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      Man Utd outraged after Middlesbrough equalise despite clear Duncan Watmore handball.. even AFTER VAR check

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were left fuming after Middlebrough equalised at Old Trafford – despite a blatant but crucially accidental handball. The ball clearly bounced up off sub Duncan Watmore’s hand as he controlled it in the penalty box.
      Duncan Watmore was not penalised despite a blatant handballCredit: Getty
      Manchester United complained to referee Anthony Taylor but their moans fell on deaf earsCredit: Getty

      Anthony Taylor did not blow his whistle, though.
      And knowing if he scored with his next touch the goal would be ruled out, the Middlesbrough striker lifted the ball over Dean Henderson but off target.
      Matt Crooks, a team-mate of Watmore’s in the United academy, carried on and arrived at the back post to slam in to make it 1-1 in their FA Cup fourth-round clash.
      However, United players, staff and fans could not believe the goal was allowed to stand – especially after a VAR review.
      Even Boro’s bench look bemused it was not ruled out.
      But like Taylor on the field, VAR Stuart Attwell adjudged the handball to be accidental – because the ball came off the player’s body onto his arm.
      And as Watmore didn’t score, the Championship side levelled, to the delight of the 9,443 travelling fans.
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      The change in the wording of the laws of the game last summer meant it could not be overruled.
      The update, explained on the Premier League website, says: “If an attacking player’s accidental handball immediately precedes another player scoring, the goal will now be awarded, when last season it was likely to have been ruled out.
      “However, a player will still be penalised if he commits an accidental handball immediately before scoring himself.”
      Apoplectic Cristiano Ronaldo led the angry protests with his United team-mates as they surrounded ref Taylor.
      But their complaints came to nothing and the goal was given.
      United legend Rio Ferdinand and rested goalkeeper David De Gea were having none of it.
      Ferdinand tweeted: “What’s the point of VAR…” followed by a poo emoji.
      De Gea shared the post and simply added a shocked emoji.

      And Alex Bruce was having none of it.
      The former United youth-team defender and Hull City stalwart fumed on BBC Radio: “You can clearly see Duncan Watmore, the ball has popped up and hit his hand as he sets it up.
      “It hits his hand, oh my gosh he has given the goal. I don’t believe it.
      “You can clearly see as the ball comes into the box!”
      Lee Dixon added on ITV: “Watmore’s touch wasn’t the best and he controls it with his hand.
      “It has to be given as handball. If that was a defender it would be a penalty.”
      Gary Lineker added on Twitter: “The right decision given the absurdity of the law. Clearly accidental but If he’d scored himself it would have been disallowed.
      “The handball law used to be fine. They’ve made it ridiculous.”
      The decision proved crucial as Middlesbrough held on for penalties.
      Anthony Elanga missed after 15 successful spot-kicks as the Red Devils crashed out.
      Watmore lifted the ball over Dean Henderson as Harry Maguire appealed for handballCredit: Getty
      Matt Crooks carried on and slid in at the back post with the goal emptyCredit: AP
      Crooks celebrated the goal in front of the 9,443 away fans at Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

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      Watch Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo miss awful penalty after firing wide from 12 yards in FA Cup clash vs Middlesbrough

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      HE’S usually faultless from 12 yards – but even the great Cristiano Ronaldo is guilty of the occasional error.After Paul Pogba was felled inside the area during the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough Ronaldo stepped up from the spot, only to MISS the target completely.

      Cristiano Ronaldo failed from 12 yards with a shocker of a penaltyCredit: AFP
      Ronaldo could barely believe it as he sent the ball flying wide of the markCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo looked to the turf in the hope of finding an excuse for his shockerCredit: Getty
      And it proved to be costly as Man Utd crashed OUT of the FA Cup – on the lottery of penalties.
      Goalkeeper Joe Lumley wasn’t even forced into making a save as CR7 dragged his effort wide of the mark.
      After sending his effort the wrong side of the post Ronaldo turned and looked to the penalty spot in disgust, perhaps hoping for something to spare his blushes.
      But he could have nothing to blame but himself, with the carpet-like Old Trafford turf remaining pristine, and the score staying 0-0.
      Despite having the reputation of being ice-cold from the spot, Ronaldo’s miss was actually the fourth time in his career he had failed to score a penalty for United.
      He previously failed to net from 12 yards against Wigan, West Ham and Barcelona, in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
      He also famously missed a spot-kick in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea, although United went on to win that shootout.
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      The likes of Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are all known for their prowess from their spot, but unsurprisingly it was Ronaldo who stepped up.
      And with the entire of Old Trafford expecting the net to bulge, Ronaldo was in as much shock as everyone else as his effort smashed into the advertising hoardings, not the back of the net.
      Ronaldo did score a thunderous effort in the shootout, but to no avail as Boro prevailed 8-7 after Anthony Elanga missed his sudden-death effort.

