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      Nottingham Forest updates — Premier League club demands VAR audio is released as points deduction appeal looms

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      NOTTINGHAM Forest have gone to war with the Premier League, FA and PGMOL.The Premier League club has issued a series of shocking reactions to their relegation six-pointer defeat to Everton.During the match, several decisions went against Forest, leading the club to demand VAR footage and audio be released to the public.The club went as far as to suggest VAR’s Stuart Attwell may have been biased against them.This comes as Forest’s appeal against their four-point punishment for breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) will be heard tomorrow, Wednesday, 24 April.Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates…Premier league’s statement
      The Prem issued its own statement, saying it was “extremely disappointed” with Forest’s comments.
      They added: “It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”
      Forest could be charged under Prem Rules B.15 and B.16.
      Copy linkCopiedForest make demands
      Nottingham Forest have made their demand for the audio recordings of conversations between Attwell and ref Anthony Taylor to be played out on TV.
      A club spokesman said: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park. 
      “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
      “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
      Copy linkCopiedWebb insistent the claim that he was asked to take Attwell OFF the match is untrue
      Forest remain furious over the three penalty decisions that went against them in the relegation six-pointer while  Webb is insistent the central claim that he was asked to take Attwell OFF the match is simply untrue.
      Webb’s position is that, while he did receive a call from Clattenburg on Friday, it was to inform him that Forest thought Espirito Santo might be asked about Attwell’s appointment as VAR in his pre-match news conference.
      Managers and players have been warned that ANY pre-match comments about officials is an offence, although the question was then not asked.
      But Webb is adamant that Clattenburg categorically did not ask for the appointment to be changed and that Forest said they had no problem with it.
      Copy linkCopiedHow much are clubs allowed to lose under PSR?
      Clubs who are in the Prem for three seasons are limited to “allowable losses” – after calculations including the “amortisation” of transfer fees, stadium building and Covid-related expenditure are taken out – of £105m over three seasons.
      As Forest only had one top flight campaign, their limit was £61m.
      Forest, the Premier League argues, made losses greater than that number.
      Copy linkCopiedHow many points were Everton docked?
      Nottingham Forest aren’t the only Premier League side to be docked points this season.
      Everton were hit with a 10-point deduction earlier this season for breaching PSR.
      This was later reduced to six points.
      Copy linkCopiedCould Manchester City face a points deduction?
      Last February, Pep Guardiola’s team were hit with 115 allegations of breaching competition rules between 2009 and 2018 by the Premier League.
      The club denies all charges and has vowed to clear its name.
      These charges are far more complex than those levied at Everton and Forest.
      That means any punishment for the alleged rule breaches could take much longer to be announced.
      Copy linkCopiedAlan Shearer slams ’embarrassing’ Nottingham Forest statement in X-rated rant
      Alan Sheerer has taken aim at Nottingham Forest following their explosive Twitter statements.
      Slamming Forest’s complaints as “embarrassing”, Shearer told the Rest is Football podcast: “Honestly, before we go anywhere, let’s just say well done to Everton.
      “Very much like at the top of the table, at this stage of the season, it doesn’t matter how you play or what decisions you get, just get the three points, by hook or by crook. Everton got them and that’s all that matters.
      “But what the f*** are Forest doing putting that statement out? It’s an absolute embarrassment, isn’t it? ‘We told the PGMOL he was a Luton fan’. What on earth are they thinking about? It’s embarrassing.
      “I thought Anthony Taylor and Stuart Attwell had a terrible afternoon, but you can’t behave like that if you’re a top professional football club, one of the best, a team that has been amazing over the years, a European Cup and all of that.
      “Then behaving like that, there’s just no class to it. However angry you are, however upset you are, you cannot be putting statements out like that.”
      Credit: The Rest is Football
      Copy linkCopiedWhat has the Premier League said?
      The Premier League said it was “extremely disappointed” following Nottingham Forest’s explosive statements on Sunday and Monday.
      Writing on X, the league said: “The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media yesterday, following its match against Everton.
      “We note The FA has confirmed it will be investigating the club’s statement. It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”
      Copy linkCopiedWhat are Forest accused of?
      Nottingham Forest first admitted on December 31 when they filed their accounts for last season that they had breached the allowed Profitability and Sustainability limit.
      They finally admitted a breach of £34.536m.
      This breach has seen the side docked four points while in a crucial relegation battle.
      Copy linkCopiedGary Neville calls for Mark Clattenberg to resign
      Sky’s Gary Neville has demanded former Premier League ref Mark Clattenberg resign from his role as a consultant at Nottingham Forest.
      This comes after Forest shared a tweet slamming the Premier League for a series of decisions that went against them at Goodison Park this weekend.
      Neville said: “Mark Clattenberg must resign tonight.
      “If he saw those words go out in which question the integrity of a referee and claims someone is a cheat for supporting another club, then he’s supporting what is being said.
      “He would lose all credibility with referees in the game. He should stand down tonight and distance himself from that statement.
      “The statement is like a petulant child. It’s embarrassing.
      “Today has been a horrendous day for Nottingham Forest. Possibly horrendous because of the decisions that they’ve had, but horrendous for how they’ve reacted to the situation.
      “To mention the VAR official as being a Luton fan and inferring in some way that’s had an impact on the decision-making process and suggesting to me as a fan, thinking ‘has he cheated us’, you’re into really dangerous territory.”
      Copy linkCopiedPremier League demands explanation for Nuno’s comments
      The Premier League are demanding an explanation from Nottingham Forest regarding manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s comments after his team’s defeat to Everton.
      Espirito Santo’s interviews included him saying “it’s been clear what has been happening to us”  and suggesting “if we were in another country, we will start speaking about conspiracy.”
      In response, the FA said it had “formally requested observations” from Forest.
      Copy linkCopiedThe state of play
      Forest have four games to go and sit one point above the relegation zone.
      Here are the club’s remaining matches:

