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      Carabao Cup semi-final draw confirmed as Tottenham land horror draw and Arsenal given trophy hopes

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      THE Carabao Cup semi-final draw has been made with Tottenham Hotspur dealt a tricky tie against Liverpool.Spurs will have to topple the league leaders, while north London neighbours Arsenal will face Newcastle in the other tie.The Carabao Cup semi-final fixtures have been announcedCredit: GettyTottenham earned their spot in the semis with a dramatic 4-3 win over Man UtdCredit: GettyArsenal made the final four with a 3-2 win over Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyArsenal will feel they have been given the kindest draw possible, while Spurs face a tough test against Liverpool.The tie also means that there’s a possibility of a North London derby final should both Arsenal and Spurs win their ties.Spurs will certainly have their work cut out for them against a high-flying Liverpool side.Arne Slot’s team, the current Carabao Cup holders, booked their place in the last four with a tricky victory at Southampton last night.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott’s first-half goals, the Reds made it hard work for themselves in the second period, with manager-less Saints unlucky not to draw level after Cameron Archer pulled one back.Arsenal dumped Crystal Palace out on Wednesday night, with a sublime Gabriel Jesus hat-trick completing an impressive turnaround in a 3-2 win.Jean-Philippe Mateta had netted an early opener, but the Brazilian’s treble ultimately proved decisive, even if a late Eddie Nketiah consolation did make for a nervy ending.Newcastle, meanwhile, edged one step closer to their first domestic trophy in nearly 70 YEARS by dumping Brentford out.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSandro Tonali ran the show at St James’ Park with a first-half double, but the Toon Army’s celebrations were slightly overshadowed by concerns for Joelinton.The Brazilian midfielder needed hospital treatment after being on the wrong end of a nasty challenge.Roy Keane blasts Marcus Rashford for being distracted by ‘watches and off field stuff’ as star set for Man Utd exit Bees star Nathan Collins struck Joelinton with an elbow, and caught the Newcastle man’s head with his studs as he fell back to the ground.Tottenham completed the semi-final line-up by comfortably dispatching of Man Utd in arguably the game of the round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.A Dominic Solanke brace either side of a Dejan Kulusevski goal set the wheels in motion, before those same wheels dramatically fell off.Fraser Forster committed two goalkeeping howlers to gift Ruben Amorim’s side a lifeline, before fellow understudy Altay Bayindir let Son Heung-min score directly from a corner.Jonny Evans’ late goal was not enough as Man Utd were sent home empty-handed.The Carabao Cup semi-final first legs will take place in the week commencing January 6th 2025, with the second legs to follow in the week beginning February 3rd.The final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 16th.Carabao Cup draw in fullHere’s a look at those ties for the semi-finals…Arsenal vs Newcastle UnitedTottenham Hotspur vs LiverpoolLiverpool will be hoping to retain the Carabao CupCredit: GettyNewcastle are looking to bring an end to their 70-year trophy droughtCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League should be in mourning for final farewell to last genuine hardman in Kyle Walker – I thought better of him

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      BLACK armbands all round at Villa Park tomorrow lunchtime.Now, there is a good chance Kyle Walker will pull off a miraculous recovery from the ‘headbutt’ that sent him plummeting to the floor last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund head-to-head with Kyle WalkerCredit: GettyAnd that is something to rejoice.Even so, the Premier League should be in mourning for a final farewell to the game’s last genuine hardman.For if big, bad Kyle Walker has resorted to that kind of thing, what hope is there of football remaining an honest contact sport?For years now, the Manchester City and England defender has enjoyed a formidable reputation as unbreakable and unshakeable.READ MORE IN football Built like a Sheffield tram, faster than any joyrider on the scary Lansdowne Estate where he grew up, uncompromising in the extreme on the pitch, Walker was the closest thing to ingrained English oak.He also came across as the last bastion of sheer bs in the cosmopolitan, coiffured, cosy modern game.A hardened working-class boy brought up in a council flat in a place where getting to the bus stop was a daily obstacle course, dodging burnt-out cars and dope dealers.Even when his tangled love life was splattered across the front pages of this newspaper, as he juggled the balls of his professional career and his ability to father kids like Southampton ship goals, he would not be blown off course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe bulldozed his way past bewildered opponents, chased everything down like a hungry cheetah and gave the impression he could handle himself in any given situation.Your money would most certainly have been on him in a tear-up with Manchester United pretty boy Rasmus Hojlund.So when Walker went sprawling under the faintest of brushes from the Dane’s blond fringe, the era of the tough-nut footballer went crashing to the ground with him — and can