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      Will FA Cup games have replays or are extra-time and penalties used if it’s a draw in fourth round?

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      THE FA Cup fourth round has finally arrived, starting with Manchester United’s hosting of Middlesbrough on Friday night.But what happens if matches are drawn, will there be a replay to decides who gets to the next round?

      Some rounds of the FA Cup continue to use replays to decide tiesCredit: PA:Press Association
      The FA Cup replay rules have changed extensively in recent years and 2021-22 is no different, especially due to the Coronavirus pandemic.Will FA Cup games go to replays or extra-time and penalties?
      The FA Cup will not go to replays this season to help fixture congestion.
      Replays were first scrapped from the quarter-finals onward in 2016.
      And then last season they were scrapped completely due to Covid-19.
      Because of the fixture build-up caused by the pandemic this term, replays from the third round onwards have been ditched again.
      Games which end in a draw will now be settled by 30 minutes of extra-time and a penalty shootout if necessary.
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      Which FA Cup rounds have replays and which go to extra time?

      Third round – Extra time and penalties (Since 2020/21)
      Fourth round – Extra time and penalties  (Since 2020/21)
      Fifth round – Extra time and penalties (Since 2018/19)
      Quarter-final – Extra time and penalties (Since 2016/17)
      Semi-final – Extra time and penalties (Since 1999/00)
      Final – Extra time and penalties (Since 1993/94) More

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      Long-serving Cambridge United groundsman has been going for 43 YEARS and beat Beast from East, earned gong from Queen

