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      Jack Grealish angers Man City team-mate in cheeky FA Cup final prank as it’s caught on camera during trophy celebrations

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      JACK GREALISH went from FA Cup final hero to prankster during Manchester City’s celebrations. The England international was at the centre of the party following City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.
      Jack Grealish celebrated winning his first FA CupCredit: Getty
      Grealish eyed up Rodri for his mischievous prankCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
      He poured drink on the SpaniardCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
      Rodri flinched after feeling the liquidCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
      Which saw Grealish bolt awayCredit: Twitter / @RisingBallers_
      And after taking their medals and heading down to the pitch the City players were preparing for a photo before Grealish struck.
      Rodri, responsible for a vital late block against Scott McTominay, was laying next to the cup on the ground celebrating.
      Grealish, 27, then went behind the Spaniard and poured some drink on him.
      An annoyed Rodri, 26, reacted with shock to the prank, as Grealish quickly darted back to the other end to put a wall of City team-mates between himself and the defensive midfielder.
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      Fans were left in hysterics at the prank, with one fan saying: “He’s so funny 😭♥️.”
      A second reacted: “Such a great personality.”
      “How can anyone not love Jack Grealish,” asked a third.
      A fourth declared: “I love Jack 😂.”
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      It was then Grealish’s turn to be annoyed as he told off City’s half-naked kitman for sliding into his Gucci bag during the dressing room celebrations.
      Grealish also had time to get a selfie with ITV presenter Laura Woods. More

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      Crippling rail strikes fail to stop fans from attending first all-Manchester FA Cup final

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      FOOTIE fans were jubilant yesterday after crippling rail strikes failed to stop them attending the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.Supporters crammed into cars and piled on to coaches as trains were axed due to ­drivers walking out on the biggest day of the season.
      Manchester City supporters queued round the block to board a coach to the FA Cup finalCredit: EPA
      Manchester United fans leave Old Trafford by coach to travel to Wembley Stadium ahead of the FA Cup finalCredit: PA
      Many got up at the crack of dawn to embark on the 200-mile pilgrimage from the North West to Wembley to beat the traffic.
      The six-hour drive proved worthwhile for Man City fans who kept treble dreams alive by claiming a 2-1 victory over United in the first Manchester derby final in the competition’s 151-year history.
      The Red Devils, who secured their own ­trophy trio in 1999, were chasing their second silverware of the year.
      United fan Marty Harris, 46, woke at 4am for a £300 flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham before car-sharing to Watford and then getting the Tube to Wembley with his young son.
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      He said: “I’m here now so that’s the main thing. It’s been torture, absolute torture. I think people watching will be tired because they’ve got up so early to be here.”
      Sharon and Mark Ralph, drove for seven hours from Cheshire on Friday night to avoid the strikes — staying in a hotel for two nights before watching their beloved United yesterday.
      Sharon, 44, said: “We don’t mind the extra cost. It was definitely worth it.”
      FA Cup expert Phil Annets, who wrote in the official matchday ­programme, needed a lift back to Oxfordshire after being driven to the match by a friend.
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      The 58-year-old said: “I think it’s vindictive by the strikers to try to impact as many people as possible.”
      Hundreds of coaches and cars set off from the North West in the early hours for the usual four-hour trip down the M6 and M40 motorways towards North West London.
      But the journey took more than six hours for many who got stuck in two huge tailbacks on the M1.
      Manchester United fan Ralph Cooper, 56, said: “Even if it would have taken me two days to get there and two days to get back, it wouldn’t have made any difference. I wouldn’t have missed this.”
      Police patrolled service stations along the route despite fans being allocated separate stop-offs depending on whether their loyalties were red or sky blue.
      Both Manchester clubs provided return coaches at a subsidised price of £50 a seat to meet the exceptional demand.
      The FA also put on 120 special bus services — 60 for each club leaving from different locations — at £60 per fan.
      Extra car parking was also made available 25 minutes’ walk away from the stadium in Fryent Park.
      Event day parking at the 90,000-capacity stadium had sold out two weeks ago.
      Tom Legg, head of external operations at the FA, had said of the two-day travel carnage: “This additional strike action will severely impact fans who might have been considering travelling to London from Manchester the night before the final.”
      Fans battled for parking spaces in sleepy, suburban Stanmore in North West London — at the very northern end of the Jubilee line — after the Metropolitan line was temporarily suspended due to ­signal failure.
      Manchester City fans were fierce during their historic FA Cup Final win against bitter rivals Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      Hundreds of motorists from ­Manchester had come off the M1 to park up in Stanmore, filling up side streets normally used by ­residents and shoppers.
      Others made deals with enterprising locals to park their cars on their driveways.
      Mary, 60, travelling with godson Oliver, 21, said: “There’s no choice really.”
      James, who travelled to Bushey, Herts, on Thursday to avoid the rush, said: “I’ve got a friend from Manchester who left at half past six in the morning and five hours later he’s still stuck in traffic on the motorway.”
      Strikes coincided with other huge events like the Epsom Derby, England’s test match at Lord’s and Beyonce’s concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Usually busy railway stations across the capital have been left looking like ghost towns as around 12,000 Aslef and RMT members walked out in industrial action for the second day in a row.
      After helping to cripple around 40 per cent of train services, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.”
      The Department for Transport claimed the action had been deliberately coordinated to target major events for maximum disruption.
      A spokesman added: “Not content with impacting the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked forward to these events all year round, unions are also targeting their own members’ pockets by forcing them to miss out on pay every time they strike.
      “The Government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer.
      “Now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”
      Aslef’s chaotic rail strike was designed to affect those wanting to travel to the FA Cup Final at Wembley and The Derby at Epsom this weekendCredit: Paul Marriott
      Stars are in crowd
      STARS from both sides of Manchester were spotted in the crowd at Wembley.
      Ex-Red Devils favourite David Beckham, 48, looked glum as he watched his beloved side lose with sons Brooklyn, 24, and Cruz, 18.

