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      Man City 5 Huddersfield 0: Kevin De Bruyne returns after five months out as FA Cup holders thump Championship strugglers

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      HE’S back – and needed no time to return to doing what he does best.Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited comeback to the Manchester City team after almost five months out due to hamstring surgery.
      Kevin De Bruyne provided an assist as he returned off the benchCredit: PA
      Jeremy Doku celebrates notching Man City’s fifth goalCredit: Getty
      He was only on the pitch for 35 minutes but was still able to have a hand in two goals in another rout for the FA Cup holders.
      No wonder Jurgen Klopp said the whole country was shaking about the brilliant Belgian coming back into the fold.
      You can stop shaking now, Jurgen – and start worrying because the early signs are he can have a huge say on the final few months of the season.
      The only question is where will Pep Guardiola play him – because Phil Foden has been relishing the central role he normally occupies.
      The Three Lions ace was superb again here – scoring twice as City awoke from a slow start and ran riot.
      It was always going to be a tall order for a team on the edges of the Championship relegation zone to come to the home of the newly-crowned world champions.
      But in addition, Huddersfield boss Darren Moore had to pick a team without 12 players – due to injury and international call ups.
      Guardiola opted to shake up his team despite having a rare midweek off in the build up.
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      Ederson, Kyle Walker and Rodri were among those to be stood down – and they were soon joined on the sidelines by Manuel Akanji.
      A thumping challenge from Alex Matos earned himayellow cardbut ended the afternoon of the Swiss defender in the 18th minute.
      His replacement Matheus Nunes perked up the home side who had struggled to get going in the opening exchanges.
      A shot from Oscar Bobb which deflected wide off team-mate Rico Lewis summed up their early efforts.
      But two goals in the space of four minutes just after the half hour put the tie beyond the visitors.
      First a shot from Julian Alvarez was blocked but the loose ball fell nicely into the path of  Foden who hammered it past Lee Nicholls from a tight angle.
       Town were still dusting themselves down when City struck again as Nunes played a neat one-two and burst into the box.
      His pull back reached Lewis whose connection was not what he wanted but Alvarez was able to divert it on target and over the line.
      “We want 10” chanted the home fans.
      For all that has happened since, the day back in 1987 when City hit double figures against the Terriers has not been forgotten.
      The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for KDB when he replaced Alvarez 10 minutes after the re-start.
      As ever things started to happen with the Belgian on the pitch – although surprisingly he was not involved as City added to their lead.
      A long ball forward from Mateo Kovacic was plucked out of the sky by Nunes and he played into the path of Bobb.
      The Norwegian youngster’s clever chip over Nicholls kissed the underside of the bar on its way in  
      Sorba Thomas fluffed the chance to give Town’s noisy away fans a consolation when he wriggled free of Ruben Dias but Ortega saved with his feet.  
      And De Bruyne was involved as City scored a fourth as he rolled a pass to Sergio Gomez who nudged it on to Kovacic.
      The Croatian found Foden on the edge of the box and he swept a low shot into the corner.
      The England starlet has relished his role in the middle in recent weeks – maybe because he’s had the old master KDB breathing down his neck.
      A goal for their beloved Belgian was what the crowd realy wanted but he whistled a 25 yard effort just over the angle.
      Yet an assist was the next best thing and he produced one of them as he swapped passes with Bobb before clipping a cross to the back post.
      Read more on The Sun
      His fellow Belgium international and sub Jeremy Doku – himself returning from injury – was there to sweep home on the half volley.
      How they have missed their main man – and what a tonic for City to get him back.   More

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      FA Cup third round LIVE RESULTS: Man City dismantle Huddersfield, Bristol hold West Ham to a shock draw – latest

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      THE FA Cup continues today with a bumper afternoon of third round action.Holders Manchester City have thrashed Huddersfield 5-0, while Bristol City held West Ham to a shock draw.
      And Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates in the tie of round three.

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      Follow ALL the action from the FA Cup 3rd round with our live blog below…
      Up next
      Following the conclusion of today’s 2pms its time to look ahead to the rest of the action to come in the FA Cup.
      Arsenal take on Liverpool at home in what is the pick of the fixtures from the round.
      Arsenal will be wearing an all white kit in order to aid victims of knife crime.
      Full time results
      Here’s the full time results for the FA Cup third round from around the country.

