Premier League

CHELSEA fans have slammed Sheffield United after their clash at Bramall Lane was moved to a tea-time kick-off – because of the city’s half marathon.Mauricio Pochettino’s side had already seen the Bramall Lane visit switched to a 1.30pm start on Sunday April 7.Sheffield United vs Chelsea will kick off at a different timeCredit: GettyBut Prem fixtures chiefs announced it would now kick-off at 5.30pm as the result of a “home club request”.That is due to the Sheffield Half-Marathon, with a field of more than 5,000, with a 9.30am city centre start and finish due at noon – a fact which passed both Prem and Blades officials by.And the Chelsea Supporters Trust, still furious with broadcasters and Prem bosses after their game at Wolves was played on Christmas Eve, vented their anger once again.The Trust said: “This is just another kick in the teeth to loyal match going supporters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“This is the latest occasion of supporters being treated with disrespect, especially as this issue was totally foreseeable.“Our message to all parties involved with fixture scheduling is clear: stop treating match going supporters with total disrespect – or risk stadiums becoming lifeless, soulless and without passion.”The Trust also asked fans who are out of pocket for train ticket price changes to get in touch ahead of a claim on their behalf being made to both the League and Sheffield United.Prem bosses, who were only informed of the clash this week, are understood to have sympathy for the fans’ plight as it is accepted that Sheffield United have taken full responsibility for the late change.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea played Sheff Utd in December and beat Chris Wilder’s side 2-0.Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson got on the scoresheet as Mauricio Pochettino’s team bossed the match with 78 per cent possession.Sheffield United face a battle to stay in the Prem after picking up just 13 points from 26 games.They could be all but relegated by the time the Blues visit Bramall Lane, with games against Arsenal, Bournemouth, Fulham and Liverpool coming up before Chelsea.Chelsea’s forgotten wonderkids – Where are they now? (1) More

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER says he and Mohamed Salah taunt Virgil van Dijk every day with a Lionel Messi-inspired tease.Van Dijk was a part of the Netherlands team who lost the 2022 World Cup quarter-final to Messi’s Argentina.Alexis MacAllister and Mo Salah tease Virgil van Dijk every day over World Cup 2022 defeatCredit: GettyThe game ended in a competition record of 18 yellow cards and one red card with Messi calling VVD’s team-mate Wout Weghorst a “fool” after the game.After a 2-2 draw, Argentina won 4-3 on penalties, making it a match Van Dijk would rather forget.However, Argentine Liverpool team-mate Mac Allister will not let him do so, and has roped in Salah to help.Mac Allister told DSports: “With Salah we are telling Van Dijk all day, ‘Go ahead, stupid’ [‘Anda pa’lla, bobo’].READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We drive him crazy. We also do it with each other with Mo when something happens.”Messi has since said he regrets what he said to Weghorst after he saw a picture of him shouting at the Dutchman.The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “I don’t like this picture. I don’t like what I did. “There was a lot of tension and it came out naturally.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt’s clear Messi’s international co-star Mac Allister does not feel bad and is keen to use it against Van Dijk for some fun. But the midfielder has probably kept quiet recently as there has been nothing to fault about Van Dijk’s recent performances.Mohamed Salah ‘agrees Saudi contract’The Dutch sensation scored their extra-time winner against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last weekend to win his eighth trophy at the club.The 32-year-old then kept a clean sheet in Liverpool’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Southampton.Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties at the 2022 World CupCredit: AP More

