Soccer

WHAT’S Catalan for ‘down to the bare bones’?The old adage of former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp seems very fitting for Pep Guardiola now after his Manchester City side suffered more blows in this lost battle of the walking wounded.CARABAO CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW LIVETimo Werner broke the deadlock for Ange Postecoglou’s menCredit: RexIt is Werner’s first goal of the season after a number of missed chancesCredit: RexPape Matar Sarr made it two for the hosts with an accurate long-range strikeCredit: RexSarr superbly curled his shot into the bottom cornerCredit: RexSarr was impressive as Spurs ground out the win over Manchester CitySpurs had to absorb a lot of pressure particularly in the second halfDejan Kulusevski received the Player of the Match awardSavinho became the latest casualty as the Brazilian was forced off on a stretcher, leaving Guardiola with just ELEVEN fit outfield first-team players.Manuel Akanji also picked up a problem in the warm-up, joining Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb and Ballon D’Or winner Rodri on the treatment table.No wonder Guardiola, who had asked for a “good performance, but no more injuries please” ahead of the game, did not want to waste energy on this competition.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow he will not have to as Tottenham earned a statement win thanks to Timo Werner ending his 12-game goal drought this term and a Pape Sarr stunner.But it came at a cost for Ange Postecoglou’s men as they lost both Werner and Micky van de Ven to hamstring injuries, either side of a Matheus Nunes strike.At least the hope of a first trophy in 16 years was kept alive for Spurs – as was Postecoglou’s promise of always winning silverware in his second season.City dominated the ball in the opening exchanges but it was Spurs who took an early lead thanks to Werner’s uncharacteristically clinical finish.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMatheus Nunes pulled one back for Manchester City before half-timeCredit: ReutersAnge Postecoglou’s pledge of a trophy in his second season received a big shot in the armCredit: PAA clever flick from Brennan Johnson had set Dejan Kulusevski away down the right and when the Swede fired a ball across the box, Werner struck it first time past a helpless Stefan Ortega. The smile on his face, and those of his team-mates, showed the relief after such a long stint without scoring.Man City star Savinho talks about his rise to football stardom In contrast Van de Ven looked to be in tears as he was subbed off soon after after damaging his hamstring in a sliding challenge on Savinho.Spurs shook off the blow and managed to double their lead midway through the half thanks to Sarr’s fantastic finish.It came from a smart short corner when Kulusevski exchanged passes with Werner and laid it back to Sarr who curled it home from the edge of the area.The Malian was nicknamed Roberto Carlos as a kid on account of his long-range strikes.This was more placement than power – but an effort Brazilian legend Carlos would have been proud of.Guardiola had made six changes to his side, and though it still possessed plenty of quality, it was struggling to conjure up its usual creativity.The only negative for Spurs was Micky van de Ven went off injuredCredit: AlamyErling Haaland had been left on the bench with Phil Foden reprising his false nine role from the seasons prior to the Norwegian goal machine’s arrival.As the first half wore on, England man Foden became more involved.He was inches away from tapping home Nunes’ ball across the box and then hooked a difficult, but manageable, for him anyway, volley over the bar.Spurs were dropping deeper and ceding more and more possession, just hoping to get to the break with their two-goal lead intact.Yet they could not hold out as in the fourth minute of stoppage time, livewire Savinho crossed for the equally-impressive Nunes to fire in at the far post. Game on.Postecoglou was left shaking his head but it was fair cop, as the Aussie might say, given how his side had gone into their shells. The Spurs chief responded by taking off Sarr for Yves Bissouma at the break, while Mateo Kovacic was sent on for the disappointing Gundogan.Postecoglou’s side had a flurry of chances to restore their two-goal cushion early after the break.Pep Guardiola’s men were dumped out of the Carabao CupCredit: GettyFirst, lightning almost struck twice as Werner came so close to netting again when sent racing through by Dominic Solanke, but his left-footed strike shaded the wrong side of the post.It was then Kulusevski’s turn to be sent haring into the box but his effort was turned away by Ortega, who had earlier denied Johnson too, before Werner then blasted over.Foden’s night was done before the hour but instead of Haaland, it was Bernardo Silva sent into action.Seconds after the sub had been made, Savinho went down with what looked like a right ankle issue, seemingly after an innocuous challenge with Destiny Udogie.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was so bad that the Brazilian had to come off on a stretcher, being replaced by rookie Jacob Wright.Spurs were then hit by more injury woe as Werner pulled up with a hamstring issue but managed to hold out for the victory – helped massively by Bissouma’s goal-line clearance from Nico O’Reilly late on. 