      West Ham 1-1 Bristol City
      Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
      Luton 0-0 Bolton
      Peterborough 0-3 Leeds
      Shrewsbury 0-1 Wrexham
      West Brom 4-1 Aldershot
      Man City 5-0 Huddersfield

      Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
      League One Blackpool have held Forest to a 2-2 draw at the City Ground.
      They had been leading 2-0, with Forest scoring one either side of the half-time whistle to just about spare their blushes.
      Luton 0-0 Bolton FULL TIME
      League one bolton have held Premier League Luton to a draw at Kenilworth Road,
      There’ll be a replay at the Tough Sheet Stadium.
      West Brom 4-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
      88′ Tom Fellows’ strike makes it 4-0 to West Brom.
      They’ve absolutely cruised past non-league Aldershot today.
      Can Forest stop a shock? Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
      Forest have come back from two goals down against Blackpool to potentially put stop to a huge upset.
      Blackpool led Forest 2-1 at half-time but Morgan Gibbs-White’s 59th minute equaliser has spared their blushes for now.
      Manchester city 5-0 Huddersfield GOAL!
      Kevin De Bruyne with an assist for Jeremy Doku on his return to the side.
      The midfielder found his compatriot at the back post with Doku firing home on the volley.
      Credit: PA
      Manchester City 4-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
      65′ Phil Foden makes it four to the holders with a wonderful finish.
      The midfielder slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in what is increasingly becoming a trademark.
      Shrewsbury 0-1 Wrexham – GOAL!
      Hollywood Wrexham make it 1-0 with a goal through Thomas O’Connor.
      It’s been a complete deadlock so far but Wrecham’s quality has ultimately shone through.
      Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
      58′ Manchester City have made it 3-0 as the holders continue to stroll past Huddersfield.
      A deflected Oscar Bobb compounds Huddersfield’s misery… Just as Kevin De Bruyne comes on.
      How many could City rack up?
      Peterborough 0-2 Leeds – GOAL!
      47. Leeds have made it 2-0 thanks to an unbelievable strike from Patrick Bamford.
      The striker took the ball down with his chest before volleying it on the turn past the Peterborough keeper.
      Credit: Rex
      Third Round half-time scores
      The half-time whistle has now blown in all of this afternoon’s third round ties, and here is the current state of play.

      Luton 0-0 Bolton
      Man City 2-0 Huddersfield
      Nott’m Forest 1-2 Blackpool
      Peterborough 0-1 Leeds
      Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
      West Brom 3-0 Aldershot
      West Ham 1-0 Bristol City

      League One Blackpool are 45 minutes away from a Premier League scalp, leading 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, while Bolton are currently holding Luton at Kenilworth Road.
      But there are no shocks as far as holders Man City, West Ham and West Brom are concerned with all three sides leading in front of their own fans.
      The fierce derby between League One Shrewsbury and League Two Wrexham is goalless at the break.

      West Ham 1-0 Bristol City
      44. Since scoring the first goal of the day, it hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for David Moyes.
      The Hammers still lead their Championship opponents, but have lost both Lucas Paqueta and Konstantinos Mavropanos to injuries in the first half.
      Nott’m Forest 1-2 Blackpool – GOAL!
      39. The Premier League side have one back!
      Argentines combine as a pinpoint cross from Gonzalo Montiel on the right is met powerfully by the head of Nicolas Dominguez.
      No chance, Daniel Grimshaw! Back in with a chance, Nottingham Forest!

      Man City 2-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
      37. Have the floodgates opened at the Etihad?
      Manchester City have a quickfire second after passing Huddersfield into submission in and around the box.
      After some intricate one-touch stuff, Rico Lewis steers an effort towards the far post and Julian Alvarez finishes off.

      Peterborough 0-1 Leeds – GOAL!
      34. Leeds lead at London Road!
      The Championship outfit catch Posh cold with a quick free-kick, and Ethan Ampadu is on hand to convert his first goal for the club.
      Daniel Farke’s visitors are looking pretty in pink.

      Man City 1-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
      33. Huddersfield Town have performed admirably at the FA Cup holders this afternoon, but they’ve finally been undone by Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine.
      It’s a typically-composed finish from Phil Foden, who is first on to Julian Alvarez’s deflected shot, eventually smashing his own into the roof of the net.
      West Brom 3-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
      27. What a moment for Daryl Dike!
      Back in the West Brom starting line-up after eight months out with an Achilles tendon injury, and he’s already among the goals.
      The American striker powers in a superb volley just shy of the half hour mark, and it already means that there’s no way back for National League Aldershot.

