Middlesbrough v Man City, FA Cup football LIVE score

JAMIE CARRAGHER ON XABI ALONSO: Why he was Liverpool’s pass master, the wounds that never healed with Benitez over Barry and his gloating call from Euro 2008 after Spain’s historic victory ‘They have to go’: Varnish calls for British Cycling board to resign as she considers legal action after shocking sexism claims cover-up Spurs need to show they aren’t a stepping-stone club if they want to stop Alli following Bale to Spain ‘United are in great form… jumping all the way from sixth to sixth’: Chelsea mock Mourinho’s men ahead of cup clash SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England should beat Scotland with ease… but if Farrell doesn’t play it could be very close ‘I expected something dodgy and this has proved it’: Varnish not surprised by British Cycling’s cover-up following sexism claims ‘You’re either God and you walk on water or you are the Devil.

Preview: Sunderland v Manchester City

Article written by VMC member Skoorb. After two consecutive five goal feasts at the Etihad Pep and his merry men once again head over the Pennines but this time they are headed for the North East, the Stadium of Light and the team managed by the man formerly known as ‘The Chosen One’ by the ‘faithful’ at the Swamp.

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren a doubt for Leicester trip

Sutton’s dream over: Arsenal set up FA Cup quarter-final against Lincoln as Walcott’s 100th Gunners goal ends fairytale run Chelsea helping ex-Russia and CSKA boss Slutsky find a job as Abramovich’s pal watches games as club’s ‘guest’ Sutton reserve keeper Shaw eats a pie DURING the Arsenal game after visiting the bar at half-time… but was it all for a bet? Thought you’d seen last of Clattenburg? Well, think again… referee to return to Premier League for final four games ahead of Saudi Arabia move Villa slip further into relegation trouble as Newcastle inflict their EIGHTH defeat in nine games in 2017 to go top of Championship The A 1.7m smile: Stokes becomes the IPL’s most expensive EVER foreigner… and Mills lands A 1.4m deal despite only being able to bowl four overs a game ‘Boxing is more fun when he’s in it!’: Haye hopes Fury returns and meets him in an all-British heavyweight … (more)

Bournemouth v Manchester City: Team news, odds and stats

From Chelsea’s reserve on A 220,000 a week to the stars on A 35,000, the highest paid player at every Premier League club ‘A tough, hard, old school defender’: Everton’s legendary hardman Ferguson picks Adams among the three toughest opponents he faced in Premier League EDDIE HEARN: Brook isn’t scared of Spence … and Bellew is too busy to be sunbathing Day of inspiration for the relegation fight? From lunch for one at Nando’s to a book launch with an eclectic mix of stars, Palace boss Allardyce gets ready for dogfight Klopp’s biggest game: Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham is the most important game of his Anfield tenure so far Everton’s Catch 22: Lukaku is central to aim of gatecrashing the top six but his red-hot form will alert big rivals Real Madrid are on course for a first title since Mourinho was in charge… but Zidane can’t afford any slips EXCLUSIVE: Rosberg on why he had to … (more)

Carra: It’s a disgrace if Leicester stars want Ranieri out

Jesus saves City: Last-gasp winner sinks plucky Swansea as Brazilian’s double justifies Guardiola’s faith after Aguero omission Inter eye shock swoop for Conte… and will tempt Chelsea boss with A 250,000-a-week wages and A 350m transfer kitty ‘I can’t defend my players…’ Liverpool boss Klopp lets rip after title hopes are killed off by Hull defeat Mourinho rips into United: The title is gone, top four will be tough and we don’t have enough winners! Like father like son: Eubank Jnr follows in Chris’s footsteps by landing ‘world title’… and he does it with plenty of showboating ITV viewers got plenty for their money during Eubank win in channel’s first try at pay-per-view fight nights POGBA TACTICAL ANALYSIS: A 89m man could be world class… but his naivety and tactical indiscipline means he’s been ineffective The moment Barkley celebrated a goal BEFORE he scored! Cheeky Everton … (more)

LIVE: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Can skips down the right flank before curling a cross over to the far post, but, just as it looks as if it’s going to find the head of Milner, Cesar Azpilicueta gets a head on the ball to send it out for a corner. Luiz immediately goes down off the ball before the set-piece can be taken, and it doesn’t look at all good for the goalscorer.

FA Cup: Wolves shocks Liverpool, Son saves Spurs from upset

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Richard Stearman, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal of the game with his team-mates during the English FA Cup, fourth round match Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, Liverpool, Engla… . Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Richard Stearman, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal of the game with his teammates during the FA Cup, fourth round soccer match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at Anfield, in Liver… LONDON – Liverpool’s season continues to implode after second-tier side Wolverhampton Wanderers inflicted the latest setback in the FA Cup on Saturday.

‘I don’t want to regret not staying longer’ – Lampard fears early retirement

While the former England international is keen to return to Chelsea one day in a non-playing capacity, he is determined to keep going while he can Frank Lampard has no plans to retire, adamant that he does not want to feel that he “should have stayed a bit longer” after eventually calling it a day. The 38-year-old left New York City FC when his contract expired, having led Patrick Vieira’s side to the Eastern Conference semi-finals where they were eliminated 7-0 by Toronto FC in the play-offs.

