aljazeera--2019-08-08--Premier League deadline day Whos playing for who next season

Premier League deadline day: Who's playing for who next season?

Football fans are a strange bunch, at the best of times, but they do seem to go a bit mad in the off-season.  To casuals, it can seem like the season never ends, with the Champions League, continental and World Cups - let alone the increasing range of money-spinning "warm-up" friendlies between mega-clubs set in lucrative TV markets - all conspiring to turn the football season into a 12-month affair.  But to hardcore fans, these have been a few months wandering a desert, desperate for a fix of the beautiful game. But the off-season doesn't stop the true fans from dedicating their downtime to getting angry at "leaked" new season kit designs, or, of course, rampant speculation over the transfer market - the window in which the commodification of human skill is best exemplified, as clubs literally buy and sell those from whom they have demanded absolute fealty.  Thursday was deadline day for the English Premier League. Any new contract had to be signed off by 5pm local time - and the money involved will leave many shaking their heads in disbelief.  But with the new season kicking off this weekend, who will be playing for who?  This transfer window's top-price signing was completed by Manchester United, who signed centre-back Harry Maguire from Leicester for $95m. Maguire, who has appeared 20 times for the England national team, is just 26 years old.  Champions Manchester City brought Atletico Madrid's defensive midfielder Rodri to England for $76m. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku was sold by Manchester United to Italy's Inter Milan for $71m.  Tottenham announced the signing of two new players on deadline day: 19-year-old Ryan Sessegnon, the promising left-midfielder, from Fulham, and Giovani Lo Celso on loan from Real Betis.  But it was probably Tottenham's north London rival, Arsenal, who have conducted the most productive transfer business, acquiring centre back William Saliba from Saint Etienne ($33m, loaned back for one season) and 18-year-old left-winger Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in Brazil. They've also brought in Dani Ceballos, Real Madrid's midfield workhorse, on loan.  Arsenal continued its transfer business on deadline day with the arrival of Kieran Tierney, the stand-out Scottish left-back from Celtic. David Luiz, Chelsea's veteran centre back, was also understood to be hammering out the final details of a contract with Arsenal as the deadline passed.  Chelsea are currently serving a transfer ban after breaking FIFA's rules on signing overseas children to the club, and are not allowed to sign new players until the end of January 2020.  According to Sky Sports, new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard reportedly told Luiz that, with Antonio Rudiger's return to fitness, it was unlikely he has going to get many games for the first team. Chelsea fans will also still be feeling the blues after losing Eden Hazard to Spanish superclub Real Madrid at the beginning of the window.  But the excitement of transfer deadline day is not just about the biggest names and numbers. Sometimes it's about the emotion.  "It's an amazing feeling. On the way up, it was just butterflies in my stomach," striker Andy Carroll told Sky Sports after re-signing for Newcastle - the club he played for both as an under-18 and a full senior.  "Now, it's finally happened, it's a great feeling. I think I have unfinished business - I left on a high and I want to get back to it."  And of course, everyone loves a bargain. While Watford, a relatively small club who made it to last year's FA Cup final, paid a club-record fee of $33m for Ismaila Sarr, they also managed to pick up Arsenal and England centre-forward Danny Welbeck on a transfer after his contract expired at Arsenal. One post on a Watford fan forum rejoiced at the club signing "someone I don't have to Google".  The full list of Premier League transfers at 5pm London time was as follows:  Out    Steven Davis (Rangers)    Matt Targett (Aston Villa)    Alfie Jones (Gillingham) (Loan)    Jack Rose (Walsall) (Loan)    Kingsley Latham (Havant and Waterlooville) (Loan)    Alex Cull (Totton) (Loan)    Harry Hamblin (Bath City) (Loan)    Jordy Clasie (AZ Alkmaar)    Tyreke Johnson (Woking) (Loan)    Josh Sims (New York Red Bulls) (Loan)    Charlie Austin (West Brom)


aljazeera--2019-09-18--Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums All you need to know

Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums: All you need to know

Months after the completion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, all eyes are on Qatar as it prepares to host football's mega event in 2022.  The tiny Gulf nation will be the first from the Arab world to host the World Cup, breaking with tradition with a winter kick-off as it looks to avoid the scorching summer heat.  FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed Qatar's progress on infrastructure during a visit to its capital, Doha, on Tuesday, after inspecting the eight stadiums and several training sites that will be used for the month-long tournament.  "You can see the progress which is being made here four years before kick-off," Infantino said after a tour of the Al Wakrah stadium, a 40,000 capacity venue that will host matches up to the quarter-finals stage.  "The Russian World Cup was the best ever, and the World Cup in 2022 has to be even better," he said.  "I think this World Cup is extremely important, not only for Qatar but for the whole region - a region that has a passion for football and is investing a lot in the game."  Qatar beat bid rivals Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States in 2010 to claim the hosting rights.  As it looks to open its doors to football fans and teams from around the world for its biggest sporting event since the 2006 Asian Games, the Gulf state has come under increasing scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers.  To date, there have been three work-related fatalities and nine non-work related deaths of workers engaged in the construction of Qatar's World Cup stadiums, according to the tournament organisers.  But the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) dismissed all complaints lodged against Qatar following a new draft bill, introducing minimum wage and legal protection for the foreign workforce, approved by the government last year.  At least 26,000 people are directly involved in the construction of the proposed stadiums.  Contractors involved in the World Cup projects have agreed to reimburse more than $14.4m to the thousands of workers who had paid recruitment fees before moving to Qatar.  Seven new state-of-the-art stadiums with advanced open-air cooling technology are being built from scratch for the 2022 event.  The eighth one, Khalifa International Stadium located next to the iconic Torch Tower, was inaugurated in May last year, after undergoing renovations and upgrades.  Meanwhile, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which is overseeing the organisation of the 2022 World Cup, said earlier this year the Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt in Al Khor will be ready by December.  "All the stadiums will be completed two years before the tournament starts," Yasser Al Mulla, the SC's Landscape & Sport Turf Management senior manager, said in January.  Here is a look at the progress of the stadiums.  The Khalifa International stadium, which was built in 1976 in Doha, is the first tournament-ready venue.  This 40,000-capacity arena has already hosted the Gulf Cup, Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup.  Located in the southern city of Al Wakrah, this 40,000-seat stadium is "almost complete", according to the SC, and its retractable roof is now being installed.  The Lusail Stadium, located in Lusail city, about 23km north of Doha, will host the opening ceremony and the final of the World Cup.  According to the SC, the concrete superstructure of the stadium and the seating terraces are at an advanced stage.  The Al Bayt Stadium, located in Al Khor city, has a capacity of 60,000. Its exterior, which resembles tents used in Qatar's deserts, is half complete.  Education City stadium, on the outskirts of Doha, is right in the middle of Qatar's leading universities.  After hosting matches up to the quarter-finals stage, the arena will be reduced in half and 20,000 seats will be donated to build stadiums in developing countries.  The Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar's second-most populous city is being built on the site of the old Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, previous home of Qatar's Al Rayyan Sports Club. It will have a capacity of 40,000 seats.  This 40,000 seat stadium is located 12km south of Doha's skyline and seafront. It is an architectural depiction of the gahfiya, a traditional cap worn by Arab men.  The venue's unique design won the Architectural Review Future Projects Award in May.  To be built on the shores of the Gulf, the Ras Aboud stadium will overlook the Doha skyline in the backdrop.  This 40,000 seat venue will be completely dismantled and re-purposed for other sporting and non-sporting projects after the tournament. Its foundations are currently being laid.


aljazeera--2019-10-10--Iran beats Cambodia 14-0 in historic match attended by women

Iranian women have watched the country's national football team play after authorities allowed them to buy tickets for the first time in decades, celebrating their long-awaited access to the national stadium but also paying tribute to the "Blue Girl" fan who died last month.  Iran, one of the traditional powerhouses of Asian football with a passionate fanbase, won their World Cup qualifying match against Cambodia on Thursday 14-0 but the one-sided game will be remembered much more for the scenes in the stands.  Waving flags, blowing vuvuzela plastic horns and displaying the team colours of red, green and white, over 3,000 women watched from a special women-only section in Tehran's Azadi Stadium.  Women have been banned from watching men's games in Iran since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution with only a few exceptions made for small groups on rare occasions.  But under pressure from world football's governing body FIFA and women's rights campaigners, Iranian authorities earmarked tickets for them to watch Thursday's game.  FIFA had sent a delegation to Tehran to ensure that women were allowed to attend the game following the death last month of Sahar Khodayari, who set herself on fire to protest against her arrest for trying to get into a match.  Dubbed "Blue Girl" online for her favourite team Esteghlal's colours, Khodayari had feared being jailed for six months by the Islamic Revolutionary Court for trying to enter a stadium dressed as a man.  Video footage of the crowd at Thursday's match, posted on twitter, showed some supporters chanting "Blue Girl, Blue Girl". Other video showed supporters chanting "FIFA, Thank You".  "We have an incredible feeling as the first Iranian women entering the stadium," said one fan, interviewed by local television.  Another video interview, distributed on social media, showed a woman fan inside the stadium, on the brink of tears with an Iranian flag over her shoulders and painted on her face.  "It was really a very big wish. Really, thank you for letting us come. I'm shaking. Thank you," she said.  Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi reporting from the stadium in Tehran said that there are around 3,500-4,000 women who have been admitted inside, but it is a small number considering the stadium has a capacity of 80,000.  He added that a crowd of women had gathered outside of the stadium still trying to enter.  "We spoke to one woman who said that she's going to try to get in even if she has to stay there until the end of the day," Basravi said.  "Another woman we spoke to said that she doesn't even like football, but getting into the same games as the men are allowed to attend is an equal rights issue, it's a women's rights issue."  The game was sparsely attended but an extra area, next to the designated women's section, was opened for what appeared to be women who did not have tickets for the arranged area.  Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said he viewed the presence of women at the stadium as a positive step, according to the official IRNA news agency.  "The government has said to us that as far as they're concerned, this is the forward trend," Basravi said.  "The number of women attending stadium games will only go up but there is a proviso - they will only do so in so far as authorities are able to maintain Islamic values, maintain public order laws that are in line with Islamic codes of conduct."  While campaigners have welcomed the access granted for Thursday's game, it is unclear if such scenes will become the norm in Iran.  FIFA President Gianni Infantino has urged Iranian authorities to open up stadiums to women for all games, not just World Cup qualifiers.  The sport's global governing body sent officials to Tehran to monitor access for women at the match and said it will continue to press for their inclusion.  "FIFA's stance on the access of women to the stadiums in Iran has been firm and clear: women have to be allowed into football stadiums in Iran. For all football matches," FIFA had said in a statement.


