Tottenham pulled out of their recent slump to book an FA Cup fourth-round place with a 2-1 replay victory over Middlesbrough.
Jonathan Woodgate, the former Spurs defender, saw his team take the lead and battle to a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium 10 days ago but they were the architects of their own downfall in north London.
Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela were the respective first-half beneficiaries of poor errors from Boro goalkeeper Tomas Mejias and captain Jonny Howson.
Jose Mourinho s men travel to Southampton in the round of 32, having lost the Premier League version of that fixture 1-0 on New Year s Day, despite Boro substitute George Saville setting up a grandstand finish.
Middlesbrough s hopes of an upset were severely compromised within two …
David de Gea is not irreplaceable at Manchester United as doubts remain over his future, according to former Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
De Gea has been tipped to sign a new long-term contract with United, however, the star goalkeeper is yet to commit to the struggling Premier League giants.
The Spain international – who arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2011 – is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked to Serie A champions Juventus as his reported contract offer remains unsigned.
Van der Sar – now Ajax s chief executive officer – won four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at United and the 48-year-old said De Gea is not indispensable despite his quality.
Straight from the heart
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Samuel Umtiti has dismissed criticism of France s performances and insists the naysayers will change their tune if Les Bleus triumph in Russia.
Didier Deschamps men have struggled to hit top gear in the World Cup so far, although they still managed to top Group C with seven points from three games. However, a turgid goalless draw with Denmark on Tuesday a stalemate that ensured France finished first and Denmark qualified attracted plenty of negative headlines.
Next up is a blockbuster clash with Argentina and Umtiti s Barcelona club-mate Lionel Messi in the last 16 on Saturday and the former Lyon man says only the result counts in Kazan.
We re working to improve, to play a bit better, because we can do it, he said.
But the most important thing will …
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has become the most-capped men s international footballer of all time.
The Al Nassr forward won his 197th cap in Thursday s opening Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein, moving him one clear of Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa.
Malaysia s Soh Chin Ann (195 caps) is third on the list, with Ahmed Hassan (184) and Ahmed Mubarak (183) of Egypt and Oman respectively completing the top five.
Ronaldo had equalled Al-Mutawa s record when featuring for Portugal in their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco in December.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Liechtenstein at Estadio Jose Alvalade, Ronaldo revealed he contemplated retiring from international football after that defeat.
But he was named in new head coach…
Diego Simeone paid tribute to Luis Suarez and Jan Oblak for their crucial roles in Atletico Madrid s slender 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.
Suarez opened the scoring just after half-time with a glancing header, the Uruguayan converting for the 500th time in his professional career.
For a moment it looked as though his goal would not be enough to secure victory, as Stefan Savic was penalised late on for catching Luis Rioja with a flailing elbow in the penalty area.
However, Oblak threw himself to his right to turn Joselu s spot-kick away and Atletico held on for an unconvincing triumph.
Simeone saluted the decisiveness of his two main men on the day and insisted the team s attitude has been exemplary in the wake of Champions League disappointment…
Nemanja Vidic described Cristiano Ronaldo as the perfect role model as the Manchester United great returns to Old Trafford with Juventus.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for former United star Ronaldo when Juve face the Red Devils in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ronaldo spent six years in Manchester, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.
Former United defender Vidic spent three years playing with Ronaldo and he hailed the five-time Ballon d Or winner ahead of his return to the Theatre of Dreams.
Thanks for the warm welcome. Always feel at home here.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano)
You need to have these kind of players in your team, these players they always push forwa…
England host North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday night looking to maintain their perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Gareth Southgate’s side have taken a stranglehold on Group C after a comfortable victory over minnows Malta on Friday.
Here, the PA news agency look at some of the major talking points ahead of England’s final fixture of the season.
Halfway house
As it stands after 3 games…
Group C
— England (@England)
The visit of North Macedonia marks the midway point of England’s quest to qualify for the finals in Germany next summer.
Heading into the game, the Group C favourites sit six points clear at the top having already recorded victories over Ukraine and Italy before easing past Malta.<…
According to a recent report from Bild, Bayern Munich are contemplating a move for former player Mario Gotze.
The 2014 World Cup hero, who scored the winner in the final over in Brazil, has struggled to maintain the kind of form that many were expecting of him over the last few years. Some wondered whether or not he’d move in the direction of an early retirement, whereas others felt as if it was only a matter of time before another club picked him up.
As it turns out, German champions Bayern may be willing to offer him another chance at the Allianz Arena.
The 28-year-old spent three years with the kings of German football between 2013 and 2016, but is arguably best known for his international exploits as well as his two stints with Borussia Dortmund.
G…
Verdict: Barcelona
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Lyon return to the knockout stages of the Champions League after seven years and will have their work cut out against the in-form Catalan giants Barcelona.
Six wins in last seven matches means Lyon will head into the Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Barcelona in fine form. Les Goes might be the underdogs in this particular match-up but form and numbers do speak volume of their ability.
Les Goes only lost one of their last 10 European matches this season, while they won 7 and lost only one of 13 they played on home soil internationally. Furthermore, it only happened once – back in 2007 against Roma – that Lyon lost a Champions League Last 16 match in their own backyard. The Tuesday match will…
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has signed a new five-year contract with the club.
The Irishman, who joined the Reds academy from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at senior level in 2020-21.
Although he had previously featured in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, last season saw Kelleher handed his Champions League debut for a 1-0 win over Ajax in December as a result of an injury to Alisson Becker.
The 22-year-old went on to cement himself as the Brazilian s main understudy across the remainder of the campaign, making one further appearance in Europe s premier cup competition and earning two Premier League starts.
After agreeing fresh terms in recognition of his progress, Kelleher told Liverpool s official website: I am happy to …