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    Shirtless Jack Grealish leads Man City bus parade as Erling Haaland mixes with jubilant fans cerebrating Treble win

    MANCHESTER CITY fans braved rain and lightning to watch their Treble-winning team’s open-top bus parade on Monday evening.The parade was delayed by more than an hour due to the horrific conditions, but that did not deter the thousands of supporters that gathered to catch a glimpse of their squad.
    Jack Grealish with the Champions League trophyCredit: Getty
    Grealish was front and centre in all of the celebrationsCredit: Getty
    Striker Haaland mixes with jubilant fans
    Phil Foden celebrating amid mountains of confettiCredit: PA
    Manchester City held their trophies aloft as they celebrated the TrebleCredit: PA
    Pep Guardiola smoked a cigar during the celebrationsCredit: Reuters
    The head coach gave a thumbs up to the crowdCredit: AFP
    Guardiola posed with some of his backroom staffCredit: Getty
    A topless Grealish made his way to the parade on the tramCredit: Getty
    He has been in a party mood ever since Man City’s Champions League triumphCredit: Getty
    Aymeric Laporte, left, Erling Haaland, centre, and Ruben Dias, right, were also on the tramCredit: Getty
    John Stones was snapped on public transport with his team-matesCredit: Getty
    (L-R) Stefano Ortega, Ilkay Gundogan, Stones and Nathan Ake on the tramCredit: Getty
    Dias was pictured with the Premier League trophyCredit: Getty
    The open-top bus parade was met with swarms of sky blueCredit: Getty
    It was an incredible scene on the streets of ManchesterCredit: PA
    Fans came out in their droves to welcome the squadCredit: Getty
    The stage was set for Man City’s historic homecomingCredit: PA
    Foden was snapped firing a confetti cannonCredit: Getty
    Jack Grealish was wearing a high-vis jacket on stageCredit: Reuters
    He was loving every minute of the celebrationsCredit: PA
    Some of the Man City players squirted a drink into Grealish’s mouth on stageCredit: Reuters
    Haaland came onto the stage topless with a Man City shirt over his headCredit: Getty
    The Norwegian was buzzing throughout the celebrationsCredit: Getty
    Guardiola got the crowd going when he came on stageCredit: PA
    Haaland celebrated up close and personal with the fansCredit: Getty
    Fireworks brought the house down on an incredible nightCredit: Getty
    And many of the squad may their way to the parade via the tram, with Jack Grealish pictured topless on the public transport.
    Erling Haaland, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Stefano Ortega were also snapped on the tram.
    And Haaland was dubbed a “menace” for pouring Champagne on Grealish during the chaotic scenes.
    Pep Guardiola, who was seen smoking a cigar during the celebrations, and his stable of superstars enjoyed a sensational homecoming after becoming just the second English team in history to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same campaign.
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    The Man City players seemed to be loving the celebrations through the streetsCredit: PA
    Sky blue flares lit up the streets of ManchesterCredit: PA
    Fans braved the rain and lightning to be a part of the occasionCredit: Alamy
    Haaland holding up the Champions League trophyCredit: AFP
    Supporters hung from traffic lights to get the perfect viewCredit: Reuters
    Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji with the Champions League and Premier League trophiesCredit: Getty
    Gundogan and Dias enjoying the bus in the rainCredit: Getty

    Fans waved flags and sang to the heavens as City made their way through town an open-top bus.
    Key men such as Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Grealish basked in the adoration as they made their way through the streets of Manchester.
    And when they eventually made it to the stage, Grealish, dressed in a high-vis jacket, said “I don’t think I’ve slept”.
    The party is sure to continue into the night, with players living the high life ever since Saturday’s final whistle in Istanbul.
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    City landed the Premier League first, overturning an eight-point deficit to leapfrog Arsenal and win their third-straight title by five points.
    A second domestic trophy soon followed, with Guardiola’s men beating rivals Man Utd in the FA Cup final.
    And City solidified their position as one of the greatest sides in history by lifting their first Champions League with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan on Saturday.
    The club have been enjoying themselves ever since, with Grealish leading the way with a brilliant rap song from INSIDE City’s team bus.
    Stars then reportedly jetted to party island Ibiza for a major celebration after landing in Manchester on Sunday.

