FA Cup

MARINE have said sorry for going on Twitter to poke fun at Tottenham’s FA Cup exit at Everton.
The Merseyside minnows were beaten 5-0 at home by Spurs in the third round.

Spurs prevailed in unfamiliar surroundings last monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Tottenham crashed out of the cup at the hands of EvertonCredit: Alamy Live News

And after the North Londoners’ epic 5-4 fifth-round defeat at nearby Goodison Park on Wednesday, the non-Leaguers tweeted a mocked-up version of The Avengers film poster with the superheroes’ faces replaced with those of Everton players, with the message: Thanks, Everton.
Many Spurs fans took umbrage with the post having helped raise over £300,000 for the little Crosby club prior to their tie through virtual tickets. 
Marine deleted the tweet on Thursday morning and said: “Last night a post was placed on our official account.
“This was a mistake and was in poor taste, but was not intended to upset the fans of Tottenham.

“It was deleted almost immediately after being put up.
“We apologise for any upset this has caused.
“The bond we have built with Spurs fans is unparalleled and special and we at Marine intend to keep it that way.”
Tottenham won the third-round tie 5-0, following a Carlos Vinicius hat-trick and further strikes by Lucas Moura and Alfie Devine.

Marine tweeted an apology this morningCredit: Marine AFC Twitter

The non-league side are keen to keep up their bond with SpursCredit: Marine AFC Twitter
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The Lilywhites travelled to Wycombe for round four, surviving a first-half scare to prevail 4-1 at Adams Park.
But round five proved to be one step too far for the eight-time winners.
Harry Kane and Co were dumped out 5-4 after extra time at Goodison, with a Bernard beauty settling a topsy-turvy encounter.
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THIRTY-FIVE major trophies between them, but these two wily old bosses cannot have faced many more topsy-turvy ties than this.
Jose Mourinho saw his Spurs stars go 1-0 up as they dominated the first 35 minutes – before conceding three goals before half-time.

Bernard struck the ninth and final goal at Goodison to send his side through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after extra-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The winger came off the bench with 20 minutes left in normal time before lashing home the winner with 97 minutes on the clockCredit: Reuters

Then it was Carlo Ancelotti’s turn to watch his Everton side throw away a lead as the visitors pulled it back to 3-3 after the break.
But Richarlison thought he had fired the Toffees into the quarter-finals with his second of the night – before Harry Kane’s 84th minute diving header sent us into extra-time.
With echoes of Everton’s epic 1991 4-4 draw with Liverpool flowing through their fans’ minds, Bernard went one better by firing the Toffees into the quarter-finals with a 97th minute clincher.
Their Brazilian striker Richarlison could not solely claim the prize for being the night’s highest scoring South American as Davinson Sanchez – yes him – bagged a brace for Tottenham.

And we have not even mentioned Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who bagged his 50th Everton goal and played a part in all three of their first half goals before going off injured after the break.
Phew!
And they say the FA Cup is boring and nobody gives a damn about it anymore.
Well, that was not the case at Goodison Park on Wednesday night as old pals Mourinho and Ancelotti went at it hammer and tong.

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There were 22 shots on target during the roller-coaster FA Cup tie

Harry Kane nodded home Son’s cross at the far post to make it 4-4 with seven minutes of normal time leftCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Richarlison’s second made it 4-3 to Everton with 22 minutes to goCredit: Reuters

The forward thought he had won it in normal timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jose Mourinho did not look happy with his team’s defending for the majority of the nightCredit: AFP

Mourinho and Ancelotti have been pals for years.
The Special One said before the game that whoever lost it would say to the other: “You have killed me so you’d better go on and win it now.”
Well each of these teams played as though their manager’s life depended on it.
These multiple Champions League-winning managers showed how serious they are treating English football’s famous old competition by making just five changes between them – following their weekend Prem clashes.
Spurs came haring out of the traps and should have gone ahead inside 60 seconds when Erik Lamela’s header was brilliantly tipped away by Robin Olsen but Lucas Moura blazed the rebound wide and high of the target.
It was a bad miss by Moura, but Colombian Sanchez soon made amends as he outumped the Everton defence and headed in Son Heung-min’s corner to give Spurs a fourth minute lead.
The hosts, following their last-gasp 3-3 draw at Manchester United on Saturday, started sluggishly and after Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris had beaten away Ben Godfrey’s low 25-yard drive, the French captain was called into action again to touch Calvert-Lewin’s close range shot onto a post.
Spurs responded by advancing again, with Matt Doherty crossing into the box for Son, whose powerful rising shot was the right height for Olsen to turn over the bar.

