Football fans think they’ve spotted Mateo Kovačić forgetting what club he plays for or very briefly revealing where his true allegiances still lie, after a video of celebrating Chelsea’s equaliser in the blockbuster 4-4 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, 12 November.
Kovačić joined Man City this summer, leaving Stamford Bridge to replace the outgoing İlkay Gündoğan — one of the best like-for-like bits of recruitment the club could have hoped for — and won a UEFA Super Cup almost the second he walked through the door.
That being said, the Croatian midfielder couldn’t have found himself a better destination than the home of the current European champions and treble-winners, so when a clip of his reaction to Chelsea’s equalising penalty surfaced on social media, it’s safe to say it raised a few eyebrows.
Capturing the moment immediately after former City starlet Cole Palmer tucks away his penalty to tie up the bonkers Premier League fixture, Kovačić appears to celebrate a hard-fought performance from his side going from three points to just one. Take a look and see what you think:
Some eagle-eyed fans think Matteo Kovacic (City No.8) celebrated Cole Palmer's equalizer, thus making him proper Chelsea. 🧐
Bottom left, number eight. Is Kovačić celebrating Chelsea’s equaliser?
You have to say, there aren’t many times you watch the opponent score against your own team and feel like you want to do a low fist pump…
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While the gesture is obviously a relatively reserved one, you swiftly see him then drop his arm — perhaps in a moment of realisation — before walking off with his head down.
Make of it what you will but, obviously, Chelsea fans all over social media are convinced that this was the 29-year-old letting slip that he still prefers his previous club, with supporters labelling him a “proper Chels” player and still a West Londoner “through and through”.
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The midfielder has yet to address the club and is likely to just ignore the whole thing until it blows over, but it is a curious one, to say the least. Perhaps he was just really chuffed for youngster Palmer, who also recently swapped his shirt for a different shade of blue this past transfer window, though the two can’t have spent much time together in the two months they were both still at the Etihad.
What do you think, Blues — was it a momentary lapse where the former Chelsea star simply forgot that he’s on the other team now, a hand gesture that’s simply been misconstrued or something else?
Pep Guardiola‘s champions are still sitting top of the table by just one point as they head into the international break, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Aston Villa all within touching distance.
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Simply because it was one of the craziest games we’ve seen in a long time and already being hailed as a Premier League classic, we’ll leave the highlights for you here:
Featured Image — Mateo Kovačić (via Instagram)/Sports Extra (via YouTube)
Sport
The Great Manchester Run is back for 2025
Danny Jones
Get your trainers at the ready, 0161, because the Great Manchester Run is back once again this year and you’ll be glad to hear nothing’s changed: it’s still one of the best days on the sporting calendar.
Taking place in its usual spring slot on Sunday, 18 May, the 2025 Great Manchester Run will once again see thousands of locals and people from all over take on two terrific distances, not to mention thousands raised for charity in what remains a day which shows us Mancs in our best light.
With more than 30,000 runners set to take part and more than 100k spectators expected to line the streets with their signs – and hopefully, some sugary sweets to keep the energy high – we can’t wait to see the crowds gathering throughout the city.
Starting on the long stretch of Portland Street for the half-marathon route and running past both Manchester City and Man United’s home grounds, passing through the likes of Trafford and near Salford Quays, it’s a route many regular racers will be familiar with.
Better still, if you’re running Manchester’s 10k course Great Run, you get to avoid the long incline over and Mancunian Way and back (thank the lord), although the entire race is largely considered to be fantastically flat compared to many others in the UK.
One thing that both the HM and 10k runs have in common, though, is the grandstand finish towards Deansgate and if you’ve never soaked in the glory and non-stop cheering in that moment before, it should be more than enough to convince you that this is your time.
Set to be televised on the BBC as it is every year, as well as music zones to keep the tunes and blood pumping throughout the day; multiple designated cheer squads along the route
You only have to take it from those who ran last year to hear how special a day it is:
It’s also a brilliant way to raise money for important causes — read more HERE.
Junior and Mini MCR Runs
But it doesn’t stop there…
Even more excitingly for the young ones who want to lace up their fastest pair of shoes, children can also get involved with this year’s Great Manchester Run as kids aged three and upwards can take part.
Offering both the mini 1.6km dash for 3 to 8-year-olds and a 2.5k supercharged sprint race available for the juniors (8-15), the 2025 event really is a weekend for everyone. Taking place on Saturday 17th May, the day before the main event, it’s the kids’ chance to take centre stage!
If the crowd cheering their names isn’t incentive enough, a shiny new medal and finishers t-shirt should do the trick.
With the main event on Sunday, 18 May 2025 and with runners getting started from as early as 8:20am, it’s going to be an action-packed day and one you won’t forget. There are eventraining plans to help get you up to speed for race day.
Now into its 22nd year – with the likes of Eilish McColgan and Sir Mo Farah having taken part in the momentous 20th anniversary back in 2023 – the pedigree, support and all-round vibes surrounding this event only get bigger and better each time it returns.
We tend to find that many who come along watch from the sidelines inevitably get swept up in the spirit of it all and end up entering themselves the following year, so you might as well just take the plunge and join us this year.
You can sign up for the 2025 Great Manchester Run HERE – see you at the start line!
Featured Images — AJ Bell Great Manchester Run (supplied)
Sport
Where to watch the Super Bowl in Manchester
Danny Jones
Game day is fast approaching and with the NFL scene getting bigger and bigger in the UK each year, more and more Mancs are left wondering where to watch the Super Bowl in Manchester.
The excitement’s really starting to build as we’re just days away from the clash between current holders, the Kansas City Chiefs and their familiar foes, the Philadelphia Eagles – but, first things first, you’ve got to pick where you wanna be in time for kick-off.
