Sam Cunningham
@samcunningham.bsky.social
Sports journalist.
Bylines: The Times, The Guardian, The Observer, Premier League.
Formerly: The i Paper, Daily Mail
E: s.cunningham@live.co.uk
Bylines: The Times, The Guardian, The Observer, Premier League.
Formerly: The i Paper, Daily Mail
E: s.cunningham@live.co.uk
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Exclusive: The FA has written to Crystal Palace and Macclesfield to stop the Premier League side from handing their share of FA Cup gate receipts to the non-League club.
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Crystal Palace blocked by FA from giving Macclesfield cup-tie ticket money
Premier League club offered to give their share of ticket sales for FA Cup third-round tie to National League North side but FA says it is against competition rules
www.thetimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Exclusive: The FA has written to Crystal Palace and Macclesfield to stop the Premier League side from handing their share of FA Cup gate receipts to the non-League club.
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Exclusive: The FA has written to Crystal Palace and Macclesfield to stop the Premier League side from handing their share of FA Cup gate receipts to the non-League club.
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Crystal Palace blocked by FA from giving Macclesfield cup-tie ticket money
Premier League club offered to give their share of ticket sales for FA Cup third-round tie to National League North side but FA says it is against competition rules
www.thetimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Exclusive: The FA has written to Crystal Palace and Macclesfield to stop the Premier League side from handing their share of FA Cup gate receipts to the non-League club.
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Full story @thetimes.com 👇
Referee Craig Pawson wrote in his report on the incident: "After the final whistle a number of players came together... No misconduct was witnessed by the match officials."
🚨 Aston Villa and Tottenham fined £125,000 each for the mass confrontation after their FA Cup match.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
January 29, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Referee Craig Pawson wrote in his report on the incident: "After the final whistle a number of players came together... No misconduct was witnessed by the match officials."
🚨 Aston Villa and Tottenham fined £125,000 each for the mass confrontation after their FA Cup match.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
January 29, 2026 at 12:02 PM
🚨 Aston Villa and Tottenham fined £125,000 each for the mass confrontation after their FA Cup match.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
Both clubs admitted the FA charge.
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
🚨 Exclusive 🚨
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie
The cash-strapped club were reminded that request broke competition rules after they received less-than-expected windfall from glamour contest
www.thetimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:50 PM
🚨 Exclusive 🚨
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Story for @thetimes.com: The FA wrote to Exeter City to warn them about the request to Manchester City for a greater share of the gate receipts for their FA Cup tie.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
January 27, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Story for @thetimes.com: The FA wrote to Exeter City to warn them about the request to Manchester City for a greater share of the gate receipts for their FA Cup tie.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story for @thetimes.com: The FA wrote to Exeter City to warn them about the request to Manchester City for a greater share of the gate receipts for their FA Cup tie.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
January 27, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Story for @thetimes.com: The FA wrote to Exeter City to warn them about the request to Manchester City for a greater share of the gate receipts for their FA Cup tie.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The FA say gate receipts are shared equally to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Exeter had hoped drawing Manchester City away would provide significant income to ease their financial troubles, but made only £180,000.
In 2004 Manchester United donated their entire Old Trafford gate receipts to Exeter for their FA Cup tie
In 2004 Manchester United donated their entire Old Trafford gate receipts to Exeter for their FA Cup tie
🚨 Exclusive 🚨
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie
The cash-strapped club were reminded that request broke competition rules after they received less-than-expected windfall from glamour contest
www.thetimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Exeter had hoped drawing Manchester City away would provide significant income to ease their financial troubles, but made only £180,000.
In 2004 Manchester United donated their entire Old Trafford gate receipts to Exeter for their FA Cup tie
In 2004 Manchester United donated their entire Old Trafford gate receipts to Exeter for their FA Cup tie
🚨 Exclusive 🚨
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie
The cash-strapped club were reminded that request broke competition rules after they received less-than-expected windfall from glamour contest
www.thetimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:50 PM
🚨 Exclusive 🚨
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
FA warned Exeter over plea for more money from Man City FA Cup tie.
FA told them clubs receive equal gate receipts to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Story @thetimes.com
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Marc Guehi's calm head, composure on the ball and assured passing combined to bring a serenity to Man City’s defence that has been missing since the injuries to first-choice centre-back pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
'A guy you can rely on' - Guehi makes instant impact at Man City
January signing from Palace impresses on debut, helping new side earn first clean sheet in four games
www.premierleague.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Marc Guehi's calm head, composure on the ball and assured passing combined to bring a serenity to Man City’s defence that has been missing since the injuries to first-choice centre-back pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Guehi’s immediate impact and influence was clear in how involved he was in Man City’s control of the game and attacking build-up. His 102 passes were bettered only by team-mate Rodri, who made 103. And Guehi touched the ball 112 times – again only Rodri had more touches, with 116.