aljazeera--2019-11-25--At Gulf Cup in Qatar, a showdown of 'football, not politics'

Doha, Qatar - Ali Galadari has fond memories of attending the Gulf Cup with his family and friends, both at home in Qatar and in the neighbouring countries.  In 1986, as a 12-year-old, he took his first trip for the biennial regional football tournament to Bahrain and has been a regular attendee since.  "The Gulf Cup is in our blood," the former player for Qatar's Al Ahli Club told Al Jazeera.  "Since the beginning, it was our dream to attend. I have been to many countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman," he said. • Qatar to play UAE in Doha amid signs of thaw in Gulf dispute • Is a resolution of the GCC crisis imminent? • Qatar vs Saudi Arabia: Football, blockade and piracy at Asian Cup  On Tuesday, the 24th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off in the Qatari capital, Doha, but not before a few hiccups along the way.  Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain were included late in the draw after they reversed their decision to boycott the event over a two-year-old diplomatic dispute with the host nation.  A revised draw was made after new invitations from the organising Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) were accepted by the three nations earlier this month.  The trio, along with Egypt, continues to impose a land, air and sea blockade on Qatar after severing ties in June 2017 and accusing it of "supporting terrorism", a charge repeatedly and vehemently rejected by Doha.  But the Saudi Football Federation and the UAE Football Association adjusted the calendars of their local leagues to be able to compete in the eight-nation regional event.  Teams from the three blockading nations landed in Doha on Monday.  Welcoming their participation, the AGCFF said: "[The tournament] has underlined its ability to overcome the challenges and obstacles under the circumstances the region is undergoing."  "The Gulf Cup remains a constant affirmation that our Gulf is one," it said in a statement.  Despite a ban on direct travel, Jassim al-Rumaihi, the secretary-general of the AGCFF, told reporters that "the state of Qatar will make the necessary arrangements" to ensure that fans from the blockading nations can also attend the matches.  Eight participating teams have been split into two groups. In Group A, Asian champions Qatar are drawn against Yemen, Iraq and the UAE.  Defending champions Oman are in Group B where they will be joined by Saudi Arabia, 10-time winners Kuwait and Bahrain in the group stages.  The opening match on Tuesday at 7:30pm local time (16:30 GMT) will see Qatar compete against three-time champion Iraq at the Khalifa International Stadium, a 40,000 capacity air-conditioned venue that also hosted the IAAF World Athletics Championships last month.  Later on Tuesday, 2017 finalist UAE will face-off against Yemen at the 12,000-capacity Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.  This is the fourth time Qatar - a three-time winner of the cup - is hosting the regional event.  The previous Arabian Gulf Cup, two years ago, was originally scheduled to be held in Doha, but was moved to Kuwait in the aftermath of the blockade.  The Gulf diplomatic crisis overshadowed the 2017 event, with Saudi Arabia's team refusing to talk to the press due to the presence of Qatar-based news channels, including Al Jazeera.  Analysts are hopeful tensions "will not be running so high" and the tournament "will be played in a spirit that reflects its sporting rather than political significance".  "The about-turn and decision to participate in the Gulf Cup is an encouraging signal that relations in the region may be thawing and that the zero-sum mentality that came to characterise decision-making in the blockading states may at last be giving way," Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, author of The Gulf States In International Political Economy, told Al Jazeera.  Christopher Davidson, a UK-based expert on the Middle East, said: "The decision by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to cancel their boycott … demonstrates an increasing awareness in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh of the need to burnish their regional and international reputations and to avoid being axiomatically labelled 'the bad guys'."  "After all, they too host major international sporting events, and will be keen to avoid being blackballed by future organising committees," he added.  Meanwhile, anticipation in Doha is high for the rematch of the AFC Asian Cup semi-final between Qatar and the UAE on December 2, with a limited number of tickets left for sale, according to the tournament website.  Their last encounter in Abu Dhabi in January, which Qatar won 4-0 en route to its maiden Asian title, was marred by crowd disruptions with shoes and bottles thrown at Qatari players.  Win or lose, Galadari is confident the home fans will welcome and treat their guests with respect.  "We are having some [political] issues, but we will not bring them into sports," he said.  "Here, when the national anthem of the Emirates starts playing, you'll see the whole stadium standing up in respect."  The final game will be played on December 8.


bbc--2019-01-07--The toughest job in world football

The toughest job in world football?

Reaching the Asian Cup finals for the first time would be no small achievement for Yemen at the best of times. But doing so as war and famine push the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula into the abyss has made it a minor miracle.  This is no ordinary tale of footballing success against the odds. Yemen's story includes players kidnapped by extremists. Some can be found fighting in the mountains. Others are dead.  As Yemen prepare to get their campaign under way in the United Arab Emirates - they are outsiders in a group featuring Iran, Iraq and Vietnam - the tournament offers a small degree of respite for a nation ravaged by war and famine.  When they kick off against Iran in Abu Dhabi on 7 January they'll be serious underdogs. Their opponents are ranked 29th in the world by Fifa; Yemen sit 135th. But as Syria and Iraq have illustrated in recent years, turmoil can raise a team's game.  Football has ground to a halt in Yemen. The league is suspended and the infrastructure has all but collapsed. Stadiums are turned to rubble, clubs disintegrating.  It is all a direct consequence of war. The 2015 escalation of the conflict between the internationally-recognised Hadi government and Houthi rebels has engulfed Yemen in unspeakable torment. Tens of thousands have been killed in the fighting; hunger and disease compound the tragedy.  The numbers are so large as to lose all meaning. Estimates suggest 85,000 children under five have died of starvation; 14 million people are at risk of famine.  The country has been sliced in two by this proxy war. The UK and US have been criticised for their support of the Saudi-led coalition that backs President Hadi, and for supplying the bombs that rain down mercilessly.  Iran backs the Houthi, who control the mountainous north-west, including the capital Sanaa. Al Qaeda and other local factions only cloud the picture further.  Yet despite shattered families and homes, Yemenis also press on with their lives. According to sports journalist Bashir Senan, they have little inclination to pick through the geopolitical stew in which their country is simmering, but they are looking forward to that first meeting with Iran in Group D of the Asian Cup.  The players are also keen to focus on football, but that's not easy. Some have managed to find clubs outside Yemen, many in Qatar, but for those still based at home, international games have been their only competitive matches for the past four years.  Even when the few clubs still functioning manage to arrange local tournaments the war is always lurking. Chilling video shows rockets lighting up the sky at one such match as spectators perch on grubby plastic chairs by the side of the pitch.  For new coach Jan Kocian, the challenges of preparing his team for a major international tournament are stark - and varied.  Those still lucky enough to be attached to functioning clubs earn pocket money at best, forcing them to drive taxis or work in supermarkets to make ends meet. Others have joined the fighting; several international players have died in the conflict.  "I have to think about doing something else to earn money," Ammad Amr Talal told a camera crew recently on the side of the dusty patch of waste ground on which Al-Tilal, one of Yemen's biggest clubs, now train. "Maybe I'll join the army."  One member of Kocian's team says that despite a full-time job he still struggles to earn enough to live. Despite that, he says he had to fund his own journey to join the national squad's Asian Cup preparations in Saudi Arabia.  Complaints against Yemen's Football Association are rife, although players are wary of making waves. The FA walks a fine line between the country's warring factions and is struggling to organise the Asian Cup campaign.  The training camps should have been up and running before November, say critics, but the finances and logistics are daunting. A coalition-enforced air embargo means there are tales of risky trips to cross the few land borders still open and voyages in ships transporting cattle for slaughter.  One player was kidnapped by extremist groups as he returned home from a game during the qualification campaign. "I had been left to a 48-hour road trip through some of the most dangerous territory in the country," he claims, preferring to remain anonymous.  Politics continued to play havoc with Yemen's preparations as the Asian Cup approached. In early December, Saudi Arabia reportedly blocked the team from travelling to Qatar for a training camp and several friendlies, sending them instead on a hastily-arranged jaunt to Malaysia.  Yemen does not have a glorious footballing history. Fans have spent decades honing a philosophical approach - avoiding a drubbing has often been cause to celebrate.  They have never won an Arabian Gulf Cup match despite having played 27 times in the regional tournament, but triumphed twice and drew four times during the qualification campaign for the 2019 Asian Cup.  Just a few hundred Yemeni fans were in the stands in Qatar to cheer the team's "home" appearances, but enthusiasm back home among a population desperate for good news rose alongside the points tally. The excitement peaked in March, when Abdulwasea Al Matari scored the two goals that beat Nepal and sealed a berth in the finals.  However, Abraham Mebratu, the Ethiopian coach who steered Yemen through the campaign, was gone within three months, complaining about a lack of financing and keen to take up an opportunity to lead his home nation.  In addition to the victory over Nepal, Yemen's underemployed team played just three friendlies in 2018.  "I've played three top-level matches in 2018," says Fouad Al Omeisi. The 29-year-old midfielder is lucky - his club, Al Ahli Sanaa in the capital, still has its head above water. However, the "transportation allowance" he is paid is not even enough to fund regular gym visits.  One team-mate struggles to fit training around a 10-hour shift driving a bus. He earns $6 (£4.70) a day.  "The emotional and psychological stress caused by the war" only makes the effort to stay fit and sharp harder, Al Omeisi adds.  Slovakian manager Kocian knows a thing or two about how political upheaval can impact on football.  He won the last of his 26 international caps just months before Czechoslovakia dissolved. However, 1993's Velvet Divorce bears no comparison to the horrors stalking this Yemen team.  Kocian arrived in Saudi Arabia in November to start preparing the squad selected by the FA to take its bow on the world stage. Tall, lean and enthusiastic, he brushes aside suggestions he may have taken on the toughest coaching job in the world.  "The political situation makes for some unusual conditions for training a national team," he admits. "For one thing, I won't enter the country; that's in my contract. But it's an honour to lead this team."  Favouring a technical, passing style, Kocian could prove a perfect fit for Yemen's young squad. The former centre-back never played for Slovakia, but during a stint in 2006-08 managing his home nation he did blood a 20-year-old Marek Hamsik, Slovakia's talisman ever since.  Kocian says his players are keen and focused, and avoid talking about the problems at home, just as the break-up of Czechoslovakia "was never a topic among footballers".  But that does not mean the devastation is not on their minds. Offering Yemenis a glimpse of hope, an escape from the horrors in which they are trapped, pushes the team to raise its game, according to veteran goalkeeper Mohammed Ayash.  "This tournament is a way to give people a little joy and relief," adds sports journalist Omar Al Masri. "It's a big deal. People are trying to survive and find food for their families, but during the tournament they'll be filling the cafes to watch."  Those players still based in Yemen also hope the Asian Cup could offer a literal escape. "Their dream is to get a professional contract abroad," says Kocian.  No one is going to tour a war zone to scout for talent, so the players will have no shortage of motivation when they take on Asia's biggest teams.  "Yemen won't be pushovers but they will rely on the counter attack against the likes of Iran," says Al Masri. "But they're there to prove themselves, and if they can beat Vietnam then all the better!"  Kocian adds: "We know we're the outsiders in the group, but in football a small country can dream of big victories, and we're all aware that qualification for the Qatar World Cup begins in March."  Given the challenges, just taking the field on 7 January will be a startling achievement.


