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      Man City 3 Plymouth 1: Nico O’Reilly double spares Pep’s blushes after almighty scare against Championship strugglers

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      PEP Guardiola found his FA Cup hero just in the Nico time…but he didn’t half sweat for a while first.With just 15 minutes of this last 16 clash left, Argyle were still all square and dreams of an even greater shock than dumping Liverpool in the previous round were alive.Maksym Talovierov headed Plymouth ahead in the first halfCredit: GettyNico O’Reilly netted the equaliser for Man CityCredit: GettyHe then netted the go-ahead goalCredit: GettyKevin de Bruyne sealed the victory in the final momentsCredit: GettyYet then, Nico O’Reilly, the local-born teenager in a galaxy of Galacticos, pounced to head in his second goal of the day and there was an almighty sigh of relief all around the Etihad.Everywhere except the massed ranks of travelling Pilgrims, that is, who were instead cursing O’Reilly for giving their fairytale a Grimm ending.For seven magic minutes they actually led the Premier League winners of the last four years as well, thanks to Maxi Talovierov’s never-to-be-forgotten header.But a minute before the break O’Reilly ghosted in to meet a Kevin De Bruyne free kick curled in from the right and it was even stevens again.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAlthough, if you wanted to be harsh, questions could be asked of Argyle keeper Conor Hazard, who got a full hand to the ball, without the strength to palm it to safety.Having said he had plenty of moments prior to that, most notably getting fingertips to De Bruyne’s low angled strike a couple of minutes before City’s leveller.But he had also been rooted to the spot when Ilkay Gundogan had rattled an upright when it was still goalless – although to be fair it was struck so ferociously no keeper on earth would have moved.There were also occasions the Plymouth keeper was left thanking the men in front of him, too – none more than when Maxi had deflected a Phil Foden shot wide.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSYet equally he had a few heroic moments of his own as well, as City – well, certainly their manager – grew increasingly frustrated.Admittedly not as many, and rarely with the same sense of drama, as the stack-‘em-high number of stops when Liverpool were whipped off at the knees in the previous round.’Endangered his life’ – Crystal Palace owner gives Mateta injury update live on BBC and slams ‘reckless’ Millwall starPlymouth put in a brave performance at the EtihadCredit: GettyPep Guardiola will be relieved after seeing his team come from behindCredit: GettyThat unforgettable fourth round triumph when the Pilgrims became the favourite other team of every fan in the country outside Anfield.And with Guardiola at one stage getting so frustrated that he was throwing his arms around like a bald-headed Bruno Fernandes, you did wonder if they could possibly do it again.After all, despite City’s monopoly on possession for long periods, there will be days Plymouth’s backline boys work harder for their dough in the Championship than this.Largely, it should be said, thanks to Maxi Talovierov and Nikola Katic prowling the backline with such a fearsome menace they were like a pair of footballing Krays.Put it this way, Argyle’s defensive duo have such an intimidating air, you imagine they rarely get below a seven in the local paperHow fitting, then, that when Plymouth did snatch their out-of-the-blue lead, one of them was the hero.It came from Matthew Sorinola’s 37th minute corner, which Maxi met unopposed to head into the corner. The City boys were probably too scared to get close enough to stop him.At the opposite end of the pitch 8,000 travelling fans went wild. First Liverpool, now this…it was fast becoming the ultimate FA Cup fairytale. Only it didn’t end that way.For just when they looked destined to reach the base camp of taking their lead into the second half, up popped O’Reilly and it was suddenly all square again.And with Argyle barely setting foot in the City half – let alone penalty box – after the break, surely it was only a matter of time.Hazard had to react smartly to paw one over the tip when De Bruyne tried to catch him out, while Rico Lewis went close with the most acrobatic of volleys.It was fast becoming a repeat of the Alamo-style onslaught they had faced in the fourth round…only this one didn’t have the same happy ending for the underdogs.They could claim a mini-victory, at least, in forcing Guardiola to chuck on Erling Haaland from the bench after an hour as the hunt for a winner grew more frantic.Yet when not even he could find a way through as Hazard pulled off a stunning rub-your-eyes double stop 15 minutes from the end maybe, just maybe, they could hang on.When Jack Grealish curled one from the left to hand Haaland a point blank header, he surely had to score.But only did Hazard block his header, he somehow managed to turn Bernardo Silva’s follow-up behind as well.It was a jaw-dropping save on a par with Jim Montgomery’s unforgettable effort in Sunderland’s 1973 Wembley triumph.Only this one didn’t have the same memorable ending…in fact barely 60 seconds later he was picking the ball out of his net.READ MORE SUN STORIESFrom Phil Foden’s corner, O’Reilly outmuscled Jordan Houghton at the far post and it was relief all round at last for the men in sky blue.Breathing space that became feet up and relax when De Bruyne tapped in a third seconds from the end…but it took one hell of a fight to get there. 