Haaland and Conte strike out; City bang on in FA Cup, Spurs squander points again
NOS Football–
A few days after his gala performance in the Champions League eighth finals, Erling Haaland has once again shown his feet. Whereas on Tuesday he was still the executioner of RB Leipzig with five goals, on Saturday night he also gave Burnley’s defenders nightmares.
In the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, as against Leipzig, the Norwegian provided the first three goals. That was all, although City still managed to score three more times making it 6-0 in the end.
Burnley, the Championship leaders, can now turn their attention to the league. Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany’s team is still three wins away from a return to the Premier League, from which it was relegated last season.
They are used to not playing for anything here. They don’t want to play under pressure, not with stress. It’s easy that way.
Sunday the other three quarter-finals are scheduled. Championship teams Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers meet. Premier League club Brighton &Hove Albion hosts Grimsby Town, ranked No. 15 in League Two, England’s fourth tier.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United plays at 5:30 p.m. against Fulham.
Conte furious after Spurs draw
Tottenham Hotspur squandered precious points in the fight for a Champions League ticket by playing a draw against straggler Southampton.
Fifteen minutes before time, coach Antonio Conte’s team was still leading 3-1, but a goal by Theo Walcott and a penalty kick taken by James Ward-Prowse deep into injury time meant the game ended 3-3.
Watch part of Conte’s tantrum during the press conference below.
Conte furious after draw against Southampton: ‘They are used to playing for nothing here’
Afterwards, Spurs coach Conte did not hide his frustration. “We are not a team. I see selfish players. Players who don’t want to help each other. If you want to be a strong team, be competitive and compete for prizes, you have to have desire, fire in your eyes and heart. And you have to show that at every moment.”
He also pointed out the culture within the club. “They are used to not playing for anything here. They don’t want to play under pressure, not with stress. It’s easy like that, that’s the history of Tottenham. In the 20 years under this owner, they haven’t won anything. So is the fault with the club or the managers who have worked there?”
“Everyone has to take responsibility. Not only the club, not only the staff, but also the players. It’s time to change things, if Tottenham wants to. If they want to continue this way, they can keep replacing managers, but then nothing will change.”
