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CHEICK TIOTE’S son was Newcastle’s mascot against Arsenal tonight – 14 year to the day his late dad scored a dramatic late equaliser against the Gunners.Tiote was just 30 years old when he tragically passed away from cardiac arrest in June 2017.Cheick Tiote’s son Rafael was Newcastle’s mascot against ArsenalCredit: GettyIt has been 14 years to the day since the late Tiote netted a dramatic equaliser against ArsenalCredit: AFP – GettyThe Ivory Coast midfielder fell ill when training with Chinese side Beijing SU.And his death sent shockwaves around the world of football.Newcastle were left particularly devastated, with Tiote passing away just six months after leaving St James’ Park.He played 156 times for Toon from 2010 to 2017, becoming a major fan favourite in the process.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, Newcastle paid tribute to Tiote by making son Rafael their official match mascot.The 11-year-old, who visited the club as a guest in 2021, proudly posed in his black and white stripes at St James’ Park before kick-off.And Rafael’s time in the limelight came exactly 14 years after dad Cheick netted a dramatic late equaliser in Newcastle’s 4-4 draw with Arsenal.The league match, which took place in 2011, saw the Gunners race into a 4-0 lead in the north east.Most read in FootballBut a red card for Abou Diaby saw Newcastle battle back for 4-3.Tiote then became a club hero with a brilliant long-range strike in the 86th minute to seal a point for the hosts.Newcastle stars Sandro Tonali and Sven Botman filmed using mobile phones behind wheels of supercarsNewcastle icon Tiote tragically passed away aged 30 in 2017Credit: GettyFans reacted with delight to Rafael’s presence at St James’ ParkCredit: GettyAnd fans reacted with delight when they saw son Rafael wearing his dad’s shirt on Wednesday night.Newcastle first tweeted: “We are honoured to have Cheick Tiote’s son, Rafael, as one of our mascots for tonight’s game.”Once a Geordie, always a Geordie.”One fan replied saying: “That is class.”Another declared: “Cheers lads I’m in tears now.”One noted: “Football heritage.”Another added: “This is beautiful.” More

SIR DAVE BRAILSFORD has revealed a new plan to Manchester United staff aimed at delivering a 21st English league title.The Ineos director of sport is taking on a bigger role in operations at Old Trafford alongside technical director Jason Wilcox following the surprise departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth five months into the job.Sir Dave Brailsford has laid out ‘Mission 21’ to land Man Utd’s 21st titleCredit: GettyIt comes under the broader scheme of ‘Project 150’ to win the league by 2028Credit: Getty Images – GettyA separate ‘Mission 1’ also aims to win the Women’s Super League for the first timeCredit: GettyAnd Brailsford, one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s key lieutenants across a successful sporting empire, has now drafted plans to ambitiously win Man Utd the league, according to The Times.The Red Devils last won the title in 2013.The “Mission 21” plans were laid out late last year at the club’s Carrington training centre, with the assistance of ex-Liverpool performance nutritionist James Morton.Morton previously worked at Team Sky cycling team, overseeing their nutrition strategy for FOUR Tour de France victories. Prior to that he worked at Liverpool from 2010 to 2015.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA separate plan, labelled “Mission 1”, was also unveiled to help the women’s team – seemingly an afterthought to club chiefs – to win the Women’s Super League for the first time.Both missions come under the broader “Project 150″, which aims to get the club back to winning the Premier League by the club’s 150th anniversary in 2028.”Project 150” was unveiled to staff last summer by CEO Omar Berradam, while Wilcox, Brailsford and chief operating officer Collette Roche are the key figures behind the scheme.Brailsford’s focus is on the performance of the club, with his “marginal gains” mantra being a central theme in the 60-year-old’s early work that brought success in cycling.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, Roche is overseeing the modernisation of the club’s training facilities and the Old Trafford redevelopment strategy.External experts have also been parachuted in to offer their industry-leading insights.Why Marcus Rashford could be perfect fit for Aston Villa after Man Utd transferIt was reported last week United had hired the expertise of legendary athletics coach, Harry Marra, who was named World Athletic’s Coach of the Year in 2016.Speaking on the hire, manager Ruben Amorim said: “It was not me; it was the club.”We are always trying to bring experienced people to share the knowledge with the staff and to understand the body and how we can improve our players.”It was not me. It’s not something new; he’s not there to coach the team; it’s more to coach the staff about the running, etcetera. It’s a simple thing we are used to doing to improve as a club.”Amorim’s side continues to take one step forward and two steps back since his arrival and radical change of system to a 3-4-3 formation.After winning three games on the bounce, United then fell to defeat against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.This form has put them 13th in the table, as close to the relegation spots as to the top five.Patrick Dorgu was added to the senior squad as a £25million purchase that should slot straight into the first team.READ MORE SUN STORIESSunSport’s tactical guru Dean Scoggins explained how the 20-year-old is a “perfect” signing for Amorim’s Man Utd. The Red Devils face Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday before visiting Tottenham in the Premier League the following weekend.Man Utd player ratings vs Crystal PalaceMANCHESTER UNITED’S mini-revival under Ruben Amorim came to an abrupt end as Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford.Here’s how the Red Devils stars rated on a disappointing day.Andre Onana – 5Was left vulnerable by a shaky back-line and beaten by Lacroix’s looping header, which came off the crossbar into Mateta’s path.But he couldn’t do much about the second goal.Leny Yoro – 5Came in for De Ligt, who was benched. Was inches away from scoring his first United goal early on.Did well to block Mitchell after a Mazraoui error, but his positioning was a problem later in the game.Harry Maguire – 3Lost his battle with centre forward Mateta, who held the ball up well and got in behind every time, and was left stranded for the Frenchman’s first goal.Hasn’t connected with Yoro. Palace, namely Sarr, opened them both up with ease and should’ve buried some chances through Mateta.Lisandro Martinez – 6Was stretchered off after jarring his knee in the 79th minute.The Argentine has been scoring the goals recently, but blazed a centre-back’s shot over the bar on the brink of half-time.Noussair Mazraoui – 5He was okay in the right wing-back role again but it is obviously not his best position.Struggled with the dual threat of Mitchell and Daichi Kamada down Palace’s left side.Diogo Dalot – 4Awful link-up play with a horrible blind pass inside the Palace box in a promising team position before the break. He’s not a left winger and it’s clear why Patrick Dorgu has been signed.Manuel Ugarte – 6Missing in the middle when Mateta’s stunning 80-yard run. Missed half a chance in the second-half.Bruno Fernandes – 5Restricted. Couldn’t get forward much and was unlucky not to score from his usual 20-yard territory after being denied by Henderson.Was one of three United players booked.Amad Diallo – 6Great individual runs, on and off the ball. Dropped to wing-back after Mainoo came off and was involved in anything good creatively.Alejandro Garnacho – 5Predictable build-up. But worked hard tracking back as one of the two 10s.Was quieter in the second half and struggled to step up when the going got tough.Kobbie Mainoo – 4Huge experiment by Amorim to have Mainoo lead the line, albeit falsely. It didn’t pay off, but it wasn’t all his fault.He didn’t get the service or have the hold up play required to be effective.SUBSHojlund (’70 for Mainoo) – 5Came on for the last 20 minutes and ran around a bit without doing much of note.Zirkzee (’70 for Mazraoui) – 5As above, not a great deal to write home about despite trying to make things happen.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More