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      Burnley stars SNUB handshake with Preston player accused of racially abusing team-mate before he taunts fans after goal

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      BURNLEY players refused to shake hands with Preston’s Milutin Osmajic’s amid a racism row before their 3-0 FA Cup defeat. The two Championship clubs drew 0-0 in February in the league. Burnley players refused to shake hands with Preston’s Milutin Osmajic’s amid a racism rowOsmajic laughed off the snubCredit: X @BBCMOTDBut the match was marred in controversy after Osmajic was accused of making a racist remark to Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.The FA are still investigating the incident meanwhile the teams drew each other in the fifth round of the cup. During the pre-match handshakes, Burnley players snubbed Osmajic.But the drama did not stop there as the Preston forward scored before half-time to double the host’s lead after Robbie Brady’s opener. READ MORE IN football And Osmajic caused more controversy after putting his hands to his ears to goad the travelling Burnley fans. And ex-Manchester United forward Will Keane made it 3-0 to wrap the game up. Burnley manager Scott Parker confirmed Hannibal was fit but he left out the Tunisia midfielder to protect him from the spotlight.Parker told BBC iPlayer before kick-off: “As I said earlier in the week in the press conference, fundamentally I need to protect Hannibal and making sure of the right decision.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”It has been a tough decision and we come here a bit weakened today because Hannibal is a vitally important member of this squad, and I felt it was the best decision for Hannibal.”I wouldn’t want to put him in a situation here, so we have made the decision for the best for Hannibal. How Man Utd could clinch a win in Fulham FA Cup clash – Expert’s best bets | Weekend Wager”That is why he is not in the matchday squad.”Asked whether he spoke with Hannibal, Parker said: “It was mainly my decision. “Hannibal was selectable today but he is a young boy that experienced something here only a few weeks ago and I just made that decision to keep him out of here and we have another game on Tuesday.”If found guilty, Osmajic faces a minimum six-match ban as the FA continue their probe. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted he had not considered the idea of leaving Osmajic out. Asked whether he was taking an approach of “innocent until proven guilty” – Heckingbottom replied: “Yes, exactly – 100 per cent.” In October, Osmajic was hit with an eight-match ban after biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck.The incident took place during Preston’s 0-0 draw with Rovers in September.Osmajic last year bit Blackburn’s Owen BeckCredit: GettyOsmajic was accused of making a racist remark to Burnley’s Hannibal MejbriCredit: RexOsmajic was only shown a yellow during the game and was able to play in Preston’s next two games.But the FA launched an investigation and subsequently charged him.Osmajic missed Preston’s next eight matches and was also fined £15,000.Parker backed his squad after their handshake snub, as he said: “The players made that decision as a group.”The players decided that that was a stance they were going to take. I was fully supportive of that when I found out.”If that’s the decision this group wanted to take out of support and an understanding of more clarity and more of an understanding of the situation, that’s the decision they made.”I was fully supportive of that.”Parker held talks with Hannibal this week and despite the ex-United man being in a good frame of mind decided to leave him out.He said: “Hannibal is in a good frame. There was an opportunity to play him and I made the conscious decision.The players decided that that was a stance they were going to take. I was fully supportive of that when I found out.Scott Parker “I made the decision to take him out of that situation. There’s a live investigation going on now and there’s no conclusion to it.”I didn’t want to put Hannibal in a situation today which is still up in the air. Because that’s what it is.”He’s coming to an away stadium. Maybe against a player that the allegations are against. And a fan base which people are making up their minds about whether it was or whether it wasn’t.”My decision which took me a long time and a lot of thinking about was one that I just wanted to protect Hannibal.”Osmajic scored the second of Preston’s three goals as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1966.Preston fans responded late on by chanting “Are you watching Hannibal?”