03′ ⚪️ Everton 0-1 Spurs36′ 🔵 Everton 1-1 Spurs38′ 🔵 Everton 2-1 Spurs43′ 🔵 Everton 3-1 Spurs45′ ⚪️ Everton 3-2 Spurs57′ ⚪️ Everton 3-3 Spurs68′ 🔵 Everton 4-3 Spurs#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/hfgFRZUKLi
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 10, 2021

Davinson Sanchez scored his second when he stabbed home from close range to make it 3-3 on 57 minutesCredit: AFP

Erik Lamela scored the fifth goal of the first half to make it 3-2 on the stroke of half-timeCredit: Reuters

Gylfi Sigurdsson made it 3-1 from the penalty spotCredit: PA:Press Association

Richarlison gave Everton the lead just two minutes after Calvert-Lewin made it 1-1Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The Brazilian was delighted with his effortCredit: Reuters
The Swedish stopper was then in the right place again to collect Steven Bergwijn’s shot after Son’s effort had been deflected kindly into his path by Yerry Mina.
But just when it appeared Tottenham were in control they went and shot themselves in the foot by gifting Calvert-Lewin a 36th minute equaliser.
Spurs got themselves into a pickle trying to play out from the back and after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg lost the ball, Gylfi Sigurdsson flicked it inside to Calvert-Lewin whose shot was so vicious Lloris could not keep it out.
The frontman then showed he is not just about goals as his clever back-heel lay-off allowed Richarlison to drill in Everton’s second from edge of the box two minutes later to turn this tie on its head.
And Calvert-Lewin made Tottenham’s first-half misery complete when his burst into the box was ended by Hojbjerg’s trip and Sigurdsson slotted home the 43rd minute penalty to make it 3-1.
But the visitors were given heart when Mina’s slip let in Lamela, who pulled one back with a neat finish in first-half stoppage time.
Furious Mourinho sent his side back out early after the break. He then sent on Kane for Bergwijn in the 53rd minute in a bid to get Spurs back into the game.
Seconds later Calvert-Lewin hobbled off after picking up a knock – Everton’s hopes appeared to go down the tunnel with him when Sanchez tapped home a 57th minute equaliser after Olsen had managed to get a hand to a Toby Alderweireld header from Son’s corner.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s vicious strike made it 1-1Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The Englishman scored Everton’s first on 36 minutesCredit: PA:Press Association

Sanchez’s header put Tottenham 1-0 up in the third minuteCredit: EPA

The centre-back leaped above everyone to glance the ball homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But the lead did not last longCredit: AFP
But Richarlison restored Everton’s lead in the 69th minute with a shot across Lloris – who was suspect for at least a couple of goals.
Spurs rallied and Lamela had a shot cleared off the line before Kane dived to head in Son’s cross at the far post with six minutes remaining.
Mourinho sent on Dele Alli – but in keeping with an unorthodox night he was booked for diving.
Mourinho’s night worsened considerably when Bernard, on as a second-half sub for Alex Iwobi, swept his shot past Lloris for Everton’s extra-time winner.
It resulted in Ancelotti on the touchline blowing into his steaming hot coffee.
No grounds for concern – he now has a bigger cup to worry about.
As for Mourihno, it is looking increasingly likely the only buzz he will get this term is from an energy drink. Ahem.

Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti were full of praise for each other before the gameCredit: Reuters

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GARETH BALE was left out of Tottenham’s squad for their FA Cup game at Everton because he was ‘not happy’ after training, according to Jose Mourinho.
But the Spurs boss insisted the Welshman was NOT injured.

Gareth Bale was left out of Spurs’ FA Cup game at Everton despite seemingly not being injuredCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The winger, 31, has struggled for form and game-time since joining the North Londoners on loan from Real Madrid.
And he was axed from Tottenham’s squad again on Wednesday despite a lot of his minutes coming in the cups this season.
Speaking ahead of the game, Mourinho was asked why Bale had not travelled.
And he said: “Gareth is not on the bench because he wasn’t happy with his training session yesterday.

“I wouldn’t say an injury, not at all, but some feelings he wasn’t happy with.
“So it was better for him to stay back and to be working with the sports science guys.”
Spurs were dumped out of the Cup on Wednesday as Everton won a classic 5-4 after extra-time at Goodison Park.
And, speaking after the loss, Mourinho added that Bale had asked for a scan on Monday.

