Manchester United put one foot on Wembley Way after taking firm control of their Carabao Cup semi-final with a 3-0 first-leg win at Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United put one foot on Wembley Way after taking firm control of their Carabao Cup semi-final with a 3-0 first-leg win at Nottingham Forest.
First-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes' late third at the City Ground mean that only a miraculous turnaround in next week's second leg will stop United appearing in the League Cup final at the national stadium next month.
Rashford's strike was a moment of individual brilliance as he raced 50 yards and converted, Weghorst celebrated his first goal for the club since his loan move from Burnley while Fernandes effectively killed the tie at the death.
The win put United on the brink of returning to Wembley for their first domestic showpiece since losing the 2018 FA Cup final and Erik ten Hag will have the possibility of ending the club's trophy drought, which stretches back to 2017, firmly in his sights in his first season at Old Trafford.
Forest, whose history in the League Cup is almost as rich as United's with four titles in 12 years under Brian Clough, will see this as a missed opportunity to go to Old Trafford next week with something to hold on to.
They had a strong period in the first half where Sam Surridge had a goal disallowed and Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson had decent opportunities.
But Ten Hag's side cruised to the win on the banks of the Trent and will be circling February 26 in their calendars for a Wembley day out, while Forest will need to channel their former manager Clough in hope of a miracle.
The two sides famously met in the 1992 League Cup final at Wembley, which United won thanks to Brian McClair's goal, and the current crop showed they are keen to get back there this year.
Ten Hag named his strongest side possible and was rewarded with an early lead as Rashford's sublime form continued with a brilliant individual goal.
The England international, who has scored in the previous three rounds of this competition, picked up the ball in his own half, carried it to the other end of the pitch, darted in between Joe Worrall and Remo Freuler before beating Wayne Hennessey at the near post.
It was his 10th goal in 10 games since the resumption after the World Cup and his form has been the driving force behind United's impressive run of results.
There were more goals for the taking in a dominant start for the visitors but Antony twice drifted shots wide of the post from good positions after cutting in from the right.
Forest had been overrun in the opening 15 minutes but they came to life and thought they had levelled in the 23rd minute.
A brilliant counter-attack saw Gibbs-White feed Sam Surridge, who produced a fine first-time finish into the bottom corner.
However, it was ruled out after VAR found Surridge's knee to be offside.
Forest to their credit did not let that disappointment affect them and they continued to push forward and had chances for an equaliser.
David de Gea produced a flying save to keep out Gustavo Scarpa's volley from the edge of the area, then got down well to stop a Gibbs-White effort before watching Johnson fire over after gliding past a couple of United tackles.
Having soaked up that pressure, United got a killer second goal on the stroke of half-time.
They expertly manoeuvred the ball from back to front and, after Hennessey palmed out Antony's shot, Weghorst reacted first to fire home the rebound and break his United duck.
The hosts struggled to recreate the verve they showed in the first half and United kept them at arm's length.
Indeed, it was the visitors, who won 8-1 on their last visit to the City Ground in 1999, who strengthened their grip on the tie as, after Christian Eriksen had earlier hit the crossbar, Fernandes drilled home a low finish in the 89th minute.

Man Utd march towards Wembley with big first-leg win at Nottingham Forest

Nathan Ake proved the unlikely match-winner as Manchester City edged out title rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a tense FA Cup fourth-round tie on Friday.

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Nathan Ake proved the unlikely match-winner as Manchester City edged out title rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a tense FA Cup fourth-round tie on Friday.
The Netherlands defender steered home a low shot in the 64th minute at the Etihad Stadium as City landed the first blow in their trilogy of clashes with the Gunners over the coming months.
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Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, had enjoyed the better of the first half, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard both forcing good saves from Stefan Ortega.
Yet, while much had been made of the growing touchline rivalry between City manager Pep Guardiola and his former assistant Mikel Arteta, for a seventh time in eight meetings it was ultimately the old master who prevailed.
Guardiola, perhaps aware that a victory could also have a psychological impact heading into next month's league encounter between the sides, went with a strong side and made just two changes to Arteta's six.
The Gunners, however, retained all their usual energy and, in a frantic start, seemed determined not to allow City to establish their customary early rhythm.
As a result the hosts played more direct than normal and the results were mixed. There were some promising attacks, but Erling Haaland seemed uncomfortable with the altered plan and, despite plenty of touches, the Norwegian's impact was minimal.
The Gunners initially looked the brighter team and Tomiyasu stung the palms of City’s number two goalkeeper Ortega with a ferocious shot in the fifth minute.
Trossard, making his first start for his new club, also forced a good save from the German after breaking into the area on the left.
City had a half-chance when Haaland broke clear after a Rob Holding miskick, but Gunners keeper Matt Turner met him outside the area.
The ball looped into the air and Haaland adjusted to attempt an ambitious overhead kick, but Tomiyasu comfortably cleared.
City's best chance of the first half came when Kevin De Bruyne cut inside and curled a left-foot effort narrowly wide, but Arsenal went close again when Eddie Nketiah poked wide from a Trossard cross.
City suffered a blow just before the interval when defender John Stones was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury, but they returned for the second half more determined to take control.
De Bruyne began to run through the middle more and passes became slicker. The attack was enlivened further when Julian Alvarez came off the bench in the 58th minute.
The change paid off six minutes later when the World Cup winner thumped the base of the post with a powerful long-range drive and Jack Grealish laid off to Ake from the rebound.
The Dutchman had time and space and calmly placed a shot beyond the reach of Turner.
It proved a decisive strike and City comfortably and efficiently closed out the game with Arsenal failing to threaten again.
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Nathan Ake strike hands Manchester City narrow FA Cup win over Arsenal

Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.