    But three players stayed home for a chilled-out dinner, with De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Stefan Ortega the only aces turning up to a hired-out restaurant.
    Meanwhile, the Ibiza party crew only landed back in Manchester on Monday afternoon, hours before the start of the parade.
    Yet they all managed to look their best for the historic celebration with their fans.
    City won the Premier League title first after chasing down ArsenalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    The FA Cup then followed with victory over Man UtdCredit: Getty
    The Treble was completed by the Champions League final win against Inter MilanCredit: Getty More

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    England football chiefs replace Snickers sponsor in new health drive

    BARS of Snickers chocolate have been subbed by England footie chiefs in a new health drive.The treat, a partner of the England and Scotland teams, has been replaced by healthier Kind cereal bars.
    Snickers will no longer be sponsoring the England football teamCredit:
    FA officials did not want stars including Harry Kane and Beth Mead to be associated with Snickers after last year launching The Greater Game scheme to inspire youngsters to be healthier.
    Instead they will now be ­promoting Kind bars, which have a lower sugar and calorie count, and Extra chewing gum.
    The move is part of a new sponsorship deal with Kind owners Mars ­covering this year’s women’s World Cup and 2025 Euros, and the men’s Euros in 2024 and the World Cup in 2026.
    Kerry Cavanaugh, UK marketing boss of Mars Wrigley, said: “For this latest chapter of our FA partnership it felt right to focus on a new healthier product.
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    “Our Kind bars and Extra gum are a better fit for that than Snickers.”
    Navin Singh, FA commercial director, said: “This evolving partnership aligns perfectly with our passion to encourage ­balanced lifestyles.”
    Mars, which bought the Kind brand in 2020, has been an FA sponsor since 2009.
    Last year the FA ended a 20-year sponsorship tie-up with fast food giant McDonald’s, the longest in the FA’s history.
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    Man City hero Ilkay Gundogan finally receives FA Cup medal after missing out to little-known star who didn’t make squad

    ILKAY GUNDOGAN set his sights on a winners’ medal in Saturday’s Champions League final — having been denied one on the Wembley balcony.Skipper and man-of-the-match Gundogan and fellow Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne missed out on getting their gongs from Prince William after beating United 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
    Ilkay Gundogan is spotted lifting the FA Cup without a medal around his neckCredit: Rex
    The Prince of Wales was forced to explain he had run out of medals
    Sergio Gomez was not in the squad but received a winners medal
    The Prince of Wales seemed to then explain to the pair that he had run out of them.
    Keeper Ederson later passed a medal to De Bruyne as they celebrated but two-goal hero Gundogan missed out completely.
    Instead, Spanish left-back Sergio Gomez, who was not even in the squad, was seen wearing a medal in the official photos.
    Teams get 20 medals for the starting XI and nine subs, plus one for the manager, on Cup final day.
    Read more Man City news
    Clubs are given an extra 19 to ensure all staff get a medal — including players not in the matchday squad — and Gundogan got his later that day.
    After lifting a second trophy in a fortnight, he said: “Now for the one we really want.”
    The City captain also played a key role in their Prem triumph, scoring twice against both Leeds and Everton in the run-in.
    But he admitted the Champions League is the one they covet most — as they prepare to tackle Inter Milan in Istanbul.
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    Gundogan said: “What we have done in the last few months is amazing and obviously we already have two titles. But we know that we want this one even more than all the other ones before  — and that is our target for next week.”
    Asked if he was doing weight training to help  lift all this silverware, he smiled: “My arms are  naturally a bit pumped up. I feel privileged! So, extra effort is not needed.
    “But this feels great, it feels special to lift this trophy and hopefully I can do it one more time.”
    Gundogan, 32, is now set to agree a new deal with City to stay beyond the end of this season.
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    The German, who got the fastest goal in FA Cup final history after 12 seconds, knows what City must do to beat Inter.
    He added: “It is about doing the same things we’ve done for the last two weeks. We don’t have to do anything special.
    “The simplicity of doing our things makes us special. It is about putting effort into the training sessions, preparing ourselves as well as possible and winning the game.” More

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    Laura Woods compares herself to Sam Allardyce over awkward TV moment and asks ‘why does this keep happening?’

