Awkward moment Sky Sports pundits drenched and forced to run for cover after sprinkler gaffe on live TV

A SKY SPORTS presenter couldn’t resist joking as two pundits got a soaking – just as she had gleefully predicted.

Caroline Barker‘s pre-match analysis went beyond tactics when she took to the Etihad pitch with ex-Lionesses Steph Houghton and Izzy Christiansen.

The trio were discussing how Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City would fare against Tottenham on Friday night.

But Barker suddenly spotted some ominous sprinklers springing into action behind the trio as they stood with their microphones.

Pointing at the two ex-City stars, she smiled and told them: “You’re about to get soaked and I’m about to laugh.”

Almost in the same breath, and just as the sprinklers took aim on their surprise new targets, Barker added: “There we go!”

Houghton and Christiansen turned open-mouthed and moved as swiftly as they did at their peak of their playing careers – but this time to run for cover behind the Sky Sports table.

Even the broadcaster joined in the fun at the duo’s expense.

Sky posted on social media that that the pair suffered “a surprise when one of the pitchside sprinklers attacked mid analysis!”.

Tottenham then faced an unwarranted torrent of their own – looking all over the place as City poured forward early on.

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Khadija Shaw bagged a double early on for Gareth Taylor’s team.

Jill Roord’s thumping third goal in three games put City in command midway through the second half before Shaw completed her hat-trick in a 4-0 win.

Former centre-back Houghton, 36, and ex-attacker Christiansen, 33, were each at the Etihad the last time City picked up the title.

But that was way back in 2016.

Chelsea have lifted seven of the eight crowns since then – Arsenal briefly breaking their dominance in 2018-19.

But for Houghton such matters as titles are trivial compared to her husband’s battle with motor neurone disease.

Former Liverpool, Bradford and Bolton defender Stephen Darby, 36, is now eating through a tube following a “life-changing” procedure.

Steph told The Guardian it was the best thing for him during a “tough ride” and would allow him to relax a bit more.