Soccer

ARSENAL and Everton fans united to pay an emotional tribute to Kevin Campbell. Today’s Premier League 0-0 draw was the first time the two sides have met since the former striker’s sad passing in June.Arsenal led the tributes to Kevin Campbell at Saturday’s gameCredit: GettyCampbell adorned the front of the matchday programmeCredit: GettyHis sister presented Bukayo Saka with his Player of the Month trophy before kick-offCredit: RexCampbell died aged just 54 following multi-organ failure due to a heart infection. Tributes poured in from the sporting world in the summer.And now two of his former sides came together to honour him on Saturday. The Gunners – for whom Campbell won a league title, FA Cup and League Cup – erected a poster outside the Emirates with pictures of the forward in action for Arsenal and Everton.READ MORE ON ARSENALIt was captioned with his chant “he’s one of our own” plus “Kevin Campbell 1970 – 2024” and the Gunners club badge. Campbell also featured on the front of the matchday programme and the giant screens inside the ground. KC’s family were guests in the directors’ box as part of a celebration of his life and Arsenal’s partnership with the Kevin Campbell Foundation. His sister Lorna presented Bukayo Saka with his Player of the Month award before kick-off in North London.Most read in FootballThen as the players walked out of the tunnel, Arsenal supporters unfurled a spectacular tifo showing old red home shirts with ‘Campbell 7’, ‘Reyes 9’ and ‘Rocastle 7’ in tribute to the trio of former players who have passed away.Jose Antonio Reyes played for Arsenal from 2004 to 2007 but died tragically in a car crash aged just 35 in 2019 while David Rocastle died of cancer in 2001 when he was only 33. Inquest into death of football icon Kevin Campbell Like pal Rocastle, Campbell came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and went on to score 59 goals in 213 appearances for the first team between 1988 and 1995.He had stints with Nottingham Forest and Trabzonspor before joining Everton in 1999, initially on an emphatic loan with nine goals in eight games. The striker secured a £3million permanent move and turned out a further 151 times, adding 39 goals, before finishing his career at West Brom then Cardiff. A spectacular tifo honoured three late Arsenal starsCredit: ReutersArsenal fans displayed a banner to former striker CampbellCredit: PAA lovely photo was displayed on the giant screenCredit: GettyCampbell played alongside Wayne Rooney at Goodison ParkCredit: PA More

JHON DURAN handed himself a belated birthday present to fire Villa in front.But it was Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga who provided the icing on the cake with a deadly late double for Forest!Super-sub Anthony Elanga sealed a dramatic comeback for ForestCredit: PAJhon Duran’s looping header gave Villa the leadCredit: ReutersDuran took his opportunity on a rare Premier League startCredit: PAUnai Emery’s men thought they had the three points all wrapped up when Duran bulleted a header from John McGinn’s cross beyond Matz Sels, one day after celebrating his 21st birthday.But it was Forest who were partying at full-time after stunning Villa with a classic comeback to move above Manchester City into fourth place.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side simply refused to accept defeat as they gatecrashed Duran’s celebrations to rock their Midlands rivals.Not even the disappointment of a Chris Wood disallowed goal for offside could halt Nuno’s Forest fighters.Read More Football newsMilenkovic headed them level three minutes from full-time and – as Villa reeled – it was inspirational sub Anthony Elanga who pounced to add a second, three minutes into stoppage time.It was a fabulous finish, just as we were beginning to think Forest and Villa had served up a Saturday night stinker.The first half was a slow burner to say the least.Both of these Euro hopefuls played as if they were playing away from home in Europe in the days when away goals counted double.Most read in FootballBecause they gave the impression they would happily have settled for a goalless draw from a long way out.Villa suffered a blow before a ball had been kicked when Tyrone Mings limped off during the pre-match warm-up and had to be replaced by Pau Torres.But there was little to suggest Forest could cash in on the upheaval during a turgid first 45 minutes.Forest have done well this season despite having less possession han any other side in the Premier League.Exposing the secrets of Arsenal’s CHAOTIC corner routines that can win them the Premier League titleEmi Martinez pulled off a world class save moments before Duran’s openerThe problem was Villa seemed content to hit on the break too.So we sat back and waited for the action to begin …. and we waited …. and waited.Duran and Ryan Yates swapped shots which they blazed over at either end.Then Neco Williams picked out Chris Wood at the back post but the Kiwi striker’s header across the face of goal went begging because none of his teammates had gambled on picking off an easy finish.Nikola Milenkovic levelled it for Forest in the 87th minute with a towering headerCredit: ReutersMartinez spilled the ball into his net minutes after making a wondersaveCredit: GettyMilenkovic and Elanga were the heroes for ForestCredit: PAElliot Anderson crashed a shot off Boubacar Kamara’s knee and Murillo rose to get on the end of an Anderson corner, only to shoulder his effort wide.The only mildly controversial moment came after 34 minutes when Anderson grabbed hold of Morgan Rogers wrist as the forward burst into the Forest box, causing him to tumble.But VAR John Brooks agreed with referee Sam Barrott’s assessment that contact was only fleeting, as the pair of officials decided against risking any form of excitement!Ezri Konsa then glanced a John McGinn free kick wide before we were treated to the first shot on target… in first half stoppage time!Even then Matty Cash’s attempt from the corner of the Forest box was parried out by Sels – but yet again no forward gambled on following the ball in.Only Liverpool and Arsenal had conceded fewer than the 18 Premier League goals Forest had shipped by the time they headed off for their half-time cuppa.Nuno’s men had also shipped just 22 big chances to their opposition – the joint-fewest along with Arsenal.Villa were doing little to trouble those stats although Jhon Duran did his best with a bit of pure theatre 10 minutes into the second half.The big Colombian fluffed his first attempt at taming John McGinn’s corner – then flashed a spectacular scissors kick onto the roof of the net.Forest thought they had grabbed the lead on the hour when Gibbs-White flicked on Anderson’s corner and Nicolas Dominguez headed past Emi Martinez.But somehow the World’s No.1 produced a miraculous save to claw the ball back off the line with his left glove – which Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp later described as like “Gordon Banks vs Pele”.Duran cashed in with the opening goal three minutes later, powering a header beyond Sels from McGinn’s dinked cross to grab his 11th goal of the season.Chris Wood then had an equaliser agonisingly ruled out by VAR as Elanga was judged a fraction offside before cutting the ball back for the striker.But Forest were no to be denied.READ MORE SUN STORIESMilenkovic drew them level when he squeezed a backpost header in off Martinez, one week after opening his account for the season against Manchester United.And incredibly, three minutes into stoppage time Anderson bundled Cash over and cut the ball back for Elanga to ram the ball beyond Martinez from close range to complete an amazing victory.Elanga struck in injury time to send Forest fourthCredit: Getty More

