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      Gabriel Jesus wore mouthguard that left fans baffled during Man City win over Arsenal after painful tooth injury

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      GABRIEL JESUS’ mouthguard left fans baffled during Manchester City’s win over Arsenal.
      The Brazilian striker, 23, wore the gum shield at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

      Gabriel Jesus was all smiles as he celebrated his goal against Arsenal in the Carabao CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The beaming smile was brighter and whiter than usual thanks to the gum shield he was wearingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      And it could be seen as a lucky charm for the forward after he ended his seven-match goal drought inside three minutes in the 4-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win.
      Celebrating his early header past Runar Alex Runarsson, Jesus’ beaming smile revealed the big white protectors in his mouth – confusing many.
      Some fans thought he had gone full Roberto Firmino mode by whitening his pearlers, but the real reason behind the mouthguard is a lot simpler – albeit slightly bizarre.
      Jesus has been struggling with painful teeth after a collision during last week’s draw with West Brom which then kept him out of the weekend victory at Southampton.

      Speaking on Saturday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola explained: “He trained yesterday [Friday], but didn’t feel good with his teeth.
      “He decided not to join us at St Mary’s.”
      But the new look still led to some funny reactions on social media.
      One said: “Just screamed out loud about Gabriel Jesus’ teeth then I realised he’s got a gum shield on.”

      Another wrote: “Genuinely thought they were Gabriel Jesus’s real teeth there.”
      And a final user added: “I was about to say why are Gabriel Jesus’ teeth so white only to find out it’s gum guards.”

      It is understood he picked up the tooth injury against West Brom last weekCredit: Rex Features

      The striker ended his goal drought by heading past Runar Alex Runarsson in the third minuteCredit: EPA

      Jesus’ Brazil team-mate Roberto Firmino has earned a reputation for his shiny white pearlersCredit: AFP or licensors

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      Mikel Arteta reflects on painful Arsenal defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup More

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      Solskjaer challenges Man Utd squad to win first trophy as boss as ex-coach reveals why ‘it’s hardest job in football’

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has challenged his Manchester United squad to win him his first trophy as Old Trafford boss.
      The Norwegian celebrated his two-year anniversary in charge at the weekend.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is calling on his players to deliver his first trophy as Manchester United bossCredit: Reuters

      The Red Devils have not won a trophy since the Europa League in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor

      And now he is calling on his players to deliver silverware.
      United’s last major trophy was the Europa League in 2017 but the club face Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
      Solskjaer, who won nine major honours as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson, said: “Yes, of course it is something we’re aiming for.
      “We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final.

      “Of course, when you get to the final, there’s only one thing that matters — and that’s to lift the trophy.
      “I remember winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, it was Patrice Evra’s and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy in the 2006 Carling Cup.
      “It does give something to a team. We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, and these players are desperate to learn how to win.”
      Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes are among the big-money signings to arrive since the Europa League success in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.

      Mason Greenwood, Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams and Scott McTominay have all graduated from the Red Devils academy in that time and hunting trophies with their boyhood clubs.
      Solskjaer’s former coach Rene Meulensteen, who worked under Ferguson for six years at Old Trafford, explained why being United boss is the hardest job in football.
      Speaking to talkSPORT, the Dutchman said: “They are [in the mix] and everybody is talking about the two games in hand. It shows again what a strange league this is going to be.
      “Ole’s been in charge for two years now – he knows that pressure will never go away when you are working for a club like Manchester United.
      “It will always be there and people will always find something to criticise.
      “He just needs to focus and make he takes every game as it comes. There is no point speculating ‘what ifs’.
      “United is probably the most difficult club to work for because you need to play attacking and entertaining football and win games. It is the hardest formula.
      “We all saw Mourinho struggling with that and you don’t get away with playing that style week in week out at Manchester United.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      😰 “Ole knows that the pressure will never go away when you’re at Utd.”🙏 “Man Utd is the most difficult job as you need to entertain & win games!”Rene Meulensteen explains why the managers job at #MUFC is so hard.🤝 With @PrimeVideoSport pic.twitter.com/6sp5Kwpeay
      — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 21, 2020

      Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay have broken into the team since United last won a trophyCredit: Reuters

      Meulensteen worked as a coach for Solskjaer under Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Everton vs Man Utd – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      Everton vs Man Utd: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Carabao Cup

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      EVERTON welcome Manchester United to Goodison for a Carabao Cup quarter final showdown.
      The Toffees are in excellent record form having won three on the bounce in the Premier League – but haven’t won this trophy since 1984.