.Parker added: “It’s made me sad really.”I’m sure he would have been fine today. But I’ve been around football a long time. I understand fanbases.”I didn’t want to put him in this situation.”North End boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “It’s about could he be professional enough to give a performance for us? READ MORE SUN STORIES”That was it. That’s what the conversations were about. If I felt or he felt that he couldn’t be professional enough then we wouldn’t have been involved.”Osmajic scored and taunted Burnley fansCredit: GettyHe cupped his ears to goad fansCredit: Getty More

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      ‘IQ score beat my wife’s… that’s the best thing’ – Brainiac Frank Lampard on why he’s proving smart choice at Coventry

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      AFTER failing his last two tests at Chelsea and Everton, Lampard is gaining pass marks again.It does not take a genius to work out why… but if it did the high-flying Coventry boss would certainly fit the bill.Frank Lampard is loving his time with Coventry CityCredit: GettyThe Chelsea legend has taken Coventry from 17th to play-off contentionCredit: PAAfter all, how many football managers qualify for Mensa with an IQ of 150 — which puts him in the top one-two per cent of Britain’s brainiacs?Lampard, who also has a GCSE A-star in Latin, told SunSport: “It’s true, I do have an IQ of 150!“I was tested at Chelsea in the aftermath of John Terry getting kicked in the head in the Carabao Cup final.“Our doctor, who was Brian English at the time, made us do IQ tests to get us all a base-level IQ so we could be registered again if you had a concussion or a head injury.Read More in Football“I just breezed it. Other people seem more interested in it than me.“But I am quite proud of it. My score of 150 just beat my wife, Christine, which was the best thing about it.“She was just below me. I don’t know the exact numbers but we were around the same.“But I think she’s smarter than me — at least it feels that way in the house!Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“It was a strange test. I’d never done one before. For whatever reason, I came out on top of it.“That was my one and only IQ test. I retired after taking one, just in case it was a false test!”Fans spot Frank Lampard do his trademark face change as clip of his first day at Coventry training emergesLampard admitted he was thrilled when he found out his IQ was higher than his wife’sCredit: GettyLampard was also a smart cookie as a schoolboy, dreaming of following in the footsteps of his father and making it as a professional player with West Ham.He added: “I got 11 GSCEs. Four or five A passes, the rest Bs and one C, as well as one A-star-plus for Latin!”Lampard replaced Coventry fans’ favourite Mark Robins in November when the Sky Blues were 17th in the Championship.Yet three months on, it is beginning to look like one of the smartest moves of the season as Lampard has lifted Robins’ relegation candidates to within one point of the play-off positions.Coventry head to Oxford United tomorrow with the confidence of a side who have won seven out of their last eight games — their only defeat coming against leaders Leeds.But I am quite proud of it. My score of 150 just beat my wife, Christine, which was the best thing about it.Frank LampardAfter being burned at Everton and his second stint at Chelsea, Lampard is clearly loving life again in the dugout.Having enjoyed success as a TV pundit it would have been easy for him to take the easy option of becoming a full-time football critic.But he admits he has been bitten by the managerial bug and believes he is young enough — and wise enough — to succeed as a top-level boss after learning some harsh lessons from his past.He said: “I enjoyed the media when I packed up playing. I did it for a year and it was lovely to still have one foot in the game.“When I’ve been in between jobs, sometimes you want to rest, other times you want to work a bit and the media is great for that.“You work with great people. You see the game from the outside. You look at other teams more.“But this is what I love doing the most. I love the day-to-day involvement of being a manager.“I love the challenge, with all of its frustrations.“People tell me: ‘You don’t need to do it’. But it’s not a monetary thing.“I’m 46 years of age. I love working and I’m doing something I love to do.