Soccer

FANS declared “the curse is real” as Aaron Ramsdale was relegated from the Premier League for the THIRD time in his career.The goalie went down with his ship yet again as Southampton retreated straight back to the Championship after last year’s promotion.Fans said ‘the curse is real’ after Aaron Ramsdale was relegated with SouthamptonCredit: GettyIt’s not his first Premier League exit after going down with BournemouthCredit: Times Newspapers LtdRamsdale also suffered relegation while at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The SunRamsdale himself reckons the drop was inevitable after a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.But the ace, who also suffered relegation with Bournemouth in 2020 and Sheffield United a year later, said the Saints squad are hell-bent on beating Derby’s pitiful record haul of 11 points.The South-Coast side still need two more points to achieve that as they became the quickest team to have the dreaded ‘R’ tag next to their name in the table.Ramsdale, 26, said: “We knew it was probably going to be inevitable at some point, we haven’t been good enough all season. We were dominated by the better team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We dug in in the second half but it is a sad day and one that this group of players will learn from.”We want to get as many points as we can until the end of the season. No-one wants that (Derby) record.”Ramsdale joined the likes of fellow keeper Ben Foster and Kevin Phillips in a hat-trick of relegations.The record is five and jointly-held by ex-Bolton striker Nathan Blake and Icelander Herman Hreidarsson – the latter of which went down with FIVE different sides.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd fans were quick to declare that “the curse is real.”One said: “Ramsdale curse is real I’m afraid.”Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 downAnother declared: “Relegationdale.”One noted: “You have to appreciate his consistency.”Another added: “He shouldn’t let it get him down.”Saints go straight back down having won promotion via the play-offs last season under Russell Martin.Ramsdale, who joined from Arsenal for £18million in the summer, added: “Some are experiencing relegation for the first time so there will be a lot of emotions from them over the next few days.“The lads who have been here before, we have to try and pick the young boys up. This group did incredible things last season.“Nobody will want to jump ship with seven games to go. We are tight and we have just got to pull each other through now.”Saints chief Ivan Juric replaced Martin after the former Scotland international was axed in December.The Croat feels the club got recruitment wrong and that his young squad were not physically up to the rigours of the Premier League.But he was blown away by the away fans applauding his relegated flops off the pitch at full-time.The ex-Roma chief said: “For me, it is something completely new.“It was something incredible the way they love their team, their squad, even the players that we are relegated (with), incredible for me, incredible.“They really deserve much, much more and every person that works at Southampton has to do it better and create something much stronger than we created this year.”Juric is not expected to be in charge next term, with Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl among the candidates to replace him.Yet he seemed open to staying on and helping the team fight out at the Championship, adding: “It is really good to be a coach in the Premier League and if I took the long way to come back here, I am ready.“Then I have to see with the club, with the ideas, with everything and what they think, what I think and whether we can do it or not.”Saints’ fate was sealed by Brennan Johnson’s double and a Mathys Tel penalty, while Mateus Fernandes struck a consolation.Read More on The SunAnge Postecoglou was impressed with two-goal Johnson ahead of Thursday’s pivotal Europa League quarter-final first leg with Eintracht Frankfurt.The Aussie added: “Whenever Brennan plays, he’s always a goal threat. He’s really important for us in the way we play. I was really pleased with him, not just his goals.” More

CHELSEA played out a goalless draw at Brentford and failed to establish some safe distance from sixth place.A victory would have seen the Blues getting four points ahead of Aston Villa, who are still pushing for a late top-five finish in the Premier League.Chelsea played out a goalless draw at BrentfordCredit: RexChelsea ace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall failed to live up to expectationsCredit: GettyChristopher Nkunku couldn’t take advantage of a rare startCredit: RexPedro Neto barely stands out as the best of the worst for ChelseaCredit: AlamyA win would have also seen the West Londoners climbing up to just two points away from third-placed Nottingham Forest.However, a litany of mistakes at the back and a failure to take on their chances led to a 0-0 draw with the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium.Brentford could have snatched the win if it wasn’t for their own inability to finish against Chelsea, who are spoiled for choice when choosing the player with the most diappointing performance.However, that’s not the case when it comes to the standout performer…Read More on ChelseaBut how exactly did Chelsea’s players fare against Brentford? Check out Kostas Lianos’ player ratings below and find out:Robert Sanchez – 5Some nervy reactions when the ball was on his feet in the first half as he gave it away twice to Brentford. Was especially lucky when Mikkel Damsgaard tripped when inside the area and wasted a massive opportunity that Robert Sanchez created by giving the ball away.Much better in the second half where he made some key saves and denied a dangerous shot by Bryan Mbeumo.Malo Gusto – 3Was booked early for carelessly and needlesly pushing Kevin Schade in the first half that awarded Brentford a free-kick in a dangerous position. Improved defensively in the second half but didn’t bring anything extra when moving forward.