Football

JAMIE CARRAGHER pointed out Arsenal fans’ “hypocrisy” following Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last night.Gunners supporters went into the match desperate for Spurs to hand them the initiative in the title race by taking points off City.Jamie Carragher was at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last nightCredit: RexMan City took a huge step towards clinching a fourth consecutive titleCredit: RexAhead of the game, Carragher, 46, claimed that Tottenham fans should not want to win against Pep Guardiola’s side.Many Spurs regulars decided not to go to the match, with tickets easily available to members on the club’s exchange in the 48 hours prior.Carra said on Sky Sports: “I don’t think Spurs fans should want to win tonight. I’ve grown up in a city with a similar rivalry. If the boot was on the other foot, I think Arsenal fans would be exactly the same.”So I’ve got absolutely no problem with any Tottenham supporter not wanting to win this game.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity went on to triumph 2-0 courtesy of an Erling Haaland double in front of a subdued crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.After the game, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who had earlier engaged in heated verbals with a member of the crowd, was furious at how the night had gone.The Aussie, 58, fumed: “No, I think the last 48 hours has revealed to me that the foundations are fairly fragile mate.”Having seen Postecoglou’s comments, Carragher wrote on social media: “This is to do with the reaction of supporters tonight in the stadium and being asked about the team’s commitment beforehand.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Ange and the players did their job and should’ve got a draw. But what did he expect from the fans?”Arsenal fans would’ve been the exact same in that scenario!”Ange Postecoglou takes spectacular dig at ‘fragile’ Spurs and says problems are ‘everywhere’ after Man City lossA bitter Gooner responded to Carragher: “Never going to happen, mostly as Spurs are never in a title race.”But the former Liverpool and England star hit back: “I’ve seen a clip of Arsenal fans in 2019 saying they didn’t care about winning the Europa League final as long as Spurs lost the CL final.”Videos of various Arsenal fans appearing on AFTV ahead of the 2019 Europa League final then circulated, corroborating Carra’s claim.One said: “We’re all donning our hypothetical Liverpool shirts and will be right behind Salah and Mane and the like.”The same fan was then pushed to choose the scenario he’d prefer: Arsenal and Tottenham both to win their respective finals or the two clubs to each lose.He replied: “I can answer easily. My answer is not the right answer. Lose, lose. I’m not having Tottenham win it, simple as that.”Arsenal fans in 2019 were desperate for Spurs not to win the Champions LeagueCredit: AFTVThe Gunners lost the 2019 Europa League final to ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – GettyA visibly frustrated Postecoglou felt the strange atmosphere on the night negatively affected his side.Asked if it had played a part, he said: “Of course it does.”I can’t dictate what people do. They’re allowed to express themselves any way they want but, yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games, it’s because the crowd’s helped us.”The Spurs boss also said: “You can make your own assessments of what’s happened. I understand.”I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important in your endeavour to become a winning team, but that’s okay. That’s why I’m here.”Maybe I’m out of step, but I just don’t care, I just want to win. 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.”Man City will now head into the final day leading Arsenal by two points at the top of the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuardiola’s men host West Ham, while the Gunners will welcome Everton.Tottenham, meanwhile, will travel to already relegated Sheffield United sat in fifth.Ange Postecoglou was furious after his side’s defeatCredit: Reuters More

