Philippa Kaur

AS EVANILSON thawed his freezing hands in warm water in a small town in Slovakia, it hardly felt like a turning point in his career.Yet it was in the unlikely setting of second-tier club Samorin that the Brazilian teenager would rediscover his love of football after the death of his mother.Evanilson is enjoying life on the south coast with AFC BournemouthCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthThe striker is no stranger to the cold thanks to his time in the Slovakian second tierEvanilson spoke to SunSport’s Dan King about his journey to the Premier LeagueCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthAnd get back on the long and winding road that has led him to an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Sunday.Evanilson, 25, still vividly recalls the shock to the system of leaving Rio giants Fluminense and arriving for a loan spell at their partner club in central Europe in January 2018.The Cherries star told SunSport: “I left 40 degrees in Rio to go to minus-five. I had never seen snow before. It was very difficult to adapt.“The first time I trained I couldn’t finish the session because I was too cold. I didn’t understand the importance of wearing gloves, so when I finished I put my hands in hot water because they were almost frozen.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlthough Evanilson’s extremities were numb, inside he was feeling intense grief for the death of his mother, Madalena.It had been hard enough to leave his home in the northern city of Fortaleza to join Fluminense’s academy when he was 13.The striker, whose full name is Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa, said: “The north of Brazil is a very isolated place compared to the action of Rio and Sao Paulo. I didn’t want to go but my dad insisted.”Evanilson soon emerged as one of the club’s hottest talents. But after the sudden death of Madalena when he was 17, he had to be talked out of quitting football altogether.Most read in FootballEvanilson thought about hanging up his boots while at FluminenseCredit: GettyEvanilson opened up on navigating the loss of his mother MadelenaCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthHe said: “It affected me drastically. I was really close to my mum. I went back to Fortaleza and I didn’t want to go back to Rio and play.”Evanilson’s family and the club persuaded him to return — and then to move thousands of miles to Slovakia.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldHe said: “I didn’t want to go to Samorin initially because my friends that came back to Brazil from there didn’t say too many good things about it. But my manager at the time said, ‘Look, it will transform your life as a professional player’.“So then I thought the best solution was to go, after I got over the death of my mum.”It helped Evanilson that Gustavo Leal, his former coach with Fluminense’s Under-17 team, was at Samorin, too, along with other young on-loan players.Evanilson said: “There were three or four of us, so I wasn’t completely by myself. That was positive. Nobody could speak the language so we would stick together.Between 40 degrees and -5 is perfect.Evanilson“I lived with two of the players and I think that saved me. We would take it in turns to clean, cook, wash-up, we would eat Brazilian food every day.“It was a really rich experience for us all. I felt I really grew from there.“It defined me as a footballer. I fell in love with the game again.”Evanilson played just six times for Samorin, scoring three goals.But what he learnt about the very different style of football in Europe and the physical challenge of playing against grown men would stand him in good stead.On his return to Brazil, Evanilson scored 11 times as Fluminense won the U20 Rio state championship.Evanilson poses outside Bournemouth’s training facilityCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthArt attack-erBy Dan KingAS a young child, Evanilson was a  budding artist rather than a footballer.But the influence of dad Valdenir and Cristiano Ronaldo led him to express himself on the pitch as well as on paper.Evanilson said: “When I was young I preferred to paint and do other activities not to do with football.“My dad was involved with football in Fortaleza and  was pushing me.“Ronaldo became my main inspiration because of his work ethic and technical ability. I would watch him  on YouTube.”But mum Madalena still continued to encourage  his artistic flair.He said: “I still have the drawings I used to do for my mother.”Those sketches have been all the more precious to the 25-year-old  since mum Madalena died when he was 17.He also paid tribute to his wife Mariana for helping him through the trauma,  saying: “She is vital to the person I am today. It’s not a case of a WAG — we met when I was 15 and a nobody.“When my mother passed away, she embraced the situation, she made her house available so I could stay there. I appreciate she was there all the time.”Now Evanilson and Mariana are parents themselves to daughter Maria Alice.He said: “I do even more art now because of my daughter.