West Ham United are planning to hire a director of football at the end of the season, according to the London Evening Standard.

The current hierarchy, consisting of co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, as well as chairwoman Karren Brady have come under fire from the fans.

Most of the frustration has come from the club’s decision to move to the London Stadium from Upton Park, as well as their recruitment policy.

At the weekend, tension boiled over as three separate West Ham fans invaded the pitch during the team’s defeat to Burnley.

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Club captain Mark Noble stepped in to haul one of the angry supporters to the floor, while another snatched the corner flag and held it aloft in the middle of the pitch.

Groups of supporters in the stands turned on Sullivan and Gold, which forced the pair to vacate the directors’ box.

Rival fans found the unsavoury scenes amusing, but the club is looking into the matter seriously.

The London Evening Standard claims that a director of football will be hired in order to take the heat off the board with regards to signings.

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As a result of the new appointment, Sullivan will step away from his role in transfer negotiations.

West Ham fans have been tweeting their thoughts on the reports.

Everton fans are enjoying Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal for England’s Under-21 side on Tuesday night… but they’re not so sure about his celebration.

It’s not been an easy season for Everton, but fans will take some solace from the performances of their young English core.

The likes of Calvert-Lewin, Mason Holgate, Tom Davies and Jonjoe Kenny have all seen considerable playing time this season, and the future certainly looks bright at Goodison Park.

Davies, Kenny and Calvert-Lewin all started for England’s U21s on Tuesday night, as they beat Ukraine 2-1. Loaned out winger Ademola Lookman also featured.

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Kenny won man of the match, but fans are mostly talking about Calvert-Lewin’s goal, which showed a clinical edge he has not often had this season.

The young striker has four goals and five assists in 29 league appearances this season, but plenty of fans have been left infuriated by his occasional poor end product.

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Fans enjoyed the goal last night though, as the 21 year-old took a smart first touch to control James Maddison’s pass before poking the ball past the keeper.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

Manchester United strengthened their grip on second position in the English Premier League on Saturday with a professional 2-0 victory at home to struggling Swansea City.

The Red Devils needed a victory to continue their bid to finish in the top four and now find themselves with a healthy advantage over fifth placed Chelsea.

Romelu Lukaku, scoring his 100th career Premier League goal, and Alexis Sanchez, netting his second league goal for the Old Trafford side since joining in January, were the heroes of the afternoon.

However, it was another attacking talent that caught the eye of supporters – Juan Mata

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The Spaniard get Jose Mourinho’s outfit moving all afternoon, linking up well with the other players in the attacking front four. Fans were delighted with his performance, believing they’re a far better side when he’s in the team and playing well.

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Can he bring his form into next week’s encounter with Manchester City, as the Red Devils prepare to prevent Pep Guardiola’s team winning the title in a Manchester derby?

Fans took to Twitter to praise the attacking midfielder after Saturday’s match…

According to reports, Ross Barkley’s agent made a cool £7million off the young Scouser’s move to London, and Everton fans are fed up of hearing about the 24 year-old.

When Everton negotiated the £35m sale of Ross Barkley to Chelsea last summer, fans were disappointed, but nothing compared to the backlash when he moved to Stamford Bridge six months later for a measly £15m.

Barkley stayed at Everton until January to recover from his thigh injury, and in the process knocked £20m off his price tag.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson called for a police investigation into whether any fraud had taken place, but Merseyside Police said there was no evidence of a crime.

Crime or not though, Everton fans were absolutely furious with the manner in which Barkley left his boyhood club, and they’ve been absolutely loving his downfall since.

The 24 year-old has played just three times since the move, effectively ruling him out of any chance of going to the World Cup.

The move has certainly been profitable for his agents though, and Everton fans have been reacting to the news that Chelsea paid the Wasserman Group a fee equal to nearly half the transfer.

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Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

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West Ham United moved a step closer to retaining their Premier League status for another season when Andy Carroll scored a last minute equaliser against Stoke City at the London Stadium on Monday night, and they may already be thinking about the players they could bring to the club over the summer.

It is clear that the east London outfit need to make a big improvement next term if they do stay up, and manager David Moyes – should he stay on – will be keen to add new faces to the squad in order to allow them to push on for a top-half finish.

One player the Irons perhaps should have their eye on is £8.1m-rated Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross, who has enjoyed a brilliant season and was once again one of their standout players for his team in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old showed his influence by having more touches (64) than any of his teammates, while he proved the difference he can make in the final third by making two key passes and sending in nine crosses, as well as scoring his side’s goal from the penalty spot.

It took the German’s tally for the campaign to six in 34 Premier League matches, while he has provided a further eight assists too, according to Transfermarkt.

The versatile individual, who has played as a secondary striker, attacking midfielder and central midfielder for the Seagulls this term, would undoubtedly be a good addition for West Ham this summer and would add some much-needed creativity given he has made 77 key passes this term, as per WhoScored.com.

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He would also provide some much-needed competition for the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble in the middle of the park – the latter duo came under criticism from the supporters on Twitter following their display against the Potters.

Arsenal fans have come to terms with the fact that their manager of more than two decades will leave the hotseat at the end of the season.

Last week, Arsene Wenger announced to the world that he will leave his post at the Emirates this summer, one year earlier than the expiration of his contract.

Despite many Arsenal fans being keen for the Frenchman to leave, the majority had kind words for the 68-year-old when the announcement was made.