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      IAN DARLER was man of the match the last time Cambridge United hosted FA Cup opponents Luton.But that’s far from the biggest accolade that the Abbey Stadium groundsman has received in his 43 seasons at the club.
      Cambridge United groundsman Ian Darler with his British Empire MedalCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      In 2020, Darler was awarded the British Empire Medal for his long service to the U’s and for his charity work. 
      Beating the weather four years ago so that Cambridge’s League Two clash with Luton could go ahead was just another day at the office.
      Darler said: “It was the Beast from the East. 
      “I was here just before 4am. We put one floodlight on and using a rubber snow plough I’d made myself over the years, we cleared 200 tonnes of snow off the pitch before 7am.
      “But that was just the start of it because we had to get the stands clear and all the areas around, put salt down.
      “To hear the announcement, ‘Man of the match: Cambridge United groundsman Ian Darler and his staff’, was amazing.”
      But being told he had been honoured by the Queen was too much for Darler.
      He said: “When I got the phone call, I thought it was a wind-up. 
      “I did tell the chap, ‘Who the hell do you think you’re kidding?’ Because you just don’t expect it.”
      Ian Darler was just 19 when he took charge of the Abbey Stadium turf in 1979
      No-one at the club or in the wider community would argue that Darler didn’t deserve the gong.
      He was the youngest groundsman in the Football League when he took over at the Abbey Stadium in 1979 at the age of 19.
      Darler received his first transfer offer at his very first home game because the visiting Leicester board were so impressed with his pitch.
      And in 1987, Coventry joint boss John Sillett pronounced the Abbey turf better than the Wembley surface where his side had won the FA Cup months earlier.
      But Darler turned down a move to top-flight HIghfield Road and a number of others down the years.
      He said: “Cambridge gave me the opportunity and I thought I should remain loyal. 
      “And, forgive the pun, I don’t always believe the grass is greener on the other side.”
      Darler’s pitch has won multiple awards – but not from former Cambridge boss John BeckCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      The main reason why the grass at the Abbey has (mostly) stayed green is Darler’s devotion.
      The multi-award-winning groundsman estimates that he has blagged materials and equipment worth a million pounds from suppliers during his tenure, as well as putting in about £30,000 of his own money.
      Legendary U’s boss John Beck did effectively force Darler to down tools at one point, telling him the pitch was too good for his team’s style of play.
      But Darler was soon back after complaints about the surface. He has a different take on claims in former Cambridge striker Steve Claridge’s autobiography that he let the grass grow longer in the corners, under orders from Beck, to hold up long balls into the channels.
      Darler said: “The pitch had been destroyed from them training on it and we were left with a diamond shape that was permanently waterlogged.
      “The only way they could play was with an inch of sand on it.
      “The only part of the pitch that HAD any grass was the corners!”
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      Watch entire Cambridge team copy Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ celebration after stunning Newcastle in FA Cup
      Like all Cambridge fans, Darler enjoyed the club’s amazing win in the last round at Premier League Newcastle when their Geordie striker Joe Ironside grabbed the only goal.
      It reminded him of one of his favourite Abbey Stadium moments. In April 1984, a Newcastle team featuring Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Terry McDermott arrived needing a point to secure promotion back to the top flight.
      Darler said: “They were practically already celebrating when they got off the bus.
      “For us to win 1-0 at home – Kevin Smith took the penalty, who was a Geordie – to deny them that with the team they had then – incredible.”
      Darler has dozens of great stories and put the printable ones in his book “Life’s A Pitch”.
      They include how he became involved in charity work and why his current bid to raise funds for mental health service Shout is so close to his heart.
      Cambridge gave Darler a testimonial in 2004 and he donated some of the cash to East Anglian Children’s Hospices.
      That led to him establishing Cambridge Charity Fundraisers and generating tens of thousands of pounds for local causes through sportsmen’s dinners and fishing events.
      But in 2013, Darler had a serious accident at work that resulted in multiple surgeries and years of mental health problems. After contemplating suicide, he was diagnosed with depression and eventually with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
      Darler returned to work fully only in 2019 but his experiences have helped change attitudes within the club and beyond.
      He said: “We are now without doubt one of the best clubs in the country for talking about and dealing with mental health.”
      Net gains – Darler has completed a million-step challenge in aid of Shout 85258Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
      This season Cambridge are supporting the Shout 85258 text message service by displaying it on their training kit.
      But Darler has gone further, completing a million-step challenge and raising £12,000 for the service.
      Darler, who lost a friend to suicide a year ago, said: “The money isn’t even the key thing. 
      “I wanted to get people talking and what has happened over the last three months has been life-changing. 
      “If I could prevent one other person going through what I went through and what my friend went through, that’s all I’m looking for.”
      But at 62 Darler is not looking for a new job, despite working days of 11 hours or more as he combines his head groundsman role with being matchday safety officer and stadium manager.
      He said: “I’ve just renegotiated my contract and  it could keep me here until I’m 70.
      “I love the job. I love most of the people in and around the game. 
      “I live it and breathe it. My wife says I spend more time on the pitch than I do with her. 
      “But that’s the job.” More

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      Man Utd REMOVE Mason Greenwood from match-day programme for FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough amid rape probe

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      MASON GREENWOOD has been removed from Manchester United’s matchday programme.The Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties at the hands of Middlesbrough in their first match since the 20-year-old forward’s arrests on suspicion of rape, GBH, sexual assault and threats to kill on Friday night.
      Mason Greenwood’s name has been removed from the Manchester United squad listCredit: PA
      The matchday squad had no mention of No11 GreenwoodCredit: PA
      But the squad list for the FA Cup clash against Boro omitted Greenwood’s name.
      Manchester United suspended the player indefinitely following his arrest and released an updated statement after his re-arrest earlier this week.
      A spokesman for the club said: “Manchester United reiterates its strong condemnation of violence of any kind.
      “As previously communicated, Mason Greenwood will not train with, or play for, the club until further notice.”
      He has since been bailed after being arrested for the string of alleged offences.
      A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed the force were granted more time to quiz the £75,000-a-week footballer, who joined United aged six and has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances.
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      Greenwood was axed from video game FIFA 22 on Tuesday following claims made against him last weekend.
      His employers also removed any merchandise with his name on from their website.
      And fans wanting to exchange shirts bearing his name can now do so for free.
      Meanwhile sportswear giants Nike have suspended their sponsorship of the one-cap England striker.
      As revealed by SunSport, Greenwood will not be considered for Three Lions selection until any potential legal proceedings against him are completed.
      He appears to have had security at his Bowdon mansion home toughened up since being released on bail.
      Two security guards were seen standing watch outside the home and an expert was also pictured arriving to install a £350 home security system.
      United manager Ralf Rangnick touched on his striker’s arrest yesterday at a press conference ahead of tonight’s Boro showdown in the fourth round.
      He suggested players have been discussing the incident when asked if it had been “distracting”.
      The German added: “We had a good normal week of training with five training sessions including today’s training, obviously it was a topic within the team but they’re human beings and Mason was part of the group before we had our break.
      “It was a good week of training, we could train under normal circumstances and we are looking forward to the game tomorrow.”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      When is FA Cup fifth round draw? Start time, live stream FREE, TV channel, ball numbers

