TodayPrice

Category: Sports

  • Chelsea prepare bid for Semenyo – Sunday’s gossip

    Chelsea prepare bid for Semenyo – Sunday’s gossip

    Chelsea prepare bid for Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool monitoring Feyenoord’s David Hancko, Barcelona will allow Frenkie de Jong to leave in the summer.

    Chelsea are preparing a 50m euro (£41.6m) bid for 25-year-old Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

    Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign 19-year-old Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo, who has impressed on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas this season (Sun), external

    Liverpool are understood to be closely monitoring Feyenoord and Slovakia defender David Hancko, 27, as a potential transfer target for the summer. (Caughtoffside), external

    Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 27, has been told Barcelona will not stand in his way of making a summer move to Liverpool. (El Nacional – in Spanish), external

    England striker Harry Kane, 31, is keeping tight-lipped on reports that he could make a shock move to Arsenal next year, because of a release clause in his Bayern Munich contract. (Mirror), external

    Spain forward Ansu Fati, 22, is not considering offers from Turkish clubs and is instead fully focused on Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano), external

    Real Madrid want to sign two centre-backs in the summer, with Arsenal and France defender William Saliba, 23, one of the names on the Spanish club’s list. (Relevo – in Spanish)

    Chelsea are one of five clubs interested in signing 26-year-old Liverpool and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer. (TBR Football), external

    Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are showing a strong interest in the 20-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and Sweden midfielder Hugo Larsson. (Caughtoffside), external

    Chelsea believe they can do a deal for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande in the summer – well below the 21-year-old Ivory Coast international’s sizeable exit clause. (TeamTalk)

  • Joe Willock’s double – including a controversial first goal – helped keep alive Newcastle’s dreams of a second Wembley appearance this season as they edged past battling Birmingham. The midfielder’s 21st-minute strike, which assistant referee Nigel Lugg adjudged to be over the line, cancelled out Ethan Laird’s 40-second opener for the hosts. Willock then grabbed an 82nd-minute winner to break Birmingham hearts after the League One leaders had given their Premier League opponents a massive scare. Callum Wilson’s first goal since May, after an injury-blighted season, put the visitors 2-1 up, before Tomoki Iwata’s stunning 25-yard rocket hauled the Blues level five minutes before the end of a whirlwind first half. It was the perfect response from Willock after the 25-year-old was racially abused following the 2-1 defeat against Fulham last Saturday. The Magpies contacted police after the midfielder was targeted on Instagram, having missed a chance to put the hosts 2-1 up before the Cottagers claimed a late winner. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Willock praised the support from those around him and added: “When you have a good family, team-mates like your family and a manager you can speak to about anything, it makes it so much easier. “We had a meeting and the manager gave me comfort, that is why I have so much respect. I want to give the club everything because they have helped me Boss Eddie Howe was also quick to praise the midfielder as he added: “Joe has handled himself really well this week. His response to what he suffered was really admirable, he’s a very strong-willed person. “He loves his football and I think he’s just concentrated on that this week and tried to put all other distractions behind him. “It was a nice response from Joe – he let his football do the talking.” Howe made nine changes from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal that booked a Wembley final date with Liverpool next month. So there was no excuse for a hangover for the Magpies, but they were rattled by a side full of confidence following an 18-game unbeaten run. Keshi Anderson, Jay Stansfield and Scott Wright went close as Birmingham demonstrated the rebuilding job done by Chris Davies since relegation from the Championship last season. The tenacious hosts, four points clear at the top of the third tier, almost forced extra time, but Nick Pope thwarted Christoph Klarer late on. But Willock’s close-range finish with eight minutes left was decisive, although Newcastle survived a nervy 12 minutes of injury time after Birmingham’s Marc Leonard was carried off in the second half with a leg injury. Davies remained philosophical after the defeat, especially when asked about Willock’s leveller. “I’ve not actually seen the footage everyone’s talking about – it sounds like it was inconclusive as to whether it was over or not,” he said. “In that case, it’s a 50-50 chance it goes in your favour and it’s gone in their favour. You could say it’s a bit harsh in that sense, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”  Birmingham were on their knees when Tom Wagner bought the club just over 18 months ago. Relegation followed the ill-fated and ill-advised appointment of Wayne Rooney but the shoots of recovery at St Andrew’s have been clear for some time. The Blues are on course for an immediate return to the Championship and matched Newcastle in a frenetic game that lived up to the billing for the television cameras. On this evidence, boss Davies has a committed, unified and stylish side which, barring a collapse, should be celebrating promotion at the end of the season. The hosts, though, will naturally feel aggrieved Willock’s equaliser was allowed to stand, with numerous replays failing to deliver conclusive proof the ball crossed the line before Bailey Peacock-Farrell pushed it out – and no video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene. Iwata also scored a goal to rival any strike in the competition so far. Birmingham may be out of the cup, but they are clearly back on the right track. Howe rotates well as Magpies stay on track for Wembley repeat Having reached one final already, Newcastle remain on course to repeat the feat, but only just. They showed impressive resilience after Birmingham’s lightning start as the hosts looked to overwhelm their top-flight visitors. Their scrappy first-half goals may have lacked finesse but there was a stage where Newcastle just needed to hang on. They may have been on the side of a fortunate decision with Willock’s first, but Howe’s side kept their cool and managed the game well in a feisty second half which had the ingredients to combust. The changes allowed Howe to rotate and use his squad to avoid burnout – something they must manage, given they remain in the hunt on three fronts as the Magpies look to return to the Champions League. Of those recalled, Willock and Will Osula took their chance, while Wilson got his long-awaited goal following a scramble in the box. The 32-year-old striker has only made three starts since December 23, 2023 after suffering back and hamstring injuries this season and his return will give Howe much-needed options to ease the burden on key frontman Alexander Isak.

