13/02/2025

THURSDAY | FEB 13, 2025

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SPORTS

told BBC Radio Leeds . “I’m not sure the 4-0 reflects how difficult this game was. I predict not many teams will leave here with three points so I am pretty happy with the win and the scoreline and clean sheet.” Gerrard backed for Rangers return LIVERPOOL icon Steven Gerrard has been tipped for a dramatic comeback as manager at Rangers, with Phillipe Clement’s future under threat following the team’s astonishing Scottish Cup exit. Gerrard, 44, has recently become available after parting ways with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq. q

when James seized on a misplaced pass from Edo Kayembe, sprinting into the box and slotting past Egil Selvik. James smashed home again eight minutes later when Watford were caught by a rapid counterattack and Solomon made it 3-0 before halftime. Piroe added another just after the hour mark. Leeds have 69 points after 32 matches, five more than second-placed Sheffield United, who have a game in hand. “We started on the front foot with good chances but I have to say that Watford also had good situations in the first 10 minutes. “They are a good side who are dangerous on the counterattack so it was important for us to score the first goal,” Leeds manager Farke

A last-gasp penalty sealed Rangers’ cup dismissal courtesy of second-division Queen’s Park, sparking rumours Gerrard might reoccupy the managerial position he vacated in November 2021. Rangers’ predicament sees them lagging 13 points behind Scottish Premiership pace setters and arch-foes Celtic, thus escalating the pressure on Clement. Rangers legend Ally McCoist recently claimed he could see Gerrard returning: “It wouldn’t surprise me if Steven Gerrard came back to Ibrox. “He’s obviously held in really high regard by the supporters because of the league title he won, and his next job is going to be vitally important for him. “Things haven’t gone according to plan for him after he left Rangers. A little bit like Frank Lampard going to Coventry – his next appointment was really important to him as well, so we’ll see what Steven ends up choosing to do with his career.”

SHORTS

Leeds stretch Championship lead DAN JAMES scored twice as Leeds crushed Watford 4-0 to move five points clear at the top of the English Championship yesterday, taking their unbeaten run to 14 league matches. Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe were also on target for Daniel Farke’s men, who have now scored 13 goals without reply in their past three matches. Watford’s fifth straight home defeat increases the pressure on head coach Tom Cleverley. The visitors took the lead in the 20th minute

Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (centre) jumps over Exeter City’s Ilmari Niskanen (right) during their FA Cup fourth round match. – AFPPIC

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N OTTINGHAM FOREST survived a huge scare to beat 10 man Exeter on penalties after a 2-2 draw yesterday, setting up an all-Premier League FA Cup fifth-round clash against Ipswich. Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson all scored from the spot before fellow substitute Neco Williams wrapped up a marathon tie with the final kick of the contest. Josh Magennis and Tony Yogane were on target for third-tier Exeter, but substitute goalkeeper Matz Sels saved Reece Cole’s poor penalty and Angus MacDonald struck the crossbar as Forest prevailed 4-2. Magennis scored twice for Exeter during normal time, giving the League one side an early lead, and then equalising at the start of the second period. Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi, who left the action in stoppage time on a stretcher after being attended to by medics for a long period, scored for Forest, third in the Premier League. Exeter debutant Ed Turns was handed a red card for a thigh-high challenge on Gibbs-White three minutes from time, but Forest had to settle for an extra 30 minutes after Jota Silva thundered a shot against the crossbar. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo took the opportunity to rest almost his entire regular starting XI after his squad had spent the week away at a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Brazilian midfielder Danilo was the sole survivor from the side that had demolished Brighton 7-0 at the beginning of the match. Magennis gave Exeter a dream start in the fifth minute when Carlos Miguel

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spilled Demetri Mitchell’s effort at his feet. Ten minutes later Ibrahim Sangare spied Sosa, and the Paraguayan found the net, with Awoniyi putting Forest in front in the 37th minute. Exeter equalised five minutes after the restart when Magennis rose highest at a corner to force Miguel into a point-blank save. Magennis was on the rebound in a flash and Willy Boly turned it into his own net off a post. It was one-way traffic in extra-time and Wood was twice denied by Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth as Forest were taken all the way. “We knew before the game it would be difficult. We didn’t start the game well so I think after we came back well, we finished the game. It was just about ourselves and we made it difficult,” Forest goalkeeper Sels told ITV via BBC Sport . “You always need to be ready. I was ready and was helping the team in the right moments. It is a positive to go to the next round. “Step by step – we have some important games in the league and then full focus on the cup. We try to continue as long as possible and we will see how far we can go.” Forest boss Nuno added: “It was a hard game. We started in a bad way but the response was good. We had another setback after half-time and it became so hard. Credit to Exeter. “I am happy in the end that we are going through.” – AFP/Agencies flyers need penalties to down League One side

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