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      FA Cup final could be hit by scheduling chaos with Championship sides set to cause major headache

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      THE FA CUP final could be hit with major scheduling chaos due to the date of the Championship play-off final.That is because the FA Cup final scheduled for May 25 – just one day before the Championship play-off final on May 26.The FA Cup final faces a schedule clash with the Championship playoff finalCredit: GettyPromotion-hunting Leicester or Leeds could see a play-off final date clash with the FA Cup finalCredit: GettyAs it stands, four Championship teams remain in the FA Cup; Coventry, Leicester, Leeds and Southampton, with the latter two in action tonight against Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.Each of these teams is in the hunt for promotion, which may lead them to the Wembley play-off final.Leicester lead the second tier but could be clawed back by the likes of Ipswich and Leeds, who are level on points with the final automatic promotion spot up for grabs.Southampton are close behind them and sit fourth in the table and firmly in the play-off spots.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, Coventry are just five points outside the top six.The magic of the FA Cup means any of these four could make the Wembley final.However, with the showpiece so close to the playoff final it could cause a real headache for event organisers. Since the play-offs were introduced in 1987, such an event has never occurred, with second-tier sides who have made the FA Cup final not appearing in the play-off final.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere is no plan for it happening, either.SunSport understands that in the event this does occur, the Championship game would be moved to facilitate the FA Cup, with the EFL making a final decision on a prospective new date.’I’m telling you how it is’ – Shearer instantly shakes head after Lineker question live on BBC for FA Cup coverageBut before all of that, there are FA Cup quarter and semi-finals to contend with, not to mention the rest of the Championship season.SunSport has simulated the draw for the last eight, with a tasty Manchester derby on offer if injury-stricken Manchester United can beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. There is also the chance for an all-Championship tie between Leicester and Southampton if the Saints can overcome Carabao Cup winners Liverpool.The real draw commences tonight at 7pm. You can keep up with the draw with SunSport’s live blog. Simulated FA Cup quarter-final draw in full
      Newcastle vs Coventry
      Man City vs Forest/Man Utd
      Southampton/Liverpool vs Leicester
      Brighton/Wolves vs Chelsea/Leeds More

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      I hold FA Cup goal record and I can’t see it ever being beaten… but Erling Haaland gave it a good go

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      ERLING HAALAND may have netted five against Luton on Tuesday night – but he did not get close to the record for FA Cup goals in a game.That honour belongs to Bournemouth legend Ted MacDougall, who scored NINE in a first-round tie against Margate in 1971.
      Ted MacDougall finally got his hands on the match ball after scoring nine for Bournemouth v Margate in an FA Cup first-round tie in 1971Credit: Bournemouth News
      MacDougall scoring one of his record nine goals for the Cherries that dayCredit: Bournemouth News
      Erling Haaland celebrates his fifth goal against Luton on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty
      Here the former Cherries striker tells SunSport about his amazing feat…
      I HAD absolutely no idea at the time that I had broken any goalscoring record when I hit nine for Bournemouth in the 11-0 rout against non-league Margate.
      Being a typically single-minded striker I wished I had scored all 11 as I sat in the dressing room afterwards.
      But it wasn’t until the BBC contacted me later that Saturday evening and told me that it was the biggest haul of goals by any player in an FA Cup match since a guy called Wilfred Minter had scored seven goals for St Albans in 1922 that it dawned on me that my name had gone into the record books.
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      At the time I remember saying in the interview that records are there to be broken and it would only be a question of time before someone hit double figures in an FA Cup match.
      But my hat-trick of hat-tricks is still sitting there unbroken to date and now I’m not quite so sure it will ever be beaten given the way the game has changed.
      The two things I remember vividly about the game is that it was a rainy day and the opposing Southern League Margate manager Les Riggs winding us up in the media before the match.
      I had scored 42 goals during the previous season at Bournemouth so was getting a bit of a reputation as a serial goalscorer, but as the first round game approached, Riggs dismissed me by claiming: “We’ll treat him just like any other player.”
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      Once I had got off the mark after 90 seconds they just kept going in. I had scored my first hat-trick after 27 minutes, team-mate Micky Cave added a fourth and by half time I had scored five.
      Dear old Les (Riggs) jokingly asked my manager at the time, the brilliant John Bond, if it would be possible to substitute me!
      FA Cup controversy as eagle-eyed fans spot ‘rule breach’ in build-up to Blackburn’s goal against Newcastle
      Bondy was having none of it. I added another four in the second half, scoring my ninth with two minutes remaining. Mel Machin had scored No 10 in between.
      But I don’t recall any of them being spectacular. They were typical goal-poaching strikes.
      I had that knack of being in the right place at the right time and also was blessed with being quick over three or four yards in and around the 18-yard box.
      Despite scoring all those goals I wasn’t given the match ball at the end. I just treated the match like any other.
      I was touched that several weeks after the game the club presented me with an Omega watch with an engraving of nine balls on the back.
      I thought that was a lovely gesture and I’m pretty sure Bondy orchestrated it. I learned so much under his management and was delighted to link up with him at Norwich after stints at Manchester United and West Ham.
      I’ll never get bored talking about November 20, 1971 and the day I chalked my name into the FA Cup record books Ted MacDougall
      The one goal I’m probably remembered for more than any other is the diving header I scored at Aston Villa a month after the Margate triple hat-trick, probably because it became part of the Match of the Day credits for a season.
      These days I live in America but I enjoyed every moment of my time playing for Bournemouth and I’m immensely proud that there is a MacDougall Suite at Dean Court where couples can get married at the Vitality Stadium.
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      Despite starting as an apprentice at Liverpool and playing for York, Manchester United, West Ham, Norwich and Southampton, it’s Bournemouth where I have a huge soft spot.
      One thing is for sure: I’ll never get bored talking about November 20, 1971 and the day I chalked my name into the FA Cup record books with my hat-trick of hat-tricks! More

