Football features

ALFIE DEVINE wasted no time in announcing himself to Spurs fans.
The 16-year-old midfield talent started on the bench in Tottenham’s FA Cup third round tie against Marine.

Alfie Devine is congratulated by Ben Davies for becoming Spurs’ youngest ever goalscorerCredit: AFP

However, not only did he become the youngest ever player to feature for the North London giants – at the age of 16 years and 163 days old – Devine also managed to get on the scoresheet in the 5-0 win.
The England youth international was snapped up from cash-strapped Wigan, who were forced to sell after entering administration, in 2020.
But, it could’ve been a different Premier League giant helping Devine hone his skills.
The promising talent, son of former St Helens rugby player Sean Devine, remarkably began playing at Liverpool’s academy when he was just four.

At seven it appeared he was being primed for a career at Anfield, after signing terms with the club.
However, at 11 he was released and it wasn’t to be at his boyhood club.
And last month, Devine gave Chelsea outcast Danny Drinkwater a torrid time during an U23’s match – with the Blues midfielder lashing out at the wonderkid after the teenager caught him with a two-footed tackle that saw both given red cards.
TIME FOR REFLECTION
At a crossroads, Devine couldn’t hide his disappointment after he was snubbed by the Reds.

He grew disillusioned with the game, and gave up playing for four months to reflect on his time at the academy.

Against Marine in the FA Cup Devine showed his class with a goal on the hour markCredit: Getty – Pool

Tottenham snapped up promising Devine from Wigan in 2020Credit: Instagram @alfie.devine

A two-footed tackle in a U23 match last December on Danny Drinkwater got Devine sent offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Then came redemption with Wigan Athletic.
The Latics immediately offered Devine a place, and were said to be shocked that he was let go by the Reds.
They changed his position from centre forward to central midfield, and he prospered through the youth ranks.
And last season he pushed on.
Devine became a regular for Wigan’s U18’s, and rather astonishingly, was given his U23 debut – just two months after turning 15.
He was also invited to train with ex-Wigan boss Paul Cook and his first team.
TRIUMPHS ALONG THE WAY
With Tottenham aiming to win trophies, Devine has already steeped himself in the tradition of being a winner, albeit at a younger level.

Devine was released by Liverpool before Wigan rescued his youth careerCredit: Instagram @alfie.devine

Devine impressed against Spurs in a FA Youth Cup game last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
For Wigan’s U15’s he was the star man in the 5-0 rout of Sunderland in the Floodlit Cup final.
While he was also part of their FA Youth Cup side that beat Spurs on their way to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history this season.
His performance that day stood out to Tottenham youth coaches, who were wowed by the youngster.
THREE LIONS GLORY
Every young footballer dreams of playing for their country.
Devine is no different, having represented England’s U16 team and leading by example.
He starred at the SportChainCup in Spain, playing in a 5-0 rout of Japan, as well as games against Mexico and the host nation.

At the SportChainCup Devine was voted player of the tournament Credit: Instagram @alfie.devine

Tottenham appear to have unearthed a midfield gem in DevineCredit: Rex Features

England eventually crashed out the tournament to Spain, but Devine took centre stage to win the player of the tournament.
Spurs have a long history of cultivating classy midfield players, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne, and Dele Alli spring to mind.
In Devine it appears they may have unearthed another gem.

Jose Mourinho says he’s very happy with Dele Alli’s performance against Marine More

JOSE MOURINHO and his great rival Pep Guardiola will go head-to-head AGAIN in a final, as Spurs and Manchester City booked their place at Wembley in the Carabao Cup.
City saw off neighbours Manchester United with a convincing 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho has led Spurs to the Carabao Cup finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He will face off against his rival Pep Guardiola and Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

While Spurs were too good for a plucky Brentford side a day earlier, winning by the same scoreline thanks to goals from Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-min.
And that means Pep and Jose will renew hostilities once again in a cup final.
The pair have met in a cup final before – in Spain in the Copa del Rey in 2011, when Mourinho emerged victorious thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo header in extra-time.
All in all, the pair have met 24 times – with Pep winning 11 encounters, Jose seven, and six draws.

Here are their most memorable encounters.
INTER 0-0 BARCELONA, 2009
The first time these two giants of the game met was in a fascinating match in the Champions League group stages in September, 2009.
Mourinho’s pragmatic style against Guadiola’s more attacking philosophy was evident from the start, with the Special One setting his stall out not to lose.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the best chance of the game for Barca as it finished even.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Mourinho instructs his players in his first encounter with GuardiolaCredit: Reuters
INTER 3-1 BARCA, 2010
A year later and the stage was bigger – the Champions League semi-final, no less.
Barcelona led early from a Pedro goal, and threatened to end the tie in the first leg at the San Siro.
But Inter rallied and picked the Catalans off on the break with goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito to take a lead for a challenging second leg at the Camp Nou.
BARCA 1-0 INTER, 2010
Mourinho’s Inter provided a defensive masterclass to keep Barcelona down to just one goal in the second leg of this epic semi-final.
And their task was made even harder when Thiago Motta was sent off with still over an hour to play.
A late goal by Gerard Pique with six minutes to spare spurred a Barca onslaught.

Mourinho and Guardiola locked horns in their first Champions League semi with Inter and Barcelona respectivelyCredit: Reuters

Mourinho celebrates on the pitch at the Camp NouCredit: AP:Associated Press
And they thought they’d won the game when Bojan fired into the roof of the net in injury time, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a Yaya Toure handball in the build-up.
Mourinho wasn’t going to let the sprinklers being turned on as his players celebrated on the pitch dampen his spirits either – later calling the moment his “most beautiful defeat”.
BARCA 5-0 REAL MADRID, 2010
Pep wanted revenge. And he got it in the most spectacular way.
Champions League winner Jose was hired in 2010 by Real Madrid to end Barcelona’s domestic domination.
But his tenure got off to the worst possible start with a 5-0 thrashing as Guardiola’s side ruthlessly tore their bitter enemies to shreds in their first La Liga clash.
Mourinho has called it his worst defeat as a boss – and it is his biggest.

