Soccer

LIVERPOOL picked up a big 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield to remain top of the Premier League.The Reds registered their first victory against a team currently occupying the top half of the Prem table.Liverpool picked up a big win over Chelsea at AnfieldCredit: EPAMohamed Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool from the penalty spotCredit: RexCurtis Jones stood out for Liverpool against ChelseaCredit: ReutersThat was a major statement for the Merseysiders’ manager Arne Slot, whose team now stands a point ahead of Manchester City and four away from third-placed Arsenal at the top.Mohamed Salah opened the scoring a minute before the half-hourmark from the penalty spot.But Chelsea hit back just three minutes into the second half with Nicolas Jackson.However, Liverpool picked up the three points thanks to Curtis Jones’ winner just three minutes later.Read More on FootballBut how did each Liverpool star far? Check out Ken Lawrence’s player ratings below for more:CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – 5 For the Kop – and no doubt secretly for boss Arne Slot – still surely lacking a top keeper’s presence.TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 5 Didn’t look entirely comfortable throughout especially in the face of Malo Gusto’s first-half raids.IBRAHIMA KONATE – 5 Caught napping by Nicolas Jackson’s run three minutes into the second half for Chelsea’s equaliser.Most read in FootballVIRGIL VAN DIJK – 7 He has his assassins back home in the Netherlands but again showed imperious defensive abilities.ANDY ROBERTSON – 6 The Scotland captain is often praised more for his attacking qualities than his defensive ones, but goodness me – what a brilliant last-second block.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRYAN GRAVENBERCH – 7 Only played 12 games in Jurgen Klopp’s final season but showed again why he’s now an automatic choice for Slot.CURTIS JONES – 9 Outstanding all over the pitch, won one pen when it should have been two, plus grabbed a poacher’s winner.Cole Palmer has fewer touches but is more deadly thanks to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea tactics DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI– 5Again suggested he flatters to deceive, too often playing at a slower tempo than those around him.MOHAMED SALAH – 7 What’s left to say about Anfield’s Egyptian king and his ultimate cool shot from the spot?DIOGO JOTA – 4 Forced off after playing in pain after Tosin Adarabioyo hauled him to the deck early on.CODY GAKPO – 5Flitted in and out of the action, the Dutch wide man didn’t look that shocked to be replaced.SUBSDARWIN NUNEZ (for Jota 30) – 5 Still a work in progress, says Slot – but working much harder off the ball.LUIS DIAZ (for Gakpo 65) – 5 Ever-willing to shows that feisty left-sided pace of his.READ MORE SUN STORIESALEXIS MAC ALLISTER ( for Curtis Jones 81) 5 Ill in midweek but as the Argentine always does, got stuck in.JOE GOMEZ (for Trent Alexander-Arnold 81) – 5 A few welcome minutes for the defender now down the pecking order. More

LIVERPOOL held on to beat Chelsea 2-1 in a thriller as they moved to the top of the Premier League table.Mohamed Salah opened the scoring against his former club from the penalty spot after Levi Colwill tripped Curtis Jones in the box.Robert Sanchez had a shaky day between the sticksCredit: AFPJadon Sancho was hooked off at half-timeCredit: EPANicolas Jackson scored his fifth goal of the seasonCredit: EPAChelsea went into the break trailing and it was nearly worse, only for VAR to overturn a second Liverpool penalty after Robert Sanchez’s lunge on Jones.The Blues came out from the break flying and Nicolas Jackson equalised.But they failed to hold on with star of the show Jones netting the winner just minutes later.Here is how SunSport rated the Chelsea players at Anfield.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLROBERT SANCHEZ – 5 Survived a shocker of a challenge on Jones to not give away a pen and never convincing.REECE JAMES – 6 Got through 53 minutes in first start since last December and will surely shake off the rust.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTOSIN ADARABIOYO – 5  Booked early on for clattering into Diogo Jota and no surprise was hooked for the second half.LEVI COLWILL –  5 Got away with one challenge against a diving Salah but a no- challenge penalty after hacked on Jones.Cole Palmer has fewer touches but is more deadly thanks to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea tactics MALO GUSTO – 7  Intelligent display and constant threat down the left flank in the first half especially.MOISES CAICEDO – 5 At £105m and in Chelsea’s biggest test of the season was found badly wanting.ROMEO LAVIA – 5 Got the nod over Enzo Fernandez from the start but failed to show any urgency.NONI MADUEKE – 6 Always mobile and was productive playing as a right-sided attacker – giving Robertson a tough afternoon.COLE PALMER – 5  Deployed in central midfield but struggled to show his star quality and blazed over a good chance just before the break.JADON SANCHO  – 4 Lacked any real spark and unsurprisingly hooked off at the start of the second half.NICOLAS JACKSON – 7 Picked up a typically mouthy booking but the boy definitely has something – as his fine equaliser proved.SUBS:PEDRO NETO (for Sancho 46) – 6 Looked a whole lot livelier than the wide man he took over from.BENOIT BADIASHILE (for Adarabioyo 53) – 6 Looked a lot steadier than the centre-back he replaced.RENATO VEIGA (for James 53) – 5 Got stuck in and was booked.ENZO FERNANDEZ (for Romeo Lavia) – 6 Worked diligently to use his passing to make an impact late on.READ MORE SUN STORIESCHRISTOPHER NKUNKU (for Noni Madueke 76) – 5Found it difficult to make his presence felt as the Reds dug in to win. More