After all, Wenger did guide the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his tenure.

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Now, attention has turned to who will replace the experienced coach, with numerous figures being mentioned in the gossip pages.

According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes that former club captain Mikel Arteta is a worthy candidate.

The Spaniard spent five years playing for the Gunners following his 2011 switch from Everton, and after retiring, he began learning from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola by joining his coaching staff.

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Arteta has limited experience when it comes to management, but Sky Sports News believes that the former midfielder is an option for Gazidis, who will recommend a replacement to Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.

The initial reaction to the reports has not been met with much joy from Arsenal fans.

West Ham fans just can’t get enough of Pablo Zabaleta, after the former Manchester City man dropped another brilliant performance on Saturday.

When Pablo Zabaleta left Manchester City to join West Ham last summer, Hammers’ fans themselves probably couldn’t even predict he would perform as well as he has.

The Argentine flying full back doesn’t do much flying down the wing anymore, which certainly prompted some concerns that he was a worthless signing.

Those concerns have been well and truly been put to bed this season though, as the 33 year-old hasn’t let his declining pace stop him from being one of the Hammers’ best players.

Zabaleta was at his very best again on Saturday, as the David Moyes’ side secured Premier League survival with a 2-0 win at Leicester.

The Argentine veteran gave absolutely everything in the win at the King Power Stadium, making two tackles, one interception, four clearances and also blocking one shot.

Zabaleta may have lost the pace to overlap his winger and whip constant dangerous crosses in, but his experience, intelligence and passion for the game has been a huge help for the Hammers this season.

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Some of the best twitter reactions can be found below…

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Aston Villa host Middlesbrough in the second leg of their Championship playoff semi-final on Tuesday night, knowing they’re in the driving seat after clinching an away win at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday. But will the Villans get over the line and book themselves a place at Wembley, or can Boro reverse the one-goal deficit in front of an away crowd? We asked Football FanCast’s expert writers who they think will progress to the second tier playoff final. Here’s their predictions…

Ben Goodwin – Aston Villa

“Middlesbrough huffed and puffed at the Riverside on Saturday but the experience in Villa’s defence shone through. While the early Jedinak goal meant Steve Bruce’s side sat back to soak up pressure, they’ll surely be looking to take the initiative at home, and a sold out Villa Park will certainly play its part. Jack Grealish looked extremely dangerous in the first leg, and if the hosts can find just one goal it should be enough to progress.”

John McGinley – Aston Villa

“Villa showed at the weekend they could effectively deal with most of the attacking threat Middlesbrough have to offer and in the experienced Alan Hutton they have someone who has, perhaps surprisingly, proven he can shut down the lively Adama Traore. Bruce knows how to put out a side to get a result and the experience that runs through the spine of Villa’s team will be enough for them to grind it out if it comes to that. I actually fancy the home side to score one or two more and make it comfortable, setting up a mouth-watering clash at Wembley with Fulham.”

Sam Preston – Middlesbrough

“Boro played well enough to secure at least a draw in the home leg and all they need is one goal here to make Villa Park nervous. Britt Assombalonga missed chances at the Riverside and if he can evade John Terry again, it could haul Boro back into contention. If Boro do score, the onus will be on Villa to attack – their fans will demand it – and that could leave space behind for Adama Traore to break into. No team has ever overturned a first leg home defeat to progress into the Championship play-off final but records are made to be broken.”

Danielle Joynson – Aston Villa

“Bruce’s side already have the edge with regards to the scoreline, but having the backing of a sold-out Villa Park will provide an extra boost. The Midlands outfit have lost just once in their last 10 home fixtures, while Middlesbrough have picked up only two victories in their last nine matches on the road. After last season’s disappointment of finishing 13th in the Championship, Villa’s determination to achieve promotion has been clear. For the majority of the campaign, they have been composed and organised. They certainly seem better equipped to return to the top flight.”

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Arsenal are officially managerless after the final game of the season marked the end of Arsene Wenger’s 22-year tenure in North London, but that has reportedly not prevented them from pressing ahead with their transfer business.

According to the Telegraph, the Gunners are looking at a £35m swoop for Freiberg defender Caglar Soyuncu – who is only valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt – even in the absence of Wenger or any confirmation over his successor.

That may lead to a scenario where the new man in the Emirates hotseat inherits a player he hasn’t requested but the club’s fans seem pleased enough with the links.

They are enthused by the standard of the scouted player, the fact that the Gunners are pushing ahead with their recruitment ahead of the World Cup and the fact that it is being done in the absence of a top man at the club.

We’ve taken a closer look at the surprisingly harmonious reaction…

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Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lazio have missed out on UEFA Champions League football after defeat on Sunday night and Manchester United fans feel it could be a boost to their potential pursuit of him this summer.

The Old Trafford side have been linked heavily with a move for him in the upcoming transfer window.

He put in a solid performance at home to Inter Milan this evening, but his side lost 3-2 late on and they will now have to settle for UEFA Europa League football next term.

Will that mean the player seeks Champions League football elsewhere?

United fans definitely want to sign him, especially so after watching him this weekend, believing he is the perfect kind of midfielder for Jose Mourinho’s system at the Red Devils.

Still just 23 years of age, he has enormous potential and would likely be a fantastic signing for the club if they can pull it off this summer.

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Supporters took to Twitter on Sunday to share their thoughts…

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