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      Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham LIVE RESULT: Unal’s incredible free-kick rescues point for Cherries after Paqueta’s pen

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      BOURNEMOUTH and West Ham were forced to share the spoils in what turned out to be a Monday Night Football clash.The Hammers took the lead through an 87th-minute Lucas Paqueta penalty.However, Enes Unal hit back just three minutes later with a spectacular long-range free-kick. RESULT: Bournemouth 1-1 West HamFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below… More

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      Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1: Late drama on South Coast as Unal stunner cancels out Paqueta’s cheeky penalty in frantic tie

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI may live to fight another day at West Ham in a weekend of Prem sackings — despite Enes Unal’s late screamer.Bournemouth’s Turkish forward Unal thumped home a stunning 90th-minute free-kick to cancel out Lucas Paqueta’s penalty — following VAR intervention — moments earlier which looked set to earn the Hammers a huge win.Enes Unal’s free-kick denied West Ham three points on the South CoastCredit: RexLucas Paqueta netted the opener from the spotCredit: GettyThe penalty was given after VAR judged Tyler Adams to have handled the ballCredit: RexHe celebrated with manager Julen LopeteguiCredit: AFPUnder-pressure Hammers boss Lopetegui saw his men allow Cherries 29 shots — their Prem-best — at the Vitality Stadium — but they were giving their all for their Spanish gaffer in a fighting draw at Bournemouth.After Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Southampton’s Russell Martin were both sacked on Sunday, Lopetegui was next in the crosshairs.Meanwhile, the hosts were seeking a club record-equalling fourth Prem straight win to move alongside ­Manchester City. Andoni Iraola’s boys are a force to be reckoned with, having seen off Arsenal, City and ­Tottenham at home in recent weeks.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut West Ham kept their hosts on the back foot for most of the first half and then defended well in the second when the Cherries woke up.The Londoners threatened first on four minutes when Vladimir Coufal broke clear but sliced high and wide.But there was nothing embarrassing about the next two efforts at both ends, which hit the woodwork.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAntoine Semenyo latched on to Justin Kluivert’s pass and his cross-shot beat West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski and brushed the far post.Most read in FootballThen Jarrod Bowen side-stepped his marker and curled a delicious left-footed effort on to the home bar. That was a shame for Bowen, who was looking for his 100th League goal in the top four divisions.West Ham stars pay tribute to Antonio with special shirts after pal’s horror crashLopetegui may have his critics but his boys were certainly giving it a go against the in-form hosts, with Mohammed Kudus a constant menace.He may also have known that Bournemouth had failed to beat the Hammers in their previous seven league and cup meetings.And it was Bowen again who turned smartly before forcing a  save out of Chelsea loanee  Kepa Arrizabalaga.Then it was Carlos Soler who caught the eye when he curled Paqueta’s pass inches wide of the far post.West Ham were clearly enjoying their night by the  sea — and they simply love Monday night football.They arrived in Dorset having won nine of their last ten matches on the first day of the working week!And the Hammers went close again when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross was cleared to Tomas Soucek whose effort was deflected wide.Then just before the break the visitors had a let-off when Dango Ouattara saw his side-footed effort hit Fabianski’s outstretched leg.The hosts were on the front foot after the break and Ouattara saw his deflected shot just miss the target.And by the third minutes of the half, Fabianski was called on to make saves from Kluivert and Semenyo.Ryan Christie then tried his luck from 20 yards with a hot drive which warmed Fabianski’s hands.Iraola’s half-time chat had certainly livened up his charges.They have been on a high after securing 24 points — their highest-ever total after 15 Prem matches.Semenyo however was next to suffer when he thought his shot was goal-bound only to have it spectacularly blocked by Maximilian Kilman.The ever-dangerous Kudus fancied his chances when he homed in on the Cherries goal but Illia Zabarnyi denied him with a timely block.Then Fabianski rescued his team again on 73 minutes when he kept out Evanilson’s deft header.West Ham were made to fight for their lives in the dying minutes with a number of brave blocks.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut thought they had won it on 87 minutes when  Wan-Bissaka’s cross was handled by Tyler Adams, leaving  Paqueta to do the rest from 12 yards.But Lopetegui and West Ham’s joy was short-lived as Unal, who struck the equaliser at Ipswich last time out, sent home a beauty as the clock struck 90 minutes to send the Cherries up to sixth place.Andoni Iraola was not impressed with the penalty decisionCredit: GettyPressure will have eased on LopeteguiCredit: PA More