bbc--2019-01-08--Egypt named as the hosts of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced.  Egypt beat South Africa, the only other nation to bid, by 16 votes to one with one abstention at a Caf executive committee vote in Senegal.  Original host nation Cameroon was stripped of staging duties in November because of slow preparations.  Egypt has just six months to prepare for the expanded 24-team finals, which kick off in June.  It will be the fifth time Egypt, which won the tournament when it last hosted in 2006, has staged the tournament.  "I want to thank the (Caf) Executive Committee for the trust, and I thank the government for this support," said Egypt FA (EFA) president Hany Abu Rida.  "We organised the tournament on 2006 and that make us against a challenge to make better and better, we are ready for this honour."  "The guarantee from government helped us to win against South Africa and that will help us to make a good tournament," added Ahmed Shobair, vice-president of Egypt's FA.  "The fans will be back again in the stadiums, which will be full in the tournament I promise."  Egypt will use eight stadiums during the tournament, hosting in five different cities: Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez and the capital Cairo.  Caf had originally planned to name the new hosts on Wednesday 9 January.  Since stripping Cameroon of this year's event, Caf has offered the country the chance to stage the finals in two years' time, which has meant that the original hosts for both the 2021 and 2023 finals have been asked to delay their tournaments.  Ivory Coast, which was set to host the 2021, has protested against the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.  Guinea's football federation announced on Monday that it has agreed to move its staging of the Nations Cup from 2023 to 2025.  Tuesday's announcement took place in the Senegalese capital Dakar, which will host Caf's annual awards ceremony later in the day.  Egypt's Mohamed Salah is looking to retain his title as he takes on Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Senegal's Sadio Mane for the African Player of the Year award.


bbc--2019-01-09--Manchester City 9-0 Burton Albion Gabriel Jesus scores four in Carabao Cup semi-final

Manchester City 9-0 Burton Albion: Gabriel Jesus scores four in Carabao Cup semi-final

Irresistible Manchester City scored nine goals as they thrashed Burton Albion with an incredible display of attacking football in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Etihad Stadium.  Gabriel Jesus scored four, with Kevin de Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez also scoring against Nigel Clough's beleaguered League One side.  Headers from De Bruyne and Jesus made it 2-0, the Brazilian tapped in a third and Zinchenko's curler put City four up.  Jesus added two more headers, with Foden, Walker and Mahrez scoring further goals.  This was the first time in more than 31 years that City had scored more than eight goals in a single match - they beat Huddersfield Town 10-1 in a second-tier league encounter in November 1987.  It means City have scored 16 goals in four days after thrashing Rotherham United 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.  The second leg, merely a formality, takes place at the Pirelli Stadium on Wednesday, 23 January, with the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 24 February.  City, the Carabao Cup holders, are set to meet either Tottenham or Chelsea in the final, with Spurs leading 1-0 after Harry Kane's penalty gave them a first-leg victory at Wembley on Tuesday.  Before the game, Guardiola called the tournament "a more local competition" and said "everybody is happy to win but no-one is sad to go out".  However, the Spaniard still named a strong team that included De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Sane and Jesus, with starts for 20-year-old goalkeeper Aro Muric and Spanish centre-half Eric Garcia, on his 18th birthday.  It only took them five minutes to break through with De Bruyne's header, and Sane almost added a second but fired into the side netting.  But three goals in a seven-minute spell in the first half took the tie away from Nigel Clough's side.  Jesus got his first with a header after Sane's effort had been parried by goalkeeper Brad Collins, and the Brazilian tapped in from Sane's cross to make it 3-0, with the goal given after a video assistant referee check to see if he had been onside, which he was.  Zinchenko got his first City goal when he looped the ball over Collins from the edge of the penalty area, with Mahrez denied a fifth when the Burton goalkeeper tipped over his effort.  City did not let up after the break as Jesus completed his hat-trick when he headed in from Silva's cross, and the sixth goal was scored by Foden, following up after Collins had denied Jesus.  But the Brazilian grabbed his fourth of the game three minutes later, with a tap-in from Sane's low delivery.  Walker made it 8-0 with a side-footed finish and Silva hit the outside of the post, although the ninth was not far away as Mahrez bundled in another goal.  City had a chance to get a 10th but Zinchenko's header was saved on the line by Collins.  City have won this competition in three of the past five years and their 2018 success was Guardiola's first trophy in English football. With City playing eight matches in a hectic January, Guardiola will now have the luxury of resting some players for the second leg.  Burton - ninth in League One, 51 places below City - were playing in their first major cup semi-final, and around 3,000 of their supporters had tickets for the match at Etihad Stadium.  However, numerous traffic incidents caused tailbacks on the M6 with only one of their 31 fan coaches at the ground an hour before kick-off.  Some of their fans had still not taken their seats when De Bruyne's header put the hosts in front, but the away fans should have been celebrating an equaliser seven minutes later, although Marcus Harness could only shoot over when unmarked 12 yards from goal.  After that miss, Burton were outclassed by a ruthless City side. Clough's side still created chances, though, and Scott Fraser had an effort saved by Muric and shot just over early in the second half as the Brewers fans were denied the goal they wanted.  Burton had beaten five teams to reach this stage - including Premier League Burnley and Championship sides Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough - but were powerless to stop a rampant City outfit.  When you have got so much quality pushing quality, you are going to get better performances. Pep Guardiola knows he is going to push Liverpool all the way in the Premier League title race, and this performance shows that he has players fighting for those shirts.  It doesn't matter to a centre-forward about the opposition. When the ball leaves any part of your body and goes into the back of the net, that is the feeling you work so hard for. Tonight will give Gabriel Jesus a lot of confidence.  Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus on Sky Sports: "I have never scored four before in my career; I am so happy for this. We played very well and with respect, that's important.  "Players like me want to play more, to help the team, and we went out there to win."  Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "The result was good and of course we are already in the final but we have to play the second leg. We will take it seriously. Burton have had an incredible tournament. They have to be so proud, they did so well.  "Strikers need to score goals, Gabriel Jesus has had chances in the last few games and today he has scored. He is so important.  "It is not easy to play this type of game against a lower team. We made good runs in behind and we took it seriously. After the second and third goal it was easier, we were faster and quicker.  "I am off for a glass of wine with Nigel Clough. I know how important his father was for English football, he was a genius. Incredible. It will be a pleasure to share some minutes with him."  Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough: "We didn't expect anything less with the gulf between the two teams. We thought it could have been more. We didn't too much wrong. With two or three of the goals we could have done more but we didn't do too badly."  "We have made history in getting this far. It wasn't about tonight, it was about the achievement of getting here. We kept going right to the end, they [the fans] were shouting 'we want 10' and we stopped them, that's a positive for us. Some of the youngsters have had an experience that you can't buy.  "It's not nice when the goals are going in and you can do nothing to stop it. Pep said 'come in for a glass of wine' and I hope he's got more than a glass. They are capable of doing that to Premier League teams."  Manchester City return to Premier League action on Monday, 14 January at home to Wolves (20:00 GMT) and then face Huddersfield away on the following Sunday, before the second leg against on 23 January.  For Burton, they have a home match in League One with Gillingham on Saturday and an away game at Doncaster the following week before facing Guardiola's side again.


bbc--2019-01-11--Premier League predictions Lawro v The Greatest Dancer captain Oti Mabuse