never be revived.In one of those rare, jaw-dropping England press conferences some time ago, Walker laid bare some of the horrifying episodes from the nasty streets where he lived.A neighbour hanging himself, a fatal arson attack on a nearby flat, a woman wandering around wielding an axe like she was carrying home the weekly shop.People who witness that sort of stuff don’t fold like a free sheet being stuffed through a letter box unless they do it on purpose — but City’s captain didn’t do it very well and should definitely give up any thoughts of acting as a second career.Walker was in the same class as the likes of John Terry.A supremely gifted player with a cast iron core. A perversely admirable ‘doesn’t-give-a-s**t’ type who always comes out on top through grit and sheer self-determination.Walker was slammed for his theatricsCredit: GettyBut not any more.Ironically, just a couple hours after his symbolic collapse at the Etihad, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella produced an equally embarrassing act of self-capitulation during a home match against Brentford.But you kind of expect it from him — after all he has long, curly hair and a bit of history with the dark arts of the game.I always thought Walker was a bit different.The toughest kid in the playground. The one you wanted on your side in football every lunchtime because not only was he brilliant, he was dead hard.He appears to have been losing his pace for a few months now and at 34 that is to be expected.Six Premier League titles catch up on you after all.The disappointing surprise is seeing him lose his dignity and resorting to the kind of tactics that much lesser men turn to in this day and age.Please don’t do it again.WRONG ‘WAY TO MAKE A GOOD POINTTHE only surprise about Ian Holloway’s confrontation with fed-up Swindon fans is that it has taken so long.Ollie was appointed as Robins boss in October and has been up against it from day one with a team clearly lacking in confidence.The Bristolian is never one to step backwards and while having a pop at moaning supporters who have trekked hundreds of miles to see their team lose is perhaps not the smartest move, it does throw up an interesting debate.Do supporters automatically claim a right to say and do whatever they please because they have paid for a ticket or travelled a long way?Holloway thinks not and believes constant negativity from the terraces will drag the team even further down.He makes a good point — even if he’s done it in an unceremonious way.Ian Holloway had a row with Swindon fansCredit: YouTube/Swindon Town Football ClubOSCAR LOSS SO PAINFULOCCASIONALLY a story hits you right between the eyes as a reminder of just how irrelevant winning or losing football matches is.While West Ham’s high-profile but under-pressure boss Julen Lopetegui is mourning the death of his 94-year-old father, the whole club has been shattered by the loss of teen keeper Oscar Fairs.At 15, he had the world in his hands as an academy player dreaming of mud, sweat and a distant hope of stardom.His death from a brain tumour last week leaves a family devastated and a community reeling.There seems no escape from the wicked curse that is cancer but, when it snatches someone so young, the pain is intensified exponentially.West Ham teenage keeper Oscar Fairs sadly passed awayCredit: West HamARABIAN FLIGHTSBOXING, the World Cup, Formula One, golf, tennis.All are now being staged in Saudi Arabia.The Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight rematch is just the latest major event taking place in the bone-dry desert.Fingers crossed there will be one sport that will be tempted to stage its biggest event in a country where booze is banned.The PDC World Darts Championship is underway at a raucous Ally Pally and the alcohol is flowing.Imagine it in a place where you can’t get on it morning, noon and night.Where you can’t slip away from your seat and get a bellyful of beer, where it’s impossible to reach out for a bottle of grog whenever you want.And that’s just the players.That’s a joke, before anyone decides to sue.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTHE ‘Unify League’ could involve up to ten Premier League clubs, we are told.Assuming it is a merit-based system, as it stands that would include Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo disrespect, but as a rejigged and more competitive version of the so-called ‘Super League’ invitational boys’ club, that doesn’t look very ‘super’ at all, does it?AS if you haven’t wasted enough of your hard-earned cash on useless old tat this Christmas, tickets for next summer’s Club World Cup in the USA are now on sale.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League? 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      Brave amputee Tony Hudgell, 10, ‘over the moon’ as his football hero Harry Maguire visits him at Sheffield hospital