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      How Chelsea & Forest are ripping up the script of how to run a football club… just don’t try to make sense of it

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      IT’S time to forget everything we thought we knew about how to run a football club.Forget stability, forget continuity, forget financial prudence, forget carefully-targeted player recruitment, forget inspirational managerial appointments.Chelsea chief Todd Boehly has splashed out over £1billion on signingsCredit: RexEvangelos Marinakis has turned Nottingham Forest into top-four contendersCredit: GettyJust tear everything to shreds, sell everyone, then max out the credit card by buying footballers.Dozens and dozens of footballers. Not just one new squad of players but two or three squads’ worth.Buy so many footballers that they can’t all fit into the dressing room at your training ground.Already got seven elite wingers? If another one becomes available, go and buy an eighth. You only live once.Read More on FootballBecause Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are the two great overachievers of this Premier League season — the Blues just two points off the summit and Forest in the Champions League places, above Manchester City.Both clubs have spent like sailors piddling it up on shore leave.If you have previously received the impressions from this column — or pretty much anywhere else in the media — that Chelsea’s Todd Boehly is a clueless American muppet, your mind must be playing tricks on you. Boehly always was a football genius.The nine-year contracts for unproven players. The knifing of more managers than Roman Abramovich. The transfer-window trolley dashes. Genius, all of it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd any ideas you had that Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis was a panic-buying shopaholic — a wild conspiracy theorist who hired that bloke off Gladiators to rumble referees — must have been the product of your own overactive imagination.Here is a big cuddly Greek Santa, laden with gifts and leading Forest into the promised land.Chelsea player ratings vs BrentfordSince Boehly and his Clearlake crew purchased Chelsea in the summer of 2022, the club has signed 45 players for a total of £1.3billion.Since Forest won promotion to the Premier League that same summer, they have got more than 40 players for a combined total in the region of £300million.And at both clubs, somehow, it’s working.At the age of 33, Forest’s Kiwi striker Chris Wood is the new Erling Haaland. Chelsea star Cole Palmer was Pep Guardiola’s blind spot.Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho are more effective than any winger currently on Manchester United’s books.The Premier League is a madhouse. To succeed, join the stark-raving lunatics, as Chelsea and Forest have done.Understated managersWhat both clubs needed, it turns out, was an understated, unheralded manager to sift through the shopping, to settle on a core squad, to play ball with eccentric owners and coach a bloody good football team.Neither Enzo Maresca nor Nuno Espirito Santo were wildly popular appointments.Maresca had led Leicester to the Championship title but was nobody’s first choice to succeed Mauricio Pochettino this summer.Yet the Italian was 20/20 in his vision of Chelsea’s best team, ruthless in his pre-season squad-slashing and he is now presiding over a premature vindication of Boehly’s seemingly-unhinged regime.Nuno, after his car-crash reign at Tottenham, replaced Forest’s promotion-winning Messiah Steve Cooper to a chorus of shrugs, just before the club would be deducted four points for breaching PSR last season. The Portuguese boss with the charisma bypass is the polar opposite of Brian Clough. Yet he is threatening to become the best of Forest’s 29 managers since the exit of Old Big ’Ead.Enzo Maresca is proving his doubters wrong alreadyCredit: GettyDon’t make sense of itSimilarly to Maresca, it’s been a case of clearing dead wood from the Forest, seeing the Chris Wood for the Tricky Trees.Of course, this is a snapshot in time. Nobody expects Forest to play in the Champions League next season and nobody expects Chelsea to win the title this term.There are still PSR concerns at both clubs, still plenty of unwanted players on