Football

EDERSON has revealed his phone number was leaked before Manchester City’s win over Tottenham as Arsenal fans bombarded him with texts.Pep Guardiola’s men took a major step towards a fourth successive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over Spurs.Ederson received a host of messages before the Tottenham clash after his phone number was leakedCredit: GettyThe Manchester City keeper shared a screenshot of some of the messages he was sentCredit: InstagramEderson was substituted in the second half, shortly after a nasty collision with Cristian Romero.He was furious at being hauled off as he argued with Guardiola and kicked the floor, before he could be seen in tears on the bench.And it has now emerged the keeper had to deal with his phone number being leaked in the lead-up to the match.After the game, Ederson shared a screenshot of messages on his phone from Arsenal supporters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “My number was leaked, and I had some funny messages.”Those texts included one that read: “Don’t let in any howlers tonight you s******. Up the Arsenal.”While another simply said: “ARSENAL ARSENAL ARSENAL ARSENAL.”Ederson was flawless before being taken off in the 69th minute of the win over Spurs on Tuesday night.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSStefan Ortega replaced him and made crucial saves to deny Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min.Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher went on to award Ortega the Player of the Match award.Furious Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur almost falls over kicking chair after being subbed following Man City goalThe result means a win for Man City at home to West Ham on Sunday will see them become the first team in the English football history to win four consecutive league titles. More

ERIK TEN HAG insists his lap of honour at Old Trafford tonight will NOT be a farewell.Manchester United’s under-fire boss plans to join the players in doing a circuit of the pitch after their final home game against Newcastle.Erik ten Hag insists his waves to the crowd tonight will not be a goodbyeCredit: GettyThis despite presiding over what looks set to be the club’s worst Premier League campaign.But Ten Hag believes he is still the man to turn things around so claims when he waves to fans, nothing should be read into it.He said: “Goodbye for me? It’s not how I see it. It is not the way I will start a lap of honour for the fans.”The Red Devils have lost 14 Premier League games this season — their highest number ever with two games to go.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThey are also set to finish with a negative goal difference for the first time since 1989-90.Still, they could finish in Europe if they beat Newcastle tonight or win the FA Cup.And Ten Hag says there is a bond between the fans and team worth celebrating tonight. He said: “Through good times and bad, we are together and the fans show it. So we will do a lap of honour.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere has been no public message of support from new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for Ten Hag.But the Dutchman said: “In stadiums, away and home, fans always back the team and me. Erik ten Hag claims Man Utd fans are ‘behind us’ but here’s what they were really singing during defeat to Arsenal“When I’m also in the street, many come to me — maybe it is just polite but I don’t feel this. I almost never get a negative reaction as  fans realise this club is in a transition.”Defender Lisandro Martinez is back tonight for the first time since an aborted return at the end of March.Ten Hag hopes to bring him on as a sub and start him in Sunday’s final league game at Brighton ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City.Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford should also be available this evening.Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

FANS are convinced Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester City was “fixed” and some have even called for a “points deduction”.In bizarre and baseless claims, some supporters reckon Spurs deliberately lost 2-0 to help stop their rivals Arsenal winning the title.Erling Haaland scored twice as Man City beat TottenhamCredit: GettyThe win moved City two points clear of ArsenalCredit: GettyMan City’s win moved them two points clear of the Gunners at the top of the table ahead of the final day of the season.Erling Haaland scored twice to put Pep Guardiola’s side within touching distance of their fourth Premier League crown in a row.There was a strange atmosphere inside the stadium as some Tottenham supporters were open to losing and sacrificing a spot in next season’s Champions League to ensure Arsenal’s 20-year wait for a title would continue.And conspiracy theorists believe the mood was reflected on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey highlight Son Heung-min seeing a huge chance saved by City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, which would have levelled the game.And Pedro Porro tripping Jeremy Doku in the box to hand Haaland a chance to wrap up the three points from the spot.Fans on social media wrote: “How on Earth do you miss this chance? It’s even easier to score than to miss. I’m tempted to believe this game was fixed.”A raging Arsenal supporter added: “Intentionally fixed. The pen was obvious, Doku wasn’t going anywhere. See him to the line. The miss from Son – straight at the keeper when he had the whole goal to aim at.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA third said: “It was a fixed game and Spurs should be deducted points.”A fourth commented: “Tottenham fans start chanting: “Are you watching, Arsenal? The match is fixed just for Manchester City to win it.”Ange Postecoglou takes spectacular dig at ‘fragile’ Spurs and says problems are ‘everywhere’ after Man City lossThere is no legitimate reason the game was rigged.However, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was unhappy with the attitude to the game from “inside and outside”.After being involved in a furious row with a supporter on the touchline, the Aussie ranted in his press conference: “The last 48 hours have revealed that the foundations are fairly fragile.”That’s what I feel. The last 48 hours has revealed a fair bit to me.”But it just means I’ve got to go back to the drawing board with some things.”It’s outside, inside, everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise.”Probed on what he meant by a reporter, Postecoglou snapped back: “It’s my observations, mate. I’m not going to tell you because it’s for me.”I’m the one that’s got to do it so you can make your own assessment over what’s happpened.”I understand I have probably misread the situation to what I think is important and in your endeavour to become a winning team. But it’s okay, it’s why I’m here.”I want to be successful at this football club, it’s why I was brought in.”So what other people, how they want to feel, and what their priorities are, are of zero interest to me. “I know what’s important to build a winning team, that’s what I need to concentrate on.”It is what it is, mate. I can’t dictate what people do. They are allowed to express themselves in any way they want.”But yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games it’s because the crowd has helped us.”I already know what I want to do, it’s just I’ve got to make some adjustments to how I do it.”Tottenham’s defeat means they are set to play Europa League football next season.As for City, a win over West Ham on Sunday and they will get their hands on the Premier League trophy.READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal need to beat Everton and hope the Hammers to do them a favour at the Etihad. More