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      Banned Newcastle star Sandro Tonali spotted joining in the celebrations after penalty shootout win over Blackburn

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      NEWCASTLE star Sandro Tonali found a unique way of joining in the celebrations after Newcastle beat Blackburn.The Magpies knocked their Championship opposition out of the FA Cup on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.
      Sandro Tonali FaceTimed a fan in the away endCredit: X/TheVocalHero
      The midfielder was banned from football for betting breaches in OctoberCredit: Getty
      Anthony Gordon’s opener was cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics’ 79th-minute strike before goalkeeper Martin Dubravka proved the hero with two penalty saves in the shoot-out.
      His second won the game for Toon which sparked jubilant scenes amongst the travelling fans.
      And one supporter in the away end took his celebrations one step further by FaceTiming banned Newcastle ace Tonali.
      The Newcastle fan who spoke to the Italian shared a pic of the conversation on X, alongside the caption: “I know someone who enjoyed that…#NUFC”
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      A beaming Tonali could be seen on the screen enjoying Newcastle’s win in the only way he could given his ban.
      Tonali, 23, made 12 appearances for Newcastle following his summer switch from AC Milan, but was banned for betting breaches in October.
      The midfielder was banned for ten months for his role in a betting scandal involving Juventus star Nicolo Fagioli.
      He will not be available for selection until August and has undergone rehab treatment since being hit with the ban.
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      Newcastle said in a statement in response to the ban: “He and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support.
      “Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”
      FA Cup controversy as eagle-eyed fans spot ‘rule breach’ in build-up to Blackburn’s goal against Newcastle
      Newcastle are now waiting to discover who they will face in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
      But in our simulated draw they landed a perfect tie at home to Coventry. More

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      FA Cup quarter-final draw simulated with Man Utd handed nightmare tie – if they can even get past Nottingham Forest

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a nightmare FA Cup quarter-final tie in SunSport’s simulated draw.The Red Devils still have to book their place in the last eight by beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground tonight.
      Man Utd were beaten by Fulham on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag has come under fire after Saturday’s resultCredit: PA
      Victory is certainly not a given, with Man Utd having lost 2-1 to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the Premier League in December.
      Erik ten Hag will be desperate for his side to return to winning ways, after their abject 2-1 home defeat to Fulham last Saturday.
      Should United manage to beat Forest, SunSport’s simulated draw has landed them with a horrifying trip to Manchester City.
      Pep Guardiola’s side serenely booked their place in the quarters with a 6-2 win at Luton last night.
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      City host United in the Premier League this Sunday, and our draw has seen them land each other again.
      Following the Red Devils’ defeat to Fulham, pundit Jamie Carragher pointed out a baffling tactical trend.
      He said: “Twenty seconds into the game against Fulham, it’s been the problem for Manchester United all season, there’s space between the back four and the midfield.
      “We go to the reason why they’re poor defensively and can’t cope with counter-attacks, they’ve got no pace at the back and a lack of legs in midfield.
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      “People say: ‘there’s no patterns of play at Manchester United, how do they play and what’s the philosophy?’.”
      Ten Hag then hit back: “First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments, very good advice, some are very subjective.
      ‘I’m telling you how it is’ – Shearer instantly shakes head after Lineker question live on BBC for FA Cup coverage
      “Jamie Carragher from the first moment on has criticised and now he wants to make his point.”
      He then added: “Probably in the first half an hour, yeah, he had a point.
      “The way Fulham set up their midfield was a surprise and then we have to find the solutions.
      “After half an hour we found the solutions.”
      Elsewhere last night, Newcastle squeezed past Blackburn on penalties.
      Their reward, according to our simulated draw, would be a home tie with Coventry – who beat sixth-tier Maidstone United 5-0 on Monday night.
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      Southampton face Carabao Cup winners Liverpool at Anfield tonight, with the winner to host Leicester in our simulation, with the Foxes having won 1-0 at Bournemouth after extra time.
      Meanwhile, we’ve got the winners of Brighton vs Wolves to welcome the victors of Chelsea vs Leeds.
      Simulated quarter-final draw in full
      Newcastle vs Coventry
      Man City vs Forest/Man Utd
      Southampton/Liverpool vs Leicester
      Brighton/Wolves vs Chelsea/Leeds More