long, lucrative contracts.For every Palmer at Chelsea, there’s a Mykhailo Mudryk. Boehly’s mob are still paying Raheem Sterling £200,000 a week not to play for Arsenal.And at Forest, for every Morgan Gibbs-White, there’s a Jonjo Shelvey.But, at present, these two clubs — who seemed to be giving us a crash course in how not to run a football club — are doing exactly the bleeding opposite.Whatever you do, just don’t try to make sense of any of it.Andy’s AwfulLIVERPOOL’S exhilarating 2-2 draw with Fulham will be a contender for the Premier League’s match of the season.Which suggests that, to make things more interesting for everyone, the Reds should always be reduced to ten men for no apparent reason inside 20 minutes.One troubling aspect for Arne Slot is that his side were better AFTER Andy Robertson’s harsh early dismissal than they had been with the Scot, 30, on the pitch.Full-backs don’t tend to go over the hill, they fall off cliffs — as Robbo and his fellow stalwart, 34-year-old Kyle Walker at Manchester City, have done.Cottagers’ Antonee Robinson, 27, man of the match on Saturday, has a Scouse accent despite his USA international allegiance, and would be an ideal replacement.Except that Fulham are loath to do business with Liverpool, after the Kop outfit signed academy products Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho on the cheap.Is Andy Robertson coming to the end of his prowess at Liverpool?Credit: EPABrit Of A ChangeTHERE can rarely have been a more predictable sacking than that of Gary O’Neil at Wolves.It wasn’t just two wins from 16 matches, it was his players’ meltdowns in consecutive defeats by West Ham and Ipswich which turned his side into Wolver-tantrum Wanderers.His exit came just before the equally obvious departure of Russell Martin at Southampton.It means there are   only  two  English bosses — Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche — in the top flight, along with just one other Brit, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich.A complete wipeout of homegrown bosses is on the horizon. Unless the Etihad sheikhs decide it’s time to break the glass on the emergency alarm and call up Fireman Sam Allardyce?He’s A Must PickJORDAN PICKFORD’S heroics in Everton’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Saturday suggested that, of all the changes Thomas Tuchel might make as England boss, the goalkeeping position will NOT be one of them.He has as many caps as Gordon Banks and more major final appearances than every other goalkeeper ever to play for England put together.And with the Wembley debacle against Greece in October perhaps his only truly bad performance in a Three Lions shirt, it might soon be time to show Pickford some proper appreciation.Jordan Pickford should continue to be England’s No1 for a while yetCredit: ReutersGive Spoty Men A GoIF the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award were for sporting achievement it would go to  Joe Root, who this year confirmed himself as England’s greatest ever batsman.If it were down to force of  personality, it would go to 17-year-old darts phenomenon Luke  Littler, who has made the Ally Pally arrow-slinging jamboree a global must-watch. But it will go to athletics’ Keely Hodgkinson — not unreasonably, as she’s an Olympic 800 metres gold medallist with a sparkling personality.And note that the previous three winners have all been women. Is it time for separate SPOTY awards for either sex — some  positive discrimination just to give the blokes a chance?Not Gund enoughWHILE  focus has fallen on Rodri’s injury, Kyle Walker’s terminal decline, Phil Foden’s form crisis and Erling Haaland’s lack of goals, the  re-signing  of  Ilkay  Gundogan has escaped much criticism.But Manchester City’s decision to bring back their 34-year-old former captain —  a year after he decamped  for Barcelona — was an extremely retrograde step from such a forward-thinking boss as Pep Guardiola.READ MORE SUN STORIESIlkay Gundogan has hardly pulled up trees on his return to Man CityCredit: Getty’Statistical anomaly’   TOTTENHAM have lost as many Premier League games as they have won this  season, yet after a 5-0 win in the “principles derby” at Southampton, they boast a goal difference of plus-17.This wild statistical  anomaly is perfect  testimony to the unique wonders of Angeball. More