CHELSEA fans have been left in hysterics after Marc Cucurella “salvaged” his relationship with Puma in a new advert.The left-back’s boots hit the headlines during the Blues’ 4-3 win over Tottenham last Sunday.Marc Cucurella has starred in a new Puma advertCredit: @Cucurella3The brand have seen the funny side in their new advertCredit: @Cucurella3The left-back was left fuming and had to change his bootsCredit: GettyCucurella posted the boots in the bin after the final whistleCredit: @Cucurella3He suffered two disaster moments in the derby, slipping in the build-up to both Spurs goals in the first ten minutes before Chelsea staged a stunning comeback.A fuming Cucurella charged across the pitch after Dejan Kulusevski made it 2-0 and swapped boots.After the game, the Spaniard posted a snap of his pair of Puma Future 8s in the bin alongside the caption: “Sorry Blues.”The boots were set to be released by the sportswear brand the following day.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd they were even engraved with the message: “This boot might be leaked. We’re used to it. Don’t worry. Stay tuned.”It looked to be a marketing own goal but Puma have brilliantly responded.In a new advert posted on social media, Cucurella is wearing the boots alongside a caution wet floor sign.Puma wrote with the image: “It’s not how you slip, it’s how you bounce back.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe post also sees the wet floor sign placed in front of a goal, by the entrance of a Puma store, at a bus stop and on a West London street.Fans found it brilliant, with one saying: “Excellent salvaging work.”Moment Cole Palmer stops interview to quiz Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella on his boots after Tottenham clash Another added: “Best marketing ever.”A third wrote: “What a comeback from Puma.”Chelsea players also saw the funny side as Marc Guiu and Enzo Fernandez commented laughing emojis.Cucurella slipped and cost Chelsea two goals in their win over SpursCredit: APPuma put wet floor signs around LondonCredit: @Cucurella3Fans have hailed the ‘best marketing ever’ More

