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Category: Sports

  • Scores & Fixtures

    UEFA Champions League
    Knockout Round Play-offs
    Brest versus PSG kick off 17:45
    BrestBrest
    17:4517:45
    plays
    PSGPSG

    Juventus versus PSV kick off 20:00
    JuventusJuventus
    20:0020:00
    plays
    PSVPSV

    Manchester City versus Real Madrid kick off 20:00
    Manchester CityManchester City
    20:0020:00
    plays
    Real MadridReal Madrid

    Sporting CP versus Borussia Dortmund kick off 20:00
    Sporting CPSporting CP
    20:0020:00
    plays
    Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund

    FA Cup
    4th Round
    Exeter City versus Nottingham Forest kick off 20:00
    Exeter CityExeter City
    20:0020:00
    plays
    Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest

    Championship
    Coventry City versus Queens Park Rangers kick off 19:45
    Coventry CityCoventry City
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers

    Derby County versus Oxford United kick off 19:45
    Derby CountyDerby County
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Oxford UnitedOxford United

    Portsmouth versus Cardiff City kick off 19:45
    PortsmouthPortsmouth
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Cardiff CityCardiff City

    Watford versus Leeds United kick off 19:45
    WatfordWatford
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Leeds UnitedLeeds United

    Norwich City versus Preston North End kick off 20:00
    Norwich CityNorwich City
    20:0020:00
    plays
    Preston North EndPreston North End

    League One
    Birmingham City versus Cambridge United kick off 19:45
    Birmingham CityBirmingham City
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Cambridge UnitedCambridge United

    Blackpool versus Rotherham United kick off 19:45
    BlackpoolBlackpool
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Rotherham UnitedRotherham United

    Bristol Rovers versus Stockport County kick off 19:45
    Bristol RoversBristol Rovers
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Stockport CountyStockport County

    Charlton Athletic versus Peterborough United kick off 19:45
    Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United

    Crawley Town versus Stevenage kick off 19:45
    Crawley TownCrawley Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    StevenageStevenage

    Leyton Orient versus Mansfield Town kick off 19:45
    Leyton OrientLeyton Orient
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Mansfield TownMansfield Town

    Reading versus Shrewsbury Town kick off 20:00
    ReadingReading
    20:0020:00
    plays
    Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury Town

    League Two
    AFC Wimbledon versus Crewe Alexandra kick off 19:45
    AFC WimbledonAFC Wimbledon
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra

    Barrow versus Milton Keynes Dons kick off 19:45
    BarrowBarrow
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Milton Keynes DonsMilton Keynes Dons

    Bradford City versus Accrington Stanley kick off 19:45
    Bradford CityBradford City
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Accrington StanleyAccrington Stanley

    Newport County versus Carlisle United kick off 19:45
    Newport CountyNewport County
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United

    Tranmere Rovers versus Fleetwood Town kick off 19:45
    Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Fleetwood TownFleetwood Town

    Walsall versus Gillingham kick off 19:45
    WalsallWalsall
    19:4519:45
    plays
    GillinghamGillingham

    National League
    Dagenham & Redbridge versus Woking kick off 19:45
    Dagenham & RedbridgeDagenham & Redbridge
    19:4519:45
    plays
    WokingWoking

    Gateshead versus Braintree Town kick off 19:45
    GatesheadGateshead
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Braintree TownBraintree Town

    Hartlepool United versus Tamworth kick off 19:45
    Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United
    19:4519:45
    plays
    TamworthTamworth

    Oldham Athletic versus Altrincham kick off 19:45
    Oldham AthleticOldham Athletic
    19:4519:45
    plays
    AltrinchamAltrincham

    Southend United versus Halifax Town kick off 19:45
    Southend UnitedSouthend United
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Halifax TownHalifax Town

    National League Cup
    Group A
    Maidenhead United versus Southampton U21 kick off 19:45
    Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead United
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Southampton U21Southampton U21

    Group B
    Rochdale versus Wolves U21 kick off 19:00
    RochdaleRochdale
    19:0019:00
    plays
    Wolves U21Wolves U21

    Scottish League One
    Cove Rangers versus Montrose kick off 19:45
    Cove RangersCove Rangers
    19:4519:45
    plays
    MontroseMontrose

