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      Chelsea vs Man City FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for FA Cup semi-final

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      2018 FA Cup winners Chelsea take on 2019 champions Manchester City in a huge semi-final at Wembley.The Blues eased past Sheffield United in the last round as they look for a first trophy under Thomas Tuchel.
      Chelsea have been in excellent form under Thomas TuchelCredit: AFP
      Man City are easing to the Premier League title but will want cup glory to go with itCredit: Getty
      Man City meanwhile were too strong for Everton in their sixth round match.
      Both sides will be desperate to win this one and fancy their chances in a final against either Southampton or Leicester – the two sides competing in the other semi.
      What time does Chelsea vs Man City kick off?

      What TV channel is Chelsea vs Man City on and can I live stream it?

      Chelsea vs Man City is live on BBC One.
      Coverage commences at 5.10pm – 20 minutes before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to the BBC iPlayer.

      Can I watch Chelsea vs Man City for free?

      Team news
      Chelsea will still be without key midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who sustained a hamstring injury in training and missed the Porto game in the Champions League.
      Kurt Zouma could start in defence for the Blues, while Kepa may be preferred between the sticks.
      N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are both back fit and set to be in the engine room.
      Sergio Aguero is out for City, while Raheem Sterling could be kept out by the in-form Phil Foden.
      Joao Cancelo looks set to start after being rested against Dortmund. More

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      Mount and Pulisic are key for Chelsea beating Man City while Southampton can shock Leicester despite leaky defence

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      MANCHESTER CITY will go into this semi-final full of confidence, but Chelsea will fancy their chances.Both sides have had success this season by deploying a false nine but in reality they have moulded it to each of their strengths.
      Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount will be vital to Chelsea’s hopes of toppling Man CityCredit: Getty
      Danny Higginbotham writes exclusively for SunSportCredit: Griffiths Photographers
      As a centre-back you always want someone to mark and without a striker you always have doubt in your mind.
      The interchanging of City’s front three – whether it be Raheem Sterling, Bernando Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne – makes defenders go looking for their man out wide.
      At Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel will always have a man through the middle who drops deep to drag defenders with him to open up space for the midfield runners.
      And we all know Tuchel is capable of setting his side’s up to contain opposition attackers and be successful on the counter.
      The last four goals Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded have all been from deep runs from the midfield.
      Stuart Dallas’ double for Leeds and then Marco Reus and Jude Bellingham in the Champions League ties with Borussia Dortmund.
      It means both Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic will be key at Wembley today.
      City will be full of confidence after ridding themselves of the Champions League semi-final hoodoo.
      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      It will come down to how both defences deal with the midfield runners.
      Because if the likes of Kurt Zouma or Toni Rudiger get dragged out wide, City will have players like Ilkay Gundogan ready to pounce.
      And likewise if John Stones or Ruben Dias get sucked in it will allow Chelsea to break them down in the counter attack. 
      If Southampton are going to reach the FA Cup final, they will need to respect the occasion just like we did in 2003.
      I joined the Saints in January that year – just in time for their historic run to the final against Arsenal.
      And if there was one thing I took away from that experience it was respecting the opponents in every game.
      I remember Gordon Strachan absolutely losing his rag when all of us, including some staff, celebrated drawing Watford in the semi-final rather than Arsenal or Sheffield United.
      Danny Ings and Theo Walcott are both potential Southampton match-winnersCredit: Getty
      He drilled into us that no matter the opponent it was a game we had to respect and go and win.
      We went into that tie as favourites, which was odd for a team like Southampton, but got the job done.
      Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will have a different experience against Leicester who are third in the league.
      Southampton have had an up and down this season, only West Brom conceding more than them.
      But what they do have is match winners in their side with Danny Ings, Theo Walcott and James Ward-Prowse.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Chelsea vs Man City – Watch LIVE for FREE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      How Chelsea could line up vs Man City in FA Cup semi-final without Kovacic and Christensen and striker dilemma

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      CHELSEA will face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final without Mateo Kovacic and Andreas Christensen as Thomas Tuchel contemplates his forward conundrum.The Blues have the chance to end City’s quadruple hopes at Wembley on Saturday.

      Both sides will be full of confidence after securing their place in the Champions League semi-finals in midweek.
      A goal in each leg from Phil Foden helped the Citizens ease past Borussia Dortmund while Chelsea edged Porto 2-1 on aggregate.
      German boss Tuchel has some key selection decision to make though the spine of his side.
      The 47-year-old confirmed Croatian midfielder Kovacic – who he dedicated his side’s aggregate win to – and Danish centre-back Christensen are still out injured.
      Thiago Silva is only just back from injury and played the full 90 minutes against Porto.
      The 36-year-old could be rotated out for Frenchman Kurt Zouma after his goalscoring exploits against Crystal Palace last weekend.
      N’Golo Kante is another player who only recently climbed off the treatment table but with Chelsea playing on Tuesday rather than Wednesday, Tuchel thinks he will be ready ready for the weekend.
      The Stamford Bridge chief also refused to rule out young Scot Billy Gilmour who has rarely been seen since Frank Lampard was sacked.