“She inspires me to paint. I will look  at something, draw it and she will paint the drawing.”Evanilson celebrates his family with body art in the form of tattoos.On his right arm he marks three- year-old Maria Alice’s birth, while he remembers his late mother on his chest.He added: “Nobody dies if the person  is present in your heart — that’s what I have written there.”After one false start in the first team, he started to live up to his nickname of Levanilson, after one of his idols, Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski.So in 2020, when still only 20, Evanilson crossed the Atlantic again, this time to join Porto. He was following in the footsteps of another striker from Fortaleza, Mario Jardel, who scored 169 goals in 175 games in a trophy-laden spell with the Portugal giants.And another Brazil-born Porto legend, Pepe — then in his second spell at the club — took Evanilson under his wing.SunSport used the international sign language for Pepe — smashing a fist into your palm, elbowing, kicking — to suggest to Evanilson that it was hard to believe that the notorious hard-man defender was really a big softie.Evanilson laughed and said: “I was surprised, too! There is a side to him where he is kind and helpful but on the pitch it is a different story. “Pepe was the best person in terms of guiding me where I wanted to go.“He really embraced me and where I had come from because he was from Brazil as well.“It was good to have that year where I had to work really hard and Pepe guided me through it.”Evanilson fired Porto to the double in 2021-22 and was linked with a move to Manchester United.Evanilson joined Porto in 2020Credit: GettyFellow Brazil-born star Pepe took the striker under his wingCredit: GettyEvanilson admitted even he was surprised how soft notorious hard-man Pepe really wasCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthBut after enjoying the most prolific season of his career, with 25 goals in 2023-24, last  summer he became Bournemouth’s club record signing for an initial £31.5million.Why swap almost guaranteed Champions League football with Porto for a club that has never played in Europe?Evanilson said: “I always dreamed about playing in the Premier League.“I knew very little about Bournemouth but I’ve been so impressed since I arrived. The club gave me a really good presentation.“l had offers from other clubs but the offer from Bournemouth inspired me the most.“Even former team-mates at Porto are really impressed with the style of play. It suits me, that combination of the physicality and the high level of technique required.“My next goal is to play in Europe. I want to play for Bournemouth in the Champions League. I am very optimistic we can do that.”But the next challenge is to repeat November’s historic victory over City and earn an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.The forecast for Sunday afternoon on the South Coast is sunshine and 15°C, so ideal  conditions for the boy from Brazil.Evanilson said: “Between 40 degrees and -5 is perfect. I’m not training with gloves because the temperature has risen.”But in the Slovakian snow Evanilson learnt about much more than appropriate clothing.READ MORE SUN STORIESEvanilson, a devout Catholic, said: “Nobody dies if the person is present in your heart.“That’s how I feel about it. I always pray to her. My mum is always present.”Evanilson became Bournemouth’s record signing in the summerCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthThe striker scored as Bournemouth beat Man City 2-1 in NovemberCredit: GettyEven help you PepBy Dan KingBRAZIL hotshot Evanilson wants to ruin Pep Guardiola’s season and “make history again”.Bournemouth host Manchester City in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final after ending the champions’ 32-match unbeaten Prem run in November.The Cup is now Guardiola’s only hope of a trophy this season.But Cherries striker Evanilson, who scored in the 2-1 Vitality Stadium triumph, told SunSport: “We really showed who we are and that has inspired us to go  for a good result on Sunday.“If we work hard, we can beat them and make history again.”That win was Bournemouth’s first victory over City at the 22nd attempt. Now the Cherries are aiming to reach the FA Cup semis for the first time in their history.Evanilson, 25, added: “The November game was an amazing day for me — but it  was more important for the club in breaking City’s unbeaten run.”Evanilson made his name at Fluminense, who play their home games at the legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.Now he has his sights set on helping the Cherries earn a semi-final next month at another world-famous venue in Wembley.Evanilson explained: “When I was a boy in Rio, my dream was to play in the Maracana. It always inspired me.“That dream came true and now I hope I can replicate that at Wembley. I know how important that stadium is for every player.” More