      Man Utd proved too strong for Leeds as they fired in six at Old TraffordCredit: AP:Associated Press

      United meanwhile are fresh from a 6-2 hammering over Leeds and are looking to win this competition for the sixth time.
      When is Everton vs Man Utd?
      This last-eight clash will be held on Wednesday, December 23.
      Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
      The match follows the other quarter-final between Stoke and Tottenham.
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event, Football and Ultra HD.
      Coverage follow the game at the bet365 Stadium.
      If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can watch by getting a 24-hour NOW TV pass from £9.99.

      Listen to all of the action LIVE on talkSPORT

      What is the team news?
      After his brace against Leeds, United will be without Scott McTominay who has a groin problem.
      Luke Shaw could return following illness, while Edinson Cavani looks set to start upfront after being on the bench in the 6-2 mauling.
      Allan is out for the hosts with a hamstring injury and James Rodriguez is still missing after suffering a slight calf strain.

      Match odds
      Everton to win – 9/4
      Draw – 5/2
      Man Utd victory – 11/10
      *All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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      Stoke vs Tottenham: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Carabao Cup quarter-final clash

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      TOTTENHAM face Championship side Stoke with a place in the Carabao Cup final-four up for grabs.
      Jose Mourinho’s side last won this trophy back in 2008 and are flying high in the Premier League this season.

      Harry Kane is hoping to lead Spurs to silverware this seasonCredit: EPA

      The Potters meanwhile have made a strong start to their own league campaign and saw off Aston Villa in the last round.
      When is Stoke vs Tottenham?
      This last-eight clash is set for Wednesday, December 23.
      Kick-off at the bet365 Stadium is at 5.30pm GMT.
      When the sides last met in 2018, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane scored in a 2-1 victory for Spurs.
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
      Coverage begins at 5pm.
      If you’re not a Sky subscriber, grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.

      Listen to all of the action LIVE on talkSPORT 2

      What is the team news?
      Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt for the visitors after going off in the defeat against Leicester at the weekend.
      Erik Lamela and Japhet Tanganga are also sidelined as Mourinho looks set to ring the changes, with Gareth Bale hoping for a start.
      Tyrese Campbell will miss the remainder of the campaign for Stoke, while Lee Gregory and Sam Clucas remain out.

      Match odds
      Stoke to win – 5/1
      Draw – 10/3
      Spurs victory – 1/2
      *All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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      Is the Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two and what are the rules?

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      THE CARABAO CUP quarter-finals are being played and the winners will be eager to learn their opponents for the semis.
      The semi-final draw will be made at the conclusion of Everton vs Man Utd tomorrow, but what are the rules?

      Brentford have reached the League Cup semi-final for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Is the Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two?

      The Carabao Cup semi-final has traditionally been two legs, although the rules have been changed in recent years.
      Away goals were previously used after extra time to separate two sides if they happened to be level after two legs.
      But that was done away with when the EFL scrapped extra time, meaning any ties that were level were decided on penalties.
      And this year’s Carabao Cup semi-final will consist of just one leg in order to ease fixture congestion caused by the delayed start to the season and the Covid pandemic.

      Whichever team is drawn first in each tie will play at home.

      Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?
      The Carabao Cup does not have VAR – the only competition Premier League sides participate in in which this is the case.
      The tournament is organised by the EFL who have chosen not to introduce it at any level.
      Which teams are in the Carabao Cup semi-final?
      Brentford
      Man City
      Stoke or Tottenham
      Everton or Man Utd More

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      Arsenal 1-4 Man City LIVE RESULT: Gabriel Jesus, Mahrez, Foden and Laporte pile misery on Mikel Arteta

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      MAN City hammered Arsenal to make it 18 successful League Cup ties in a row and pile the pressure on Mikel Arteta.
      Gabriel Jesus headed home after just two minutes before Alexandre Lacazette headed home an equaliser.

