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The corner is whipped in and it is flicked on by Nunez.
It finds Diaz in the middle of the box who scissor-kicks it home.
Big goal for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Old Trafford.
Photo Credit: LFC/ X
Omari Forson is back in the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool, according to reports.
The 19-year-old has made three Premier League appearances so far this season.
However, he has been absent from the squad for each of the last three league matches.
According to the Manchester Evening News, though, Forson is now set to return to the matchday squad at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The teenager has made five senior appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side this season.
Having made his first-team debut in the FA Cup in January, he was handed his Premier League bow against Wolves the following month.
Forson went on to grab an assist during his four-minute cameo as he set up Kobbie Mainoo’s stoppage time winner.
He has since made his first start against Fulham and came off the bench in the Manchester Derby in March.
The winger has been with United since 2019 after joining the club’s academy from Tottenham aged 14.
Forson is also an England youth international and has been capped up to under-19 level.
His return to the United squad comes as Ten Hag battles another injury crisis.
The Red Devils are sweating on the fitness of Casemiro, Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane following their midweek loss to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw all remain absent through injury.
Shock footage has emerged of Antony having a mini-meltdown after being asked by Erik ten Hag to play left-back during the thrilling win over Liverpool.
United’s rollercoaster 4-3 victory over their rivals in the FA Cup on Sunday was watched by Sir Alex Ferguson and two other legendary names at Old Trafford.
That dramatic late triumph secured a semi-final with Coventry as Erik ten Hag’s side remained in the hunt for silverware.
Scott McTominay got the Red Devils off to a flyer but Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah put the visitors ahead before the break – with both goals enraging Roy Keane.
Substitute Antony struck at the end of normal time to send the clash into extra-time, only for Harvey Elliott’s deflected effort to restore Liverpool’s lead.
Marcus Rashford then pounced late on to seemingly send it to penalties – but there would be another dramatic twist in store.
Another sub, Amad Diallo, fired home after a counter-attack in the closing seconds to win it – only for his celebrations to be cut-short after removing his shirt and getting sent-off as he picked up a second booking.
Fans were quick to praise manager Ten Hag as “meaning business” after they spotted four tactical changes he made as United chased the game – including Bruno Fernandes going to centre-half and Antony at left-back.
The Brazilian winger was moved to the unfamiliar role after Elliott’s goal as the Dutch coach went all-out to try and salvage something.
The switches occurred at the break in extra-time as midfielder Mason Mount came off the bench in place of centre-half Victor Lindelof.
Photo Credit: EmiratesFACup/ X
Nathan Ake, at left-back, under pressure and he underhits the pass back to keeper Ederson, Nunez pounces on it, reaches it first and is clearly brought down by the Brazilian.
Ederson picked up a knock in the process of conceding the spot-kick and he was booked as well.
A big delay between the foul and the penalty actually being taken as Ederson needed some treatment. Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t fazed by any of that, a nicely-struck penalty which beats the keeper’s dive.
Anfield erupts and we have parity. Ake looks sheepish after that poor pass back to Ederson caused all the issues.
City draw first blood and it’s the unlikely figure of John Stones!
That looks like a corner routine of absolute genius. De Bruyne played it in low to the front post, Nathan Ake pushed Alexis Mac Allister out of the way and Stones made the dart to turn it home past Kelleher.
If they’ve been working on that all week, then hats off to them!
Photo Credit: premierleague/ X
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has revealed that talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Erling Haaland’s war of words has been ‘floating around the Etihad club’s changing room’ this week.
It comes ahead of his side’s crunch clash against Liverpool this weekend that could have huge huge ramifications for the Premier League title race.
But there has been plenty of drama in the build up to Sunday’s tie at Anfield, with Alexander-Arnold taking a pop at Man City, claiming that his side’s success ‘means more’ than Man City’s recent silverware haul. His also implied that City had bought their way to 14 major trophies in the Pep Guardiola era.
His comments struck a nerve with Haaland, with the striker hitting back at the Liverpool full-back in an interview with Sky Sports on Thursday.
The Norwegian said: ‘Haaland sarcastically responded, saying: “I’ve been here one year and I’ve won the Treble and it was quite a nice feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.”
With only three days until the two teams collide on the pitch, Walker was asked whether he had seen what Alexander-Arnold had said, on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast on Friday.
‘I’m not even getting involved in that,’ Walker said, before adding, ‘It’s been floating around the changing room today.’
Ruben Dias also had his say on Alexander-Arnold’s comments this week, delivering a brutal response to the Liverpool full-back’s claim.
‘We’ve won a lot in this club, especially last year with the Treble. I think it’s pretty certain between us, between our fans, how much it meant to all of us,’ Dias told BBC Radio Manchester.
Guardiola, meanwhile, diffused tensions over the Liverpool defender’s trophy dig, during his pre-match press conference, wishing Alexander-Arnold a speedy recovery from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly a month.