Premier League predictions: Lawro v The Greatest Dancer captain Oti Mabuse

Sunday sees the first big test for Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when his in-form team take on Tottenham.  So far, Solskjaer has won all five of his games in charge in the Premier League and FA Cup - but how will he fare at Wembley?  BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "Spurs have beaten United at home in each of the past three seasons, with most of their current team involved in those games.  "It just feels like Tottenham know they can turn United over. They beat them at Old Trafford in August, so I am backing them to do a rare double - for the first time since 1989-90."  Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.  This week he is up against Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse, who is a dance captain on new BBC One show The Greatest Dancer.  "Growing up in South Africa my dad had a huge passion for soccer," Mabuse told BBC Sport.  "The World Cup in South Africa in 2010 was enormous, it changed how the country looks and works today.  "I was an official dancer for the World Cup! Everyone was so excited, it brought the whole country together. That's the magic of football."  You can watch episode one of The Greatest Dancer now on iPlayer. Episode two is on BBC One at 20:10 GMT on Saturday.  A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.  Normal service will be resumed this weekend in terms of Premier League teams going with their strongest line-ups after resting players last week - not just here, but across the division.  Both of these sides are safely into the next round of the FA Cup after beating lower league sides - I was at Blackpool for BBC Radio 5 live to see Arsenal cruise through.  In the Premier League, the Hammers' form has been very up and down in recent weeks, but the same could be said about the Gunners.  I am going for an Arsenal win here, but it is clear that Unai Emery still has a lot of work to do.  He has only been in charge for half a season and I think that, when they come up against the top teams, the same problems still remain.  The main issue is at the back. Would I back them defensively? No, absolutely not. Too many of their defenders are not Champions League level, which is the standard they need them to be at.  Liverpool have got a problem in central defence with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip injured, and I suspect Fabinho will play there - I can't see what else Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would do.  Ki-Jana Hoever did great when he came on for Lovren against Wolves, but you would not want to chuck a 16-year-old in at Brighton because he would have Glenn Murray to contend with.  I know the Seagulls are not the most attacking team, and Liverpool turned them over easily at Amex Stadium last season, but Murray against a kid? No, he would have too much experience for him.  This is a really good test for Liverpool, on the back of their defeat by Manchester City and then their defeat at Molineux after Klopp decided the FA Cup was not in his top two priorities.  It would clearly be preferable for Liverpool to be at Anfield as they look to bounce back this weekend, especially because the thing about Brighton is that they are very good at stopping teams from playing.  Brighton have got a good home record too, which is why I am going for a draw here.  I don't know whether this might be a little bump in the road for Liverpool but, if I am right and they drop points on Saturday, I would also back them to return to winning ways in their home games against Crystal Palace and Leicester before the end of the month.  There are 11 days between the Palace and Leicester matches and, because Liverpool are out of the FA Cup, Klopp will be able to give his players a few days off to rest their bodies, and clear their heads.  I have thought for a while that Burnley have clicked again and, including their FA Cup win over Barnsley, they now have three victories on the spin.  Clarets boss Sean Dyche would probably disagree but I can't help thinking their Europa League campaign played its part in their poor start to the season.  Burnley just seem to have got their hunger and desire back, as well as their form - and I just cannot see Fulham getting anything here.  The Cottagers' home defeat by League Two side Oldham was one of the biggest upsets on third-round weekend.  Away from home, they have got the worst record in the top flight with just two points from 11 games, and I don't see them adding to that tally at Turf Moor.  Both of these teams are out of the FA Cup and just have their fight for Premier League survival to focus on now.  Cardiff have given themselves a chance, but it is hard to hold out much hope for Huddersfield, who have lost eight league games in a row and are sinking fast.  The Bluebirds have just lost their past two home games, to Tottenham and Manchester United, by a combined score of 8-1, but they have actually been on a half-decent run otherwise.  At the start of the season I watched Cardiff and thought 'crikey, where are they going to get any points?' but they have improved a lot and now this is a game that I look at and expect them to win.  Crystal Palace's last Premier League game saw them beat Wolves at Molineux, to follow up their famous victory at Manchester City before Christmas.  The Eagles' home form has been a lot less convincing but they are still a team that is heading in the right direction and they should end up safely in mid-table.  Watford are inconsistent but they always seem to score goals, which is why I have a feeling they might edge this one.  Leicester's FA Cup exit at Newport last weekend was probably the most perplexing of all the upsets suffered by Premier League clubs, especially if you are a Foxes fan.  Their win over Everton on New Year's Day had taken them up to seventh, and they are clearly not going to go down.  We can only speculate about Claude Puel's reasons for changing his team so much on Sunday. It is all a little bit strange.  Maybe his remit is that he has to finish in the top 10, so he was thinking the FA Cup might get in the way of that?  On paper, Southampton's form has dropped off a bit with one point from their past three games.  They worry me a little bit, because their squad needs some strengthening, but new Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has got something about him which helps, and I think they will be all right.  Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez got a great welcome at Anfield when he went back with the Magpies over Christmas, but I don't think he will get the same sort of reception on Saturday at another of his former clubs.  Sadly for Benitez, I can see him being on the wrong end of a similar result - although I do not see Chelsea hammering Newcastle the way that Liverpool did.  It looks like the Blues are going to get a new striker in January, we just don't know who it will be yet.  They need one because they have been a bit short of goals recently, but in the meantime I still think they will be too strong for the Magpies.  Both of these teams have been in poor form recently - and Everton's results at home in the past few weeks are probably the most worrying thing for boss Marco Silva.  The Toffees have only won one of their past eight league games, taking only two points from their past four games at Goodison Park.  Bournemouth can be quite inconsistent anyway but they are more down than up at the moment - and have lost nine of their past 12 league matches.  That run of results has seen both teams fall out of the the top half of the table, but they are still capable of a top-10 finish.  I do think that Everton, in particular, will come good at some stage because they have some very good players.  Silva just has to work out what his best team is - and this might be the fixture they need.  The club has had a good week anyway with the news about their ambitious plans for their new stadium, and that might kick them on to produce a good performance in front of their own fans.  This is a big test for United caretaker Solskjaer and it will be interesting to see whether he will be as attack-minded at Wembley as in his first five games.  It is quite possible United will not have the same amount of possession they have enjoyed in those matches - if not, they will need a different approach.  Tottenham's methods, meanwhile, are tried and tested.  There was more news about Tottenham's stadium this week but if it is not going to be ready until March, they are better off staying at Wembley until the end of the season.  Moving grounds mid-season is something no Premier League team has done before, let alone one that might be challenging for the title at that late stage of the campaign and also trying to progress in the Champions League.  If Spurs can wait until the summer to move, then they should do.  Oti's prediction: 1-1. "I love Jesse Lingard's moves! They are fresh! He's got some swag. I would give Dele Alli a six out of 10 for his floss. His was cute - but it wasn't fast enough."  City scored seven against Rotherham, nine against Burton - so I guess they will be going for 11 against Wolves.  Despite the return to form of Pep Guardiola's side, I think Wolves will go to Etihad Stadium in confident mood, especially because they gave the defending champions such a good game in a 1-1 draw at Molineux in August.  In the same way that Liverpool's last-gasp winner in the Merseyside derby definitely spurred them on the next few games, I really do feel that Sadio Mane hitting the post for the Reds against City has had a similar effect on Guardiola's side.  That game, which City won 2-1, was so finely balanced and if that Mane shot had gone in, I think Liverpool would have won it.  You only have to look at City's results in the two games they have played since then to see how much that result has lifted them, and I just see them kicking on now. The blip they had over Christmas seems a long time ago already.  Wolves, who are ninth, are looking good for a top-10 finish, and that is not just down to what we have seen from them in the first half of the season.  In the past their owners have always kicked on from a position of strength, which is the way to do it - and they looked to do that again when they tried to sign Tammy Abraham.  If they do stay in the top half that would be a really good first season back for them, and you could envisage them really building on that in the summer.  In the third round of the FA Cup, Lawro picked the right result in 14 of the 32 ties, including one exact result.  In the four ties where he went up against Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac [Tranmere 0-7 Tottenham, Everton 2-1 Lincoln, Blackpool 0-3 Arsenal and Wolves 2-1 Liverpool], Lawro got three correct results with no spot-on scores, while Annie also got three correct results but with one exact score.  From the last round of Premier League games at the start of January, Lawro got four correct results, including one perfect score, from 10 matches, for a total of 70 points.  He was beaten by rapper Yatez, who got eight correct results, with one exact score, for a total of 110 points.  Lawro's worst score: 40 points (week three v Idris Elba, week eight v Chris Stark and week 12 v Mumford & Sons)


bbc--2019-01-24--FA Cup fourth-round predictions - Lawro v Radio 1Xtra DJs Dotty and Reece Parkinson