MANCHESTER CITY are eyeing another FA Cup semi final when they head to Bournemouth in the last-eight this weekend.And brand new talkSPORT BET customers can claim up to £40 in free bets when they register an account and stake at least £20 on the cup showdown.Bournemouth vs Man City: Get up to £40 in free bets – Claim here*Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereHow to claim talkSPORT BET offertalkSPORT BETVisit the talkSPORT website HERE*Create an account and Opt In to this promotion via the OFFERS tabMake a depositPlace your first bet up to £40, minimum £20, on any football market, at odds of Evens or greaterYou must do this within 7 days of registrationOnce that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with up to £40 free bets based on your first betFor example, if you stake £20, you will receive 4 x £5 free betsIf you stake £40 you would receive the full 4 x £10 free betstalkSPORT BET: Get up to £40 in free bets – Claim Here*Bournemouth vs Man City: Get up to £40 in free bets – Claim here*What’s the offer?Brand new talkSPORT BET customers can claim a welcome bonus of up to £40 when they register an account.How to claim?Simply visit the talkSPORT BET website on your mobile device and create an account. Opt in to this promotion via the OFFERS tab and then make a deposit via debit card or Apple Pay.Stake £20 or more on any football market at odds of at least Evens. Remember, you must do this within 7 days of opening your account.What happens next?Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with up to £40 free bets based on your first bet bet.For example, if you stake £20, you will receive 4 x £5 free bets. If you stake £40 you would receive the full 4 x £10 free bets:On settlement of your qualifying bet, your account will be credited with the following:£10 free bet – Bet Builder (if your qualifying bet is £20, you will only receive a £5 free bet)£10 free bet – Correct Score (if your qualifying bet is £20, you will only receive a £5 free bet)And the following free bets, which will be credited 24 hours after the first bonus funds:£10 free bet – To Win and Both Team to Score – 90 mins (if your qualifying bet is £20, you will only receive a £5 free bet)£10 free bet – Acca 4+ selection (if your qualifying bet is £20, you will only receive a £5 free bet)You can read the full breakdown of free bets and more on how to claim talkSPORT BET’s welcome offer here**18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile device, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsiblyRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – GambleAware.orgRead our guide on responsible gambling practices.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

MANCHESTER CITY return to FA Cup action this weekend with a difficult tie at Bournemouth in the quarter finals.It’s City’s last chance of silverware this season but they head to a Cherries side only four points behind them in the league table at this stage.SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the cup tie and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesBournemouth vs Man City previewIt’s a big competition now for Manchester City as the FA Cup is their last remaining opportunity for silverware this season.That seems mad to say for a side that has dominated English football in recent seasons.But it’s all eggs into this basket as they try to win this competition and remain in a battle for the top four.It’s also not going to be easy against a Bournemouth side who are only four points behind them in the table and who BEAT them in their last game on the south coast.The Cherries hit a bit of a bump in the road before the international break though with three defeats in their last five games and drawing the other two – though one was in the previous round of this tournament where they won on penalties.Both teams have scored in three of the last four games at the Vitality and this one should be entertaining once again.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 2-2 at 9/1 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Omar Marmoush 5/1 with talkSPORT BET – HEREBournemouth vs Man City latest oddsBournemouth at 19/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Bournemouth vs Man City predictions and tipsJustin timeJustin Kluivert played over 70 minutes in both of the Netherlands’ games with Spain in the break.It was a reward for what has been a top season with Bournemouth with 12 goals and six assists in his 28 league appearances.Penalty taker too so when it comes to scoring goals, he’s always worth one to keep an eye on. 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Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – GambleAware.orgRead our guide on responsible gambling practices.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S Tottenham future is in serious doubt with club chiefs reportedly identifying Andoni Iraola as their top target to replace him.The Spurs boss is feeling the heat after winning just 10 of his 29 league matches this season.Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the No1 managerial target for TottenhamCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou’s position is in serious doubt this summerCredit: PATottenham sit 14th in the table as a result, 10 points off the top half.And the Athletic claims Postecoglou’s position is now coming under intense scrutiny.It’s reckoned that even if Spurs go on to win the Europa League, the Australian’s long-term future is covered in question marks.And Tottenham chiefs have now agreed upon their top target to replace Postecoglou this summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBournemouth manager Iraola has been identified as Spurs’ No1 choice to take charge in north London.The Spaniard has worked wonders since moving to the south coast almost two years ago.Bournemouth are just four points off fifth place, which is almost certain to seal an extra Champions League spot.And Iraola has even been linked to the Real Madrid job as Carlo Ancelotti’s position remains shrouded in mystery.