Philippa Kaur

KEVIN DE BRUYNE gave Manchester City fans a glimpse of what they’ll soon be missing by leading the comeback in a bizarre game.Crystal Palace’s quickfire start had earned them a shock – but fully merited – early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Eberi Eze and Chris Richards.Kevin De Bruyne inspired Man City’s stunning comebackCredit: PAOmar Marmoush was amongst the goals againCredit: ReutersMateo Kovacic scored after being set up by a clever De Bruyne passCredit: APJames McAtee latched onto a long ball and netted City’s fourthCredit: GettyNico O’Reilly’s fifth ensured they moved into the top four of the tableCredit: PABut then De Bruyne, who manager Pep Guardiola has chosen to offload at the end of the season, rolled back the years and took command.The City skipper has been a shadow of his magnificent self for much of the campaign, but against Palace we got the brilliant Belgian of old.De Bruyne scored one and had a hand in THREE others, and the Etihad paid homage by bellowing out his name.He had already seen one follow-up strike blocked for a corner, and a whipped effort which rattled the upright before making it third time lucky on 33 minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEveryone knew what was coming as De Bruyne stepped up to take the free kick after Nico Gonzalez was chopped by Daichi Kamada.But stopping it was something else entirely, and keeper Dean Henderson never got close as his shot went through a huge gap and in off the post.A couple of minutes later De Bruyne turned provider by nodding James McAtee’s cleverly lofted cross back intro the danger zone.Ilkay Gundogan missed out with an awkward-height volley, but Omar Marmoush was never going to at the far post and it was all square.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSYet it was far from comeback complete, because two minutes after the break City were ahead – and once more De Bruyne had a part to play in a marvellously crafted strike.Gundogan began it by feeding Nico O’Reilly down left. He dragged it back to De Bruyne, who stopped the ball dead and laid it off for Mateo Kovacic to smash into the corner.Ten minutes later keeper Ederson was the unlikeliest of creators when he pumped a clearance downfield and McAtee raced beyond everyone.The City youngster – on Bayer Leverkusen’s summer hit list – took a touch to control, another to steady himself and the third was to stroke it into an empty net.It was just about all Ederson had to do in the second half, before limping out of the closing stages with a muscle strain.City, though, still hadn’t finished and ten minutes from time Nico O’Reilly was celebrating a first Prem goal when his left foot volley clipped Nathaniel Clyne and flew into the corner.De Bruyne finally took his bow for the closing minutes, leaving to a standing ovation. You suspect there will be a few more before he finally exits the Etihad for good.Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze opened the scoringCredit: PAChris Richards gave Palace a shock 2-0 lead with a header from a cornerCredit: GettySemi-automated offside technology helped rule out Palace’s thirdCredit: @PLMatchCentre More

PREMIER LEAGUE mainstay Darren Cann has officially retired from assistant refereeing.Cann, 58, has been running the line in the English top-flight for over 25 years and is one of the most recognised officials in the country.Assistant referee Darren Cann has retired from officiatingCredit: AFPCann began his officiating journey all the way back in 1991Credit: PACann has officiated the most matches in Premier League history and called time on his career after Manchester City’s win over Crystal PalaceCredit: AFPCann cut an emotional figure after the final whistle of his careerCredit: TNT SPORTSBut after helping officiate 579 Premier League fixtures – the most of any official in the competition’s history – the veteran linesman has decided to hang up his flag.Cann’s final Prem appearance came in Manchester City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.Ahead of the game, Cann, who reffed over 1000 games in his career, said: “It’s been an honour to serve the professional game for the last 25 years.“Officiating the World Cup final and the Champions League final are memories I will cherish forever.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But, above all, I’m proud of the fact I’ve given 100 per cent in every single match throughout my career.“I would like to thank every single person who has helped and supported me to work in this wonderful sport, PGMOL and The FA as well as all of the clubs, managers, players and fans that have made the Premier League the greatest league in the world.“It’s been the privilege of my life to serve the game that I love.”Cann, who played in Crystal Palace’s youth team as a striker alongside Ian Wright, began his refereeing journey in 1991.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCity skipper Kevin De Bruyne had some words for the retiring Darren Cann after the final whistleCredit: TNT SPORTSIt would take him ten years to be promoted to the Football League, where he’d officiate for four years.Cann would go on to represent England on the global stage, taking part in 140 international fixtures – including games at the Euro 2008 and the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil.Ruben Amorim’s Garnacho dilemma explained ahead of Manchester derbyHe was part of the refereeing team that officiated the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals, which were contested by Bayern Munich and Inter Milan and Spain and the Netherlands, respectively.PMGOL chief Howard Webb, who knows Cann all too well having worked alongside him in the Champions League and World Cup finals, was quick to pay tribute to the retiring official.He said: “As I know first-hand from working with Darren on many matches.”He is an official of extraordinary talent and he has performed at the very highest level with distinction.”His professionalism and dedication have made him an outstanding ambassador for English officiating.”We wish him all the very best as he steps away from the field.”Though we’re sure his impact will continue to be felt for many years to come.”Darren Cann was part of the officiating team for the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finalsCredit: GETTY More