    English Football League Trophy
    Quarter-finals
    Wrexham versus Bolton Wanderers kick off 19:30
    WrexhamWrexham
    19:3019:30
    plays
    Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers

    National League N / S
    North
    Alfreton Town versus Darlington kick off 19:45
    Alfreton TownAlfreton Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    DarlingtonDarlington

    Buxton versus South Shields kick off 19:45
    BuxtonBuxton
    19:4519:45
    plays
    South ShieldsSouth Shields

    Chester versus Kidderminster Harriers kick off 19:45
    ChesterChester
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Kidderminster HarriersKidderminster Harriers

    Chorley versus Brackley Town kick off 19:45
    ChorleyChorley
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Brackley TownBrackley Town

    Leamington versus Warrington Town kick off 19:45
    LeamingtonLeamington
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Warrington TownWarrington Town

    Marine versus Rushall Olympic kick off 19:45
    MarineMarine
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Rushall OlympicRushall Olympic

    Needham Market versus Hereford kick off 19:45
    Needham MarketNeedham Market
    19:4519:45
    plays
    HerefordHereford

    Peterborough Sports versus Oxford City kick off 19:45
    Peterborough SportsPeterborough Sports
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Oxford CityOxford City

    Scunthorpe United versus Curzon Ashton kick off 19:45
    Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Curzon AshtonCurzon Ashton

    Spennymoor Town versus Radcliffe kick off 19:45
    Spennymoor TownSpennymoor Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    RadcliffeRadcliffe

    South
    Chippenham Town versus Chesham United kick off 19:45
    Chippenham TownChippenham Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Chesham UnitedChesham United

    Dorking Wanderers versus Tonbridge Angels kick off 19:45
    Dorking WanderersDorking Wanderers
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Tonbridge AngelsTonbridge Angels

    Eastbourne Borough versus Hampton & Richmond kick off 19:45
    Eastbourne BoroughEastbourne Borough
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Hampton & RichmondHampton & Richmond

    Enfield Town versus Welling United kick off 19:45
    Enfield TownEnfield Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Welling UnitedWelling United

    Hornchurch versus Boreham Wood kick off 19:45
    HornchurchHornchurch
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Boreham WoodBoreham Wood

    Maidstone United versus Aveley kick off 19:45
    Maidstone UnitedMaidstone United
    19:4519:45
    plays
    AveleyAveley

    St Albans City versus Slough Town kick off 19:45
    St Albans CitySt Albans City
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Slough TownSlough Town

    Truro City versus Farnborough kick off 19:45
    Truro CityTruro City
    19:4519:45
    plays
    FarnboroughFarnborough

    Weston-super-Mare versus Salisbury kick off 19:45
    Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare
    19:4519:45
    plays
    SalisburySalisbury

    Weymouth versus Bath City kick off 19:45
    WeymouthWeymouth
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Bath CityBath City

    Worthing versus Torquay United kick off 19:45
    WorthingWorthing
    19:4519:45
    plays
    Torquay UnitedTorquay United

    Irish Premiership
    Linfield versus Larne kick off 19:45
    LinfieldLinfield
    19:4519:45
    plays
    LarneLarne

    Welsh Premier League
    Championship Round
    Caernarfon Town versus The New Saints kick off 19:45
    Caernarfon TownCaernarfon Town
    19:4519:45
    plays
    The New SaintsThe New Saints

    South Africa PSL
    TS Galaxy versus Mamelodi Sundowns kick off 17:30
    TS GalaxyTS Galaxy
    17:3017:30
    plays
    Mamelodi Sundowns

  • New Zealand Rugby begins legal action against Ineos

    New Zealand Rugby begins legal action against Ineos

    New Zealand Rugby (NZR) says it has launched legal action against Ineos for alleged breach of contract, saying the British petrochemicals company has walked away three years early from its sponsorship deal.

    In 2021 Manchester United co-owner Ineos, which is chaired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, agreed to become performance partner of NZR from 2022-27.

    The deal included Ineos branding on the back of playing shorts and on the front of training jerseys for the nation’s teams, including three-time World Cup winners the All Blacks and six-time women’s world champions the Black Ferns.

