FA Cup

JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA will be wearing a water polo-style protective headband on his Crystal Palace return on Saturday.And Eagles boss Oliver Glasner has insisted: “If I didn’t believe he was ready, I wouldn’t play him.”We imagine how Mateta might look in his water polo helmetJean-Philippe Mateta was pole-axed by Liam Roberts in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup clash with MillwallCredit: REUTERSThe horror tackle resulted in Mateta receiving 25 stitches to his earCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Frenchman has been wearing protective padding in trainingCredit: INSTAGRAM@CPFCHe’s set to don a water polo-style protective headband upon his return to the first teamCredit: DECATHLONFrench striker Mateta is set to start Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final clash at Fulham – his first appearance since requiring 25 stitches in his ear after being hit with a dangerous kung-fu kick by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts in the fifth round on March 1.After trialling three different versions, Mateta has been training over the international break in his FA-approved protective head guard – including in a behind-closed-doors match – which has been jovially mocked by Glasner and the Palace squad.Glasner explained: “It’s like a water polo helmet. In water polo it’s so they don’t get water into their ears, he has it just on one side. It sounds crazy, but we are used to it.“I said to him maybe you should try [water polo] because he’s tall enough. READ MORE SPORTS NEWS”It looks a bit strange but he says he feels comfortable so let’s see.“When he scores a header, then it was the right mask and the right protection. “Our doctor and the team did a great job finding the right protection. Everything is approved by the FA.“There were three different ones. He tried one like you use to ride a motorbike but he couldn’t train with this because it was too heavy.Most read in Football“I said to the doctor I remember Petr Cech wearing a helmet but the ear was free so we needed the full helmet. Then we found the right one.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOliver Glasner has no reservations about throwing Jean-Philippe Mateta back into the fireCredit: REUTERS“He tried in training which one fits him best and doesn’t influence him in the wrong way.”If I believed it was a problem, I wouldn’t play him but it looks like it isn’t a problem.Crystal Palace star Mateta stretchered off with horror injury after shock kung-fu kick from Milwall keeper who sees red“The last 10 days he’s had this protection and he did well in training so I didn’t find a reason to talk about this.”Asked whether there is a risk Mateta may not be the same player because of it, Glasner continued: “I watched him in training, he looks the same as he did before.“He needed to get back into his rhythm because he couldn’t really train for two weeks. “One week he was at home, the second he was training individually.“It’s also lucky that in this situation nothing was fractured and there was no concussion, it was just the ear although it was a terrible injury.“Some players say that the ear looks better than before!”Palace defender Chris Richards – who once played with a protective mask after breaking his nose while in Germany – added: “It can be restricting but I think he’ll be fine.“[Mateta] enjoys the attention. He’s got that bionic ear now. He looks like a wrestler.READ MORE SUN STORIES”With the headband, we were also saying he looks like the American tennis player Francis Tiafoe.”On if he has given Mateta any advice, Richards laughed: “No, no. He won’t listen to me anyway.” More

AS EVANILSON thawed his freezing hands in warm water in a small town in Slovakia, it hardly felt like a turning point in his career.Yet it was in the unlikely setting of second-tier club Samorin that the Brazilian teenager would rediscover his love of football after the death of his mother.Evanilson is enjoying life on the south coast with AFC BournemouthCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthThe striker is no stranger to the cold thanks to his time in the Slovakian second tierEvanilson spoke to SunSport’s Dan King about his journey to the Premier LeagueCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthAnd get back on the long and winding road that has led him to an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Sunday.Evanilson, 25, still vividly recalls the shock to the system of leaving Rio giants Fluminense and arriving for a loan spell at their partner club in central Europe in January 2018.The Cherries star told SunSport: “I left 40 degrees in Rio to go to minus-five. I had never seen snow before. It was very difficult to adapt.“The first time I trained I couldn’t finish the session because I was too cold. I didn’t understand the importance of wearing gloves, so when I finished I put my hands in hot water because they were almost frozen.