Football fans in the UK were left furious at not being able to watch Manchester City’s trip to face Everton on Wednesday night on television. 

The match was moved at late notice after City secured safe passage through to the Carabao Cup final with a 10-0 aggregate win over Burton and with both BT Sport and Sky Sports having made their selections for broadcast, the game was not to be available for UK viewers. 

Angry fans took to social media to question the country-wide blackout for the game given the significance, with City looking to end the night above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Football fans were left in disbelief at not being able to watch Everton against Manchester City

One user questioned how with both Sky and BT subscriptions fans could not watch the game

With Brighton’s FA Cup replay against Championship high-flyers West Brom broadcast on BBC One, one user wrote: ‘When you pay your Sky and BT subscriptions and still can’t get to watch #EVEMCI.’

Another added: ‘I find it both funny and refreshing in the modern age of live football that a potentially pivotal game in the title race is not live on Sky or BT or even on radio on R5L or Talksport. But cup replay between WBA and Brighton is! #EVEMCI.’

Everton fan Dominic Fox managed to catch the action – but was watching in the early hours from a place in Sri Lanka. 

The BBC showed an FA Cup tie and for some fans it was a comical situation missing the game

Given the magnitude of the game, few could believe no-one in the UK could watch it on TV

He tweeted: ‘@Everton vs City live from my hotel room in Sri Lanka 01:45 am… but not available from the UK!! �� #EVEMCI #COYB’.  

The game was of huge significance in the Premier League title race with City knowing a win would see them go top on goal difference. 

Guardiola’s side have not topped the standings since December and with games slowly being ticked off, would ramp up the pressure on Liverpool ahead of the weekend’s games. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side have stuttered in their last two matches, finishing with draws against both Leicester City and West Ham, handing City a lifeline after they fell to a shock defeat away at Newcastle on January 29.  

Aymeric Laporte broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time as City looked to top the table

One Everton fan not at the game did get to watch… but only as he was in a hotel in Sri Lanka

Lucas Torreira believes Arsenal ‘deserve’ to be playing Champions League football because of the club’s status.

The Gunners, who have failed to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition for the past two seasons, are currently off the pace in the battle for a top-four Premier League finish again this season.

Unai Emery’s side sit sixth on the back of Sunday’s 3-1 loss at champions Manchester City, a point below Manchester United and three behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Lucas Torreira believes Arsenal should be in the Champions League as they are a big club

Arsenal have slipped out of the top four and are three points adrift of Chelsea in fourth

Uruguay midfielder Torreira admits his team must improve their recent form, which has seen them collect only 10 points from the last 21 available, if they are to achieve their primary objective.

‘Just a few weeks ago, (Manchester) United were obviously behind us but it’s happened and it’s something we have to deal with,’ the 22-year-old told Sky Sports News.

‘We obviously don’t want that form to happen again. As players, you always need to be fighting for an objective when you walk out onto the pitch and for us that means qualifying for the Champions League.

‘We know it’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure, because we are up against some great teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United but we need to try and stand firm as a team and as a group and battle in every game.

‘The squad is focused on qualifying for the Champions League because a big club like Arsenal deserves to be playing in that competition.’

The Gunners face Huddersfield next in the Premier League before the first leg of their round-of-32 Europa League tie against BATE.

Unai Emery will be eager to make it back to Europe’s elite competition 

Unai Emery’s track record in European competition should give Arsenal fans hope of Champions League qualification by another route, having triumphed three times with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016.

The Gunners boss will be determined to make it back into Europe’s elite league to ease the financial constraints currently being imposed on his tenure.

Sportsmail revealed that his summer transfer budget will only amount to £45million, meaning another austere approach to player purchases could well be on the cards next season.

Angels Breath is handed the opportunity to justify his position as favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when he lines up in the Sydney Banks Novices’ Hurdle at Huntington.

The Nicky Henderson-trained grey is 5-1 market leader for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival next month but he still has plenty to prove.

Nico De Boinville’s mount was a useful-looking winner of the Grade Two Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot in December but an issue with the hurdles meant only four obstacles were jumped. That has left the form looking flimsy.

Angels Breath will prepare for Cheltenham Festival with the Sydney Banks Novices’ Hurdle

Thursday afternoon’s contest around Huntingdon’s tight circuit should serve up a better test for Angels Breath, especially as he must give weight to his rivals including unbeaten Emitom.

The race could also show if the two-mile supreme is the right option for Angels Breath. His part owner Dai Walters also has Al Dancer, favourite for Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, as a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle candidate.

Henderson said: ‘He needs the experience and I am sure it will be a good test.’

Trainer Nicky Henderson hopes the horse can gain experience in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Leading Australian trainer Darren Weir has been banned for four years after devices known as ‘jiggers’, used to give horses electric shocks, were found at his stable last week.

The scandal has rocked Australian racing. Weir is a Melbourne Cup winner who trained over 600 horses.

Darren Weir received a four-year ban after devices known as ‘jiggers’ were found at his stable

Trainer Gordon Elliott had a treble at Ayr on Wednesday but was also fined £3,000 after his runner Braid Blue, fifth to Galvin, was judged to have breached non-trier rules.

Jockey Henry Brooke was suspended for 14 days and the horse banned from running for 40 days. 

Gordon Elliott won three races at Ayr on Wednesday but was also fined £3,000

BT Sport have announced a series of new innovations as they broaden the availability of their channels.

As part of that, they have launched new apps on Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV and Xbox. It can be accessed for as little as £9.

They are also developing object based broadcasting, which will enable viewers to personalise and control some aspects or objects of programmes such as audio or graphics.

BT Sport have announced a series of new innovations for their sporting broadcasts

That means a viewer could alter the level of crowd noise versus commentary levels. Blind or partially sighted viewers could also access Audio Description of live action.

There will also be a trial of a private video chat service that allows video chats with up to three friends while watching BT Sport.

Those who are already subscribers will be able to use the app on the new devices, giving them another BT Sport screen in their houses. 

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said: ‘We’re creating even more ways for our customers to watch their favourite sport in stunning high definition, wherever they are. 

They have launched new apps on Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV and Xbox

‘We’re working to offer our customers unrivalled choice, with the best content, the smartest devices, and the latest technology, through partnerships with the world’s most innovative companies. 

‘Making BT Sport available on Apple TV, Samsung TVs and Xbox is just one of the ways we’re bringing great sport to even more customers, and creating the best sports viewing experiences in the UK.’ 

Customers on EE mobile can also add BT Sport for just £10.

They are developing object based broadcasting — viewers could personalise broadcasts