    In a statement on Tuesday, NZR said Ineos had “failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit our six-year agreement”.

    It added: “Having learned of Ineos’ decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game.

    “We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position.

    “NZR is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other teams in black remains high.”

    Last month, Ineos parted ways with four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, having backed the Britannia America’s Cup sailing team since 2018.

    Ineos said in a statement it could “not find agreement” with Ainslie on “terms to move forward” after last year’s event in Barcelona, which New Zealand won.

    Ineos plans to compete in the next America’s Cup under the Britannia name.

    Ainslie’s team said in response they were “astounded” by Ineos’ future plans for the America’s Cup and that the decision “raises significant legal and practical obstacles for them”.

    The company has a large sports portfolio, including owning Swiss football team FC Lausanne-Sport and French side Nice. It is also a co-owner of F1 team Mercedes and runs the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team.

    In 2021, Ineos’ director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford hailed the partnership with NZR.

    “The integration of the Ineos brand on this iconic kit symbolises our partnership to share best practice and collaborate on performance innovation,” he said.

    “I am looking forward to integrating the players and team at New Zealand Rugby into Ineos to support their ambitious performance goals and apply the knowledge and expertise found across all of our teams.”

  • Barca’s Leon accused of ‘violating privacy’ of opponent

    Barca’s Leon accused of ‘violating privacy’ of opponent

    Espanyol have accused Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi Leon of “violating the privacy” of their player Daniela Caracas following an incident during a Liga F game.

    In the 15th minute of the derby match between the Barcelona-based clubs on Sunday, Leon and Caracas collided while the Espanyol player defended a set-piece.

    Leon then appeared to touch Caracas around the groin area.

    Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” of the incident – a clip of which has gone viral on social media.

    Colombian centre-back Caracas has been “subject to hundreds of social media insults” as a result, Espanyol said.

    Later on Monday, Leon released a statement denying any wrongdoing.

    “At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas,” she said.

    “As the images show, it was part of a playing action in which she deliberately touches me and I touch her leg saying in reaction to the clash: ‘what’s up with you’.

    “There is no contact with her private parts, and certainly no intention. I insist, it was just part of the game that does not warrant the importance that has been attached to it.”

    She also condemned “the harassment that Daniela appears to have been suffering on social networks, which has nothing to do with me, and I offer her my most sincere support”.

    In a statement published on the Espanyol website,, external the club said: “This is an action that we consider unacceptable and that should not go unnoticed.

    “Although Caracas was unable to react at the time… later, when she came to terms with what had happened, she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily to avoid a disciplinary sanction and harm to the team.”

    Mapi Leon has made nearly 250 league appearances for Barcelona, including some as captain

    Regarding the online abuse of Caracas, the statement added: “We are concerned that, instead of focusing on the act itself, part of the media attention has been diverted to other issues unrelated to the seriousness of the action.”

    Barcelona, who won the game 2-0, are five points clear at the top of Liga F while Espanyol are 13th in the 16-team league.

    Leon, 29, is a key player for Barcelona who has won five league titles and three Champions Leagues with the club.

    Caracas, 27, is a Colombia international who was part of their run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

  • Man City to host Plymouth in FA Cup fifth round

    Man City to host Plymouth in FA Cup fifth round

    Manchester City will host Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

    Argyle have been rewarded for knocking out Premier League leaders Liverpool with a tie against the reigning English champions.

    Holders Manchester United will face Fulham, while Newcastle United play Brighton and Bournemouth take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in all top-flight affairs.

    League One Exeter or Premier League Nottingham Forest will host Ipswich while Aston Villa will play Cardiff City.

    The fifth round is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 1 and 2 March.

    Full FA Cup fifth-round draw

    Preston North End v Burnley

    Aston Villa v Cardiff City

    Crystal Palace v Millwall

    Manchester United v Fulham

    Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion

    Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle

    Exeter City or Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town

  • St. Mirren 1-1 Hearts

    St. Mirren 1-1 Hearts

    Craig Gordon was the Hearts hero, saving twice in a Scottish Cup penalty shootout win over St Mirren in Paisley.

    Mikael Mandron gave the hosts a deserved lead during a fierce spell of first-half pressure, poking in from close range as Gordon parried a shot from Mark O’Hara.