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlthough Evanilson’s extremities were numb, inside he was feeling intense grief for the death of his mother, Madalena.It had been hard enough to leave his home in the northern city of Fortaleza to join Fluminense’s academy when he was 13.The striker, whose full name is Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa, said: “The north of Brazil is a very isolated place compared to the action of Rio and Sao Paulo. I didn’t want to go but my dad insisted.”Evanilson soon emerged as one of the club’s hottest talents. But after the sudden death of Madalena when he was 17, he had to be talked out of quitting football altogether.Most read in FootballEvanilson thought about hanging up his boots while at FluminenseCredit: GettyEvanilson opened up on navigating the loss of his mother MadelenaCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthHe said: “It affected me drastically. I was really close to my mum. I went back to Fortaleza and I didn’t want to go back to Rio and play.”Evanilson’s family and the club persuaded him to return — and then to move thousands of miles to Slovakia.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldHe said: “I didn’t want to go to Samorin initially because my friends that came back to Brazil from there didn’t say too many good things about it. But my manager at the time said, ‘Look, it will transform your life as a professional player’.“So then I thought the best solution was to go, after I got over the death of my mum.”It helped Evanilson that Gustavo Leal, his former coach with Fluminense’s Under-17 team, was at Samorin, too, along with other young on-loan players.Evanilson said: “There were three or four of us, so I wasn’t completely by myself. That was positive. Nobody could speak the language so we would stick together.Between 40 degrees and -5 is perfect.Evanilson“I lived with two of the players and I think that saved me. We would take it in turns to clean, cook, wash-up, we would eat Brazilian food every day.“It was a really rich experience for us all. I felt I really grew from there.“It defined me as a footballer. I fell in love with the game again.”Evanilson played just six times for Samorin, scoring three goals.But what he learnt about the very different style of football in Europe and the physical challenge of playing against grown men would stand him in good stead.On his return to Brazil, Evanilson scored 11 times as Fluminense won the U20 Rio state championship.Evanilson poses outside Bournemouth’s training facilityCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthArt attack-erBy Dan KingAS a young child, Evanilson was a  budding artist rather than a footballer.But the influence of dad Valdenir and Cristiano Ronaldo led him to express himself on the pitch as well as on paper.Evanilson said: “When I was young I preferred to paint and do other activities not to do with football.“My dad was involved with football in Fortaleza and  was pushing me.“Ronaldo became my main inspiration because of his work ethic and technical ability. I would watch him  on YouTube.”But mum Madalena still continued to encourage  his artistic flair.He said: “I still have the drawings I used to do for my mother.”Those sketches have been all the more precious to the 25-year-old  since mum Madalena died when he was 17.He also paid tribute to his wife Mariana for helping him through the trauma,  saying: “She is vital to the person I am today. It’s not a case of a WAG — we met when I was 15 and a nobody.“When my mother passed away, she embraced the situation, she made her house available so I could stay there. I appreciate she was there all the time.”Now Evanilson and Mariana are parents themselves to daughter Maria Alice.He said: “I do even more art now because of my daughter.“She inspires me to paint. I will look  at something, draw it and she will paint the drawing.”Evanilson celebrates his family with body art in the form of tattoos.On his right arm he marks three- year-old Maria Alice’s birth, while he remembers his late mother on his chest.He added: “Nobody dies if the person  is present in your heart — that’s what I have written there.”After one false start in the first team, he started to live up to his nickname of Levanilson, after one of his idols, Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski.So in 2020, when still only 20, Evanilson crossed the Atlantic again, this time to join Porto. He was following in the footsteps of another striker from Fortaleza, Mario Jardel, who scored 169 goals in 175 games in a trophy-laden spell with the Portugal giants.And another Brazil-born Porto legend, Pepe — then in his second spell at the club — took Evanilson under his wing.SunSport used the international sign language for Pepe — smashing a fist into your palm, elbowing, kicking — to suggest to Evanilson that it was hard to believe that the notorious hard-man defender was really a big softie.Evanilson laughed and said: “I was surprised, too! There is a side to him where he is kind and helpful but on the pitch it is a different story. “Pepe was the best person in terms of guiding me where I wanted to go.“He really embraced me and where I had come from because he was from Brazil as well.“It was good to have that year where I had to work really hard and Pepe guided me through it.”Evanilson fired Porto to the double in 2021-22 and was linked with a move to Manchester United.Evanilson joined Porto in 2020Credit: GettyFellow Brazil-born star Pepe took the striker under his wingCredit: GettyEvanilson admitted even he was surprised how soft notorious hard-man Pepe really wasCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthBut after enjoying the most prolific season of his career, with 25 goals in 2023-24, last  summer he became Bournemouth’s club record signing for an initial £31.5million.Why swap almost guaranteed Champions League football with Porto for a club that has never played in Europe?Evanilson said: “I always dreamed about playing in the Premier League.