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      BRAVE Tony Hudgell beams with delight as his football hero, Man United’s Harry Maguire, visits him in hospital bearing gifts.Tony, ten, whose legs were amputated due to abuse as a tot, met the defender, 31, soon after surgery on a broken hip at ­Sheffield Children’s Hospital.Brave Tony Hudgell met his Man United hero Harry MaguireTony was ‘over the moon’ to meet England legend MaguireCredit: TwitterAdoptive mum Paula Hudgell said: “He was over the moon.”She added: “We weren’t sure he would be out of surgery in time, but Mr Fernandez the surgeon is phenomenal and he was out just in time to meet Harry.”Earlier in the month, The Sun revealed Tony had undergone ‘miracle’ surgery. Mum Paula told The Sun: “It’s a complete miracle — the surgeon was absolutely incredible.READ MORE UK NEWS“This isn’t the end of surgeries, but he won’t need another one for a while, so he is looking forward to playing football.”“He can’t wait, he even kicked a ball a little while he was recovering, which he maybe shouldn’t have done – but it all worked out okay!”Tony, who captured the hearts of the nation when he raised more than £2 million for the hospital that saved his life as a tot, was praised by his adoptive mum for his “resilience and determination”.The 10-year-old was subjected to a campaign of horrific abuse by his birth parents Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson, which left him with multiple fractures to his limbs at just six-weeks old.Most read in FootballThe evil pair, who were both jailed for 10 years in 2018, then waited 10 days before seeking medical help, by which time Tony had also developed multiple organ failure and septicaemia.Medical staff at Evelina London Children’s Hospital saved his life, but he had to have both legs amputated at the knee as a result of his injuries when he was four-years-old.Baby Lara Martin meets Celtic heroesAfter tireless campaigning by the schoolboy, ‘Tony’s Law’ was introduced in 2022 to increase the maximum prison sentence for anyone who causes or allows physical harm to, or the death of, a child in their care.As a result, he became the youngest person ever to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 New Year Honours for his services to the prevention of child abuse.He has now teamed up with ‘Bionic MP’ Lord Craig Mackinlay and gold medal-winning Paralympian Richard Whitehead to advocate for better limb loss support, at the same time as fundraising to provide Christmas presents for needy children.Tony with some signed Man Utd gearCredit: Twitter More

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      Man Utd player ratings: Altay Bayindir fluffs rare chance to show what he can do but Amad Diallo shines once again

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      ALTAY BAYINDIR had a game to forget as Manchester United were dumped out of the Carabao CupNot many of the Red Devils were able to impress as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.Man United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham HotspurCredit: AlamyAltay Bayindir was at fault for two of the four goalsCredit: GettyAmad Diallo was a diamond in the rough for Man UnitedCredit: ReutersBayindir, 26, was at fault as Tottenham took the lead in the first half.The Turkish stopper could only parry a Pedro Porro effort into the path of Dominic Solanke, who fired in the rebound.Dejan Kulusevski made it 2-0 as he capitalised on a poor clearance from Lisandro Martinez before Solanke got his brace to make it 3-0.One shining light in the performance was Bruno Fernandes’ efforts as he set up Joshua Zirkzee to tap home.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAmad Diallo gave the Red Devils hope as his determination forced home a second.However, the result was put beyond doubt as Bayindir allowed a corner from Son Heung-min to fly all the way in.Jonny Evans netted a late header from an Amad corner as a consolation for the travelling fans.SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has provided her ratings of the Man United squad…Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAltay Bayindir – 2Squandered his audition after Andre Onana’s recent blunders against Nottingham Forest and FC Viktoria Plzen.Was responsible for Spurs’ opener when he spilled Pedro Porros’ shot into the path of Dominic Solanke inside 15 minutes.Roy Keane blasts Marcus Rashford for being distracted by ‘watches and off field stuff’ as star set for Man Utd exit Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from close range around 10 minutes later but went on to concede three more goals far too easily.His nightmare was finished off when he flapped as Son made it 4-2 from a direct CORNER in the 88th minute. Perhaps Onana isn’t so bad?Victor Lindelof – 4Caught slacking and lacking and a mile off the pace as Spurs’ front line rang rings around United for most of the game.No surprise he came off injured just before half-time.Leny Yoro – 5Was physically targeted by Solanke in the first half, but the 19-year-old stood up to him and Son Heung-min fairly well.Jeered by the home fans when he was nutmegged by Djed Spence and was lucky when referee John Brooks blew for a foul early on.Offloaded a crunching tackle on Son in the 86th minute right in front of a rowdy home end – but Son scored from the direct corner.Lisandro Martinez – 3Lisandro Martinez struggled throughout the matchCredit: PAHe was all over the place and sucker punched his own team, who, albeit, weren’t at the races despite scoring three second-half goals.Directly assisted Tottenham’s second when Maddison’s cross hit off his extended back leg and into the path of Kulusevski from five yards.Solanke eased past him for 3-0 too. And he fell backwards for a chance to make it four before the subs brought hope.Diogo Dalot – 6Only United defender that had a clue.Solid crosses and switches in play while pressing the makeshift Spurs backline, which was often overplaying.Christian Eriksen – 6Was inches away from bagging the equaliser at 1-0 but was blocked by Yves Bissouma.Overhit several corners as he was tasked with taking from both sides but was clapped off from the home fans when he made way for Kobbie Mainoo.Manuel Ugarte – 4The midfielder has perhaps stole Martinez’s “Butcher” title at Man Utd as the Spurs fans wanted him hit with a second booking.Constantly drew fouls and conceded dangerous free kicks which isn’t ideal when the opponent have James Maddison among their ranks.Spurs scored from that dead ball. He almost poked Kulusevski’s cross into his own net, but did well to make sure it went just wide.