KOBBIE MAINOO has been a rare bright spark for Manchester United this season – but he was nearly snatched away by rivals Manchester City.The midfielder joined the Red Devils at the age of six and progressed through the academy at The Cliff.Kobbie Mainoo picked United over City at a young ageCredit: GettyHe broke into the first-team this season and has made 20 appearances this season, scoring twice.Mainoo, 18, has caught the eye with his impressive performances and there is even talk of Gareth Southgate calling up the youngster to the England squad.But his career could have played out very differently if he had made a different choice as a youngster.With Mainoo already training at United, he had the option to switch to City after having sessions at their academy base.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut after around a year playing at both clubs Mainoo picked United because of the freedom he was given in his football, according to The Athletic.The club fostered a culture that allowed players to make mistakes on the ball – an environment that appealed to Mainoo.Mainoo’s ability to play without fear has propelled him into the limelight this season with a number of pundits tipping the wonderkid to get an England call up.Ian Wright pointed to his bravery under pressure as one of the reason why he deserves to be in the next Three Lions squad.Most read in FootballThe youngster has impressed since breaking into the first-teamBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad.”Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we’ve not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him.”Gary Lineker labelled Mainoo “remarkable” and claimed he could sneak into the Euro 2024 squad.Roy Keane blasts ‘frightened to death’ Man Utd stars and highlights Harry Maguire as reason why they can’t press More

RODRI is bidding to become English ­football’s greatest “Invincible” in the Manchester derby on Sunday.The Manchester City colossus last lost a club game at Tottenham in ­February 2023.Rodri has not lost a game with Manchester City for more than 12 monthsCredit: GettyKyle Walker does not believe Declan Rice is on Rodri’s levelCredit: GettySince then he has gone 58 appearances unbeaten — equalling the record set by former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.A draw or a win for the midfielder against Manchester United this weekend will see him go ahead of that mark and emphasise, once again, his importance to Pep Guardiola’s team.No wonder his City team-mates claim the 27-year-old is the “finished article” — and put him in contention for one of football’s top player prizes.Asked if he should be in the frame for the Ballon d’Or, City skipper Kyle Walker said: “For what he did last season, what we did as a club, and the specialist he is in his position, he should be mentioned.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He doesn’t have social media. I don’t know . . . maybe it’s that!”It cannot be a coincidence that City have been unbeatable with Rodri in their line-up for over a year.When he was suspended early in the season, after a red card against Nottingham Forest, City lost all three games without him — at Newcastle, Wolves and Arsenal.City made a move for England’s Declan Rice in the summer before he opted to join Arsenal for £105million from West Ham.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRodri and Rice’s Premier League stats so far this seasonWalker is a huge fan of 25-year-old Rice but says he is not yet at Rodri’s level.He added: “I don’t think there is a better holding midfielder in the world right now than Rodri.’I’ve never seen that before’, says ITV commentator after spotting what Pep Guardiola did on touchline during FA Cup tie”Rice is playing really well and Mikel Arteta can teach him the philosophy and probably the Barcelona way that Rodri has grown up watching.”Dec’s got more than enough capability of doing that but he’s not the ­finished article.”The finished article — or a step above the rest — at the minute is Rodri.”Rodri does so much more than just protecting his defence — although he does a pretty decent job of that.His all-round game has improved. He pops up with some huge goals, none bigger than the one in Istanbul which won the Champions League in June.Walker added: “What’s key about him is his consistency, the level he always plays at and how he adapts and dedicates himself to the game.”Defender Nathan Ake is grateful for the barrier that Rodri gives the City backline — but says there is so much more to his game than that.The Dutch international said: “Rodri is massive for us. He’s probably the best in the world in his position.”The way he controls games and in vital moments comes up with crucial goals. He’s a great all-rounder.”It seems strange that after a largely underwhelming first season in 2019-20, some pundits wondered if the £62.5m signing was ready to step into the shoes of City legend Fernandinho.He has proved the doubters wrong in the three years since and wrote his name into club folklore with that goal to beat Inter to complete the Treble.Although he was given the night off at Luton this week — and City still rattled in six without him — he has become indispensable to Guardiola for the biggest games.During the pre-season tour of the Far East, Rodri admitted his workload had been too much.The medics at the Etihad seem to have listened as Phil Foden, Walker and Ederson have all played more minutes than him this season.City want Rodri available when it really matters and since his red-mist moment against Forest in September, he has cleaned up his act.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has not been booked in his last seven domestic appearances — meaning his seven yellow cards give him some leeway before what could be a costly suspension.City have managed without key men such as Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne — but losing Rodri for any length of time would be a more significant blow.Walker heaped praise on team-mate RodriCredit: Reuters More