That was despite him training on Tuesday and posting on Instagram that day that it had been “a good session”.
Mourinho said: “We played against West Bromwich on the Sunday and he didn’t play.
“On Monday I was a little bit surprised by him wanting to have a scan because he was not comfortable with some muscular area.
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“So he didn’t train on Monday and then on Tuesday he trained with the team but I was informed that his desire would be to work with the sports science for a couple of days to strengthen that area. That’s the reason why he’s not here.”
Last week, SunSport revealed Bale earns £9k-a-minute on the pitch and £28k-a-pass having spent most of his time at Tottenham on the bench.
Bale earns a jaw-dropping £650,000 at the Bernabeu, with Tottenham agreeing to pay half of those wages this season.
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CAPTAIN fantastic Billy Sharp is now just one game from experiencing the real thing at Wembley. 
The home hero watched from the stands when Sheffield United agonisingly lost 5-3 to Hull in the 2014 semi-finals.

Billy Sharp coolly smashed home the penalty following Mawson’s handballCredit: PA:Press Association

On loan at Doncaster back then, Sharp must have thought the dream of leading his boyhood side out at the home of football was gone. 
But now, after showing nerves of steel from the penalty spot to see off Bristol City, the veteran is just one game from doing so. 
Boss Chris Wilder was managing Northampton back then but was at Wembley too to cheer his beloved club on.
And while their time in the Premier League looks set to come to an end in a couple of months, there is a real chance to do a Wigan and go down with some major silverware in the FA Cup.

With plenty of the big boys left in the hat for the quarter-finals, the odds will be against them. 
But Wilder and Sharp, 35, will back themselves to make this otherwise miserable season a memorable one. 
United – who have not lifted the famous old trophy since 1925 – reached the quarters last year but were dumped out by Arsenal.
And they are there again thanks to Sharp’s emphatic 66th minute spot-kick. 

Sheff Utd celebrated after Sharp’s spot-kick gave them a crucial leadCredit: Reuters

In an otherwise dreary tie, Robins defender Alfie Mawson saw red after blocking David McGoldrick’s goalbound shot with his outstretched hand. 
Ref Robert Jones did not spot it, but VAR did – with Sharp taking advantage with his fifth of the season. 
Dean Holden’s Championship side were hardly outplayed but barely threatened so cannot feel hard done by. 
Wilder was leaving nothing to chance, selecting three forwards in Rhian Brewster, David Mcgoldrick and Billy Sharp. 
Robins youngster Ryley Towler was in for his debut at left wing-back, while midfielder Henri Lansbury missed out because of a family bereavement. 
City beat Portsmouth and Millwall to reach the last-16 but arrived in grim form having lost three on the bounce in the Championship. 
Decked out in a questionable purple shirt and lime green short combo, the Bristolians had the first chance. 
A free-kick deep on the right was half-cleared to the ex-Chelsea defender, who hit it first time and forced Aaron Ramsdale into a smart stop down to his right. 
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Alfie Mawson was sent off for handling McGoldrick’s goal-bound shotCredit: Reuters
At the other end, Max Lowe squandered a golden opportunity nine minutes in. 
Set up by former Derby team-mate Jayden Bogle, the wing-back’s first touch beat the last man but his sidefooted effort clattered off the bar and away.
Bogle then fluffed his own lines, heading Ethan Ampadu’s superb cross into the ground and straight at Max O’Leary unmarked from seven yards. 
The Blades had all the ball and territory in the first-half but were hardly hammering away at City’s door. 
John Lundstram fired straight at O’Leary, while Bogle skied his next chance from the top of the box. 
Holden will have been the happier of the bosses at half-time. 
His side were dogged and resolute at the back while carrying a set-piece threat. 
And the Robins had the first opening of the second-half as well, with Nahki Wells testing Ramsdale from 18-yards.
The South Yorkshiremen reasserted themselves but, once again, lacked quality where it mattered in the final third. 
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Referee Robert Jones consulted the VAR monitor before sending Mawson offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Billy Sharp uncharacteristically spurned a chance to hit it on his left peg, instead playing a ball across the six-yard box to nobody. 
Lowe then flashed a teaser across but goal-shy Rhian Brewster failed to divert it home. 
It was another fruitless outing for the £23.5million club record signing from Liverpool, barely featuring until then other than awkwardly clattering into the advertising hoardings. 
And just when it started to look like the Blades could carry on all week without scoring, they had a penalty. 
McGoldrick fired off Alfie Mawson onto the bar, with John Lundstram’s rebound shot cleared off the line by Kalas. 
But VAR had different ideas, spotting that McGoldrick’s effort had come off Mawson’s outstretched hand just yards out. 
Ref Robert Jones went over to his monitor and agreed, sending off Mawson for good measure. 
The centre-back clearly blocked it with his hand but from point-blank range could do little to get out of the way. 
And Sharp made no mistake from the spot in the 66th minute, shooting low to his left beyond O’Leary for his fifth of the season. 
City huffed and puffed but failed to test Ramsdale, making it as comfortable an end as possible for Sharp and the Blades.