    Joe Willock’s double – including a controversial first goal – helped keep alive Newcastle’s dreams of a second Wembley appearance this season as they edged past battling Birmingham. The midfielder’s 21st-minute strike, which assistant referee Nigel Lugg adjudged to be over the line, cancelled out Ethan Laird’s 40-second opener for the hosts. Willock then grabbed an 82nd-minute winner to break Birmingham hearts after the League One leaders had given their Premier League opponents a massive scare. Callum Wilson’s first goal since May, after an injury-blighted season, put the visitors 2-1 up, before Tomoki Iwata’s stunning 25-yard rocket hauled the Blues level five minutes before the end of a whirlwind first half. It was the perfect response from Willock after the 25-year-old was racially abused following the 2-1 defeat against Fulham last Saturday. The Magpies contacted police after the midfielder was targeted on Instagram, having missed a chance to put the hosts 2-1 up before the Cottagers claimed a late winner. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Willock praised the support from those around him and added: “When you have a good family, team-mates like your family and a manager you can speak to about anything, it makes it so much easier. “We had a meeting and the manager gave me comfort, that is why I have so much respect. I want to give the club everything because they have helped me Boss Eddie Howe was also quick to praise the midfielder as he added: “Joe has handled himself really well this week. His response to what he suffered was really admirable, he’s a very strong-willed person. “He loves his football and I think he’s just concentrated on that this week and tried to put all other distractions behind him. “It was a nice response from Joe – he let his football do the talking.” Howe made nine changes from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal that booked a Wembley final date with Liverpool next month. So there was no excuse for a hangover for the Magpies, but they were rattled by a side full of confidence following an 18-game unbeaten run. Keshi Anderson, Jay Stansfield and Scott Wright went close as Birmingham demonstrated the rebuilding job done by Chris Davies since relegation from the Championship last season. The tenacious hosts, four points clear at the top of the third tier, almost forced extra time, but Nick Pope thwarted Christoph Klarer late on. But Willock’s close-range finish with eight minutes left was decisive, although Newcastle survived a nervy 12 minutes of injury time after Birmingham’s Marc Leonard was carried off in the second half with a leg injury. Davies remained philosophical after the defeat, especially when asked about Willock’s leveller. “I’ve not actually seen the footage everyone’s talking about – it sounds like it was inconclusive as to whether it was over or not,” he said. “In that case, it’s a 50-50 chance it goes in your favour and it’s gone in their favour. You could say it’s a bit harsh in that sense, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”  Birmingham were on their knees when Tom Wagner bought the club just over 18 months ago. Relegation followed the ill-fated and ill-advised appointment of Wayne Rooney but the shoots of recovery at St Andrew’s have been clear for some time. The Blues are on course for an immediate return to the Championship and matched Newcastle in a frenetic game that lived up to the billing for the television cameras. On this evidence, boss Davies has a committed, unified and stylish side which, barring a collapse, should be celebrating promotion at the end of the season. The hosts, though, will naturally feel aggrieved Willock’s equaliser was allowed to stand, with numerous replays failing to deliver conclusive proof the ball crossed the line before Bailey Peacock-Farrell pushed it out – and no video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene. Iwata also scored a goal to rival any strike in the competition so far. Birmingham may be out of the cup, but they are clearly back on the right track. Howe rotates well as Magpies stay on track for Wembley repeat Having reached one final already, Newcastle remain on course to repeat the feat, but only just. They showed impressive resilience after Birmingham’s lightning start as the hosts looked to overwhelm their top-flight visitors. Their scrappy first-half goals may have lacked finesse but there was a stage where Newcastle just needed to hang on. They may have been on the side of a fortunate decision with Willock’s first, but Howe’s side kept their cool and managed the game well in a feisty second half which had the ingredients to combust. The changes allowed Howe to rotate and use his squad to avoid burnout – something they must manage, given they remain in the hunt on three fronts as the Magpies look to return to the Champions League. Of those recalled, Willock and Will Osula took their chance, while Wilson got his long-awaited goal following a scramble in the box. The 32-year-old striker has only made three starts since December 23, 2023 after suffering back and hamstring injuries this season and his return will give Howe much-needed options to ease the burden on key frontman Alexander Isak.

