THE CUP RUNS OVER
After Newcastle’s victory over Blackburn in the FA Cup on Tuesday, Eddie Howe claimed his side’s win could prove to be ‘a sliding door moment’, one of those seemingly insignificant events that nevertheless significantly alter the trajectory of future events. The following evening, the metaphorical doors in question seemed to slam shut in his face as his team were presented with an away match to Manchester City in the quarter-finals. While this truly brutal draw doesn’t completely rule out Newcastle’s chances of reaching the semi-finals and having a day out at Wembley, it does significantly reduce the chances of Geordies having their own sliding door moment on the Metropolitan Line in April.
On the same night that Newcastle broke through at Ewood Park, Luton were subjected to the kind of mauling by City that invariably earns the vanquished side one of those condescending tributes that Pep Guardiola invariably pays to teams that have put up little resistance. “I think Luton’s centre-backs defended really well,” he honked, having just seen them prove how difficult Kenilworth Road can be for visitors to play, unless you’re a ridiculously gifted Norwegian giant who continues to deliver perfect passes from an almost supernaturally accurate Belgian. “Sometimes when you face that kind of opposition you have to do something,” reflected Luton’s almost preternaturally handsome manager Rob Edwards after the match, having previously admitted – with tongue in cheek – that his team opponent “very good” in the victory.
With Kasey Palmer and Ellis Simms doing a reasonable imitation of the Haaland-De Bruyne axis 24 hours before it became fashionable, Coventry became the lowest-ranked side left in this year’s competition, having defeated the previous lowest, Maidstone United, had eliminated. This earned them a trip to Wolves, whose supporters were treated to the sight of Gary O’Neil giving the side the Full Klopp in the post-match fist pump after a narrow win over Brighton. The quarter-final is already being talked about as a potential powder keg derby, even though a West Brom-supporting fan of Football Daily’s acquaintance claims that none of the Baggies, Aston Villa, Birmingham City or Wolves have feelings stronger than almost total. indifference towards Coventry, that must sting.
By all accounts, Leicester are the closest they come to Mark Robins’ bitter rivals, but their win at Bournemouth has earned them a trip to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea’s blue billionaire bottlers advanced to the quarter-finals by beating Leeds’ reserves to delete. . Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, Manchester United will host Liverpool, whose Under-9s stayed up well past their bedtime to beat Southampton, while an increasingly deranged Erik ten Hag had to stave off his side’s last difficult victory by resisting a or other joke that was cracked. at the expense of Bruno Fernandes [Football Daily checks notes] …the famously controversial administrators of Fulham’s TikTok account. And to think that some will continue to hold the FA Cup has lost its magic.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I always say that the field is freedom for someone who cannot see. Those who appreciate it can enjoy it to the fullest. Even if you lose, draw and even if things don’t go well, you can be free there” – Gracia Sosa, star of the Argentine blind women’s football team, in conversation with Júlia Belas Trindade in the latest edition of Moving the Goalposts .
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
“See yesterday’s Football Daily about the interim appointment of John O’Shea as Ireland manager. If you regularly treat your reader to a hodgepodge of managers being ushered through the door marked ‘Do One’ in different languages, is it too much to ask for Stephen Kenny’s big green ‘doras’ to be marked ‘Bain Ash’? or even ‘Téigh ag feadáil’ (to whistle)?” – Harry Wall.
As for Neil Rose on whether or not to clap opponents (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). My dad gets around this conundrum by not clapping anyone unless they are devastated (they get two smacks). If it was the opposition it was because they were better than us so they would have to or we would have performed poorly. If it was us, it was because the opposition had performed poorly or because they were ‘just doing what they are paid to do’ (I don’t know if he extends this logic to other areas where it is customary to clap to show appreciation, such as the theatre), although in all other respects his support seems quite normal, so maybe he just doesn’t like to clap” – Andy Gill.