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      ‘I’ve never seen that before’, says ITV commentator after spotting what Pep Guardiola did on touchline during FA Cup tie

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      PEP GUARDIOLA broke new ground during Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Luton.He side ran rampant at Kenilworth as Erling Haaland scored five goals in a 6-2 hammering of the Premier League strugglers.
      Pep Guardiola performed an unusual task against Luton
      He was busy as he made four substitutions at onceCredit: ITV
      The match was wrapped up by Mateo Kovacic in the 72nd minute and moments later Guardiola decided to wring the changes.
      He made a quadruple substitution, hauling off Haaland, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Bernardo Silva, and ITV commentator Sam Matterface noticed something unusual about the tweak.
      Guardiola appeared to be in charge of informing the fourth official of the substitutions – a task usually delegated to an assistant.
      Matterface asked: “Is that the first time we have ever seen Pep Guardiola hand over the slips of paper to the fourth official?”
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      “I’ve never seen that before,” replied co-commentator Lee Dixon.
      Matterface then confirmed: “He’s the one doing the substitutions now, usually it’s the assistant manager who handles that task.”
      Jack Grealish was also substituted during the win after suffering another injury.
      After coming off, cameras picked up an emotional Grealish hiding under a training jacket before his team-mates consoled him.
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      Prior to kick-off Grealish had caused a stir after embracing former team-mate Ross Barkley, who lined up for Luton.
      Pundit Roy Keane commented on the interaction, saying: “Not for me. But we’re all different.”
      Fans all notice something odd in background of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City press conference More

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      Eagle-eyed fans spot huge controversy in Newcastle’s penalty shootout win over Blackburn in FA Cup

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      STUNNED viewers claim Blackburn were robbed in Newcastle’s FA Cup shootout triumph – after spotting a major controversy.Keen-eyed fans are convinced Toon’s hero keeper Martin Dubravka was off his line before foiling Dom Hyam from the very last penalty.
      Fans say Dom Hyam’s penalty should have been retaken as Newcastle’s shootout hero’s hero keeper Martin Dubravka was off his line
      Dubravka celebrates as the Toon pipped Blackburn in the shootoutCredit: Getty
      Hyam was the unlucky Rovers ace in the contentious finaleCredit: Alamy

      Supporters were especially frustrated because the FA Cup does NOT have VAR for ties played in non-Premier League stadiums – meaning no video replays could settle the issue.
      The mediocre Magpies scraped into the quarter-finals 4-3 on spot-kicks after Championship side Rovers deservedly held them 1-1 after extra time.
      But fans rushed to point out what they believe was a lucky let-off for Dubravka – worsened by the “unfairness” of having no VAR.
      The Slovak, who earlier saved Sammie Szmodics’ shootout penalty, dived low to repeat the feat from Hyam’s low effort.
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      But fans posted clips of the stopper with both his feet appearing to be in front of the line before Rovers’ Scottish defender took his kick.
      If true, that means the penalty should have been retaken – giving Blackburn another chance to take the spot-kicks to sudden death.
      One wrote: “Dubravka was off his line when Hyam’s penalty was being taken. If it had VAR involved it would’ve been retaken.”
      Another said: “Would have been quite funny if Newcastle had been denied victory by Dubravka coming off his line for the first time all season.”
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      And a third commented: “Dubravka was off his line oops.”
      A fourth could not have been more wrong when he stated: “Nobody going to mention Dubravka off his line, thought not.”
      Blackburn vs Newcastle STOPPED mid-match after protest with players forced to step in during FA Cup clash
      That’s because loads of fans swarmed onto social media to note the keeper’s contentious positioning.
      However, viewers were divided on whether the absence of VAR was a positive thing overall for an epic tie.
      One argued: “No VAR and a brilliant game of non stop action. Loads loads of chances by both teams!! Even at the end there VAR would have disallowed the last pen as Dubravka was off his line.”
      Anthony Gordon’s 71st-minute opener for the Toon had earlier been cancelled out by Szmodics ahead of extra time and the shootout saga. More