Between them, Arsenal and Manchester United have won the FA Cup 25 times, but it was United who made it into the hat for the fifth round this year.  United's win on Friday was one of three fourth-round ties you can watch live on the BBC.  BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson has taken a look at all 16 of this weekend's ties and given his verdict on who will make it into round five.  For selected matches, including Arsenal versus United and the BBC's other two televised games - Millwall v Everton (Saturday 17:30 GMT) and Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday (Sunday 18:00) - BBC Radio 1Xtra DJs Dotty and Reece Parkinson have made their predictions too.  Reece presents his show on Sunday nights from 21:00 GMT and Dotty is on the Breakfast Show on weekdays from 06:00 to 10:00.  Gap = how many league positions separate each team  * Away team to win at home in the replay  Manager John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell deserve enormous credit for what they have achieved at Accrington on a tiny budget and with such limited facilities in comparison with most other League One teams.  They get everything possible - and more - out of their players and it is great for the whole club that they have been given a pay-day like this, with this tie live on BT Sport, after beating Ipswich last time out.  I will be there too with BBC Radio 5 live and I am looking forward to it. I think Stanley will give Derby a really good game - and earn a replay.  It will be interesting to see what sort of side both managers pick.  Brighton boss Chris Hughton shuffled his squad in the last round, and does West Brom manager Darren Moore want a cup run? I am not sure he does.  Championship teams play 46 league games in the season and, if you are chasing automatic promotion as the Baggies are, then you can understand why that takes priority.  Are they going to win the FA Cup, or even reach the semi-finals? Realistically, no. Can they get back in the Premier League this year if they throw everything at that? Possibly, yes.  I have seen two of Doncaster's FA Cup games this season - at Chorley and also at Preston where they out-played my team and fully deserved to win.  They have got a real threat in striker John Marquis, who has got 20 goals in all competitions this season, including one at Deepdale.  Managerless Oldham had a wonder result at Fulham in round three to get this far, but neither side got the big tie out of the hat that they wanted.  Still, it means we will have a lower league side in the draw for the fifth round - which is a heck of an incentive for both teams.  I would back Doncaster to win here from what I have seen of them - they play some nice football and are a well-structured team.  After they almost went out twice against Chorley, it would be incredible if they reached the last 16.  City ended up beating Burnley pretty comfortably at home in the third round last season, and put five goals past them in the Premier League at Etihad Stadium in October.  It might not be as emphatic, but I can certainly see this tie having a similar outcome.  Yes, City will make lots of changes, but so will Burnley - and because of the respective strength of their squads, that means two very different things.  City boss Pep Guardiola is very clever in the way he uses cup games - in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup - to put game time in his players' legs and keep them ticking over.  After such a busy January, he cannot be far off the stage where all his players are at the same level of fitness and sharpness.  One or two of City's kids will probably get a chance on Saturday too, so it is all good for them.  Newport pulled off one of the shocks of the third round by beating Leicester, and they will take a load of fans to the North East. The club is subsidising their travel costs, which is a nice touch.  There will be plenty of friends of Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis among those making the trip - Newport is his home town, and he played for County in the 1980s.  Like West Brom boss Darren Moore, I am pretty sure that Pulis will make plenty of changes, because promotion is his priority.  That could include a debut for former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, who signed for Boro this week, and with home advantage I still think they will be too strong.  I don't think there will be as many Watford fans in the North East as Newport supporters - by the end of last week, the Hornets had sold only 600 out of the 6,000 tickets they have been allocated.  This could be a significant moment for Newcastle fans. If the Magpies win this tie, they will be into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007.  Is either manager really that bothered about making progress, though?  Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez played some youngsters against Blackburn in the last round but they got through and when a team wins a game, it does lift the place - it showed when they followed that up by beating Cardiff in the Premier League.  I think the feelgood factor of winning this tie would outweigh any possible distraction to their battle against the drop.  As for Hornets boss Javi Gracia - I am not sure. His team are seventh in the Premier League, so they do not have worry about relegation.  But does he see a cup run as imperative, or would he prefer to focus on trying to stay seventh?  I don't think we will find out until the teamsheets come out, but Newcastle have taken four points off Watford in the league this season, so I am going to back them to come out on top again.  Portsmouth are top of League One but have lost their past two league games.  QPR, who are mid-table in the Championship, are on an identical run of form - and lost 4-1 at home to Preston last time out.  On the back of that result, I am going to go with Pompey here, although it will be close.  It is only around 30 miles from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury and this is a great tie for the League One club, and a reward for getting past Stoke in round three.  I don't see the Shrews' cup run continuing, though. Even if Wolves rotate, which they will, they have got enough quality to get through.  Gillingham have already knocked out one Welsh side to get here, now they are looking to slay some more dragons - so to speak.  It will be a big day for Gills boss Steve Lovell, who grew up in Swansea - his dad played for them and his family lived locally.  His side will have absolutely nothing to lose but this is a tough tie for them to negotiate. I saw Swansea draw with Stoke earlier this month and they are a good side, so they have to be strong favourites.  Millwall v Everton (17:30 GMT, live on BBC One and BBC Sport website)  Millwall had a good little run over Christmas, which has kept them clear of trouble at the bottom of the Championship.  Their manager Neil Harris has done a very good job there, and their players always seem to be able to play above themselves.  That's one of the reasons this is a tricky tie for Everton, who were well beaten by Southampton last week. The big worry for me there was that they were out-fought, rather than out-thought, because if that keeps happening then they are going to be in trouble.  The bizarre manner of the late defeat they suffered at Anfield in December seems to have knocked the stuffing out of them a bit, and they have never really recovered from it.  They need a cup run to appease supporters after some iffy results, so I think they would settle for getting Millwall back to Goodison Park, and finishing the job there.  Dotty's prediction: I think this is going to be a tight game, and could easily end in a draw - but Millwall are at home and I am going to say they are just going to nick it. 1-0  Reece's prediction: This really, really pains me to say this because I really do not want this lot to win - no bias! - but I am going with 1-0 Millwall.  AFC Wimbledon are bottom of League One and are without a league win since 26 December but they will not have been thinking about their struggles in training this week.  I am not sure who West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini will pick but, whoever is in his team, they will have to be ready. This will not be easy, as Liverpool found out when they went to Kingsmeadow in the third round in 2015.  I know Wimbledon boss Wally Downes a little bit and I think any team that he manages will be scrapping for everything.  I am going to go with West Ham to win it, but not without a fight.  This is a very big game for Tottenham's season after Chelsea knocked them out of the Carabao Cup on Thursday.  As daft as it sounds, though, with the way things are going with their injury list, going out of the FA Cup might be a blessing in disguise for Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino because he is running out of players, particularly in attack.  This will be a tough ask for whatever team Pochettino puts out - I was at Anfield last week, and Crystal Palace were very good against Liverpool, so they are definitely capable of winning on Sunday.  It is just down to whether Palace boss Roy Hodgson takes the FA Cup seriously, and I think he probably will give it a go.  Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday (18:00 GMT, live on BBC One and BBC Sport website)  New Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce does not take charge of the team until 1 February but his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence have done pretty well, and have only lost one out of five games this month.  But going to Stamford Bridge is going to be a step up, obviously, and Wednesday remain a club in limbo until Bruce walks through the door, no matter how many telephone conversations he has had with them.  I will be co-commentating on this game on BBC One, and it should be a great atmosphere because the Owls will bring lots of fans with them.  It will be interesting to see how new Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain gets on too, because surely he has to play.  But despite the problems that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is having with his dressing room, I can only see one outcome.  Dotty's prediction: This is going to be an absolute walk in the park. I am calling it now, 4-0 to Chelsea.  Reece's prediction: This one, I feel an upset coming along - especially with Chelsea's form at the moment - they are not doing the best and lost to Arsenal the other week. So I am going with 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday - hopefully!  I am pleased that Barnet are at home after their great win over Sheffield United, and that this tie is being televised by BT, because the money will be a big boost for them.  But I have watched Brentford this season and they have some very good players.  They should be higher up the Championship table than they are with what they have got and, form-wise, they are in decent shape too - unbeaten in six league games.  With only one away win from 14 league games this campaign, their results on their travels have let them down a bit, but I don't see them struggling on Monday night.  From last week's Premier League games, Lawro got eight correct results, with no perfect scores, from 10 matches, for a total of 80 points.  He lost to NBA star Mario Hezonja, who got six correct results, but with one exact score, for a total of 90 points.  Lawro's worst score: 40 points (week three v Idris Elba, week eight v Chris Stark and week 12 v Mumford & Sons)


bbc--2019-01-25--Watch Millwall v Everton on Saturday - plus rest of BBCs FA Cup weekend coverage

Watch Millwall v Everton on Saturday - plus rest of BBC's FA Cup weekend coverage

Premier League side Everton's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Championship club Millwall on Saturday (17:30 GMT) is one of two ties to be shown live on BBC One and online over the weekend.  Holders Chelsea face Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday (18:00 GMT), while Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United in Friday's game.  BBC Sport will cover all 16 round four ties on television, radio and online.  The draw for the fifth round is live on Monday's The One Show from 19:00.  Mark Chapman will present the draw and will be joined in the studio by two-time Arsenal FA Cup winner Ian Wright and former Arsenal and England player Alex Scott.  Gary Lineker, an FA Cup winner with Tottenham in 1991, will present all three live games on BBC One.  On Saturday, Dan Walker previews the fourth round ties on Football Focus on BBC One from 12:00.  The programme comes live from Fratton Park where League One leaders Portsmouth host Championship QPR. Walker will be joined by Scott as well as former Pompey defender Sylvain Distin, who won the FA Cup with the club in 2008.  Jason Mohammad and guests react to Saturday's action on FA Cup Final Score on BBC One from 16:30. Final Score can also be watched on the Red Button, BBC Sport website, mobile, tablet and connected TV from 14:30.  BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra will have commentary of nine games across the fourth-round weekend. BBC local radio stations up and down the country will provide commentary from all 16 ties on the BBC Sport website and app.  You can also follow in-play clips of all the goals and key incidents from the non-15:00 GMT Saturday games shortly after they've happened.  There is a Match of the Day FA Cup highlights show on both Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.  Gabby Logan presents Saturday's programme from 22:20, while Manish Bhasin fronts Sunday's programme at 22:30.


bbc--2019-03-20--Euro 2020 qualifying All you need to know about European Championship qualifiers

Euro 2020 qualifying: All you need to know about European Championship qualifiers

