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    ‘What on earth were they thinking?’ – Gary Lineker slams Chelsea as fans left in shock at their Middlesbrough request

    GARY LINEKER slammed Chelsea for proposing their FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough be played behind closed doors.The Blues face Middlesbrough at the Riverside in Saturday’s late kick-off.
    Some Chelsea fans will be Middlesbrough but only those who bought a ticket before sanctions were imposedCredit: Reuters
    But Chelsea fans who did not purchase a ticket before Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions will not be able to attend, with the club pressing the Government to change its mind.
    With Chelsea in ongoing talks with the Government they put out a statement requesting the game be played without ANY fans – including those supporting Boro – for the sake of “sporting integrity”.
    But after backlash from fans and media personalities like Lineker Chelsea backtracked and withdrew their request in a humiliating U-turn.
    Lineker supported that decision but asked questions over who came up with the proposal in the first place.

    He wrote on Twitter: “So Chelsea have now removed their request for the FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors. The right move.
    “Not sure whose idea it was to make the request in the first place. What on earth were they thinking?”
    A statement from Middlesbrough was damning, reading: “All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.
    “To suggest as result that Middlesbrough and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
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    “Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting “integrity” as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.
    “We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured Middlesbrough will resist Chelsea’s actions in the strongest terms.”
    Many fans were in agreement with Lineker and criticised Chelsea for their outlook.
    One fan wrote on Twitter: “The audacity of an official statement from Chelsea asking for Middlesbrough fans (whose club have got no part of this whole saga whatsoever) to be unable to go to an FA Cup Quarter-Final in their own ground is absolutely stunning.
    “I can’t believe they’ve actually said it.”
    Another added: “That statement from Chelsea just proves why most fans can’t stand them.”
    A third said: “The lack of self-awareness in that Chelsea statement.” More

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    Chelsea in humiliating U-turn as they WITHDRAW demand for Middlesbrough FA Cup clash to be played behind closed doors

    CHELSEA issued a humiliating U-turn by removing their request for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.As part of their ongoing sanctions, the Blues were banned from selling any more away tickets for the Riverside on Saturday evening.
    Thomas Tuchel will have limited support at Middlesbrough on SaturdayCredit: PA
    Blues chiefs had pleaded with the government to let them have some supporters on Teesside.
    Once that request was rebuffed they instead audaciously demanded the match go ahead without fans “for matters of sporting integrity”.
    However, the FA confirmed Chelsea have now agreed to withdraw their outrageous appeal.
    A statement said: “After constructive talks between The FA and Chelsea, the club has agreed to remove their request for the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.
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    “The FA remains in ongoing discussions with Chelsea, the Premier League and the Government to find a solution that would enable both Chelsea fans to attend games and away fans to attend Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected.”
    Chelsea retweeted the message and added: “The FA has issued the following statement.
    “We are grateful for the FA’s continuing efforts to help us find a solution.”
    Furious Boro earlier insisted they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms” as they described Chelsea’s request as “bizarre” and “ironic in the extreme”.
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    That is why Boro released a statement insisting that they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms”.
    And talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan spoke to Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson, who believes “sporting integrity and Chelsea are words that don’t go together”.
    Chelsea – who face a travel nightmare even getting to the game – had already sold between 500 and 600 tickets for the FA Cup clash before they were hit with the crippling restrictions.
    The latest news came just minutes after Uefa reportedly confirmed the Champions League tie at Lille would go ahead tomorrow night.
    The EU slapped additional sanctions on Blues owner Roman Abramovich on Tuesday.
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    L’Equipe quickly claimed the last-16 second leg could be at risk as the special license to operate granted by the UK Government may not extend to matches outside of England.
    But RMC Sport claim a Uefa official has insisted it DOES apply to European games.
    Middlesbrough are eyeing another big scalp after taking out Manchester United and TottenhamCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Extremely ironic’ – Middlesbrough savage Chelsea in damning statement for demanding to play FA Cup game without fans