      Liam Gallagher celebrates Man City’s success with his boys Lennon and GeneCredit: Pixel8000
      David Beckham was also spotted in the Wembley standsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But ex-Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, 50, pumped his arms in the air watching City’s win with his kids.
      Prince William, president of the FA, presented the medals and trophy after the game, tweeting: “A derby like no other today.”
      Erling Haaland of Manchester City, receives his FA Cup winners medal from Prince WilliamCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd fans say Marcus Rashford is ‘future captain’ after spotting star’s ‘pure class’ reaction to Man City FA Cup loss

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Marcus Rashford should be the next club captain after spotted what he did after the FA Cup final loss to Man City.The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 at Wembley as they failed in their bid to halt their bitter rivals’ Treble hunt.

      Marcus Rashford made sure to comfort Wout Weghorst after the FA Cup final defeat
      He also comforted Alejandro Garnacho
      Rashford”s actions led to fans calling for him to be made captain
      After the final whistle, many United stars fell to the ground in disappointment.
      Rashford, however, forgot about his own woes and went around lifting them back to their feet and supporting them.
      In one clip posted on social media, the forward can be seen helping a dejected Wout Weghorst and Alejandro Garnacho off the floor.
      After aiding his team-mates, he then applauded the travelling fans in a gesture hailed as “pure class” by many fans urging him to be the next captain.
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      One fan tweeted: “Pure class from Marcus Rashford, who lifts dejected teammates after the loss.
      “Future club captain in the making.”
      A second wrote: “Huge respect to Marcus Rashford.”
      A third said: “My goat.”
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      A fourth commented: “My captain 🙌🏻🙌🏻.”
      While a fifth added: “Future captain for sure.”
      Despite some praise, others among the club’s fan base insisted that it was the most he did all afternoon after an underwhelming performance.
      Harry Maguire is the current club captain of Manchester United, but Bruno Fernandes usually wears the armband as the defender has struggled for game-time.
      The England international is on his way out of the club this summer, meaning manager Erik ten Hag will have to appoint a new permanent captain next season. More

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      Jack Grealish tells off half-naked Man City kitman during dressing room celebrations after FA Cup final win over Man Utd