PREMIER League history has been made after the new semi-automated offside technology chalked off its first goal.Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze thought he had made it 3-0 to the Eagles against Manchester City this afternoon.Eberechi Eze was judged to be offside by the semi-automated systemA tracking system using 10,000 plus data points for each player recognised that the Palace ace was ahead of the City defender’s kneeCredit: @PLMatchCentreIt then produced a graphic of the offside to show Eze had gone too earlyCredit: @PLMatchCentreThe England midfielder sprinted in behind the City defence and finished beyond Ederson before being flagged offside by the linesman.Eze was adamant that he had timed his run to perfection, wagging his finger in disbelief at the decision.The goal was immediately checked by VAR’s semi-automated offside technology and within seconds it was confirmed that he had narrowly gone too early.It was the first time in Prem history that a goal was disallowed following the new check.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe decision proved to be a major turning point as City fought back from 2-0 down to level before eventually going 4-2 ahead.Chalking off Eze’s goal was semi-automated offside’s second use in the game after it supported the on-field decision to award his first strike after a possible offside in the build-up from Ismaila Sarr.In the second-half it was also used to confirm City’s fourth goal by James McAtee.Fans praised the new system, with one saying: “Semi-automated offside is pleasant to see.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnother added: “Took a matter of seconds yet it took till April with only six games of the league season left for the Premier League to bring it in.”Others disagreed, commenting: “Oh look, finally a decision graphic but it doesn’t even show that they’ve gotten the timing of the pass correct. This is useless.”The new system, devised by the US-based company Genius Sports, aims to reduce offside waiting times to an average of 30 seconds.Fans left stunned at worst VAR offside line in history as they joke ‘absolutely NOT rigged’ – but all is not as it seemsA whopping 28 cameras per match are deployed to track 10,000 plus data points for each player to reach the decisions.Explaining the tech, a Prem statement read: “Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans.“The technology maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making.”Eze was in disbelief over the offsideCredit: AFP More

FA CUP fixtures next season will include extra time – despite calls for them to follow the Carabao Cup’s lead.The EFL scrapped extra time in the Carabao Cup in 2018, with all fixtures – barring the final – being decided by a penalty shootout in the event of a stalemate.FA Cup chiefs have decided against scrapping extra-time for next seasonCredit: GETTYThey have been facing calls to get rid of it to give lower league teams chances of victoryCredit: REXBut FA chiefs, according to The Times, aren’t planning to follow suit.That’s despite their recent scrapping of replays, which used to be huge money-spinners for lower league clubs.The decision to axe replays was widely condemned, with many believing it was made to cater to Premier League clubs’ fixture schedules.Lower league sides are at a clear disadvantage in terms of squad depth and fitness levels when games go to extra time.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThat fact couldn’t be more apparent when non-League Tamworth Town took Tottenham Hotspur the full 90 minutes in their third-round tie in January.The Lambs did extraordinarily well to hold Spurs to a 0-0 draw but conceded three goals in extra-time against the much fitter Premier League side.Extra time that day cruelly denied Tamworth a huge payday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.The money generated from a replay would’ve been invaluable to The Lambs.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSExtra time cruelly denied Tamworth Town a replay against TottenhamCredit: GETTYGetting rid of extra time and going straight to penalties would somewhat level the playing field between lower league clubs and teams in the top-flight.Additionally, it would go some way to helping tackle the issue of player fatigue, with Prem clubs having far bigger and fitter squads.Gary Lineker blames Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s decline as he points to ‘state’ club left inSeveral high-profile figures are keen on scrapping extra time in FA Cup matches, including Gary Lineker.Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said: “We’ve argued many times, just get rid of extra time. Just go to penalties. It makes so much sense.”Particularly with the amount of football teams are playing now, the amount of injuries we’re getting. Just play 90 minutes, then settle it on penalties.”Because once it goes to extra time, the vast majority of us are thinking, particularly when it’s as bad as it was last night [Man Utd vs Fulham], you’re just thinking, ‘Come on, penalty shootout, a bit of excitement.'”Co-host Alan Shearer was in full agreement, saying: “Straight to penalties, I’m all for that.” More