      Manchester City
      Sheffield United
      Chelsea
      Burnley

      Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest ‘consider SUING Sky’ after Gary Neville made ‘mafia gang’ claim
      Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering “suing” Sky after Gary Neville hit out at the club on live TV.
      In response to Forest’s recent statement, Neville said: “It’s like a mafia-gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at? It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing.
      “And some of those things they’re saying in there, the suggestion of some sort of inferring of cheating because there’s an official in VAR in Stockley Park who’s a Luton fan is a scandal, and they will pay for that.”
      Now, according to the Mail, Forest are considering legal action.

      Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest’s statement
      A club spokesman said: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park. 
      “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
      “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
      Copy linkCopiedPoints deduction appeal looms
      Looming in the background here is Nottingham Forest’s four-point deduction for alleged breaches of profit and sustainability rules.
      The club’s appeal will be heard tomorrow, a moment that could make or break their season.
      Forest currently sit 17th, one point above the relegation zone.
      Copy linkCopiedThe claims from both sides…
      *Forest demands the public release of the conversations between ref Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell
      *The FA announced they wanted urgent explanations from Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco William and ex-Prem whistler Mark Clattenburg
      *Forest then repeated allegations that refs’ chief Howard Webb was asked to take Luton fan Attwell off VAR duties for Sunday’s contentious Goodison clash before suggesting their “fears of a sideshow” had come true
      *Prem chiefs then signalling they will bring their OWN charges against Forest for the incendiary outing of Attwell as a Hatters supporter and implying he was biased against them.
      Copy linkCopiedWhat have Forest said?
      Following a series of decisions that went against Nottingham Forest in a relegation six-pointer vs Everton, the club released an astonishing statement.
      It read: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”
      Yesterday the club released a fresh statement which can be read below…
      Following yesterday’s match at Everton, NFFC issued a statement highlighting our concern at the perception of the PGMOL appointment of VAR for the game. This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything…— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 22, 2024

      Copy linkCopiedForest go to war with the Premier League
      Nottingham Forest are locked in a feud with the Prem, the FA AND PGMOL.
      An astonishing day of claim and counter-claim over the fall-out from Sunday’s defeat at Everton saw the club demand VAR audio is released.
      This comes just hours before the league will hear the club’s appeal for alleged PSR breaches.
      Copy linkCopiedHow much are clubs allowed to lose under PSR?
      Clubs who are in the Prem for three seasons are limited to “allowable losses” – after calculations including the “amortisation” of transfer fees, stadium building and Covid-related expenditure are taken out – of £105m over three seasons.
      As Forest only had one top flight campaign, their limit was £61m.
      Forest, the Premier League argues, made losses greater than that number.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Coventry City 3-3 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: United sneak through to FA Cup final on penalties despite epic Sky Blues comeback