IF Thomas Tuchel tuned in to witness this heavyweight Premier League battle, there would have been one man who made him sit up and take notice.And while there were six Englishmen in the starting line-up of his former club Chelsea, it was Liverpool’s match-winner Curtis Jones who demanded his attention.Curtis Jones celebrating his winner in a match full of VAR dramaCredit: PAJones beat the offside trap to restore Liverpool’s lead on 51 minutesCredit: PAAt 23, and into his fifth season as a regular Anfield first-teamer, it is surprising that Scouser Jones is yet to win a full England cap.Many more performances like this and Jones will not be ignored by new Three Lions boss Tuchel.Jones did not just net the winner early in the second half to send Liverpool back to the top of the table, but he won the penalty for Mo Salah’s opener, was originally awarded a second spot-kick, and produced an outstanding all-round display.It was Liverpool’s seventh straight win in all competitions and their 10th in 11 outings under Arne Slot, as they re-asserted their one-point lead over champions Manchester City at the start of a run of demanding fixtures.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFor Chelsea, it was the end of a seven-match unbeaten run but a performance with plenty of positives for Enzo Maresca, who is bringing sanity to the Stamford Bridge madhouse.Neither Slot nor Maresca seem inclined to spit poison as Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez often did during the golden age of the rivalry between these clubs.Both new managers had enjoyed fine starts but both had been helped by relatively gentle fixture lists.Maresca welcomed back skipper Reece James after an injury lay-off of almost a year, while Romeo Lavia was brought in for a rare start alongside Moises Caicedo – both midfielders having snubbed Liverpool for the Blues last year.Most read in FootballNicolas Jackson slotted Chelsea level, after an offside ruling was overturnedCredit: AFPFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFrom the off it was testy and tempestuous with ref John Brooks the centre of attention.First up, Tosin Adarabioyo pulled down Diogo Jota just inside the Chelsea half but with Levi Colwill covering the Chelsea defender escaped with a yellow card – narrowly avoiding the same fate as Arsenal’s William Saliba the previous day.Premier League’s Biggest Spenders: Top 10 SeasonsNext Jadon Sancho went down after a tangle with Trent Alexander-Arnold but Brooks turned down his penalty appeals. Chelsea were playing some neat stuff early on. Noni Madueke, who was giving kittens to Andy Robertson, teed up for Cole Palmer, whose shot was blocked by Jones. But then the Liverpool penalty shouts began to rain down.Salah went down under pressure from Colwill but the Egyptian was too obvious in looking for spot-kick.Slot earned a yellow for dissent but he didn’t have to wait long for a successful spot-kick appeal against Colwill.This time Colwill tripped Jones and Brooks pointed to the spot, Salah hammering home and sending Robert Sanchez the wrong way after plenty of Chelsea delaying tactics.It was Salah’s seventh goal of the season and a kick in the wotsits for the club which allowed him to leave early in his career.Jota, struggling after an early knock, was replaced by Darwin Nunez but soon Liverpool thought they had doubled their lead.A poor kick from Sanchez put Chelsea under pressure and a slick move from Jones to Salah to Cody Gakpo, netting at the back stick, came to nothing courtesy of an offside flag.Maresca was hopping mad when Nicolas Jackson angled a shot narrowly wide of the near post when he might have aimed across goal.Tosin Adarabioyo escaped with a yellow card for this challenge on Diogo JotaCredit: XRobert Sanchez couldn’t keep out Mo Salah’s penalty openerCredit: GettyIn first-half injury-time, Nunez slipped a pass to Jones, who kippered Tosin with his turn and was brought down by an on-rushing Sanchez.Brooks pointed to the spot again but was sent to his screen by VAR Michael Oliver who spotted that Sanchez touched the ball before the man.The on-field ref concurred with his more senior colleague in Stockley Park – but Sanchez had got lucky – it was a subjective call and the ‘light touch’ VAR approach appears to be fading, as most refereeing edicts do.Before the break, Madueke teased Robertson again and laid back for Palmer, who shot over.It was a warning shot for Liverpool but one they didn’t heed because Chelsea were soon level at the start of the second.Caicedo’s through-ball was met by a perfectly-timed run from Jackson who drilled past Caoimhin Kelleher – although Oliver was needed again to overturn an incorrect offside call.Slot’s men were straight back at it, though, and regained their lead within 76 seconds.Salah’s low centre was met with a Jones surge to the back post, where he cheated the offside trap, controlled and poked past Sanchez.Maresca, who had sent on Pedro Neto for Sancho at half-time, responded with a triple substitution – introducing Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Renato Veiga.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Liverpool were sensible in managing their slim lead.Jones departed ten minutes from time to a standing ovation – and Tuchel might even have got off his sofa to applaud him as well. 