    MIDDLESBROUGH slammed Chelsea’s “grossly unfair” request to play their FA Cup quarter-final behind closed doors at the Riverside Stadium.The Blues are banned from selling tickets as part of sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich by the UK government, although the situation regarding away games has yet to be cleared up.
    Chelsea want their FA Cup game with Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doorsCredit: Getty
    Abramovich, 55, has had his assets frozen following Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine due to his alleged ties to president Vladimir Putin.
    Sanctions mean that, until the club is sold, Chelsea cannot sell any new tickets to fans.
    Blues chiefs had pleaded with the government to let them have some some supporters at the game on Teeside.
    Once that request was rebuffed they instead demanded the match go ahead without fans “for matters of sporting integrity”.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The 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    Furious Boro insisted they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms” as they described Chelsea’s request as “bizarre” and “ironic in the extreme”.
    That is why Boro released a statement insisting that they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms”.
    The statement read: “We are aware of Chelsea’s request to have Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.
    “All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.

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    “To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
    “Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting “integrity” as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.
    “We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea’s actions in the strongest terms.”
    SunSport understands the FA will reject Chelsea’s demand, with the West London outfit already set to have around 500-600 supporters – who bought their tickets before Abramovich was sanctioned – in attendance.
    According to talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson won’t agree with Chelsea’s request.
    In fact, Jordan spoke to Gibson, who believes “sporting integrity and Chelsea are words that don’t go together”.
    Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson is unlikely to accept Chelsea’s requestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Jordan said on White and Jordan: “It makes no sense. How do you possibly, even in the most obtuse and opaque way, read a room like this if you’re Chelsea?
    “Everybody in football right now is looking at you like a pariah, you’re a toxic brand, your own sponsors don’t want anything to do with you and your way of dealing with that is to take a great bit dump in someone else’s pocket financially by saying we don’t want any gate receipts for you in the FA Cup.
    “I’ve just spoken to Steve and his expression was that ‘sporting integrity and Chelsea are words that don’t go together’, that’s his reaction.
    “They’ve got a playing squad that is worth about £1billion and Middlesbrough have got a team that’s worth a packet of gobstoppers by comparison, so the sporting integrity can even up there.
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    “You don’t need your fans in the stadium to have your big-time players overcome Middlesbrough.
    “It’s an ill-formed, Ill-mannered, ill-educated, uncouth, unedifying response from Chelsea and it just goes to the heart of why people are going to take exception.” More

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    Chelsea demand FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough is played behind-closed-doors due to away ticket ban

    CHELSEA are demanding their FA Cup clash away at Middlesbrough is played behind-closed-doors due to their ban on selling tickets.The Blues have been clobbered with a string of crippling sanctions after owner Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen by the UK government.
    Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side want their FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough to be played behind-closed-doorsCredit: EPA
    Blues chiefs had pleaded with officials to let them have some some fans at Saturday evening’s game.
    But the club has now announced they were rebuffed in their efforts, meaning Thomas Tuchel’s team will have little support in the last eight clash.
    There will be a small handful of Chelsea fans at the Riverside who bought early release tickets prior to Abramovich being sanctioned.
    A club statement from Chelsea read: “We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
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    “Despite engaging in extensive discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the deadline to purchase away tickets has passed without appropriate amendments being made to the Government licence which would allow a full allocation of Chelsea supporters to attend.
    “Executives at Middlesbrough had been kind enough to extend their deadline for ticket sales and stadium allocation from 7.30pm last night until 9.30am this morning.”
    Chelsea did not attempt to hide their anger and frustration as the club added: “It is vitally important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead.
    “However it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity.
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    “Chelsea FC recognises that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought the limited number of tickets that were sold before the licence was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances.
    “We will continue to discuss the issue of ticket sales with OFSI as there a number of fixtures still to be played this season and we hope to reach a resolution.”
    While Chelsea have just asked for the FA Cup clash to be played behind closed doors it would set a dangerous precedent regarding their intentions for their remaining 10 Premier League games.
    And SunSport understands the FA will reject Chelsea’s request, with the West London outfit to have around 500-600 supporters in attendance.
    In a statement released by the FA, they said: “We are aware of Chelsea’s request to play their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough behind closed doors.
    “The matter will be discussed at the Professional Game Board meeting tomorrow.”
    Middlesbrough released their own statement on the request, as they described it as ‘bizarre’.
    They said: “We are aware of Chelsea’s request to have Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.
    BLUE SERIOUS?
    “All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.
    “To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
    “Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting “integrity” as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.
    “We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea’s actions in the strongest terms.”
    Commenting on Chelsea, a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport source said: “Chelsea and their directors think the club should be able to carry on as if nothing has happened.
    “They don’t get that they are a sanctioned entity, and want to wave a magic wand to make it all go away – it’s outrageous.
    “We have worked very hard to ensure sporting integrity but what they are proposing will have direct consequence and damage another club.
    “It is tin eared and they are living on another planet. They do not get they owned by someone who is linked to a very bad man currently bombing hospitals in Ukraine.
    “And yet, despite everything that has been done to keep them running, they are willing to damage another club at the drop of a hat.”

    Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan wasn’t surprised by Chelsea’s request when speaking on talkSPORT.
    He added that Boro supremo Steve Gibson had suggested that ‘sporting integrity and Chelsea don’t go together in the same sentence’.
    Tuchel recently revealed how Chelsea, who travel to France to play Lille in their Champions League second leg clash on Wednesday, cannot fly to Boro with the club facing a ten-hour round trip by coach.
    He said: “We want to find solutions, we want to play the match on Saturday as much as we want to play in the Champions League.
    “We have a framework to play in Lille with no excuses. It is difficult to arrange things in the best way possible for the FA Cup, but we will deal with it. 
    “It isn’t about luxury and bling-bling. This is just a pro level of sports, where we play with two days between matches with our opponent having four days between matches and we arrive with the possibilities of injuries. 
    “For that, it is better to arrive with a plan rather than a bus.”
    German star Kai Havertz meanwhile has declared he would happily pay out of his own pocket to travel to Teesside this weekend.
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    He remarked: “I would pay, no problem. That’s not a big deal for us. To come to the games is the most important.
    “There are harder moments in the world, than [worry about] taking the plane or bus to away games.” More

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    Women’s FA Cup receives prize pot lift with £3million to be shared amongst teams competing for the trophy

    THE Women’s FA Cup is to receive a bigger cash prize pot following extra funding announced by football chiefs.An amount of £3million is set to shared amongst teams battling to win the trophy from next season.
    The Women’s FA Cup will have a bigger prize pot from next seasonCredit: Reuters
    And football chiefs have pledged that more will reach the contest’s earlier rounds.
    The move comes following supporter-led protests coordinated by the Women’s Football Fan Collective and calls from club managers including a number of WSL bosses.
    At present Women’s FA Cup trophy-winning sides receives £25,000 from a pool of under £430,0000 for the 417 teams competing in the competition.
    Meanwhile the prize pot for the men’s contest sees the overall winning team collect £1.8million, with the runners-up receiving £900,000.
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    The FA hopes the increase for the women’s competition will lead to greater investment in the women’s game at the grassroots and professional levels.
    Sue Campbell, the FA’s women’s football director, said: “This increased investment highlights that we want clubs competing in it to be rewarded, while also highlighting our ongoing commitment to the women’s game.
    “It’s going to benefit so many clubs across the women’s football pyramid.”
    Earlier this season a few teams at the lower end of the sport’s pyramid flagged financial challenges they faced when competing in the competition.
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    Clapton FC Community became the first club from the seventh tier to reach the third round of the Women’s FA Cup when they faced Plymouth Argyle last December.
    The Greater London Premier Division side had to launch a Crowdfunder to cover the costs of travel for their players.
    Prior to the clash the team had earned £2,900 in prize money for the four games they had won in the run-up to the third round.
    And they stated an equivalent run in the men’s FA Cup ‘would have netted £65,629’.
    Football bosses say more details on the structure and spread of extra funding for the women’s contest will be revealed in due course.
    Campbell added: “Women’s football continues to be in a growth phase.
    “We are always looking to make improvements and investment to drive it forward and break new boundaries. More

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    Women’s FA Cup reportedly due to see a ‘tenfold rise’ in prize money following fans’ protests over disparity