      But things went wrong for the Gunners when Gabriel Martinelli went off injured early in the second half.
      A howler from goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson saw Man City take the lead from a Riyad Mahrez free kick.
      And Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte then made the game safe.

      THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
      Man City storm into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup as they look to win it four times in a row.
      As for Arsenal, it’s more disappointment and the pressure is really starting to build on Arteta who must be wondering where his next win will be coming from.
      It’s been a pleasure, have a good one.

      ART ATTACK
      Mikel Arteta must be thinking that someone up there has got it in for him as he contemplates a miserable Christmas and an unhappy New Year.
      Even his magic touch in the cup competitions has now deserted the bewildered Spaniard who simply doesn’t know where his next win is coming from.
      His struggling team were ruthlessly put to the sword by a rampant Manchester City looking to win the League Cup for a fourth straight season.
      And with friends like Pep Guardiola, Arteta certainly doesn’t need enemies.
      His managerial mentor clearly wasn’t in the mood to do for his former Etihad assistant any favours on yet another night to forget for Arsenal.
      READ MORE: ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY MATCH REPORT

      HORROR SHOW
      Let’s relive Runarsson’s calamitous performance tonight….

      ON TARGET
      Listen to Mahrez’s words for yourself.

      “I was surprised at the position of the ‘keeper. He was so close to the post.”Riyad Mahrez talks us through his free-kick that set Manchester City on their way in the second half.Watch the reaction on Sky Sports Football 📺 pic.twitter.com/sZoutElZZ7
      — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 22, 2020

      MAHREZ SPEAKS
      Speaking after playing a key role in City’s win tonight, Mahrez said: “We started good and then they equalised.
      “In the second half we scored the lucky freekick. When we put the third one it was more easy for us … Sometimes it’s like this, you cannot always dominate every game.”
      “I was surprised by the position of the keeper. He was so close to the post. I thought he was going to move.
      “That’s why I put it there. But he didn’t move and luckily he didn’t catch it properly.”

      CITY LOVE A CUP
      Man City are unbeaten in their last 18 League Cup ties dating back to October 2016. Unbelievable.
      They have now reached the semi-final of the League Cup for the FOURTH season running.

      Credit: Getty Images

      FULL-TIME STATS
      Man City continued to dominate the ball in the second half and they got rewarded for it with three goals.

      Neither side had a lot of touches inside the opposition penalty area, City (right) managed 21 to Arsenal’s (left) 10.

      FT: ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      Man City started the second half how they started the first, on top.
      Mahrez won a free-kick JUST on the edge of the penalty area after showing some neat footwork and drawing a foul.
      He stepped up and fired towards the keepers side of the net, Runarsson tried to stop it but it went straight through his arms.
      Foden got in the act minutes later racing clear of the Arsenal backline before firing past the keeper.
      And Laporte got City’s fourth of the night, meeting Foden’s wonderful cross at the back post.
      Pep Guardiola’s City are into the semi-finals and the love affair with the Carabao Cup continues!

      PEEEEEEP!
      THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT THE EMIRATES!

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      90. Mahrez drives towards goal, cuts in on his left foot and looks to sneak a shot in at the near post but Runarsson was down quickly to his left to save.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      90. Just the two additional minutes at the end of the second half.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      86. Fernandinho wins the 50-50 against Maitland-Niles and the ball falls into the path of Aguero 35 yards from goal.
      Aguero spots Zinchenko making a run towards the edge of the penalty area and plays a wonderful pass setting up a shooting opportunity, but the left-back fires high and wide.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      84. Balogun turns well and drives towards the Man City penalty area before playing the ball into the feet of Pepe.
      Pepe turns and shifts the ball onto his left foot and fires JUST wide of the far post.
      Good running from Balogun in the initial build-up.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      82. Foden runs clear of Ceballos, but loses control just before he gets to Gabriel on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      80. Kolasinac drives towards the Man City penalty area before playing a one-two with Smith-Rowe, the left-back almost latches onto the return pass but Walker beats him to it.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      77. City are cruising towards the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

      Credit: Getty Images

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      76. Man City are making another change and rodri is making way for Kyle walker.
      And for Arsenal, Lacazette makes way for young-gun Balogun.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      75. Man City have been ruthless in the second half, scoring all three of their second half attempts on goal.
      Huge gap in quality between the two teams.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      73. Aguero is on for Jesus.

