SOUTHAMPTON: Eddie Howe warned Newcastle that they are not safe for the League Cup final after a 1-0 win over Southampton early this morning.

Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the second half at St Mary’s to put Newcastle ever closer to a domestic championship final since 1999.

Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car was sent off at the end of a tense game after Adam Armstrong’s equalizer for Nathan Jones’ side was disallowed by VAR for handball.

Newcastle may qualify for Wembley ahead of the tie at St James’ Park on January 31, meeting winners Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the final.

“It was a good day but there is still a long way to go in this meeting. Happy to win, that’s our goal, but we realize 1-0 is too thin.

“It’s a tough game. I think both teams have had their chances. Nobody’s got the upper hand yet. We go back to St James’ with the fans behind us,” said Howe.

Howe, however, admitted his side were lucky when Armstrong’s equalizer was disallowed: “I thought it was a goal. It was a relief when VAR stepped in.”

Newcastle enjoyed an excellent season under Howe, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching their first semi-final of the domestic championship since 2005.

The last time they won a domestic trophy was in the 1995 FA Cup.

Their last final ended in defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup.

MANCHESTER: Manchester City lead Deloitte’s Football Money League for the second consecutive year with the English Premier League dominating the top 20 clubs for the first time.

The total revenue from the top 20 clubs is close to the pre-pandemic value of 9.2 billion euros for the 2021-22 season.

The increase was largely through a 1.3 billion euro jump in matchday revenue after two seasons affected by pandemic disruptions.

The Premier League’s increased revenue in broadcast rights sales and strong commercial growth saw 11 of England’s top flight clubs fill the top 20 for the first time.

Leeds and Newcastle replaced Wolves and Zenit St Petersburg from last season’s top 20 list.

A 13 percent increase in City’s income to 731 million euros saw them maintain their top position over European champions Real Madrid who collected 714 million euros.

Liverpool are third, their highest finish in Money League history and overcame Manchester United for the first time, following their triumphant run to the European Champions League final, at 702 million euros.

United are fourth (689 million euros), followed by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich (each at 654 million euros).

Barcelona, ​​who topped the Money League two years ago, slipped to seventh place after being knocked out of the European Champions League at the group stage and suffering a decline in commercial value compared to its rivals.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal complete the top 10.

“The financial dominance of the English Premier League will be difficult to challenge for the coming seasons. It is not impossible that one day all 20 English Premier League clubs will be in the top 30 of the Money League,” said Deloitte Sports Business Group director, Sam Boor.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola told Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly to continue to support Graham Potter after Manchester City thrashed the Blues 4-0 in the third round of the FA Cup early this morning.

Potter’s troubled side lost for the second time at the hands of City in four days as their hopes of a domestic cup win this season ended in disappointment.

Already eliminated in the League Cup by City last November and losing 1-0 at the hands of the English Premier League (EPL) champions last Thursday, Chelsea’s faltering season is approaching crisis after Guardiola’s squad terrorized the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea have won just three of their 12 games but Guardiola reassured Potter when he urged the Blues’ top management to give the manager time to develop his approach.

“I want to say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I know in a big club, results are important but I want to say give him time,” said Guardiola.

“What he did at Brighton was amazing, but we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi at Barcelona in my first season, so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.”

Chelsea failed to produce any attempts in the first half and Potter described it as “painful.”

Potter said it could be because of an injury crisis that forced him to drop nine players and give teenager Bashir Humphreys a chance to make his defensive debut.

But the 47-year-old controller said their offering needed to be repaired immediately.

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo described himself as a “unique player” and insisted that his career is not over yet after a warm welcome at his new club near Saudi Arabia early this morning.

The 37-year-old Portuguese star said he had done his best in Europe and was hungry for a new challenge as he was greeted with fireworks and cheers at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium.

A five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or as well as five Champions Leagues, signed a reported 200 million euro deal until June 2025, shortly after parting ways with Manchester United.

“It’s not the end of my career by coming to Saudi Arabia. This is why I changed, honestly, I don’t worry about what other people say,” said Ronaldo.

“In Europe my work is over… I have received many offers in Europe, many in Brazil, Australia, the United States, even in Portugal,” he said.

“Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave a promise for this club.”

The 25,000-seat stadium erupted in excitement as Ronaldo, wearing Al Nassr’s yellow and blue jersey, walked onto the pitch and paid tribute to the fans.

His girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, who was wearing a traditional dress, the abaya or robe that Saudi Arabian women usually wear, followed him behind with their children.

“I’m a unique player. It’s good to come here, I broke all the records there (Europe) and I want to break some records here,” Ronaldo said.

“I came here to win, to play, to have fun, to be part of the success of this country and its culture,” he added.