    LAURA WOODS has compared herself to Sam Allardyce after having an awkward moment on live TV.The popular talkSPORT host led ITV’s coverage of yesterday’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City.
    Laura Woods made a hilarious comparison about herself and Sam AllardyceCredit: INSTAGRAM/LAURAWOODSY
    Woods posed in the same way as Big Sam’s iconic pre-match graphicCredit: SKYSPORTS
    Fans abandoned BBC in their droves to catch a glimpse of Woods as City emerged 2-1 victors.
    And her stunning choice of outfit was hailed far and wide by football fans across the nation.
    However, Woods did have a hilarious moment to forget on the Wembley turf.
    A brilliant still showed her with her arms folded and head raised towards the sky.
    READ MORE ON LAURA WOODS
    It prompted comparisons with an iconic pre-match photo of Allardyce, who also folded his arms while looking upwards.
    Woods poked fun at the situation by uploading pictures of both images to her Instagram.
    And the presenter quipped: “Why does this keep happening?”
    It was certainly a day to remember for Woods, who pulled in big numbers for ITV.
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    Woods won over the nation during the FA Cup finalCredit: Insatgram @layurawoodsy
    The talkSPORT star was the face of ITV’s coverageCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    She toasted City’s FA Cup win by taking a selfie with England star Jack Grealish.
    And later, she also had kind words for fellow presenter Emma Louise Jones.
    The BBC presenter stunned in a glamorous wedding outfit.
    And this prompted Woods to respond: “Sweet baby Jesus on a bike in the Sahara x.”
    Woods is one of the most popular pundits aroundCredit: Instagram / @laurawoodsy
    The ace has an army of fans on social mediaCredit: Rex More

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    Dejected Man Utd stars arrive back in Manchester consoled by their Wags after FA Cup final heartbreak

    LISANDRO MARTINEZ was among the United stars that returned to Manchester alongside their sympathetic Wags this afternoon.The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in yesterday’s FA Cup final.
    Lisandro Martinez covers his face as he walks with girlfriend Muri LopezCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Jack Butland returns home with wife Annabel PeytonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Fred walks side by side with wife MoniqueCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Martinez picked up a season-ending metatarsal injury during April’s Europa League clash with Sevilla.
    But the Argentine was among the Red Devils’ travelling party as they descended upon Wembley yesterday.
    As he returned to Wilmslow Station this afternoon sporting bleached blond hair, Martinez covered his face with his hands.
    He was accompanied by girlfriend Muri Lopez as he got home.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Fred, meanwhile, smiled in his shades as he walked with wife Monique.
    And reserve goalkeeper Jack Butland was joined by wife Annabel Peyton.
    United stars were also backed by club legends from the stands at Wembley yesterday.
    Sir Alex Ferguson took his obligatory seat in the crowd.
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    Martinez has been nursing a metatarsal injury since AprilCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Fred started yesterday’s cup finalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    While Bryan Robson and Denis Irwin were also in attendance.
    The latter two club icons travelled back with the team and were also seen at Wilmslow Station this afternoon.
    City’s Wags had a rather better day out yesterday.
    The glamorous group got together at Wembley to back their men to glory.
    And they will surely do it all over again in Istanbul next week, as their partners aim to seal a historic treble.
    Red Devils legend Bryan Robson was in attendance at WembleyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Denis Irwin was part of United’s travelling partyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

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    Arsenal fans joke ITV pundit Ian Wright won ‘Embarrassing Dad’ award for touchline antics with son Shaun at FA Cup final