Euro 2020 qualifying started on Wednesday with 55 countries battling for 20 spaces at the tournament next year.  How does it all work? Who is looking in good shape? And how does the Nations League tie into this? BBC Sport answers all those questions and more.  Next year's European Championship, which runs from 12 June to 12 July, will look a lot different to previous versions of the competition.  While we are used to tournaments taking place in a single host nation - or across two countries, as with Poland and Ukraine in 2012 and Austria and Switzerland in 2008 - the 2020 edition will be played out across the continent, with games in 12 countries.  No team automatically qualifies this time, with the games to be held across London, Glasgow, Dublin, Rome, Baku, St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bucharest, Bilbao, Munich and Budapest.  The opening match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.  Wembley will host seven games - three group matches, one last-16 tie, both semi-finals and the final.  Glasgow's Hampden Park and Dublin's Aviva Stadium will host last-16 matches and three group games. Every host country to qualify will play a minimum of two games at home.  The format of Euro 2020 will be the same as Euro 2016 - six groups of four teams, with the top two and the best four third-placed teams going into the last 16.  There are 10 qualifying groups, of five and six teams, with the top two countries from each group going through automatically.  The first round of qualifiers are on 21-23 March 2019 - and the final games are on 17-19 November 2019. The Nations League finalists, including England, are not in action on matchday two or three in June 2019 so they can play the finals of that tournament.  There are no play-offs after these qualifying groups for third place.  The 16 teams who won their three or four-team groups in the Nations League last year guaranteed themselves a Euro 2020 play-off place, against teams of a similar level to themselves, if they fail to finish in the top two places in these upcoming qualifying groups. England and Scotland are among those teams.  If some do qualify for Euro 2020 - which is highly likely - then the next best team in their Nations League tier (in terms of position in their group, points and goal difference) who don't qualify automatically themselves take their play-off place.  The play-off draw is on 22 November 2019, with the semi-finals and finals being played from 26 to 31 March 2020.  These are the teams guaranteed a play-off place at least.  The Nations League finals - between England, Portugal, Switzerland and the Netherlands - in June this year have no impact on Euro 2020 qualifying.  "It's very cruel, possibly the worst draw we could have got," Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill said after being placed with the Netherlands and Germany. Estonia and Belarus are the other teams in their group.  Top-seeded England got a favourable-looking draw, in with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo. Boss Gareth Southgate said "the biggest issue for us in preparing for those games" will be getting the right mentality and dealing with the away atmospheres.  Scotland - who have the safety net of a play-off place - face Belgium, Russia, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino. "I believe we will have a chance," said manager Alex McLeish.  Wales are in with World Cup finalists Croatia, as well as Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. "It could be better, it could be worse," said boss Ryan Giggs, adding that "it is masses better" they are in a five-team group.  The Republic of Ireland got fortunate when they should have been drawn in Group C - instead of Northern Ireland - but tournament rules mean only two host countries could be in one Euro 2020 group. That meant they got placed with Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar instead.  "There was a collective sigh of relief not being in the other group but it's hardly going to be easy," said Mick McCarthy, who starts his second spell as boss of the Republic.  Germany come into qualifying on a low after going out of the group stages at the last World Cup and getting relegated in the Nations League.  Coach Joachim Low took the unusual move of effectively retiring Bayern Munich trio Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller as part of a "new start". The trio, all aged 29 or 30, helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup and have a combined 246 caps.  European champions Portugal are likely to have legend Cristiano Ronaldo back in the team. He sat out the entire Nations League to give him time to adjust to life in Italian football with Juventus, but he says he is now ready to return.  Ronaldo, with 85 goals, is the second top scorer in international history, 24 behind Iran icon Ali Daei.  World champions France are the favourites to win Euro 2020, although they lost their most recent competitive game 2-0 to the Netherlands in the Nations League.  Spain manager Luis Enrique and Italy boss Roberto Mancini take charge of qualifying campaigns for the first time - though both lost matches in the Nations League.  Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Gracenote, said: "The top eight nations in Europe according to the Gracenote World Football Ranking - France, Belgium, Spain, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Croatia - all have more than an 80% chance of qualifying for Euro 2020.  "Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, Serbia, Russia, the Czech Republic, Wales, Sweden and Turkey are most likely to complete the 20 direct qualifiers for Euro 2020."


bbcuk--2019-03-30--Crystal Palace 2-0 Huddersfield Terriers relegation confirmed at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace 2-0 Huddersfield: Terriers' relegation confirmed at Selhurst Park

Huddersfield equalled the record for the earliest relegation in a Premier League season as second-half goals from Luka Milivojevic and Patrick van Aanholt earned Crystal Palace all three points at Selhurst Park.  The Terriers' defeat, combined with victories for Burnley and Southampton, confirmed the visitors' demotion back to the Championship.  Huddersfield, who have propped up the table since December, join Derby County and Ipswich Town as the only teams in Premier League history to be relegated with six games left to play.  Milivojevic opened the scoring in the second half, sending Ben Hamer the wrong way from the penalty spot after Wilfried Zaha had been fouled by Juninho Bacuna.  Patrick van Aanholt's composed finish secured a valuable victory for Palace, who move eight points clear of the bottom three.  Huddersfield spurned several chances to open the scoring, but they failed to make the most of those opportunities as their two-year stay in the Premier League came to an end.  Having started the day 16 points adrift of safety, it was always going to take a remarkable turnaround for Huddersfield to preserve their top-flight status for a third season.  The Terriers' energetic and fearless approach under David Wagner last term endeared them to neutrals as they achieved what many regarded as impossible by avoiding an immediate return to the second tier.  Life has been much more difficult this season.  Wagner left the club by mutual consent in January with the club eight points adrift at the foot of the table having taken only 11 points from 22 games.  Siewert has been unable to spark a recovery, losing eight of his nine league games in charge with the sole exception a win at home against Wolves in February.  One of Town's main problems has been their lack of goals. They have scored only 18 in their 32 games, finding the net just once away from home in 2019.  They were unfortunate not to make the scoresheet at Selhurst Park, with Chris Lowe twice forcing fine saves from Vicente Guaita.  The Spanish goalkeeper produced a one-handed stop to prevent the defender's header from nestling in the back of the net, before tipping another goal-bound effort past the far post.  Karlan Grant also went close to giving the visitors the lead before half-time, but the former Charlton man failed to direct his effort on target.  The Huddersfield players received a warm reception from the travelling Terriers fans at the end of the game, but Burnley's win over Wolves and Southampton's victory at Brighton mean Siewert's side will be playing Championship football again next season.  Palace have endured scoring problems of their own this season, particularly at Selhurst Park.  Roy Hodgson's side had managed just 11 goals in their 15 home league games prior to Saturday's encounter, while only Fulham and Huddersfield have collected fewer points in front of their own fans in 2018-19.  The Eagles were aided by the inclusion of their talisman Zaha, who was passed fit to play having been a doubt with a hamstring injury.  The Ivorian was a constant thorn in the Terriers' side and played a crucial role in helping Hodgson's team break the deadlock, twisting and turning on the edge of the area before winning his side a penalty following Bacuna's foul.  However, the former Manchester United man will be disappointed not to have got his name on the scoresheet after missing two gilt-edged opportunities in the second half.  Zaha failed to get his shot off in a one-on-one situation with Hamer, before firing wide of the target with only the Huddersfield goalkeeper to beat.  Andros Townsend was just as wasteful, twice firing wide from promising positions on the edge of the area.  Fortunately for Hodgson's team, they were not made to rue their profligacy as Van Aanholt put the seal on a priceless win that puts clear daylight between Palace and the bottom three.  Huddersfield Town manager Jan Siewert, speaking to BBC Sport: "It is hard to say what I am feeling, disappointment of course. It sums the season up that a penalty decides the direction. I haven't counted but we've conceded maybe eight to 10 penalties this season.  "When you go into the dressing room at half-time and get applause from the opponent you must have done something right. But it is not enough to win games in the Premier League.  "For me in life there is failure and success and it belongs together, as a club we have to learn from the failures. The performance proved it in a way, we've got to go through all the details and come back strong."  Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, speaking to BBC Sport: "I feel relief, the first half was nothing like what we wanted it to be. Fortunately they were not creating better goal chances but they had more of the ball and looked in control with us out of sorts.  "I must say at half-time things were looking bleak. We made a few tweaks and moved Wilf [Zaha] up front. It took until the 74th minute to score, that goal from the spot was a such a relief.  "Congratulations to Huddersfield, they are technically relegated but should be proud of their performance because they tested us. So in the end I'm happy we got the result. It lifts us to 36 points which, depending on results, might be a nice buffer from the bottom three."  Palace face Tottenham Hotspur in the first game at Spurs' new stadium on Wednesday, 3 April (19:45 BST kick-off), while Huddersfield return to action on Saturday, 6 April at home to Leicester (15:00).