      by

      THE FA Cup is rolling on at pace with the fourth round underway.And that means we’ll soon find out the crunch fifth round ties with the draw taking place.
      Liverpool host Cardiff after the big draw
      There are three all-Premier League clashes in the fourth round, including Everton vs Brentford.
      While non-league Kidderminster will be looking to cause an almighty shock when they face West Ham.
      When is the FA Cup fifth round draw?
      The FA Cup fifth round draw takes place on Sunday, February 6.
      The draw will take place BEFORE Liverpool’s clash against Cardiff, expected at around 11.30am GMT.
      Liverpool vs Cardiff then kicks off at 12pm.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      How can I watch the FA Cup fifth round draw?
      The draw will be broadcast LIVE on ITV 1 on TV.
      It will also be live streamed on the ITV Hub.
      FA Cup fifth round draw ball numbers
      Here are the ball numbers for the FA Cup fifth round draw:
      1 Crystal Palace or Hartlepool United2 AFC Bournemouth or Boreham Wood3 Huddersfield Town or Barnsley4 Peterborough United or Queens Park Rangers5 Cambridge United or Luton Town6 Southampton or Coventry City7 Chelsea or Plymouth Argyle8 Everton or Brentford9 Kidderminster Harriers or West Ham United10 Manchester United or Middlesbrough11 Tottenham Hotspur or Brighton & Hove Albion12 Liverpool or Cardiff City13 Stoke City or Wigan Athletic14 Nottingham Forest or Leicester City15 Manchester City or Fulham16 Wolverhampton Wanderers or Norwich City
      The ball numbers have been revealed
      FA Cup fourth round fixtures on TV this weekend
      Friday, February 4
      Man Utd vs Middlesbrough (8pm) – ITV1
      Saturday, February 5
      Chelsea vs Plymouth (12.30pm) – BBC Red Button
      Kidderminster vs West Ham (12.30pm) – BBC One
      Cambridge vs Luton (5.30pm) – BBC Red Button
      Tottenham vs Brighton (8pm) – ITV4
      Sunday, February 6
      Liverpool vs Cardiff (12pm) – ITV1
      Nottingham Forest vs Leicester (4pm) – BBC One
      AFC Bournemouth vs Boreham Wood (6.30pm) – ITV4
      Which FA Cup 4th round games are not on TV?
      Crystal Palace vs Hartlepool
      Huddersfield vs Barnsley
      Peterborough vs QPR
      Southampton vs Coventry
      Everton vs Brentford
      Stoke vs Wigan
      Man City vs Fulham
      Wolves vs Norwich
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      Watch Niall Ennis’ cheeky goal for England Under 17s set up by Mason Mount as he gets set to face Chelsea pal in FA Cup