    Kylian Mbappe rescued a point for Real Madrid in a tense derby with city rivals Atletico Madrid as the hosts remained top of La Liga.

    Diego Simeone’s side had gone in front through a controversial 35th-minute penalty converted by Julian Alvarez, who chose the ‘Panenka’ style approach from the spot, chipping the ball down the middle as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dived past.

    The referee pointed to the spot after going to the video assistant referee (VAR) monitor as Aurelien Tchouameni was adjudged to have fouled Samuel Lino.

    Five minutes after the break, Mbappe scored his 16th league goal of the season when he reacted quickest after Jude Bellingham’s shot bounced into his path.

    England international Bellingham had a greater impact in the second half, heading on to the crossbar and having a shot saved by Jan Oblak as Real pushed for a winner.

    The result left them a point clear of second-placed Atletico, with Barcelona five points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

    However, Barca could close the gap on Sunday evening when they travel to Sevilla (20:00 GMT).

    Focus now turns to the Champions League for Real, who travel to Manchester City for the first leg of the knockout phase play-offs.

  • Birmingham City Birmingham City 2 3 Newcastle United Full time FT

    Birmingham City Birmingham City 2 3 Newcastle United Full time FT

    Joe Willock’s double – including a controversial first goal – helped keep alive Newcastle’s dreams of a second Wembley appearance this season as they edged past battling Birmingham.

    The midfielder’s 21st-minute strike, which assistant referee Nigel Lugg adjudged to be over the line, cancelled out Ethan Laird’s 40-second opener for the hosts.

    Willock then grabbed an 82nd-minute winner to break Birmingham hearts after the League One leaders had given their Premier League opponents a massive scare.

    Callum Wilson’s first goal since May, after an injury-blighted season, put the visitors 2-1 up, before Tomoki Iwata’s stunning 25-yard rocket hauled the Blues level five minutes before the end of a whirlwind first half.

    It was the perfect response from Willock after the 25-year-old was racially abused following the 2-1 defeat against Fulham last Saturday.

    The Magpies contacted police after the midfielder was targeted on Instagram, having missed a chance to put the hosts 2-1 up before the Cottagers claimed a late winner.

    Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Willock praised the support from those around him and added: “When you have a good family, team-mates like your family and a manager you can speak to about anything, it makes it so much easier.

    “We had a meeting and the manager gave me comfort, that is why I have so much respect. I want to give the club everything because they have helped me

    Boss Eddie Howe was also quick to praise the midfielder as he added: “Joe has handled himself really well this week. His response to what he suffered was really admirable, he’s a very strong-willed person.

    “He loves his football and I think he’s just concentrated on that this week and tried to put all other distractions behind him.

    “It was a nice response from Joe – he let his football do the talking.”

    Howe made nine changes from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal that booked a Wembley final date with Liverpool next month.

    So there was no excuse for a hangover for the Magpies, but they were rattled by a side full of confidence following an 18-game unbeaten run.

    Keshi Anderson, Jay Stansfield and Scott Wright went close as Birmingham demonstrated the rebuilding job done by Chris Davies since relegation from the Championship last season.

    The tenacious hosts, four points clear at the top of the third tier, almost forced extra time, but Nick Pope thwarted Christoph Klarer late on.

    But Willock’s close-range finish with eight minutes left was decisive, although Newcastle survived a nervy 12 minutes of injury time after Birmingham’s Marc Leonard was carried off in the second half with a leg injury.