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have sneaked through to the FA Cup final on penalties after Coventry came back from 3-0 down to take the tie to spot kicks.The Red Devils took the lead through Scott McTominay’s 23rd-minute finish.Right on half-time, Harry Maguire doubled his side’s advantage with a bullet header from a corner.United captain Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 just before the hour mark after pouncing on a Coventry defensive error before Ellis Simms netted for 3-1 to begin the Sky Blues’ epic comeback.Callum O’Hare’s deflected effort flew past Andre Onana to make it 3-2 – and Haji Wright’s 95th-minute penalty completed a stunning turnaround to take the FA Cup classic to extra time.Victor Torp thought he etched his name into FA Cup history in the 120th minute, only for his strike to be ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up.The tie was decided by penalties, which saw Rasmus Hojlund slam home the decisive spot kick to spare Man Utd’s blushes and secure their spot in the final.
      Match result: Coventry City 3-3 Man Utd (PENS 2-4)
      Coventry City team: Collins, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Eccles, Sheaf, O’Hare, Van Ewijk, Simms, Wright
      Man Utd team: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollow ALL of the latest updates from Wembley below…Onto the next
      And United have a few winnable league games coming up in their pursuit of European football.
      Erik ten Hag will likely see out the season now, too.
      How many points will they claim from this next four?

      Copy linkCopiedReaction from Neil Custis
      Bruno Fernandes ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.
      No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.
      Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.
      The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.
      Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.
      But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.

      Copy linkCopiedOh no, Onana
      Andre Onana admits getting through today was a ‘mixed feeling’.
      And he says he and his teammates will return to Wembley next month and WIN the trophy.
      He was booked in the shootout – after being booked in normal time. But he WON’T be suspended for the showpiece final.
      He told BBC: “It’s a mixed feeling. We went through, that’s why we came here.
      “It was a tough game at the end. We were in control. After so many individual mistakes we conceded three goals. The most important thing is to win. We have to look forward to the coming games.
      “Somehow we lost control of the game.
      “We are Man Utd. We must win. We feel good, we feel happy to be in a final. We’ll come back here to win.
      “The most important thing is the victory. We’re in the final, that’s what matters.”
      Copy linkCopiedLastly from Robins
      On losing out on penalties and the historic afternoon, Robins concluded: “There’s always a bit of gamesmanship [in penalties]. We needed to score the five goals. We scored the five in the summer and missed the sixth and Luton went up. It feels like a kick in the teeth.
      “I’m really proud of them.
      “We’ve just said to them they’ve put themselves right up there in the history of the football club. People will talk about this game for a long time.”
      Copy linkCopiedFinally from ETH
      He says his side have a great chance to win the final against Manchester City, despite playing the best football team in the world.
      He finished: “I want to win it. I’m sure we have a good chance to win this final, although we play the best team in the world.
      “We do have a chance though. We showed that this season.
      “This season has had many ups but also many downs. Winning the FA Cup doesn’t make it successful, we want to win more.
      “We have been in three finals in two years, which is good, but we had a lot of setbacks this season.
      “We’ve had a lot of injuries and hopefully those players can be back for the final. If we go with a squad who believe then we have a chance to win a trophy.”

      Copy linkCopiedRight mentality
      Ten Hag would also praise his side’s mentality and said they have character which they showed…
      He continued: “We can’t say this group doesn’t have the right mentality because they showed character today, but in the final part there was a lack of discipline.
      “We have to keep the ball, keep making passes, go for goal and then also be strong in defence. It’s about communication and we have to improve on this.
      “It was about mentality in that moment. You have a plan and have full confidence so I told them to stick to the plan.
      “I had confidence we would win the shootout. Normally Casemiro scores, we train them very well.”
      Copy linkCopied’Resilience’
      Erik ten Hag claims his side showed RESILIENCE to win the penalty shoot out.
      And he called it a ‘strange game’ having thrown away a three-goal lead.
      He told ITV: “It was an incredible game, a strange game too. We had total control for so long and then gave it away in the last part of the game. We did show resilience to win the penalty shootout.
      “We had control for 75 minutes and have to give Coventry a compliment for what they did in the last 15 minutes.
      “We have to improve. We talk a lot about this. First you have to put yourself in a winning position but then you have to take it over the line. In these moments we are making mistakes and not keeping our responsibilities.”
      Copy linkCopiedMore from Robins
      The Coventry boss was gutted that VAR ruled out the club’s huge moment, adding: “You get to penalties and it’s a lottery. You don’t hold anything against anyone if they show the courage to take one in a cauldron.
      “It’s a toe nail. Those lines are the bane of our life. You don’t get a chance often to go to an FA Cup final and we were really really close.
      “We have to pick ourselves up because there’s a game on Wednesday.”