bbcuk--2019-04-21--Everton 4-0 Manchester United Toffees cruise to victory

Everton 4-0 Manchester United: Toffees cruise to victory

Everton produced a thrilling display to outclass a woeful Manchester United at Goodison Park and expose all the problems facing Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.  United face a fight to secure a Premier League top-four place and Champions League football next season after 90 minutes which were little other than torture against a rampant Everton.  United goalkeeper David de Gea had saved superbly from Richarlison before the Brazilian hooked in an acrobatic 13th-minute volley to set the tone for a magnificent display from Marco Silva's side.  De Gea was beaten by Gylfi Sigurdsson's low 25-yard drive, going down late, as Everton took total control.  Everton did not let up after the break, Lucas Digne scoring from long range after De Gea punched out a corner, before substitute Theo Walcott ran clear on to Sigurdsson's pass to slide home the fourth.  United have lost six of their past eight games in all competitions, while a fifth successive away defeat - for the first time since 1981 - leaves them facing the prospect of Europa League football next season.  Everton are on a hot streak at Goodison Park but this can rank alongside the finest displays seen at the famous old stadium in many seasons.  Yes, much will be made of United's obvious deficiencies, but it would be a gross injustice to ignore a magnificent performance from a side who have drawn with Liverpool and beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and United in their past four home games without conceding a goal.  Everton swarmed all over United from the first whistle and there was never a moment when they looked like relinquishing control.  Silva's pressing approach saw United harassed mercilessly for 90 minutes, but this was not simply about work-rate - Everton were full of skill, pace and athleticism.  Idrissa Gueye was the fulcrum in midfield while Sigurdsson and the gifted Brazilian Bernard were the creators-in-chief from first to last.  There may have been some doubts expressed about Silva's position not so long ago, but this blistering run of home form - and a style which will win full favour from Everton's fans - surely means he will be given time to build, as he should.  United were reduced to being ironically cheered by their own supporters for merely stringing three passes together with Everton 4-0 up and in cruise control.  And, yes, it was that bad.  Solskjaer's side were quite simply over-run and did not even show the heart or fighting spirit to escape from a joyous Goodison with any dignity on a desperate day.  There was simply nothing good about this United performance. Indeed, given Everton's superiority, they were fortunate the scoreline did not have an even more embarrassing appearance.  Paul Pogba strolled around midfield while Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson snapped into challenges, and it was a nightmare return to Everton for striker Romelu Lukaku.  Taunted throughout, he could not do a thing right and his afternoon simply went from bad to worse.  He was not alone. De Gea may have saved well from Richarlison early on but he was slow to react to Sigurdsson's shot and it was his punch that fell at Digne's feet to score. The Spain keeper is having a mixed season.  It was five years ago to the day since a 2-0 loss here ended David Moyes' reign - and this United performance was even worse than that.  Solksjaer has inherited a mess, the early gloss from his arrival has worn off and players like Pogba and Lukaku, who were revived after Jose Mourinho was sacked, look back to their bad old ways.  Now there is the small matter of the derby against title-chasing Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.  Everton boss Marco Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm delighted with the players. It's important to remind you what we did in the last four home games - we're on a fantastic run.  "Our last performance away was not good enough and we must show something different. We did. We were the best team on the pitch from the first to last minute.  "When we won against Chelsea we were 26 games without a win against the top six. After we won I said we will change that, and now we are playing with quality at home.  "It's important to see our fans enjoying what we are doing - everything what I want as a manager. We are doing really well. Last seven games, five clean sheets."  Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, speaking to BBC Sport: "We were beaten on all aspects today. The only place we beat Everton - I can't say we beat them - but we had a fantastic support and I just want to apologise for the performance we turned out.  "We have been fantastic for long periods and it's a tough league to get into the top four, never mind winning the league. There are six teams there and Everton want to be in there.  "We know it's a big task and work to be done. We have to do it together; we have to get on with it because this is not good enough.  "You have got to start somewhere and we will give it everything we have got with the last four games - massive games with City and Chelsea coming to Old Trafford. That's where we get the best support in the world.  "We can turn it around. In football, like in life, things can change quickly. We have got to change it from bad to good.  "We need a game of football as soon as we can as we need to get this out of the systems.  "Everyone here can say with hands on hearts that's not good enough - not worthy of a Manchester United team. We know that and apologise again to fans."  Manchester United host Manchester City in the derby on Wednesday at 20:00 BST, and Everton visit Crystal Palace on Saturday at 15:00.


bbcuk--2019-06-30--England v India at the Cricket World Cup A clash of cultures

England v India at the Cricket World Cup: A clash of cultures

"It's so embedded in the culture. The atmosphere that's created when an India game is on, it just adds to the emotional connection. That's really why I support India ahead of England."  Pavan Patel, 21, is English-born and bred but during England's Cricket World Cup match against India on Sunday, he'll be rooting for India.  This cultural clash is not an uncommon thing to hear.  Cricket fans born and brought up in England, with family ties to another country, often choose to support their familial country over England.  In 1990, Lord Norman Tebbit, a politician from the Conservative party, controversially suggested that Asian immigrants and their children had not truly integrated into Britain until they supported the England cricket team ahead of their country of origin.  According to the International Cricket Council, over 80% of World Cup tickets have been bought by people who live in England, but less than half by people who actually support the England team.  So what are the reasons behind this?  "It really helps me feel in touch with my Indian roots. It's one of those things you're raised into," Pavan tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.  For many young British Asians, family and cricket go hand in hand.  "From a young age I've always just seen Indian cricket on TV. So the whole family get together and watch India's game. It's an electric buzz."  Pavan says the attachment he feels to the Indian team is because of a "similar culture and background".  "So growing up it's a cultural connection that I just didn't share with the England team."  For 28-year-old Pakistan fan Annie Hayat, more diversity in the England team when she was growing up would have made all the difference.  "I would've felt more related and connected to the English team than I currently do.  "When I was growing up, I didn't get to see much of that [Asian people] in the team. You felt like 'I just don't fit in here' so you just steer towards the Pakistan team."  With the likes of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid playing regularly, Annie does recognise that Asians are now "represented a bit more" in the England team.  But it's not just about ethnic representation.  Cricket in England is seen as a sport for the 'elite' - with 43% of men playing international cricket for England going to private school, according to a report by the Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission.  "With the English players, I've not heard of many working-class stories, it's more of a selective group that I can't identify with," says 23-year-old Sagar Ghelani, an English-born India fan.  "But for Indian cricketers, I've heard the stories of rags to riches, where they've come up in poverty and had to toil."  Sagar finds the stories of Indian cricket stars like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni "inspiring".  Dhoni was a ticket collector for the Indian railways and has gone on to captain India to multiple trophies, becoming a worldwide icon along the way.  "They really followed their passion, their dream and became cricketers. I can feel that," Sagar adds.  For many older immigrants, facing racism and discrimination when they first arrived in England was a big reason for not supporting the team.  But is that the case for the next generation?  Not for 23-year-old Sia Najumi, who is an Afghanistan fan.  "I wouldn't say my support stems from the consequences of hate crime. It's my parents' country and I'm proud they've qualified, which is why I support them."  Sia does say however that the reported rise in hate crime in the last five years has "driven" her closer to her Afghan culture and community - including the team.  "It does feel like there's this invisible wall and an ongoing division between my culture and the English community."  The latest statistics from the government show the number of hate crimes recorded by the police has increased by 123% since 2012/13, with 94,098 offences in 2017/18.  Pavan says that while hate crime hasn't affected his support, "the current political atmosphere is probably not going to encourage" the future generation of British Asians to support England.  So going back to Lord Tebbit's test, does not supporting England in cricket mean you're not integrated?  Not according to Sagar.  "It's an easy link to make between supporting a team and not being a proper part of the country."  Sagar says he considers himself English, supports them in football and loves the NHS.  But he supports the Indian cricket team because they "connect" with him in a way the English team doesn't.  "Supporting a team doesn't necessarily reflect what your view of a particular country is."  Many of those who support Asian teams like India and Pakistan in cricket, support England in every other sport they follow.  A survey by ComRes and BBC Asian Network found 77.19% of British Asians born in the UK support the home nations in international football tournaments.  According to Pavan, supporting a team in any sport is about feeling a "relatable" connection to them.  "Growing up here, you're just surrounded by football and everyone supporting England. That whole environment fed through to me."  A greater diversity of backgrounds in football has also "made a huge impact".  "You see people from every background which reflects the entire country. Someone like Raheem Sterling, I've heard about his background and struggles.  "So I think you see yourself more in the England football team than the cricket team."  Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbcuk--2019-07-02--Womens World Cup 2019 Mapping Englands Lionesses squad

Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad

England's Women's World Cup squad carry the hopes of an entire nation on Tuesday night in their semi-final clash with the USA.  The Lionesses are also a distinctly northern group, with the majority of the 23-strong squad born in north-west or north-east England or Yorkshire.  Not a single player was born in London, the East or the South West of England, with just three born in the South East.  Merseyside has provided four of the players, with defender Alex Greenwood and forwards Toni Duggan and Nikita Parris all born in Liverpool and Jodie Taylor over the river in Birkenhead.  Arguably goalkeeper Karen Bardsley should not be on the map as she was born in Santa Monica, California.  However, she plays for England - and has now done so in three World Cups - thanks to her family ties to Stockport and plays for Manchester City, so she takes the north's tally of players to 16.  Elsewhere in the North West, Keira Walsh is from Rochdale, and Abbie McManus from Prestwich, Bury. Georgia Stanway was born in Barrow-in-Furness.  From the North East, the team's captain Steph Houghton is from Durham, Jill Scott from Sunderland, Demi Stokes from South Shields and Carly Telford from Newcastle.  Right at the top comes Lucy Bronze from Berwick-upon-Tweed.  England boss Phil Neville called the goalscoring right back "the best player in the world, without a shadow of a doubt" after the win over Norway on Thursday but if she had been born just three or four miles further north she could have been playing for Scotland.  The northern dominance of the England squad is also a trait of the men's team, as we illustrated this time last year, but for the Lionesses the ties to Yorkshire are more spread out, instead of concentrated around Sheffield.  Defender Rachel Daly was born in Harrogate while forward Beth Mead is from Whitby and midfielder Lucy Staniforth is from York.  From the East Midlands are Chesterfield-born Millie Bright, Jade Moore from Worksop and Mary Earps from Nottingham.  The only southern-born players are Leah Williamson from Milton Keynes, top-scorer Ellen White from Aylesbury and Fran Kirby from Reading.  Completing the squad - and its longest-serving player - is Karen Carney from Solihull, the only West Midlander in the team.  One reason why the north is so prominent in the squad is there are more football talent centres per head of population in the north than in the south.  Dr Julia West from the School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester, said: "There is a higher population density in the south of the country so you might think there should be more elite players from the south.  "However, there are fewer higher tier regional talent clubs so there may be fewer elite pathway spaces proportionately."  Jen O'Neill, a former Sunderland player and editor of the women's football website SheKicks.net, said there would be various reasons why so many players come from the north.  "If you are sporty in the north, then you'll probably play football," she said.  "It's in the culture, it's all around and it's the most accessible sport. There's a toughness about northern girls, although it sounds like a stereotype."  Referring to Sunderland, where seven of the World Cup squad have played at some point in their careers, she said: "It's not that the north is better geared up [for women's football] but there are a few clubs that have done a really good job."  She also praised Everton, where Duggan, Parris and Greenwood have all played, as well as clubs such as Leeds and Sheffield.  Tina Hamilton, the chairwoman of Formby Community FC, presented the Women's FA Cup at Wembley in 2018 because of her work in grassroots football in Liverpool.  She said: "We're hardy in the north and we're used to dreadful weather and kids are getting out there in all conditions.  "The north has a real passion for football that runs through families. Football is becoming football, not 'girls' football' and 'boys' football'."  England take on the USA in the semi-final of the 2019 Women's World Cup at 20:00 BST on Tuesday. Full coverage is on BBC1, the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport App.


eveningstandard--2019-01-07--Asian Cup 2019 fixtures When does Son Heung-min join South Korea squad Can I watch it on TV

Asian Cup 2019 fixtures: When does Son Heung-min join South Korea squad? Can I watch it on TV?

