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      Jimmy Husband dead at 76: Everton legend who won First Division and guided Toffees to FA Cup final dies after illness

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      EVERTON legend Jimmy Husband has died at the age of 76.The club announced the death of Husband in a heartfelt tribute on their website.Everton have paid tribute to Jimmy Husband, who has died at the age of 76Credit: GettyHusband won the title with Everton in 1970Credit: Times Newspapers LtdA statement on their website said: “Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of 1969/70 League Championship winner Jimmy Husband.”Jimmy, 76, died peacefully on Saturday following a short illness.”Born in October 1947, Husband won the First Division title with the Toffees in 1970. He starred at Goodison Park between 1963 and 1973, scoring 55 goals in 199 appearances for the first team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis career path had seen him star for a number of top clubs academy sides, including Aston Villa, Leeds, Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Everton where he turned professional.In 1968, Husband was instrumental as Everton reached the FA Cup final, scoring twice in the quarter-final against Leiceste.But a bad miss in the final against West Brom would prove pivotal as the Baggies won the game 1-0.Two years later the winger was a key man in Harry Catterick’s team who stormed to the First Division crown, though an injury prevented him from playing in the run-in.Most read in FootballHis absence in the second leg of Everton’s European Cup quarter-final against Panathinaikos in 1971 after being injured early in the second leg was also cited as a big part of the teams elimination.Husband left Everton for Luton in 1973, helping the Hatters to promotion in the 1973/74 season.He played 162 games for the Kenilworth Road outfit, scoring 48 goals.His football career in England would end in 1978, before he headed to the United States and featured for Memhis Rogues, indoor team Cleveland Force and Oklahoma City Slickers.Husband played for England Under 23s but never made an appearance for the senior team, partly due to Sir Alf Ramsey’s reluctance to use wingers.After retiring Husband was a regular sight at the Everton Former Players Foundation Christmas Lunch and was a special guest in 2020 when John Hurst was presented with the Dixie Dean award.Everton concluded: “The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with Jimmy’s family at this sad time.” More

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      Major broadcasting change to FA Cup with decision made between BBC and ITV after TNT Sports bought rights

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      THE BBC have retained the rights for live FA Cup matches until 2029, according to reports.But TNT Sports will replace ITV in showing fixtures from the 2025-26 season.A new four-year deal for the FA Cup TV rights has been struckCredit: GettyGary Lineker is the current host of the live BBC FA Cup coverageCredit: GettyTNT paid a whopping £264million last month to secure a four-year deal with The FA to become the main broadcaster of the famous cup competition.That left the BBC and ITV to battle it out for the secondary spot.And according to the Daily Mail, it is the Beeb who have come out on top.The new rights package will see the BBC show two FA Cup matches from each round up to the quarter-finals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey will then get one of the two semi-finals and the final. In a further boost for fans, any FA Cup ties from the third round that do not kick off during the Saturday afternoon blackout will be televised live.Part of The FA’s recent contract with TNT stated that a certain number of matches per round needed to be available on free-to-air TV. And although they could have live-streamed on YouTube or used their Freeview channel Quest, they were open to striking a partnership with a major public broadcaster. Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt is also reported that the BBC will continue to keep its Match of the Day highlights programme for the FA Cup. TNT will also show the Community Shield and FA Youth Cup final as part of the new deal. Fans can’t believe what Alan Shearer said about Man Utd live on BBC commentary during FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest The tournament – on terrestrial TV only from 2021 to 2025 – will return to a subscription channel following previous spells on BT Sport, Sky Sports, Setanta and ESPN. The BBC have the rights to two of the four FA Cup quarter-finals this month.Chelsea vs Leicester and Manchester City vs Newcastle will both be on the Beeb, with the ITV having Wolves’ clash with Coventry and the standout tie – Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United.The new FA Cup contract for the BBC comes after the broadcaster sealed a deal to show live Super League rugby league action on Saturday evenings. More

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      Wales to resist calling up Liverpool wonderkid despite impressive performances