    Davies remained philosophical after the defeat, especially when asked about Willock’s leveller.

    “I’ve not actually seen the footage everyone’s talking about – it sounds like it was inconclusive as to whether it was over or not,” he said.

    “In that case, it’s a 50-50 chance it goes in your favour and it’s gone in their favour. You could say it’s a bit harsh in that sense, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

    Birmingham were on their knees when Tom Wagner bought the club just over 18 months ago.

    Relegation followed the ill-fated and ill-advised appointment of Wayne Rooney but the shoots of recovery at St Andrew’s have been clear for some time.

    The Blues are on course for an immediate return to the Championship and matched Newcastle in a frenetic game that lived up to the billing for the television cameras.

    On this evidence, boss Davies has a committed, unified and stylish side which, barring a collapse, should be celebrating promotion at the end of the season.

    The hosts, though, will naturally feel aggrieved Willock’s equaliser was allowed to stand, with numerous replays failing to deliver conclusive proof the ball crossed the line before Bailey Peacock-Farrell pushed it out – and no video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene.

    Iwata also scored a goal to rival any strike in the competition so far.

    Birmingham may be out of the cup, but they are clearly back on the right track.

    Howe rotates well as Magpies stay on track for Wembley repeat

    Having reached one final already, Newcastle remain on course to repeat the feat, but only just.

    They showed impressive resilience after Birmingham’s lightning start as the hosts looked to overwhelm their top-flight visitors.

    Their scrappy first-half goals may have lacked finesse but there was a stage where Newcastle just needed to hang on.

    They may have been on the side of a fortunate decision with Willock’s first, but Howe’s side kept their cool and managed the game well in a feisty second half which had the ingredients to combust.

    The changes allowed Howe to rotate and use his squad to avoid burnout – something they must manage, given they remain in the hunt on three fronts as the Magpies look to return to the Champions League.

    Of those recalled, Willock and Will Osula took their chance, while Wilson got his long-awaited goal following a scramble in the box.

    The 32-year-old striker has only made three starts since December 23, 2023 after suffering back and hamstring injuries this season and his return will give Howe much-needed options to ease the burden on key frontman Alexander Isak.

  • Celtic Celtic 5 0 Raith Rovers

    Celtic Celtic 5 0 Raith Rovers

    Daizen Maeda took his Celtic tally to 50 goals as his hat trick helped the much-changed holders into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 5-0 win over Raith Rovers.

    Brendan Rodgers brought nine players into the starting line-up but it was very much business as usual as Celtic extended their unbeaten home run to 32 matches – one shy of the mark reached by Gordon Strachan’s vintage of 2007.

    Second-half goals from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun had Celtic well in command before Maeda completed his hat-trick late on from McCowan’s fine assist.

    The Japanese attacker, who scored twice before the break to dull the Championship visitors’ resistance, now has 21 goals for the season.

    An able deputy, perhaps, for departed compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi, having now rattled in six in his last three games.

    It could have been an even more difficult game for Raith had Callum McGregor’s early effort from the edge of the area not found the junction of debutant Josh Rae’s right-hand post and crossbar.

    Maeda was also denied before the interval by an offside flag after tapping home Anthony Ralston’s cross.

    With Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich next up at Parkhead in the Champions League on Wednesday, the likes of Alastair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty were given the night off.

    As was goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, with Viljami Sinisalo making his Celtic debut.

    There was no discernable drop-off in levels for Rodgers’ men, who have now scored 14 goals in their last three games and 110 for the season as a whole.

    It was a harsh lesson for Barry Robson’s Raith, who thought they were heading in just one goal down at the interval before Maeda pounced for his second to remove any doubt about the outcome.

    Celtic’s quality shone throughout the second period and they can now look forward to the visit of Harry Kane and co on the back of another healthy victory.

    The only downside is that man of the moment Maeda is suspended for the first leg.

    What they said

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “Games like this can be tricky if the attitude is not right, no matter what talent you’ve got.

    “It’s a huge testament to the players in terms of how hard they worked in the game right from the beginning to play to the level they did.”

    Raith Rovers manager Barry Robson: “The boys gave me absolutely everything, you can’t deny that. I can’t ask for any more than that.

    “What they will have done is learn what it’s like to come up against real top quality players.”

  • From Messi comparisons to FA Cup hero – Edwards aims for the top

    From Messi comparisons to FA Cup hero – Edwards aims for the top

    The career of Marcus Edwards has already taken plenty of twists and turns, but on Saturday he opened what could turn out to be his most rewarding chapter.