Ahead of Sunday’s huge clash in the title race, Jurgen Klopp lauded Guardiola as the ‘best manager in the world’ before rising to the defence of his full-back.
“It’s just how he feels. How we feel and I have absolutely no problem about that,” the Liverpool boss said on the comments.
The England full-back also lumped praise on Sunday’s opponents, claiming: “I’ve never won there,” Walker admitted. “Never won there with no team.”
Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks with Xabi Alonso over him becoming their new manager in the summer – in a potential blow to Liverpool’s chances of landing him.
Alonso, 42, is world football’s most in-demand coach after a hugely successful season with Bayer Leverkusen that sees them 10 points ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga title race.
Liverpool are keen on the Spaniard to succeed Jurgen Klopp but reports from Germany suggest Bayern – who want a replacement for Thomas Tuchel – have already held discussions with him.
Sky Sport Deutschland, via Daily Mail, reported on Monday night that the first signs were positive for Bayern and that Alonso currently favours them over Liverpool.
Their reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that Alonso feels following on from Klopp’s successful tenure at Anfield is too high a risk.
Klopp has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup during his nine years in charge at Liverpool and is adored by the red half of Merseyside.
That would certainly be a more difficult legacy to follow than Tuchel’s unravelling spell at Bayern, with their season essentially hinging on Tuesday night’s Champions League game with Lazio.
The news comes as a huge blow to Liverpool who are also keeping tabs on Alonso as a potential successor to Klopp.
Liverpool made the shock announcement in January that Klopp has decided to leave the club at the end of the season and Alonso has been linked with the upcoming vacancy ever since.
Alonso won the Champions League as an Anfield star in 2005 and has always maintained a close affinity with fans of the club.
Klopp previously heaped praise on Alonso recently, stating: “Xabi is doing an incredible job.
“The ‘dinosaurs’ like Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola and myself will not do it for 20 more years but the next generation is already there. I would say Xabi is stand-out in that department.
“He was a world-class player, like a coach already, and the team he has set up is exceptional. Not only the points tally but the way they play.”
The Premier League have set their sights on Simone Inzaghi as Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all started to explore a move for the Inter coach.
The 47-year-old Italian tactician had already shown his abilities in the dugout during his time with Lazio but his project at the Nerazzurri is where he’s truly entered his own, turning the club into one of the most dangerous in Europe.
Inter are now in prime position to win their 20th ever Scudetto and are looking to complete some unfinished business in the Champions League. They won the expanded four-team Supercoppa Italiana last month, a victory that brought in over €8m to the club.
Pages 14 and 15 of today’s Tuttosport details how Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all started to gather information about Inzaghi, interested in making a move for the Inter coach at the end of the season.
The 47-year-old is contracted to the Nerazzurri to June 2025 and earns €5.5m net per season plus add-ons. The Premier League offers could reach around €8-9m per year, figures his Italian club are unlikely to match. Barcelona are also keen, adding him to their list of possible options post-Xavi.
Inzaghi is happy at Inter but would want his new deal to be extended to June 2027 at least. For their part, the club want to move forward with coach as well.
Chelsea lost a THIRD successive Wembley final to Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic extra-time header to hand the Reds the Carabao Cup.
The Liverpool skipper had earlier had a goal disallowed by VAR before rising to the occasion once more to hand Jurgen Klopp a trophy in his final season in charge of the club.
In an intense, thrilling battle in front of a raucous crowd, Raheem Sterling had also had a goal disallowed by the VAR – Nicolas Jackson ruled offside before crossing to his team-mate.
With Liverpool missing several key players Chelsea ended the game stronger, Conor Gallagher having two big chances that he should have done better with.
But as the game went into extra time it was Liverpool who improved, forcing Djordje Petrovic into a couple of good saves before Van Dijk’s decisive goal.
The defeat means Mauricio Pochettino remains without a trophy in England with this a major blow to the club – especially given the litany of Liverpool stars missing.
The Blues next face Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday, which surely represents their last chance of success this season.
Djordje Petrovic – 8/10
Another solid afternoon’s work for the Serbian who dealt with everything that came his way comfortably.
Made a couple of routine saves and looked good on the ball, commanded his box and was decisive when sweeping – made a strong save down to his right after an Axel Disasi slip allowed Luis Diaz into the box and another when Harvey Elliot’s shot bounced into the floor.
Was excellent in extra time, making an acrobatic save to tip over Jayden Dann’s header before getting down low to save Harvey Elliott’s header with his leg – nothing he could do for Van Dijk’s winner.
Malo Gusto – 6
Did a very impressive job keeping Luis Diaz under wraps, although there was more than one occasion where a poor touch saw the right-back lose Chelsea possession.
Didn’t offer his usual verve going forward, but that looked more by design than anything.
Axel Disasi – 5
Like with Gusto and the rest of the back four, offered Liverpool a couple of openings with some sloppy play and nervy touches when in possession.