    THE Women’s FA Cup could be set to see a tenfold increase in prize money, according to reports.The Guardian says football chiefs are preparing to disclose details of an increase to the contest’s cash pot thought to be more than £2.5million.
    Football bosses committed to increase prize money for teams competing in the Women’s FA CupCredit: Getty
    The move comes after the FA pledged to provide a significant rise in prize money.
    And it follows a campaign led by supporters’ activists group the Women’s Fan Collective who organised protests at games.
    Their backers led chants of ‘No ifs, no buts, we want an equal FA Cup in the competition’s fourth-round clashes this term.
    The imbalance in the prize money for the competition between the men’s and women’s game has been the subject of much debate in recent seasons.
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    Men’s trophy winners collect £1.8million while Cup-winning women’s sides receive £25,000.  
    While the winning teams of women’s fifth-round clashes played in February received £3,000, men’s sides who triumphed at the same stage were awarded £180,000.
    A number of WSL bosses have thrown their weight behind calls for an increased cash pot for the women’s competition.
    Emma Hayes, Carla Ward, Rehanne Skinner and Hope Powell are among the managers who have backed the push following criticism of the gulf in prize money.
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    In January, Brighton chief Hope Powell, 55, said: “With what the game is offering, the attention it’s receiving and the players and all that they do for the professionalisation of it all, everybody’s striving for that.
    “There is an appetite for it with where the women’s game is at now, with its fanbase at (last year’s) final at Wembley and the (crowd) numbers (of more than 40,000) that game commanded.”
    Tottenham manager Skinner, 42, added: “Everybody is working incredibly hard to evolve the women’s game.
    “That’s got to be reflected in what the prize money is and the way the clubs are supported in terms of performance levels. More

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    Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood LIVE RESULT: Rondon double sees Toffees down National League side to set up Palace tie