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MICAH RICHARDS has admitted Manchester City were lucky to see their last-gasp winner against Wolves count.There was major controversy in the 95th minute when John Stones powered in a header from a corner to put the champions 2-1 up.Bernardo Silva appeared to impede Jose SaCredit: Sky Sports But the City star had moved out of the way by the time Stones’ header flew inCredit: Sky Sports The 95th minute goal won the game for the championsCredit: AlamyMicah Richards felt City were lucky to see the goal standCredit: GettyBut as the centre-back ran away celebrating, the officials decided to chalk off the goal offside due to Bernardo Silva’s interference.He was judged to have been impeding Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa as the ball travelled into the box.The stopper pushed him away and by the time Stones headed the ball, Silva had moved clear of Sa and ducked out the way.But following a VAR review, the referees decided the goal should stand because the City star was no longer in the way of the Wolves No1 as the ball travelled towards goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAn on-field review saw Chris Kavanagh go over to the monitor and then award the goal.There was huge complaints from the Wolves players, who remain bottom of the table with just one point after the defeat.And City cult hero and Sky Sports pundit Richards admitted his old club were fortunate to pick up all three points.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “I would like to see the goal given for this because I do not think there is too much contact.Most read in Football”But the fact of the matter is that he is still in the keeper’s way so it has affected the play.Love rat Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner fires first warning shot of divorce after secretly meeting with lawyers”I think we go back the word ‘consistency’. I have seen them given and I have sometimes not.”It is just that nudge that sends him [Sa] off balance and then he is not set, so I understand why Wolves feel aggrieved in this particular moment.”Fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge added: “That used to be my role to be fair and Bernardo has played it perfectly.”As the header has gone into the back of the net, he is off the goalkeeper.But the fact of the matter is that he is still in the keeper’s way so it has affected the playMicah Richards”So it’s almost like ‘I’ve done my job guys, but I have not impacted him’.”But for me, I do believe he has impacted the goalkeeper, slightly, if I am being honest.”He has had to push him away and then go back on his line to set himself.”Wolves boss Gary O’Neil seemed to suggest Premier League match officials have a subconscious bias towards Manchester City and other big clubs. “There’s no chance that people are purposely against Wolves,” said O’Neil, who saw his side have a goal chalked off in similar circumstances against West Ham last season.”But is there something in the subconscious around decision-making or, without even knowing it, are you more likely to give it to Manchester City than Wolves?”My focus and my senses are heightened when we’re facing Man City and Pep (Guardiola) and (Erling) Haaland. Are the officials the same, when it’s Haaland and when it’s Manchester City?”Is there something in there that influences decision-making? And I’ve spoken to them about this as well, and they obviously guarantee me there isn’t. They are human.”But Manchester City scoring a last-minute winner is a big thing. It’s a bigger thing than Wolves scoring a last-minute goal against West Ham. So maybe there’s something subconsciously that means that you are less likely to get them.Ref Chris Kavanagh went to the monitor and overturned the decisionCredit: Rex”I might be miles off, but if I had to upset someone in a street and there was a little guy and a big guy, I’m upsetting a little guy. Nothing against little guys.”But there is something in there and they definitely don’t do it on purpose. I know they’re 100 per cent honest, and they’re doing the best job they can, and I respect them fully.”But maybe there’s something that just edges it in that direction when it’s really tight.”City boss Pep Guardiola had less to say on the incident, other than stating Jose Sa’s vision was not impacted when Stones made contact with the ball, which echoed the Premier League’s explanation.Guardiola said: “At the moment the linesman raised the flag, I said, ‘It’s a corner, how can it be offside?’.”The situation, at the moment of the impact from John, Sa is watching perfectly the actions so it’s well-given.”City remain undefeated in the league this seasonCredit: AFPThe Premier League released a statement trying to clear up the controversy and it read: “Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision. “The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review.”The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded.”Fans are split over the decision, with one saying: “Wolves robbed.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother added: “He’s stood offside in front of keepers eye-line, and actually nudges him yeah it would be harsh but that is offside all day long.”But others felt it was the correct call, commenting: “Nothing wrong with this goal in the slightest, why is everyone kicking off?”Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. 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OUTRAGED Arsenal fans claim Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo escaped a red card for an identical offence that saw William Saliba sent off 24 hours earlier.Tosin ended Diogo Jota’s surge through against Liverpool on mid-pitch – just like Saliba had done when fouling Evanilson at Bournemouth on Saturday.Tosin Adarabioyo was only shown the yellow card for his foul on Diogo JotaCredit: AFPGunners’ supporters blasted as “laughable” referee John Brooks’ decision to only show the Blues’ defender a yellow card.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More