    Hearts forced extra time when late substitute Calem Nieuwenhof struck with his first touch.

    Caolan Boyd-Munce saved St Mirren with a goal-line clearance from Elton Kabangu on 98 minutes before a drab period of extra-time.

    Veteran Scotland international Gordon denied Oisin Smyth and James Scott from the spot, before Gerald Taylor missed for the visitors, but James Penrice held his nerve to send the Edinburgh side into the quarter-finals where they will host Dundee.

    Gordon had been under pressure for long spells in the first half as Hearts struggled to deal with St Mirren’s direct approach.

    Toyosi Olusanya flicked a shot over the top and Jamie McCart needed to make a front post block after the forward skipped wide of Gordon to send in a dangerous cross.

    Hearts did not pose much threat before the interval but Kabangu did have home goalkeeper Zach Hemmings at full-stretch to push away a powerful shot.

    Olusanya and Killian Phillips threatened after the interval but the team from Edinburgh responded with Blair Spittal firing over and having an effort blocked.

    Nieuwenhof, making his return from 11 months out injured, was the unlikely source of Hearts’ equaliser, sweeping home from 10 yards just moments after coming off the bench.

    With a flurry of substitutes and the pitch cutting up, the game grew scrappier the longer it went on, leaving Gordon to make the headlines late into the evening.

    What they said

    Hearts manager Neil Critchley: “Happy to have a home draw, happy to be in the quarter-finals.

    “You know you’re going to have to do the basics really well here, you have to compete with and without the ball and I didn’t think we did that well enough in the first half.

    “We grew into the game a little bit but didn’t have the control over it that we’d have wanted.

    “We had to fight and scrap and it’s taken a big effort to get through.”

    St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “We were very good in the first half and probably could have killed the game off.

    “We’re really disappointed in the goal we conceded, we had two opportunities to clear it and we didn’t.

    “It goes to penalties and it’s a lottery. I believe we should have had a penalty in extra time as well. It’s not often I make comments like that but it looked blatant to me.

    “I can’t question the boys’ attitude or desire, the people that stepped up to take penalties showed a lot of bravery.”

  • Man City & Celtic face Real & Bayern – but who else is in play-offs?

    Man City & Celtic face Real & Bayern – but who else is in play-offs?

    The Champions League knockout phase play-offs get under way this week as 16 teams face off looking to join the eight already into the last 16.

    Manchester City and Celtic are among those aiming to progress from their two-legged ties – against European champions Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.

    But which teams are in the play-offs? And who is already through?

    Who has progressed and who is in play-offs?

    Manchester City came from behind to beat Club Brugge and squeeze into a place in the play-offs, while Aston Villa and Arsenal joined Liverpool – who had long booked their place – with automatic progression to the last 16.

    Celtic, who lost 4-2 to Aston Villa in their final league game, join City in the play-offs – all five British teams progressed through the league phase.

    These are the teams through to each stage:

    Last 16: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa.

    Knockout phase play-offs: Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, PSV, Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Manchester City, Sporting, Club Brugge.

    And we already have an idea of who could play who in the next rounds – with City and Celtic in particular about to face huge tests.

    Which teams are in the play-off round?

    The full draw for the play-off round is as follows:

    Brest v Paris St-Germain (first leg 11 February, second leg 19 February)

    Juventus v PSV Eindhoven (first leg 11 February, second leg 19 February)

    Manchester City v Real Madrid (first leg 11 February, second leg 19 February)

    Sporting v Borussia Dortmund (first leg 11 February, second leg 19 February)

    Club Brugge v Atalanta (first leg 12 February, second leg 18 February)

    Celtic v Bayern Munich (first leg 12 February, second leg 18 February)

    Feyenoord v AC Milan (first leg 12 February, second leg 18 February)

    Monaco v Benfica (first leg 12 February, second leg 18 February)

    Who could meet in the last 16?

    Liverpool and Barcelona cannot meet until the final now after finishing in the top two of the league phase.

    The Reds will play one of Monaco, Brest, PSG or Benfica in the last 16 – with Barca facing another of those teams.

    Arsenal, who finished third, will play Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV.

    Aston Villa, who just finished in the top eight after beating Celtic, will take on Sporting, Club Brugge, Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund.