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      JACK GREALISH had to give the kitman a telling off as Manchester City celebrated their FA Cup final win in style in wild dressing room scenes. Ilkay Gundogan was the goalscoring hero as the Premier League champions secured a domestic double by beating arch rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
      Man City kitman Brandon Ashton got half-naked and slid across the dressing room floor
      But he slid into Jack Grealish’s Gucci bag
      City have the chance to make themselves legends as they go for a Treble in next Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan in Turkey.
      But that didn’t stop them toasting their Wembley win in style.
      Ruben Dias told talkSPORT after the game: “The most important thing is to party; to party tonight and tomorrow.”
      And judging by City stars’ social media, the squad were quickly getting down to just that.
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      Grealish filmed himself enjoying a well-deserved beer while singing along to Oasis’ classic anthem Wonderwall.
      And he captured the moment kitman Brandon Ashton, as seems to be tradition, got half-naked and slid across the dressing room floor.
      As City’s superstars stars egged him on, Ashton slightly misjudged his slide and went careering into Grealish’s dressing room seat.
      Rather than worry about his slippery friend’s well-being, the England international was more concerned about his prized washbag.
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      The playmaker can be heard saying: “Eh, watch my Gucci bag! F*****g hell.”
      Keeper Stefan Ortega also enjoyed a cold one next to City’s No1 Ederson, who wore a blue wig.
      City are now just one win away from matching United’s historic 1999 Treble.
      Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport: “Now is the first time we can talk about the treble.
      “Against United, it was special for our city, for our fans. We performed really well. Really, really well. I am so pleased.”
      Jack Grealish enjoying a cold one
      Keepers Stefan Ortega and Ederson
      Bernardo Silva shows off his medal More

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      Gundogan reveals Guardiola’s Man City masterplan against Man Utd that paid off within 12 seconds

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      ILKAY GUNDOGAN has lifted the lid on Pep Guardiola’s FA Cup masterplan against Manchester United.But even City didn’t expect it to work after just 12 seconds.
      Ilkay Gundogan has revealed Man City’s FA Cup final plan that involved Erling HaalandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

      The Premier League champions secured their second trophy of the season with victory in Saturday’s showpiece event at Wembley.
      Gundogan scored both goals in the 2-1 win over City’s rivals United, who only managed to hit the target thanks to a controversial penalty.
      And Guardiola’s men are now hoping to make it a historic Treble with victory over Inter Milan in next weekend’s Champions League final.
      However, the talking point today was less to do with the result after Gundogan’s incredible early opener.
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      The German midfielder struck after just 12 seconds, making his goal the fastest in FA Cup final history.
      The previous record was set in 2009 by Louis Saha when he netted in Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea after 25 seconds.
      And Gundogan’s goal came about after just six touches from City’s kick-off.
      The veteran has now lifted the lid on Guardiola’s plan to hit United quickly.
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      City showed no hesitation in playing the ball back to their goalie for a long kick
      Haaland was then able to knock the ball down before Gundogan eventually got on the end of it
      City, who usually play short passes, knocked the ball back to goalie Stefan Ortega at the start of the game.
      He then launched a long kick up towards Erling Haaland, who took on the role of target man by knocking the ball to ground.
      United defender Victor Lindelof then failed to clear his lines properly, allowing Gundogan the time and space to smash in a cracking volley from distance.
      However, not even the City captain and his boss ever thought their plan would come to fruition so early in the game.
      Gundogan revealed: “Well obviously [the first goal took me by surprise]. We know how we do, how we play, how we want to play at kick-off.
      “We aimed for that, to go long for Erling and then to get the second ball and try to attack quick.
      “I guess for the first time this season we’ve scored, the ball was just placed amazingly for me, and I just had to hit it.
      “It was quite a good strike and it went in, it was amazing.”
      Gundogan wrapped his foot around the ball to fire in a stunning volleyCredit: Getty
      The German ended up netting the winning goal for City in the second halfCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      Pundit and former United goalie Peter Schmeichel was certainly impressed by Gundogan, saying: “He said that was the plan, to get it back to Ortega and then up to Haaland and pick it up from there.
      “12 seconds in, that’s quite a plan.”
      City boss Guardiola was also full of praise for Gundogan, who joined City with the Spaniard seven years ago.
      In response to Gary Lineker hailing “the perfect start”, Guardiola made a long-ball gesture before saying: “It was the genius manager! I said ‘Erling, get the ball’, English football!
      “What a season [Gundogan’s had.] When we arrived the first time together in Manchester, the skills are there but (also) a special mentality.
      “When you have a lot of players who play this type of game like a friendly, and they handle the pressure and say ‘OK let’s have fun’, you are becoming a good team, otherwise you cannot do it.”