      Copy linkCopiedMark Robins reacts
      The Coventry boss hailed his ‘incredible’ team for their comeback and admitted he ‘couldn’t be prouder’.
      He said: “We conceded too many poor goals. We knew we had to make changes which we did at half-time. We spoke about not having regrets. We started to look more of a threat.
      “To come back from 3-0 down is incredible. Some good quality football. We were really disappointed at the end.
      “We hit the bar and had a goal disallowed. It was a really difficult game. We lose Tavares to injury and had to make another change.
      “If you can attack them you can really hurt them. I can’t be prouder of them. They did fantastically well. I think we’ve made Coventry proud.
      Copy linkCopiedProud
      Coventry’s admin reacts to the penalty shoot out defeat.
      We fought like hell to turn that around, and we nearly did it. Your noise took us all the way and together we found ourselves on the brink of something incredible. Our boys did us proud. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/2qNuQZFQRZ— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) April 21, 2024

      Copy linkCopiedLooking ahead
      And United go into the final as underdogs, clearly.
      A performance like that next month could be quite something! Betfair odds:

      Man City 9/31
      Man United 12/5

      Copy linkCopiedPlayer ratings
      Bruno Fernandes was awarded player of the match, as we said.
      But how did SunSport view United’s players in the performance this afternoon.
      Well, you can find out now!

      Copy linkCopiedBruno POTM
      Bruno Fernandes was given player of the match this afternoon and admitted he thought Coventry’s ‘goal’ in extra time was offside when it happened.
      And also said winning just the FA Cup doesn’t mean it’s been a successful season.
      He told ITV: “When they scored a goal we thought it might be offside, we couldn’t tell from the front.
      “We put ourselves in a difficult position and should have killed it earlier but we didn’t. We have to do so much better.”
      “We’ll never be successful if just winning FA Cup.
      “The standard of this club is much higher than what we have been doing. We have to do better in the league, the League Cup and in Europe.”
      Copy linkCopiedMatch report
      Probably only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could manage to book a place in an FA Cup Final while hanging their heads in shame. 
      But while United eventually confirmed a second consecutive all-Manchester final in this competition, the way they chucked away a three-goal lead against Championship Coventry was extraordinary even by their standards of low farce.
      And when Coventry’s Victor Torp netted in the 120th minute it looked like the most ridiculous comeback in Wembley history until VAR Thomas Bramall ruled it out for a marginal offside in the build-up. 
      Yet United came from behind in a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out as Coventry skipper Ben Sheaf blazed his effort horribly off-target to send United through.
      Mark Robins, who once saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s skin with a famous FA Cup goal, watched his Sky Blues roar back with three goals in the final 20 minutes – an Ellis Simms strike, a deflected Callum O’Hare effort and a controversial penalty converted by Haji Wright. 
      United were roundly booed by their own supporters at the end of normal time, as Coventry’s delirious supporters partied like it was 1987, when their club won the Cup in a classic final against Tottenham.

      Copy linkCopiedFull time stats
      A total swing in the game after half time. They were cruising at the interval.
      The stats showing there was really very little between the sides in the end.

      Copy linkCopiedMore from Maguire
      He told ITV (per BBC): “We found a way. We started the game really well and then conceded a sloppy goal. We were unfortunate to concede the second goal.
      “I think the penalty was so hard but all credit to Coventry. They made it tough for us in the second half of extra time.
      “It sums up our season, we had great control and played well for 60 minutes but then we conceded out of nothing.
      “Then I don’t know, it seems like the world wanted Coventry to go on and do it. We showed great character to stick with it and it was important to win the shootout.”
      Copy linkCopiedTen Hag to go?
      Erik ten Hag is now the favourite to be the next manager to leave his post after that showing.
      4/1 with Betfair this morning, he’s now the market leader at 3/1.