“The media life is easier, that’s for sure! It’s so much easier to comment on everyone with the benefit of hindsight. Management is much tougher.“I’ve been criticised before by former team-mates. Does it feel like betrayal? No, I’m pretty balanced about it now.Coventry have won seven of their last eight gamesCredit: Getty“I’ve experienced that situation, it’s not so much former team-mates, as some ex-players who don’t know what it’s like to manage.“They’ve never worked in management so they don’t understand the rigours.“They don’t understand the working week, don’t understand the challenges of team selection and injuries and managing players and formations.“It doesn’t mean you can’t be in the media.“But if you haven’t worked in management then I take what you say not with a pinch of salt — that sounds disrespectful.“But if I sense that it’s a little bit of a loaded dig or something that’s not well backed up, then I note it and move on.”So has Lampard ever dug up an ex-pro for his on-air comments? He replied: “I’ll answer that by not answering it… what do you think?”Lampard was a battler on the field and he has not lost his competitive edge now he is back in the dugout and in a tracksuit on the training ground.Management has chewed up and spat out so many of England’s so-called Golden Generation.Wayne Rooney has become the latest casualty, following in the footsteps of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, John Terry to a lesser extent, and Steven Gerrard, who have all experienced failure and criticism.The media life is easier, that’s for sure! It’s so much easier to comment on everyone with the benefit of hindsight. Management is much tougher.Frank LampardLampard said: “I don’t feel like I’m the one left holding the torch for the Golden Generation. It’s a lazy generalisation.“Anyone that goes into this job as an ex-player who’s had a highly regarded career should get a lot of credit because you understand that there’s a bigger fall for you.“There’s a bigger level of interest. Maybe we’ll succeed but what about if we fail?“It’s a little bit of a cultural issue. I think we’re all a bit guilty of that in our British culture.“So I don’t listen to the Golden Generation stuff.“It’s just a really lazy thing to say: Great players don’t make great managers.“And then you actually start listing them. Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and all the other ones.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s just a fallacy. It’s just picking an argument with confirmation bias.“It’s nonsense.”Lampard’s ex-England team-mate Wayne Rooney was axed by Plymouth on New Year’s EveCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea chief Todd Boehly proposes dramatic rule change that would see EFL clubs become Premier League owners

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      TODD Boehly has proposed dramatic rule change to help bridge the gap between the Premier League and the Championship.The under-fire Chelsea chief also took the chance to brush off the fan protest outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.Todd Boehly proposed dramatic rule change to help bridge the gap in English footballCredit: GettyFans descended before Tuesday’s league game against SouthamptonBoehly drew upon his knowledge as an investor to suggest a ground-breaking rule change for the Prem to boost competitiveness.Speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit, Boehly explained: “There is a bit of an unorganised landscape in European football.”It reminds me of the Retail Sports Network market in America. There is a handful of things that needs to be sorted.”One of the challenges is relegation in football. It’s hard to price. If everyone was equal, you’d have a 15 per cent chance of relegation.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS”But everyone isn’t equal, so you have to work out how best to address that valuation challenge.”Relegation is cultural and not going anywhere. So why not every season when a team is in the EPL, you get one share of EPL stock and even if you go down you keep that stock.”The gulf between the Championship and Prem cannot be understated.Last season saw all three promoted sides, Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United, suffer immediate relegation for the first time since 1998.