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      WALES are expected to resist the urge to fast-track Lewis Koumas if the forward continues to star for Liverpool.Koumas, 18, scored his first goal for the Reds on his senior debut in last Wednesday’s 3-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Southampton at Anfield.Koumas was on the bench for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final triumphCredit: RexThe son of ex-Wales international Jason, 18, has played for the Dragons U19 side alreadyCredit: RexThe attacker was also on the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 controversial win for Liverpool at Nottingham Forest.But SunSport understands the son of ex-Dragons star Jason is unlikely to promoted to Robert Page’s senior squad this month for their crunch Euro 2024 play-off bid.It is believed Koumas, who has played for Wales Under-19s, could land himself a first Under-21 call instead.Senior Welsh management are well aware of his promising talent.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Wales’ seniors play Finland in their Euro play-off semi-final on March 21 in Cardiff.Then comes a potential final against either Poland or Estonia, also in the Welsh capital five days later.Koumas could even get the chance to train for a session with the likes of Brennan Johnson, Ben Davies and Ethan Ampadu with the U21s also based in south Wales that week.Matty Jones’ U21s have a home clash with Lithuania in Newport on March 22.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChester-born Koumas is eligible to play for three countries: Wales due to his dad, who won 34 international caps for the Dragons, England due to his birthplace and also Cyprus through his grandfather.Wales have also adopted a gradual integration process in the past with the likes of Reading’s Charlie Savage.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveThe 20-year-old won his first senior cap against Gibraltar last October but has returned to the U21s.Koumas has been in and around the Liverpool squad for a few months now.He was on the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s men for the Prem visit of Burnley on February 10 as well as the Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea last weekend.But the attacker grabbed his chance with both hands against the Saints on his debut in midweek by scoring the opening goal before fellow teen star Jayden Danns, 18, added two goals. More

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      FA Cup quarter-final TV fixtures confirmed with Man Utd vs Liverpool and Chelsea vs Leicester on at bizarre times

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      THE FA Cup quarter-final fixtures have been confirmed with Manchester United vs Liverpool taking place on a Sunday.But the clash will kick-off at the unusual time of 3:30pm.The FA Cup quarter-final takes place on the weekend of March 16-17Credit: ReutersChelsea’s tie with Leicester also kicks off at the rarely-seen time of 12:45pm.Premier League matches on Sunday usually take place at 2pm and 4:30pm.But in recent weeks there has been an increase in 3:30pm games, with Sunday’s Manchester Derby set to take place at the time.United’s tie with Liverpool is set to air on ITV with Leicester’s trip to Chelsea live on the BBC.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe BBC will also broadcast Manchester City vs Newcastle on Saturday March 16, with the clash pencilled in for 5:30pm.The FA Cup weekend gets underway with Wolves taking on Coventry at Molineux at 12:45pm.Chelsea’s involvement in the FA Cup means their clash against Arsenal has been moved.That means the Gunners will have a gap of 19 days between their match against Porto on March 12 and their next game against City on March 31.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is partly because there is no club football for two weeks while international matches take place.Meanwhile Chelsea’s visit to Sheffield United in the Prem on April 7 has also been rescheduled for a different time.Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to darts sensation and Man Utd fan Luke Littler More

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      Leeds fan who fell from upper tier of Stamford Bridge revealed as hooligan jailed for punching ex-England star on pitch

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      THE LEEDS UNITED fan who fell from the upper tier at Stamford Bridge is said to have been a hooligan that was previously jailed for punching an England international.The shock incident occurred on Wednesday in the 3-2 FA Cup defeat away to Chelsea.A Leeds fan received treatment after falling from the upper tier at Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyA report has now claimed it is the same man who punched ex-England goalie Chris KirklandCredit: Enterprise News and PicturesDuring the game, a supporter fell from the upper tier at the corner of the away end at Stamford Bridge while celebrating a Leeds goal.Medical staff and police quickly gathered around the injured fan while play continued.Then, after being treated by medics, the individual was taken away to hospital as fellow supporters looked on in concern.Now the Daily Mail has reported on the identity of the fan hurt at Chelsea.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey state that it is the thug that was jailed for punching goalkeeper Chris Kirkland live on TV in 2012.The 33-year-old Aaron Cawley got four months behind bars and was handed a six-year football banning order for that attack.He raced onto the pitch and attacked the then-Sheffield Wednesday star.Cawley, who is believed to be still recovering in hospital, had his banning order lifted in 2016 after he successfully appealed against it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLeeds have now confirmed that he is still banned from their matches after the Kirkland incident.But they were unable to confirm the name of the fan who fell because of patient confidentiality.Chelsea 3 Leeds 2: Gallagher nets last-gasp winner ease pressure on Pochettino as Blues edge out brave Whites in FA CupHowever, he was previously spotted by TV cameras at a Leeds match in 2016.That was when he hugged Pontus Jansson after the former defender had equalised in a match against Norwich.Cawley was also banned from football for three years aged 16 for violence. More