      Nott’m Forest 0-2 Blackpool – GOAL!
      27. It’s two in two minutes for the Seasiders!
      This time, Albie Morgan is the man in the right place this time, sliding in CJ Hamilton’s cross at the far post to double the League One side’s advantage.
      The Nottingham Forest fans are not impressed with what they’re seeing. Cooper out? Oh, hang on…

      Nott’m Forest 0-1 Blackpool – GOAL!
      25. We have a potential upset on the cards at the City Ground where League One Blackpool have edged in front against the Premier League hosts.
      And it’s the former Nottingham Forest man, Jordan Gabriel, who has grabbed the opener.
      The defender took advantage of a poor clearance to loop his header past Odysseas Vlachodimos.

      Man City 0-0 Huddersfield
      18. No goals so far at the Etihad, but Pep Guardiola does have some cause for concern.
      Manuel Akanji has been forced off early after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Huddersfield debutant Alex Matos, on loan from Chelsea.
      Matheus Nunes is on in place for the defender which is likely to see Rico Lewis shit from midfield to the back line.
      West Brom 2-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
      15. About that hard uphill task… it’s a mountain now!
      Jovan Malcolm capitalises on a mistake at the back, and races through to fire low past Jordi van Stappershoef.
      It’s a thoroughly professional job so far from the Baggies, and Aldershot are unlikely to be joining fellow non-league club Maidstone in the fourth round draw.
      West Brom 1-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
      7. From West Ham to West Brom.
      Albion have an early lead against their non-league counterparts courtesy of Nathan Chalobah.
      The former Fulham man wallops Tom Fellows’ cut-back into the top corner from 12 yards out, and a tough ask for the National Leaguers has just got that bit harder.
      West Ham 1-0 Bristol City – GOAL!
      4. Fancy another cup run, West Ham fans?
      This season’s stint in the FA Cup has got off to the best possible start with Jarrod Bowen bagging his 14th goal of the season in all competitions.
      The England international latches on to Pablo Fornals’ clipped through ball, and cooly rounds Max O’Leary to score.

      Underway on third round Sunday
      Whistles have been blown around seven stadiums of varying quality and character, and this afternoon’s FA Cup ties are go. More

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      Maidstone owner takes swipe at BBC and ITV as huge FA Cup giant-killing snubbed for TV coverage – and names dream tie

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      MAIDSTONE’S co-owner took a swipe at the BBC and ITV for snubbing their FA Cup giant-killing.And then he revealed who he wants to face next.
      George Elokobi and Sam Corne helped fire Maidstone into the FA Cup fourth roundCredit: Getty
      There were wonderful celebrations with Stones fans after the full-time whistleCredit: PA
      The National League South side were the lowest-ranked side in the third round of the famous competition.
      But TV bosses opted against selecting their clash against League One Stevenage to be broadcast live.
      That is despite showing eight of the 32 matches over the weekend – six on TV and a further two on BBC iPlayer and Red Button – with Wigan the only team not in the top two divisions to feature as they host Manchester United on Monday.
      As well as fans around the country being able to watch those matches live, the 12 teams picked also received £85,000 on top of their FA Cup prize money.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      However, sixth-tier Maidstone were inexplicably overlooked.
      And it proved to be a blunder by the BBC and ITV as George Elokobi’s side produced a shock result at the Gallagher Stadium – with just three main cameras around the 792-seater ground.
      Sam Corne converted a penalty just before half-time – and that proved to be the only goal of the game.
      There was a jubilant pitch invasion when Maidstone secured the victory.
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      But the Stones’ co-owner Oliver Ash hit out at the broadcasters for overlooking the story of the weekend, which was the opening tie on Match of the Day.
      He told the Express: “Most people are amazed the cameras are not here.
      “I get that more people support Everton and Crystal Palace so the TV companies think they will get more viewers than Maidstone.
      “But it is a shame because the competition is all about games like ours – the lowest-ranked club in the competition against a side that could well be in the Championship next year.
      “It would have been wonderful TV. It is all about the magic of the FA Cup – it is so wonderful for the spirit of the club, the community and the town.
      “Definitely this is the biggest result in the club’s history. We are not going to win it, but more and more the FA Cup is something magic for clubs like ours.
      Credit: X
      “It may have lost its magic for the top clubs but it has gained its magic for us.”
      Maidstone’s social media team echoed their chief’s views with a brilliant tweet.
      They reshared the FA Cup’s tweet announcing the TV picks and replied: “Aged well,” with a sarcastic thumbs-up emoji.
      The Stones will be one of the standout numbers when the fourth-round draw takes place and will surely be on TV when that fixture takes place on the last weekend of January.
      And Ash knows exactly who he wants to face next.
      He added: “I want a home tie.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Having seen what it means to people to come and watch a big game here, it would be magic – even compared to a trip to one of the big clubs.
      “So let’s get Manchester City down to the Gallagher!”
      Corne scored a penalty just before half-timeCredit: PA
      Co-owner Oliver Ash wants Manchester City at home in round fourCredit: Reuters More