    EVERTON have beaten Boreham Wood to reach the FA Cup quarter-final.It took 55 minutes for the Toffees to break the National League side’s resistance but Salomon Rondon managed to steal in at the near post and put them ahead.
    And he then bagged a second as goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond palmed the Venezuelan’s header away only to find the ball had already crossed the line.
    As a result, Everton face Crystal Palace away in the FA Cup quarter-final.
    That’s all from us at Goodison Park
    So, Everton are off to Selhurst Park for the quarter finals to play what promises to be a very intriguing tie against Crystal Palace.
    It’s the end of the road for National League Boreham Wood, who will make the long trip home to prepare for their fight for promotion.
    But, what a story they have given us. Goodnight!
    ‘I needed to play’ – Kane Smith
    Boreham Wood midfielder, Kane Smith received a standing ovation from the fans after playing 70 minutes against his beloved Everton club, despite still nursing an injury.
    Oh, the magic of the FA Cup, making dreams come true.
    The Garrard’s British Bulldogs
    These were the words written on a banner paraded around the pitch by Boreham Wood manager, Luke Garrard.
    His side certainly guarded their goal for the first half, but couldn’t sustain the tempo in the second.
    ‘I love all of you’ he shouts at the travelling fans, before starting the chant ‘we are going up, we are going up!’
    In truth, this is the real aim of Boreham Wood’s season, and the fans will hope that tonight’s experience will help them towards promotion.
    Good job, sir.
    FULL-TIME – Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood
    Rondon chops The Wood
    The Toffees striker puts end to Boreham Wood’s fairytale Cup Run.
    It’s all finished at Goodison Park, with Everton knocking the National league side out of the FA Cup. Their wonderful adventure comes to an end at the hands, or should I say feet and head, of Salomon Rondon, who scored both goals in a much improved Everton second half.
    Boreham Wood stayed in the game for 57 minutes, but struggled to get a hold of any kind of possession. In the end the players couldn’t withhold the constant Everton attacks on their goal. But the non-league side should be very proud of how far they’ve come.
    Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood
    89, Seamus Coleman goes down on the edge of the area under a challenge.
    Richarlison’s effort from the free kick is way off target.
    It’s just not his night.
    Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood – Boreham Wood substitution
    88, Both strikers Marsh and Bowden are replaced by Clifton and Ranger.
    Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood – Substitution for Everton
    88, Allan and Keane are off for Welsh and Price
    Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood – Everton substitution
    85, It’s the end of the game for Gordon, who is replaced by Dobbin.
    GOAL! Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood
    83, Rondon scores again!
    Townsend goes short for the corner and floats the ball into the area. Rondon jumps highest to head it beyond the goalkeeper who gets a hand to it, but can’t keep it out of the net.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    82, What a challenge!
    Some excellent build up play from the Toffees. The ball arrives at Richarlison’s feet, but as he goes to strike it, Rees slides in for a goal saving challenge, conceding a corner ball.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    80, Richarlison gets in behind but hits the side netting after being ruled offside.
    10 minutes to go now, and it’s all Everton. But it only takes one chance fro Boreham Wood to turn this tie on it’s head.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    78, Gordon has yet another effort on goal. This one flies into the stands. The young Englishman is confident enough to shoot at every opportunity at the moment.
    He clearly wants a goal, but he’s going to have to do better than that.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    74, Richarlison bends a shot towards the keeper’s left, but he gets down low to deny the forward.
    The resulting corner comes off Allan for a goal kick.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood – Substitution for Borham Wood
    72, Connor Smith is on for Kane Smith. How useful.
    GOAL DISSALOWED – Everton 1-0 Borham Wood
    70, Richarlison is judged to have handled the ball into the net.
    Gordon played a vicious ball into the box which bounced off Richarlison’s hand and into the net.
    I don’t think the Brazilian new anything about it, but The Wood are lucky.
    GOAL! Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood
    Richarlison scores!
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood – Substitution for Boreham Wood
    64, Captain and fourth round hero, Ricketts, makes way for Comley
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    64, Coleman shows too much of the ball to Stevens. But the quick throw releases Gordon who plays a quick one two with Richarlison, before striking towards goal, but the young man can’t make it count.
    The chances are coming thick and fast for Everton.
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood
    60, Gordon weaves down the left hand channel and fires a shot on target. But, the keeper is equal to it.
    The pace down Everton’s two flanks is causing Boreham Wood all kinds of problems now
    Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood – Everton substitution
    58, Mykolenko goes off injured. Coleman is on in his place.
    GOAL! Everton 1-0 Boreham Wood – Rondon scores to relieve fans
    57, Everton go 1-0 up at last!
    Kenny finds himself on the right hand flank once again, and plays a low ball across the box. Rondon is first to meet it, and slides the ball inside Ashby-Hammond’s near post.
    A sweet finish, and the deadlock is broken.
    Everton 0-0 Boreham Wood
    54, A poor Everton ball is played straight into Marsh’s feet. The Wood striker has a hit, but it flies well over the Everton goal.
    More mistakes from Everton, and the crowd aren’t happy.
    Everton 0-0 Boreham Wood
    52, A beautiful turn by Gordon who is growing into this game.
    He gets a shot off but it’s blocked and back with goalkeeper, Ashby-Hammond, now.
    You get the sense another opportunity might be on it’s way for Everton any minute.
    Everton 0-0 Boreham Wood
    What a chance!
    50, Rondon’s got to score! An inch perfect delivery by Kenny from the right hand side is straight on to the striker’s head. But, with the whole goal to aim at, he sends it well over the bar.
    That’s the best chance of the game so far.
    Everton 0-0 Boreham Wood
    47, Mykolenko slides the ball across across the 18 yard box. Rondon is not far away from connecting with it, and it’s out for a throw.
    Early dangerous signs from Everton.
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    FA Cup quarter-final draw LIVE: Middlesbrough vs Chelsea, Liverpool could face Nottingham Forest away – latest reaction

    THE FA Cup quarter-final draw has been made.And Middlesbrough will have to pull off a third giant killing as they host Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace vs Everton
    Nottingham Forest or Huddersfield vs Liverpool
    Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
    Southampton vs Manchester City

    Boro hoping to beat Blues
    Middlesbrough face a tough task against Chelsea.
    That’s because the Blues have won the EIGHT meetings between the two sides.
    The last time Boro beat Chelsea was in 2006.
    And the match is also a repeat of the iconic 1997 final, which saw the Londoners emerged victorious.
    FT – Everton 2 Boreham Wood 0
    Crystal Palace will play Everton in the FA Cup quarters after the Toffees beat Boreham Wood 2-0.
    Salomon Rondon scored both goals in Thursday’s 5th round tie as the minnows failed to provide an upset.