      In his press conference, Tuchel was asked if Kante could play 90 minutes and if Gilmour would come into his thinking and replied: “Both yes.
      “We have the green light for N’Golo because we’ve had three days between games that make a huge difference.
      “Mateo is unfortunately still out. He is feeling better but can’t be in the squad.
      “And Andreas Christensen is out and can’t be in the squad. That is the situation.”
      Tuchel successfully deployed Kai Havertz as a No9 against Porto and Palace but may be tempted to hand a recall to fellow German Timo Werner.
      Christian Pulisic could be the man to make way after starting the last two games in quick succession, with the American struggling with his own fitness problems earlier in the season.

      Thomas Tuchel has some important selection calls to makeCredit: PA
      N’Golo Kante is set to start after a three-day restCredit: Getty
      On his depth of options up front, Tuchel added: “I do what I think is best for the team and I adapt to the quality of my players.
      “If I have guys who need to be on the pitch and double strikers, we will find the way to play with double strikers. If we have guys who absolutely need to be on the pitch as a No9, we play with a single No9. It depends and we adapt to the quality of the player
      “We have what we have and I am super happy with what we have and we have strong strikers, we have strong half strikers and we do what is best for the team.
      “And I am absolutely happy with what we have and we will push them and that is the situation.”
      Pulisic scored a double in the 4-1 win over Palace and may be given another start after Tuchel praised his impact in the last few games.
      The manager said: “He made huge progress, he was fantastic in the last games and maybe I cannot explain it better – to be calm, to trust himself in terms of injury, in terms of his full fitness, capability and bit more calm and self-confidence and being aware that I trust him and these things.
      “This is important for him to show his full potential. Once he is in that he is a huge player and he has now big performances because he has a huge impact physically and in terms of quality, dribbling runs, arriving in the box in crucial moments.
      “He stepped up and this is what I know from him and I am very happy about this in the last weeks and games.”
      Tuchel may start Christian Pulisic for the third game in a rowCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Thomas Tuchel delighted as Chelsea beat Porto to march into the Champions League semi-final More

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      Leicester’s Covidiots determined to write their own headlines after being hauled in to team grilling to apologise

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      BRENDAN RODGERS wants his Covidiots to start making headlines for the right reasons – starting against Southampton at Wembley in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.The furious Foxes boss axed star midfielder James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury ahead of last weekend’s defeat by West Ham after The Sun revealed they had breached Covid lockdown protocols by attending a house-party at Perez’s home.
      Hamza Choudhury and James Maddison have accepted their party-going was no laughing matter and are keen to put it rightCredit: Getty
      Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers felt let down by his four Covidiots but says their mistake is in the past and their team-mates have forgiven themCredit: Getty
      Meanwhile fellow bad-boy Harvey Barnes remains sidelined by injury.
      But after accepting their apologies, Rodgers says it’s time for his Foxes to make amends on the pitch should he decide to play them at Wembley – by leading Leicester to their first FA Cup final for more than half a century.
      “We had a meeting at the beginning of the week and we accept their apology. The guys were sincere,” Rodgers revealed. 
      “Not only did they know they had made a mistake, they also understood the team is based on our pride and also on behavioural expectation and they fell below that. 
      “So we accepted their apology and today there was a real good energy back in the squad again. I think this will galvanise us.
      “They are determined to write their own headlines now.”
      Some Leicester fans remain furious with their fallen favourites – claiming they have yet to issue a public apology through social media or in person.
      But Rodgers claimed it is time to move on and said:
      “We can’t forget these guys have made a tremendous contribution this season and whilst we are in the position we are because of them, they made a mistake.

      “I think the club has done it. The players themselves were bitterly disappointed and knew they had overstepped the mark.
      “We suffered and they suffered but it’s in the past now.
      “The best way they can do that (apologise) as a football player is by their actions on the field – that’s where we will look to this weekend.
      “We have to move on and for me, it’s gone. We can’t dwell on it. We all make mistakes and they’ve been punished for it.
      “It’s my job to help teach these young players – to help them make a better choice in future.”
      Rodgers refused to be drawn over whether he fears Maddison has wrecked any hopes he had of breaking into Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.
      “I don’t know, I’m not picking the England squad,” he said. 
      “I only look at Leicester and I am only concerned with what we do here. I don’t speak to him about England.