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UNAI EMERY’S high-flying Aston Villa were brought crashing back to earth by the resurgent Eagles.Villa had been nigh on unbeatable this season, with mighty Bayern Munich the most impressive scalp.Summer signing Daichi Kamada got the winner for Crystal PalaceCredit: PAEberechi Eze broke the deadlock for Palace early in the matchCredit: GettyHowever, he was later forced off with a knockCredit: PABut Crystal Palace found a way to humble them…thanks to a hefty slice of shocking defending from Diego Carlos along the way.Villa were trying to play it out from the back but never came close to finding John McGinn on the edge of his own box.Instead he merely picked out Daichi Kamada, and the Japanese substitute jinked to his right, before firing back and low to his left, right into the bottom corner.It was Villa’s first – and only – defeat since Arsenal beat them here in their first home game, and they can blame no-one but themselves.Read More in FootballEmery’s men certainly had enough chances to have sealed it long before Kamada’s drive, midway through the second half.Villa may have been all-change – only McGinn kicked off both Saturday’s game and this one – but it didn’t stop them creating plenty.Leon Bailey warmed Matt Turner’s palms by whipping one to his near post, then nearly caught out the Palace keeper with a miss-hit, and that was all inside five minutes.Yet once a full-strength Palace – and fair play to boss Oliver Glasner for that – steadied the ship, they hit back to snatch the lead.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCrystal Palace clinched the winJhon Duran scored Villa’s only goalCredit: PAAnd when they did, an unwitting contribution from fit-again Tyrone Mings had a sizeable role in the build-up.Mings was playing his first senior game since injuring his ACL in the opening game of LAST season 445 days ago, and clearly still some way off match fitness.Although that didn’t have a hand in Eze’s goal, it was more ill-fortune when Adam Wharton’s ball struck the Villa centre back on the head and fell for Dani Munoz.He delivered the perfect ball for Eze, who had peeled off into space and bulleted a header into the bottom corner.Maybe it was the slap in the face Villa needed to spark them into life, or perhaps just a case of that new look line-up syncing with each other.Although Palace admittedly weren’t helped by losing both Eze AND Wharton to injuries before we’d even reached half an hour, the latter leading to Kamada’s introduction.Whatever the reason, Unai Emery’s men finally found their feet and pretty soon found the way to the Palace net as well.Kamara started it by robbing Kamada and lofting a lovely pass to Leon Bailey on the right.When he pulled it back, Jhon Duran swung a boot, and keeper Turner was left beating the ground in frustration, knowing he should have made a better fist of stopping it.Duran then went close with a typical rampaging run and thundering angled strike which had Turner going full length to push away.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he wasn’t quite as controlled with a wild swipe as Kosta Nedeljkovic’s strike pinballed to him in the box, thrashing it a yard wide.Certainly nothing like the precision Kamada showed in picking out the corner of Joe Gauci’s net, which ultimately proved enough to ease Palace into the last eight. More

CHELSEA made 11 changes once again and this time it cost them with Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi off the pace.Only Mykhailo Mudryk can come out of the match with any credit as Chelsea were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by a resurgent Newcastle.Alexander Isak scored after a defensive mishap from ChelseaCredit: PAAxel Disasi scored a comical own goal to put Newcastle in controlCredit: PAIsak scored his second goal in four days against ChelseaCredit: AFPThe Blues came out on top when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on Sunday – but that was with their first string out.Enzo Maresca wrung the changes once again at St James’ Park and the match unravelled quickly as Toon scored twice in three minutes.Two defensive lapses cost Chelsea with Disasi firing in a comical own goal minutes after Renato Veiga was forced to surrender possession in the build-up to Newcastle’s opener after receiving a hospital pass from Badiashile.Chelsea threatened to mount a comeback with Joao Felix stinging the palms of Nick Pope.READ MORE ON CHELSEABut after the break they were frustrated by Newcastle’s low block and huffed and puffed without finding a way back into the match.Newcastle almost put the final nail in the coffin when Sean Longstaff headed in, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.Here is how Craig Mahood rated the Chelsea display.Filip Jorgensen – 6Nervy start when flapping at an early cross and a couple of wayward kicks going out. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSStruggled in parts with the ball at his feet including a pass straight to Tonali in the first half. Not much to do in the second half.Axel Disasi – 6Looked uncomfortable for large spells at right-back in duels with Joelinton in the first half and couldn’t sort his feet out when scoring an own goal. Didn’t have much defending to do after the break but offered little in attack.Tosin Adarabioyo – 6Best of the back line but not a difficult task. Looks like a player is there if he can get more minutes as marshalled Isak well for much of the contest.Benoit Badiashile – 5Shocker of a pass to Veiga for Newcastle’s opener before being booked for a foul on Krafth. Terrible touch right on half time let Gordon clear and fortunate Willock missed from close range.Marc Cucurella – 6Huffed and puffed down the left-hand side and defended reasonably well against Gordon for most of the night. Tried to link with Mudryk but a frustrating night meant he didn’t get as involved.Enzo Fernandez – 6Chelsea skipper saw plenty of the ball but didn’t create much of note on it.Looked to be missing the creative spark that would normally play alongside him in there.Renato Veiga – 6Largely anonymous in the middle as kept possession moving but was caught on it for the opening Newcastle goal, though not really his fault.Stung the palms of Pope late on but didn’t create much in that position.