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Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.
The 32-year-old England right-back, who joined the Magpies from Atletico Madrid last January, has helped Eddie Howe's side keep 16 clean sheets in all competitions this season.
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Trippier told the club's official website: "I'm absolutely delighted that I've extended my contract here. I've got a lot of thank yous to make to the manager, owners, fans and my team-mates.
"When I first arrived here, they made me feel so welcome and I want to help the club achieve great things. It's a positive moment for us players in the club and there’s no place I'd rather be."
Newcastle manager Howe added: "It's a fitting reward for the season he's had.
"He's been outstanding both on and off the pitch, showing real leadership at a difficult moment when he first arrived, and now he's excelled in a team that's doing well. I can't praise him enough for everything he's given the club."
Trippier has played a key role for Howe's side as they have kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League this season and has also registered six assists and scored one goal.
The former Tottenham full-back, who has won 40 caps for England, was Newcastle's first signing under their Saudi owners when the club paid Atletico £12million plus add-ons during last year's January transfer window.
Howe's side, currently third in the Premier League, are next in action on Tuesday when they play Southampton at home in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
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Kieran Trippier signs Newcastle contract extension until 2025

West Ham boss David Moyes insists Michail Antonio won't be leaving West Ham this month.

David Moyes insists there is no chance of Michail Antonio leaving West Ham this month.
Antonio seems to be angling for a move having this week revealed on The Footballer's Football Podcast that he has been in contact with other clubs.
The striker said: "Honestly, I've not ruled anything out. That's all I can say, nothing has been ruled out. There are talks so whatever happens, happens."
But Moyes, who lost new signing Danny Ings to an injury on his debut against Everton last weekend, has no intention of letting West Ham's all-time top Premier League goalscorer leave.
"Well, it's not the club talking about Micky Antonio, I think Micky is the one talking about it," said the Hammers boss.
"Micky said it but we here have got no intention of doing anything. Sometimes players choose to do that, some of them want to go.
"But at the moment we want Mick here, we want him playing well, we want him scoring goals, and we're happy to have him."
Losing Ings was a major blow for Moyes, who spent £12million to prise the 30-year-old frontman from Aston Villa in a bid to inject more goals into his side.
Moyes is already without Italian forward Gianluca Scamacca with a knee injury, leaving Antonio as West Ham's only fit senior striker for Monday's FA Cup tie at Derby.
"Unfortunately Danny picked up an injury in the first 15 or 20 seconds of the game," said Moyes.
"We don't think it's that bad and he'd be cup-tied on Monday anyway so we've got a little bit of grace there.
"Hopefully he's not going to miss too much. He's had an injection in his knee and hopefully he can get back quickly."
Moyes does not expect to go back into the market to replace Ings, however.
"No not really, I think in the main we've spent money on Danny which we weren't necessarily expecting to do but we felt we could add to what we've got," he said.
"At the moment I don't necessarily see us spending more money, but I don't want to say that and then you tell me you told me something different because this world changes very quickly."

David Moyes confirms Michail Antonio will be staying at West Ham

Harry Kane may miss out on the chance to become Tottenham's all-time leading scorer due to illness.

Illness could see Harry Kane miss out on the chance to become Tottenham's all-time leading scorer in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Preston.
The Spurs forward went level with Jimmy Greaves on Monday when he hit the winner at Fulham to score his 266th goal for the club.
Boss Antonio Conte revealed afterwards Kane had struggled with a fever and he missed training on Wednesday and Thursday this week before he returned on Friday ahead of the weekend clash at Sky Bet Championship outfit Preston.
"We have only one problem, with Harry, because he played the last game full of illness," Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini revealed.
"He didn't train during the week, he trained this morning, but he wants to come with us and be available.
"We know very well that Harry wants to play every game, so we are happy that Harry is involved in the game, but the only situation we have to take care of is this."
Kane could earn an overdue rest anyway with Richarlison pushing to make his first start since a hamstring injury following last month's World Cup.
Stellini admitted some changes would be made at Deepdale but midweek signing Arnaut Danjuma, who joined on loan from Villarreal on Wednesday, is only set to be named on the bench.
Tottenham are pushing to make further additions this month and talks continue with Sporting Lisbon over the signing of Pedro Porro, the PA news agency understands.
An agreement over the payment structure of Porro's 45million euros (£39.5) release clause still needs to be reached and the attacking full-back looks primed to feature in Sporting's cup final against Porto on Saturday – but there is an expectation a deal will eventually be concluded before Tuesday's deadline.
While potential new recruit Porro could win silverware this weekend, Tottenham continue to seek an end to their trophy drought that dates back to 2008.
But Stellini insisted: "Many times, many times when I was here, we speak about a trophy, a cup to win. I don't want to push, to create pressure on this.
"We have to change the mentality. The last game was a good start-point to change this and with the change of the mentality, you don't have to talk about winning trophies, you have to do it.
"It is difficult to work on the mentality, we try to do it and we want to be a team that can win a trophy."
Conte's future has been a constant talking point recently but his passionate celebrations with the Spurs fans at Craven Cottage on Monday hinted his determination remains as strong as ever to succeed at the club.
"It's very difficult to feel that Antonio is not determined, it's very difficult," Stellini admitted.
"But, the way he celebrated, maybe he can let (people) understand, in my opinion, that he feels love around him. This is really important.
"This is really important, that the fans are with us, with the team, with the players, with the club and with Antonio as well."