      “James was very remorseful. I’ve always said I loved working for him, he’s a young player who has made a mistake and he was man enough to hold his hand up, he was not hiding from it. 
      “He was bitterly disappointed in himself and bitterly disappointed he let his teammates down.
      “He wasn’t trying to talk anything round, other than to apologise and say he had made a mistake.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Leicester keeper Danny Ward signs new contract until 2025 More

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      London City aim to make Cup duel ‘difficult’ for Chelsea in clash with WSL giants

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      MELISSA PHILLIPS hopes London City Lionesses can give Chelsea a run for their money in their Women’s FA Cup fourth round battle.And the Princes Park boss is excited by competition in the second tier becoming more fierce with two extra teams joining the division next season. 
      Melissa Phillips and her London City Lionesses are ready to test themselves against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are going for a quadruple trophy win this seasonCredit: Rex
      Phillips was speaking to reporters ahead of her side’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea which precedes an end of season game against Liverpool. 
      And the US-born coach is targeting a strong finish to the season for her Women’s Championship side who have picked up one win and one draw from their last five outings. 
      Phillips said: “I think regardless of what line-up Chelsea puts out, due to the international break and players being away, they’re going to be a strong opposition. 
      “It’s going to test us in ways that we’ve not yet been tested so far this year. 
      “We take a lot of pride in being difficult to play against this season.
      “We’ve not given up many goals in the run of play, and that’s just due to preparation, everyone understanding their roles, being on the same page but most importantly competing.
      “It’s our goal to be competitive in every game we play against regardless of the opponent. 
      “The mission and the goals are the same this week. It’s just going to be a test against a much higher quality.”
      “The exciting part to the end of our season is that we’ve played Leicester, who are the champions of our league we’ve got Chelsea and then we’ve got Liverpool. 
      “How lucky are we to finish off our season that way and learn so much about ourselves moving into the next one and where we need to grow and what we need to work on. 
      London City Lionesses are looking to finish their season well and will play Liverpool in the Championship after ChelseaCredit: Rex

      Phillips’ reflections come days after FA women’s game director Kelly Simmons confirmed the expansion of the second tier from ten teams to 12 for the 2021-22 season.
      Two clubs from the third are expected to make the jump to the third tier of the sport via an application process following London Bees’ relegation this term.
      Phillips, whose team are fifth, said: “I think it’s exciting to see the Championship grow in the midst of what has been a challenging year. 
      “There have been a lot of announcements within our league over the past two seasons about clubs going with a full-time structure. 
      “You see that with teams like Charlton and Coventry and others who want to make the women’s game more professional. 
      “The growth of the game and being able to play against top-quality opponents and to challenge and test ourselves is important because that’s what it will take to achieve our goals and ambitions.”
      Chelsea, who are top in the WSL, are targeting a quadruple trophy haul this term following their Conti Cup triumph. 
      And Emma Hayes says her players will not be taking their fourth-round FA Cup opponents lightly with a mammoth title clash with Man City to follow in five days. 
      Atlanta Primus and the London City Lionesses hope to give Chelsea a run for their money in the Women’s FA CupCredit: Getty
      Hayes told Chelsea’s web site: “We are really excited to start the FA Cup campaign at home against a local London rival.
      “It’s the first of many games that become critical to the outcome of our season.
      “It’s the magic of the FA Cup, it inspires everyone. I’m sure they’ll be putting everything into disrupting us and making it difficult.
      ‘I hope that the experience we’ve got in our group doesn’t take anything for granted and we will focus on getting our game right.”
      Emma Hayes and her players will face Man City next in the WSLCredit: Rex
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Daniel McNamara in TEARS after Wolves Women thrash high-flying Watford in FA Cup third round

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      DANIEL MCNAMARA was left in TEARS after his Wolves side knocked high-flying Watford out of the FA Cup third round.The fourth-tier West Midlands club, made up of teachers, nurses and office workers have truly felt the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
      Daniel McNamara hailed the “heart and determination” of Wolves WomenCredit: Getty
      Wolves have had two seasons axed due to the coronavirus crisisCredit: Getty
      They were staring promotion in the face before their season was axed in January for a second year on the bounce due to the coronavirus crisis. 
      Wolves haven’t been able to train for THREE MONTHS let alone play a competitive fixture.
      But their season isn’t done yet, thanks to goals from Jade Cross, Kelly Darby, Anna Morphet and Jamila Palmer yesterday afternoon.
      Boss McNamara, who was holding back tears, said: “The group deserve it. 
      “We’ve come down here to Watford. No dressing room, warming up on a horrible pitch over there. I thought we had been disrespected if I’m honest.
      “Even their (Watford’s) warm up looked laboured, it looked like they were playing an easy side – there’s Wolves Women for you. 
      “Watford will be in the Championship in the next couple of years and we’ve beaten them. I’m speechless.
      Emma Cross hit Wolves’ opener in North LondonCredit: Getty
      Fourth-tier Wolves thrashed third-tier WatfordCredit: Getty