      Finally, team-mate Jack Grealish thanks Gundogan for scoring his two goals after giving away a penalty to United for handball.
      Grealish yelped: “Gundo is a magician, he saved me!” More

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      Football set for major law change, reveals Gary Lineker live on BBC after ‘very reliable information’

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      GARY LINEKER has claimed the handball law will be simplified ahead of the 2023-24 season.Manchester United were awarded a penalty for a controversial handball during Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
      Man Utd were awarded a penalty following a controversial handballCredit: BBC
      Fernandes converted the spot kick to draw United levelCredit: Getty
      Jack Grealish was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box at the half-hour mark, despite his arm seemingly being in a natural position following a header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      Bruno Fernandes converted, much to City’s frustration.
      And ITV pundit Lee Dixon called it the “worst penalty in history penalties”.
      The current handball law states that a player will be penalised if they “deliberately touch the ball with their hand/arm,” or if they “touch the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.”
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      FA rules also say: “A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation.”
      However, Lineker has since suggested that the “absurd” law will soon be changed.
      When addressing the controversial handball decision on the BBC, the former England and Leicester striker said: “It is probably technically right in the way the law is now but I’m sure we all agree that the law is a absurdity at present.
      “I have it on very reliable information that they are going to simplify that law.
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      “Almost go back to where it was, common sense.
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      “I think it’s absurd that idea of a natural position unless it’s not attached to your body then it’s in a natural position.”
      Several pundits were quick to blast the decision to award the penalty.
      Dixon blasted: “That’s the worst penalty in the history of penalties. I don’t care what the rule book says, it’s not a penalty.”
      While BBC’s Jermaine Jenas said: “Yes it’s hit his hand, yes his hand is in the air, but it’s not a penalty for me.”
      Man City went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to a stunning double from Ilkay Gundogan.
      Man City beat Man Utd 2-1 to win the FA CupCredit: Getty More

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      Man City fans in disbelief as two key FA Cup final stars are not given medals but forgotten squad player is

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      TWO Manchester City stars were not given FA Cup winners medals – leaving fans in disbelief. City beat arch rivals United 2-1 at Wembley, to guarantee the domestic Double following their Premier League title win.
      Manchester City stars celebrate their FA Cup final winCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Now they will turn their attention to the Champions League final against Inter Milan next weekend.
      Ilkay Gundogan was the star of the day as his two volleys sealed the win either side of Bruno Fernandes’ leveller from the spot.
      But despite his heroics, the City captain was left without a medal as SunSport understands the FA ran out.
      Prince William was seen explaining to Kevin De Bruyne that they had no more medals to award.
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      But the Belgian playmaker was later handed one by keeper Ederson.
      Still Gundogan – who WILL receive a medal at a later date – posed for pictures without one around his neck.
      But the likes of forgotten man Kalvin Phillips as well as youngsters Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis did get one.
      One fan said: “Poor Gundogan. Captain, double goalscorer and MOTM but doesn’t get a medal as they’ve run out.”
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      Another added: “Gundogan man of the match, super display, didn’t even get a medal.”
      One pleaded: “Somebody give Gundogan a medal.”
      Another said: “Hope Gundogan gets a medal!”
      Ederson hands Kevin De Bruyne a medal
      Ilkay Gundogan celebrates without a medalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Laura Woods and Jack Grealish beam for camera as ITV host takes selfie with Man City star after FA Cup final win

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      LAURA WOODS and Jack Grealish enjoyed a selfie together after Manchester City won the FA Cup final.The fan-favourite presenter was at Wembley for the historic match as part of ITV’s punditry team.
      Laura Woods and Jack Grealish had a selfie togetherCredit: Reuters
      It has already been going well for Woodsy as many had switched over from BBC to watch her on the rival broadcaster for the match.
      And after the City beat United 2-1 thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan, the pundit managed to have a moment with one of the club’s stars.
      Cameras spotted the two taking a selfie together.
      The pair were both smiling as Woods took the snap while wearing her outfit that some fans claimed made her “define beautiful”.
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      Woods had her hand on the back of Grealish’s neck while the winger had his hand on her back.
      The picture was taken after Grealish had picked up his FA Cup medal, which he wore proudly around his neck.
      The England international cut a relieved figure at full time after he gave away a penalty in the first half.
      However, himself and many others argued that it should not have stood despite the current laws of the game surrounding the handball rule.
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      Fernandes converted the penalty to level up the game after Gundogan’s quick-fire opener.
      In the aftermath of the penalty, United defender Victor Lindelof was struck by a green object that was thrown from the Man City end of Wembley.
      Gundogan scored a second, less-sweetly-hit volley to clinch the win early in the second half.
      During the celebrations, one City fan, however, performed a lewd gesture picked up by BBC cameras. More