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      I sat on bench next to Saka at the FA Cup final but Arsenal released me after 15 years… now I’m making my way in EFL

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      MATT SMITH came within touching distance of making his Arsenal debut in the FA Cup final.And he still walked away from Wembley with a winner’s medal.Matt Smith and Bukayo Saka were unused subs in the 2020 FA Cup finalCredit: GettySmith is forging his career in the EFL with WiganCredit: GettyBut after being released following 15 years with the Gunners, he is now making a name for himself in the EFL.Smith, 23, is a year older than Bukayo Saka and the pair came through at Hale End together, both playing in the 2018 FA Youth Cup defeat to Chelsea.But while Saka burst into the first team under Unai Emery in November 2018, the holding midfielder had to remain patient.Then when Covid struck and restrictions meant Mikel Arteta needed to call upon some of the best academy talents to train in the senior squad bubble.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd as he impressed the Spaniard, Smith found himself in an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time for the behind-closed-doors 2-0 win at Southampton during Project Restart. Five weeks later, he was once again named among the substitutes – this time under the famous arch as Arsenal took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.Smith sat two seats along from pal Saka for the full 90 minutes at Wembley, with fellow academy graduates Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson not brought on while Eddie Nketiah got on for the final eight minutes.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice after Christian Pulisic’s early goal to crown Arsenal FA Cup winners for the record-extending 14th time. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSmith told The Athletic: “It is my best memory. “It was different due to there being no fans but the full day was an amazing experience. The medal is pride of place at my mum and dad’s house.Arsenal fans fall in love with Bukayo Saka after response to young kid asking him to join struggling League One club “I didn’t play but it will be one of those things at the end of your career you look back on and appreciate it a little bit more. I appreciate it now but my career is just getting started.”Saka has kicked on in style since, racking up more than 50 goals and 200 Arsenal appearances – plus he is a regular starter for England.Smith, though, would never make a first-team appearance for the boyhood club he joined aged seven. He went on loans to Swindon, Charlton and Doncaster before giving it one final go at Arsenal in the 2022-23 season.But as Arterta’s men challenged for the Premier League title, he captained the Under-21s and was limited to nine senior matchday squads, including three in the league. And with his contract expiring at the end of last season, he was let go.Reflective Smith added: “It was always in my mind that I might be coming on. “There were definitely times I think Arteta did consider bringing me on. I felt I was next in line.“He doesn’t dish out the debuts willy-nilly. That sums him up as a manager – he is very calculated in everything he does.There are no passengers allowed with Arteta… he was a massive help with my developmentMatt Smith“It was frustrating but that’s football. You can think about what would have happened but at the end of the day, I didn’t get the opportunity.“There are no passengers allowed with Arteta. He was a massive help with my development, showing me little movements to make the game easier, so I have nothing but good things to say about him.“We had meetings at the hotel before the match and there would always be a game or something silly to get everyone switched on and working together as a team.“Some involved tennis balls and other times there were quizzes, which would be about the tactical information on the opposition we’d been learning all week. You had to get into groups and play things like Pictionary.“It was an ‘are you ready for the game?’ type of thing but it was mad because, at times, it was only two hours before kick-off!”After thinking about moving abroad, that next club ended up being Wigan.Smith joined the Latics fresh from their relegation to League One and starting this season on -8 points. The ex-Gunners man grabbed his first goal for the club with the winner in the 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury in February 2024. Now he has cemented himself as a key man in Shaun Maloney’s midfield, one of the more experienced heads despite his age.READ MORE SUN STORIESWigan are sitting comfortably in mid-table and already looking ahead to a title charge in the next campaign.Success in that endeavour and Smith would have another medal to put on display at his parents’ house. Smith learnt lots under Mikel Arteta but did not get a first-team appearanceCredit: GettyThe midfielder joined Arsenal when he was sevenCredit: GettyHe was named on the bench six times during Project RestartCredit: GettyCaptain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to down ChelseaCredit: GettyWembley was empty as Smith collected his winner’s medalCredit: PA More

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      Former Premier League referee’s new job leaves fans baffled after BBC cameras spot him at FA Cup clash