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      Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE SCORE: Nelson replaces Jesus while Van Dijk misses out for Reds in FA Cup tie – latest

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      ARSENAL are hosting Liverpool in a mouthwatering FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates!The Gunners have headed into the match on the back of a horror run of back to back defeats in the Premier League.
      While Liverpool sit at the top of the league but do go into this one with star man Mo Salah who has joined up with Egypt at AFCON.

      Kick-off time: 4.30pm
      TV channel/ live stream: BBC One/ BBC iPlayer
      Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Nelson, Havertz
      Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold; Elliot, Jones, Mac Allister, Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo
      Explainer: When is the fourth round draw?

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      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      Liverpool match up to Arsenal’s 4-3-3
      Alexis Mac Allister returns to Liverpool, and slots straight into the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, where the Argentine will be flanked by youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
      Meanwhile, Joe Gomez continues to fill in at left-back with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas injured while 20-year-old Jarrell Quansah makes his first ever appearance in the FA Cup.

      Havertz up top of hosts
      Jorginho’s inclusion in the Arsenal midfield this afternoon means that Kai Havertz will move into a more advanced role, joining Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson in the front three.
      Meanwhile, it is expected that Declan Rice plays on the right of midfield with captain Martin Odegaard on the left.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko has still not shaken off his injury so Jakub Kiwior continues at left-back.

      Klopp selects strong Liverpool line-up
      Jurgen Klopp makes four changes for today’s cup tie at Arsenal, all of which are enforced.
      Mo Salah and Wataru Endo are away with their countries at their respective international tournaments while Virgil van Dijk is ill and Dominik Szoboszlai is injured.
      As a result, in come Jarell Quansah, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.

      Liverpool (4-3-3): 1 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold. 78 Quansah, 5 Konate, 2 Gomez; 19 Elliott, 10 Mac Allister, 17 Jones; 18 Gakpo, 9 Nunez, 7 Diaz
      Subs: 62 Kelleher, 20 Jota, 38 Gravenberch, 42 Clark, 44 Chambers, 49 Gordon, 53 McConnell, 84 Bradley, 98 Nyoni
      Credit: @Liverpool Twitter
      Ramsdale returns for Arteta’s Arsenal
      Mikel Arteta makes three changes to the Arsenal side beaten by Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
      Aaron Ramsdale, as the Gunners’ designated domestic cup goalkeeper, comes back into the side in place of David Raya.
      There are also starting berths for Jorginho and Reiss Nelson, who replace Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.

      Arsenal (4-3-3): 1 Ramsdale; 4 White, 2 Saliba, 6 Gabriel, 15 Kiwior; 41 Rice, 20 Jorginho, 8 Odegaard; 7 Saka, 29 Havertz, 24 Nelson
      Subs: 22 Raya, 10 Smith Rowe, 11 Martinelli, 14 Nketiah, 17 Cedric, 19 Trossard, 63 Nwaneri, 76 Walters, Sousa
      Credit: @Arsenal Twitter
      Arsenal relaunch No More Red campaign
      Arsenal will wear an all-white home kit this afternoon for the first time in their history to raise awareness of the club’s campaign against knife crime and youth violence.
      In association with Adidas, the Gunners’ No More Red initiative continues after its initial launch in January 2022.
      It has previously seen Arsenal wear white in away games such as the FA Cup third round tie at Oxford this time last year, but doing so at the Emirates breaks new ground.
      Today’s opponents Liverpool will support Arsenal’s campaign by wearing their changed strip of purple.