      ARSENAL 1-4 MAN CITY 
      72. The corner is take short to Foden, the youngster cuts back onto his right foot beating his marker.
      He whips the ball into the penalty area right onto the edge of the six-yard box and Laporte heads it home!
      Game over now.

      GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL!!!!!
      LAPORTE HEADS HOME CITY’S FOURTH!!!!
      MAN CITY ARE RUNNING AWAY WITH THE QUARTER-FINAL TIE!!!

      ARSENAL 1-3 MAN CITY 
      71. Mahrez isolates Gabriel one-on-one on the right-side of the penalty area, he tries to lose Gabriel with a couple of step overs but the defender stands firm.
      City corner.

      ARSENAL 1-3 MAN CITY 
      70. Sergio Aguero is getting ready to come on, he loves a goal against Arsenal, 11 goals in his last 18.

      ARSENAL 1-3 MAN CITY 
      70. First time we’ve really seen Cedric on the ball and it’s a short cameo as he passes it off to Pepe.

      ARSENAL 1-3 MAN CITY 
      69. Silva makes way for Ferran Torres, a positive substitution by Pep Guardiola.

      Load more entries… More

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      Carabao Cup VAR rules: Does League Cup use the Video Assistant Referee?

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      The Carabao Cup has reached its quarter-final, but will VAR be making an appearance?
      The video referee system has proved controversial in the Premier League.

      VAR has become a regular feature in English footballCredit: PA:Press Association
      Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?

      VAR was used in the Carabao Cup in 2018/19.
      However, the EFL opted to get rid of the system last season on the grounds that it was only being used at Premier League venues.
      This caused particular controversy in the FA Cup when Man City were given a controversial penalty at Swansea and no VAR was allowed to be used even though the Liberty Stadium had the system installed.

      What decisions is VAR used for?
      THE video assistant referee can be called upon for four key on-field incidents. 

      These are:
      Awarding goals
      Penalty decisions
      Red card decisions
      Cases of mistaken identity
      How does VAR work?
      THE video assistant referee will liaise with the on-pitch referee to relay information on calls.
      The video assistant referee – a top official who will be based at Stockley Park for the matches – has access to every camera angle and goal-line technology cameras.
      The VAR also has an assistant watching the game with them. More

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      Arsenal 1 Manchester City 4: Mikel Arteta under yet more pressure as visitors cruise to dominant win at the Emirates

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      MIKEL ARTETA must be thinking that someone up there has got it in for him as he contemplates a miserable Christmas and an unhappy New Year.
      Even his magic touch in the cup competitions has now deserted the bewildered Spaniard who simply doesn’t know where his next win is coming from.

      Manchester City breezed past Arsenal to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finalsCredit: Reuters

      Phil Foden starred as Gunners keeper Alex Runarsson had a night to forgetCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Riyad Mahrez bagged a free-kick after a howler from Alex RunarssonCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Gunners No2 let the Algerian’s tame effort slip through his fingersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Gabriel Jesus gave City the perfect start with a close-range headerCredit: EPA

      His struggling team were ruthlessly put to the sword by a rampant Manchester City looking to win the League Cup for a fourth straight season.
      And with friends like Pep Guardiola, Arteta certainly doesn’t need enemies.
      His managerial mentor clearly wasn’t in the mood to do for his former Etihad assistant any favours on yet another night to forget for Arsenal.
      Pretty much everything that could go wrong for the Gunners did go wrong as they suffered their heaviest defeat of Arteta’s year in charge.