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTrevoh Chalobah – 4Gave the ball away early in the match with a poor header that almost led to a Brentford goal. Some heavy touches throughout the first half but better in the second half.Tosin Adarabioyo – 4Came close to breaking the deadlock in the first few seconds of the match with his stretched leg but couldn’t quite meet Reece James’ free-kick. Had another chance to score from a great position during stoppage time but his header was too poor.Was booked for an awful challenge on Yehor Yarmolyuk as he stepped on his ankle but thankfully inspired more safety at the back in the second half.Former Chelsea star Demba Ba talks about his role as director of football of USL Reece James – 3Struggled against Mbeumo down the right flank in the first half, he carelessly tried to clear in the first half but gave the ball away to the Brentford forward who almost broke the deadlock with a fine shot.Met a pinpoint cross from Pedro Neto with a fine header but was denied by Mark Flekken. Generally didn’t hold his ground and made several errors, far from his best after his injury hell.Moises Caicedo – 5Lost Sepp van den Berg in the final 10 minutes that could have led to a goal by Brentford only for the defender to muck it up despite being completely unmarked in front of Sanchez.Didn’t do enough to help break through the Bees’ defence.Enzo Fernandez – 5Was livelier in the second half with a stunning ball that released Nicolas Jackson and created danger in Brentford’s area.Was booked for a rough challenge on Mbeumo towards the end when he and Chelsea were running out of ideas as he had two awful shots in the closing stages of the match.Noni Madueke – 3Had Chelsea’s first shot on target in the first half but didn’t worry Flekken. Barely made his presence known down the wing like we all know he can and was correctly hauled off.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 2Very anonymous performance. Failed to follow up after Christopher Nkunku dispossessed Van den Berg down Chelsea’s attacking third, a deflection took place that would have allowed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to create immense danger.Made up with a fantastic through ball for Jadon Sancho that almost caused a Brentford own-goal, but that wasn’t nearly enough to guarantee more rare opportunities to start ahead of Cole Palmer.Jadon Sancho – 3Came close to forcing a Brentford own-goal in the first half when his lethal low cross saw Nathan Collins’s stretched leg almost sending the ball behind Flekken’s net. But didn’t really improve after that and his performances are still well behind from his Borussia Dortmund best.Christopher Nkunku – 2Had two chances in the first half but failed to make the most of them. Was especially poor when Malo Gusto set him up for a finish inside the Brentford area. A rather anonymous performance other than that before his substitution at half-time that really raises questions about his Stamford Bridge future – didn’t take advantage of his rare opportunity to start ahead of Jackson.SUBSNicolas Jackson – 5Much livelier up front than Christopher Nkunku as he had a chance early in the second half after a stunning ball by Enzo Fernandez and just missed the target before almost causing a Van den Berg own-goal. But that was the most he could do during the second half.Cole Palmer – 6Among many Chelsea substitutions that sparked life into the visitors. Had a brilliant curling shot that just missed the target, but wasn’;t at his best – something that continues to expose Chelsea’s reliance on his performances.Read More on The SunPedro Neto – 6Had two fantastic shots on target shortly after his introduction from the bench. Very lively and vibrant at the beginning, but just like his other fellow substitutes, he quickly went quieter – just stands out as best of the worst.Marc Cucurella – 5Barely played 15 minutes and failed to bring anything significant when moving forward – pretty decent in defence. More