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S remarkable prediction from the start of the season has resurfaced, months after he was ridiculed for the comment.After the opening Premier League weekend of the campaign back in August, legendary Manchester United manager Fergie baffled fans by claiming Villa had impressed him most, despite losing 5-1 to Newcastle.Sir Alex Ferguson said back in August he was impressed by Aston Villa despite their 5-1 defeat to Newcastle on the opening dayVilla have sealed Champions League football following a sensational campaignCredit: AFPWhen asked who had impressed him, he told NBC Sports: “To be honest with you, I watched Aston Villa and Newcastle, and I can’t believe the scoreline.”Honestly, Aston Villa played fantastic football, and just lost bad goals.”It’s a surprising game, football. You can play teams off the pitch and not score – that’s what Aston Villa did.”The remark led to a backlash from fans, with one even telling him: “Come on Alex let’s get you back to the home, it’s cottage pie night, you love cottage pie!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet the Scot, 82, started to receive praise for the prediction in December when Villa moved up to third in the table following a 1-0 win over Man City.And now Unai Emery’s side have stayed the course – securing Champions League football on Tuesday after Man City beat Tottenham – 13-time Premier League-winning coach Sir Alex has been proven right.Reacting to the clip re-emerging on social media, one fan said: “That’s why he’s a legendary coach. He sees things differently. 30+ years experience is no joke.”Another added: “That’s why he’s the GOAT.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA third replied: “Regardless of who you support – the man is a genius – and I’m no Man U fan trust me. You have to give the man respect – as painful as it may be.”And a fourth responded: “This is amazing from Sir Alex.”Former Man Utd star reveals there were only TWO players who didn’t get Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous ‘hairdryer treatment’Villa’s last appearance in Europe’s elite club competition came in the 1982/83 season, one year after they lifted the trophy.Meanwhile, Fergie’s former club Man Utd have endured a nightmare campaign, languishing 14 points adrift of Villa in eighth place with two games remaining.Fergie banned me from Man Utd press conferences SEVEN TIMES – I once rowed with him in the toiletsBy SunSport’s Manchester United correspondent Neil Custis.
MUCH consternation recently at the news that three football writers were denied the chance to ask Erik ten Hag a question over three consecutive press conferences.
The dismay did not stretch to myself despite being one of those placed briefly on the naughty step.
I don’t agree with such ‘punishments’ for stories or opinions but Ten Hag has had to take a bucketload this season and has never been anything but polite and helpful.
So if he wanted to do something to have a go back for once, no problem.It’s all sorted now and everyone is friends again.
Having been brought up on Sir Alex Ferguson press conferences and downright unfair bans of varying lengths, seven in my case, you become immune to middle-aged men having a hissy fit.
Recent events reminded me of a lovely warm day at the Haydock Thistle Hotel some years back, where North-West based managers and writers were all invited to a lunch.
Sir Alex was there on the main table laughing, singing and generally holding court when simultaneously all the writers’ phones bleeped with a message from United’s “no communication department”.
He had no doubt arranged for it to be sent bang in the middle of the lunch informing us all that relations would be suspended forthwith.
Our crime was to use his words from a local radio interview he had done that week and the controversial comments he made within it.
We were all fuming so, when he got up to leave I followed him out of the luncheon suite.
As I ranted about how unfair his actions were, he ignored me and walked on ahead, entering another room.
I followed, still ranting, but he kept his back to me and looked down silently.
Was he having a rethink as his gaze remained concentrated, his head stooped?
No, he was having a wee! We had entered the gents but, in my own hissy fit, I hadn’t quite realised.
I’m not sure what the hotel guest two urinals down made of it but how absurd the whole scene must have appeared.
Defeated and deflated, I returned to the luncheon where the free red wine got a hammering and I sulked.
There would be more such incidents, told and retold to this day with laughter.
I always say covering United when Sir Alex was boss was like a stay at Fawlty Towers — not particularly comfortable but certainly unforgettable. More

PIERS MORGAN has called Tottenham a “pathetic bunch of losers” after they failed to beat Manchester City.The Arsenal superfan was cheering on his rivals last night in the hope they would do the Gunners a favour in their battle for the title.Piers Morgan shared a snap of him in a Spurs kit before the gamePiers has deleted his pro-Spurs tweetsCredit: XBut an Erling Haaland double saw Man City win 2-0 as they moved two points clear at the top of the table with one game to go.Sun columnist Piers was desperate for Spurs to win last night but admitted the thought of doing so was “painful”.However, he got in the mood for his day on the other half of North London by tweeting a photo of himself in a Tottenham kit.The snap is from 2018 when he lost a bet and had to do the Carabao Cup draw in their shirt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd before the game, he posted in response to Spurs’ team news: “Brilliant. 11 natural born winners and warriors. Real men who I know will do everything in their formidable, nay magical powers to get a result tonight.”Come on lads – you have a brilliant record vs City, do it for North London.”But after the final whistle, Piers rediscovered his hatred of Tottenham.He first deleted his pro-Spurs tweets and then went on to slam the club, including Pedro Porro for giving away a penalty.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPiers wrote: “Porro, you stupid p***k. Spurs, you useless muppets.”The atmosphere inside the stadium was subdued until the end of the game, which wound-up the Arsenal fan as he tweeted: “And now Spurs fans sing. What a pathetic bunch of losers.”Spurs fans celebrate with Poznan as Man City beat Tottenham to shatter Arsenal’s title dreamMan City face West Ham on Sunday as the Gunners welcome Everton.Piers and the 60,000 inside the Emirates will be desperate for the Hammers to get a shock win.And he has not given up just yet, tweeting: “West Ham will beat City on Sunday… as a thank you to Declan Rice.”Piers added: “City haven’t won the League yet. David Moyes will want to bow out with a bang.”Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important playerBy Dean Scoggins
KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
But has now well and truly found his feet.
The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
Read more on how Mikel Arteta is using Kai Havertz.
Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube.

Man City are within touching distance of their fourth title in a rowCredit: Rex More

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