PHIL FODEN has been left out of Manchester City’s squad to face Crystal Palace.And his absence from the squad comes just days after his mum was the subject of vile chants from a section of Manchester United fans during last Sunday’s Manchester derby.Phil Foden is out of Manchester City’s squad to face Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyFoden missed the visit of Palace due to injuryCredit: GETTYInjury has forced the England international out of this afternoon’s match at the Etihad.City boss Pep Guardiola told TNT Sports: “He got injured at Old Trafford and didn’t recover well.”Foden, like most of his City team-mates, has endured a difficult season.He’s only managed ten goals and six assists in 40 appearances in all competitions this campaign.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd his form was seemingly the catalyst for a minority of Manchester United fans to target his mum, Claire Rowlands, with a disgusting chant.Guardiola said of the chanting: “It was a lack of class. “We are so exposed in football — managers, owners and football players especially.“I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”Foden wasn’t the only City player abused during the Manchester derby, with one loutish United fan SLAPPING Jack Grealish near the entrance to the Old Trafford tunnel. ‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mumWhen asked how the pair have been, Guardiola revealed yesterday: “He doesn’t feel good, but [we] move forward. It happens everywhere.”The Catalan added: “It’s a crazy world, not just in sport. Nobody is away from that. It’s not about United.“It’s not a problem about a specific club or department in world football, it happens everywhere.”Foden seemingly responded to the louts on Instagram, writing, “We keep going” alongside five photos of himself from the match. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are keen on signing Matheus Cunha, it has been claimed.But the Red Devils will reportedly have to raise funds for the Wolves ace by SELLING one of their established players.Matheus Cunha is on the radar of Manchester UnitedCredit: GETTYBut the Red Devils will have to sell players to meet the Brazilian’s £62.5million release clauseCredit: GETTYBrazil international Cunha has caught the eye of several Prem sides since his move to Molineux in December 2022.Aware of their rivals’ eagerness to sign the former Atletico Madrid man, Wolves tied him down to a bumper new deal in February.They also increased their valuation of the 25-year-old, who the Daily Mail claim new United gaffer Ruben Amorim is keen to sign in the summer.But they also claim Amorim will have to offload “at least one senior player” in order to match Wolves’ asking price.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCunha has a £62.5million release clause in his new contract, which expires in the summer of 2029.United have several players on the books they could cash in on to finance a summer swoop for Cunha, who has found the back of the net 15 times in 29 appearances this season.Loanees Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – who are currently with Real Betis, Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively – are contenders to be sold this summer.Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag at the Old Trafford helm last November, is eager to start building a team to reflect his ethos in the summer.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut he admits he won’t be able to do that unless he gets rid of some of the dead wood at the club.When asked about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent cost-cutting spree, the Portuguese replied: “It is simple.How Ruben Amorim can fix Man United’s Garnacho problem”To do something, we need to sell players.”Our focus now is to win these games. Then we have time to focus on that.”Manchester United will be back in action on Sunday evening, travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United. More

MANCHESTER UNITED have received a boost in their bid to build a new Old Trafford and transform the surrounding area.Last month, United revealed images of the 100,000-seater super ground they are planning to build near their current home.Manchester United have big plans for the Old Trafford areaCredit: APMan Utd are planning to build a new stadiumCredit: PAAn Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force – organised by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – confirmed plans to demolish Man Utd’s legendary stadium and build a brand new home on adjacent land.But the Red Devils also have big plans for the Old Trafford area ahead of building their new home, which they hope will be up and running in five years.According to Manchester Evening News, the Manchester giants are planning to transform and regenerate a sprawling area of land around Old Trafford.And that is why Trafford Council have appointed a consortium to design a strategic masterplan.Read More on Man UtdThe council announced on Wednesday the consortium, led by architects Allies and Morrison, will “carry out its plan to revitalise Trafford Wharfside, leading to thousands of new homes and jobs in the area”.There are plans for a new “processional route” to the stadium – north along Sir Matt Busby Way – and a major new “world-class public space” around the stadium.A new public park is also being prepared, while a new primary school could be built.And the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal will provide a backdrop for a new community of homes, attractions, leisure and business.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA spokesperson said: “It will work with Trafford Council alongside Manchester United Football Club, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a proposed Mayoral Development Corporation and other key partners to deliver a transformational and sustainable international destination for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.”The masterplan is aimed to be completed early next year.”Paul Scholes feels like Man Utd are ‘begging’ for money to build new stadium Man Utd’s new stadium has been met with mixed reaction as initial images have left some fans – as well as legends like Ryan Giggs – less than enthused.And it has been claimed United could cut the cost of building the new ground by £300MILLION if they made some changes to the original plans. More