    Those ties will take place on 4-5 and 11-12 March.

    But they will not know which team exactly until the last-16 draw takes place on 21 February.

    Clubs will know their potential route to the final by then – with the draws for the quarters and semis also taking place that day.

    Which British clubs could meet
    further down the line?

    There is a chance Liverpool and Aston Villa could meet in the quarter-finals if they both win their last-16 ties.

    Arsenal could meet Celtic or Manchester City in that round too.

    But all of those potential fixtures depend on which way the last-16 draw goes. It is also possible British teams could meet in the semis or final.

    All should become clearer after 21 February when the draws for the last 16 onwards are made.

  • Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers 0 2 Crystal Palace

    Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers 0 2 Crystal Palace

    Crystal Palace moved into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable victory at League Two Doncaster Rovers.

    Daniel Munoz tapped in the opener for the visitors when Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort, from a well-worked free-kick, struck the post and rebounded into his path off home forward Billy Sharp.

    Midfielder Justin Devenny added the second for Oliver Glasner’s side after the break, running on to Will Hughes’ lofted pass and superbly lobbing Doncaster goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe.

    The Northern Ireland international’s goal arrived just as Grant McCann’s team were enjoying their best spell of the match against opponents who are 58 places above them in the English football pyramid.

    Winger Luke Molyneux carried Doncaster’s biggest threat fizzing a first-half effort just wide of the right post and curling a second-half shot just over the bar.

    Sharp blasted a fierce effort straight at Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner from just inside the penalty area while Owen Bailey’s late prodded effort also tested the American.

    However, the Eagles who will now host Millwall on the weekend of 1 and 2 March, had few other difficult moments to navigate on a wet evening in South Yorkshire.

    Having watched a largely second string Liverpool tumble out of the competition on Sunday to Plymouth, the likelihood of a shock appeared slim before kick-off, when Palace’s Austrian head coach selected eight of the side that began their 2-0 Premier League win at Manchester United.

    And he was rewarded with a professional performance that was brimming with quality.

    He was also able to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse, recently signed from the Lions and give on-loan England left-back Ben Chilwell, his first taste of senior football since September after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

  • A rivalry of our times – why Man City & Real are fighting for their lives

    A rivalry of our times – why Man City & Real are fighting for their lives

    Real Madrid v Manchester City in a Champions League knockout match. It is becoming a classic rivalry of our times.

    This will be the fourth time the football powerhouses have met in Europe in the last four seasons – but with one big difference.

    This time, rather than being in the latter stages, both sides are fighting for their lives to merely make the last 16.

    So how did two of Europe’s most successful sides in recent seasons fail to make the top eight and end up in a play-off?

    Man City’s troubled season

    Manchester City only limped into the play-offs with a last-gasp victory in their must-win final match against Club Brugge.

    A problem of their own making? Yes and no.

    Manager Pep Guardiola had the chance to strengthen his squad at the end of the last Premier League title-winning season, but decided against it partly because he was unsure of his own future.

    He seriously considered the interest from the English FA and, for a while, he was 70-30 in favour of becoming the next national team coach, with those around him assuring him it would bring him a quieter life.

    He also trusted in his players – the squad who brought him four Premier League titles – and ultimately decided he still had a job to do at Manchester City

    In November, City were top of the table and the only team in the top five leagues to be unbeaten. Then the wheels fell off.

    When Ilkay Gundogan returned in August, the original plan had been for him and Bernardo Silva to play about one out of every three games.

    As things stand, Gundogan is just a couple of games away from playing 50% of the matches, which will mean an automatic renewal for him.

    Rodri rupturing his cruciate knee ligament and injuries to potential replacements like Manuel Akanji and John Stones has been a key issue.

    An out-of-sorts Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne struggling to maintain his customary high level and Jack Grealish being unable to demonstrate what a great player he could be, have exacerbated the problem.

    The reality was there for all to see as a squad lacking energy laboured and went through the motions in training.

    What’s it really like to play under ‘genius’ Pep Guardiola?

    ‘Guardiola is battling his own body’

    Any remaining uncertainty over Guardiola’s City future was ended in the middle of December when he signed a one-year contract extension to take his stay at the club to 10 years.