    Signed on loan from Portuguese giants Sporting on deadline day, the 26-year-old midfielder came off the bench to score the winner as Championship high-flyers Burnley dumped Premier League strugglers Southampton out of the FA Cup.

    A product of Tottenham’s academy once compared to Lionel Messi, after six years in Portugal Edwards has returned to England with the goal of finally playing in the Premier League.

    From Messi comparisons to the bench

    Edwards joined Tottenham at eight years old, and before long his abilities drew comparisons to one of the greatest players of all time.

    “The qualities, his body and the way that he plays, it is reminiscent a little bit from the beginning of Messi,” then Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said in 2016.

    As often seems to happen, the comparison to Messi proved a curse. After loan spells with Norwich and Excelsior in the Netherlands, Edwards was released just three years later. Coaches were unconvinced by his ability and concerned about his behaviour and timekeeping.

    “He was a young boy in and around London and when you’re a young boy sometimes there’s a difference in the way you are, but he’s matured and there’s no denying he’s a special talent,” Burnley manager Scott Parker – who worked with Edwards at Spurs – told BBC Radio Lancashire.

    Without a club at 20 years old, Edwards took the brave decision to move abroad, signing a four-year deal with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal’s top flight.

    There he spent two and a half seasons – during which he made his European bow in the Europa League – before Sporting signed him in January 2022.

    Under the management of now Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, Edwards’ stock rose significantly – to the point where he was linked with a move to Liverpool.

    In 120 appearances for Sporting he provided 26 assists and scored 24 goals, one of which came against former club Tottenham on his second career outing in the Champions League.

    Yet this season didn’t go according to plan. Amorim’s departure for United, combined with a month on the sidelines with injury, led to Edwards falling out of favour.

    His last appearance for Sporting came on 30 November, more than two months before he joined Burnley.

    Edwards needed just 18 minutes to score his first goal for Burnley

    Sacrificing Champions League football to play in the Championship seems an odd decision, but perhaps it is one that suits both parties.

    Edwards has reunited with Parker 13 years after they first met, when Edwards was in the Spurs academy and Parker was doing his coaching badges.

    “We had a good relationship back then so when I knew he [Parker] wanted me to come that was enough for me,” Edwards said upon joining the Clarets.

    “From knowing what he’s like and how he is, and the fact that Burnley is such a big club in general. It made sense.”

    Burnley are third in the Championship and have built their promotion push on what could prove to be a record-breaking defence.

    In 31 league games this term Parker’s side have kept 22 clean sheets and conceded just nine goals, five fewer than any team in the top two tiers of Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

    Burnley trail league leaders Leeds by five points though, and it’s hard to see past a faltering attack as the main reason why.

    Supporters have seen their side score just 37 goals in 31 games, whereas Leeds have netted 62.

    There have been grumbles at Turf Moor, so Parker will be hoping Edwards can spark life into his attack.

    “He scores the winner, he has been brought in to give us those better habits in and around the box. It’s a good start,” Parker said after the match.

    While Edwards’ close-range finish on Saturday will be among the easiest goals he will ever score, knocking out a Premier League club is not a bad way to endear supporters to you on your debut.

    “It feels good being back in England, playing in the FA Cup,” he said at full-time.

    “I was well prepared. I knew I was going to play today, he [manager Scott Parker] told me yesterday, so I just had to come on and do what I do.”

    At full-time at St Mary’s, Edwards’ new team-mates pushed him towards the travelling fans to receive his own standing ovation.

    He, and they, will be hoping there is more of the same come the final day of the season.

  • ‘Strike of a lifetime’ – an own goal that belongs in FA Cup folklore

    ‘Strike of a lifetime’ – an own goal that belongs in FA Cup folklore

    The history books will say Leyton Orient led their thrilling FA Cup fourth-round tie with Premier League champions Manchester City for 40 minutes because of a Stefan Ortega own goal.

    Forget that.

    To anyone lucky enough to be there to witness it – a tie Man City recovered to win 2-1 – Leyton Orient scored thanks to a wonder strike from Jamie Donley.

    It was the Tottenham loanee who seized on the loose ball after City midfielder Nico Gonzalez had the ball taken off him just inside the visitors’ half. It was Donley who spotted Ortega off his line and executed a quite brilliant 50-yard chip that sailed over the City goalkeeper.

    Yes, the ball struck the bar and only crossed the line because it hit Ortega as the German failed to regain his balance after trying to make the initial save. It was Donley’s goal.