SOME light relief for Ange Postecoglou at last as his side dispatched possibly the worst team in Premier League history.But the Aussie will know it will have done little to change the minds of fans accusing him of being the worst Spurs Prem boss ever.Southampton made history with the earliest relegation ever from the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyTwo goals from Brennan Johnson secured a 3-1 win for TottenhamCredit: RexNo, the only way to win over those doubters is to go all the way in the Europa League.And even then, some are already steadfast in believing he is the wrong man for the job.Still, this comfortable victory, courtesy of a Brennan Johnson double, was most welcome for the under-pressure gaffer – and confirmed Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.The South-coasters became the fastest Prem team to go down as they still have seven games to go.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat is one more than the infamous Derby side of 2007-08 – whose record 11-point haul Saints are still two shy of beating – had left when they received their ‘R’ status, as well as Huddersfield in 2018-19.With that in mind, there was little to be gained for up-against-it Postecoglou here. Even a repeat of December’s 5-0 thrashing at St Mary’s – which saw Russell Martin axed about an hour after full-time – would have hardly shifted the dial.There was everything to lose though because had his side been embarrassed, they would have lost at home to the three sides all set for the drop this season, having been vanquished on their own turf by Leicester and Ipswich.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFans would have called for his head AHEAD of Thursday’s crunch quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.Fortunately, that was avoided.’People like you will be happy’ – Postecoglou snaps at Sky Sports reporter in ‘generational meltdown’ after Chelsea lossBut the 59-year-old remains just as much in the mire as he was before this game thanks to a dismal league campaign involving 16 defeats which had plunged them as low as 16th before this game.They are up to 13th now but it will do little to quell the fuming frustration among supporters, a thousand of whom took part in another protest against chairman Daniel Levy and the ownership outside the ground before the game.It took just 20 seconds for the South Stand to start chanting “We want Levy out”.The atmosphere was strange; eerily quiet, almost like a pre-season friendly.Spurs fans held a protest before the matchCredit: ReutersSome managed to get their banners inside the stadiumCredit: RexThings felt as if they could turn toxic at any minute, given the anger towards the board as well as the week – and the season, really – Postecoglou was having.The under-pressure Aussie appeared to mock his own supporters by cupping his ear during Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea – though denied he meant it as a wind-up.Had Kamaldeen Sulemana turned home a cross from Spurs target Tyler Dibling on 12 minutes, the sound of the fury may well have been deafening.But instead the Ghanaian’s effort hit the post via a Pedro Porro deflection and the hosts survived.Johnson’s first goal came after 13 minutesCredit: ReutersHe bagged a second minutes before half-timeCredit: ReutersAnd within a minute, Spurs were ahead through Johnson’s first.Ange Ball seems to have disappeared for most of this dismal season but this goal was a fine move, albeit against poor quality.Cristian Romero, who had earlier seen a powerful header saved, played a long ball up to James Maddison.The England man laid it wide to captain Son Heung-min, who fed the overlapping Djed Spence to tee up Johnson for his tenth league goal of the season.Johnson’s double saw Spurs smile for the first time in a whlieCredit: ReutersEven beleaguered Ange Postecoglou was charmed by the performanceCredit: ReutersThen came the first of the VAR checks, which eventually ruled that an offside-looking Dominic Solanke was not interfering with play.Saints fans responded with self-deprecating chants of ‘Championship again, ole ole’ as they prepared for relegation.Ramsdale was the only reason this game was not over sooner, as he bravely took a goal-bound Romero header flush in the face.It kept him down on the ground receiving treatment for quite some time – but nothing like as long as the VAR check that eventually denied Lucas Bergvall of a first Premier League goal soon after.Mateus Fernandes gave Saints a glimmer of hope with a 90th minute goalCredit: ReutersMathys Tel’s late penalty made sure of the resultCredit: PAThe Swede, 19, was off celebrating after cleverly hooking in a Romero knock-down.But then a near five-minute delay eventually spotted defender Romero to have been a gnat’s wing offside and it was chalked off.Postecoglou, who on Friday vowed not to celebrate goals anymore for fear of them being chalked off by Stockley Park, amusingly pretended to flick a coin and rock, paper, scissors during the interminably-long wait for a decision.It was as if to say that whatever call VAR came up with would be pot luck.Ivan Juric is unlikely to be leading Southampton in the second tierCredit: ReutersIt was a day – and a season – to forget for Saints’ flopsCredit: RexThe second half felt like a training-ground exercise as the teams played out time, until Fernandes disturbed the stupor by smashing home at the far post in stoppage time.Even that surprise boost failed to last as sub Welington tripped Johnson, allowing fellow sub Tel to fire home the penalty for his first Prem goal.It felt very much like a whimper for Saints to go out on, And it gave little confidence to supporters that Ivan Juric’s target to the team of avoiding being the worst Premier League team ever – by beating Derby’s pitiful tally – will be achieved.Read More on The SunJuric may well be gone before the season is out, anyway.Whether Postecoglou suffers the same fate remains to be seen, but nothing on view here would have affected that decision either way. 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