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Anticipated a difficult evening against Son, who was wonderful going forward with several intricate passes.Booked for catching Djed Spence, Amorim’s head was down when Maddison took the free-kick.Couldn’t get his feet right for chance on the brink of HT.Antony – 4A nervy start saw him lose the ball in a dangerous position with a minute gone which set Son away to cross into Brennan Johnson.Too casual on the ball and put visitors under pressure in the early passages.Basically gave the home fans something to laugh about every time he lost the ball, which was several times to 18-year-old Archie Gray.Bruno Fernandes – 6Bruno Fernandes did his job in the midfieldCredit: GettyHe did his creative job when he could, putting Hojlund through inside 11 minutes, only for the Dane to fluff his lines.Curled just wide from outside the area and assisted Zirkzee’s goal to give the travelling end a glimmer of hope.Drew a booking for Sarr for a tackle from behind and was booed before his free-kick clipped the top of the net.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Rarely got a sniff with United working on the counter early on and weak on the ball when did receive it.He was thumped and bullied by the makeshift Spurs backline of Gray and Radu Drăgușin and replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 55th minute.SUBSJonny Evans (’44 Victor Lindelof) – 4Solanke drove the ball through his legs for 3-0.Bizarrely got on the scoresheet with a last-minute consolation with a header from a corner.Kobbie Mainoo – (’56 Eriksen) – 6He was waiting on the sidelines before Solanke tripled Spurs’ lead and brought some much-needed composure with his side 3-0 down.Joshua Zirkzee – (’56 Hojlund) – 6Joshua Zirkzee got on the scoresheet after coming off the benchCredit: AlamyHad United’s first attempt on target in the 61st minute but his header was well kept out by Fraser Forster.But gave United hope when he made it 3-1 a minute later from Forster’s blunder.Did better than Hojlund in out-muscling Dragusin.Amad Diallo – (’55 Antony) – 8Just as Martin Odegaard did last night against Palace, Amad’s introduction turned things around for the Red Devils.The tricky winger made it 3-2 when his unbelievable pressing forced Forster into ANOTHER error from a routine free-kick.The star of the show also fed the ball to Fernandes, who assisted Zirkzee’s goal and brought some much-needed impetus to United’s forward play.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlejandro Garnacho (’72 Ugarte) – 5The sub everybody was waiting for after he was dropped for United’s 2-1 win against Man City on Sunday.Chased every ball down but loses points due to the crazy impact of the earlier substitutions.Who are these famous footballers? 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      Chelsea player ratings: Marc Guiu gives Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper nightmares but Cesare Casadei fails to impress

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      CHELSEA made it six Europa Conference League wins in a row with a 5-1 drubbing against Shamrock Rovers. Striker Marc Guiu got a hat-trick while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella also got in on the goals. Chelsea strolled past Shamrock RoversCredit: ReutersMarkus Poom did get an unlikely leveller but it only sparked a fierce and one-sided fightback by Enzo Maresca’s men. And here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge. FILIP JORGENSEN – 7Didn’t have much at all to do throughout. Commanded his box well, and couldn’t do much about the goal.READ MORE IN football JOSH ACHAEMPONG –  6All eyes were on the young defender who has just signed a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.He played as a more defensive-minded right-back in Maresca’s system, who looked good in that role.AXEL DISASI – 6A commanding performance from the French centre-half, he showed maturity in his game, was always an outlet for the Chelsea midfield.Marc Cucurella celebrates with Renato VeigaCredit: AlamyRENATO VEIGA – 6A very solid performance from Chelsea’s number 40. Most read in FootballUnpolished, but physically strong and composed on the ball – this tournament should prove brilliant for him in a blue shirt.MARC CUCURELLA – 8Acted as a leader inverting into midfield for Chelsea, mostly playing as the left-sided number 10. Scored a classy right-footed goal into the bottom left corner to cap off a great performance.Cesare Casadei failed to make his markCredit: GettyCESARE CASADEI – 4Turned his back on a volleyed effort which he then deflected into his own net with a flick. Andrey Santos on loan at Strasbourg will be an upgrade on him next season. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 8His best game in a Chelsea shirt to date, a tenacious performance saw him battle to win the ball high up and press the Shamrock defense really well. Looked overjoyed to net his second Chelsea goal since joining from Leicester.NONI MADUEKE – 7His excellent first touch and dazzling feet were on full show, getting the Chelsea fans on their feet a few times.It looked like his good deliveries would get no reward until he provided a classy assist for Marc Guiu’s hat-trick goal.Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrate togetherCredit: RexCHRISTOPHER NKUNKU  – 7Was kicked around the pitch like a ragdoll by the visitors, but constantly drove the team forward and won foul upon foul in the first half for The Blues. Worked tirelessly and perhaps didn’t get the reward he deserved after being bought down before Dewsbury-Hall netted Chelsea’s third.Notched an assist as Marc Cucurella finished into the bottom left corner to add a fifth. TYRIQUE GEORGE – 7Looks a special player on the ball for the Blues, and it’s easy to see why fans are so excited about him for the future. A raw talent who is far from the finished product in terms of his final ball – his brilliant run created the defensive chaos that allowed Marc Guiu to finish with ease.Was unfortunate not to add a goal to his performance after he sent a Shamrock defender for a Guinness at the end of the game before seeing his shot well blocked.MARC GUIU – 10Scored his fourth, fifth and sixth Europa Conference League goals in six matches to make him the competition’s highest scorer as it stands.The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper will be seeing Marc Guiu’s face when he closes his eyes for at least the next few weeks.Chelsea fans will be seeing shades of Olivier Giroud’s Europa League run in 2019. Marc Guiu was the man of the momentCredit: GettySUBS:HARVEY VALE (NONI MADUEKE, HT) – 5Having looked far too good to be playing for Chelsea’s u21’s this season he was rewarded with a half in this game. Failed to have the impact that Noni did in the first half, but it was far from a bad performance by the youngster.HARRISON MURRAY-CAMBPELL (AXEL DISASI, 59) – 6Didn’t look out of place at the heart of the Chelsea defence when making his debut for The Blues, and looked equally as competent at right-back. One to watch for the future.JOAO FELIX (MARC GUIU, 60) – 5Showed signs of promise after coming on from the bench, but was unable to find the back of the net.READ MORE SUN STORIESSAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL, 83) – 5Another composed few minutes in midfield for The Blues.Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLL More

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      Tottenham 4 Man Utd 3: Spurs limp into Carabao Cup semi-final after Son scores from corner and Forster howlers

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU always wins a trophy in his second season at a club and maybe history is about to repeat itself.But he will need someone other than Fraser Forster in goal.Tottenham have booked their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finalsCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim watched on as his side lost 4-2Credit: AlamyDominic Solanke bagged a brace for the hostsCredit: GettyFraser Forster’s mistakes made for a nervy ending for the hostsCredit: PATottenham were absolutely cruising to the semi-finals tonight. They properly had the cigars out. Their fans, dreaming of a first trophy since 2008, were dancing in the aisles, singing about their heroes and laughing at how bloody hopeless United were proving to be.Dominic Solanke had scored twice, sandwiching a goal at the start of the second half by Dejan Kulusevski.But this is Tottenham Hotspur. The team which specialises in tormenting their fans each and every season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLForster proved exactly why managers have to stop telling goalkeepers to play out from the back. Particularly those keepers who cannot kick the ball properlyWe see it each and every week, from the Premier League to League Two. Managers need their heads testing for being so stupid, so reckless.Unbelievably, at 3-0, Forster dragged United back into the game by passing the ball to Bruno Fernandes who squared to sub Josh Zirkzee.And then the former England keeper seemed to click into slow-motion as he delivered a clearance and Amad Diallo slid in and the ball somehow ended up in the top corner.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDominic Solanke opened the scoring for SpursCredit: GettyDejan Kulusevski doubled Tottenham’s leadCredit: ReutersJoshua Zirkzee pulled a goal back for United after a horror error from Fraser ForsterCredit: ReutersForster made another howler as Amad Diallo closed him down to pull a second backCredit: RexUnited’s fans sensed the ultimate comeback but even Forster avoided a hat-trick of cock-ups.United keeper Altay Bayindir proved to be just as bad and failed to keep out a corner from Heung Min-Son to seal the tie although there was still time for Jonny Evans to make it 4-3 in the 94th minute.