Tottenham will now lose star man Heung-min Son for another period with the South Korean heading for the Asian Cup.  The forward, who is in fine form after finding his feet having had to miss out on domestic football due to the Asian Games last year, has missed the start of the tournament as part of a deal struck between club and county.  Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted they won’t be hurt by Son’s absence.  “I’ve accepted we’re going to lose him, so I’ve tried to make sure the squad is strong enough to push forward and to perform in the way which we expect,” he said. “I’m so happy with my squad.  “You want all your best players, but we’re not going to suffer because we knew at the start of the season this was going to happen.”  The United Arab Emirates is playing host to the 2019 tournament across four cities and eight stadiums.  The final is set to be played at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.  The final will take place on Friday, February 1.  Tottenham play Newcastle at home on February 2, and host Leicester on February 10.  Son has left to join up with his national side following Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, January 13.  The Asian Cup is not being shown on TV in the United Kingdom or United States.


eveningstandard--2019-01-07--Man City vs Burton Prediction team news live stream TV betting tickets EFL Cup 2018-19 previ

Man City vs Burton: Prediction, team news, live stream, TV, betting, tickets – EFL Cup 2018-19 preview

Burton Albion face English champions Manchester City in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final clash at the Etihad on Wednesday night.  The Brewers have enjoyed an impressive cup run to reach the last four of the competition, knocking out Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough en route to a huge clash against Pep Guardiola's City.  Burton head to the Etihad full of confidence after a 4-0 win at Rochdale on Saturday, but Nigel Clough's League One side will need something truly special if they are going to knock out the Premier League champions across two games.  David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph are on the comeback trail after training on Monday, though it remains to be seen what sort of line-up Guardiola will opt for.  Benjamin Mendy (knee) and Claudio Bravo (Achilles) are the only absentees for City.  The likelihood is that with key fixtures coming thick and fast in January, Guardiola may name a strong starting XI to try and effectively wrap up the tie on the night and allow some of his stars a rest in the second leg on 22 January.  If City get the ball rolling early on, then Burton could be in for a long night.  With the champions firmly back in the title race after beating Liverpool, Guardiola will not want to see slip-ups in any competition in case it disrupts momentum.  Expect City to attack from the first whistle, though Burton will no doubt look to trouble the hosts on the counter - something of a weakness for City in recent months.  Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.  Click here to check the availability of Man City vs Burton tickets.  The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Football and Main Event channels, and is available via NOW TV with a day pass on offer for £7.99.  Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.


eveningstandard--2019-01-21--Chelsea vs Tottenham EFL Cup score prediction line-ups team news odds live stream TV tickets

Chelsea vs Tottenham: EFL Cup score prediction, line-ups, team news, odds, live stream, TV, tickets, h2h

Chelsea answered Maurizio Sarri's criticism to advance to the Carabao Cup final with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Tottenham after a frenetic clash at Stamford Bridge.  Spurs, who had been seeking a first trophy since the 2008 League Cup, saw their slender first-leg advantage wiped out by a N'Golo Kante strike which went through the legs of Moussa Sissoko and Paulo Gazzaniga.  And Eden Hazard - labelled an "individual player" and "not a leader" by Sarri on Wednesday - netted following a flowing move to give Chelsea a 2-1 aggregate lead.  Fernando Llorente's header levelled the tie and penalties followed as neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, leaving them locked at 2-2 after two legs.  Eric Dier sent Spurs' third penalty soaring into the Matthew Harding Stand and, after Jorginho put Chelsea in front, Lucas Moura's weak spot kick was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.  David Luiz kept his composure to drill low into the net as Chelsea reached the February 24 final with Manchester City, giving Sarri a chance to claim his first managerial silverware. The wait goes on for Mauricio Pochettino.  We will have all the latest news and analysis from our team, with James Olley, Simon Johnson, Dan Kilpatrick, Vaishali Bhardwaj and Jack Rosser at the Bridge tonight.  Can't see the blog? Click here for the desktop version.  The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Football and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £7.99. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.  You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.  The London rivals have met 162 times, with Chelsea winning 68 games to Tottenham's 54, with 40 draws along the way.  Their last meeting came on January 8, with Harry Kane's penalty sealing a 1-0 first-leg win for Spurs at Wembley.  Martin Atkinson will officiate tonight's Stamford Bridge clash - with a little help from the video assistant referee of course.  Atkinson has refereed 18 Premier League games this season - only Anthony Taylor (20) and Michael Oliver (19) have overseen more - and has shown just one red card, with 56 yellow cards.  He also oversaw the team's League meeting back in November, which Spurs won 3-1 at Wembley.  That should ensure a level head if things get feisty between the London rivals - in comparison, Mike Dean has shown nine red cards in 17 games.


eveningstandard--2019-02-12--Man Utd vs PSG Where the match will be won and lost

Man Utd vs PSG: Where the match will be won and lost

Paris Saint-Germain will have fancied their chances of swatting aside a lifeless Manchester United side when the two were paired in the Champions League last 16 draw last December.  Thomas Tuchel didn’t even have time to study his side’s opponents however before Jose Mourinho was given his marching orders with club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer installed as interim manager.  United have been reborn under the Norwegian, winning 10 of their 11 games under his rule with the vibrant football so often absent under Mourinho lighting up Old Trafford again.  The timing isn’t great for PSG. Not only are they coming up against Europe’s most in-form side, they are going into battle without two key figures in Edinson Cavani and Neymar – both unavailable through injury.  Kylian Mbappe, Julian Draxler and United’s one-time record signing Angel di Maria are out to burst the Solskjaer bubble, however.  Standard Sport considers where Tuesday’s Old Trafford match will be won and lost.  Barring their late heroics in Turin, watching United in the group stages of the Champions League this season was a bit of a chore. They definitely weren’t games you would have to rush home from work for anyway, with Mourinho’s side failing to score a single goal in the opening half hour in all six group games.  But with Solskjaer releasing the shackles, that has predictably changed. In his 11 matches in charge, United have scored nine times before the 30-minute mark- including in their last two matches against Leicester and Fulham.  Solskjaer is still working on United’s shortcomings at the back but has found more solidarity than his predecessor at least.  Under their interim manager, United have not conceded a single goal in the opening half hour – having shipped 12 under Mourinho.  PSG are quite good at this goal-scoring business, mind. Even without Cavani and Neymar, United have not come up against many more dangerous going forward than the French champions, who have scored 94 goals in all competitions this season.  17 of those came in the Champions League group stages where they were particularly lethal in the 15 minutes before the half-time whistle.  Only at home to Napoli did they fail to score in this period of the match, hitting the back of the net home and away against Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade and at the San Paolo Stadium.  PSG in fact scored 10 more goals than United mustered in the group phase – putting four past Liverpool who have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.  PSG will be without Neymar for both legs of their last 16 clash having lost the Brazil international to a foot injury.  The former Barcelona star was just two goals off matching United’s entire group stage haul on his own with five to his name – including what turned out to be the winner against Liverpool in the French capital.  United won’t want to retain too many features of Mourinho’s game but they did have the knack for scoring late on in Europe under the Portuguese.  Four of the seven goals they scored in Group H came in the final 15 minutes – including two in that extraordinary come back against Juventus in November.  Mind you, Solskjaer knows a thing about late goals in Europe himself.


eveningstandard--2019-03-15--Swansea City vs Man City FA Cup 2018-19 prediction lineups odds live stream TV channel tickets

Swansea City vs Man City: FA Cup 2018-19 prediction, lineups, odds, live stream, TV channel, tickets, h2h

Manchester City remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple as they take on Swansea City in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.  Having already won the EFL Cup, Man City are still in contention to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in what would be a first in English football.  While City's focus may have temporarily switched to their Champions League draw against Tottenham, Pep Guardiola will be sure to keep his players' minds on avoiding a potential upset in south Wales on Saturday.  City will be without John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy on Saturday.  With Swansea losing four of their last five Championship games, it is hard to look past anything other than a comprehensive win for Man City this weekend.  However, Graham Potter's Swans have already seen off Premier League competition in the cup this season after dispatching Wolves, and anything can happen in a cup game.  For ticket information, click here to head to the Swansea website.  Man City tickets are currently sold out.  Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.  The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.  You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.  Man City dominate their head-to-head record against Swansea, winning 24 times, losing seven, and drawing four.  Guardiola's side have scored nine goals without reply in their last two Premier League meetings - a 4-0 away win followed by a 5-0 home thrashing in the 2017-18 season.