      No Manager To Leave 17/20
      Erik ten Hag 3/1
      Vincent Kompany 15/2
      Chris Wilder 9/1
      David Moyes 12/1

      Copy linkCopiedFinal once more
      Plenty of reaction to come after that one.
      But it will be a Manchester derby in the FA Cup final for the second successive year.
      Copy linkCopiedImmediate reaction
      Harry Maguire tells ITV: “We found a way. It sums up our season.”
      Copy linkCopiedContrast in the fans
      The United end is half empty! Some had left when it looked like Coventry won it at the death.
      Half empty is maybe giving them credit too!
      Coventry’s fans all raise their sky blue flags in appreciation of their players who now go to take a standing ovation.

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 3-3 Man Utd (United win on penalties)
      Heartbreak for Coventry City. A cruel way to lose.
      As Onana and Hojlund celebrate in front of the fans, not one United player makes the run to celebrate with them from the halfway line.
      They know fine well they’ve got away with one here. Big time.
      Tears in the Coventry end and in the players who missed too.
      Copy linkCopiedPenalties
      HOJLUND SCORES! UNITED WIN THE SHOOTOUT!
      Man Utd: ❌✔️✔️✔️✔️
      Coventry: ✔️✔️❌❌
      Copy linkCopiedPenalties
      Sheaf SKIES his penalty! Onana with the mind games to put him off and was booked for doing so.
      Man Utd: ❌✔️✔️✔️
      Coventry: ✔️✔️❌❌
      Copy linkCopiedPenalties
      Fernandes strokes it home to hand United lead!
      Man Utd: ❌✔️✔️✔️
      Coventry: ✔️✔️❌
      Copy linkCopiedPenalties
      Onana saves from O’Hare! Poor penalty!
      Man Utd: ❌✔️✔️
      Coventry: ✔️✔️❌
      Copy linkCopied More

    • 300 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Coventry City 1-3 Man Utd – LIVE SCORE: FA Cup semi-final ON NOW as Simms pulls one back for Sky Blues – latest updates

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are taking on Coventry City in a huge FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium RIGHT NOW!And the Red Devils took the lead through Scott McTominay’s 23rd-minute finish.Right on half-time Harry Maguire doubled his side’s lead with a bullet header from a corner.United captain Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 just before the hour mark after pouncing on a Coventry defensive error before Ellis Simms netted for 3-1 to set up a dramatic finish.Manchester City await the winner of this afternoon’s clash in the big final after their 1-0 win over Chelsea yesterday.
      TV channel/ live stream: ITV1/ ITVX
      Coventry City team: Collins, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Eccles, Sheaf, O’Hare, Van Ewijk, Simms, Wright
      Man Utd team: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollow ALL of the latest updates from Wembley below…GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!
      GAME ON AT WEMBLEY – O’HARE SCORES WITH 12 MINUTES TO GO!
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 1-3 Man Utd
      75. United keeping the ball to take the sting out of things at the moment.
      Dalot and Antony combine before the latter tries to find Eriksen with a ball in behind but it’s overhit and scooped up by Collins.

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 1-3 Man Utd
      73. United change:

      OFF: Mainoo
      ON: Eriksen

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 1-3 Man Utd
      71. Well then…
      It’s a good move down the right. O’Hare picks out Tavares on the Coventry right.
      He looks up and picks out Simms in the middle with a cross. He’s virtually all alone, eight yards out. The ball is just behind him but he swings his right foot at it and powers it into the bottom corner.
      It’s actually off his SHIN. But he won’t mind. Neither the 36,000 behind the goal who go berserk.
      Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!
      COVENTRY HAVE ONE BACK – IT’S ELLIS SIMMS!
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      70. One of those funny moments (except when it happens to you).
      O’Hare collects the ball inside the box and after taking a touch, Maguire steps across and uses strength to push him off the ball for a United goal kick.
      Rob Jones points for a goal kick and the fans behind the goal cheer hugely, thinking a penalty has been awarded.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      68. A rare effort at goal for Coventry.
      A cross from the right picks out O’Hare in the box ahead of the near post. He throws himself at it in a flying motion but misses the target by quite some way.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      65. United change:

      OFF: Garnacho
      ON: Antony

      He’s not happy about it again, Garnacho. Someone hide his phone, quickly!