      by

      NIALL ENNIS has been inspired by how old pals Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah rose to stardom at Chelsea.And the Plymouth striker believes he will join his former England youth team-mates in the Premier League.
      Plymouth star Niall Ennis is looking forward to facing his old England youth pal Mason Mount
      Mount is a key player now for Chelsea
      [embedded content]
      Ennis, 22, is looking forward to seeing the pair on Saturday as his League One side travel to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup.
      Chalobah used to be his room-mate while Mount set up a memorable goal for Ennis – a classy back-heel in England Under-17s’ 2-1 win over Germany in November 2015. 
      The Pilgrims ace said: “It was the first time a game I was involved in was televised live. Mason scored the first goal and I got the second.
      “Mason was always good – mentally driven and, coming from Chelsea, of course technically sound.
      “But you could tell that if he was given a chance in a top team he’d take it. He has done that – and a lot of that is down to himself.
      “Before Frank Lampard came along as manager, not many youngsters were getting an opportunity at Chelsea – so he decided to drop into the Championship for a season’s loan at Derby.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS FOR THE AFCON
      “And that gave him a platform to show how good he was in one of the most demanding divisions in the world.”
      Ennis bucks the trend among many in his age group who are obsessed with social media – instead believing it paints a false picture that making it to the top is easy and instant.
      The Pilgrims striker insists not only did Mount and Chalobah have to work ridiculously hard to break into a Chelsea first-team full of internationals, they had to drop out of the glamour surroundings of the West London club to make their case.
      While Mount went to Derby, Chalobah also dropped into the EFL with loan spells at Ipswich and Huddersfield.
      That is why Ennis decided to bite the bullet last summer to leave Wolves and join Plymouth – having previously had loan spells at Shrewsbury, Doncaster and Burton.
      He said: “Not everyone goes straight to the top and it’s about being honest with yourself. We’re in this day and age where you go on social media and it looks so simple – but it’s not.
      Ennis hopes to join Mount one day in the Premier League
      “When you’re about 15, you just think the path is going to be straight up without bumps on the road.
      “But sometimes you must take a step down into the Championship or League One or Two to prove yourself and work your way up.
      “In England’s starting XI for last year’s Euro final, only Declan Rice and Raheem Sterling had not dropped into the EFL. 
      “So many people aren’t aware of the backgrounds of our top players and how they’ve had to work their way up.
      “Not everyone is going to be like Phil Foden, who went straight into the Premier League at Manchester City.
      Not everyone goes straight to the top and it’s about being honest with yourselfNiall Ennis
      “At Wolves, I knew I wasn’t yet Prem standard so needed to play at a level where I could develop and prove myself – rather than just lurking about in the under-23s.
      “For me, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I know all about my ability and it’s going to happen. I must remain patient.”
      Ennis has fond memories of Chalobah, who captained the England teams in his age group.
      He said: “I shared a room with Trevoh at St George’s Park on a few camps. He’s a good guy, a superb player.
      “He was our captain. He played centre-back, sometimes right back and centre-midfield. He was a leader and coming from Chelsea he was technically always going to be good on the ball and defensively was excellent.
      “Mason and Trevoh play the exact same as they did then but have a lot more know-how with all the games under their belts.”
      Ennis is a realist and knows Argyle face an enormous task against the European champions, who will be heading out to Abu Dhabi after the game to compete at the Club World Cup.
      Ennis celebrates scoring against Fleetwood this seasonCredit: Rex
      But the striker is a great lover of the FA Cup and grew up inspired by some of the giant killings that took place.
      He said: “I remember five years ago Wolves were a lower mid-table Championship team going to Liverpool and beating them. 
      “That result gave the whole club a boost and the next season they won promotion to the Premier League.
      “The FA Cup has been dying down a bit at the top level for some reason but for me it’s still important and a great competition.”  More

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      Chelsea vs Plymouth FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for FA Cup fourth round clash

      by

      CHELSEA clash with Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup Fourth Round, after hammering Chesterfield FC in the Third Round 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. The European champions will have their eyes set on more silverware this season, in the form of the FA Cup, as they look to be out of the Premier League title race.
      Lewis Hall shone as Chelsea thrashed Chesterfield FC in the last round.Credit: Getty
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      Thomas Tuchel’s Blues take on Plymouth who are just outside the play-off spots in League One and will be seeking promotion to the Championship this season.
      Chelsea play at the Club World Cup mid-week, so will likely rest a lot of first team players, as Plymouth could look to take advantage of a youthful blues defence.
      What time does Chelsea VS Plymouth kick-off?

      Chelsea kick-off against Plymouth at 12:30am UK time on Saturday, February 5.
      The game takes place at Stamford Bridge in London.
      Tickets are sold out, with 6,000 Plymouth fans expected to attend.

      What channel is it on and can it be live-streamed?

      Chelsea VS Plymouth Argyle will be shown on the BBC through the red button.
      The game is able to be live streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, which are downloadable on your mobile device or tablet.

      Can I watch it for FREE?

      The game is FREE to watch on the BBC red button service.
      It can also be watched for free on BBC iPlayer or the BBC sport website.

      Team news
      Edouard Mendy is unavailable after making the AFCON final with Senegal, but Andreas Christiansen could be bought back into the fold after he had COVID-19.
      German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz could be handed rare starts, with Lukaku struggling for form in recent games.
      The blues are still missing their two first choice full-backs in Reece James and Ben Chilwell, which could see Lewis Hall handed the chance to shine again.
      January loan signing Steven Sessegnon from Fulham could feature, with Danny Mayor returning to fitness against Doncaster last time out.
      Odds

      Chelsea – 1/16
      Draw – 12/1
      Plymouth – 30/1

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More