FOOTBALL fans joked TNT Sports’ coverage of Newcastle’s clash with Manchester City was “like Mass” after they presented a pre-match segment from the TUNNEL.
Host Laura Woods, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and ex-Man City defender Joleon Lescott gave viewers some amazing access minutes before the start of the game as they moved from the touchline to the tunnel.
Presenter Laura Woods and pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott went into the tunnel[/caption] They spoke quietly as the players lined up to head out onto the pitch behind them[/caption]But they then proceeded to whisper quietly to one another when the coverage returned from an ad break as both teams lined up directly behind them.
And the decision to go into the tunnel evoked a funny reaction from those on social media.
One said: “On the pitch, in the tunnel, you’ll be in the toilet next.”
While a second replied: “TNT reporting from the tunnel is such a strange use of access. Sounds like they’re chatting at Mass .”
Meanwhile, Man City headed into the clash with Newcastle knowing a win would take them within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
They were also buoyed by the return of Kevin de Bruyne to the substitutes bench for the first time in the league since August.
The Belgian superstar, 32, assisted just minutes after coming on in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup last weekend.
And he will be looking to help the Treble winners secure a fourth successive Premier League title.
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But striker Erling Haaland remains sidelined after suffering a setback in his recovery from a foot injury.
Pep Guardiola is hopeful the Norwegian could return before the end of January after more than a month out.
Haaland has scored 14 league goals in 15 matches so far this season – and he is still the joint-top scorer in the division alongside Liverpool’s Mo Salah.