      “I don’t want to be disrespectful to Watford because they’re an unbelievable outfit with fantastic players but that’s what heart, determination and a unified group gets you.”
      Third-tier Watford, made up of ex-Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal aces,  were also gearing up for promotion and a return to the Championship before their campaign bit the dust.
      But the best they’ll get now is enjoying the rest of the FA Cup at home in front of the TV, after every league below the Women’s Championship was shut down.
      It was Cross who gave the visitors the lead after pouncing on the ball at goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins’ feet, to unleash a fierce, low drive into the corner on nine minutes. 
      But the hosts hit back strongly, and Katie O’Leary sent a dipping and curling strike beyond Bec Thomas for the equaliser on the stroke of half time.
      After the break Darby rose highest to tuck home an inch-perfect free kick to make it 2-1. 
      And drama erupted when the referee pointed to the spot after Tammy George was mowed down in the area.
      Morphett cooly converted before Palmer wrapped things up by pulling the trigger from distance to send Wolves into a fourth round tie with Blackburn Rovers next week.
      Wolves will face Blackburn Rovers next weekCredit: Getty
      Kelly Darby made it 2-1Credit: Getty
      Rui Patricio ‘conscious and aware’ after Wolves No1 needed oxygen in Liverpool clash following Conor Coady collision More

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      FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City ‘will still go ahead’ on same day as Prince Philip’s funeral

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      THIS Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City will still go ahead, The Sun understands.Ministers and sports chiefs will meet today and agree to allow the event to go ahead.
      🔵 Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
      This Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Chelsea will still go ahead, The Sun understandsCredit: EPA
      The match’s 5.30pm kick-off may change if it clashes with Prince Philip’s funeral serviceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      It will likely open with a minute’s silence and black armbands for the players.
      The Government has told The FA the decision is up to them — but the 5.30pm kick-off may change if it clashes with Prince Philip’s service.
      The Football League has already told its clubs that 3pm games may be moved “to avoid a clash”.
      An EFL spokesperson said: “As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
      “The EFL will now work with its clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played, giving consideration to the timing of the service.
      The match will likely open with a minute’s silence and black armbands worn by players (pictured: Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic)Credit: AP

      “An announcement will follow in due course.”
      A Government spokesman said: “The decision as to whether sporting fixtures continue is at the discretion of organisers.
      “They may wish to consider using black armbands and observing a silence before matches.”

      Boris Johnson will not attend Prince Philip’s funeral to allow space for as many Royal family members as possible More

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      FA Cup final attendance confirmed with 21,000 allowed to attend and fans also in for Carabao Cup showpiece at Wembley

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      FANS will be allowed to attend both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals, The FA have announcedThe EFL have now confirmed the 8,000 capacity for the League Cup final, played between Tottenham and Manchester City on April 25.
      Fans will be allowed to attend both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The allocation will be made up of fans from both teams as well as local residents and NHS staff, who will be offered tickets as a way of saying thank you for their work during the pandemic.
      Then, there will be an increase to 21,000 supporters by May 15, when the FA Cup concludes with its showpiece at Wembley Stadium.
      It is part of a wider programme to introduce crowds back, which include snooker, comedy, film and business events.
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Our sports stars and great performers need us to find ways to get bums back on seats safely.
      “This science-led pilot programme will be the springboard in getting the buzz back of live performance. 
      “We’ve supported the sports and arts with unprecedented sums, but it’s now time to make that Great British Summer of live events a reality.”
      Last year’s runners up Chelsea play City in the first FA Cup semi-final on April 17.
      A day later, Leicester face Southampton, and a live crowd of 4,000 are set to be in attendance.
      RETURN OF THE FANS ROADMAP
      April 18 – Leicester vs Southampton, FA Cup semi-final (4,000 fans)April 25 – Man City vs Spurs, Carabao Cup final (8,000 fans)May 15 – FA Cup final (21,000 fans)After May 17 – Up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent stadium capacity allowed to attend final Prem games

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      We have revealed the initial pilot events which will help pave the way for larger audiences at sport, theatre and gigs this summer.The government’s science-led Events Research Programme will work with organisers to undertake studies to get fans and audiences back safely. pic.twitter.com/CFtZKTwNlN— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) April 3, 2021

      FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia – hopefully by the end of the Men’s Euros.”
      After May 17, up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent of a stadium’s capacity will be allowed to attend Premier League games.
      Fans briefly returned in December, with the capacity depending on the various tier systems.
      But by Christmas, the nation was back in lockdown, bringing an end to live crowds.
      The new roadmap hopes to allow fans to attend the delayed European Championships this summer, hosted across 12 cities.
      England kick off their Euros campaign against Croatia at Wembley on June 13 but it has not been decided how many fans will be allowed to attend. More