Laura Woods struck by football live on TNT before FA Cup semi-final pundits get soaked

TNT Sports’ pre-match coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Leeds United descended into chaos after sprinklers and stray footballs intervened.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole was left red-faced when a stray touch sent a rogue ball at TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods. The coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between the Blues and Premier League rivals, Leeds United, descended into chaos with the Wembley sprinklers further disrupting the build-up.

The coverage was stationed pitchside, towards the Leeds warm-up, when the incident occurred after a deflected rondo pass squirted towards the TNT Sports analysts. Cole turned around and dangled a left leg towards the stray pass, miscontrolling it before it brushed the hand of a shocked Woods.

Their coverage was then impacted when the Wembley sprinkler routine diverted towards them. The panel, which also included former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, tried to continue with business as usual.

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However, they couldn’t resist bringing up the gaffe. Woods, who stood left of the picture presenting, said: “OK, the Leeds players have headed back in, a minute ago they were so close to us and we caught a few strays with the ball. Just coming up behind Joe, his sixth sense kicked in.”

Cole, who was in the middle, said: “The touch wasn’t quite there, Woodsy. I had my head on the spin, I could tell something was coming.” Woods quipped back: “I was expecting more from an ex-professional and now the sprinklers are coming for us.

“We’re not having much luck so we’ll move over here and get out the way. Hopefully someone has an umbrella for us.”

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Leeds were taking on the managerless London club as they looked to compound the misery on Chelsea, following Liam Rosenior’s sacking in the wake of their 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The drubbing was a seventh defeat out of eight for Chelsea after the Blues suffered a significant downturn of form under the former Hull City manager.

Calum McFarlane was installed as caretaker for the second time this season after Enzo Maresca’s unceremonious departure earlier in the season. The interim manager has been tasked with reigniting the spark at Stamford Bridge as they find themselves outside the European places.

The temporary boss claimed that the FA Cup semi-final under the arch at Wembley could motivate the Chelsea players after a poor run of form.

He said: “Really disappointing. It was hard to watch that, hard to see that.

“To be dominated from minute one to minute 90. Brighton were very good but we were nowhere near our levels.

“Everything has been done that we possibly can to make sure the lads are as best prepared as they can be for what Leeds are going to throw at us and what we have to stand up to. I believe the players will be motivated to get to an FA Cup final.”

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