DO you want to know the best thing about Declan Rice’s two magnificent free-kicks against Real Madrid?It’s that we can all now stop obsessing about set-piece coaches — and Arsenal’s supposed ‘Messiah’ Nico Jover in particular.Football will always be about the top starsCredit: GettyWe need to stop obsessing over so-called set-piece ‘messiah’s’ like Nico JoverCredit: RexGreat players do great things in the heat of the momentCredit: GettyI loved the fact that Declan came out in his post-match TV interview and revealed Jover had wanted him to cross the ball rather than shoot from 28 yards.And also that Declan, 26, had told Bukayo Saka: “I fancy this.” And Saka had replied: “Go on, then. Have a go.”The statisticians, sports scientists, number crunchers and coaching gurus would have said: “You’ve played 400-odd games as a professional footballer, Declan, and you’ve never scored a direct free-kick, so you ain’t taking one against Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final.”But here were two excellent footballers, Rice and Saka making an instinctive, off-the-cuff, on-field decision in a hugely consequential match.That is what top-class football will always be about: great players doing great things in the heat of the moment. And even more special was the fact that Declan went and did it twice.The coverage of football is becoming far too intellectualised by people in the media who want to make themselves sound clever by over-complicating a game which is both simple and chaotic.Great coaches can rein in that chaos factor but most goals come from elements of individual brilliance which cannot be coached, or from serious defensive errors which can’t be predicted.Arsenal’s supporters painted a mural of Jover on a wall near the Emirates. But surely we can now stop mythologising these blokes?BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe Gunners are good at set-pieces for the same reason that certain teams have always been good at set-pieces — great delivery and great heading ability.Saka, Rice and Martin Odegaard can all deliver a wicked dead ball and Gabriel, in particular, is seriously good at heading them in. Jover’s routines are not rocket science.’Get off the phone’ snaps Troy Deeney after his wife called him out live on air over Arsenal commentFrom corners, Arsenal usually position a bunch of players beyond the back stick, a couple move to the near post, a couple to central areas and a few remain at the far post so that all areas are covered.It’s pretty much the same as it ever was. Set-piece coaches became a major part of the game about seven or eight years ago, when I was playing in the Premier League.The best ones are the guys who realise they are not the stars of the show, that they are at training to deliver a short, sharp 20-minute session without trying to bore the pants off of everyone — because very few footballers enjoy practising set-pieces.These coaches can sometimes give a team an extra one per cent. But they aren’t reinventing the wheel.I reckon Newcastle’s set-piece coach must keep to himself because when Dan Burn scored the opening goal in the Carabao Cup final, we didn’t hear about coaching genius.We just saw Kieran Trippier — one of the best dead-ball merchants in the business — crossing it to the tallest bloke on the park, who nutted it in.When it comes to taking direct free-kicks, that is a true art form.I’d have fancied myself to score them in training but doing it in a match, getting the ball up and over a wall of 6ft 3in blokes — or round them — in front of a full house is a different matter.At Watford we had three particularly good free-kick takers — Gerard Deulofeu, Tom Cleverley and Jose Holebas.There were times when, as captain, I had to intervene when they were arguing about who was going to take one.And given that I was substantially bigger than all three of them, that was where the argument ended.Gerard would want to take every single one but some days he just wasn’t at it and I’d have to tell him as much.Before Rice’s first goal against Madrid, he and Saka had a conflab with Odegaard and Mikel Merino.Skipper Odegaard was telling them that Jover wanted the ball crossed, while Rice was simply going with his gut instinct.He doesn’t think he is anybody special, even though he is a very special player. Troy DeeneyOn Declan RiceBut if Arsenal get a free-kick around 25 yards out against Brentford today, no conversations will be necessary. Declan will take it.For Declan to have scored two direct free-kicks in 12 minutes made Tuesday a career-defining night for him.Having played against him and met him, it is impossible not to like Dec. I was just delighted that it was him.Here is a kid who fully appreciates the life of a professional footballer and who thoroughly enjoys it.There is no sense of entitlement. He doesn’t think he is anybody special, even though he is a very special player. It’s lovely when good things happen to good people.Especially when they’ve treated a crucial moment in a Champions League quarter-final as if they were having a kickabout with their mates at the park.“I fancy this, I’m going to have a pop here” — and not just once, but twice. That is the sort of instinct you simply cannot coach.Rice revealed Bukayo Saka told him to ‘go for it’ More