    Against his own better judgement and contrary to the advice being offered by many of those closest to him, he decided now was not the time to leave despite the fact it was becoming clear a total recycling of his squad was needed.

    The biggest names in the squad told him they were all with him and trusted he would take them out of the situation.

    His authority was never questioned, even though some players have imagined their careers elsewhere.

    Guardiola is also battling his own body. He is low in natural defences because of the excessive demands he places upon himself and, with everything in his life at the moment seeming to lack stability, he appears to be picking up every virus circulating.

    He is not at his best and he is a very emotional person, but still he is influencing and being demanding to those around him.

    Just as things looked to be on the mend on the field, they were put to the sword by a revitalised Paris St-Germain in their penultimate league phase game.

    Then, after wins against Chelsea and Club Brugge, they were routed 5-1 at Arsenal. That is how people inside the club expect the rest of the season will be; hit and miss.

    With Ruben Dias, Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, Stones and Nathan Ake waiting in the wings, Guardiola is hoping his side can soon once again show the form that earned them a Treble.

    At the moment, though, a top-four finish would seem like a major triumph, as Guardiola sets about recycling further elements of his squad in addition to those already brought in.

    The coaching staff have already heard their manager say that finishing in the top four would have to be celebrated almost as a fifth consecutive title – he feels it has been that hard.

    Real Madrid’s defensive problems

    Real Madrid’s route to this unexpected knockout game was not quite as laden with jeopardy as City’s, but it has not been without its moments of drama.

    Three defeats in the group phase have left them with a game against a side they would normally expect to play in the latter stages.

    It will not have escaped anyone’s attention – particularly Manchester City’s – that despite sitting on top of La Liga, this is a team that has fallen short whenever they have faced a major side at home or abroad this season.

    Defensively it has been carnage, with serious cruciate ligament injuries to major players such as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, long-term problems with David Alaba and a lengthy absence for Antonio Rudiger.

    But defensive problems are only really the tip of the iceberg – as coach Carlo Ancelotti knows better than anyone.

    They go into the match against City with a front three of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe plus Jude Bellingham behind.

    They have amassed 59 goals this season, but the trouble for Ancelotti is his superstars up front – Bellingham apart – have not always put in the necessary shift defensively.

    Real’s wily boss saw potential problems at the start of the season and knew that unless they became more committed to the cause, it was going to be a long season.

    The absence of Toni Kroos has made it more difficult for them to have control of games, with Real suffering from not replacing the retired midfielder.

    Any money they have spent has not been on replacing Kroos, but rather on Mbappe and other young, precocious talents.

    They have also spent a lot of money on rebuilding their stadium, while complaints from the neighbours about noise means that concerts planned to take place at the new ground have been cancelled by the local licensing authorities.

    To say this was a ‘nice little earner’ for the club does not even begin to describe the situation. This is a big financial blow to Real.

    ‘Winning with quality if not commitment’

    Vinicius Jr looked far more committed to the cause in Real’s match against

    Atletico at the weekend, having been read the riot act by Luka Modric and Federico Valverde for failing to give his best during the club’s quarter-final Copa del Rey match at Leganes.

    Ancelotti continues to attempt to deal with a player who often looks like he is trying to take on the world, both on and off the pitch.

    He appears to be carrying a heavy burden, which means we have not seen the best of him this season.

    Lurking in the background is also the reported massive offer – some say about 1bn euros – from Saudi Arabia for him.

    At the moment it is all talk and Real Madrid are leaving the door open without actually saying anything for or against the deal.

    Although, with Rodrygo having scored 13 goals from Vinicius’ favoured left side, his departure would not be considered a fatal blow.

    Mbappe, meanwhile, is the best he has been so far at the club.

    He has decided to rely on his own skill and intuition and on being himself, and now everyone – Vinicius included – knows he is the focal point for Madrid.

    The leadership pecking order is beginning to take shape, led by Mbappe and a much sharper Bellingham. Modric and Valverde also have a say, replacing the likes of Carvajal and Militao, who were at the forefront.

    Describing Real Madrid as exposed seems something of an understatement. But as Ancelotti says, they have been winning with quality, if not commitment, and that is in abundance.