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ Tottenham’s no 1 keeper Guglielmo Vicario is currently injured and could be back in February. Postecoglou must hope so.It has been over five-and-a-half years since Spurs moved into their new stadium and there have not been many better nights in terms of the atmosphere generated by their supporters until Forster pressed the self-destruct button – which also acted as the mute switch.Despite defeat, and United were awful for an hour, this spirited end to the game gives something for Amorim to work on in terms of belief. The problem is that United, most of the time, do not have goalkeepers like Forster giving them gifts.It is truly remarkable when you consider that United have spent all this money over the years to be one of the lowest scorers in English football’s top-flight. Only Crystal Palace, Everton, Ipswich and Southampton have managed less than United’s embarrassing tally of 21.Although United boss Amorim claims he wants Marcus Rashford to stay, it does seem some fans have run out of patience with the striker. One banner in the away end read: “Excuses ta ra Marcus.”Once again, like Sunday, there was no place in the matchday squad for Rashford although Alejandro Garnacho – who was also missing at the Etihad – was on the bench in north London.But even had they both featured, it is questionable how much difference they would have made.Yet United’s issues have not only been up front and there have also been at the back.Last night, Bayindir was was terrible but so too was Lisandro Martinez.Turkish keeper Bayindir was making only his fourth appearance for United and had not been called into action before parrying Pedro Porro’s shot which led to the opening goal.In a move which started from a James Maddison free-kick, Porro’s shot from 25 yards did fly through some bodies and there was also some movement from the ball.Son Heung-Min came up with the good to secure the win for SpursCredit: GettyThe forward scored directly from a cornerCredit: ReutersYet Bayindir should still have done better. He could only push the ball towards the right boot of Solanke who did require a bit of help from the post to score.Former Spurs favourite Christian Eriksen, who received a warm reception from the home fans in the South Stand when taking his first corner, had a shot blocked by Yves Bissouma but Fraser Forster would have saved it anyway.United lost Victor Lindelof with an injury just before half-time and Amorim sent out his team a few minutes earlyThey had to wait a little bit more as Tottenham’s players gathered for a huddle and 47 seconds into the second half, Spurs got the second.Maddison attempted to drive the ball across the face of the goal to Solanke but Martinez stuck out his leg and Kulusevski was never missing from eight yards.As United teetered on the brink of total collapse, Solanke raced onto a ball over the top from Spence and then breezed past Martinez and then fired his shot through the legs of Evans for 3-0.United pulled one back when keeper Forster passed the ball to Fernandes who squared for Zirkzee.And unbelievably, Forster did it again when he took far too long to deal with a backpass from Archie Gray. Sub Diallo delivered the block and the ball rebounded into the goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESJust when Tottenham were doing their best to toss it all away, Bayindir completely missed the corner from the home team’s South Korean skipper for 4-2.And the madness finally ended 90 seconds after a header from defender Evans. It was certainly bonkers, but with Spurs, it is always the same. More

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      Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Spurs secure spot in Carabao Cup semi-final despite nervy end to frantic clash

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      TOTTENHAM have beaten Manchester United 4-3 to secure their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-final.Dominic Solanke tapped in to make it 1-0 on 15 minutes after Altay Bayindir fumbled Pedro Porro’s thunderstrike.Seconds into the second half, Dejan Kulusevski stroked home to make it 2-0 to the hosts.Solanke got his second of the night on 54 minutes with a superb finish to make it 3-0 before Man Utd got one back through Joshua Zirkzee.Minutes later, Amad Diallo pounced on a horror error from Fraser Forster to make it 3-2 and set up a grandstand finish.Spurs’ nerves were eased after Son Heung-min’s corner controversially flew straight past Bayindir in goal to make it 4-2 at the death.Man Utd weren’t done as Jonny Evans headed in from a corner to make it nervy once again for Spurs.But Tottenham hung on to secure a 4-3 win and progress to the Carabao Cup semi-final.Match result: Tottenham 4-3 Man UtdTottenham team: Forster, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke, SonMan Utd team: Bayindir, Lindelof, Yoro, Martinez, Dalot, Eriksen, Ugarte, Mazraoui, Antony, Hojlund, FernandesCarabao Cup draw LIVEFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Having to trust the processMan Utd fans have some wishes granted this year.Fed up with The Glazers, in came Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the financiial saviour.Wanting ten Hag sacked, they got their wish and Ruben Amorim arrived.However, despite these two positives, they are being asked to trust a process without knowing what it actually is.There is no short-term soluton but surely things can only get better.Copy linkCopiedSpurs to get to know Reds wellTottenham now prepare for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures where they welcome Liverpool to North London.Having drawn each other in the Carabao Cup, it looks like this pair are guaranteed at least four games against each other this season.This will be a tough test for Ange Postecoglou as he looks to derail the fantastic start Arne Slot has made to life at Anfield.Copy linkCopiedAnge quotes fellow AussieIt is hard not to like Ange Postecoglou, he is a man’s man.Most managers swerve questons and rarely say what they think, Tottenham’s Australian manager does not play that way.When he quizzed about how crazy his side’s matches are with seemingly all attack and no defence, he seemed to channel his inner Russell Crowe when he