was a virtual bystander in the first half and when Jordan Henderson's pass gave him a clear run on goal early in the second, his touch betrayed him.
The game began to open up a bit though, with England goalkeeper Joe Hart ferrying a Robbie Brady free-kick around his near post and parrying from substitute Jon Walters at one end, and Sterling shooting wide at the other.
A gaggle of Irish substitutions early in the second half included a debut for Bournemouth midfielder Arter, who replaced Glenn Whelan.
Leicester City striker Vardy entered the fray with 16 minutes to play, replacing Rooney, to complete a remarkable three-year ascent from non-league to international football.
After Arter had drilled wide following a run from deep, England substitute Andros Townsend took aim from distance, but Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, who had replaced Keiren Westwood, got down well to keep the visitors without a win in Ireland since a 3-1 friendly victory in May 1964.

Hazard and Costa linked with Real Madrid

Rafael Benitez reportedly wants to make the signing of Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Diego Costa his first act as Real Madrid's new manager.

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The duo have been vital cogs in the Chelsea side this season as Jose Mourinho's side claimed the Premier League title.
But the Sunday Telegraph claims both players are on Benitez's radar after the Spaniard took over at the Bernabeu last week and sees the pair as a key way to freshen up his attack and mount a strong challenge to Barcelona's domestic and European dominance this season.
Hazard has been linked with a move to Real since the turn of the year, with Mourinho insisting recently that the player was happy at Stamford Bridge after penning a long-term deal to stay at the club.
Mourinho, meanwhile, has also been forced to deny reports that Costa is unhappy in London and keen on a move back to Spain, where he previously played for Atletico Madrid.
Mourinho insists that neither player will be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
He said: "I don't see our team losing players. I don't see our team losing our qualities, especially our mental, emotional approach to matches, to the season, to the competition."
Instead, Mourinho claims he is looking to add "two or three" players to his squad.
He added: "It will be difficult to find players to go straight into the team. Because it's not easy to find a better striker than Diego [Costa], a better keeper than [Thibaut] Courtois, a better midfield player than [Nemanja] Matic or [Cesc] Fabregas.
"It's not easy to do what we did last season, where we brought two or three players and they went straight into the team.
"This season is about improving the squad.
"Bringing players to make us more consistent, so we don't go through difficult periods like last season when we had crucial injuries. We have to try and protect that situation by adding two or three players."

Sterling wants United move - Report

Raheem Sterling is reportedly keen to join Manchester United amid claims he's ready to end negotiations over a new deal with Liverpool.

Last Updated: 05/06/15 at 08:04 Post Comment

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Sterling has long been locked in new contract talks with Liverpool and turned down a new deal worth a reported £100,000 a week earlier this year.
And with the player seemingly in no hurry to reopen negotiations, his future at the club looks increasingly uncertain.
The Guardian claim the 20-year-old would like to play under Louis van Gaal, although he is worried about how the rivalry between the two sides would affect a transfer. No player has moved from Liverpool to United since Allenby Chilton in 1938, while no one has moved between the two clubs since 1964.
Sterling has been linked with Arsenal, Man City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid so far this summer, but a move down the M62 would be the most controversial by far.
United had an enquiry for the England international rejected last month but reports on Thursday evening suggest the Red Devils were ready to return with a firm £25million bid.
It is claimed van Gaal is interested in Sterling due to his versatility and ability to fit into his preferred formation of 4-3-3. His speed is also thought to have caught the Dutchman's eye, with his side often criticised for their lack of pace over the past 12 months.
Sterling's current deal worth £35,000-a-week runs to 2017 and Liverpool have insisted they will hold him to those final two years, potentially costing him in excess of £7m in lost wages.
However, a firm bid in excess of £50m would test the Reds' resolve to hold on to the player.

Skrtel hints at exit after 'unacceptable' offer

Martin Skrtel has described the contract offered to him by Liverpool as "unacceptable" and more suited to an older player with health problems.

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Skrtel is just over a year remaining on his current contract at Anfield and has turned down Liverpool's first offer of an extension, hinting he is open to the idea of moving on this summer.
"It's unacceptable for me," Skrtel said regarding the Reds' offer in an interview with Slovakian website Akualne.
"I think that contracts like this are offered to players who are much older than me or the player who had some health problems.
"The contract which has been offered to me is unacceptable, so I did not sign it. I have one year left and there has been some speculation about the interest from other clubs. We will see what happens."
Skrtel also discussed Liverpool's failure to maintain their place in the top four of the Premier League.
"We failed because we did not meet the targets we have set," added the defender. "If we finish in fifth or sixth, it does not matter, we would still not have qualified for the Champions League.
"The significant factor was the exit of Luis Suarez [to Barcelona last summer] and too many errors on the field. The squad was big enough.
"New players arrived and it is not always easy to acclimatize with the new club, so the first half of the season was difficult. The second part has been improved, but the conclusion was we did not reach our targets."

Barcelona announce Vidal deal

Newly-crowned European champions Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign winger Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

The 25-year-old has impressed for the Europa League winners this season after joining from Almeria a year ago and last month earned his first call-up to Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad.
Vidal, who was born in Catalonia, was on Espanyol's books as a youngster before eventually making his breakthrough at Almeria, where he spent three seasons before switching to Sevilla.
Vidal has agreed a five-year contract with Barca and will undergo his medical on Monday, although he will not be able to play for his new club until January 2016 due to a ban imposed on the Catalan giants by FIFA for breaching rules on signing international players under the age of 18.
A Barca statement read: "Barcelona and Sevilla have reached an agreement for the transfer of Aleix Vidal to the Azulgrana.
"The 25-year-old will sign for the next five seasons, until June 30 2020."
Barca added Vidal will have his medical on Monday morning, after which if all goes to plan he will sign his contract at lunchtime on Monday before being presented at a press conference at the Nou Camp.

Gossip: United bid for Lazio's Anderson

Man United bidding for Felipe Anderson, Liverpool eyeing Samuel Umtiti, and Lars Bender on Man City's wish list are all debated in Sunday's papers.

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Manchester United are ready to test Lazio's resolve to keep Felipe Anderson by making a £30m bid for the Brazilian, claims the Daily Star Sunday.
United have sent scouts to watch the highly-rated Brazilian, and hope to steal a march on Chelsea, Man City and Barcelona - who have all been linked with the player - by lodging a firm bid with the Serie A club.
It's claimed Louis van Gaal believes the player would fit in perfectly at United as he's an attacking player, who is comfortable on either flank.
Lazio are reported to be interested in signing United striker Robin van Persie, and after their denials, it seems unlikely a swap deal could be arranged.
Anderson recently signed a five-year deal with Lazio to keep him at the club until 2020, while his agent said in March that his client intends to stay in the Italian capital for the time being at least.
LIVERPOOL JOIN RACE FOR UMTITI
Liverpool are being reported by the Express on Sunday to have joined the 'heavyweight race' to sign Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti.
The French Under-21 international has been watched by Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Man City this season, but could leave the Ligue 1 club for a fee of around £11m.
The paper claims Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sees the powerful Umtiti as the man to ease his side's woes at the back.
CITY CONSIDER MOVE FOR BENDER
The Sunday Mirror claims Man City have identified Bayer Leverkusen enforcer Lars Bender as an alternative to Paul Pogba if, as expected, they miss out on signing the Juventus midfielder.
Pogba remains top of City's summer shopping list and are reportedly prepared to go all the way in a potential bidding war for the French star.
But should they miss out, City have already identified Leverkusen's Bender as an alternative, and will not be put off by their reported £25m asking price.