    “It is a shame it has gone down as an own goal,” said Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens. “It is not deserved and I am sure Ortega doesn’t want it. It is one thing seeing it, it is another executing.”

    Despite the result, the goal belongs in FA Cup folklore.

    A series of experienced former top-level professionals certainly spoke about the effort as if Donley has scored it.

    “It’s an absolutely remarkable goal,” said ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Match of the Day. “It’s the strike of a lifetime. To even think about shooting from there – wow.”

    “What a spot,” enthused Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. “What a story. It’s absolutely sensational.

    “It will go down as an own goal but it is one of the greatest FA Cup goals.”

    But what did it feel like to actually do it?

    “I know I hit the goal well,” said Donley. “I knew it fell for me nicely.

    “I saw him off his line and luckily it went in. It would have been a lot nicer if we won but it was a good moment.”

    Donley had previously scored five goals this season. In status or artistic impression, none can compare to this one.

    Even City boss Pep Guardiola, while seething at what he believed was a clear foul on his £50m debutant Gonzalez – whose status as the replacement for injured Ballon d’Or winner Rodri makes him such a key figure, and who, as a result of the perceived infringement, now has his participation in Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first-leg in doubt, was full of admiration.

    “What a goal,” he said. “What a fantastic shot – the quality, the technique, the speed, the flight of the ball.

    “When you concede this goal, you just congratulate Donley. He’s an incredible left-footed player and he made a fantastic goal.”

    ‘Spurs have loaned us one of their best young players’

    A youth international for both England and Northern Ireland, this tie was not the first time Donley had faced City.

    The 20-year-old made his senior Tottenham debut at Etihad Stadium in December 2023, coming on as a last-minute substitute just before Dejan Kulusevski scored in a memorable 3-3 draw.

    That was one of four substitute appearances totalling 10 minutes for the Antrim-born midfielder.

    Tottenham felt he needed to go away to continue his development.

    On the evidence of his performance against City, it was not just his Ronnie Radford-esque strike but his all-round industrious performance that made Donley stand out.

    It was easy to suggest to Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens the goal might have wrecked any chance of luring him back to Brisbane Road next season.

    However, as Wellens made clear, that would require his side to secure promotion from League One, where they currently sit ninth.

    “Spurs have loaned us one of their best young players,” he said.

    “We think we have developed him really well over the last six months. If he carries on with same attitude, intensity and work ethic, he might be playing against them [City] week in week out.

    “Unless we are in the Championship there is no way we get him back next year. That is the nature of my job and the club we are at. We have to take first loans. If we wait until they have had a loan, they bypass us.

    “The plan with Jamie was one of two things, he comes to us, develops and turns into a man, then he either goes back to Tottenham and gets into their first team or he goes to the Championship. There is a clear development plan for him and, going forward, the Championship is the minimum for him.”

    Pep laughs off ‘sacked in the morning’ jibes

    Guardiola seemed to enjoy his day in east London.

    The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has not lost to a lower-league team since City were beaten by Wigan at the DW Stadium in 2018.

    Yet he spoke enthusiastically afterwards about difficult FA Cup days in the past he had encountered at places like Newport and Cheltenham.

    The City boss was even able to make light of the taunting he received from the home fans as his side tried to come to terms with being a goal behind.

    “The atmosphere was fantastic,” he said. “Even when they say ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’.

    “It’s routine in all the stadiums right now. With this result, I think my chairman is not going to sack me but it [the atmosphere] was really good.”

  • ‘I’m happy it was like that’ – so was FA Cup better without VAR?

    ‘I’m happy it was like that’ – so was FA Cup better without VAR?

    Football fans have become accustomed to debating the use of technology in the game over recent years – but in the FA Cup fourth round, its absence has provided a frequent talking point.

    With video assistant referee technology only in use from the fifth round onwards this season, there have been a number of controversial incidents to dissect.

    Some liked VAR’s absence, such as Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, whose side might have had their winner against Chelsea disallowed for a Tariq Lamptey handball.

    “But that’s it. That’s football,” he told BBC Sport. “With VAR, football is getting not that emotional like it was today.

    “Everyone agrees with me that today was a great atmosphere. You can celebrate a goal because you are certain it’s a goal. I’m happy it was like that.”

    Some were less convinced, including his Chelsea counterpart Enzo Maresca – whose side might still be in the FA Cup with VAR.

    “I think the handball is quite clear. In the last two or three days, there were many different moments in different games that, without VAR, sometimes are more complicated,” said Maresca.