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5Should’ve scored in opening 90 seconds with glorious chance. On the fringes of the game throughout and struggled to get involved. Hooked before the hour.Mykhailo Mudryk – 7Quiet first half hour before bursting clear of Krafth later in half. Appeared to gainconfidence in the second half and was a threat when he did get the ball on the left. His final ball missing a few times but would’ve had an assist or two on another evening. Chelsea will be hoping this isn’t a flash in the pan.Joao Felix – 5Another one that showed very, very brief flashes. Should’ve scored when clean through with 15 minutes to go which might’ve changed the game. Frustrations of a difficult night shown when booked for dissent in closing stages.READ MORE SUN STORIESSubsNoni Madueke – 6Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour. Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.Cole Palmer’s reaction to being compared to Zola will make you feel old as fans say ‘he actually said that out loud?’ More

IF Erik ten Hag was watching in Amsterdam he must have been wondering if this was indeed the same Manchester United team.Why does this always happen?Manchester United made a positive start to life after Erik ten HagCredit: ReutersThe Red Devils scored four goals in a chaotic first halfCredit: GettyRuud van Nistelrooy took interim charge as talks continue with Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyCasemiro whipped a sensational opener into the top cornerCredit: AFPCasemiro impressed with two goals for Van Nistelrooy’s menBruno Fernandes thrived in the win over LeicesterThe old boss goes, his assistant takes over and the team transforms overnight.It makes you wonder what Ruud van Nistelrooy was doing on the training ground in the first place.Much of this victory that put the Red Devils into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup was down to the strength of the opposition.Leicester City fielded a team with nine changes and was similar in strength to that which drew 0-0 with Walsall in the last round before winning on penalties.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited by contrast were strong, Van Nistelrooy wasn’t going to pass this chance up to be a winner from the Old Trafford dug out.Mind you to be fair to him whoever pulls on a Man Utd shirt nowadays nothing can be guaranteed.So credit Van Nistelrooy for getting a tune out of this lot just two days after Ten Hag was dismissed.The regular boos heard here became cheers and smiles replaced frowns and shaking heads.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlejandro Garnacho tucked home Man Utd’s second of the eveningCredit: RexBilal El Khannouss pulled one back for LeicesterCredit: GettyFernandes’ deflected free-kick made it 3-1 moments laterCredit: ReutersCasemiro netted his second of the night and Man Utd’s fourthCredit: GettyIt was reminiscent of.. well when they played Barnsley in the last round and won 7-0 but not much else in recent memory.Even Casemiro shone brightly.Ruben Amorim responds to questions about Man Utd job after Sporting match Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.With two goals and an assist he had the home crowd buzzing at the break even if familiar failings at the other end kept Leicester just about in it at 4-2.It is fair to say the Brazilian has not pulled up any trees since coming here but with his first strike he nearly uprooted the goal.Of the 150 goals Van Nistelrooy scored in 219 games for this club only one of them came from outside the box.So he was open mouthed in disbelief when he saw what Casemiro did in the 15th minute as he received a ball from Alejandro Garnacho and then from 30 yards hammered a shot into the top right hand corner in off the underside of the bar.The former Real Madrid star ran to the corner flag and tapped the United club emblem with his hand.Why he had gloves on his hands was another matter.The home side’s second followed in the 28th minute as this time Casemiro set the move which led to it going with a chipped a ball down the right wing.Diogo Dalot fired it to the far post and Garnacho slammed it into the roof of the net.Back came Leicester in the 33rd minute as stand in goalkeeper Altay Nayinidr’s weak punch was fired back past him by El Khannouss.The goals were flying in and just three minutes later Bruno Fernandes free kick was deflected in off James Justin’s head.Onto the 39th minute and Casemiro on target again as this time he followed up his own header which hit both posts to net the rebound.What was going on here, this isn’t normal United, dominating a game.Ah wait, in first half injury time a ball into the box skimmed off Casemiro’s header bounced off Dalot and was turned in by Conor Coady.Conor Coady pulled another one back for Leicester before half-timeCredit: GettyFernandes bagged his second of the eveningCredit: ReutersGame still on, given this was United.Back came the teams for the second half and the roar of ‘Ruuuuuuud’ went out around the ground as the interim boss reappeared.Leicester had been given a lift with that goal and rallied from the restart.Any brief hope they had of a fight back was then extinguished with Caleb Okoli’s sloppy back pass just short of the hour.Captain Fernandes was on to it, rounded the keeper and fired it home from close range.He reacted with a defiant punch of the air.Even he, with his stats, has not escaped criticism but have no doubt about how much he genuinely cares about the club.Van Nistelrooy will be in charge again for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea which had looked daunting.They will go into it, however, with some confidence restored.READ MORE SUN STORIESIncoming boss Ruben Amorim will watch this in Lisbon and know that at least he has something to work with.On the night before Halloween, the ‘Theatre of Screams’ headlines were not needed.Ruben Amorim is expected to be appointed the next permanent Man Utd managerCredit: Getty More