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LEEDS BOOST: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN GIVES FITNESS CLAIM BEFORE HUGE VILLA GAME

Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin declares he is "as fit as I can be" ahead of facing Aston Villa. The summer signing from Everton feels settled and aims to increase his goal output after a settling-in period.

Leeds Boost: Dominic Calvert-Lewin Gives Fitness Claim Before Huge Villa Game
Farke's Star, Calvert-Lewin's Fitness Claim Settles Villa Selection Debate

Before the Premier League resumes this weekend, Dominic Calvert-Lewin claims he is "as fit as I can be." Calvert-Lewin is anticipated to play for Leeds United against Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday as the international break draws to a close.

The striker joined Leeds United during the summer transfer window, ending a nine-year stint at Everton.

Three days after signing as a free agent on August 15, he was left out of the squad to play his old team. Rather, he did not make his full debut until September 13. Since then, he has started seven of the previous eight games.

The 28-year-old claims he is up and running ahead of what will undoubtedly be a hectic few months, even if he was only able to make the bench against Nottingham Forest the last time.

Calvert-Lewin said on Sky Sports' One on One podcast regarding his early United career: "I would say it has been a good start, could be better, can always be better, being critical. However, I believe that I did not have enough time to truly get into the swing of things.

"I signed four days before the start of the season, right? I was making every effort to stay in shape, but it was not the same as training and playing with a team.

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"After I arrived, my only goal was to increase my level of fitness, which I achieved by exercising and participating in Premier League games—the most-watched league in the world.

"I believe that my output has increased as my fitness has grown, and I believe that I am currently as physically fit as I can be. Thus, all that needs to be done is fine-tune the pitch.

"In terms of the club, the players, and the staff, it has been a pleasure to join and to be a part of a fantastic bunch of guys, and I've fit in fairly quickly.

"I suppose there is something familiar, as when I first came, hearing the accents and stuff like that, it seemed like home."

Calvert-Lewin has only scored one goal in his nine games thus far, and he was even in a chance to increase that total while playing off the bench at Forest.

On Sunday, he hopes to make a comeback to the starting lineup against Aston Villa.

VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE

Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.

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Antoine Semenyo’s clumsy challenge handed Chelsea a vital lifeline

Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.

This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.

What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.

VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."

VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.

At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.

Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.

The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.

Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.

A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.

Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Referee: Sam Barrott

VAR: Craig Pawson

What: VAR check for a foul in the box

When: 11th minute

BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW

Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.

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Emery snubs Arteta's handshake

Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.

This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.

Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.

Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.

Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.

After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.

It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.

“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.

“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”

About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.

“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.

“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.

“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.

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