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe same fate currently awaits Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich, with the trio occupying the drop zone with 11 matches remaining.But Boehly also shrugged off the fan protests which preceded Chelsea’s 4-0 win over the Saints on Tuesday.Chelsea fans can’t name their OWN PLAYERS after another wild transfer window under owner Todd BoehlyHe said: “I just think it is par for the course.”The sooner you learn you are not going to keep all the people happy all the time, the freedom shows up.”We are just trying to execute a plan and recognise things aren’t linear, and we are trending in the right direction.”The trend is moving in the right direction and that’s the thing that really matters.”In June, it will be three years in charge. That’s not a lot of time, especially when you get to 50, 60 or 70 years old in life.”Promoted Southampton sit bottom of the Prem with two wins from 27 gamesCredit: PASupporters directed their anger towards Todd Boehly and ownership group BlueCoOn Chelsea’s poor No 9 recruitment, he added: “Strikers are hard to find.”You don’t go into the grocery store and say, ‘I’m going to get a striker’.”It is an amazing skillset and you also have to have a fantastic mentality.”The final question by moderator Arash Massoudi was whether the ownership will change given the talk of disagreements between him and Clearlake. He answered: “Listen, I can’t predict the future. If I could, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAs for Chelsea, Enzo Maresca’s side are well in the hunt for a top four finish after beating the Saints this week.The Blues are one point adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City in fifth.Chelsea ratings vs Southampton as Cole Palmer STILL can’t score or assist… and gets a horror grade More

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      Wayne Rooney tipped for next manager job at ambitious EFL club two months after Plymouth sacking

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      WAYNE ROONEY has been tipped for his next role in the dugout following his sacking from Plymouth Argyle.The Manchester United legend was axed by the Pilgrims back in December.Wayne Rooney could be on his way back into managementCredit: GettyHe was sacked by Plymouth in DecemberCredit: PARooney, 39, has not stopped working completely, as he has been a pundit for Amazon Prime.He has also been coaching for Football Escapes at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.It has now been suggested that he could be in line with a return to the dugout.An insider has told Heat World that he could become the next boss at League Two side Salford City.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThey said: “There’s talk of Wayne getting another managerial role at Salford City FC.”It’s local, so he doesn’t have to move out, but he won’t be home 24/7 and will have something to focus on.”The Ammies could be on the search for a new manager if they miss out on promotion to League One.Current boss Karl Robinson has been in charge of the club since January 2024.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe has won 23 of his 60 matches, drawing 16 and losing 21.The club is currently ninth in League Two, seven points shy of the playoff spots.EXCL Wayne Rooney spotted training his England teammate Kyle Walker’s six-year-old son at £5k a night Dubai hotelKarl Robinson is the current Salford City managerCredit: AlamyRooney has worked for Amazon Prime as a pundit since leaving PlymouthCredit: GettyRooney’s managerial careerHere is a look at Wayne Rooney’s career in the dugout so far…Derby County, Nov 2020 to Jun 2022Games – 84Wins – 25Draws – 21Losses – 38DC United, Jul 2022 to Oct 2023Games – 53Wins – 14Draws – 13Losses – 26Birmingham City, Oct 2023 to Jan2024Games – 15Wins – 2Draws – 4Losses – 9Plymouth Argyle, May 2024 to Dec 2024Games – 25Wins – 5Draws – 6Losses – 14Average points per game – 1.03The insider has also suggested that Rooney could continue his work in punditry.Rooney could take up an opportunity at BBC’s Match of the Day which is filmed in the Dock10 studios at MediaCityUK in Salford.They said: “There’s also talk of him joining Match Of The Day as a pundit, which would be perfect as it’s filmed in Manchester.”So he wouldn’t have too far to travel.”Should Rooney take over at Salford City, then it would be the lowest level he has managed at.He has never dropped below the Championship before in his managerial career.Rooney has managed three English clubs with varying success at Derby County, Birmingham City and Plymouth.He would be working with some familiar faces with Salford’s owners consisting of former Man United stars.The Class of 92 Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt first took over the club in 2014.David Beckham became a shareholder of the club in 2019.Rooney has previously told the Stick to Football podcast that he would open the door to a managerial return – with the right club.He said: “I would like to go back in.”It’d have to be the right club. Certainly the right club.”And he even admitted he would accept a role as assistant manager.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “I’d have no problem dropping into an Under-21 team or going in as a coach.”I’m still young enough to learn and develop. Just having a good group of players who were at a [good] level.”Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again. More

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      Bournemouth star, 21, switches international allegiance to play under ex-Premier League boss after representing England