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      64. Another Coventry corner as a cross from the right takes a wicked deflection into the side of the net.
      Again, it’s curled onto the head of Maguire who heads away with ease.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      63. Mark Robins makes a triple substitution:

      OFF: Kitching, Eccles & Latibeaudiere
      ON: Tavares, Binks & Torp

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      63. Maguire should have two to his name!
      The deep free kick finds Casemiro all alone who heads back into the danger area.
      The break of the ball lands to Maguire 10 yards out and he stabs an effort at goal but sends it over the bar!
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      62. Free kick United. Midway inside the Coventry half as the big men push forward.

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      60. Coventry win a corner from the restart.
      Again, United deal with it well.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-3 Man Utd
      59. A contrast in quality and it was shown there.
      Coventry with a chance to get one back when a deep cross finds Wright. He takes his time, dithers on it and allows United to get back into a shape.
      The move eventually breaks down after some slow play and it’s cleared to Garnacho who springs the counter.
      Fernandes and Rashford involved before the former picks the ball up inside the box and on his left foot, he works some room and smashes low and hard at goal, sneaking in at the front post.
      A Manchester derby final it is – again!
      Copy linkCopiedGOOOOAAAALLLL!!!
      3-0 – BRUNO FERNANDES WRAPS UP THIS SEMI FINAL!
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-2 Man Utd
      56. The marathon man has made it for the second half – just as he’d hoped!
      A respectable four hours, 30 minutes and 52 seconds it took Sir Jim Ratcliffe to complete the race this morning.

      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-2 Man Utd
      56. Defended easily.
      United almost spring a counter but Fernandes’ ball forward is poor and easily cut out.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-2 Man Utd
      55. Great defending from Wan-Bissaka to stop van Ewijk getting onto the end of a cross.
      He touches it behind for a corner to Coventry in front of their own fans.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-2 Man Utd
      54. Coventry just snapping into the tackle a bit more now.
      Fernandes and Garnacho both sent flying in the same move as the Sky Blues fans behind the goal start to get excited.
      Copy linkCopiedCoventry 0-2 Man Utd
      52. United lose the ball cheaply on the edge of their own box and Coventry are pressing higher here.
      The ball ricochets to Sheaf who snatches at a shot 25 yards from goal which rolls harmlessly wide.

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      50. Fernandes lays it off to Rashford to strike from 25 yards out at a better angle but it’s blocked and Coventry clear.
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      49. United launch a counter attack through Rashford, who drives 45 yards up the pitch.
      He cuts in from the left when approaching the box and is brought down.
      22 yards from goal but wide on the left. Probably too far left for a shot at goal.

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      47. So very nearly three!
      Fernandes picks the ball up on the left corner of the 18-yard box and works the ball onto his right foot.
      He sends a dipping, curling attempt towards the far post and it misses the post by a matter of centimetres. It had Collins scrambling anyway!
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      46. It does look like a change of shape for the Championship side, going to a back four.
      Copy linkCopiedSECOND HALF
      Coventry City get the second half up and running!
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      Crystal Palace vs West Ham LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Eagles host Hammers in huge clash

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      CRYSTAL PALACE host West Ham in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.The Eagles are looking to steer well clear of the drop zone while the Hammers are still in the hunt for a place in Europe next season.
      Kick off time: 3pm BST
      TV/Stream: Not available to watch in the UK.
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      Aston Villa vs Bournemouth LIVE SCORE: Villans look to build on shock Arsenal win against Cherries – Prem updates

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      ASTON VILLA continue their top four chase with a Premier League home affair against Bournemouth.The Villans put a huge dent in Arsenal’s title chase during their last encounter with a 2-0 win at the Emirates.And they are expected to face another tricky test as they come up against a Bournemouth side who held Manchester United to a draw.
      Kick-off time: 3pm BST
      Live stream/TV: Not televised in the UK
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      Aston Villa 3 Bournemouth 1: Villans take huge step towards Champions League with comeback days after Lille heroics