    ARSENAL fans joked that Ian Wright won the “Embarrassing Dad” award at the FA Cup final as he tried to hug son Shaun on the touchline.The duo appeared as pundits on ITV’s coverage of the showpiece Wembley clash between Manchester United and City.
    Shaun Wright-Phillips jokingly made to get away from his dadCredit: Twitter / @IanWright0
    The 41-year-old grinned as he evaded Ian WrightCredit: Twitter / @IanWright0
    Wrighty, 59, won the ‘Embarrassing Dad’ award for his touchline escapadeCredit: Twitter / @IanWright0
    While standing on the touchline alongside his boy, Wrighty tried to give Shaun a big hug in front of fans making their way to their seats.
    Wearing a big grin, Wright-Phillips jokingly tried to push his dad away.
    The 41-year-old laughed as he made to get away from Wright, giving a brief wave to the crowd before seeing that his old man was chasing him.
    Their father-son exchange ended with both howling with laughter.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    And fellow pundit, and Shaun’s ex-Man City team-mate Joleon Lescott, also laughed along.
    Wrighty posted the clip to his Twitter account, captioning it: “You are never too old to hug me in front of your friends!!!”
    Alongside laughing emojis, one fan responded: “And the “Embarrassing Dad” Award goes to…”
    While a second related, writing: “I have this struggle with my little one every day!”
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    Arsenal fans joke ITV pundit Ian Wright won ‘Embarrassing Dad’ award for touchline antics with son Shaun at FA Cup finalCredit: Twitter / @IanWright0
    A third tweeted: “Love it!”
    And another added: “Just like my boys.”
    Wright, 59, and Shaun made history earlier this month by becoming the first father-son punditry duo to appear on Match of the Day.
    Introducing them, host Gary Lineker said: “We’ve got a Wright pair in the studio, Ian and Shaun. Welcome Shaun.”
    The father-son duo recently appeared on Match of the Day togetherCredit: BBC More

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    Jack Grealish angers Man City team-mate in cheeky FA Cup final prank as it’s caught on camera during trophy celebrations

    JACK GREALISH went from FA Cup final hero to prankster during Manchester City’s celebrations. The England international was at the centre of the party following City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.
    Jack Grealish celebrated winning his first FA CupCredit: Getty
    Grealish eyed up Rodri for his mischievous prankCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
    He poured drink on the SpaniardCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
    Rodri flinched after feeling the liquidCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
    Which saw Grealish bolt awayCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
    And after taking their medals and heading down to the pitch the City players were preparing for a photo before Grealish struck.
    Rodri, responsible for a vital late block against Scott McTominay, was laying next to the cup on the ground celebrating.
    Grealish, 27, then went behind the Spaniard and poured some drink on him.
    An annoyed Rodri, 26, reacted with shock to the prank, as Grealish quickly darted back to the other end to put a wall of City team-mates between himself and the defensive midfielder.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Fans were left in hysterics at the prank, with one fan saying: “He’s so funny 😭♥️.”
    A second reacted: “Such a great personality.”
    “How can anyone not love Jack Grealish,” asked a third.
    A fourth declared: “I love Jack 😂.”
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    It was then Grealish’s turn to be annoyed as he told off City’s half-naked kitman for sliding into his Gucci bag during the dressing room celebrations.
    Grealish also had time to get a selfie with ITV presenter Laura Woods. More

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    Crippling rail strikes fail to stop fans from attending first all-Manchester FA Cup final