KYLE WALKER sparked a brilliant reaction with his firecracker of a dig at Arsenal fans. The Manchester City captain, 33, led his side to a crucial 2-0 win at Tottenham to put one hand on the Premier League title.Kyle Walker confirmed Arsenal fans’ attempts to disrupt Manchester City’s sleep failedCredit: Sky SportsFans set off fireworks outside what they thought was the City team hotel on Monday nightCredit: XErling Haaland scored twice at White Hart Lane to put Pep Guardiola’s side top of the table going into the final day of the season on Sunday.That was despite Gunners supporters’ best attempts to hinder City’s preparations ahead of the game. Videos of Arsenal fans setting off fireworks in the early hours of Tuesday morning went viral – with the rascals believing they were outside the hotel of the City players.And Walker could not resist his cheeky response by confirming City were not even inside.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSHe did admit he struggled to sleep – but not because of the firework antics in London. Speaking to Sky Sports, the right-back said with a sparkle in his eye: “If I didn’t enjoy the pressure, I’d be in the wrong job and definitely the wrong team.”These are the games you want to play in as a footballer. “Last night I couldn’t sleep, I’m struggling to sleep. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”And then you’re getting to the hotel today, I’ve heard they have tried to set fireworks off the night before but we weren’t there, they’ve missed us!”I’m scrambling to get half an hour in the afternoon just to get my head down.”Arsenal fans set off fireworks outside ‘Man City hotel’ at 2am before Tottenham game – but team were still in MANCHESTERThat prompted plenty of laughs from the Sky panel including Micah Richards. And Arsenal’s rivals could not get enough of the comments, either. One said: “Kyle Walker has got the minerals. He just mudded Arsenal on live TV. What a legend.”Another wrote: “Bottled the league and they are here bottling fireworks too Arsenal.”A third quipped: “And then the fireworks were extinguished using their own tears.”And a final user simply replied: “He cooked them.”Walker’s celebrations were clear to see as City secured the victory which means victory at home to West Ham on Sunday will see the club lift a fourth Premier League title in a row. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut in the aftermath following the full-time whistle, TV cameras picked up Walker trying to take his shirt off.However, the England international hilariously could not get it off easily as he wriggled around before eventually removing it and asking a steward to hand it over to a young female fan in a classy gesture.Walker struggled to take his shirt off after the win at SpursCredit: XHe was grateful for Erling Haaland’s doubleCredit: AP More

KYLE WALKER’S toughest test of his return to Tottenham was his hilarious attempt to take off his shirt.But the Manchester City captain recovered brilliantly with a classy gesture. Kyle Walker struggled to get his Manchester City shirt off after the Tottenham winCredit: XWalker, 33, had the freedom of North London at times up against makeshift left-back Micky van de Ven during his side’s 2-0 win away at Tottenham.But he could not wrestle free from his own match-worn shirt amid the celebrations following the full-time whistle. The TV cameras picked up Walker trying to take his sweaty top off following his 100-minute performance.And that proved to be the most difficult test of his night as he wriggled and struggled his way out of the third kit as it got stuck around his shoulders.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe right-back eventually managed to get out of it, pulling it over his head. But as plenty of Twitter users piled in to give him stick for his awkward blunder, he swiftly made amends by picking out a young girl fan for the steward to hand the special memorabilia to. One said: “Kyle Walker struggling out of his shirt like he’s trying to escape a sausage casing. Rebounds with a lovely gesture for a young fan.”Another wrote: “Why did Walker just have a fight with his shirt?”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA third added: “Why was Walker having such a tough time taking his shirt off lmao waddling like a duck?”A fourth typed: “Walker tryna get his shirt off lmaooo.”Furious Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur almost falls over kicking chair after being subbed following Man City goalAnd a final user replied: “Good gesture by captain Walker, giving that young @ManCity fan his shirt. Quite awesome to see.”Walker saw his team-mate Erling Haaland grab his 26th and 27th Premier League goals of the season to secure a vital three points on a strange night at White Hart Lane.Plenty of Spurs fans were desperate for their own team to lose, knowing the implications that would have on where the trophy ends up on Sunday as City now head into the final day two points ahead of Arsenal. Haaland tapped in on 51 minutes from a cute Kevin De Bruyne pass.But Gunners supporters must have thought their arch-rivals were about to help them out when Son Heung-min raced clear of Walker.However, one on one with sub goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, the Spurs captain could not find the net and was denied by the German.Five minutes later, Haaland smashed a penalty into the top corner to seal all three points.And City know a home win against West Ham on Sunday afternoon guarantees them a fourth title in a row.But Walker warned the job was not done yet.Speaking in a City training top, he told Sky Sports: “We prepare, we recover and West Ham is another final and hopefully we can go and make history for this great club.”It’s one step closer but it is not job done by a million miles.”We’ve still got a game to go and a game to win and I’ll make sure the lads are full of focus come that game and hopefully we can get the win.”At least we bring it down to the last game in front of our fans, which is important. READ MORE SUN STORIES”If I didn’t enjoy the pressure, I would be in the wrong job and the wrong team.”Last night, I couldn’t sleep. They tried to set fireworks off but we weren’t there, they missed us. I can’t describe the feeling when we went 2-0 up.”Walker was grateful for Erling Haaland’s doubleCredit: AP More