    So who’s going to bet against them?

  • Palace through to fifth round & Plymouth to face Man City – FA Cup reaction and draw

    Palace through to fifth round & Plymouth to face Man City – FA Cup reaction and draw

    Manchester City will host Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

    Argyle have been rewarded for knocking out Premier League leaders Liverpool with a tie against the reigning English champions.

    Holders Manchester United will face Fulham, while Newcastle United play Brighton and Bournemouth take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in all top-flight affairs.

    League One Exeter or Premier League Nottingham Forest will host Ipswich while Aston Villa will play Cardiff City.

    The fifth round is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 1 and 2 March.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down talk of a trip to Wembley before his side’s visit to Doncaster but it will firmly be on his radar now.

    Having watched a largely second-string Liverpool tumble out of the FA Cup on Sunday and witnessed the likes of League One Leyton Orient give Manchester City a scare, the Austrian selected a strong starting XI and was rewarded with an efficient performance.

    The Eagles simply had too much quality for a side 58 places below them in the English football pyramid and on a wet and windy evening in South Yorkshire there were also plenty of other positives for him.

    Midfielder Adam Wharton lasted over an hour as he continued his return to full match fitness after a long lay-off.

    And he also had the opportunity to introduce exciting teenage winger Romain Esse from the bench and give on-loan left-back Ben Chilwell his first taste of senior football since September, after he was frozen out at Chelsea.v

    Yesterday evening’s victory for Crystal Palace marked just the third time in the past nine seasons that they have reached the fifth-round or beyond.

    It’s not quite the barren run they once had though. Between 1945-46 and 1963-64 they didn’t go beyond the third round once. That was until a run to the quarter-finals in the 1964-65 season.

    They are yet to land the honour of being crowned FA Cup winners, though they have reached the final twice. First in 1989-90 and again most recently in 2015-16.

    Both times they were defeated by Manchester United.

    Crystal Palace moved into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable victory at League Two Doncaster Rovers.

    Daniel Munoz tapped in the opener for the visitors when Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort, from a well-worked free-kick, struck the post and rebounded into his path off home forward Billy Sharp.

    Midfielder Justin Devenny added the second for Oliver Glasner’s side after the break, running on to Will Hughes’ lofted pass and superbly lobbing Doncaster goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe.

    The Eagles will now host Millwall in the fifth round on the weekend of 1 and 2 March.

    Finally on the papers this morning, the Times have Pep Guardiola’s admission that he doesn’t know whether Manchester City can beat Real Madrid based on their recent form.

    They also ponder whether Erling Haaland can overcome his Madrid “curse”, the usually-prolific striker has failed to score or assist in four games against the Spanish giants.

    The concerns ahead of the tie are not all one-sided, though, and the Mail go with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti saying Manchester City are still giving him “nightmares”.

    They also report that Bukayo Saka has provided Arsenal with a boost after returning to strength and conditioning training as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury.

    More Manchester City v Real Madrid chat on the back page of the Guardian.

    They lead on Pep Guardiola saying it will be “impossible” for City to keep Los Blancos’ front four of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jnr, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe under control for the entirety of their Champions League tie.

    Tonight’s glamour tie in Manchester is also prominent in the Telegraph and they have City boss Pep Guardiola admitting he is unsure which version of his side will show up against defending champions Real Madrid.

    They also have a line on the proposed football regulator, reporting that the Conservative Party have withdrawn their support for the bill.

    We start with the Mirror, who go with Ruben Dias saying that Manchester City can “outgun” Real Madrid in their huge Champions League play-off tie.

    The first leg is at the Etihad tonight.

    Thank you for joining us this fine (dank, cold) Tuesday morning!

    As ever, there is plenty to discuss in the world of football. On the agenda today is reaction to more FA Cup action last night, with Crystal Palace advancing, and Plymouth being handed another chance of a giant-killing in the fifth round.

    We’re looking ahead to the start of the Champions League play-off round with the small matter of Manchester City v Real Madrid this evening, while we’ll also hear from Arne Slot and David Moyes ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby.

    The game at Goodison Park is Liverpool’s game in hand as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

    Following the conclusion of round four, those that have progressed know that they are just three wins away from a place in the FA Cup final.

