Barcelona and Marcus Rashford continue to be a match made in heaven with the England international playing a huge role in their Copa del Rey win over Albacete

Marcus Rashford continued his fine form for Barcelona on Tuesday evening as he played a part in two goals against Albacete in the Copa del Rey.

The Manchester United loanee has been influential in Barca’s season so far with 22 goal contributions across all competitions. Rashford joined the club on a season-long loan, with the La Liga giants having the option to sign him on a permanent deal for £26million in the summer.

It’s been reported that Rashford is happy in Spain and has no intention of returning to United at the end of the season. The England international was shunned by Ruben Amorim, with his most recent appearance for the club coming in December 2024.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

Since moving to Barcelona, Rashford has rediscovered his love for football and on Tuesday he showed exactly why Hansi Flick is such a big fan. The Catalan club took on second division side Albacete in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey, and Rashford was key in the win.

After winning the ball back inside the home team’s half, he took two defenders out of the game before playing the ball to Frenkie de Jong, who set up Lamine Yamal to open the scoring.

In the second half, Rashford then turned provider for Ronald Araujo from a corner. But it was Rashford’s influence on the first goal that earned him plaudits from his teammates.

After managing to pass the ball to De Jong despite being tackled, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandoswki, De Jong and Gerard Martin all ran straight to the 28-year-old to celebrate the goal. Yamal, who scored the goal, ran off to the corner to celebrate on his own.

Rashford’s performance on Tuesday comes just days after various reports suggested progress in his permanent move to Spain. Marca claimed that Barcelona are now willing to trigger their permanent clause, while The Mirror have reported that Rashford wants to stay at the club.

Despite leaving the club in the summer, Rashford’s former teammates have been supportive in his endeavours in Spain. Last month, when Barcelona won the Supercopa da Espana, a number of United players turned to social media to congratulate the forward.

Alongside six images of him celebrating the success, Rashford said in a caption: “SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS [raised hands emoji and trophy emoji]. What a way to start the year!! [blue circle emoji and red circle emoji].”

Several of Rashford’s United teammates sent a message to him in the comments section. Harry Maguire was one, with the Reds defender posting: “Love it mate [clapping hands emoji].”

Bruno Fernandes was another, with the United captain saying: “Congratulations my brother [red love heart emoji].” Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, put: “Congratulations brother [red love heart emoji]”, while 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel, who has trained with the club’s first-team, posted a fire emoji.

Ryan Kennedy, a Michigan resident and self-described Detroit Lions fan, is taking legal action following a December altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf at Ford Field.

Kennedy and his legal team held a news conference in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on Dec. 26. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Kennedy announced that a lawsuit had been filed in Wayne County Court. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages stemming from the Dec. 21 incident and names DK Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ford Field, the Lions’ longtime home stadium.

Former NFL player Chad Johnson, Ford Field management and multiple media platforms were also listed in the lawsuit, alleging that they played a role in making “defamatory and life-altering statements” against Kennedy in the aftermath of the incident.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy, center, seated next to attorney Sean Murphy, left, and attorney Shawn Head, right, while discussing the fan-involved altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers player DK Metcalf at the Head Murphy Law office in Farmington Hills, Michigan on Dec. 26, 2025. (Ryan Garza/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The filing outlines nine counts, including negligence against Ford Field and multiple defamation claims against Metcalf, Johnson and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe’s Shay Shay Media.

During the first half of the Lions–Steelers game on Dec. 21, Metcalf appeared to take a swing at Kennedy, who was seated in the Ford Field stands. The NFL later disciplined Metcalf with a two-game suspension to close the regular season.

STEELERS MAKE MAJOR CONTRACT DECISION ON DK METCALF AFTER SUSPENSION

On an episode of Shay Shay Media’s “Nightcap” podcast released the day after the incident, co-host Chad Johnson said Metcalf told him Kennedy directed a racial slur at the Steelers receiver and used a derogatory term toward Metcalf’s mother.

Kennedy denied using any slurs at a December press conference, a claim reiterated in the lawsuit.

A general overall aerial view of Ford Field on Dec. 7, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

“The statements were false and reckless,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff Kennedy did not call Defendant Metcalf the ‘N-word’; did not call Defendant Metcalf’s mother a ‘c—‘; and did not ever use any racial slurs or hate speech whatsoever … Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy.”

DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on Aug. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Kennedy is also taking legal action against the Steelers for the team’s alleged liability in the incident, while Metcalf is accused of committing assault and battery in the lawsuit. The claims against Ford Field management are also based on liability.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Defendant Ford Field Management, LLC breached its duty by failing to establish or enforce adequate barriers, protocols, or security measures to prevent players from reaching into the stands and making physical contact with patrons,” the lawsuit reads.

Fox News Digital contacted the Lions requesting comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Metcalf recorded 850 receiving yards in his first season with the Steelers.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Sylvanus Okpala has criticised ex-Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick for backing Eric Chelle to continue as head coach of the national team.

Okpala believes that a Nigerian coach remains the best option for the Super Eagles, despite growing public support for Chelle following recent performances.

The former international said he never supported the appointment of the Malian coach when he was named head coach in January 2025. While he admitted that results under Chelle have been encouraging, Okpala argued that good performances should not distract from what he sees as the wrong approach to managing the national team.

Chelle has now spent a year in charge and is yet to lose a competitive match in regulation time with the Super Eagles. However, he failed to lead Nigeria to qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Nigeria finished third and impressed many observers with their attacking style. The Super Eagles scored 14 goals, the highest at the tournament, and were praised as one of the most exciting teams.

Those displays led Pinnick to publicly suggest that Chelle should be allowed to continue in the role. He also said that any Nigerian coach interested in the Super Eagles job should first prove himself by winning league titles and continental trophies with a Nigeria Professional Football League club.

Okpala strongly disagrees with that view.

Speaking in an interview, he said Nigerian coaches are consistently overlooked using arguments he described as unfair and inconsistent.

“All I can say is that Nigerian coaches will solve the Super Eagles problem. I’ve been saying this for about five years,” Okpala said.

“I read someone saying that if you want to coach the national team, you must have taken a club to the continent and won the CAF Champions League.

“If that is the condition, then Eric Chelle is from Mali. How many clubs did he coach in Mali that won the CAF Champions League?” he asked.

Okpala’s comments come despite Chelle guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at AFCON 2025, a campaign that has divided opinion among fans and former players.

Okpala is a respected figure in Nigerian football. He was part of the Super Eagles team that won Nigeria’s first AFCON title in 1980 and also represented the country at the 1980 and 1988 Olympic Games. As a coach, he worked as an assistant to the late Stephen Keshi and was part of the technical crew that led Nigeria to AFCON success in 2013.

He believes his experience, and that of other local coaches, shows that Nigeria already has the quality needed to handle the Super Eagles job.

Dmitry Bivol has revealed his most desirable options at 175lbs while, at the same time, expressing his interest in a potential jump up to cruiserweight.

The unified world champion has not fought since his majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev in February 2025, back when he exacted his revenge to become the undisputed light-heavyweight king.

Soon after, a long process of undergoing and recovering from back surgery meant that he was forced to vacate his WBC title, rather than defend it against his then-mandatory challenger David Benavidez.

As a result, Benavidez is now the full WBC champion while Bivol, who must now take care of his IBF mandatory obligation, is expected to return to action against Michael Eifert later this year.

But while Eifert represents a solid opponent, especially after more than a year out the ring, Bivol equally acknowledges that his most lucrative opportunities are likely to emerge towards the end of 2026.

One such matchup could be an undisputed showdown with Benavidez, who is first set to collide with unified world cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in May.

Besides that, the 35-year-old has told Fight Hub TV that a trilogy fight with Beterbiev, or even a rematch with Canelo Alvarez – who he outpointed in 2022 – could both present themselves as possible options.

Perhaps more surprisingly, though, Bivol has also hinted at a potential move up in weight, seemingly targeting cruiserweight world champions Jai Opetaia, Noel Mikaelian and the winner of Ramirez vs Benavidez.

“Why not this year? [Benavidez is] an option for us. Benavidez, Beterbiev, you mentioned Canelo.

“Also, in my head, I would like to move up to get the chance to fight for another belt, in another weight class. For my soul, it would be better to move up [to cruiserweight].”

While speaking with media members, Bivol added that his ordered matchup with Eifert should soon go to a purse bid hearing.

Man City have a one-goal advantage over Newcastle as Pep Guardiola eyes another League Cup triumph as the two sides go head-to-head for a place at Wembley Stadium

Looking to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg, EFL Cup holders Newcastle United head to the Etihad Stadium for a crucial second-leg clash against Manchester City on Wednesday night. The winner of this all-Premier League semi-final will book a place at Wembley Stadium on March 22, where they will face either Arsenal or Chelsea in the final.