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      BOURNEMOUTH star Daniel Jebbison has switched his national allegiance away from England.The 21-year-old striker has agreed to represent Canada, according to reports.Daniel Jebbison has switched his national allegiance away from EnglandJebbison was born in Oakville, Ontario, but is eligible to represent England and Jamaica through his parents.He has been capped 13 times across three different age groups in England’s youth set up.The Prem star was part of the Three Lions side that won the 2022 Under-19 Euros, where he scored against Serbia in the group stage.But he has swapped his allegiance as Canada Soccer has landed one of the most sought-after dual-nationals in the programme’shistory. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSJebbison has started the process of his Fifa one-time change of association.An official announcement from Canada Soccer is expected soon, reports The Athletic.Should that be completed in time, he would likely attend his first Canada training camp in March as part of the Concacaf Nations League finals.Canada will face Mexico in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to meet either the U.S. or Panama.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEx-Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has managed Canada since May 2024.Marsch attended Bournemouth’s 1-0 loss to Wolves at the Vitality Stadium to see Jebbison come on in the 89th minute.Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen couldn’t be happier being nominated for Premier League player of the month Marsch had several conversations with the striker and stressed the importance of Canada being one of three host nations for the 2026 World Cup.Jebbison has been a regular substitute for Bournemouth in the second half of this season, since returning from a loan to Championship side Watford.He has two goals in two FA Cup appearances this term and previously starred for Sheffield United in 2019.Jebbison last played for England’s Under-20 side in May 2023 at the Fifa U-20 World Cup.He was also partly convinced of how he could thrive with Canada thanks to a video Marsch and his staff created.Canada turned to three top stars in Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Alistair Johnston, to record video messages expressing their interest in having Jebbison join.Marsch also put a personal touch in his recruitment plan by creating a one-off Canada-themed pair of Air Jordans to gift to Jebbison.Ex-Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has managed Canada since May 2024 More

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      It’s grim down south as London’s so-called football elite lose out again and keep the capital a trophy-free zone

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      FROM Hackney Marshes to Wembley Stadium, London is a city which eats, sleeps and breathes football.Forget the supposed heartlands and  hotbeds of the north, England’s capital boasts more professional clubs than any metropolis outside South America — 16 of them in the top five tiers, with seven in the Premier League.Arteta’s hopes of domestic silverware look to have gone againCredit: RexMaresca has a long way to go to make Chelsea top boys once againCredit: GettyAnge’s hopes of a trophy rest with the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyYet Erik ten Hag won more silverware during his dismal Manchester United reign than the whole of London put together.And after a major February meltdown, it’s highly likely that no London club  will lift a domestic trophy for a fifth  consecutive season.Arsenal have blown another title, the Gunners and Spurs lost the League Cup semi-finals, while only Fulham, Crystal Palace and Millwall remain in  the FA Cup — with none of them having previously lifted the trophy.Arsenal don’t have a striker and don’t have any discipline, Chelsea’s owners have spent a billion and don’t have any senior players, while Tottenham don’t even want to be referred to as Tottenham any more.READ MORE FOOTBALLWest Ham are the worst Premier League team in the capital after sacking their best manager in decades — and David Moyes is the only boss to have won a major trophy for a London club in front of a full stadium since 2018. If Uefa’s Conference League even counts.Chelsea won the Champions League in front of a post-pandemic sprinkling of supporters in 2021 but the Blues have lost six successive Wembley finals, while Arsenal haven’t  won the title since 2004 and Spurs have won nothing since 2008.So with London such a des res for footballers, and with more than a third  of the Premier League based in the  capital, why do all major domestic  trophies head north?The winner of next month’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle will be the 14th consecutive English trophy-winner from