Steven Gerrard: Set for Liverpool return

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that he will do all he can to help Steven Gerrard’s dream of becoming a manager. The Champions League-winning former Reds captain, who retired in November after a spell in the United States, is due to take up his new role next week.

Jordan Henderson confident Liverpool can bounce back from Swansea defeat

Liverpool face a pivotal few days in their season with captain Jordan Henderson insisting nothing should be read into one bad result. The Reds’ only win in 2017 has come against Sky Bet League Two side Plymouth in an FA Cup replay and Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to struggling Swansea showed a squad apparently struggling to cope with physical and mental fatigue.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: I’m a big fan of Andy Carroll

Slaven Bilic hailed “magnificent” Andy Carroll after seeing his striker blast West Ham to a fifth Premier League victory in seven attempts at Middlesbrough. The former Newcastle and Liverpool forward followed up last weekend’s stunning volley against Crystal Palace with a bullet header and a close-range finish as the Hammers ran out 3-1 winners at the Riverside Stadium.

Matip eligible for Liverpool

FIFA has ruled that Joel Matip is eligible to play for Liverpool during the Africa Cup of Nations and he could face Swansea on Saturday. Liverpool had been waiting to get clarification from football’s world governing body or the Cameroon Football Federation over Matip’s eligibility to play and FIFA has now dismissed the case against the defender.

Transfer news LATEST: LIVE Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool FC updates

‘The pundits who talk… I don’t remember them playing, but they will remember me for the rest of their lives’: Ibrahimovic speaks to Henry ahead of United vs Liverpool Practical jokes, stealing T-Shirts and trainers and a comedy act with a giant phone… how Mourinho has turned United around after worst ever start QUIZ: Know your Leopards from the Panthers? See if you can identify the 16 Africa Cup of Nations team nicknames ‘I’ve been shaped by two greats… Ferguson and Keane’: Fletcher on Manchester United, illness and his Euro dream for West Brom Chelsea in talks over pre-season tour of China and Japan in effort to boost club’s profile in the Far East ‘I want to put my print on this club’: Schneiderlin keen to impress at Everton after sealing A 24m move from United West Ham are not the first club to experience Payet’s petulance… the Frenchman has a history of ill-discipline Super … (more)

Steven Gerrard to be given the freedom of Liverpool

The ex-midfielder, now back home on Merseyside after an 18-month spell in Major League Soccer with the LA Galaxy, is to be awarded the city’s highest civic honour in recognition of his contribution to national and international football, as well as his charity work in helping disadvantaged children across the country. Gerrard was nominated by Mayor Joe Anderson and the decision is set to be formally agreed a city council meeting next week.

‘Gomez like a new signing for Liverpool’

Former Reds defender, Phil Babb, sees no reason why Jurgen Klopp should spend in January with an ‘exceptional talent’ bolstering the ranks after injury Liverpool have been linked with several high-profile defenders over recent weeks, but Phil Babb believes the return of Joe Gomez from injury should keep Jurgen Klopp out of the transfer market. The Reds have struggled defensively at times this season, with no side in the Premier League’s top six having been breached on more occasions.

Klopp reveals Henderson is in line to make Liverpool return against Man Utd

The midfielder has been out of action since injuring his heel during the Reds’ 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City on New Year’s Eve Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could make his return from injury against Manchester United later this month, manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed. Henderson, 26, suffered a heel injury during his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve.

Sadio Mane, second from right, was both hero and villain for Liverpool at Sunderland

Sadio Mane has backed his Liverpool team-mates to maintain the pace in the Premier League title race while he is away on African Nations Cup duty. Mane headed off to join up with the Senegal squad after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland with mixed feelings after looking to have snatched victory at the Stadium of Light before handing the Black Cats a point by conceding a late penalty.

And I said, what about, breakfast with…Toure? Gerrard and Kolo reunited

A year-and-a-half on from leading a chant partly dedicated to the defender, the Liverpool legend was reunited with the Ivorian in Dubai Steven Gerrard and Kolo Toure were reunited in Dubai on Tuesday, 18 months after the former England captain led the Liverpool squad in a dance dedicated to their team-mate. Gerrard’s long and distinguished Liverpool career came to a disappointing end in May 2015, the midfielder scoring a late consolation in a 6-1 Premier League thrashing at the hands of Stoke City.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino demands win at Watford on New Year’s Day

LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE: Costa returns as Chelsea bid for 13th win in a row, while champions Leicester aim to end their struggles Rousey gone in under 60 seconds! UFC poster girl suffers savage defeat by Nunes on long-awaited return in Las Vegas… for which she was paid A 2.5MILLION while her opponent earned just A 162,000 ‘It is not like I take his chicken kebab off his plate when he is not looking’: Mignolet gives odd tribute to Karius Haye leads A-list cast at party for Rousey fight as he is joined by Eubank Jnr, Dizzee Rascal and Hollywood stars Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Piven Nunes takes swipe at ‘actress’ Rousey and claims ‘now she is going to retire’… but humbled former champ stays silent JAMIE CARRAGHER: Klopp is the star of Liverpool’s title bid more than any player … but Liverpool have to seize chance Klopp’s lookalike, McGregor’s five-day retirement and a very bored lifeguard…