“I knew very little about Bournemouth but I’ve been so impressed since I arrived. The club gave me a really good presentation.“l had offers from other clubs but the offer from Bournemouth inspired me the most.“Even former team-mates at Porto are really impressed with the style of play. It suits me, that combination of the physicality and the high level of technique required.“My next goal is to play in Europe. I want to play for Bournemouth in the Champions League. I am very optimistic we can do that.”But the next challenge is to repeat November’s historic victory over City and earn an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.The forecast for Sunday afternoon on the South Coast is sunshine and 15°C, so ideal  conditions for the boy from Brazil.Evanilson said: “Between 40 degrees and -5 is perfect. I’m not training with gloves because the temperature has risen.”But in the Slovakian snow Evanilson learnt about much more than appropriate clothing.READ MORE SUN STORIESEvanilson, a devout Catholic, said: “Nobody dies if the person is present in your heart.“That’s how I feel about it. I always pray to her. My mum is always present.”Evanilson became Bournemouth’s record signing in the summerCredit: Robin Jones / AFC BournemouthThe striker scored as Bournemouth beat Man City 2-1 in NovemberCredit: GettyEven help you PepBy Dan KingBRAZIL hotshot Evanilson wants to ruin Pep Guardiola’s season and “make history again”.Bournemouth host Manchester City in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final after ending the champions’ 32-match unbeaten Prem run in November.The Cup is now Guardiola’s only hope of a trophy this season.But Cherries striker Evanilson, who scored in the 2-1 Vitality Stadium triumph, told SunSport: “We really showed who we are and that has inspired us to go  for a good result on Sunday.“If we work hard, we can beat them and make history again.”That win was Bournemouth’s first victory over City at the 22nd attempt. Now the Cherries are aiming to reach the FA Cup semis for the first time in their history.Evanilson, 25, added: “The November game was an amazing day for me — but it  was more important for the club in breaking City’s unbeaten run.”Evanilson made his name at Fluminense, who play their home games at the legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.Now he has his sights set on helping the Cherries earn a semi-final next month at another world-famous venue in Wembley.Evanilson explained: “When I was a boy in Rio, my dream was to play in the Maracana. It always inspired me.“That dream came true and now I hope I can replicate that at Wembley. I know how important that stadium is for every player.” More

MANCHESTER CITY return to FA Cup action this weekend with a difficult tie at Bournemouth in the quarter finals.It’s City’s last chance of silverware this season but they head to a Cherries side only four points behind them in the league table at this stage.SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the cup tie and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesBournemouth vs Man City previewIt’s a big competition now for Manchester City as the FA Cup is their last remaining opportunity for silverware this season.That seems mad to say for a side that has dominated English football in recent seasons.But it’s all eggs into this basket as they try to win this competition and remain in a battle for the top four.It’s also not going to be easy against a Bournemouth side who are only four points behind them in the table and who BEAT them in their last game on the south coast.The Cherries hit a bit of a bump in the road before the international break though with three defeats in their last five games and drawing the other two – though one was in the previous round of this tournament where they won on penalties.Both teams have scored in three of the last four games at the Vitality and this one should be entertaining once again.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 2-2 at 9/1 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Omar Marmoush 5/1 with talkSPORT BET – HEREBournemouth vs Man City latest oddsBournemouth at 19/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Bournemouth vs Man City predictions and tipsJustin timeJustin Kluivert played over 70 minutes in both of the Netherlands’ games with Spain in the break.It was a reward for what has been a top season with Bournemouth with 12 goals and six assists in his 28 league appearances.Penalty taker too so when it comes to scoring goals, he’s always worth one to keep an eye on. Bournemouth will most likely score.Both halvesNot only am I backing Bournemouth to score, I’m backing them to do so at least twice.That break might’ve come at the right time for them and just as they did against City last time out, they can notch either side of the interval.Bournemouth to score in both halves at 2/1 – CLAIM HERE*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.*Betfred. New customers only. 