      Gunners evens to prevail
      It’s just 15 days since nothing could separate these sides at Anfield, but the bookmakers believe that home advantage is enough to give Arsenal the edge this afternoon.
      The Gunners are priced at evens to get the better of the team currently top of the Premier League with the draw that neither club wants chalked up at 13/5; Liverpool are a 12/5 shot.

      Arsenal win Evs
      Draw 13/5
      Liverpool win 12/5

      Mind you, if you do believe that the draw could be a factor, and it may take a replay for one of these giants to progress then maybe the tie’s outright betting is the way to go.

      Arsenal to qualify 8/11
      Liverpool to qualify 11/10

      Odds from Paddy Power correct at the time of post publication.
      Hello and welcome to Arsenal vs Liverpool
      Arsenal are facing Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium today in a massive FA Cup third-round clash!
      The Gunners have completely capitulated from when they were top of the tree at Christmas with just one win in their last six games.
      Mikel Arteta’s men suffered two consecutive London derby defeats to West Ham and Fulham which has now seen them plummet down to fourth in the Premier League table.
      While their opponents Liverpool capitalised by beating Newcastle and replacing Arsenal at the summit.
      But this weekend’s match is all about the FA Cup – a competition that no other side has lifted more than the Gunners.
      Liverpool are a team in form who will be heading into the fixture full of confidence and present Arteta’s men with a tough challenge.
      The two sides put on a show when they met in the league last month and played out a high quality 1-1 draw at Anfield. More

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      Why Liverpool are not wearing their home shirt today in FA Cup tie against Arsenal

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      LIVERPOOL are not wearing their home shirt today in the FA Cup tie against Arsenal.But that is despite the Gunners NOT using their traditional red home kit.
      Liverpool will wear their purple third kit against ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners are wearing a special all-white stripCredit: adidas
      The North London side are instead going to play in an all-white kit produced by kit suppliers adidas.
      The special edition – which sees the regular home kit but with every aspect in white including the Arsenal badge – is part of the No More Red campaign trying to end knife crime and youth violence.
      Arsenal wore a similar changed strip in the FA Cup third round against Nottingham Forest in 2022 and then Oxford 12 months ago.
      It means that, in theory, Liverpool could play away against Arsenal in their regular home strip as there would not be a kit clash between Arsenal’s plain white and Liverpool’s all red.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      However, the two clubs agreed Jurgen Klopp’s travelling Reds will wear an alternate kit – rather than taking advantage of being able to play away in red.
      But Liverpool’s away kit this season is white with green and therefore would clash with the No More Red campaign change shirt.
      And therefore the Premier League leaders will turn out in their purple third kit.
      Today’s game will again be a one-off outing for the strip this season while Arsenal’s women’s team will wear the kit for the first time when they play Watford in their FA Cup fourth-round meeting on January 14.
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      The Gunners and adidas are not making it available for fans to buy, though.
      Instead, the club will award versions to individuals who are making a positive difference in the local community and has also used previously raised funds for investment in youth facilities in Islington.
      The FA Cup game comes just a week on from the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Spurs fan Harry Pitman in North London.
      Declan Rice, who appeared in a photo shoot for the kit alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Eddie Nketiah and Leah Williamson, said: “Knife crime incidents are terrible to see.
      “I want to be able to help kids, to be able to talk and use my voice and be able to show I was a youngster once and have been in tough positions as well.
      “It’s about education, having the right support network – whether that’s at school or a safe space where you can go and speak to anyone.
      “And for me it’s about youngsters growing up and being happy, feeling comfortable in their environment and living a good life. That’s the main thing.”
      The campaign is aiming to tackle knife crime and youth violenceCredit: adidas
      Arsenal’s women’s team will also wear the kit this monthCredit: adidas
      The Reds’ away kit is white with greenCredit: Alamy More

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      I scored winner in FA Cup final and now I’m the agent of the man who set me up as he prepares to take on Man Utd 