He should’ve done better when he ghosted in at the far post from a corner but couldn’t sort his feet quickly enough and hit the ball over with his thigh.
Defended well for the most part but Van Dijk beat him to the ball to score the winner.
Levi Colwill – 5
Endured a shocking first ten minutes where he gave the ball away in dangerous areas three times, with the occasion seemingly getting the better of the young England defender.
Drastically improved as the game wore on but lost Cody Gakpo for one of Liverpool’s better chances, when the forward headed onto the post in the first half. Got a key touch on a Diaz cross that looked destined for Danns to turn in.
Ben Chilwell – 5
Offered much more of a forward threat than Gusto, especially when Connor Bradley was pushed into a more forward role.
Sloppy defensive moments and poor touches helped Liverpool to keep the pressure on and he was totally overpowered by Virgil van Dijk for a goal before being saved by the VAR.
Also lost Harvey Elliott for a late chance in extra time when the youngster hit the side netting but should’ve done better.
Moises Caicedo – 8
This is much more like what Chelsea fans would have been expecting for the massive amount they paid in the summer.
Got through an incredible amount of running in the middle of the pitch, was strong and aggressive in the tackle – although overly aggressive on more than one occasion – and excellent in possession.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Showed some real flashes of his quality on the ball in deeper positions but lacked quality when it counted in a couple of key moments.
He chose the more difficult pass, with Sterling free to his left, when Chelsea had numbers over and then couldn’t get the ball out of his feet from a cross when he had two players free in the box.
Conor Gallagher – 7
A real leader’s performance from Gallagher who seemingly covered every blade of the Wembley turf.
Picked up some incredibly dangerous positions with his forward running, was excellent in possession, strong in the tackle and saved a goal with a brilliant block when Bradley looked certain to score.
But Gallagher had three late chances to grab a decisive goal. He was unlucky turning Palmer’s cross onto the post, needed to do better when put through one on one by Palmer, then blasted a Jackson lay off well wide.
Cole Palmer – 6
Chelsea fans will have wanted more from their starlet who had long spells where was just not involved in the play, although he became much more of a threat as the game opened up late on.
Had a couple of good touches and was involved in some of the better moments for the Blues, but just had to score from close range before an outstanding save from Kelleher.
Could have had an assist or two but for some woeful finishing from his team-mates.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Struggled to get into the game before being taken off for Christopher Nkunku, although showed a couple of flashes and took up some good positions.
Made some clever runs forward and thought he’d scored a tap in before Nicolas Jackson was ruled offside by VAR.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
A truly excellent lone striker’s performance that kept Konate and Van Dijk occupied all afternoon before he was taken off late.
The Senegalese didn’t get a clear sight of goal of his own, but everything Chelsea did well inevitably came through the No 15, who chased every long ball and gave the Liverpool defence fits with his work rate. Perhaps unlucky to be ruled offside for Sterling’s disallowed goal.
Subs
Christopher Nkunku (for Sterling, 66) – 5
Had barely touched the ball after coming on before a 92nd-minute goalmouth scramble saw the ball drop perfectly for him inside the six-yard box… but Nkunku could only snatch at it straight into the arms of a grateful Kelleher.
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Jackson, 89) – 5
Didn’t have much opportunity to get on the ball and run at the Liverpool defence, although did some good defensive work.
Noni Madueke (for Gallagher, 95) – 6
Had a couple of moments in one on one situations where he threatened to carve out an opening.
Madueke’s decision making was poor, with him picking the wrong pass with one opening and firing a weak shot that was easily blocked with another.
Trevoh Chalobah (for Chilwell, 112) – 5
Brought on for a tired Chilwell but failed to make an impact as Chelsea were pinned back late on by Liverpool.
Subs not used: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Alfie Gilchrist, Jimi Tauriainen, Billy Gee.
Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/ X
Fans have questioned whether Mauricio Pochettino intentionally ignored Chelsea owner Todd Boehly after the club were beaten in the Carabao Cup final.
The clash at Wembley was a back-and-forth affair, with the game going into extra-time at 0-0 after both sides had goals ruled out by VAR.
With penalties on the horizon, Virgil van Dijk headed home from a corner to secure his first silverware since being named club captain following Jordan Henderson’s departure.
After coming agonisingly close to securing his first trophy in English football Pochettino appeared dejected as he walked up the stairs at Wembley to receive his runners-up medal.
Supporters on social media claimed that the former Spurs boss appeared to have blanked Chelsea’s American owner during the presentation.
After the clip was shared online, one fan asked: “Did Poch just blank Boehly there???”
Another claimed: “Poch didn’t even wanna touch Boehly”
A further fan added: “Oof, Todd Boehly with a face like thunder when Poch went up. Can just imagine what he’d been saying about the way they handled extra time.”
Other fans theorised that the interaction suggests the Argentinian’s time at the club will soon be coming to an end.
“Poch completely ignores Boehly as he goes up to get his runners up medal. He knows he’s getting sacked tomorrow man,” one fan said.