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      Sky Sports legend Chris Kamara announces shock commentary comeback to reunite with icon after three-year health battle

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      CHRIS KAMARA will make his return to commentary on Boxing Day after a health battle.The former Swindon and Brentford midfielder, 66, left his role on Sky Sports in 2022 after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid the year before.Chris Kamara will make his return to commentary on Boxing Day after a health battleKamara will reunite with Sky colleague Jeff StellingCredit: TwitterHe developed speech apraxia and the impact on his mental health was so great that he revealed he had even considered taking his own life.Now Kammy has revealed he’ll return pitchside for Prime Video on December 26 alongside his old Sky colleague Jeff Stelling.The beloved TV personality will be covering the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham at City Ground.He shared on X: “Best phone call ever this afternoon inviting me to do the Forest v Spurs game on Boxing Day – reporting back to the Unbelievable @JeffStelling in the studio.Read More on Football“I thought I was done, so it’s a big thank you Amazon – I’m back.”Chris worked as a presenter and football analyst at Sky Sports from 1992 to 2022 before being forced to quit.His voice is improving thanks to treatment in Mexico.And while he is not yet back to full health, he is on the road to recovery.Most read in FootballKamara said in an interview this summer: “I’ve been there twice now [Mexico]. I’m going back for a third time.”I’ve got the fluency in my speech. The only thing I haven’t got is the speed of old, I know I talk 300 miles an hour before, but I’d like that back if I can. ‘My life was over two years ago,’ says Chris Kamara as he fights back tears on Britain Get Singing”So I’m going back for more treatment.”What is apraxia of speech?CHRIS Kamara has been diagnosed with apraxia of speech – but what is it?Apraxia of speech is a condition which makes talking difficult, with sufferers knowing what they’d like to say, but having trouble communicating their words.The NHS says that the condition can be extremely frustrating for people.They explained: “Frequently the person with apraxia will have difficulties with conversational speech. However they may be good at ‘automatic’ speech tasks such as counting, swearing, repeating rhymes, greetings and farewell.It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, such as a stroke.The condition does not affect a person’s understanding and the symptoms of the condition can vary occurring to the severity of the disorder. More

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      West Ham star Lucas Paqueta drops cryptic transfer hint just minutes before crunch Bournemouth clash

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      LUCAS PAQUETA dropped a cryptic transfer hint just minutes before West Ham’s clash against Bournemouth.The Hammers travelled to the South Coast in a bid to make it two wins on the bounce.Lucas Paqueta posted a cryptic transfer hint before West Ham played BournemouthCredit: ReutersWest Ham beat Wolves last Monday night to ease pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui.Paqueta, 27, has been benched for the last two games since the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.He has been subbed on in both fixtures but has seen his minutes limited under Lopetegui.Ahead of the Premier League fixture against the Cherries, the Brazilian took to social media to post a cryptic transfer hint.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe post suggested he will “return home” amid links back to Brazil and clubs such as Flamengo and Botafogo.He wrote: “I’m not from here.”I will return home.”He comes to get me, and with him, I will go!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe words appear to be lyrics from a song due to the addition of a music emoji.Despite the post, he returned to the starting line-up to face the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.West Ham fans pay emotional tribute to Michail Antonio with ninth-minute applauseAnd he ended up scoring from the penalty spot on 84 minutes in what looked to have sealed a big three points for the Hammers.But on 90 minutes hosts Bournemouth secured a point thanks to a screamer from sub Enes Unal.Paqueta has struggled to impress in the Premier League this season, with just two goals from his 15 appearances.The midfielder has also been the subject of a betting probe from the FA.He protests his innocence, but any club signing him would take the risk of possible future action – especially with the FA pushing for a LIFETIME BAN.Paqueta joined the Hammers back in 2022 in a £50m transfer from Ligue 1 side Lyon.In his debut season he helped the club win the Conference League trophy and assisted Jarrod Bowen to score the winning goal in the final.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Premier League cult hero Lee Cattermole promoted to interim manager just one WEEK after joining club

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      LEE CATTERMOLE has been promoted to interim manager at Bristol Rovers following the sacking of Matt Taylor.The manager and assistant Wayne Carlisle were axed from their roles, with the club slumped in 20th in League One.Lee Cattermole has been made interim manager at Bristol RoversCredit: BRISTOL ROVERSCattermole played over 200 times for SunderlandCredit: PA:Empics SportAs a result, Cattermole, along with David Horseman, have been handed the responsibility of being interim managers.Their promotion was announced as part of the sacking of Taylor.They will stay in the role while Rovers undertakes a “thorough recruitment process” for a new manager.A statement read: “Bristol Rovers FC can confirm that Manager Matt Taylor and assistant manager Wayne Carlisle have been relieved of their first team duties.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Matt and Wayne for all their hard work during their time with Bristol Rovers, and we wish them both every success in their respective future careers.”David Horseman and Lee Cattermole will take interim responsibility for first-team football duties while the club undertakes a thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager.”Cattermole, 36, only joined the club last week in what was his first permanent coaching role since hanging up his boots.The Premier League cult hero was hired to focus on the development and implementation of set pieces.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe will now be taking charge of all the training along with the help of Horseman.During his playing days, he spent a decade with Sunderland and made 262 appearances.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeHe also featured for the likes of Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic.He hung up his boots for the last time four years ago after a short spell with Dutch side VVV-Venlo.Cattermole’s first game in the hotseat will be the home clash against Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham on December 21.This will be followed by away trips to Exeter City and Stevenage before the end of the year.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Sky Sports identify Kelly Cates’ replacement with ex-BBC presenter already working with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher

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      SKY bosses are lining up a move for Rebecca Lowe as they plan for life after Kelly Cates.Cates is set to make a switch to the BBC as part of a new presenting team on Match of the Day.Kelly Cates is leaving from Sky Sports to join a team hosting Match of the Day on BBCCredit: GettyRebecca Lowe is expected to replace Cates after working with Gary Neville and Jamie CarragherCredit: GettyExecs at Sky are said to be gutted at losing the presenter, who will leave her role at the end of the season.But SunSport understands producers are already making plans for what comes next.And they’ve identified Lowe, who is currently a star presenter on US channel NBC, as a replacement for Cates.Lowe, a former BBC journalist, is one of the most highly regarded broadcasters in the business and Sky believe she’d be attracted by the idea of a move to help anchor Sky’s football coverage.Read More on FootballShe’s also good pals with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, with the trio launching a podcast last year. The podcast titled “It’s Called Soccer” sees Lowe debate topics from the world of football with Neville and Carragher.In one epic recent rant she showed exactly what she thought of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr’s decision to snub the Ballon D’ Or ceremony as she called him “unbelievably classless”.Her co-host Neville agreed with Lowe and put more of the blame on Real and the club’s feeling of entitlement and attitude.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPrior to her role with NBC, the 43-year-old worked for the BBC, Setanta Sports and ESPN in the UK.Cates is expected to link up with Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, with whom she will share hosting duties of Match of the Day and MOTD 2 next season.Kelly Cates on Super Sunday amid reports she’s leaving for BBCThat is after legendary presenter Gary Lineker steps down following 26 years hosting the popular show.Lowe has presented FA Cup coverage in the pastCredit: Action Images – ReutersShe is hugely experienced having worked at the BBC, Setanta Sports and ESPNCredit: AlamyShe has appeared on a podcast alongside Gary Neville and Jamie CarragherCredit: Alamy More

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      Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant coach SACKED from first manager job before Liverpool boss takes up new role

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      JURGEN KLOPP’S former assistant has been sacked from his first job as manager.Pepijn Lijnders worked at Liverpool under the German until the end of last season.Pepijn Lijnders has been sacked by Red Bull SalzburgCredit: AFPLijnders was Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at LiverpoolCredit: ReutersLijnders, 41, landed the manager role at Red Bull Salzburg after leaving Anfield earlier this year.However, after just six months in the role, he has now been sacked by the club.Salzburg had struggled under Lijnders in the run-up to the winter break in the Austrian season and are ten points behind league leaders SK Sturm Graz.CEO Stephan Reiter and managing director sport Rouven Schröder released a joint statement confirming Lijnders’ exit.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt read: “We began our announced analysis of an unfortunately unsatisfactory autumn season some time ago.”It was clear that we were far from our own expectations and goals in far too many games.”Ultimately, we came to the conclusion that our team needed a new impetus under new leadership, even though we were still hoping for a turnaround right up until the end.”We would like to thank Pep for his work. He invested a lot of commitment and passion and also gave us important impulses for further development.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We are now working very intensively on the search for a coach and will announce it as soon as a decision has been made.”It is clear that we want to start training with our new coach on January 3, 2025.”Ex-Liverpool boss and heavy metal fan Jurgen Klopp soundproofs £6m mansion in Germany’s ‘Beverly Hills’Lijnders’ record at RB SalzburgHere is a look at Pepijn Lijnders record during his tenure in charge of Red Bull Salzburg…Games: 28Wins: 13Draws: 7Loses: 8Goals scored: 50Goals conceded: 40 As per the club statement, a new coach is expected to be appointed ahead of the return from the winter break.Lijnders’ successor will have to work under Klopp as the former Reds boss will start his new role in 2025.Klopp has signed a £10m-a-year deal with Red Bull to become the global head of soccer.He will begin his new job on January 1 and will oversee the management of Salzburg, RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, two clubs in Brazil and a third-tier Japanese side. More