The FC Twente fans are in town for their side’s Europa League meeting against Manchester United this week but they arrived a bit earlier than some expected and decided to catch another game beforehand: the EFL match between Man City and Watford.
Yes, that same, tired old running joke seems to have rung true – at least this time.
It’s no secret that League Cup matches are much less well-attended than Premier League fixtures or European nights, so it was never going to be a sell-out crowd at the Etihad Stadium on this occasion – much to the delight of the Dutch supporters clearly enjoying an away day, or two.
Numerous clips were shared online and quickly went viral, with plenty of City supporters clearly amused by sudden pockets of Twente fans sprouting up around the ground.
As you’d expect, this was lapped up by other football fans online, especially those of rival clubs.
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All the usual suspects were rolled out: “At least they may slightly fill the Etihad for once”, “It was still half empty”, “You might finally hear a song” and so on.
To play devil’s advocate and do some Man City myth-busting for a moment, the stadium’s capacity is just over 53,000 and their attendances haven’t dropped below 50,000 once yet this season, the previous match recording a footfall of 52,846 for the game against Arsenal.
Man City went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes, as well as more minutes for youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly, who both started the game.
There was also a debut for 16-year-old debutant Kaden Braithwaite as they cruised fairly comfortably into the next round.
As for Twente, the Eredivisie side kicks off against compatriot Erik ten Hag’s side on Wednesday evening as Man United get the opening game of this year’s European campaign underway at 8pm – the fans have already taken over Shambles Square in the city and will soon be marching on Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, you can watch back the highlights of Man City vs Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup down below:
Featured Images — @foolsgold_/@rodrisgrealish (via X)
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
25th September 2024 