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut Spurs are determined to win the race for him, despite needing to pay a £10million release clause to secure Iraola from his Cherries contract.Should they miss out on him, Tottenham also fancy Fulham boss Marco Silva.Ange Postecoglou snaps at journalist over question ahead of Tottenham vs AZ AlkmaarHe has one year left on his Cottagers deal but SunSport understands that negotiations for an extension are close.Brentford’s Thomas Frank has also caught the eye and was previously targeted by Johan Lange during the Spurs technical director’s time at Aston Villa.Exclusive – new contract for SilvaBy Tom BarclayFULHAM are in talks with boss Marco Silva over a new contract.The Portuguese, 47, has been a sensation in West London since taking over in 2021, taking the club into the FA Cup quarter-finals and chasing a Champions League dream this term.And with his current deals only having a year to go in the summer, the Cottagers are keen to tie him down to fresh terms.Their need has also been greatened by Silva being among the list of possible candidates to take over at Tottenham should the North Londoners part ways with Ange Postecoglou.Postecoglou’s future at Spurs will likely hinge on the club’s Europa League campaign.If the Aussie can be successful by going deep in the competition – or better yet, winning it – he is expected to be safe.But go out in the quarter-finals to Eintracht Frankfurt after the international break and it could be curtains, given how poorly the club’s Premier League campaign is going.Spurs lost their 15th league game of the season last weekend, ironically at the hands of Silva’s Fulham.The ex-Watford boss, who has an £8.6million release clause in his current deal, is believed to be admired among the Tottenham hierarchy, along with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.Yet Fulham do not want to lose him, given the stellar job he has done, and will hope to persuade him to commit his long-term future to them.Silva took over a recently-relegated Fulham in 2021 with his reputation having taken a hit following his axing by Everton two years prior.But he proved his quality by instantly winning the Championship, before guiding the Cottagers to tenth and 13th in the following two Premier League seasons.Sunday’s win against Spurs in Silva’s 200th Prem match as a manager moved Fulham into eighth, just four points off the top four.The former Hull chief was in his native Portugal on Monday to be presented with a coach of the year award at the Gala D’O Gaiense by compatriot Carlos Queiroz.Silva spoke at the do of how England is the place to manage right now – two years on from snubbing a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli.He said: “After two or three years of my coaching career, I was already thinking about training abroad.“But you have to think about the best championship in the world, which was a goal.“I didn’t expect to have so many games in the Premier League but I am very pleased to have reached this number.”Silva is one of four Portuguese bosses managing in England’s top flight, along with Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim, Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest and Vitor Pereira at Wolves.The double Prem centurion added: “All of us there know the Premier League has a different competitiveness and requires very great preparation.”Speaking of his own achievements so far, after receiving his gong, Silva said: “The most special year is yet to come.” More

ARSENAL icon Ian Wright has been mentoring former Gunners academy star Mika Biereth – who has been tearing it up since leaving North London.Biereth, 22, was earmarked as the potential future of Arsenal’s front line when he joined their youth ranks in 2021, but four years down the line and he is banging in the goals in France while the Gunners cry out for a new striker.Ian Wright has been mentoring former Arsenal academy kid Mika BierethCredit: GettyBiereth has been tearing it up with Monaco this seasonCredit: APThe London-born Danish international never managed a professional appearance for Arsenal, but was given a chance to shine during pre-season tours.But despite never making it at the Emirates, there was one thing he took away from the Premier League giants – a new mentor.Biereth had reached out to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, seeking advice on how he could break into the first team and be the best striker he possibly could while at Hale End.And whatever Wrighty told the rising star is clearly working, as he has been scoring for fun in Ligue 1 since joining Monaco in January.READ MORE ON ARSENALSpeaking to Get French Football News, Wright explained that he met up with