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THE FA Cup is Pep Guardiola’s only realistic chance left to win a trophy this season.Had you said last summer that in March Manchester City would be out of the Champions League, far out of the Premier League title race and nowhere close to the Carabao Cup final, you would have been laughed out of the room.Pep Guardiola could find a way to spark a stunning partnership with Erling Haaland and other Man City forwards against BournemouthCredit: GettyHigh flying Bournemouth will be a tough nut to crack in the FA Cup on SundayCredit: GettyBut that is the reality facing the Cityzens as we approach the run-in.City’s ageing squad has come back to haunt them and they have been a shadow of the team which has dominated the English football landscape for the best part of a decade.The FA Cup, and by extension their quarter-final against Bournemouth this weekend, represent the final chance at silverware for Guardiola’s serial winners. In the latest edition of Tactics Exposed, we answer YOUR questions about Sunday’s clash and ask whether Guardiola can get his flops firing against the Cherries.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWill City go long ball against Bournemouth’s press?A Guardiola Man City team being accused of going long ball is another sentence which may have got you some worried looks a few months ago.But again, it is a reality City faces as they adjust to their new standing as the third or fourth-best team in the country.City have found success in going long against sides who press high, including Chelsea.Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are another ball game altogether, with the stats showing that they press more than any other team in the Premier League this season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDespite currently being five games without a win if you include their FA Cup penalty shootout win over Wolves, Bournemouth have been one of the best teams to watch in the league this season,They have won possession more times than anyone else in the middle and final thirds, while they rank second for interceptions and third for possession won in their own third.’I don’t expect anything’ Roy Keane savages England star after below-par display in Thomas Tuchel’s first gameIraola has coached his side to press in a way that forces the opposition to play through a congested area or play the ball backwards.One way City could counter this high press is by going more direct.It is a style which worked wonders for Newcastle against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, with players being pushed high before the ball goes long and therefore removing Bournemouth’s pressing threat.What City could look to do is lure the opposition into a stretched zone in their final third, creating an overload out wide after too many players commit to the press before the ball is quickly played forward.Man City could play long balls to play pass the Bournemouth pressBournemouth are the highest pressing team in the leagueAnother option is to play more centrally into Erling Haaland, who can then bring the ball down to play into Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden.The three-versus-two overload is a high-risk, high-reward system, but it worked wonders when deployed against Chelsea.Semenyo or Marmoush?Omar Marmoush has been a good signing for Man CityCredit: GettyAntoine Semenyo has had an impressive season for BournemouthCredit: GettySurely if I have Man City’s money I should be able to have both Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case so what splits these two immensely talented attackers?Semenyo has had an impressive year, but if he was a bit more clinical in front of goal the Cherries might be even higher up the table.The 25-year-old is brilliant at timing his press. When team-mate Evanilson blocks the passing lane of a goalkeeper, Semenyo is clever enough to hover in the shadow of the opposite direction before springing into life when the ball is played there.He is helped by another player having a superb season, Milos Kerkez, who is up there with the best in the league.It is not unusual to see Semenyo and Kerkez pressing together in the opposition’s final third and a large factor in this is that Semenyo’s work rate covers for Kerkez if he loses the ball.Despite all the Semenyo praise, Marmoush still edges the debate.His pace, his ability to take the ball on the run and his intelligence to read the third-man run without being offside make him a deadly threat to any opponent.This is of course not to mention City’s pure wingers, likely to be Jeremy Doku and Savinho, who work in tandem with the interior players like Foden and Marmoush.How to get Foden flying again?Phil Foden is underperforming considering his lofty standardsCredit: GettyThis is probably the biggest question in the Premier League at the moment.Foden, 24, has had an underwhelming season considering his previously lofty standards.He was equally poor starting for England against Albania, but his cameo off the bench against Latvia could hold the answer on how to get him back to his best.In that game, Foden was played more centrally and would often come deeper to collect the ball.Foden is an expert at spinning his marker before popping the ball off to a winger.Guardiola could find some consistent success in playing him as one of the two attacking No10s, given how Foden’s versatility has meant he has never truly found rhythm in his career. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is still a world-class talent, but the question is how you get enough out of him to show that talent and influence the game.The change of tactics to a more direct system is affecting him, but Foden’s talent means given the platform he should be in a position to get back to his best if he is given a run in one position. More