Luckily, there are a whole host of sports bars in the city centre that will be showing Super Bowl LIX right through till it finishes around 3am BST.
Oh yes, it’s a long old night but that’s why love it and if you’re still undecided as to where to go, here are a dozen places you can hunker down with some good grub and plenty of pints to watch it.
12 of the best places to watch the Super Bowl LIX in Manchester
First up on our list is the place we spend the Super Bowl pretty much every year: Blues Kitchen just off Deansgate, which promises big screens, live music, American BBQ favourites and more from 9pm.
With food and drinks served until late to keep you going throughout the long night, you’ll have an absolute ball. Book HERE.
Arguably the epitome of the American sports bar vibe here in Manchester, Shooters Sports Bar in Printworks’ Bierkeller is practically an institution at this point. Hosting NFL games for years, their various matchday packages make this one of the best places showing the Super Bowl in the UK full stop.
They’ve even had the Sky commentary team over there in past seasons, as well as being named official sponsors of the Manchester Titans American football team. If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us – you can sort seats for you and your group HERE.
3. BOX – Deansgate
BOX Bar opened on Deansgate back in 2021 and has quickly become one of the most popular places to watch any sport in town and it’s not hard to see why either.
With massive pitchers and steins of booze, a banging food menu built for shuffleboard at the back and screens on almost every wall, including a massive NBA-style jumbotron screen, you won’t miss a second of the action. This one always fills up quickly so book now if you don’t want to miss out.
4. Calcio! – Northern Quarter
Credit: The Manc Group
It may look like footy and games at first glance, but there is so much more to Calcio! over on Dale Street. From retro PS2 and Nintendo classics, as well as an amazing food and drink selection, this city centre sports bar has quickly become the go-to spot for hordes of sports fans.
Showing every from cricket and F1 to rugby, snooker and more, they’re one of many screening the Super Bowl in Manchester. If you’re interested in watching the Super Bowl at Calcio, you can sort your table/booth HERE.
Given students are typically the ones who don’t tend to worry about sleeping/waking up at any particular time, it’d be rude not to put a regular uni haunt and Manc nightlife favourite The Courtyard on this list.
Not only is this one of the cheapest places for a night in town, possibly the country, but it’s yet another prime location to watch the sport. You are never, we repeat, NEVER too old for Courtyard and it never disappoints when there are sports fans in.
Another all-time classic Manchester sports bar, The Directors’ Box just off St Peter’s Square in the city centre has plenty of pints, an absolutely mint menu full of sharing platters perfect for watching the game with your mates, as well as a pool table to keep you occupied during the breaks.
They’re even putting on a special menu just for the game. This is another one that packs out fast, so book now while you still can.
The Brotherhood of Pastimes and Pursuits is another tried and tested favourite come any matchday and the team over there does a great job of building a proper atmosphere across their two floors when it comes to the Super Bowl.
It’s great a post-work spot any day of the week, let alone when there are big events on like this. Food, pints, pool, table tennis and more. 10/10, no notes from us. Reserve your table HERE.
8. Tib St Tavern – Northern Quarter
Credit: The Manc Group
No list of Manchester sports bars would be complete without Tib Street Tavern, one of the most popular in NQ or the city centre in general, for that matter.
With booths for you and all your mates to pile into, massive screens filling the walls and solid grub, this place is packed out noon till night, so give ’em a ring on 0161 834 1600 to sort your seat whilst you still can. They’ve also recently had a bit of a refurb as well so you’ll be comfier than ever this year.
Nothing like the Bowl at Bunny’s. If you’ve ever been in this beloved wing-stop and rock-themed watering hole for an NFL game, you know that this place is pretty much the perfect place to be.
Arguably the best dive bar on the planet, (it’s us, we’re arguing it), and not just because the wings are 30p, there’s no bookings — you just rock up and try your luck and hope for laces out. Say no more.
10. GRUB – Green Quarter
In at number 10 is one of our favourite places in Manchester for hosting big events full stop, so it’s no surprise that it’s also going to be packed out for this year’s Super Bowl.
Projecting the big game straight onto their in-house Cultplex cinema screens, not only will tickets set you back just a tenner but they also include a welcome drink and a hot or vegan dog — now that’s what we call gameday vibes. You can sort yours HERE.
If you popped into Brickhouse for the World Cup or even the Six Nations, you’ll know the bar, club, rooftop terrace and pool hall is really killing it when it comes to live sports at the minute.
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Kicking off from 8pm and spreading across two of the three floors, this is one of the best places to grab a slice of pizza and a pint while watching the game. Better yet, their increasingly popular fan zone is absolutely free, you just need to email [email protected] or ring 0161 236 4899.
Last on our list is another cult favourite amongst NQ frequent flyers, as not only do Shack MCR specialise in all the very best kinds of food you want whilst watching live sport — wings, fries, burgers, nachos etc. — but they’re even serving up special Super Bowl platters for the occasion.
They’ll be serving scran until 1:30 in the morning and although all the private booths have already sold out, there are still some tables left for Sunday, 11 February, so book yours now.
Of course, it goes without saying that if we could chuck every one of this city’s wonderful pubs and sports bars on this list then we would, but we’d be here forever.
That being said, a literal dozen places to watch the big game in Manchester city centre should be more than enough to get you started — now it’s down to you to make sure you plan out the perfect Super Bowl Sunday for LIX 2025. Just make sure you’ve got your arse in a seat before that first touchdown.
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So, who’s going all the way this year then? Will the Chiefs retain the title or will ‘The Birds’ make up for their loss to the reigning champions back in 2023? Only time will tell.
Get lots of sleep this week because you’re going to need it!
Danny Jones -
14th November 2023 