    However he added: “Sometimes even with VAR, you never know if it’s [going to be given as] handball or not. I don’t know. This season we saw so many handballs and the VAR was not there.”

    Even Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted Harry Maguire’s dramatic late winner against Leicester City in the round’s first tie on Friday was offside and should not have stood.

    There were several further high-profile incidents during Saturday’s matches, and there are still five games to be played over the next three days.

    So, what’s going on with VAR in the FA Cup – and why?

    Why is there no VAR in the FA Cup fourth round?

    The Football Association confirmed in December that VAR technology would only be introduced from the fifth round onwards to ensure a “consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition”.

    Because of infrastructure and operational costs, VAR had previously only been used at Premier League grounds, and at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals and final.

    There have been 13 VAR mistakes in the Premier League so far this season – down from 20 at the same point last term – say league bosses.

    However, to confuse matters, goalline technology has been in use at Premier League and Championship grounds – where the infrastructure exists – in this year’s competition, despite not being available everywhere.

    That includes at St Andrew’s, where Newcastle United beat Birmingham City after Joe Willock’s controversial equaliser was judged to have crossed the line.

    “I think it’s refreshing they had no VAR and I wish they had this throughout the competition,” former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said on BBC One following that match.

    “If there was any doubt, you have to give Birmingham the benefit of the doubt, but the linesman was adamant [that Willock’s shot crossed the line].”

  • Ronaldo: 40 and still counting, by Patrick Omorodion

    Ronaldo: 40 and still counting, by Patrick Omorodion

    Those who said life begins at 40 could have said so because of this legend, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, gifted to the world by Portugal. He turned 40 on Wednesday to join the exclusive club of players who, at that age, are/were still scoring goals.

    On Monday, two days before the milestone age, CR7, as he is popularly known, was on the score sheet twice for his club in an Asian Champions League match against UAE’s Al-Wasl.

    Two days after turning 40, he scored in his Saudi Club, Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win against Al-Feiha, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s total career goals have now hit 924.

    He is not thinking of retiring yet as he is still a regular for Portugal, with his eyes fixed on the 2026 World Cup.

    If he continues to play for country and makes the team for the first World Cup to be played in three countries USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026, he would have set an unassailable record of playing in six World Cups. That is if Lionel Messi doesn’t make the Argentine team.

    For now Ronaldo, Messi and Lothar Matthaus hold the record of the most appearance in World Cup. Ronaldo and Messi, two perennial rivals who started the same year have appeared in all World Cups since their first in 2006 while Matthaus appeared for Germany in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998.

    As one who says he loves scoring goals, Ronaldo is hoping that there will be many more goals to come, with his eyes set on reaching 1,000 before he considers retirement.

    For now he is relishing his entrance into the Club 40. And he celebrated it with several photos on his X handle (formerly Twitter) with this post: “A win and first goal after 40!”

    The father of five is proving that age is nothing but a number. This is because at 40, his target is to help Al-Nassr secure a trophy.

    A peep into Ronaldo’s profile as recorded by Wikipedia shows that he captains both the Saudi Pro League club Al- Nassr and the Portugal national team.

    He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has won numerous individual accolades throughout his career, such as five Ballon d’Or awards, a record three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards, four European Golden Shoes, and was named five times the world’s best player by FIFA, the most by a European player.

    He has won 33 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League.

    Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), most goals (140) and most assists (42) in the Champions League, most appearances (30), assists (8), goals in the European Championship (14), international appearances (217) and international goals (135). He is one of the few players to have made over 1,200 professional career appearances, the most by an outfield player. He has now scored 924 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the top goal scorer of all time.

    No wonder he keeps behaving like an Agama lizard which fables say had to praise itself when it fell from a height by shaking its head as nobody praised it for the feat.

    Ronaldo believes he is the greatest scorer in football history, irrespective of what others, especially Messi’s fans think.

    “I am the greatest scorer in history. Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. I am the most complete player who has ever existed. I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump… I have never seen anyone better than me.”

    He made this statement in an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta. And can anyone blame him for believing in himself? It is said if you don’t blow your own trumpet, no one else will.

    Others who continued playing after turning 40 include Paolo Maldini, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time.

    He won 126 caps for Italy but had retired from the national team before their 2006 World Cup triumph. At club level, he ended his playing days at the age of 41 in 2009.

    Another player in this category is the Italian regarded as a one-club player, Francesco Totti who made his Roma debut as a 16-year-old in 1993 and never left the Giallorossi.