    While it sounds far more simple when sat here writing it than it is in practice – there is a big opportunity for some of those less fancied teams to progress.

    With the Premier League’s top two in Liverpool and Arsenal already out of the competition at this early stage – many will be viewing this as a ‘now or never’ opportunity.

    Aston Villa, Man City and Crystal Palace all have favourable draws against Championship opponents but after seeing Arne Slot’s side fall to Plymouth Argyle in round four, they will be fully aware that nothing is a given.

    There is already one second-tier team guaranteed a place in the quarter-final as Preston host Burnley in the fifth round while Cardiff City, Millwall and Plymouth will all be fighting to ensure they aren’t the sole representative.

    FA Cup fifth-round draw in fullpublished at 08:13 Greenwich Mean Time
    08:13 GMT

    Ties to be played over the weekend of 1 and 2 March.

    Aston Villa v Cardiff City
    Crystal Palace v Millwall
    Man Utd v Fulham
    Newcastle v Brighton
    Bournemouth v Wolves
    Man City v Plymouth
    Exeter/Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
    Preston v Burnley
    Summary

    FA Cup: Palace beat Doncaster to reach fifth round, plus Exeter v Forest on Tuesday

    Fifth round draw: Man City v Plymouth, Man Utd v Fulham – draw in full

    News conferences before Merseyside derby: Slot (0900 GMT) & Moyes (1330) set to speak

    Champions League play-offs first-leg: Manchester City v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)

    Phil McNulty Q&A to come – get your questions in

  • Wolverhampton 0 6 Manchester United FT

    Wolverhampton 0 6 Manchester United FT

    Welsh teenager Mared Griffiths scored twice on her Manchester United debut as the Women’s FA Cup holders cruised past Wolves and into quarter-finals of the competition.

    The 17-year-old took advantage of a mistake by home keeper Bec Thomas to tap into the net just 10 minutes after being introduced as a late second half substitute, and then swivelled to volley through the keeper for a second goal in added time.

    United dominated the game, with hosts Wolves indebted to keeper Thomas and some wayward finishing for being just two goals behind at the break.

    When the opener arrived through Elisabeth Terland on 26 minutes, the result already looked beyond Wolves.

    Leah Galton then produced a smart finish to outwit Thomas at her near post for the second 10 minutes later.

    Defender Aoife Mannion ghosted in to score a rare goal, before England attacker Ella Toone curled home the fourth – her sixth goal in five games. Griffiths struck her first two minutes from time before rounding off an impressive success for her side.

    “We know people would expect us to win this game but for us it’s about attitude,” said United boss Marc Skinner.

    “We want to get back to the final. We know we have tougher tasks coming ahead but tonight we acquitted ourselves fantastically.

    “We have two competitions now. In the league we are going well and in the cup

    we have gone well as well. We will see who we get in the draw but for us it is a priority to get our fans back to Wembley.”

    It was a tough afternoon for third-tier Wolves, who had been on a run of 11 wins and a draw leading into the tie.

    Their ultimate focus for the season remains promotion from National League North, with a top-of-the-table showdown against Nottingham Forest due in a fortnight’s time.

    United are the second team through to the last eight after Aston Villa beat Brighton 3-2 in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

    Griffiths enjoys dream start with late impact

    As first-team debuts go, Griffiths’ first United outing could hardly have gone any better.

    The Wales international only joined the club last summer, signing for the under-21s team from the Wales Football Association’s Academy North set-up.

    Having replaced Malard on 81 minutes, the young winger took just seven minutes to open her goalscoring account for the Red Devils.

    Seven minutes later Griffiths had bagged herself another, showing quick instincts to volley on the turn with a fierce shot that Wolves stopper Thomas was unable to keep out.

    “Manchester United is built on youth players and it is built on the future of youth,” said Skinner.

    “For us it is the right time to put them in. Tonight felt like the right time and she has snatched one and got lucky on another, but if you don’t shoot you don’t score.”

    It has been a season of firsts for Griffiths, who came off the bench to make her senior international debut for Wales in the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off against the Republic of Ireland back in November.

    After passing her senior club debut with flying colours on Saturday, it will surely be only a matter of time before we see her feature for club and country on a regular basis.