    Up for the FA Cup
    Chelsea are on the hunt for their NINTH FA Cup.
    Liverpool are hoping for Cup number eight.
    And City need one more for seven.
    Who are FA Cup holders?
    Leicester City are the current FA Cup champions after beating Chelsea in last year’s final.
    Youri Tieleman’s 63rd minute rocket secured a famous 1-0 win for the Foxes at Wembley.
    But Leicester crashed out this season in the fourth round to Nottingham Forest, losing 4-1 to the Championship outfit.
    Do quarters have extra time?
    All FA Cup quarter-final matches will have 30 minutes of extra time if it is a draw after 90 minutes.
    There will then be penalties if neither side finds a breakthrough in ET.
    FA Cup quarter-final replays were scrapped entirely from 2016.
    Eyes on the cash prize
    Victors in the quarter-final will receive a cash prize of £360,000.
    That’s miles ahead of the paltry £100k Liverpool got for beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
    When will quarters be played?
    All four games will be played later this month.
    They will take place on the weekend of Friday 18 March to Monday 21 March.
    After that, it will be a trip to Wembley for the four sides in the semis.
    Taking nothing for granted
    Everton had time to tweet their quarter-final draw news before they kicked off against Boreham Wood.
    And they pointed out they will only visit Crystal Palace IF they beat the National League side.
    Goodison fans seemed happy enough – although some noted that ‘big three’ Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea had again been kept apart.

    ‘Lucky’ Liverpool and Man City?
    Fans of the Prem top two have been swapping jibes about ‘easy draws’ after tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final line-up was unveiled.
    Yet both were drawn away.
    Liverpool face in-form Nottingham Forest or the Midlanders’ high-flying Championship rivals Huddersfield.
    And City visit Prem rivals Southampton.

    Can Wood move from Park to Palace?
    Boreham Wood have kicked off at Everton in their bid to become only the second non-League team in the modern era to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
    And if Wood triumph at Goodison Park then the National Leaguers will travel to another top-flight side in Crystal Palace in the last eight.
    Will Blues be on cloud nine?
    Chelsea being drawn away to Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals will probably has perhaps boosted their hopes of winning the FA Cup for the ninth time.

    Our regular reminder…
    Here’s the full draw again:
    Crystal Palace vs Everton/Boreham Wood
    Nottm Forest/Huddersfield vs Liverpool
    Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
    Southampton vs Man City
    It’s not a fix…
    Football chiefs can’t win with sceptical fans when it comes to draws.
    Keeping the ‘big clubs’ apart means it’s a stitch-up to help the elite.
    Pair them together then it’s a conspiracy against one of those teams – or a plot to help ANOTHER of the giants.
    Or at least that’s the case if you believe social media.
    Here are two of tonight’s first such messages following the quarter-final draw..

    What price a treble?
    Middlesbrough could land an all-time great ‘TREBLE UPSET’ upset if they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup last eight.
    Having beaten Spurs and Man Utd in the past two rounds, the Championship club now host Champions League holders Chelsea.

    FULL Q/F DRAW – RECAP
    Crystal Palace vs Everton/Boreham Wood
    Nottm Forest/Huddersfield vs Liverpool
    Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
    Southampton vs Man City
    Southgate hands home draws for his old clubs
    Gareth Southgate joked he did the best he could for his two old clubs in tonight’s draw – by handing them home quarter-final ties,
    Man Utd’s conquerors Middlesbrough host Chelsea.
    And Crystal Palace have a winnable clash with Everton or Boreham Wood
    Southampton vs Man City
    Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
    Nottm Forest/Huddersfield vs Liverpool
    Crystal Palace vs Everton/Boreham Wood
    Southgate picks 2 special memories
    Southgate says Ricky Villa’s solo goal for Tottenham in 2010 and Man Utd vs Arsenal are among his favourite final memories.
    Southgate hails ‘united’ response to Russian aggression
    Before he picks out the balls, Gareth Southgate hailed football’s ‘united response’ to Russia’s ‘unacceptable’ invasion of Russia.
    Here we go…
    The draw’s starting at Wembley, with Gareth Southgate shuffling the balls.
    Crouch and you’ll miss it…
    Moments ahead of tonight’s draw, here’s a flashback to one of the FA Cup’s most memorable ball-picking episodes.
    Step forward, Peter Crouch.

    Southgate getting ready…
    Three Lions supremo Gareth Southgate is as smartly dressed as ever as he prepares for the 7.45pm FA Cup quarter-final draw at Wembley.
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