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MANCHESTER CITY are reaching new levels of excellence after becoming the first English team in history to win 15 consecutive games in all competitions.
Now Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable side are eyeing up an historic quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League.

Kyle Walker celebrates after opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over SwanseaCredit: PA:Press Association

Raheem Sterling swept the ball home to double City’s leadCredit: Reuters

Gabriel Jesus celebrates netting City’s third at the Liberty StadiumCredit: PA:Press Association

And you certainly wouldn’t bet against them achieving that fab four considering the irresistible form they are in right now.
They are already clear at the top of the table, through to the Carabao Cup final and now they have booked their place in tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final draw.
It was only two seasons ago that they secured the domestic treble but the European Cup eluded them that year when they lost to Spurs in the quarter-finals.
Now it is Borussia Monchengladbach who are standing in the way of City’s Champions League ambitions and the Germans certainly won’t be sleeping easy at the prospect of that one.

This was Guardiola’s 200th victory as City boss in only his fifth season in charge and there are plenty more to come.
Three seasons ago his team actually won 20 games on the trot but one of them was achieved in a penalty-shoot after a goalless FA Cup draw at Wolves so technically doesn’t count as a victory.
But there was never any danger of this one requiring spot-kicks, which was probably a good job considering City’s poor record from 12 yards this season.
That was probably Swansea’s only hope of causing an upset in spite of Guardiola making seven changes to the team which won 4-1 at Anfield on Sunday.

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Walker’s cross got past Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus and Swansea keeper Freddie WoodmanCredit: Reuters

The City boss clearly remembered the major scare he had suffered at the Liberty two years ago, when his team were 2-0 down in the FA Cup quarter-finals before snatching victory with an 88th minute winner from Sergio Aguero.
There was no Aguero this time as he is still recovering from the knee injury and coronavirus which have restricted him to just 141 minutes of Premier League action all season.
But the visitors still had more than enough attacking quality to cause promotion-challenging Swansea all sorts of problems.
There were less than two minutes on the clock when Gabriel Jesus was able to cut inside to sting the palms of keeper Freddie Woodman with a fierce strike from the edge of the area.
And they should have been ahead after quarter of an hour when Benjamin Mendy’s low pull-back picked out Rodri right in front of goal.
But the Spanish midfielder sent his first-time shot wide when he really should have hit the target. 
There was another let-off for the Swans midway through the first-half when Woodman got just enough of a hand to the ball to divert Ferran Torres’ goal-bound effort past the far post.

Sterling celebrates finding the net in the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Morgan Whittaker bagged a consolation for SwanseaCredit: Alamy Live News
Swansea are widely acknowledged as playing the best football outside of the Premier League but they were finding it hard going to keep up with City’s intricate passing game.
They kicked-off on the back of a ten-game unbeaten run and seriously fancying their chances of automatic promotion after missing out in the Championship play-offs last season.
Yet this was a struggle for them to even get across the halfway line as they were penned back by their opponents’ overwhelming possession.
It was only a matter of time before their resolve was broken but when the breakthrough finally arrived in the 30th minute it was anything but a classic. 
Kyle Walker’s low cross into the penalty area was supposed to be aimed at Torres, but the winger’s air shot was enough to deceive Woodman, whose belated dive wasn’t enough to prevent the ball from rolling inside his far post.
That was Walker’s second goal of the season but his first in the FA Cup since January 2011.
And it finally provoked a response from Steve Cooper’s team as Jay Fulton headed an instant equalising chance wide.

Phil Foden shares a joke with Swansea boss Steve Cooper after the gameCredit: PA:Press Association

Man of the match Jesus salutes after a superb finishCredit: PA:Press Association
Ben Cabango was also unable to get a close-range header on target from a 41st minute corner.
But it was City who inevitably ended the first-half the stronger when Raheem Sterling was just unable to slide in from Jesus’ low cross to the back post.
And if Swansea thought they were still in it at the interval, those illusions were well and truly shattered when City scored twice more within five minutes of the restart.
First Sterling was left in far too much space to sidefoot in at the back post from Rodri’s peach of a pass.
Then Jesus was allowed to swivel onto Bernardo Silva’s delicate header to put the tie well and truly beyond Swansea’s reach.
The hosts were finally thrown a crumb of comfort when substitute Morgan Whittaker netted with their first shot on target in the 77th minute.
But City already had their feet up by then as they contemplated Tottenham’s visit to the Etihad on Saturday and the chance to stretch their winning run even further.
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