Guardiola gives his team the thumbs up after they destroy Real Madrid 5-0Credit: Reuters
REAL MADRID 0-2 BARCA, 2011
The fierce rivals were pitted against each other in another Champions League semi.
And as you can imagine, the animosity had hit fever pitch at this point – and clearly the players were feeling it to in this first leg.
The game was marred by play-acting, and both Pepe and Mourinho were sent to the stands – with the latter being dismissed for sarcastically mouthing “well done” to the fourth official.
But Lionel Messi rose above his contemporaries with two stunning goals that effectively put Barcelona through to the final.
BARCA 3-2 REAL MADRID, 2011
The first leg of their Spanish Super Cup tie ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, so there was still all to play for at the Camp Nou.
And it became a feisty affair when Marcelo went over the top on Cesc Fabregas.
The players brawled, the Brazilian was sent off, as were David Villa and Mesut Ozil.
Mourinho poked Guardiola’s assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye during the melee too, something which he later apologised for.

The relationship between Guardiola and Mourinho was clearly frayed ahead of their Spanish Super Cup tieCredit: Action Images

Mourinho got into hot water after poking Tito Vilanova in the eye Credit: Sky Sports
BARCA 1-2 REAL MADRID, 2012
Going into the game Barcelona were 55 games unbeaten at home.
But a classic Mourinho smash and grab – with a late header from Cristiano Ronaldo – put Real seven points clear of their rivals in La Liga and set Los Blancos up to win the title that year.
The loss was, reportedly, the catalyst for Guardiola taking a sabbatical.
He recharged his batteries for a year in New York – and would come back fighting.
MAN CITY 2-3 MAN UTD, 2018
After a few drab Manchester derbies, Mourinho was fired up to get one over Pep.
City raced to a 2-0 lead, as it looked like they would confirm their fifth league title.
But an inspired Mourinho team talk rallied his team to fight back and win 3-2 at the Etihad and restore some pride.

Chris Smalling celebrates a winner with Paul Pogba after United fought back to beat Manchester CityCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
SPURS 2-0 MAN CITY, 2020
After his humbling departure at Manchester United, Mourinho has been on a mission to craft another title-winning side.

And Spurs proved their credentials against Guardiola’s City earlier this season, allowing their rivals to dominate the ball before picking them off on the counter attack with goals from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso.
Guardiola lamented Spurs’ defensive style after the game, explaining the difficulty his side had in breaking Tottenham down.
Will history repeat itself in the Carabao Cup final?

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says taking the League Cup seriously is the secret of his success More

If, as seems likely, coronavirus cases continue to rise then the Premier League will be forced into a decision.
With recent games being called off, some at the last minute, there have been calls for a ‘circuit breaker,’ a temporary suspension of fixtures.

Flamengo of Brazil were one of many Brazilian clubs hit by a coronavirus outbreak among their squadCredit: Reuters

Incredibly, the Premier League has just announced 40 positive coronavirus cases – more than double the record as the new strain takes hold of the top-flight.
Should the games go ahead, or should there be a pause?  When it comes down to it, what is the primary objective of the emergency regulations – to ensure the continuity of the competition or to protect the players?
South America offers an example of how this dilemma has been handled. To the credit of the administrators there has been little or no fiddling about with attempts to get fans back into stadiums – even in Brazil, where President Bolsonaro and his Health Ministry have authorised grounds to contain 30 per cent of their capacity.
Even so, games have been played behind closed doors. But they have been played.

In Brazil there have been times when more than 18 players from the same team have tested positive – and the match has still gone ahead.
In the Brazilian championship and in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, measures have been taken to ensure that clubs never need to cancel.
Squad sizes have been increased to 40 or 50, with junior players promoted to fill the gaps, heading off any justification that clubs are too short handed to go ahead with the game.
Back in September, Flamengo of Brazil had a Covid eruption in their camp on a trip to Ecuador for two Libertadores games.

Despite a Covid outbreak among their squad, Flamengo were forced to play games in the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian championshipCredit: Reuters
The second, by which time the gravity of the situation was clear, took place in Guayaquil, a coastal city traumatised by its own coronavirus outbreak at the start of the pandemic.
The local health authorities called the game off – but were over-ruled by pressure from above.
The match went ahead – as did Flamengo’s next league game away to Palmeiras the following weekend, even though legal steps were taken in a bid to postpone it.
They failed because the regulations in Brazil, to which the clubs signed up, have been designed with the aim of ensuring that the championship continues as planned.
The fixture pile up is bad enough as it is, without having to rearrange matches called off because of Covid.
But there are risks in this approach – well highlighted by the tale of Santos striker Raniel.

Fans are still banned from attending games in Brazil because of the pandemicCredit: AFP or licensors

Raniel suffered thrombosis and had to have an operation after a coronavirus diagnosis and flying soon after

He was a victim of the club’s coronavirus outbreak in early September. As soon as he was given the all clear he was back in action – on a plane one week for a long flight to Ecuador, on a plane the following week for a shorter trip to Paraguay.
A few days after returning he suffered a thrombosis and had to undergo an operation – at the age of 24.
Covid has consequences, even on athletes at their physical peak – something the Premier League may have to think about.

Top models jet into Brazil for Neymarpalooza despite PSG star Neymar saying he’s ‘nothing to do with’ 5-day NYE bash at £6m mansion More