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      ‘I’m telling you how it is’ – Shearer instantly shakes head after Lineker question live on BBC for FA Cup coverage

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      ALAN SHEARER instantly shook his head after being questioned about his Manchester United snub live on air.The pundit hit screens for Tuesday’s FA Cup clash between his former clubs Blackburn and Newcastle.
      Alan Shearer says he has no regrets about rejecting Man Utd twice
      Shearer defended his decisions as former clubs Blackburn and Newcastle faced each other
      Shearer famously won the Premier League title while at Rovers.
      And he went on to become Toon’s all-time top goal-scorer.
      But the former England star twice turned down a move to Old Trafford.
      Sir Alex Ferguson’s first attempt came when Shearer was at Southampton.
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      Rovers ended pipping United to his signature in 1992, with the title win coming three years later.
      The Red Devils then made another attempt for Shearer in 1996.
      That time, he opted to join Newcastle instead and remained at St James’ Park for the remainder of his career until 2006.
      Shearer didn’t win a single trophy during his time in the north east.
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      However, he insists he would make the same decisions again and has no regrets over turning down Fergie’s United.
      BBC host Gary Lineker first said: “People often say ‘why didn’t you go to Manchester United, you would have won loads of stuff there’.
      Blackburn vs Newcastle STOPPED mid-match after protest with players forced to step in during FA Cup clash
      “You’ve often said to us that you wouldn’t swap it.”
      Shearer shook his head and replied: “I don’t really care about whether people believe it or not.
      “I’m telling you how it is, if I had the same decision to make again now, I’d exactly the same again.
      “I had 10 unbelievable years there, it’s my club, my hero was Kevin Keegan, I used to go and watch him.
      “So to go and score goals at St James’ Park was my dream, so to have the record, the statue there, and to have everything I’ve got in Newcastle, I wouldn’t swap that for the world.” More

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      Roy Keane bluntly tells Laura Woods ‘not for me’ after she points out Grealish and Barkley’s tunnel antics in FA Cup

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      ROY KEANE did not mince his words with Laura Woods live on ITV as some tunnel antics between Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley were pointed out.The Manchester United legend was on ITV’s FA Cup coverage of Manchester City’s 6-2 thrashing of Luton, in which Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick.
      Laura Woods and Roy Keane were on ITV’s coverage of the FA Cup
      Woods highlighted a hug between Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish in the tunnel
      With Keane giving a blunt response
      He was appearing on the broadcaster alongside Woods and Ian Wright, which had left fans in a dilemma with the BBC also having a heavy-hitting trio on their own show.
      Keane’s brand of analysis is known, and loved, by many fans for being rather blunt in its delivery.
      The football hardman is also not known for having a particularly large pool of sympathy for players who are friendly to each other before games.
      Woods might have hoped to catch Keane out when she highlighted stars from Luton and Man City sharing a handshake in the Kenilworth Road tunnel.
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      Just before kick-off, Woods point out to Keane: “Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish having a little cuddle before the game.”
      Keane responded in fine form by saying: “Not for me. But we’re all different.”
      The Irishman’s response left Woods chuckling before the audio switched over to the commentary team for the match.
      Barkley, 30, and Grealish, 28, played a year together at Aston Villa in the 2020/21 season.
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      Erling Haaland put on a scoring clinic in the match as he netted five goals past an unfortunate Tim Krul – who had a nightmare as he returned to the Hatters’ starting XI for the cup game.
      Elsewhere, Leicester triumphed at Bournemouth after a 105th-minute winner from super-sub Abdul Fatawu.
      Blackburn vs Newcastle STOPPED mid-match after protest with players forced to step in during FA Cup clash
      Meanwhile, the clash between Blackburn and Newcastle went all the way to penalties, which the Magpies won 3-4 thanks to Martin Dubravka’s shootout heroics. More