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      VILLA’S shattered stars ended the day on their knees, exhausted following their heroics here and in Lille.But by full-time every Villa fan inside Villa Park was on their feet, roaring their appreciation of their weary wonders!Aston Villa go six points clear of Spurs after beating Bournemouth 3-1Credit: RexMoussa Diaby scored the winning goal for VillaCredit: ReutersTake a bow Unai Emery and his battling heroes, who summoned the strength to come from behind and snatch three crucial points to go six clear of Spurs.Things looked bleak for the Conference League semi-finalists when Dominic Solanke fired the Cherries in front from the penalty spot.But Morgan Rogers levelled in first-half stoppage-time to breathe new life into Emery’s men and Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey finished Bournemouth off after the break.It means if Villa can beat Chelsea next Saturday they will open up a nine-point gap over Ange Postecoglou’s men, who face Arsenal the following day.Emery’s boys were always going to be weary and leggy following their 120 minutes plus penalties drama in Lille, which would have sucked the life out of most teams.So it was a smart move on the part of the club to change the first team coach’s usual route to Villa Park.This took it down Trinity Road where thousands of cheering Villa fans had converged to give their heroes a rowdy welcome – flares and all – to inject fresh life into those weary limbs.Once inside the ground those in Villa’s Holte End really did try to live up to the banner they proudly display at every home game.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey sang themselves hoarse: “Emi Martinez, the World’s No.1,” rang out all around the famous old ground. It worked a treat because Villa started on the front foot, intent on getting off to a good start while there was still freshness in their limbs.Arsenal’s title chances are ‘100% gone’ according to club legend who savages ‘lazy’ Gunners after Aston Villa shockerMoussa Diaby set up Ollie Watkins whose shot was blocked by Illia Zabarnyi.John McGinn fired an angled effort well wide following a short corner from Leon Bailey.And the Jamaican wing king delivered a deliciously teasing cross which just evaded Pau Torres.But Bournemouth weathered the expected early blitzkrieg and Martinez had to show his class to keep out a venomous effort from Justin Kluivert which stung his outstretched palm.Lloyd Kelly then picked out Dango Ouattara at the back post but the Burkina Faso international fired into the side netting.Bournemouth were now in the ascendancy and they took the lead just after the half hour mark – ironically in this week of all weeks – from the penalty spot.Kluivert engaged Matty Cash before slipping the ball to his left where Milos Kerkez was overlapping.Cash, Villa’s hero in Lille took the bait, dived in and sent the wide man tumbling.That left Dominic Solankje with one of the most unappealing jobs in football – trying to beat Emi Martinez from the spot.The Argentine was up to his usual tricks trying to psyche him out, whipping the Holte End into a frenzy.They responded by chanting their Martinez mantra over and over again.Fully three minutes had passed between the penalty being awarded and being taken. But to his credit Solanke showed nerves of steel to fire the ball to Martinez’s right, just high enough to evade his left glove.”You’re just a s**t Ollie Watkins,” jeered Villa fans.Cash tried to make up for his blunder with a rasping right footer which whistled just wide from 25 yards.Then Zabarnyi rode his luck with a blatant push on Watkins in the box which could easily have earned the striker a tit-for-tat penalty.But Villa summoned up one final push before the break and were rewarded with an equaliser.Bailey produced a stunning pass to Morgan Rogers with the outside of his right boot and the 21-year-old expertly chopped inside Adam Smith before lashing the ball high into the roof of the net.It was a stunning strike and it revitalised Villa who ended the half with McGinn and Tielemans bickering after the Belgian failed to deliver the ball into the middle before the half-time whistle blew.Villa’s tails were up now and after Watkins fired a couple of harmless efforts at Neto, they finally hit the front.Rogers played in Watkins who chopped inside Zabarnyi and rolled an inch-perfect pass across the face of goal for Diaby to side-foot past Neto from seven yards.Bailey then sent Watkins clear with a stunning 40 yard pass with the outside of his boot but the striker shot wide.However Villa grabbed a two-goal cushion when Diaby held off Max Aarons to feed Watkins who rounded Neto and Bailey made sure to poke the striker’s shot over the line.Emery punched the air over and over again in delight.Bournemouth were denied a late lifeline when Martinez beat out Semenyo’s shot and Enes Unal netted the rebound – but he was flagged for offside.But there are no signs of Villa flagging and they left the field to an ovation from their 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      Everton 2 Nottingham Forest 0: Gueye and McNeil’s long-range strikes earn Toffees crucial win in docked points derby