north of Watford.Most read in FootballOne common factor, a perennial  problem for all of the capital’s clubs, is the sheer weight of derby fixtures.How Mo Salah bamboozled Man City with genius ‘backpedal trick’Derbies tend to be levellers which take their toll — and while Arsenal are top of this season’s London derby table, they have lost at home to West Ham twice in succession and failed to beat Fulham this term or last.Since the exits of Arsene Wenger and Roman Abramovich — the two most  influential figures in London football over the previous half-century — the city is becoming a trophy-free zone.Wenger took the Premier League by storm with his genius during his early years at Arsenal — and kept winning FA Cups even in his dog days.By then, Vladimir Putin’s pal  Abramovich had arrived at Stamford Bridge and, as Arsenal director David Dein put it, “parked his Russian tank in our front garden and fired £50 notes at us” — before we’d even heard of FFP or PSR.With Manchester City in meltdown, this ought to have been Arsenal’s time for a first title since Wenger’s heyday. Yet five red cards have cost them up to ten points and the lack of a fit striker, or any authentic No 9, means their chances of catching Liverpool were always remote.Under Abramovich, Chelsea collected five Premier League titles and the only two European Cups ever won by any London club.Since he scarpered into exile, the Blues have become prisoners of their own dogmatic business model — signing young players on extremely long contracts, with no senior pros to guide them.Now Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old who has carried the club for 18 months, faces another season without Champions League football.And with six years to run on his Blues deal, a player who sees himself as Ballon d’Or material might soon be getting itchy feet. A Conference League title won’t cut it.Then there’s the football club formerly known as Tottenham who, in a bizarre missive, requested broadcasters no longer refer to them as “Tottenham”, only as “Spurs” or by their full name, Tottenham Hotspur.We knew Ange Postecoglou’s men were having a poor season but we didn’t realise they needed to seek a new identity under the witness  protection programme.All in all, it’s grim down south.Pep Guardiola made the north football’s dominant region – and Arne Slot is making sure things stay that wayCredit: RexEven Erik ten Hag lifted two trophies as Man Utd bossCredit: ReutersDIFFERENT LEAGUELAST season, the clubs promoted to the Premier League all went back down.While two of those relegated to the Championship came straight up and the third, Leeds, lost the play-off final.This term, the three promoted clubs look relegation certs.And all three were  hammered at home this weekend by an aggregate scoreline of 12-1.Opposition players aren’t even properly  celebrating their goals against Southampton or Leicester any more.Meanwhile two of last season’s relegated clubs — Sheffield United  and Burnley — sit in  the Championship’s top three, along with Leeds.If it seems the gap between the top two divisions is widening again, then how on Earth do you explain the plight of Luton Town?The Hatters  made a decent stab at top-flight survival last year but are rock-bottom of the Championship right now.Luton could be set for two drops in a rowCredit: RexASH CLOUDOVERTURNING the injury-time penalty awarded to Everton’s Ashley Young against Manchester United proves the supposed VAR ‘high bar’ has been forgotten and matches are again being re-refereed from Stockley Park.And, after ref Andy Madley had made an honest, instinctive on-field decision on a 50-50 call in awarding the spot-kick, it’s also possible his VAR might have had time to take into account Young’s previous for taking a tumble.Which wouldn’t be right.Ashley Young thought Everton had won a penalty against his old sideCredit: GettyLEAKY BUM TIMEIF you thought Manchester United were bad on the pitch, consider the mess behind the scenes.Chief executive Omar Berrada is threatening to sack any United employees who turn whistle-blower and leak news of plans to axe even more staff.These job cuts will help pay for billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s disastrous decision to offer a new contract to Erik ten Hag, then sack him, and to poach sporting director  Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, only to fall out with him and pay him off five months later.Ratcliffe’s chum Sir Dave Brailsford is apparently sick of hearing about the Sir Alex Ferguson era.Brailsford reckons it puts unfair pressure on the Ratcliffe regime to mention that, under Fergie, United dominated the English game, winning 13 Prem titles and two European Cups.In which case, why didn’t Ratcliffe buy a club which had never won so much as a raffle prize, and run that one into the ground instead?Ratcliffe and Berrada are trying to stop the leaksCredit: GettyHOME RULE?YOU’VE got to turn your home stadium into a fortress because it’s always tough to win  on the road in the Premier League, isn’t it?Well, hardly any tougher than winning  at home, actually.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere were seven away wins in the top flight this weekend, meaning a total of 101 home victories and 95 away successes this season.With plenty of teams enjoying success on the counter-attack, with defensive ‘low blocks’ difficult to break down and away ends invariably out-singing home fans, home advantage is a thing of the past. 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      Sheffield United 1 Leeds 3: Farke’s side dreaming of Premier League promotion as epic comeback sends them 5 clear at top