Manchester City are firmly in control of the tie after securing a 2-0 victory at St James’ Park three weeks ago, thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. Under Pep Guardiola, City are aiming to reach their 23rd domestic cup final at Wembley. Historically, City have progressed to the EFL Cup final in five of the previous six occasions when winning the first leg of a semi-final, with their only slip-up coming against Manchester United in 2009-10. The Citizens are also seeking their first EFL Cup triumph since the 2020-21 season and ninth in their history; only Liverpool (10) have lifted the trophy more times than City.

However, since that first-leg win, Guardiola’s side have experienced a dip in form, recording two wins, one draw, and two defeats. Most recently, they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Tottenham in North London, squandering a two-goal half-time lead for the first time since April 2018. In the Premier League this season, City have scored six unanswered goals in the first half but have conceded six without reply in the second half in 2026, highlighting a growing concern over their performances after the break. This inconsistency has seen them fall six points behind leaders Arsenal, with 14 matches remaining.

Despite these setbacks, City will be confident returning to the Etihad, where they have won 14 of their 18 home games in all competitions this season. They also boast a formidable record against Newcastle at home, winning each of their last 11 meetings by an aggregate score of 37-3, including a 4-0 Premier League victory in February 2025.

Newcastle began their EFL Cup defense with victories over Bradford, Tottenham, and Fulham, but their 10-match winning streak in the competition—stretching back to the start of the 2024-25 season—was snapped by City in the first leg. Conceding a second goal in the 98th minute was a “body blow” for the Magpies, but head coach Eddie Howe remains optimistic, insisting his side are “still fighting” to become only the second team to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit in an EFL Cup semi-final, after Aston Villa achieved the feat against Tranmere in 1993-94.

Newcastle face a daunting task, having lost 17 of their last 18 visits to Manchester City and only managing one win at the Etihad in the past 22 years—a 2-0 EFL Cup victory in October 2014. Their away form this season has also been disappointing, with just three wins from 16 matches in all competitions. Most recently, they let a one-goal lead slip to lose 4-1 at Liverpool, leaving them 10th in the Premier League and six points off the top five.

Nevertheless, the Magpies can take some encouragement from their record against City in this competition, having knocked them out in both 2014 and 2023. They also defeated Guardiola’s side 2-1 in the Premier League in November and will be aiming to beat City twice in the same season for the first time since 1983-84.

Man City vs NewcastleBetting Tips

• Both teams to score – 87/100 (Betfred)
• Nick Woltemade to score anytime – 19/10 (Betfred)
• Man City to win 2-1 – 15/2 (Betfred)

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

Gamble responsibly

Everyone at The Inside Track and Reach are committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.

We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.

Dave Allen is anticipating an early finish when former world champion Deontay Wilder collides with heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora on April 4.

It was announced last week that the pair will headline a Misfits Pro and Queensberry card in London, with both of them entering their 50th professional outing.

Not so long ago, it appeared as though Wilder was set to face bona fide heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, but ‘The Bronze Bomber’ must now prepare himself for a vastly different matchup altogether.

The 40-year-old comes off a relatively uninspiring seventh round finish over Tyrrell Herndon in June, which followed his back-to-back defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

Against Parker, the American failed to unleash his trademark power, and that was again outlined during Zhang’s fifth-round stoppage victory.

One man who certainly seems to think Wilder’s power may be gone is British heavyweight Allen, who, having previously sparred with Chisora, believes that Wilder is likely to find himself on the receiving end of an early stoppage.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Allen put forward the opinion that, despite being two years older, Chisora is the more serviceable customer at this stage of their careers.

“Wilder, I just don’t think he has anything left. You would think, for a guy that can punch, Chisora’s a good match, because Chisora will walk on to you and he’s there to be hit.

“But Wilder, I just don’t think he can pull the trigger no more. Of course he can still punch… But [Chisora’s] not that easy to hit because you have to worry about him hitting you back.

“I think seven or eight years ago, Wilder would’ve had the speed and the want to really hit Derek, and I think he would’ve stopped him.

“But even at 42 [years old], I think [Chisora] has got a lot more left than Wilder. I think he’ll get to him early.”

Chisora comes off three straight points victories over Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin, all of them following his 10th-round stoppage defeat to Tyson Fury in 2022.