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      SHAUN MALONEY delivered the corner which led to Ben Watson becoming an FA Cup legend for Wigan.Now, in an unusual change of circumstances, Watson, who scored the winner in the 2013 FA Cup final against Manchester City, has returned the favour by dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s – as he is Maloney’s agent.
      Ben Watson (right) is now Shaun Maloney’s (left) agentCredit: AFP
      Cup fever will once again return to Wigan on Monday when the League One side take on Manchester United at the DW Stadium.
      Maloney, 40, who spent four years as a Latics player, is now the club’s boss and is hoping to pile more pressure on United manager Erik ten Hag.
      And watching from the directors’ box will be Watson who, after quitting the game, now works as a registered football intermediary for CAA Base in tandem with experienced agent Anthony McFarlane.
      Watson, who retired after leaving Charlton in 2022, said: “Shaun has been a friend for a long time and that is the reason we work together.  I still go up and watch Wigan’s games quite a lot as he is a client.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “I am learning every day. I started working for Base as they represented me for 20 years. It was a thing which always interested me and I got into it this summer.
      “I was represented by Anthony, who also looked after Shaun. Now, me and Anthony work together and I am learning off him every day.
      “Agents get a bad name because there are a handful of them who have caused some problems. But agents can be very important and a lot of good things come from those who work hard and are honest.
      “I think if you have been a player, it is a great selling point if you want to represent someone. 
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      Watson negotiated Maloney’s deal to become Wigan manager
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      “I am looking out for the best up and coming talent. My son, Reggie, plays for Crystal Palace under-14s and if I also wanted someone to represent my son, I would want someone who had been in the game.”
      Against United, Watson is hoping Maloney can help deliver yet another huge shock against a Manchester club.
      It was Maloney’s injury-time corner which fell perfectly for Watson to score with a glancing header against City at Wembley in a result which stunned the world of football.
      Watson, 38, said: “It is a game that comes up every year. It always gets mentioned, every time you see a few FA Cup goals from the past. Certainly nine times out of 10.
      “It was a special day. A day any player dreams about. You dream about being in a final but to score the winner was surreal. It was an incredible achievement for myself and the club.
      “Once you score a goal like that, you know you will be part of history forever. It was one of the great shocks in sporting history.
      “You ask anyone to name five players from that Wigan team and they might struggle but look back at that City team and you had Tevez, Aguero, Silva, Toure and Kompany, all legends of the Premier League. In their eyes, they just had to turn up and roll us over.
      “For the goal, I should not have been in the area to start with and was supposed to be on the edge of the box.
      “But because they were down to 10 men, I drifted in and because they were zonal marking, I got a free run. I did not score many headers and it was a good job Aguero was on the post as anyone taller might have had a sniff. It was like it was meant to be.
      “It had been a difficult season for me due to injury and I did not play a single second in any of the previous rounds.
      Ben Watson scored the winner as Wigan won the FA Cup in 2013Credit: PA
      “We got relegated 72 hours later but Wigan winning the FA Cup was something that can never be taken away.
      “The real success at Wigan was down to Dave Whelan, a fantastic guy who only cared about the football club of Wigan and the town of Wigan. 
      “The club has been in the hands of different owners who may not have had the same love but now Mike Danson has come in and steadied the ship.”
      So, could Wigan deliver a huge shock against United?
      Read more on The Sun
      Watson said: “It will be the first time since the Premier League era that the stadium will have been a sell-out. United are going through a sticky patch and Wigan have got to make it tough. 
      “The fans will know they have to create a good atmosphere for Shaun and the players.” More

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      I scored winner in classic FA Cup final in a pair of old boots because superstitious boss wouldn’t let me wear new ones