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      THERE is no Leeds falling apart again after they brilliantly came from behind for a second Monday in a row to beat a promotion rival.Daniel Farke’s side moved five points clear after Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe all scored late to secure a famous Yorkshire derby victory at Bramall Lane.Leeds moved five points clear in the Championship with a 3-1 win at Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyLeeds were 1-0 down before scoring three late goalsCredit: RexLeeds are now five points in front of Sheffield United, who had bossed most of the game until the final 25 minutes but failed to add to an unfortunate 14th-minute Illan Meslier own goal.That is now 19 games since Leeds lost a Yorkshire derby – to United’s bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in January 2020.Leeds are now unbeaten in 16 Championship games – with 11 wins and five draws — having not lost since Blackburn turned them over in November.Pascal Struijk returned to the team after coming off the bench to score twice in a 2-1 comeback win over Sunderland at Elland Road last Monday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIllan Meslier had Leeds’ hearts in mouths twice in the opening 10 minutes.First a long throw was lofted in and the keeper dropped the ball before managing to collect at the second attempt.But then he claimed to have been clattered as he came out to punch the ball and Ilia Gruev superbly headed the ball off the line.Yet there was no stopping the Blades from moving in front.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBen Brereton Diaz’s cross was superb and Callum O’Hare’s flicked header was outrageous, sending it over the top of Meslier.He made a stunning save to push the ball on to the bar. The ball bounced down and Tyrese Campbell headed the ball on to the right post but the ball hit the back of Meslier to deflect it over the line.Tottenham star Archie Gray’s younger brother Harry scores ton of wondergoals for Leeds academy as he looks to be latest star in Elland Road family dynastyAnd the hosts should have doubled the lead when O’Hare just failed to reach another quality cross into the box — this time from Harrison Burrows.Firpo then made a crucial interception just before O’Hare was set to pounce on a Campbell cross.But James wasted a good opening when Brenden Aaronson fed the winger. He cut inside but shot wildly off target.Leeds made their best move of the game and should have levelled seven minutes before the break.The hosts took the lead after just 14 minutesCredit: GettyAn own-goal from Illan Meslier put Leeds on the back footCredit: ReutersManor Solomon took down a perfect long pass from Struijk on the left side of the box and with Harry Clarke and Burrows at sixes and seven he shot straight at the keeper. He had a simple squared pass to Firpo, who was fuming with his team-mate.Chris Wilder brought on Hamza Choudhury for Harry Clarke at the break.And the Blades regained control of proceedings.Leeds powered back 20 minutes from time through Junior FirpoCredit: PAAo Tanaka then put the visitors ahead in the 89th minuteCredit: RexCampbell was sent clear past Joe Rodon but Meslier managed to get to the ball first and keep it in the area as he slide in.Leeds brought on Mateo Joseph and Joe Rothwell for Aaronson and Gruev.Souza had a dig from 25-yards but it was straight down Meslier’s throat.The visitors twice appealed for penalties.Joel Piroe made sure of the result a minute laterCredit: PAIt was heartache for the Blades as Leeds pulled clearCredit: GettyJames went down under a challenge from Jack Robinson but it was fanciful to think they would get a spot kick.Then ex-Blades Jayden Bogle’s cross struck the arm of Burrows — but ref David Webb ruled it was not in an unnatural position.Leeds had a glorious chance to level when Solomon from 16 yards half volleyed over the bar.And, against the run of play, they got it.READ MORE SUN STORIESJames provided the cross and Firo powered a header past Cooper to spark wild scenes in the away end.Piroe then forced Cooper into a fine low save to his right and kept out a powerful Wilfried Gnonto. More