      Gabriel Martinelli could be facing another long spell on the sidelines after limping out of the action after just 47 minutes.
      Keeper Alex Runarsson threw one in to give City a helping hand which they really didn’t need and even VAR couldn’t come to Arteta’s rescue.
      Now you wonder how much further Arsenal can fall as they face the nightmare prospect of a Boxing Day visit from Chelsea.
      They could hardly have got off to a worse start last night when they found themselves behind just 125 seconds after kick-off.

      Aymeric Laporte completed the rout with City’s fourth late onCredit: Reuters

      Alexandre Lacazette had fired the host level with a first-half headerCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Frenchman ended his own goal scoring droughtCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Oleksandr Zinchenko was given far too much room to cross to the near post where Gabriel Jesus was allowed to drift between Shkodran Mustafi and keeper Alex Runarsson to head home.
      Arteta could only look on in silent fury as his team’s defensive deficiencies were once again laid bare for all to see.
      He had made wholesale changes to the team beaten by Everton at the weekend yet all the familiar failings remained.
      His players looked terrified of their own shadows as they consistently backed off a rampant City team who could clearly smell blood.
      Fernandinho’s unchallenged effort was deflected just wide by Gabriel and Runarsson was fortunate not to be tackled by Jesus in his own six-yard box as he dithered over a back-pass.
      City haven’t exactly set the world alight this season but they have been going quietly about their business in recent weeks and arrived at the Emirates on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run.
      More worrying for Arsenal was the knowledge that their opponents had conceded only once during that time…and even that was an own-goal.
      So it was an absolute bolt out of the blue when the Gunners equalised in the 31st minute with virtually their first attack of the evening as Alex Lacazette held off Aymeric Laoprte to head in.
      It was a goal which owed everything to the persistence of teenager Martinelli, whose pinpoint cross on the run was simply crying out for a finish.
      It says everything about Arsenal’s current dilemma that they are pinning so many of their hopes on the 19-year-old Argentine who was starting his first game since a summer knee operation.

      Gabriel Martinelli’s first start since returning from injury ended earlyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Brazilian was forced off in the second-half after an earlier collision with Zack SteffenCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Arteta has been doing everything he can to lower the burden of expectation on the shoulders of the returning striker.
      But Martinelli has shown is more than happy to carry that weight and is probably the one ray of light at the Emirates right now.
      Sadly for Arsenal, that was to prove the youngster’s final contribution to the evening after being caught a painful blow on the ankle by keeper Zack Steffen as they challenged for Joe Willock’s through ball.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
      He tried to soldier on following lengthy treatment during the half-time interval but two minutes after the restart had to be replaced by Nicolas Pepe.
      Now Arsenal will be praying that his injury is not as serious as it initially appeared because there is precious little else for anxious Gunners fans to get excited about.
      Any hope of somehow snatching a 16th win in 17 cup ties under Arteta were completely dashed by a devastating three-goal burst in the space of 19 second-half minutes.
      City should already have been out of sight by then with Laporte and Ruben Dias both heading decent chances wide before Jesus was thwarted by Runarsson after being sent in on goal by a delightful backheel from Phil Foden.
      But Arsenal’s Icelandic keeper was found badly wanting when he allowed Riyad Mahrez’s 54th minute free-kick to slip right through his fingers to restore City’s lead.
      And worse was to follow on the hour when Runarsson was beaten again by Foden’s deft finish from Fernandinho’s through pass.
      TV replays showed that the young England star was half a yard offside when he was played in but without VAR to intervene there was no-one to spare the blushes of linesman Stuart Burt.

      Not that City needed assistance to secure their place in this evening’s semi-final draw in the trophy which Guardiola has come to regard as his own personal property.
      They made sure of their victory in the 73rd minute when Laporte headed in unchallenged from Foden’s cross and you almost started to feel sorry for Arsenal after that.
      Arteta says that he is not prepared to tolerate victims in his squad but there is still plenty of room for losers.

      Arsenal vs Chelsea – Live stream FREE, TV channel and kick-off time for Boxing Day Premier League clash More