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      LIVERPOOL legend Michael Owen has revealed that he was BANNED from wearing new boots during the 2001 FA Cup final.Owen, now 44, was named in Gerard Houllier’s starting line-up ahead of the crunch clash with Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.
      Michael Owen scored twice for Liverpool during the 2001 FA Cup finalCredit: PA:Press Association
      The striker was banned from wearing a specific pair of bootsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      However, the French manager instructed him to wear a specific pair of boots – for luck.
      Recalling the build-up to the final in an interview with Danny Murphy for the Daily Mail, Owen said: “I had a contract with Umbro and they were about to launch a new boot for the following season, which they wanted me to wear for the final.
      “So in training during the week, I started wearing these different boots.
      “The only problem was Gerard Houllier was mad on superstition.
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      “Basically he didn’t allow me to wear the new boots because I was on fire with the old ones!”
      Arsenal dominated the final and eventually took the lead through Freddie Ljungberg in the 72nd minute.
      However, momentum quickly shifted when Owen equalised in the 83rd minute.
      The striker then capitalised on tired legs to score the winner with just seconds to play.
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      He added: “Arsenal had great players – Seaman, Adams, Vieira, Robert Pires, Thierry Henry. They were probably considered slightly better than us, but at that age I didn’t have any fear about the opposition.
      “In Cardiff, I’d hardly had a kick going into the final few minutes, but clung onto the mindset that I’d never played a game and not had a single chance. Finally, Gary McAllister’s free-kick was nodded down by Markus Babbel and the opportunity presented itself.
      “I’ve never known a game in which the momentum swung so completely in one moment, from all looking lost to ‘we’re going to win now’. Even though it was still only 1-1, there was total certainty.
      “As I jogged back after scoring I looked up at the clock and thought, ‘have I got time to finish it now or wait for extra-time!’. I saw Vieira and Henry and they were shot. They’d thrown everything at us.”
      The FA Cup was one of three trophies won by Liverpool in 2001.
      They also clinched the League Cup and the UEFA Cup. More

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      I met Sir Alex Ferguson after bumping into his son on a train and now I’m trying to knock Man Utd out FA Cup with Wigan

      by

      SHAUN MALONEY got two hours of Fergie time that could leave Erik ten Hag up the junction.He was granted an audience with Manchester United’s legendary boss Sir Alex after bumping into the great man’s son Jason on a train.
      Shaun Maloney hopes his time spent with Sir Alex Ferguson will help Wigan in the cupCredit: PA
      The “precious” conversation that followed that chance meeting helped him on his journey into management.
      Now the Wigan gaffer  is planning to derail the Red Devils for the  second time in his career.
      The ex-winger scored a brilliant curler that gave Latics a 1–0 win over visiting United and sent Fergie’s Prem title bid into the buffers.
      Now a giant-killing by his League One strugglers would put current Old Trafford gaffer Ten Hag under even more pressure.
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      Maloney said: “I began supporting United when Sir Alex left my home town Aberdeen for Old Trafford.
      “I got to meet him for the first time when I was at Aston Villa.
      “We took a beating that night but I remember him speaking after and wishing me good luck for a national team game that was coming up.”
      Once Maloney retired from playing, his ex-Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hired him as a coach in 2018 while in charge of Belgium.
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      Maloney helped derail United’s title hopes in 2013Credit: EPA
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      Then came his meeting with Sir Alex and he explained: “I got lucky,  I was on a train heading down to London and his son walked by.
      “We got speaking and I said that I would love to meet his dad.
      “We swapped emails and the very next day he sent me an email, I got in touch, his secretary arranged for me to meet him.
      “It was just by chance. So really, really fortunate then, and I just sat and listened to him for two hours.
      “I think as I was such a big fan I got to ask him questions. Managerial questions but also  about the history of the club — everything really.”
      Maloney, who worked as assistant manager at Belgium under Roberto Martinez: “Belgium still had some really  elite players, massive players like De Bruyne, Kompany, Courtois and  Hazard. He had lots at that level at United and I  wanted to hear how he handled players like that.
      “It was incredibly precious of him to give me those two hours.”
      One subject not mentioned was THAT goal in what is Wigan’s only ever win over United in 19 attempts.
      It allowed Manchester City to have the last–day Sergio Aguero moment that ignited their Prem domination.
      Maloney said with a smile: “He didn’t speak about it, no, and funnily enough I didn’t bring it up! But you don’t forget it though, do you?”
      Maloney was also part of the team managed by Martinez which produced a Wembley miracle to win the FA Cup against City in 2013.
      The Scot remains  close with his former Latics boss and Maloney admitted: “I owe Roberto a lot.
      “His influence has been huge,  particularly the playing side.
      “He had  a certain style of play I hadn’t been coached on before for really big moments like this one.
      “Some of the best times I had when I was a player and with Belgium came under him and in the biggest moments there was just a stable mood.
      “The way he acted, how you trained, was exactly the same whether you were playing against Manchester United or a lower division team in the cup.
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      “That was a real big attribute that he had and it’s one I follow.
      “Monday night’s game is a huge challenge but I am  determined to say calm, stable and not change our style just because we are playing against United.”
      Maloney worked as Roberto Martinez’s assistant at BelgiumCredit: Getty More