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Monday's headlines: Man Utd fans protest, Ratcliffe targeted, Arsenal title hopes fade

Bruno Fernandes
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Manchester United supporters showed up in large numbers before their 1-1 draw with Arsenal to voice their discontent with the Glazer family's ownership and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. In other matches, Tottenham staged a comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at home, while Chelsea climbed into the top four after narrowly defeating relegation-threatened Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

Old Trafford was the scene of significant protest as thousands of United fans expressed their opposition to the club's owners during a march that began a mile from the stadium. The 1958 fan group spearheaded the demonstration, urging fans to don black attire to signify the club is "slowly dying".

Edward Glazer and Ratcliffe were in attendance to witness Bruno Fernandes' superb free-kick give United the lead, only for Declan Rice to score a spectacular equaliser with 16 minutes remaining. United moved up to 14th place, while second-placed Arsenal are now 15 points behind leaders Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand.

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In London, Spurs managed to salvage some pride and a point in a 2-2 draw with an impressive Bournemouth side, despite being booed off at half-time by their own fans. Son Heung-min's late penalty, combined with Pape Sarr's earlier cross-cum-shot, helped Spurs avoid defeat after Bournemouth looked set to take all three points, with Marcus Tavernier opening the scoring and Evanilson doubling the lead after Justin Kluivert had a goal disallowed for offside.

Chelsea climbed above Manchester City to secure the fourth spot with a hard-earned 1-0 win against Leicester, courtesy of Marc Cucurella's stunning long-distance strike, intensifying the pressure on Foxes manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. In Scottish football action, Daizen Maeda's hot streak was pivotal for Celtic's treble dreams as he netted his 28th goal of the season, his 14th in just 13 outings, helping his team advance to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 triumph over Hibernian.

Already holding the Scottish League Cup, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his squad, remarking, "The demands that they've met at every level, the professionalism, the quality, has put us in this amazing position with a semi-final to look forward to and nine games left in the league."

Over in women's football, Liverpool made it into the FA Women's Cup semi-finals for the first time in eight years by defeating Arsenal. A last-gasp goal ricocheted off Sophie Roman Haug’s shot hitting the post and deflecting in off keeper Daphne van Domselaar, clinched the 1-0 quarter-final victory.

Under interim head coach Amber Whiteley, following Matt Beard's exit, Liverpool will clash with Chelsea, who edged out Crystal Palace 1-0 to proceed. The other semi-final fixture is set for a Manchester derby, with City meeting reigning champions United in the final four after their 2-0 victory against Aston Villa.

What's coming up today?

West Ham, under the guidance of Graham Potter, will be looking to continue their Premier League resurgence when they face Newcastle. The Hammers have triumphed in their last two matches and are set to play against a team that might be preoccupied with Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, Livingston will clash with St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, marking another significant match.