For Neil, I agree, a rare show of appreciation for the opposition after an excellent performance is more than acceptable. I was lucky (?) enough to witness and be part of the standing ovation that Stretford End gave to Proper Ronaldo, after his imperious hat-trick bundled us through the exit of the Big Cup twenty years ago. Sometimes you just have to stand there and applaud greatness. However, Neil clearly doesn’t have a fantasy team. If he had, I’d imagine that seeing Erling Haaland take a beating in five days, after half the planet made him a three-time captain for a double match week – in which he scored a single goal – would have been a very would have provoked a different response” – Mark Read .
Style, panache, thrilling heroics and mastering a game are always worth a round of applause, regardless of the team. Neil is right” – Bill Preston.
As a man of a certain age, originally from the north of England, I had to laugh at Rochdale fan John Leach’s description of his father and grandfather as ‘essentially functional mutes of the northern type of the day’ (full email edition From yesterday). But then I started musing on the verbiage spewed out by pundits and broadcasters and the shaming on social media on all topics, and I became quite nostalgic for simpler times” – Colin Reed.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our letter of the day is… Andy Gill, who will receive a copy of Pat Nevin: Football and How to Survive It, published by Octopus Books.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
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EARNING HIS Crust
There was some tasty action in the Edinburgh derby on Wednesday after Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland equalized from the penalty spot. Shankland saw a pie being thrown in his direction by the Hibernian fans, caught it with one hand, took a bite and threw it back. During the game, objects were repeatedly thrown at players. “They’re just idiots who are going to spoil the party for everyone. It’s just not good enough, end,” Hearts boss Steven Naismith ranted after the 1-1 draw.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Paul Pogba says he is “shocked and heartbroken” after being banned for four years for a doping violation. The France and Juventus midfielder will appeal to the court of arbitration for sport over the ban, which could end his playing career.
Spain are proud owners of their first Women’s Nations League title after beating France 2-0 in Seville, with Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey on target for La Roja.
According to the club’s latest reports, Liverpool owns a pre-tax loss of £9 million in the 2022/2023 season. The Premier League leaders’ wage bill rose to £373 million and turnover remained flat at £594 million, although commercial revenues reached a record £272 million.
Premier League clubs are meeting to discuss scrapping current profit and sustainability rules and adopting a UEFA-style framework of financial regulation.
Rochdale is in talks with an American investor about a takeover that would save them from liquidation. The National League side need a £2million cash injection to stay afloat.
Good Bhoys: Celtic are back on track in the Scottish Premiership after a 7-1 defeat to Dundee, but Rangers remain top after coming from behind to win at Kilmarnock. Neil Warnock’s Aberdeen were beaten 2-0 at home by St Johnstone, extending his winless start.
Bad boys: Sassuolo are stuck in the bottom three of Serie A after beating Napoli 6-1 at home.
Good news for Arsenal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one match by the Saudi FA after making an insulting gesture towards opposition fans. Ronaldo claimed he “expressed strength and victory” with his pelvic thrust after Al-Nassr defeated Al-Shabab. “There’s no shame. We are used to it in Europe,” he said.
And Chelsea fan Paul Archer has been reunited with Prince Tandukar, the St John Ambulance youth volunteer who saved his life with CPR after going into cardiac arrest during November’s match against Manchester City. Doctors said it was “a miracle” that Archer survived as he was clinically dead for 20 minutes. “Prince – what an appropriate name,” said the 66-year-old. “I am so grateful to be able to thank this impressive and humble person. You may have broken all my ribs, but I love you for it.”
DO YOU WANT MORE?
Set pieces have gone from ugly duckling to gamechanger, writes Karen Carney.
Lionel Messi’s visit to LA Galaxy with Inter Miami has shown that the Florida franchise is now the glamor club of MLS, reports Joseph D’Hippolito.
And from Stuart Pearce to Jude Bellingham, the art of ‘exciting’ a football crowd is complex, writes Douglas Carter.
MEMORY LONG
Leap Day will always be extra special for Middlesbrough fans; it was on February 29, 2004 – twenty years ago – that the club won the Milk Cup, beating Bolton 2-1 in the final in Cardiff. Here’s Gareth Southgate, team captain that day, proving he knows how to get his hands on silverware.