NEWCASTLE’S top stars turned up and delivered to kick off the biggest week of their season so far in a Ruud awakening for Van Nistelrooy at Leicester.The Manchester United legend watched on in horror as his team capitulated at St. James’ Park as ruthless Toon tore them to shreds as he suffered his first defeat in charge.Alexander Isak celebrates bagging the third Newcastle goalsCredit: GettyIsak headed the second of the Toon’s three second-half strikesCredit: GettyJacob Murphy hails rounding off the scoring with his second goalCredit: GettyNew chief Ruud van Nistelrooy saluted Leicester fans after defeatCredit: GettyJacob Murphy grabbed two while Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak scored as finally Eddie Howe’s top talents turned on the magic against a struggling side.They’ve threatened to do it several times this term without success, and their lack of clinicalness has proven costly over recent weeks.But everything went right for them here and they now head into Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Brentford full of confidence.Anthony Gordon admitted this week that all the talk of a summer move to Liverpool had affected his form this season as he asked to be left alone to just enjoy his football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he looked to be doing exactly that early on when he got the crowd going by cutting in from the left and unleashing a powerful strike straight towards the top corner.Mads Hermansen made a flying save to tip that one wide and Dan Burn headed over from the resulting corner as the Magpies continued to build up momentum.Joelinton had already fired a long-ranger straight at Hermansen before another vicious attempt from the Brazilian left Hamza Choudhury seeing stars.The ball smashed straight into the Leicester star’s head, with Murphy curling the loose ball wide.Most read in FootballThe right winger opted for style over substance on that occasion, however, it was all power shortly after when he broke the deadlock on the half hour.Murphy fired the fourth goal on the hourCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt all came from a well-worked set-piece that caught the visiting defence sleeping. A short corner was fed into Sandro Tonali, with the Italian then slipping it behind a defender for Gordon to race on to.Eddie Howe cannot hide disappointment after Newcastle’s loss to West Ham The winger darted towards the byline before cutting it all the way back for Murphy to sweep home first-time into the bottom corner.Isak could, and should, have doubled the advantage when he was sent through between two defenders but shot straight at the ‘keeper.Leicester surprisingly changed keepers at the break, presumably through injury, and the first two things Hermansen’s replacement Danny Ward had to do was pick the ball out the net.Van Nistelrooy’s half time plans went straight out the window as they were undone by some more slack marking at a set-piece.Gordon swung a free-kick that Lewis Hall headed back across goal and that allowed Bruno Guimaraes to nod in from close-range at the back post.Newcastle’s storming start continued as they made it three on 50 minutes, this time it was Hall’s deflected cross that went straight into the path of Isak to head home from three yards with Leicester’s marking completely non-existent.Van Nistelrooy had seen enough as Caleb Okoli, Facundo Buonanotte and Patson Daka replaced Hamza Choudhury, Stephy Mavididi and Jamie Vardy.But the triple change, just like the Dutchman’s words at the break, had little effect as the implosion continued.Isak, who had just been denied a second by Ward, turned provider for Murphy to drill the ball through the goalie’s legs on the hour mark to secure his brace.But there would be no hat-trick for the 29-year-old ex-Norwich man as Howe brought him off to a huge ovation with former Leicester flanker Harvey Barnes taking over out wide.He came close three times to getting his name on the scoresheet, but the Toon Army were happy to settle for four as they now switch focus to the Carabao Cup.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, the hard work starts now for Van Nistelrooy and Leicester to try and prevent a harsh winter for the strugglers.And with a derby against Wolves to come next weekend and a trip to Anfield after that, it could prove to be a defining 11 days or so in their own campaign.Bruno Guimaraes rose to make it 3-0 on 47 minutesCredit: GettyMurphy measured his Toon opener on the half-hourCredit: Getty More

TYRONE MINGS withdrew from the Aston Villa team during the warm-up at Nottingham Forest after falling ill.The defender was set for just his second Premier League start of the season at the City Ground.Tyrone Mings fell ill before the match against Nottingham ForestCredit: PAThe defender pulled out during the warm-upCredit: GettyMings even fronted the Villa team sheetCredit: X formeryly Twitter / @AVFCOfficialBut he had to pull out of the team with reports claiming he was taken ill during the warm-up.Mings came out onto the pitch to begin his preparations for the match but minutes later he headed down the tunnel.The Villa captain was subsequently taken out of the matchday squad and Pau Torres took his place in the starting line-up.Boss Unai Emery decided to pick Mings to deal with the threat of 10-goal striker Chris Wood.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe explained the reasoning behind his decision, saying: “Tyrone Mings is stronger and Pau [Torres] is better in the build-up.”Illness is a setback for Mings as he continues his road to full recovery.He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at Newcastle on the opening day of last season and was out of action for 445 days.Mings returned against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and completed 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe then followed that up with a start in the Champions League against Club Brugge, but made a disastrous mistake which cost his side a defeat.Mings produced one of the biggest gaffes ever seen in the competition in his debut appearance, picking up the ball to concede a penalty as he attempted to play a goal kick.’Referee had no choice but to award a penalty after Tyrone Mings’ schoolboy error – he’s absolutely spot on’Goalkeeper Emi Martinez had already re-started play, so when Mings reached down and touched the ball the referee had no choice but to blow his whistle. More