replied….’are you not entertained?’Legend.Although duriing the game he seemed to want three more goals from his free-flowing attack.That said, with his tactiics, he could have been telling his team to switch to 2-1-7.Credit: APCopy linkCopiedThe answers everyone craves to findWhen Sir Jim Ratcliffe is quizzed about the club’s future, he is good at deflecting and saying neutral things fans want to hear without actually answering anything.Ruben Amorim is honest about the size of the task at hand and just how long it will take to change.It is obvious that it cannot happen with the majority of this squad, he is not a magician.That then brings you onto the question of what the owners offered him to get him to accept this role.Currently, the only logical answer is a huge war-chest for the forthcoming transfer windows but that is not so easy to do in the modern game with PSR rules.It will be interesting to see how things unfold, after all, Erik ten Hag spent in excess of £600m and nothing improved.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBoss leaves door open for forwardDuriing his post-match interview, Ruben Amorim was also asked about the obvious elephant in the room, Marcus Rashford.The manager said that they will training tomorrow and Marcus will be part of that.When pushed further as to whether he still had a future at the club, Amorim said ‘of course, everyone does’. Copy linkCopiedRuben being realistic about jobSpeaking with Sky Sports about tonight’s game, the new manager seems to have learnt nothing new in North London:We looked comfortable in the first-half even when we were trailing. Tonight there is nothing I can say to you about it. I will analyse it tomorrow, take a night to think. We cannot think winning silverware fixes everything. It will be a long wait. Our goal iis to win the Premier League. How long will that take? I do not know.Ruben AmorimMan UtdCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup semi-final drawJamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher have made the draw:Arsenal vs NewcastleTottenham vs LiverpoolSome cracking games to look forward to there.Copy linkCopiedBoss opens up on performanceThe Tottenham manager was asked his thoughts on tonight’s game and whether their open nature causes him concerns:We made it harder than iit should have been. We made two mistakes and it hit us. I like the whole bit mate, are you not entertained? I like teams who play entertaining football. Obviously we cannot give goals away like tonight, we want to win trophies.Ange PostecoglouTottenhamCopy linkCopiedAnge looking to keep his promisePostecoglou may have regret saying it at the time but when he told the media that he always wins trophies in his second season with a club.The tongue-in-cheek comment may come back to haunt him but as it stands, they are two games away from a final.Tottenham fans would love nothing more than him to keep that impressive managerial record intact.Copy linkCopiedView from SunSport’s Tom Barclay in North LondonTOTTENHAM are through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals – but that does not tell half the story from this mad night in N17.Ange Postecoglou’s hosts  were wiping the floor with Ruben Amorim’s sorry side thanks to Dominic Solanke’s double either side of a Dejan Kulusevski’s strike.But then Fraser Forster attempted to play out from the back and got caught out TWICE.It saw subs Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo inflict unnecessary stress on the home fans – until Son Heung-min scored directly from a corner.There was still time for Jonny Evans to head in a seventh goal of the game in fourth minute of stoppage time – of course there was – but Spurs managed to see it out.The result means Postecoglou can still make good on his bold claim that he “always wins something in his second season”.Arsenal, Liverpool or Newcastle await in the last four.Copy linkCopiedAmorim with early headache to fixWhatever the Portuguese manager has planned for the club long-term, you cannot win matches when you concede so easiily.They have problems with the keeper position and none of the defenders can be certain of a starting spot.There is no communication, they look like it is the first time they have ever played the game at times.Now Amorim has to work out who he can fix it.Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopiedSpurs march on to semi-finalsTottenham will be checking out the semi-final draw now from the changing rooms to see who they get.Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle have been waiting for them.What odds on a North London derby over two legs?Copy linkCopiedFT: Tottenham 4-3 Man UtdNo Spurs fan can say they don’t get value for money on their ticket prices, that is for sure.This will be a painful defeat for the visitors, something they really need to learn from.Postecoglou can forget the performance now and just focus on the result.Copy linkCopiedFT: Tottenham 4-3 Man UtdThe referee brings an entertaining game to a close in the capital.Most neutral fans wanted to see another half hour of that.Spurs are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-3 Man Utd90+5. It seems a lot of Man Utd fans left when Spurs’ fourth goal went in.They may live to regret that.As a corner is whipped in, Evans rises to head it and beats Forster to give the Red Devils a small glimmer of hope.Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopiedGoal – Jonny Evans (Man Utd)Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-2 Man Utd90+4. The mood has changed once again in North London.If Spurs can ensure they are in that semi-final draw all will be forgotten for their calamity keeper.They be considering his place for the next round though.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-2 Man Utd90+2. Zirkzee looks to get a shot away iin the box.It is well blocked, at the expense of corner.Fernandes’ cross is poor and it is easily headed clear.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-2 Man Utd90. Surely there is no way back for the visitors now.Tottenham have a two-goal cushion to protect.We are going to have six added minutes however.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-2 Man Utd88. This game should be on Comedy Central.Son takes a corner and puts an inswinging cross in towards goal.Bayindir completely misses the ball and it ends up in the back of the net.He claims he was fouled but the referee is not interested and there is no VAR in place tonight.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Heung-min Son (Tottenham)Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man Utd86. If you were a Spurs player and had arranged a lift home from Forster after the game, you would be thinking up ways to let him down right now.He is having a nightmare and only a daredevil would get in a car with him behind the wheel, head shot to bits from this performance.Tottenham fans are just hoping they can hold on for the win here.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man Utd84. Amad looks to take on Gray for pace . He tries to get to the byline and cut it back into the box.Forster blocks for a corner but it is decided that it was out of play before he touched it.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man Utd82. Wow. Just wow.Man Utd try a shot from outside the box that is straight at the Tottenham keeper along the floor.He decides to go ‘full Onana’ and clears it off the line like a backtracking defender.This is mental.To dare is to do.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man Utd80. Often teams leave cards on the seats in the stadium for the fans to hold up and make some kind of image for the cameras.Tottenham could do with leaving blood pressure medication on the seats in North London, proving they look out for their fans.They were safely in that semi-final draw and now it is anyone’s guess how this finishes.Copy linkCopied More

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      Chelsea 5 Shamrock Rovers 1: Marc Guiu bags first-half hat-trick as Blues make light work of Irish

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      CHELSEA were pelted with toilet paper but are on a roll with their best run for eight years.Play was halted for a few minutes in the first half when Christopher Nkunku came under attack from a hail of Kleenex three-ply launched from the away end as he tried to take a corner.Chelsea ace Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock RoversCredit: GettyKiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Chelsea’s Conference League triumphCredit: GettyMarc Cucurella sealed another big victory and Chelsea’s perfect winning runCredit: GettyChelsea’s young side dominated Shamorck RoversCredit: AFPBut the diversion tactics backfired as boss Enzo Maresca rounded off the first phase of the Conference League with his 100 percent record intact and an eighth successive win in all competitions.That hasn’t been seen since 2016 and is a sign of the marked upturn under the Italian this season.Striker Marc Guiu clinched a hat-trick by half-time to add to two he scored against Kazakhstanis Astana last week.The Spaniard put his team in front on 22 minutes when Rovers full-back Darragh Burns and keeper Leon Pohls got in a muddle with a cushioned back header.Read More on ChelseaChelsea were pegged back briefly when Markus Poom – son of former Derby keeper Mart – scored with a heavily-deflected shot four minutes later to level.The wild scenes among the Irish contingent in the Shed End were quickly quelled though as Chelsea regained their lead from another cock-up in defence when Dan Clearly underhit a back-pass and Guiu nipped in to round the keeper and score.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it 3-1 five minutes before the break and Guiu wrapped up a memorable first half for himself by heading home a cross from Noni Madueke.Maresca included teenage centre-back Josh Acheampong in the starting line-up just a few days after the 18-year-old signed a new five-year contract.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere was also experience in the team with Spain Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella playing in only his second Conference League game of the campaign.Cucurella is banned from Sunday’s away trip to Everton for being sent off after the final whistle once the Blues had beaten Brentford 2-1.Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea futureHe signed off with a goal in the 58th minute by knocking in a shot off the inside of a post.European football takes a back seat until March for Maresca now and that might not be the total blessing it looks on paper.He has a strong squad of young and hungry players who are desperate to be part of his plans.The FA Cup, which kicks off on January 11 against League Two outfit Morecambe, will not offer so many matches as a secondary competition to keep them happy the way the Conference League has up to now.Maresca took his foot off the gas after Cucurella’s goal and handed a debut to academy full-back Harrison Murray-Campbell. More