City slicker nets £25,000

Greatest ever comeback

A canny punter who backed Manchester City to stage their incredible comeback against Spurs has scooped £25,000.

Paul McKenzie staked £100 on a City win at odds of 250/1 - despite the fact they were 3-0 behind and down to 10 men in Wednesday's epic FA Cup tie.

The Glasgow debt collector phoned in the bet during half-time after having a hunch the game was not dead and buried.

"Because Kevin Keegan is City's boss, I was convinced he he'd send them out to attack in gung-ho fashion," Paul explained.

"I just thought it was one of those FA Cup classics, and if they got one goal they might get two, then go all the way.

"You could see they were trying to win everything. After the second one I knew they'd get four!"

Paul, 33, who watched the match at home, admitted he was getting louder with every goal City scored and promised to send Keegan a bottle of Champagne to show his gratitude.

But don't expect the ace gambler to cheer on the City boys in the next round - he's a Manchester United fan!

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If I give you an extra grand, can I be a striker?

Pay as you go

Have you heard the one about the footballer paying his club to play?

Spanish Division Two side Xerez received the princely sum of £41,000 to guarantee Chinese international Shang Yi a place in their squad.

The cash was put up by a "personal sponsor" of the midfielder, according to the El Pais newspaper.

The same source is apparently paying for a Chinese translator to travel with Shang Yi, who upon his arrival at the club shouted "Up with Xerez!"

The best news of all for the hard-up club is that Shang Yi is happy to play for nothing.

Sounds like just the man for Leeds United.