    He made his final appearance for the club on 28 May 2017, just over eight months after hitting 40.

    Former England striker Teddy Sheringham was 42 when he hung up his boots at the end of the 2007-08 season, while at Colchester United.

    He holds the record for the oldest goal scorer in Premier League history, having scored for West Ham against Portsmouth aged 40 years and 268 days.

    Brazil legend Romario, regarded as one of the finest goal scorers played his final official game for Rio de Janeiro- based side America Football Club in November 2009, aged 43.

    Gianluigi Buffon is Serie A’s record appearance holder and the most capped goalkeeper of all time. He was 45 when he retired from football in August 2023.

    Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 122 appearances, Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from football during his second spell at AC Milan, aged 41.

    On the African continent, players who played till 40 and over include Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, Bruce Grobbelaar, Esan El-Hadary and finally, George Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d’Or who turned out for Liberia at the ripe old age of 51 – making him the oldest international player on record.

  • World Cup without Nigeria won’t make sense, says Igbinedion

    World Cup without Nigeria won’t make sense, says Igbinedion

    Former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles have what it takes to conquer Rwanda on their home soil when both countries meet in March for a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali.

    Chief Igbinedion while stating this over the weekend while declaring open this year’s edition of Kada Unity Cup at his Etete Sports Complex in Benin City, said a World Cup without Nigeria would make sense, adding that Rwanda should not give Nigerians sleepless nights.

    “As you know, we are very passionate about our Super Eagles, every right thinking Nigerian would want our flag hoisted at the 2026 World Cup. We have highly talented young players scattered across Europe doing very well in their various clubs. So qualifying for the World Cup shouldn’t give us sleepless nights. If the NFF and the technical crew know what to do, Rwanda will be an easy team to beat. I have confidence that our boys will do us proud. A World Cup without Nigeria won’t make sense.

    “I am very excited to watch good football. The main aim of the Kada Unity Cup competition is to foster unity among military and paramilitary organizations in the State. You can see the crowd here today.

    Football is a unifying factor, you can see young uniformed men sweating it out, this is to keep them mentally and physically fit, it will also enhance the performance of their job. I commend the local organizing Committee LOC for doing a wonderful job.

    “They are not only playing for fun, money and other incentives are involved. This competition started last year, so as long as there is life, we shall continue to host it. Very soon we will extend the invitation to other States.”

  • We’re ‘fighting’ for our jobs, says Man Utd boss Amorim

    We’re ‘fighting’ for our jobs, says Man Utd boss Amorim

    Ruben Amorim says he and his Manchester United players are “fighting” for their jobs in the final months of the season after a chastening campaign so far.

    The Portuguese has struggled to turn around United’s fortunes since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

    The club decided not to boost their forward options in the January transfer window even though Marcus Rashford and Antony left on loan, along with defender Tyrell Malacia.

    The departure of homegrown forward Rashford to Aston Villa for the remainder of the season has been the standout decision made by Amorim.

    The 27-year-old’s deal is reported to include an option to make the move permanent and Amorim had no interest in talking any further about the England international when he faced reporters on Thursday.

    “We are fighting for our jobs until the summer,” he said.

    “So, I am just focused on these games. Thankfully about Marcus he is in Birmingham now with Unai (Emery), so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players at the moment.”

    Amorim, whose team host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, admitted United had taken a risk with their transfer business, admitting it would be tough going until the end of the season.

    They brought in highly rated defenders Patrick Dorgu, 20, and 18-year-old Ayden Heaven.

    “I think it is a moment that is hard to turn things around in just a few games,” Amorim said. “It’s going to be like that, really hard, until the end of the season.

    “Then we are taking that risk that you talk about, because we want a different thing in our team and different profiles, and that is my area, so it was my decision to do that.”

    He said the club had not wanted to repeat past mistakes in the transfer market.

    “What I feel is the club is taking its time,” Amorim said. “We know the urgency of the moment, the moment of the team.

    “But I think everybody here doesn’t want to make some mistakes that we did in past, so we have to improve players we have and to win some games.”

    Amorim admitted he was under enormous pressure to deliver, with the club languishing 13th in the Premier League table.

    “Since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because in the end I think it’s going to pay off,” he said.

    “But I’m not naive, I already said that many times, this is a sport of results, and we are in a difficult situation.”

    Van Nistelrooy, a former star striker at United, is returning to Old Trafford for the first time since he left his role as assistant manager following Amorim’s appointment.

    United confirmed on Thursday that defender Lisandro Martinez had sustained cruciate ligament damage, which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.