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      IT WASN’T a pretty sight – and that was just Sean Dyche wearing a track suit.The Everton boss ditched his trademark white shirt and tie for a dark blue number complete with pink flashes that was anything but a stylish fashion statement.Everton came out on top in a crucial relegation battleCredit: GettyNottingham Forest left themselves with plenty to do to ensure survivalCredit: PAYet he still found himself dressed for success as the Toffees produced their first league win at Goodison Park in 23 attempts.Salvation was ugly for most of the time in the win that offers the crisis club a desperately needed lifeline to safety while only adding to the growing worries of opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo.Forest are deeper in the mire with only one win in ten thanks to Idrissa Gueye’s scuffed opener before Dwight McNeil’s classy clincher in the only moment that was beautiful in this desperate “deduction derby”.But Dyche, who only proved that 52 year olds almost never look their best when the wear tight-fitting trackies, could not have cared less about how this looked – or what football’s fashionistas might say about how he looked either.His mood at the final whistle was a whole lot brighter than what it was going into the game.He had pointed the finger at everyone, including his own players, for being labelled as the wrong man to save his side from relegation.Beleaguered majority owner Farhad Moshiri got it in the neck for not warning that the club’s finances were in such a mess that points penalties were possible over huge losses.He condemned fans for the how they were saying he had gone from hero to zero after he led their team to safety last season.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSean Dyche has managed to navigate his Everton side to the brink of safety despite two point deductionsCredit: AlamyThe former Burnley boss didn’t mince his words with those players, either, in the wake of last Monday’s 6–0 humiliation by Chelsea.From the start they didn’t take kindly, either, to his mocking words in saying to them: “Is it that tie of the year again when you just want an easy life and a new manager”What is FFP? How Financial Fair Play is affecting Man Utd and Arsenal in January transfer window“Lads, I’m not that guy. I’m staying, I’m fighting.”Some of those doubting supporters may now have changed their minds although the response from his players at the start suggested they were deeply in the huff with him.It took 27 minutes to get a touch in the Forest box and that a poor, weak header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.Ashley Young somehow dodged the attention of referee Anthony Taylor and survived a VAR examination after kicking right through Ona Reyna.A minute from the break the veteran got away with blue murder again, this time clearly sticking out an arm to block Calum Hudson-Odoi’s cross.Jordan Pickford, meanwhile, appeared in no mood for the battle with the other side hit by the Prem for breaching Prem profit and sustainability rules.He sent a shocking clearance straight to Morgan Gibbs-White before his defenders dashed to the rescue.There was also a spill from a straightforward shot from Hudson-Odoi that he desperately grabbed at the second attempt.Dyche’s players were living through their usual Hammers horror movie at home – having lost 17 and drawn five of their previous 22 games.But after Dyche broke the habit of a touchline lifetime Idrissa Gueye suddenly stepped out of his normal guise too.Idrissa Gueye’s long-range effort opened the scoring for EvertonCredit: ReutersAshley Young got away from VAR intervention on multiple occasionsCredit: ReutersThe last time he scored at Goodison was over six years ago yet there he was striding through to score even if his 29th minute strike from outside the box was something of a miss – hit.Everton fans always scream at him not to shoot and this was his 100th effort from outside the box – so little wonder.Yet the Forest rear guard failed to clear their lines and the Senegal international’s low strike somehow beat Matz Sels all ends up.Having suggested in his performance that he was seriously underwhelmed by Dyche’s scathing words, he then morphed into the England No 1 again in his 250th top flight game for the Toffees.His reaction as Gibbs-White fired a cross to Chris Wood was sensational, moving two yards to his left to block the striker’s far post, point – blank volley.Then he stuck up his fist to block the striker’s re-bound effort.Forest boss Nuno had a face like thunder and who could blame him for the move only underlined how technically superior his team had been.Things got more frustrating for him after Young dodged a bullet for a third time, his tackle mid – way through the second half looking less worthy of action from VAR Stuart Atwell..And then, 16 minutes from the end, they got so much worse for the Portuguese and his team as Everton finally came out of their shell.Dyche’s players had been in trench warfare mode for much of the second half but suddenly they produced the game’s only true touch of style.James Garner slid the ball into McNeil who played a one – two with Abdoulaye Doucoure, then delivered the sweetest of low left footers that hit the net off the foot of the post.Dwight McNeil sealed the three points on MerseysideCredit: GettySEE HOW IT HAPPENED… More