the youngster at his local boozer.He said: “I have to always give Mika the credit for proactively reaching out to me years ago. He was looking for advice on where he was at with his game, with the club and what he should do next. “I will always give him credit for that because it’s very easy to not make yourself vulnerable to someone else. After he contacted me, we met at my local pub and we have stayed in touch since.”Biereth had looked to Wright, who scored 185 goals in 288 games for Arsenal, to try and help him earn a spot in the first team.Most read in FootballBiereth never managed a first team appearance at ArsenalCredit: GettyHe was sent out on loan to MotherwellCredit: Willie VassAnother loan with Sturm Graz turned into a permanent move this summerCredit: AFPJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesBut he was never able to achieve that, ultimately being sent out on loan to gain experience with Scottish side Motherwell and Austrian outfit Sturm Graz.It was at Sturm Graz where Biereth impressed the most, scoring nine times in a six-month loan spell last season as the club won the league, ultimately earning himself a permanent move to Austria this summer for around £4million.Myles Lewis-Skelly lost for words after finding out he has broken England recordBiereth hit even better form after putting pen to paper on a permanent deal, netting 11 times in 16 league games before Ligue 1 side Monaco came knocking.The French club forked out £10.8m this January to sign Biereth from Sturm Graz, a fee which is now looking like a relative bargain.That’s because he has now scored 11 goals in just nine Ligue 1 games for Monaco, netting THREE HAT-TRICKS in that time.Those goals even earned him his first senior call-up for the Danish national time during the international break.And it’s safe to say Wright, who still maintains in touch with forward, is over the moon to see him thriving.If I’m honest it must’ve been something with the plans Arsenal had. Mika should’ve been in and around it at the moment.Ian WrightHe said: “I’m incredibly proud of him, it’s an amazing record so far and long may it continue. He’s also contributing to the team as a whole.”And that’s in spite of the fact that Wright’s beloved Arsenal could do with a striker themselves amid an injury crisis that has seen midfielder Mikel Merino play up top since Kai Havertz picked up a hamstring injury in February.Asked about Arsenal letting him go, Wright said: “If I’m honest it must’ve been something with the plans Arsenal had. Mika should’ve been in and around it at the moment. “One of our chats early on was about him showing himself in the pre-season for Arsenal and giving it his best go. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But he had the bravery to go to Scotland, then Austria and now France and that is what shows he wants to be the best!”He has to be playing to prove that. His record speaks for itself. It’s disappointing for Arsenal but on a human level, I’m delighted for him.”Biereth has been scoring for fun since signing for Monaco in JanuaryCredit: AFPThe striker earned his first call-up to the Danish national sideCredit: Getty More

THE FA Cup is Pep Guardiola’s only realistic chance left to win a trophy this season.Had you said last summer that in March Manchester City would be out of the Champions League, far out of the Premier League title race and nowhere close to the Carabao Cup final, you would have been laughed out of the room.Pep Guardiola could find a way to spark a stunning partnership with Erling Haaland and other Man City forwards against BournemouthCredit: GettyHigh flying Bournemouth will be a tough nut to crack in the FA Cup on SundayCredit: GettyBut that is the reality facing the Cityzens as we approach the run-in.City’s ageing squad has come back to haunt them and they have been a shadow of the team which has dominated the English football landscape for the best part of a decade.The FA Cup, and by extension their quarter-final against Bournemouth this weekend, represent the final chance at silverware for Guardiola’s serial winners. In the latest edition of Tactics Exposed, we answer YOUR questions about Sunday’s clash and ask whether Guardiola can get his flops firing against the Cherries.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWill City go long ball against Bournemouth’s press?A Guardiola Man City team being accused of going long ball is another sentence which may have got you some worried looks a few months ago.But again, it is a reality City faces as they adjust to their new standing as the third or fourth-best team in the country.City have found success in going long against sides who press high, including Chelsea.Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are another ball game altogether, with the stats showing that they press more than any other team in the Premier League this season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDespite currently being five games without a win if you include their FA Cup penalty shootout win over Wolves, Bournemouth have been one of the best teams to watch in the league this season,They have won possession more times than anyone else in the middle and final thirds, while they rank second for interceptions and third for possession won in their own third.’I don’t expect anything’ Roy Keane savages England star after below-par display in Thomas Tuchel’s first gameIraola has coached his side to press in a way that forces the opposition to play through a congested area or play the ball backwards.One way City could counter this high press is by going more direct.It is a style which worked wonders for Newcastle against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, with players being pushed high before the ball goes long and therefore removing Bournemouth’s pressing threat.What City could look to do is lure the opposition into a stretched zone in their final third, creating an overload out wide after too many players commit to the press before the ball is quickly played forward.Man City could play long balls to play pass the Bournemouth pressBournemouth are the highest pressing team in the leagueAnother option is to play more centrally into Erling Haaland, who can then bring the ball down to play into Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden.The three-versus-two overload is a high-risk, high-reward system, but it worked wonders when deployed against Chelsea.Semenyo or Marmoush?Omar Marmoush has been a good signing for Man CityCredit: GettyAntoine Semenyo has had an impressive season for BournemouthCredit: GettySurely if I have Man City’s money I should be able to have both Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case so what splits these two immensely talented attackers?Semenyo has had an impressive year, but if he was a bit more clinical in front of goal the Cherries might be even higher up the table.The 25-year-old is brilliant at timing his press. When team-mate Evanilson blocks the passing lane of a goalkeeper, Semenyo is clever enough to hover in the shadow of the opposite direction before springing into life when the ball is played there.He is helped by another player having a superb season, Milos Kerkez, who is up there with the best in the league.It is not unusual to see Semenyo and Kerkez pressing together in the opposition’s final third and a large factor in this is that Semenyo’s work rate covers for Kerkez if he loses the ball.Despite all the Semenyo praise, Marmoush still edges the debate.His pace, his ability to take the ball on the run and his intelligence to read the third-man run without being offside make him a deadly threat to any opponent.This is of course not to mention City’s pure wingers, likely to be Jeremy Doku and Savinho, who work in tandem with the interior players like Foden and Marmoush.How to get Foden flying again?Phil Foden is underperforming considering his lofty standardsCredit: GettyThis is probably the biggest question in the Premier League at the moment.Foden, 24, has had an underwhelming season considering his previously lofty standards.He was equally poor starting for England against Albania, but his cameo off the bench against Latvia could hold the answer on how to get him back to his best.In that game, Foden was played more centrally and would often come deeper to collect the ball.Foden is an expert at spinning his marker before popping the ball off to a winger.Guardiola could find some consistent success in playing him as one of the two attacking No10s, given how Foden’s versatility has meant he has never truly found rhythm in his career. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is still a world-class talent, but the question is how you get enough out of him to show that talent and influence the game.The change of tactics to a more direct system is affecting him, but Foden’s talent means given the platform he should be in a position to get back to his best if he is given a run in one position. More

THERE are no Premier League fixtures this weekend — but don’t feel ashamed if you haven’t even realised.It’s hardly been a bumper year for the so-called greatest league  in the world.Bournemouth could offer a massive FA Cup miracle for the romanticsCredit: GettyBournemouth take on Manchester City in the FA CupCredit: GettyNewcastle broke a monotonous run by winning the Carabao CupCredit: RexThe last time a club outside the Big Six won a cup was in 2013 with Wigan in the FA Cup and Swansea in the League CupCredit: GettyLiverpool have fast-walked the title race and Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton have been hell-bent on relegation since last August.So who would have thought the two cup competitions would be left to stop the entire nation switching off altogether and doing something less boring instead?The cups have been bulldozed and bullied to make way for expanding European competition.Boiled down with second legs and replays scrapped to relieve the heavy legs of players grinding it out to satisfy the demands of clubs looking beyond two relatively tiny trophies offering a few quid in prize money. Read More on FootballNewcastle’s victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this month was a spectacular bloody nose for the Big Six.It’s five down and one to go in the FA Cup, which means “little” Bournemouth have the opportunity to finish the job. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham  all have a surprise weekend off as we reach the quarter-final stage.Anyone with an ounce of romance, spirit and  sporting fun should be willing the Cherries on against Manchester City. If not, you should never again pass an “I am not a robot” test.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA winner from Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Fulham, Crystal Palace or Preston North End is a rarity.And not since 2013 have both our domestic trophies been won by teams from outside the “elite” in the same season. That’s when Swansea won the League Cup and Wigan beat City in the FA Cup final. Prior to that, it was 1988 with Luton and Wimbledon.Erling Haaland reveals bizarre bedtime habit including special glasses and taping mouth SHUT on Logan Paul podcastIn between, it is the same old names and the same old finals. Prior to this year, the previous nine Carabao Cups were shared between Liverpool and the Manchester clubs.For one year only, Leicester broke the FA Cup stranglehold of Arsenal, City, Chelsea, United and Liverpool that has existed since 2014.What we are seeing now is football’s equivalent of Halley’s Comet entering our solar system.Come May, screw up your eyes and you may be able to visualise the glowing tail of glory for a team which doesn’t treat Wembley as a second home.The Cherries have never won  a major trophy, nor Palace, nor Fulham, nor Brighton.Preston, synonymous with the great Sir Tom Finney, have had big stars but no significant silverware since the 1938 FA Cup.Breaking traditionVilla and Forest are shaking up the establishment in the league but you must rewind to the 1990s to find either winning a cup of note.What it will mean for the  supporters of these seven clubs to reach the FA Cup semi-finals or beyond fires the imagination.And it serves as a beacon of hope for anyone wishing to salvage a crumb of interest in a mundane season in the league. Players love the cups, the fans adore them.Attendances throughout this year’s Carabao Cup were 20 per cent up on last year and their highest for almost a quarter of a century.If Bournemouth beat City on Sunday it’s a huge shot in the arm for the much-maligned cups, for fans and for fun. So what if it’s bad for business and for the big boys?Fans ticked off with ToddTODD BOEHLY is feeling the heat from Chelsea fans over his 41 per cent stake in US ticket resale outlet Vivid Seats.To the extent the supporters’ trust has written to the Premier League demanding they probe their club chairman over a  potential conflict of interest. Fair enough. No trip to Stamford Bridge is complete without the sight and sound of several shady characters loitering by Fulham Broadway Tube station offering tickets for the coming game at inflated prices.So much so that the London club emailed fans last week to trumpet their actions targeting this criminal scourge. They claim to have stopped more than 1,000 people entering the ground with dodgy tickets, cancelled more than 1,500 memberships linked to dodgy tickets and arrested dozens of people through matchday operations.Meanwhile, Boehly, the man at the top of the club, is raking it in via his investment in what the Premier League label an “unauthorised” ticket website.They urge fans to “exercise extreme caution” when dealing with firms like Vivid Seats.It’s almost as if it’s one rule for one and one for another. In football? Surely not?A bore’s no drawEVERYTHING about England’s recent two matches was highly interesting — apart from the two matches. Thomas Tuchel, Dan Burn, the build-up, the team selection, the hope.But as usual the ties were as flat as a pancake and sparked a debate about the entertainment value of qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Don’t think the boredom level of these insipid games hasn’t been  discussed at the top level.Not that long ago a plan was hatched to expand the Euros to 32 teams.The continent’s top-ranked countries would face each other in an extended Nations League to leave 16 sides. Lesser-ranked nations would do similar, eventually leaving 32 teams.Almost everyone was up for it apart from Europe’s rights-holding broadcasters, who seem to think England v Albania on a Friday night is just what the nation wants to see on their TVs.London bawlin’AS domestic football returns, a plea. Can London-based clubs stop playing London Calling by The Clash, fronted by Joe Strummer, during every pre-match build-up?Yes, we know the song is about the city — it’s in the title — and your club is in that city. But that’s it. It’s not that big a deal.And by endlessly forcing this irony upon fans, you have worn out what should be cherished as a post-punk classic by one of the greatest rock bands of all time.Just stop it. Please.FA party Ful of itIF you have £120 to spare you too can enjoy a night out at Fulham’s 1975 FA Cup final celebration dinner come May.A selection of team members from the day will entertain guests with memories of the showpiece — which they LOST 2-0 to West Ham.READ MORE SUN STORIESSounds like a silly idea —  then again, Newcastle held open-top bus parades after losing the 1974 FA Cup final and 1976 League Cup final.Even more daft, someone I know actually went to BOTH. More