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      FOOTBALL fans were left confused by Mark Clattenburg’s new job after he was spotted at Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester United.Earlier this month, the ex-Premier League referee, 48, was hired by Forest to become their “referee analyst”.Mark Clattenburg, left, sat next to PGMOL chief Howard Webb for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester UnitedCredit: BBCClattenburg has been hired as Forest’s ‘referee analyst’Credit: GettyIt came as they watched decisions go against them in games against Newcastle and West Ham.Clattenburg, who refereed in the Premier League from 2004 to 2017, was in the stands for Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Man Utd on Wednesday evening.And he was sat alongside PGMOL chief Howard Webb as he took in the match.But when his job title flashed up on the screen – “Referee Analyst, Nottingham Forest” – many took to social media to joke about the baffling role he has undertaken.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne said: “Why on earth have Nottingham Forest hired Mark Clattenburg as a ‘Referee Analyst’?😂😂😂”Another added: “That should be unacceptable.”While a third replied: “Can we all talk about how Forest have hired Clattenburg and there [he] was tonight sitting beside the chief referee Howard Webb, absolutely mental 😂.”And a fourth joked: “Clattenburg would be more use on set pieces 😗.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSClattenburg refereed 297 Premier League games across a 13-year period.He also took charge of the 2016 Champions League final and the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowHe has recently been the lead referee in BBC TV show Gladiators.The classic series, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, made a comeback earlier this year. More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Mudryk stakes claim for starting spot but Sanchez nervy on return to team in FA Cup win

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      SUB Conor Gallagher was Chelsea’s 90th-minute hero after another night of many questions for boss Mauricio Pochettino.The much-changed Blues sunk Leeds 3-2 to book an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Leicester.Mykhaylo Mudryk scored and shone on a rare start for the BluesCredit: RexConor Gallagher cracked Chelsea’s winner despite pressure from Liam CooperCredit: GettyMateo Joseph fired home twice for the Championship visitors – with Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk flashing fine replies for Chelsea inbetween.Then just seconds away from stoppage time, Gallagher spun well in the box to wriggle through to plant the Blues’ winner.Here’s how Poch’s Blues rated in a ding-dong clash at Stamford Bridge.ROBERT SANCHEZ – 5 You could feel the nerves at times when the ball went back to him. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is understandable why many fans were left scratching their heads over why Maurico Pochettino started him over Djordje Petrovic. AXEL DISASI – 5 Was caught in possession for Leeds’ opener by Mateo Joseph. Seems to have not got anyone convinced despite that blinder of a performance against Manchester City recently. Alfie Gilchrist was handed a surprise start in Chelsea’s defenceCredit: ReutersHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALLTREVOH CHALOBAH – 6 Could have done better to cut out the cross for the second goal but was a steady return to the line up on his first start of the season. Sam Allardyce offers to ‘fly back from Dubai tomorrow’ to replace Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea managerALFIE GILCHRIST – 5 Allowed Dan James to get in behind him in the build up to the opener. Looked nervy playing at left-back and you could see that when he played a back pass a little short to Sanchez early on. Most read in FA CupMALO GUSTO – 6 Bit scrappy to start with, chipping a pass straight out of play but was involved in the passing sequence which led to the opener. ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6 He went from zero to hero. Archie Gray, just 17, made Fernandez look bang average for most of the match. It was hard to believe they splurged £106million on him before he produced a blistering run to tee up Gallagher for the winner to prove his worth.MOISES CAICEDO – 7 Fed through to Nicolas Jackson for the opener but struggled at times against Ethan Ampadu. NONI MADUEKE – 6 Was involved in the build up for Chelsea’s second goal but was frustrating to watch him stroll about on the pitch while the Blues were out of possession. Big-money buys Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were again paired in Chelsea’s midfield as they sandwich Leeds forward Joel PiroeCredit: GettyMYKHAILO MUDRYK – 8 His twinkle toes wreaked havoc on Leeds in the opening stages and he produced the slickest of finishes to make it 2-1. Seems to pop up when Poch is under pressure, considering he was on target against Palace, Fulham and Newcastle in the League Cup. He’s staking a claim to start games. NICOLAS JACKSON – 7 The Senegal forward has looked reinvigorated since returning from AFCON, hitting his tenth goal of the season across all competitions to give the Blues a glimmer of hope. Has to be given credit for a crisp finish for the opener.RAHEEM STERLING – 6 Whipped an inch-perfect cross into Mudryk to make it 2-1. READ MORE SUN STORIESWas the oldest Blues’ player on the pitch at age 29 but lacked leadership and impact when the team needed it most before he was substituted. SUBSCHILWELL 5PALMER 6COLWILL 6GALLAGHER 8TAURIAINEN 5Nicolas Jackson hails his early equaliser in a dramatic tieCredit: Getty More