January 24, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Guehi’s immediate impact and influence was clear in how involved he was in Man City’s control of the game and attacking build-up. His 102 passes were bettered only by team-mate Rodri, who made 103. And Guehi touched the ball 112 times – again only Rodri had more touches, with 116.
I still think he is going to have a transformative effect on Man City. The ideal Pep player
It was a promising debut
His passing was in and out but that will come
And he is quick which is a great asset
But ‘serenity’?
Khusanov was still a bull in a china shop
Ball bouncing around our box off most set pieces
Last ditch tackles and fist pumps
It was still heart in mouth mostly
👍😊⚽️🩵
His passing was in and out but that will come
And he is quick which is a great asset
But ‘serenity’?
Khusanov was still a bull in a china shop
Ball bouncing around our box off most set pieces
Last ditch tackles and fist pumps
It was still heart in mouth mostly
👍😊⚽️🩵
January 25, 2026 at 9:16 AM
I still think he is going to have a transformative effect on Man City. The ideal Pep player
I know - but it was the only opponent to judge his debut on :)
Easy mate, was Wolves at home.
January 25, 2026 at 9:15 AM
I know - but it was the only opponent to judge his debut on :)
There are few centre-backs in the world who read the game like Guehi or are so positionally precise that they are barely required to make a tackle
Marc Guehi's calm head, composure on the ball and assured passing combined to bring a serenity to Man City’s defence that has been missing since the injuries to first-choice centre-back pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
'A guy you can rely on' - Guehi makes instant impact at Man City
January signing from Palace impresses on debut, helping new side earn first clean sheet in four games
www.premierleague.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM
There are few centre-backs in the world who read the game like Guehi or are so positionally precise that they are barely required to make a tackle
Marc Guehi's calm head, composure on the ball and assured passing combined to bring a serenity to Man City’s defence that has been missing since the injuries to first-choice centre-back pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
'A guy you can rely on' - Guehi makes instant impact at Man City
January signing from Palace impresses on debut, helping new side earn first clean sheet in four games
www.premierleague.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Marc Guehi's calm head, composure on the ball and assured passing combined to bring a serenity to Man City’s defence that has been missing since the injuries to first-choice centre-back pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Analysis for @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Man City have scored one open-play goal across their last four Premier League matches and their Expected Goals (xG) total of 0.45 against Man Utd was the team’s second-lowest in the nine years under Guardiola.
January 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Man City have scored one open-play goal across their last four Premier League matches and their Expected Goals (xG) total of 0.45 against Man Utd was the team’s second-lowest in the nine years under Guardiola.
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Five year contract on the way
Manchester United deserve to be ahead after that first half.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
January 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Five year contract on the way
Manchester United deserve to be ahead after that first half.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
January 17, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Manchester United deserve to be ahead after that first half.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
Promising start for Michael Carrick.
The VAR checked Dalot's knee-high challenge on Doku and decided the contact was not "excessive force".
Agreed with the referee that it was a yellow card - not a red.
Agreed with the referee that it was a yellow card - not a red.
January 17, 2026 at 1:04 PM
The VAR checked Dalot's knee-high challenge on Doku and decided the contact was not "excessive force".
Agreed with the referee that it was a yellow card - not a red.
Agreed with the referee that it was a yellow card - not a red.
[474032-crisp-morning-air]
January 15, 2026 at 8:03 AM
[474032-crisp-morning-air]
Thanks so much Stephen.
It baffled Fergie, too!
(Who didn't overly rate Lampard/Gerrard...)
It baffled Fergie, too!
(Who didn't overly rate Lampard/Gerrard...)
Good piece this. I will never understand why Carrick had so few England caps.
Michael Carrick steps out of the shadows to become Manchester United head coach.
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Thanks so much Stephen.
It baffled Fergie, too!
(Who didn't overly rate Lampard/Gerrard...)
It baffled Fergie, too!
(Who didn't overly rate Lampard/Gerrard...)
Reposted by Sam Cunningham
Michael Carrick steps out of the shadows to become Manchester United head coach.
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Carrick's journey from 'shy boy' to Man Utd head coach
We look at how the midfielder Sir Alex Ferguson signed from Spurs ended up in the Old Trafford hot seat
www.premierleague.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Michael Carrick steps out of the shadows to become Manchester United head coach.
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a casualness about him that causes people to misunderstand his value and his constitution."
For @eng-premierleague.bsky.social
🚨 There was a longer VAR delay in Newcastle v Man City due to Semi-Automated Offside Technology not being available - likely due to players blocking view of the ball.
VAR officials reverted to manually drawing lines.
VAR officials reverted to manually drawing lines.
January 14, 2026 at 11:40 AM
🚨 There was a longer VAR delay in Newcastle v Man City due to Semi-Automated Offside Technology not being available - likely due to players blocking view of the ball.
VAR officials reverted to manually drawing lines.
VAR officials reverted to manually drawing lines.