    FOOTIE fans were jubilant yesterday after crippling rail strikes failed to stop them attending the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.Supporters crammed into cars and piled on to coaches as trains were axed due to ­drivers walking out on the biggest day of the season.
    Manchester City supporters queued round the block to board a coach to the FA Cup finalCredit: EPA
    Manchester United fans leave Old Trafford by coach to travel to Wembley Stadium ahead of the FA Cup finalCredit: PA
    Many got up at the crack of dawn to embark on the 200-mile pilgrimage from the North West to Wembley to beat the traffic.
    The six-hour drive proved worthwhile for Man City fans who kept treble dreams alive by claiming a 2-1 victory over United in the first Manchester derby final in the competition’s 151-year history.
    The Red Devils, who secured their own ­trophy trio in 1999, were chasing their second silverware of the year.
    United fan Marty Harris, 46, woke at 4am for a £300 flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham before car-sharing to Watford and then getting the Tube to Wembley with his young son.
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    He said: “I’m here now so that’s the main thing. It’s been torture, absolute torture. I think people watching will be tired because they’ve got up so early to be here.”
    Sharon and Mark Ralph, drove for seven hours from Cheshire on Friday night to avoid the strikes — staying in a hotel for two nights before watching their beloved United yesterday.
    Sharon, 44, said: “We don’t mind the extra cost. It was definitely worth it.”
    FA Cup expert Phil Annets, who wrote in the official matchday ­programme, needed a lift back to Oxfordshire after being driven to the match by a friend.
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    The 58-year-old said: “I think it’s vindictive by the strikers to try to impact as many people as possible.”
    Hundreds of coaches and cars set off from the North West in the early hours for the usual four-hour trip down the M6 and M40 motorways towards North West London.
    But the journey took more than six hours for many who got stuck in two huge tailbacks on the M1.
    Manchester United fan Ralph Cooper, 56, said: “Even if it would have taken me two days to get there and two days to get back, it wouldn’t have made any difference. I wouldn’t have missed this.”
    Police patrolled service stations along the route despite fans being allocated separate stop-offs depending on whether their loyalties were red or sky blue.
    Both Manchester clubs provided return coaches at a subsidised price of £50 a seat to meet the exceptional demand.
    The FA also put on 120 special bus services — 60 for each club leaving from different locations — at £60 per fan.
    Extra car parking was also made available 25 minutes’ walk away from the stadium in Fryent Park.
    Event day parking at the 90,000-capacity stadium had sold out two weeks ago.
    Tom Legg, head of external operations at the FA, had said of the two-day travel carnage: “This additional strike action will severely impact fans who might have been considering travelling to London from Manchester the night before the final.”
    Fans battled for parking spaces in sleepy, suburban Stanmore in North West London — at the very northern end of the Jubilee line — after the Metropolitan line was temporarily suspended due to ­signal failure.
    Manchester City fans were fierce during their historic FA Cup Final win against bitter rivals Man UnitedCredit: Getty
    Hundreds of motorists from ­Manchester had come off the M1 to park up in Stanmore, filling up side streets normally used by ­residents and shoppers.
    Others made deals with enterprising locals to park their cars on their driveways.
    Mary, 60, travelling with godson Oliver, 21, said: “There’s no choice really.”
    James, who travelled to Bushey, Herts, on Thursday to avoid the rush, said: “I’ve got a friend from Manchester who left at half past six in the morning and five hours later he’s still stuck in traffic on the motorway.”
    Strikes coincided with other huge events like the Epsom Derby, England’s test match at Lord’s and Beyonce’s concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    Usually busy railway stations across the capital have been left looking like ghost towns as around 12,000 Aslef and RMT members walked out in industrial action for the second day in a row.
    After helping to cripple around 40 per cent of train services, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.”
    The Department for Transport claimed the action had been deliberately coordinated to target major events for maximum disruption.
    A spokesman added: “Not content with impacting the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked forward to these events all year round, unions are also targeting their own members’ pockets by forcing them to miss out on pay every time they strike.
    “The Government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer.
    “Now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”
    Aslef’s chaotic rail strike was designed to affect those wanting to travel to the FA Cup Final at Wembley and The Derby at Epsom this weekendCredit: Paul Marriott
    Stars are in crowd
    STARS from both sides of Manchester were spotted in the crowd at Wembley.
    Ex-Red Devils favourite David Beckham, 48, looked glum as he watched his beloved side lose with sons Brooklyn, 24, and Cruz, 18.

    Liam Gallagher celebrates Man City’s success with his boys Lennon and GeneCredit: Pixel8000
    David Beckham was also spotted in the Wembley standsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But ex-Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, 50, pumped his arms in the air watching City’s win with his kids.
    Prince William, president of the FA, presented the medals and trophy after the game, tweeting: “A derby like no other today.”
    Erling Haaland of Manchester City, receives his FA Cup winners medal from Prince WilliamCredit: Getty More